Voice of the Present
Waiting: Part V
Unexpected Guests
Saturday, November 25, 2006, late evening (POV: Okuwaka Tsubomi)
"Nagisa-oneesama had her reasons!" Okuwaka Tsubomi heard Kagome of Le Rim exclaim. "It was like Romeo and Juliet. Her Romeo called and she went to her. Percival thought it was romantic."
You have got to be kidding. The girl who gave Romeo's famous love speech to her frikkin' teddy bear rather than to me, Juliet, talking about "romantic"? Give me a break!
"Well THIS Juliet would never be so foolish to go with such an ambivalent or fickle Romeo, or to leave one clearly so dedicated standing at the altar." So there.
"Thank you, Kagome-chan," Chiyo added looking at her Le Rim peer, clearly barely holding back tears at the emotion in the room surrounding her beloved oneesamas. "I was with Tamao-sama after the election and before the swearing in. She said she was happy Nagisa-oneesama had found happiness. She was happy for Nagisa-oneesama." Chiyo's words were earnest. She clearly wanted to believe what she was saying, but her face belied her own doubts.
So speaketh Saint Miator of the Turned Cheek. I honestly do feel sorry for Chiyo, who is probably more caught in the middle than any of us here…except maybe Hikari-sama whose job now is to be all diplomatic and 'benefit of the doubt' like. Still, it's time Chiyo actually grows a backbone.
"Tamao-sama is just too good a person. She's never said a bad thing about Nagisa-sama all year. I think the fact she's not here with us right now in her own room at midnight is an indication of what she really felt," Tsubomi pointed out with finality that lingered for several very uncomfortable moments.
So speaketh Saint Spica of the Last Word.
A knock at the door interrupted Tsubomi's thoughts.
"Oneesama!" Chiyo exclaimed and started to rise from her sitting position.
"Um, if it were Nagisa-sama or Tamao-sama, wouldn't they just come in?" Tsubomi pointed out logically, trying really hard to stay calm.
"What she said," Tsubomi heard Yaya add. She smiled at the reinforcement from a person whose opinion actually meant something to her. Well, whatever comes of this, at least Yaya and I see eye to eye at the end.
Tsubomi watched as Chiyo threw the door open. Chiyo's excitement very quickly moderated to confusion and then deflated from there. Tsubomi could see above Chiyo's head the faces of President Rokujō Miyuki of Miator and President Minomoto Chikaru of Le Rim.
I guess it'd be socially incorrect to say 'I told you so', she thought in silence.
Chiyo backed away from the door and the two older girls walked through the doorway and looked around. "Ladies. Étoile-sama," the two gave their greeting to those in the room, bowing in the direction of Hikari. Miyuki continued, "Please don't stop on our account. It sounded like quite a passionate conversation was going on before we knocked."
"Um, we're not in trouble, Rokujō-sama?" Chiyo asked timidly.
Miyuki looked to Chikaru and said, "Why is it that all the younger classes think they invented the clandestine midnight tea party?" She then turned back to the assembled girls. "First off, we'd be hypocrites to stop you, especially given today's circumstances. Second, I'll point out neither Chikaru-san nor I are the most senior person in this room."
All eyes turned to Hikari in realization of what the Miator President was saying. Hikari flushed in embarrassment.
Chikaru took over where Miyuki left off. "Étoile-sama, we would be most grateful if you and your friends would allow us to join you." Again, the two older girls bowed formally.
"Um, of course," the flustered Hikari responded. The girls proceeded to crowd more to allow the two new arrivals to slip in. Chiyo indicated she'd sit on the side of one of the beds while she made fresh tea and served everyone, which made things easier.
"So, what were you talking about so passionately before we knocked?" Miyuki asked the assembled girls.
"Nothing much," Remon reported. "We were just wondering where Nagisa-san and Tamao-san might be this late at night."
"Well, it just so happens we bring news of both of them. It's actually one of the reasons we're here," Miyuki shared. "Sister Hamasaka received word from the Hanazono estate earlier this evening that Shizuma and her 'friend from school' were spending the night at the coastal mansion. As for Suzumi-san, I'm told she is 'safe for the night with some very trusted Miator senpai who have her bests interests at heart and are bringing her some needed perspective'. That's all I was able to get the Sister to say on the matter, other than that Strawberry Hall sanctions Suzumi-san's absence but is undecided on Shizuma's, and by extension Aoi-san's. I believe Chikaru knows significantly more, but as is often the case with such things, she just smiles enigmatically and we move on."
Chikaru smiled just as Miyuki described and sipped her tea.
