A/N: The pattern is usually that I write one chapter of one of my stories and then one of the other, but I'm breaking it partially because I know exactly how I want this story to end and partially because I'm not happy with what I've got written of my Ai Yori Aoshi story. Please enjoy, and don't flame me too hard if you don't like Mizuho's choice. Constructive reviews are always welcome!

Disclaimer: Otoboku belongs to Caramel Box who should have demanded that the animators choose a girl at the end.

Our Beautiful Day

Chapter 11: The Decision

Tuesday

Mariya left for school early because she wanted time to compose herself before fielding birthday well-wishes from everyone at Seio. Her heart fluctuated between the certainty that eighteen years would be too much for Mizuho to give up on and the creeping doubt that he would not be able to give up the business alliance with the Itsukushima. 'God, I need to see Mizuho-chan. One smile from him and I'll feel that everything's going to be all right.' Tears began to well in her eyes, and she turned and ran back to her dorm room before anyone could see her cry.

Yukari and Kana were walking slowly to class when they had to step off to the side as Mariya sprinted towards them, going the opposite direction. Kana tugged on her friend's sleeve, "Yukari-chan, do you think that Oneesama chose Kaichou-sama (Student Council President)?"

The auburn-haired athlete thought a moment, and answered, "I'm not sure, but let's not say anything other than Mariya-Oneesama is sick. We don't want any rumors to spread without knowing thing."

Kana nodded in agreement and they continued to walk in silence. This only lasted until Kana said thoughtfully, "I would give a million yen to know what Oneesama is thinking."

In the Student Council office, Takako had the exact same thought. Before she went to sleep last night, she received a text from Mizuho requesting that she accompany Mariya to his grandfather's mansion Friday where he would give them his decision. 'Do I dare hope that he is going to choose me?' She asked herself. 'That would be a true miracle of the Kami.' Suddenly, she began to shake and she realized that she had been crying.

Treasurer Suguwara Kimie wanted to comfort her crush, but she was uncertain what to say. Steeling her courage, she approached Takako and placed a hand on her shoulder. Takako seized her hand and wrapped around her as she wept against a stunned Kimie's abdomen. Surprise turned to anger. 'Oneesama better know what she is doing,' Kimie thought heatedly. She whispered, "If it were me, I would never make Kaichou cry."

It wasn't as though Takako didn't know that Kimie had a crush on her. Kimie had all but confessed to her the day that Takako baited Mariya into the skating race, but to hear the normally even-tempered girl's angry mumble shocked her. She hugged her friend tighter, calming her slightly. "Kimie-san, please let the teachers know that I'm going home because I am not feeling well," she paused. "Please don't tell anyone that I was crying. The last thing we need is for rumors to start. The truth is that Mizuho-sama is making her decision this week, and I'm afraid that she won't choose me over her childhood friend."

"Don't say that, Kaichou!" Kimie exclaimed. "Oneesama would be foolish not to choose you. Your grades are better than Mikado-san. You are more beautiful than any other girl in the entire student body, even more so than Shion-sama. Your grace and refinement is second to none. She could never choose Mikado-san over you."

Looking downcast, Takako replied sadly, "I pray that you are right. I pray that you are right."

Meanwhile, Mizuho was sitting in his grandfather's mansion thinking, groaning, and agonizing over the choice that he knew needed to make soon. Both girls were gorgeous and desirable. Mariya's athletic figure and passionate nature promised an exciting married life. She was incredibly sexy too, which never hurts. On the other hand, Takako was the perfect CEO's wife. Her appearance hinted at a European ancestor, giving her an exotic look compared to the mostly homogenous Japanese population. Takako's beauty was more ethereal than Mariya's. Mizuho snorted to himself, 'Heaven or Earth, huh? So many guys would kill to have my dilemma. I should stop being such an indecisive wuss, and just choose.'

He then made three phone calls. The first was to Nakazawa Yuko, his secretary and almost step-mother. When she answered Mizuho asked, "Yuko-san, do you have time to meet this evening. I need your advice."

"I can always make time for you, Mizuho-sama. Would you like to meet for dinner somewhere?" Yuko asked.

Mizuho replied, "That would be perfect. Do you know the Denny's in Shibuya? Let's meet there at 6."

Even though she knew that he couldn't see her, Yuko nodded, and answered, "I will see you there, Mizuho-sama."

"Thank you, Yuko-san. You have no idea how much this means to me. Until then," He finished as he ended the call. 'One call down, two to go,' he sighed.

The second call was to the headmistress of Seio Jougakuin. After receiving the call from her receptionist, Mikura-sensei immediately asked, "Is it now time for Romeo to choose his Juliet?"

Mizuho blushed and answered, "Yes, and because I respect you as my mother's teacher and my grandfather's friend, I would like to borrow your wisdom. Could we meet for lunch tomorrow at Morimoto's Restaurant? I'm buying."

