Disclaimer: I do not own Strawberry Panic.

A/N: A big thank you to my readers and all your reviews. I do read them and try to improve on my story. Also, a shoutout to those silent readers. Yes, you. The one who sneaks in and read then run off without leaving a review LOL.

Lastly, this one is for Amane x Hikari lovers.

Do read and review! Thanks!


Chapter 7: The value of trust

Amane brushed through Star Bright's coat, all the while speaking softly to the stallion.

"Do you think Hikari will be alright? Sometimes I wished there was more that I could do apart from just holding her and effectively shielding her from the horrors of the world. Would that make her too reliant on me?"

The gleaming white horse nuzzled his blue-haired rider's palm, comforting her in his own way.

"Thank you, Star Bright. I'm sorry for worrying you."

She led the horse into its stall, making sure there is enough feed and water for the night before heading off to the showers.

As she stood beneath the shower head, warm water pounding against her back and easing the tension in her muscles, her thoughts wandered yet again.

'Hikari…I hope you are alright. It must have hurt when your best friend thought of you in a different manner…in a manner which repulsed you…yet…isn't it the same as when we are together? Do you feel disgusted when we kiss? Do you flinch when I touch you? I wish you would be honest with me.'

She turned off the shower and stepped out onto the cool bathroom tiles.

'I can't lose you. You are my angel, Hikari.'

She toweled her hair dry and mentally counted the steps towards her locker, oblivious to her surroundings. She was so lost in her thoughts that it wasn't until she was about to start dressing that she noticed she wasn't alone in the locker room. Peeking out from behind the locker door, she found herself looking into those bluish orbs that she had come to love so much.

'Is it as I feared?'

She was at a lost for words. Mentally kicking herself, she tried to string a coherent sentence.

"Hikari. Were you waiting for me?"

'Great. That sounded so lame. Who else could she be waiting for in the locker room of the riding grounds except me?'

"Give me a minute. I'll be done soon"

Amane hurriedly pulled on her Spica uniform and was attempting to straighten the ribbon when small hands reached around her and pulled the ribbon into a neat bow. Amane turned slowly to face Hikari who proceed to brush the white uniform in various places, smothering the creases. Amane was caught off-guard and just stood still watching her blond haired angel intently.

"There. Much better. Shall we go, Amane-sempai?"

Amane blinked in surprise and just nodded as Hikari linked her arm through hers and they began walking through the riding grounds.

It was killing her. She needed to find out what are Hikari's thoughts. She stopped suddenly, realizing that they were at the place when she had first heard Hikari sing. This place which held so many memories of them. It couldn't be more fitting.

"What's wrong Amane-sempai?"

"Hikari, there are some things that I need to know."

Amane inhaled deeply, steeling herself for her next words.

"Are you in any way unsure of our relationship?"

Hikari's face reflected confusion. Thus Amane decided to be a little more detailed.

"I mean, I never really considered your feelings. I just decided on my own that I have to have you so much so that I may have forced you into doing certain things that you are uncomfortable with. I don't want to hurt you in anyway, Hikari…"

"Don't think that way."

Hikari's quiet voice interrupted. The forest was eerily quiet, even the wind seems to be listening in. Amane continued, driving her point across although she wished she never had to.

"Do you flinch inwardly when we kiss? Do you feel fear when I touch you? Please Hikari, tell me."

"No. No. No!"

Hikari covered her ears in an attempt to block out those words.

"I never felt that way. Amane-sempai, I love you with all my heart and soul. Please don't put it that way…it's not the same as when…Yaya-chan and Kenjou-sama…"

Amane pulled her into a tight embrace, hushing her gently.

"It's alright. I'm sorry for thinking that way. I should have known better."

She stroked the soft blond hair and felt Hikari relaxing into the embrace.

'I'm such an idiot. I should have trusted her.'

After what seemed like an eternity, Hikari pulled back then stood on tiptoes to kissed Amane softly on the lips. It took Amane a while before responding to the sudden kiss.

'This is a first. Hikari never took the initiative before…'

Amane pushed all unnecessary thoughts away and concentrated on her angel. The two figures melted against each other, silhouetted against the last rays of orange light as the sun set.


A/N: I apologise for my limited vocabulary..after spending two years writing scientific essays, it's kinda hard to write novel-like essays...The next chapter will be longer, I promise. Although that would mean a longer wait too LOL. Again, my apologies. BTW, help on the academic calendar for Japan would be greatly appreciated since I have no idea how it works... It would cut down on research time. Thank you all for reading and please do review.