"So Shizuma-sama might actually not get away with it after all?" Yaya found the courage to ask.
"I'm not sure the extent of the 'it' you refer to, Nanto-san," Miyuki continued. "If you are referring to this morning, Suzumi-san and I asked that be allowed to pass into history, and all involved including the new Étoile agreed. I'm not so sure about tonight. I will leave that to the Sisters to decide, and I would suggest you all to do the same. Shizuma is a rule unto herself, as is potentially now Hikari-sama of Spica. I will be curious to see how she grows into her new authority and responsibility."
Hikari seemed rather overwhelmed at the words and attention and seemed very focused on her tea cup.
"Very well, Étoile-sama," Miyuki finished while looking at the young girl in question. "I'll defer that conversation for a little while as you consider your thoughts on the matter. Given the current state of the office, there will be a lot of expectation on you and Amane-sama. I have hopes you, especially, will rise to the challenge."
"Why was Shizuma-sama allowed to act the way she did for so long?" Again it was Yaya who asked the question.
This time Chikaru answered since Miyuki seemed disinclined to dive in. "That is a very easy question with a very difficult answer. Part of it is status, which Shizuma has in generous abundance. Part is money, which she has likewise. But mostly it would be force of will, personality and natural leadership. Leading for Shizuma is as natural as breathing. It is in her genes, her breeding, and her upbringing and training. If she is properly grounded, many believe there is no limit to what she can accomplish, with the consummate status for the Astraea Hill schools. Improperly grounded? Well, at best she is a loose cannon as this year demonstrated. At worst, people can get hurt."
"As we saw today," Tsubomi ventured.
"Actually," responded Miyuki, "I am hoping today might have been the beginning of a regrounding for her."
"But people got hurt," Tsubomi insisted.
"Perhaps," the Miator President continued. "The question is how lasting the hurt will be. As Chikaru indicated, Shizuma needs grounding. She's powerful, but brittle. At one time in my life, I had hoped to be the one to ground her, but like a square peg for a round hole it wasn't to be." Miyuki paused. It was clear this admission was taking a lot out of the older girl and Chikaru's hand reached over to squeeze hers. Miyuki continued, "When Kaori came, the two of us together were able to give Shizuma the foundation to start truly flying, and it was amazing to behold. Those were the happiest moments of my life. As the second and third year's here will remember, Kaori and Shizuma had only to show up for the election last year and claim their right. If life were fair, it would have continued like that forever." Miyuki paused then, and her face became decidedly sadder. "But life isn't fair. Kaori died, and I couldn't hold Shizuma together by myself." By this time tears were now running down Miyuki's cheek and her voice faded off. When it became clear she wasn't going to continue, Chikaru, her hand still holding Miyuki's, went on.
"You all saw what happened next," the red-ribboned Le Rim President continued. "Shizuma-sama fell into depression which only ended when Nagisa-san unsuspectingly claimed her heart. Nagisa-san herself, though, was not unsupported. She couldn't have survived the last six months on her own. Behind her was Tamao-san. As much as we love the romance of a couple, three is perhaps the most powerful of all. A two legged stool won't stand, but three legs change everything. Mathematically, we learn the power of the triangle. And let us not forget the Blessed Trinity, and of course the Astraea tradition of two Étoile and their Servitoir which is based on the Trinity. If Kaori hadn't died, I can only imagine what Shizuma might have accomplished with Kaori and Miyuki by her side. Likewise, a similar dynamic could exist now between Shizuma-san, Nagisa-san, and Tamao-san. If anything, the potential for those three is even greater because Tama-san has qualities and abilities in her own right quite different from Shizuma but quite possibly on par with her." That last caused Miyuki to wince, but she stayed silent. "Despite the events of today, I believe all three girls will come out of this stronger. My hope is that you all, their closest friends, will stick by each of them and not judge…just love them and help them along. It won't be easy now, especially not after today, but I truly believe their happiness will result."
Tsubomi looked around the table to see all the other girls, even Hikari, essentially mesmorized by what Chikaru and Miyuki had said. Is she suggesting Tamao's destiny now is just to support Shizuma somehow? Is that how Chikaru-sama sees my destiny now with Hikari and Amane-san? I'm not sure how to feel about that. Tsubomi's eyes then fell on Yaya and she thought she saw a troubled look as well. Yaya's eyes briefly locked with her own, before the older girl returned her gaze intently to the senpai.
