DiSCLAIMER: I do not own Strawberry Panic.
INTRODUCTION: So this is the end of the story. I know some of you have expressed that I left Kagome out of the old friends to bring up but I did no forget her...I just wanted to have an even number of people so that I could pair someone up with someone else. In this last chapter, old friends rekindle their friendship and in the end, I added a little summary of the future. Please enjoy and thank you so much for all of the time everyone has taken to read my writing.
After Chikaru had called up her old friends; Shizuma, Yaya, and Miyuki came downstairs from washing up.
"So, everyone will be here within an hour and Amane has suggested a nice restaurant that she knows of." Chikaru said delightfully.
"That is great, Chikaru." Shizuma smiled.
Yaya gently reached out for Miyuki's arm and turned Miyuki to face her.
"I want you to understand that nothing will happen between me and Hikari, okay? Trust me, please." Yaya assured.
Miyuki smiled and nodded her head.
"I trust you, dear. I know that you are over her."
The four friends sat in front of the hearth as they waited for the rest of their friends to arrive. Right on time, a soft knock came from the door and Chikaru jumped out of her seat and ran to open the door. When she opened the door, within the entrance stood Tsubomi and Shion.
"Hello!" The three friends shouted to each other as they hugged one another.
Shizuma, Miyuki, and Yaya came over to greet the two new comers and Chikaru hustled everyone towards the warmth of the hearth.
"You look wonderful, Shion." Miyuki complimented.
Shion blushed and smiled.
"Thank you very much; you don't look so bad yourself if I may add." Shion said back.
"And you look great too, Tsubomi; did you decide to make yourself as pretty as possible when you heard that Hikari was going to be here?" Yaya teased.
Tsubomi's face turned as pink as her hair and she looked at Shion for support. Shion, however, looked like she was ready to pounce on Yaya. Chikaru and Miyuki, realizing the tension Yaya had created, tried to disperse it.
"So, how have you both been, anything new within your worlds?" Miyuki asked as she poked Yaya between to ribs to keep Yaya from saying anything.
Shion gave Tsubomi a desperate look and Tsubomi grabbed Shion's hand confidently. Shizuma could not help but let out a gasp.
"You two are together? But, both of you possess such a volatile personality; how was this pulled off?" Shizuma blurted out.
Chikaru shot Shizuma a death glare that made Shizuma freeze and swallow her tongue.
"It is a long story…" Shion's voice trailed off as she squeezed Tsubomi's hand.
Chikaru smiled at them warmly and placed a supportive hand on Shion's shoulder.
"Well, all that matters is that you two are happy and together and that is all that truly matters." Chikaru remarked wisely.
Shion and Tsubomi felt their confidence flow back like rushing water into a sieve.
"Our other friends should be arriving shortly; Amane has suggested we go to a restaurant that she knows of." Miyuki said.
"That sounds great." Shion said.
A knock came from the front door and Chikaru rushed back to open it once again; before her stood Amane and Hikari. Chikaru greeted them and welcomed them inside and the new couple came to the hearth and greeted everyone else.
"This is so amazing and breathtaking to see everyone here again." Chikaru squealed in happiness.
"How have you been, Yaya?" Hikari asked.
Yaya was doing her best to hide behind Miyuki but she realized it was futile.
"I am fine; and you?" Yaya asked weakly.
"Amane and I are doing great; she recently bought us a nice apartment and we have been living happily together." Hikari smiled innocently.
Yaya felt her heart drop into the acidic pit of her stomach but she pushed out an unconvincing smile.
The telephone began to ring and Chikaru ran to answer it. She came back into the living room within minutes and she sighed.
"Kizuna and Remon could not make it because they have to work on some school project. So, I guess it is just us." Chikaru said with a bit of pain in her voice.
Chikaru was looking forward to seeing her old friends but she understood that life keeps everyone busy.
"Well then, let's go." Amane suggested.
Everyone grabbed their coats and left the house.
Amane took everyone to a very fancy restaurant. The restaurant specialized in western and Japanese foods so it became very popular very quickly for its unique menu. When the eight women arrived, the hostess quickly seated them and everyone quickly found what they wanted to eat and ordered their food. As they waited for their food to arrive, Yaya could feel Hikari's eyes focused on her from across the table. Yaya sipped on her water and kept her eyes on the ice floating within her cup. Miyuki, fortunately, did not notice the tension between Yaya and Hikari and was too busy striking up conversation with Shion and Tsubomi. Shizuma and Amane were discussing Amane's professional career as a horse jockey while Chikaru was pulled into a conversation with Shion. Yaya closed her eyes when she realized that Hikari and she were the only ones not conversing with anyone and Yaya pinched her leg in frustration.
