Disclaimer: I Do not own Mai Otome

Author's Note: Currently I am very frustrated with myself. This chapter and the next were supposed to be one single piece, however my tendency to ramble on has gotten the better of me. I decided to go ahead and post this first half as a separate chapter rather than take forever on a super long one. frown.I was really looking forward to the next chapter. Oh well, at least the next update will be quicker since I more or less have it hammered out.

Thanks to anyone with Mai input, and to all you hopeless people: I am a sap too. But don't tell anyone, ok? It's a secret. ;)

Also I especially want to thank glowie for graciously letting me sound out some of my ideas and giving me prompt feedback. Yay!

Now, onto the story.


Ch. 6 Roommates

Natsuki groaned as her right hand flopped about her nightstand for the alarm clock. Furious at being unable to shut the damn thing off, she opened her eyes to pin it with an accusatory glare only to find it not on the stand at all. Then where is that damn beeping coming from? As her memory of the night before came back to her, she remembered that she had put the thing under her bed to be sure not to sleep in on her first day of classes. Tearing herself from the warmth of her blankets she fished the alarm out, it's racket getting momentarily louder before she was able to turn it off. She knew she had no one to blame but herself, staying out so late on the eve of school, but she still mumbled curses at the thing. It made her feel better. After all, she had to grumble at something this early in the morning.

As anyone who knew Natsuki might guess, she was not a morning person, so it was some time before she was dressed and ready to go. On her way out, she stopped to take one last look at herself in the mirror. It was funny seeing herself in the uniform that she associated so much with Shizuru. She gently fingered the silk trim of the apron; wearing it made her feel closer to her somehow…

Catching herself smiling in the mirror, she quickly dismissed the silly thought from her mind. She switched gears, and pulled out the acceptance letter that instructed her where to be this morning. Apparently she was to arrive early with all of the other new students in some ballroom located on the upper level of the research building. She frowned, thinking of the only other time she had walked on the main pathways here. Hmm… Maybe there's a way to get there from Saki's level? It would be best to avoid the crowds.

Unfortunately, she realized she didn't have the time to waste looking for a back way in. Thanks to her final bit of vanity, she now had a mere twenty minutes before the entrance ceremony started. What's gotten into me, dallying in front of the mirror when I need to be getting a move on? She sighed. I guess I'm just going to have to walk in with all of the other students. Her inner voice could hardly sound more despondent.

In the end she decided the best course of action would be to cut through the woods. It would save her time anyways.

As she stepped onto the wide stone pathway she felt, rather than saw, several heads turn in her direction. Apparently four months was not long enough to erase away the initial impression she made at this school.

"Look. Isn't that the mysterious girl that lived in the visitor's lodge last semester?! I didn't know she was going to be a student here!"

Natsuki's eyes flicked left, to see three returning corals tittering in her direction. What is it with these people? Don't they have better things to do than sit around gossiping?

Not willing to give them the satisfaction of acknowledgement, Natsuki stalked by as if she didn't know that the eyes of all the girls in the vicinity were now fixated on her.

"It must be."

"Oh. She's kinda scary…"

"I wonder where she's fro…"

The voices faded as she made it into the building. Her shoes made echoed screeches as she walked down vast marbled corridors. Getting to the ballroom easily enough, she sat down in one of the proffered chairs. Many of the other new arrivals were already seated so her selection was limited. She cringed at having to sit next to a pack of bubbly girls, but luckily all sound was soon extinguished as an elegant woman dressed in a formal Meistar uniform took the podium. All eyes were on the tall woman with short dark hair who exuded an air of quiet command.

"Good morning and welcome. My name is Sadako Somier and as Headmistriss please allow me to be the first in congratulating all of you on your acceptance into the Guarderobe Otome Academy. As of now, you can now count yourselves among the finest students in the world. I am sure that you are impatient to move on to the day's events, so at this time I would like to introduce Dr. Saki Minuette to the podium. Dr. Minuette is Head of Research at this academy, and she will briefly explain the effects the nanotechnology will have on your body. I know you are all excited to receive your GEM's, but please pay attention. We believe in making informed decisions here, and the privilege of Otome technology is not for everyone. Thank you."

Polite applause ensued as the Headmistress took her seat and the doctor stood.

Saki walked up to the podium. With a swift click of her remote she turned on a large screen behind her. Natsuki zoned out as the doctor explained what it meant to become an Otome. Natsuki had heard it all before. Is it just me or is she purposefully avoiding eye contact with me? Natsuki was still miffed at the doctor for not giving her any information on her mother's death. Of course, it was possible that even she did not know. After all, Yamada had proved useless. He said that he would keep an ear out for her, but even he had not heard of anything pointing towards a leak in Guarderobe technology. Well, there's nothing I can do about it now.

Her focus returned as the headmistress once again took the stage.

"…will all make your way to the clinic, where you will receive the nano-injection. Soon afterwards, each of you will make your pledge before the Shinso and be given a coral GEM. On your way out, please give your name to Miss Maria to receive information on your dormitory and room assignment. I hope to see all of you again at the Pledge."

Not being one to mill about, Natsuki promptly went up to the stern looking woman with the blond hair that had begun to cloud with grey. She stated her name.

"Kruger, Natsuki."

Miss Maria briskly flipped through a stack of papers and responded with equal efficiency.

"Here you are Kruger. You may proceed to the dormitories."