"More than anything, that is why Miyuki and I came here. You all, along with Nagisa-san and Tamao-san, whether or not you realize it, are leaders for your respective schools and classes. I ask you to please not choose sides between Shizuma-san and Tamao-san, to hold everyone blameless, and to defend them equally going forward."
"You are asking a lot, Chikaru-sama," Tsubomi announced to rather surprised looks from many around the table.
"I agree with my kōhai, senpai. No offense, but Shizuma-sama acted horribly this morning, and my friend Nagisa-san's willingness to go along with it really disappointed me," Yaya added.
Chikaru's smile remained unchanged, but it seemed to Tsubomi that her eyes grew sad. "It's hard to discover your king has feet of clay, isn't it?"
"Chikaru-sama?" Tsubomi responded in confusion.
"As hard as it can be to believe or remember at times, Shizuma-san is human. She has human frailties and fears. At that moment, Shizuma-san needed Nagisa-san more than Tamao-san did, however unfair the timing might have been. Nagisa-san was forced to decide, and Tamao-san showed amazing maturity letting her go where she was needed at that moment. It was one of the most beautiful things I have seen in my life, and I consider myself truly blessed to have been close witness to Tamao-san's words and deeds. Some day, Yaya-san and Tsubomi-san, you will find yourself forced to decide, required to choose one path and forego another. The decision may involve someone you love left hurting regardless of which path you take. I hope you show equal wisdom as shown by Nagisa-san and Tamao-san today."
Tsubomi and Yaya, minds left in speechless thought, could only nod.
"By the way," Chikaru redirected, "Chiyo-chan, did you prepare all this? It's wonderful!"
"Yes, Chikaru-sama. It was actually Tsubomi-chan's idea this morning, for which I am grateful to her. It was all I could think of to do to help make sure we all came back together at the end of the day and were friends again. I just wish it had turned out better."
"Don't fret, Chiyo-chan," Miyuki added. "I think your actions, and Okuwaka-san's foresight, were just what was needed. You are all an amazing group of friends, and it really helps me begin letting go seeing the future of the Astraea Hill schools in such good hands. I'm going to miss this place, but time marches on. And speaking of marching, I believe Chikaru and I have been enough of a disruption." Miyuki looked to Chikaru, who nodded. "Étoile-sama, if my friend and I may have your leave, we'll leave you girls to enjoy the rest of your evening."
"Of course," Hikari responded as the older girls rose. "Thank you for coming by and giving us so much to think about. I'm sure we are all glad to hear all is well with both of our missing friends." Hikari emphasized the both.
"I'm glad we were able to be of service. Good night all," and with that the girls departed and the door closed behind them.
"I was so busy supporting Amane-senpai going into the election that I suppose I never thought through what being E'toile would mean beyond Amane-senpai and I."
"You'll do fine, Hikari-sama." Remon assured her. "You have the support of all the schools, an amazing partner, and a group of friends here who will support you in any way we can. Don't ever feel you're in this alone, right Kizuna-chan?"
"Absolutely," seconded Kizuna.
"Hikari-senpai," Tsubomi added, "I'll be with you every step of the way all year. Don't forget that. I promise I'll work hard to be as good a serviteur de l'étoile as Rokujō –sama, and I think she's been amazing given what she had to work with most of the year. You'll be ten times the E'toile Shizuma-sama was, so you'll be fine."
Hikari and Tsubomi shared a smile, and Hikari slid over to hug her kōhai. "Thank you, Tsubomi-chan. That really does make me feel much better. Likewise Remon-chan and Kizuna-chan, I'll be leaning on you both as well. I'm so grateful to have friends I can depend on." Hikari then slipped into a huge yawn. "I am so sorry," she said with embarrassment. "It's been a long day and this evening has been more eventful than I expected."
"Yaya-chan, why don't you take your roommate to bed?" Remon suggested specifically to Yaya, rather than Tsubomi, given the unstable dynamics she had noted between the Spica trio the past few moments. "Chiyo-chan, do you mind if we wrap things up now? I know it's been a short party, but it's been a long day. Le Rim will stay a little bit and help you clean up after we kick Spica off to bed."
"It's okay, Remon-san," Chiyo responded. "And thank you for the help. Please just be really careful with the service. I think my life is over if it gets hurt."
***Author's Note***
I am drawing a lot from the light novels insofar as Chikaru is concerned. In the light novels, Chikaru's motivations are better described. She has her own agendas, and is not above using her own unique skills to bring them about…skills that make her in my mind equal to Shizuma as the most powerful personality in all the schools. If she occasionally seems OOC in my writings compared with the anime, that's because I'm drawing from other sources.
