Chapter 9 - Best Friends No More?

It had taken a while for Tamao to answer Nagisa's proposal, however she was not sure whether Nagisa still had any feelings left for Shizuma, the former Etoile. Even though she had been hurt so much by Shizuma, it seemed that no matter what, Nagisa would end up with her once again. Tamao knew that someone would have to stop the cycle, and that person would be her.

"Nagisa-chan," Tamao said as she approached her, "I would be honored to marry you. But, before we do that, Nagisa-chan, there is something I have to ask you.

"What do you need to ask me, Tamao-chan," Nagisa asked giddily.

"If things don't work out between us, would you run back to her," Tamao asked, her head facing towards Shizuma, and her voice cold as she was talking about the former Etoile.

"I told you before Tamao-chan," Nagisa replied, "that no matter what happens between us, the time is over between me and Shizuma-sama," Nagisa said. "I know things could go wrong between us," Nagisa continued, "and if that time ever comes, I give you my word that I will not go back to her.

"What about me then," both Chikaru and Miyuki asked.

"What are you two talking about," Shizuma asked.

"We love her," Chikaru stated. "I know it's strange, but we confided in each other that we both happened to love Nagisa-chan.

"Wait a minute, " Nagisa and Tamao said together, while Shizuma looked on amazed, "how is this possible?

"You do realize that we both shared moments with you alone, Nagisa-chan," Miyuki answered. "Like when you were nervously asking me about Kaori-chan, because Suzumi-san could not answer the question, and when I announced that you and Tamao-san would be in the Etoile election, and you got hurt yet again, not only by Shizuma, but also myself, and Chikaru-san found you. That was no accident, it seems to me.

"But, Miyuki, you are supposed to be getting married once you graduate," Shizuma said as she tried to control her anger that her best friend would also have feelings for Nagisa. "You can't have feelings for Nagisa," she said sadly, knowing her friend was trying to help her.

"What's it to you Shizuma," Miyuki snapped. "You and Nagisa was like you and Kaori, you know, and I had to shut up and accept it yet again. You do realize now, don't you, what I mean?

"I don't have a clue, Miyuki," Shizuma said, and then it dawned on her. "You loved Kaori too," she whispered.

"You finally figured it out," Miyuki said coldly. "We three were always together for one reason or another. It only took you four years to finally figure it out," Miyuki snarled at Shizuma. "And now you are doing the same thing again, only this time, you aren't just hurting me, but Tamao-san, and Chikaru-san.

A/N: Sorry it's taken so long to get this chapter out. I have had writer's block, trying to figure out a way to do this chapter. The next chapter will be longer, and will either break up a friendship between Shizuma and Miyuki, or destroy it.