The Sister chuckled, "You bet your ass, you're buying, Mizuho-kun!" They both laughed for a bit before Mizuho thanked her and they hung up. The next call was a little more difficult. The person that he wanted to talk to was still in class, and he was pretty sure that she had her cell phone turned off. He thought for a bit and decided that he needed to at least leave her a voice mail.

The phone rang twice, and Mizuho heard, "Hello, Mizuho-san?"

Mizuho jumped back and replied, "Shion-san, I thought that your phone would be off during class."

Shion laughed softy, "I'm not at school today. I have a doctor's appointment. It's been a long time, Mizuho-san. Is there a problem?"

For the one hundredth time since he started at Seio, Mizuho thanked the Kami that he was able to make friends with Jujou Shion. She had saved him so many times, and he needed her one more time. He asked, "Shion-san, would you like to spend Thursday afternoon with me. I have some things that I'd like to discuss with you."

Shion caught on right away, but she decided to tease, "Mizuho-san, are you asking me on a date? If that's what you have in mind, I'm afraid that I will have to decline because my fiancé wouldn't like it."

"W-w-what, a d-d-date?" He sputtered. "No, I just need to talk." He paused, and continued thoughtfully, "I didn't know that you were engaged. Good thing that I didn't fall for you."

"I've been betrothed to Takako-san's older brother since I was six. I don't really like him, and I was kind of hoping that a knight with long, blond hair, blue eyes, wearing a Seio uniform would save me from him," said Shion wistfully.

"Shion-san, I'm so sorry. I didn't know," Mizuho apologized. "That might make the meaning of our meeting very cruel to you. I want to talk about who you think I should choose. I trust you more than any person outside of Mariya."

Shion didn't hesitate, "If you don't trust Takako-san as much as you do Mariya-san, should you then choose her over Mariya-san? It's no contest in my mind. Itsukushima Takako could live without you far easier than Mikado Mariya could. You grew up together. She's been a part of your life for so long; could you really give that up? I don't think so."

Mizuho felt the weight of her words. His raven-haired classmate and friend had made a good point. He was on the verge of admitting that when Shion remarked, "I can see where it would be difficult to pass on a chance to make peace between your father's company and Takako-san's family company. It would be a profitable merger for both sides. My jerk fiancé whines constantly about how if they could snag the Kaburagi heir that they could make billions together."

"I know that." Mizuho said in a quiet voice. "It wouldn't be just for business that I chose Takako-san if I do choose her."

Shion thought a moment and admitted, "That's a given, Mizuho-san. That's why we all have fallen for you. You are so caring that girls get caught up in it. Unfortunately, you have to be firm when you tell the two of them who you are choosing and why." She waited for him to respond before continuing, "My best advice, Mizuho-san is for you to choose the one that you could see spending the rest of your life with."

Glumly, Mizuho said, "We arrive at the seat of my problem. I can easily see myself growing old with either of them. I know who I should choose. I just need to be able to explain my decision to everyone."

"There are only two people that you need to explain it to: Takako-san and Mariya-san. No one else matters. If you are worried about you boards of directors, don't be. To be effective as a businessman, you need to be happy at home. If it were me, I'd choose Mariya-san in a heartbeat. She's so sexy. She's been by your side forever, and as a bonus, it screws my fiancé over," Shion finished with a wink.

Mizuho, jollied out of his bad mood, laughed, "You really don't like your intended, do you? Thank you, Shion-san. I would still like to hang out Thursday; to spend my last day as an unattached man with my best friend that isn't related to me."

"A last date, huh?" Shion drawled. "I'm in. How about you pick me up at my house at noon?" Mizuho agreed and hung up. 'This is going to be a LONG three days,' he mused.

Friday morning, Miyanokouji Estate- Hachioji-Cho, Tokyo

Mizuho woke up early on the "Day of Destiny," as he had taken to calling it in his mind. He went to the bathroom, and after answering the call of nature, he decided to take a shower to clear his head and strengthen his resolve. He carefully washed, dried, and brushed his long, blond hair. Dressed only in a yukata, Mizuho went down to breakfast and was greeted by his grandfather's maids: Iida Kaori and Abe Natsumi. "Good morning, Danna-sama," They said cheerfully.

"Good morning, Iida-san, Abe-san. Please have a light lunch ready at 1:00 this afternoon. I will have two young ladies coming over," he requested.

"We understand," they replied and left Mizuho to eat in peace and to read the reports on his two conglomerates. Business was booming with the merger rumors circulating. Investors and customers loved the idea that three of the largest companies in Japan might be coming under one banner. "If only they knew how much of a headache it is to run two companies, much less three," he thought grumpily.

Finishing his breakfast, he returned to his room to select his suit for the most important day of his life. Struck by a sudden inspiration, he chose a dark blue men's kimono with the Miyanokouji chest on its breast. He pulled his hair tightly and fastened it with a ribbon. He chuckled to himself, "I look like something out of a samurai movie." Satisfied, he went to the family shrine to pray one last time to his mother and grandfather. After an hour, he worked the phones informing both boards of his choice and swearing them to secrecy until the girl in question knew. As he was finishing the last phone call, the doorbell rang and Mizuho quickly composed himself, and went downstairs to greet his quests.