As soon as she moved away from all the other girls waiting in line, she took a look at the paper:

Guarderobe Student Dormitory Assignment

Wing: Coral South

Floor: 2

Room: 247

Roommate: Mai Tokiha of Zipang

All new arrivals must report to the clinic in 2 hours! Please do not be late

Roommate? Up until this very moment, Natsuki had taken for granted such things as personal privacy and autonomy. She had never had to share a room with someone. I suppose it makes sense, it is a boarding school after all. But still... She looked skeptically at some of the girls in the room.

Still reeling from the fact that she would be sharing a room with another coral, Natsuki didn't notice the Headmistriss approaching until she heard her name being called out from behind her left shoulder.

"Natsuki Kruger."

Natsuki visibly jumped.

"Don't worry. Contrary to rumors here on campus, I don't bite."

Seeing the woman up close, Natsuki wasn't so sure. Somewhat belatedly remembering her manners she replied,"Forgive me headmistress, I didn't see you coming."

"Please Natsuki, no need for apologies. I just wanted to personally welcome the daughter of Imeli myself. Seeing you here today makes me think that your mother would be very proud of you."

Natsuki looked down, a little embarrassed.

"I read the report Dr. Saki sent me, and seeing as you have already received your injection, it won't be necessary for you to go to the clinic today. Please feel free to walk the grounds until it is time to receive your GEM."

"Thank you, Headmistriss."

"And, Natsuki, please do not hesitate to come to me if there is anything you wish to talk about. I want you to feel at home here."

She nodded and hurried away as fast as politeness would allow. Being on the receiving end of that woman's full attention was unnerving. She really wanted to get out of here, but before she could even take five steps someone called out to her again.

"Um, excuse me, but is your name Natsuki Kruger?"

What now? Natsuki turned around to see a cheerful looking red head endowed with a rather large chest.

"Who are you? And how do you know my name?" Natsuki blurted out. Her nerves were about shot.

The girl laughed a bit nervously scratching at her temple as she sheepishly replied, "Ahh… Well, I couldn't help but overhear the Headmistriss talking to you…"

Trailing off the girl stuck out her hand.

Great. She must have heard about my mom and…

"Anyways, I'm Mai Tokiha, and if I'm not mistaken we're roommates."

Instead of shaking the girls hand, Natsuki quickly unfolded the crinkled bit of paper that had suffered under her nervous ministrations earlier. She read the name aloud.

"Mai Tokiha."

It was true. Well, at least she wasn't asking about her past.

Mai lowered her hand.

"Please call me Mai."

"Um, ok."

Natsuki wasn't very good at making small talk. Luckily for her, with Mai's good natured demeanor she could probably talk to a wall and get it to open up to her.

"So… Since we were lucky enough to meet each other early, why don't we walk over to the dorms to get a look at out new room?"

Natsuki looked her over and shrugged, deciding that being curt with this girl would get her nowhere.

"Sounds good to me. Where do we get the keys?"


After Mai left for the clinic, Natsuki made a b-line for the chapel. It's not really lunchtime, but maybe she will be there. If not, it was just as good a place as any to fill her spare time.

Of course, as she halfway expected, the place was empty.

Being more disappointed than anticipated, she was about to turn around and leave when two arms snaked around her waist, and an unmistakable voice whispered in her ear.

"Hello, Natsuki."

Natsuki jerked at the unexpected sensation. (Natsuki's ears were rather sensitive to such things.)

"Sh-shizuru what are you doing?"

"I couldn't help myself. Natsuki looks so cute in her new uniform."

"Well you could have at least said 'hi' first. Geez. That's the third time today that I've been snuck up on from behind."

"Hmm, don't they say that good things come in threes?"

Natsuki scoffed.

"No. It's small packages. Good things come in small packages. The only things that come in threes are funerals."

Though her voice was terse and her face was scrunched up in seeming irritation, Natsuki made no move to release herself from the girls embrace. She was really very happy to have been surprised by Shizuru's presence. It was as if all the anxious bustle and worry of the day had been washed away by a single word of her mouth.

Shizuru let go as Natsuki made to turn around. She was somewhat surprised to see the older girl wearing a casual yet elegant outfit whose colors made her eyes stand out.

"Speaking of uniforms, where's yours?"

"Oh, today is really for new arrivals. Returning students don't need to be ready until the commencement battle."

"Ah." I guess that makes sense.

"Did you bring anything for lunch?"

Shizuru's face fell a little.

"Sadly I have not, seeing as I only just arrived on campus. Also, as much as I would love to spend more time with Natsuki, I will need to be getting ready for later."

She sighed somewhat dramatically.

"I'm afraid I only came here in hopes of seeing my little ghost in her uniform before everyone else did."

Shizuru emphasized the words "little ghost" with two light taps to Natsuki's nose. This action, interestingly enough, rendered the "little ghost" incapable of looking like anything other than confused and slightly cross-eyed.

Shizuru giggled, effectively snapping Natsuki out of her trance. She fixed the older girl with a glare.

"For the last time Shizuru; I am not your ghost… And I'm not little either!"

Shizuru merely smiled as she coyly backed up to the door--her mission complete.

"I'll see you later Natsuki."

She then turned and made her way outside.

"Oi, do you want me to save you a seat?" She yelled at the retreating figure.

But either Shizuru did not hear her, or her question had been ignored since there was no reply.

I guess I better get back to the ballroom for the Pledge. I did tell Mai I would save her a seat… Hey, if I get there early enough maybe I can pick one by the aisle!

With a newfound sense of optimism, Natsuki once again made her way to the research building.


Next Chapter -"Pearl No. 1": The Commencement Battle in on, and Natsuki learns a little more about Shizuru.