In order to relax, Yaya excused herself from the table and went outside to take a break. Yaya made her way to the side of the restaurant where customers could sit and smoke. She took out a pack of cigarettes from her pocket, pulled out a cigarette, placed it to her lips, and lit it. Slowly, she took a long and heavy drag and then let the smoke exhale from her mouth.
What the hell does Hikari think she is doing? Why does she keep focusing her eyes on me?" Yaya thought to herself as she took another puff from her cigarette.
"Did I do something wrong to you, Yaya?" A high-pitched voice asked from behind her.
Yaya spun around, nearly losing her footing, and she stared straight into the large, sparkly eyes that belonged to Hikari. Hikari noticed the cigarette from between Yaya's fingers and she took it and threw it to the side.
"Why would you do that?" Yaya cried out as she dug into her pocket to take out another cigarette.
Hikari grabbed Yaya's arm tightly so that Yaya could not retrieve another cigarette.
"You are doing this because of me still, yes?" Hikari asked with an unusual pierce-ness within her eyes.
Yaya felt her heart jump into her throat and she turned her face away.
"Why do you keep looking at me, Hikari?" Yaya asked weakly.
Hikari placed her hand under Yaya's chin and turned Yaya to face her.
"Because I dearly wish to remain your best friend and yet you keep pushing me away."
"How else am I supposed to act? You broke my heart, Hikari."
Hikari's eyes filled with tears and she looked at the ground.
"I am sorry, Yaya; but I love Amane and I only see you as a friend."
"I understand that but it is hard for me to accept you as a friend."
"You should try harder; you still are my best friend."
Yaya looked at Hikari with eyes that flared with burning anger.
"I did everything for you and I was the one who saw you first! I took care of you whenever you felt lonely and I was there for you when you were almost raped by Kaname. I protected you when you were in danger, I was the one to walk you to class, I was the one who held you when you could not sleep at night; I was supposed to be the one you fall in love with!" Yaya screamed so fiercely that everyone around them became startled.
Hikari began to sob and Yaya realized her mistake and she grabbed Hikari into a secure embrace. Violent weeping took a hold of Hikari and she buried her face into Yaya's chest. Yaya patted Hikari's head and cooed to her to stop crying. Hikari looked up at Yaya and sniffed.
"I am so sorry, Yaya; I know that you did so much for me and you never received a 'thank you' from me. I am so sorry, Yaya, I am so sorry."
"No, Hikari; you should not be sorry for me."
Hikari looked at Yaya with a puzzled look on her face. Yaya smiled at her and wiped the tears from Hikari's cheeks.
"Maybe, in the next life you will give me a chance but for now, I have found someone to love me just as much as I love her. Miyuki and I have been together for some time now and I realized that I don't have to worry about her hurting or leaving me. You love Amane with all your heart and I now love Miyuki as much as I love you. So, don't worry anymore, okay? We both have found a place for our hearts and you are right; we should also keep our friendship alive." Yaya said wisely.
Hikari smiled broadly and squeezed Yaya tighter. Yaya yelped and suggested they go back inside the restaurant to see if their food came. Hikari felt her heart become lighter and she agreed with Yaya and the two went inside together.
After dinner, Shizuma suggested everyone come to her place to reminisce with each other for a bit and everyone agreed. When they arrived at Shizuma's house, Chikaru, Miyuki, Hikari, and Tsubomi went into the kitchen to prepare some tea. Yaya, Shion, Amane, and Shizuma sat in the living room; in front of the hearth. Shizuma placed some wood into the hearth and set it on fire. A small dancing flame slowly engulfed the wood and a large fire began to crackle and spit within the hearth.
After some time, Chikaru, Miyuki, Hikari, and Tsubomi returned from the kitchen and handed everyone a cup of tea. Then they too sat with their better halves and everyone enjoyed the time they were spending together.
"So, I hear that you are getting married, Shizuma. I never thought I would ever see you in a commitment." Shion said as she sipped her tea.
Shizuma smiled and then laughed softly.
"I never thought I would see you with Tsubomi; but I guess times change people." Shizuma said teasingly.
"What do you mean? I think we are very compatible." Shion said.
"But, both of you are so dominant; I wonder who does what in the bedroom." Yaya decided to add in her own tease and Shizuma laughed.