As per his earlier instructions, Iida and Abe led Mariya and Takako to the dining room for lunch. Counting to ten, Mizuho swept into the room, "Good afternoon, Mariya, Takako-san; I hope that lunch will be to your tastes." He was about to speak again when he heard silverware clatter against the table and china plates.

Mariya was the first to speak, "Oh my God, Mizuho-chan, what possessed you to wear that outfit?" She asked breathlessly.

Confused, Mizuho asked, "Is there something wrong with it?"

Both girls shook the heads, but it was Takako that voiced the girls' feelings, "Mizuho-sama, you look so incredibly handsome that you took our breath away. Right, Mariya-san?"

"It is as Takako said," Mariya nodded. "You are so gorgeous that I'd almost rather eat you than lunch."

Takako was scandalized, "That's so shameless, Mariya-san! A lady would never say such things!"

Mariya made a sour face and replied, "A lady might not, but I have to be honest with myself, I'm not as much of a lady as I'd like to be. Besides, you cannot deny that you had an urge to ravish Mizuho-chan the moment he walked into the room."

Harrumphing, Takako shook her head in denial, "I had no such thought, Mariya-san. I was merely struck by Mizuho-sama's masculine beauty. There was nothing impure in my mind until you put it there!"

Mizuho knew that he needed to intervene. "Well ladies, shall we finish lunch so we can get to what you want to hear," he suggested.

Chastened and suddenly serious, they both nodded and quickly ate their food in silence. Moving to the study, Mizuho invited his suitors to sit down. He paced for a few moments, as if to collect his thoughts, and said softy, "I've never had to choose anything in my life until my grandfather died a few months ago. Since then, I had to decide whether or not to go Seio so I could inherit the Miyanokouji conglomerate. I had to hide my masculinity to do this. It was so hard at times, but the payoff was getting to meet lots of great people, especially you, Takako-san. I also got to spend more time with you, Mariya-chan, than I had since we started high school. I had to choose to run for Elder. I had to choose to oppose you, Takako-san when you had a concern over Kana-chan's ribbon. When you were about to be kidnapped, I chose to save you without even thinking it over. I don't regret that. I do regret the pain that discovering that I was male caused you," he took a breath and continued.

"Mariya, I made hard choices with you too. I ran for Elder for you because it made you happy to beat Takako-san. I chose to pursue you for years fruitlessly and when we becoming friendly again, to pursue when you were avoiding me to sort out your feelings. I love you both deeply. You have both made my time at Seio fun. I would choose you Takako-san because you are beautiful and you have one of the purest hearts that I've seen. Mariya, I would choose you because we have been together since birth and because you are not only loving and caring, but you are the sexiest girl that I've ever met. A lot of guys would envy my position, but I know that I am going to hurt one of you badly. If I'd been a better person, we'd not have come to this pass. I would have chosen months ago, although I think that my heart has always known who I would be with at the end."

Takako began to cry softy and Mariya's heart began to beat rapidly. "When it came down to it, I could only go with the woman that I trust without question, and that is you, Mariya. I'm so sorry, Takako-san, I cannot give up my first love and my best friend. Before you think that you didn't have chance, you did. My heart wavered all week. You were my first kiss and you are like an angel. You have a sweetness that is addicting like fine chocolate. You will make some man incredibly happy, but unfortunately, it cannot be me. I have to be with Mariya if she'll have me."

Mariya leapt into his arms, "Try to get rid of me now, Mizuho-chan! You are mine and I am yours. I will make sure that you don't regret this choice for any reason other than you hurt someone in making it,"

Takako sank to the floor, weeping, "Why was I not good enough, Mizuho-sama? I love you with all my heart!"

Mizuho wanted to comfort her, but he knew that to do so would give her hope for something that could not be. He knew that he had made the right choice, now he was going to have to live with it. He watched as Takako, moving like a sleepwalker, went to the door and left.

Mariya looked at his troubled face, and asked, "Do you regret your choice? Do you want to go get her?"

Mizuho shook his head and said, "No to both questions. I want to be with you forever, Mariya-chan. As sad as I am to have hurt Takako-san, I'm so happy to finally have you by my side and to have my first crush requited. Our life together starts now."

Mariya looked at her new boyfriend quizzically, "What does that mean, Mizuho-chan?"

Eyes alight with love and mischief, Mizuho kissed her and said, "You'll find out soon enough. I love you, Mariya-chan."

To be continued…

A/N: Whew, this was another LONG chapter! I really toyed leaving this as a cliffhanger, but I hate when it is done to me, so I didn't do you all. I hope that the Takako fans are not too disappointed. I just wanted the childhood friend to win for once. Please let me know what you thought. Thanks for reading, one chapter left!