Shion and Tsubomi became red in the face and growled at Shizuma and Yaya.
"That is a private matter, thank you very much." Tsubomi's face twitched a little on the left side.
"Aw, we are all girls here; come on, who is on top?" Shizuma winked and giggled. Yaya burst into laugher at Shizuma's comment.
"What does it matter? Watch your mouth, Etoile." Shion said.
"You still see her as Etoile even though Amane and Hikari are the more current ones? You must have a crush on Shizuma, Shion." Yaya laughed.
Shion could not take it anymore and she jumped on top of Yaya, flinging her tea cup to the side. Yaya screamed and squirmed under Shion as she tried to get away. Shizuma laughed at the sight but then she saw Tsubomi tackling Yaya as well and Shizuma decided to join in on the fight. Amane, Hikari, Chikaru, and Miyuki sat placidly and shook their heads at the foursome fighting in front of the hearth.
"It is quite sad to see everyone still quarrel like that." Miyuki said heavily as she sipped her tea.
"I wonder when they will stop fighting." Hikari said.
Shion got off of Yaya and then flashed her menacing eyes at Miyuki. Miyuki nearly choked on her tea.
"How could you allow your girlfriend to say such things to me, Miyuki?" Shion shouted.
"She was in Spica with you; you should be able to control her, Madam President." Miyuki winked.
"That's it, Miyuki!"
Shion pounced on Miyuki but Miyuki fought back. The two ladies began to roll on the ground, pulling at each others hair and shouting at each other about how much they happen to hate one another. Everyone could not believe that the ex-Spica President and the ex-Miator President were finally in a physical altercation. Shizuma began cheerleading for her ex-President to win while Yaya was actually cheering for her ex-President to win. Yaya and Shizuma realized what each was doing and they glared at each other like ancient rivals.
Tsubomi gave up on trying to break up the fight and sat down on the sofa beside Chikaru. Chikaru placed a warm hand on Tsubomi's shoulder and tried to comfort her while Miyuki and Shion wrestled their way into the kitchen. Yaya and Shizuma stood tensely in front of each other but then Chikaru came between them.
"Okay you two; sit down and drink your tea. I will go and retrieve the other two from the kitchen." Chikaru ordered.
Shizuma and Yaya did as Chikaru commanded and then Chikaru strode into the kitchen. Everyone in the living room could hear Shion and Miyuki yelling at each other while Chikaru's voice would quietly intervene between the two. Finally, Shion and Miyuki sauntered out of the kitchen, with their heads hung as if they were both defeated. Chikaru floated out after them and her face was full of triumph and silent victory. Shion and Miyuki sat on the couch and would sporadically shoot each other a piercing glare. Chikaru gave them both new cups of tea and told them to relax and enjoy their tea.
After a few tense moments, Shion and Miyuki sighed and smiled at each other and drank their tea in salute of each other. Everyone seemed to let out a calm exhale and the atmosphere of the room was light and blissful again.
That night was filled with memories that ranged from sadness to utter happiness. Old friends became closer and whatever problems some friends had between each other; it happened to vanish that night. It seemed that as everyone had grown older, their feelings for each other had actually improved positively. Hikari and Yaya became even stronger best friends while Shion and Miyuki learned to tolerate one another in the same room. Tsubomi and Shion later became engaged and so did Amane and Hikari, followed by Miyuki and Yaya. Shizuma and Chikaru finally wed after a year and they wed in autumn, under the rain of falling cherry blossom petals; just like Chikaru had wanted. Their lives were no longer intruded upon by Shizuma's parents; because they decided to cut all ties with Shizuma. It was fine for her because Shizuma and Miyuki became business partners and with Miyuki's expertise and Shizuma's charisma, their business skyrocketed.
After Shizuma and Chikaru had wed, Shizuma bought a large mansion within Japan's lush countryside. There, she planted numerous cherry blossom trees so that whenever Chikaru wanted to remember their wedding day or long to see snow in autumn, all she had to do was look outside and watch the pink petals gently float to the ground.
END: Okay everyone, that was the end!!!! I truly hope that all of you have enjoyed my writing and to those of you who read on a daily basis....THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR REVIEWS! I really, really appreciate all the time everyone has taken to read and review. If you guys really liked my writing enough, I was planning on writing another story, following this one, about how CHikaru and SHizuma ended up meeting and getting together....but you guys have to kind of cheer me on on that idea lol (^_^). I enjoyed writing my first fanfic and I hope all of you guys enjoyed reading it. Again, thank you very much!