Voices of the Present
The Prince and The Queen

Passing the Baton

Sunday, Dec 3, 2006 10:00am

"It's so kind of you both to join us, Kizuna-san and Remon-san," Ootomi Amane expressed graciously to the two young Le Rim students, whom Hikari had just introduced, as they sat down. Amane remembered seeing them flitting around purposefully during the post-Étoile election celebration the weekend prior, but she had never before been formally introduced. She went to serve them tea, tea which had been prepared and placed there for this purpose most likely by the still absent Nagisa. Amane had insisted when the Spicans had arrived at the table in the center of the greenhouse that as Étoile Aînée she would serve everyone else tea in gratitude for their coming support of her and Hikari. Currently arrayed around the table, either in chairs or on benches between flowerpots, were Kizuna and Remon, Yaya and Tsubomi, and of course her Étoile Cadette, Hikari. "I can't express my gratitude enough to those who didn't even agree up front to help us with all this. It feels wrong to me to depend on others for my own responsibilities, but Hikari and Tsubomi-chan have convinced me that you three," she looked each in turn to Yaya, Remon, and Kizuna, "are doing this out of love for Hikari and not some sense of responsibility to us or Spica."

"Hikari-sama is our friend," Kizuna said emphatically as soon as Amane finished. "So is Tsubomi-chan. Remon-chan and I belong standing by our friends. And don't feel guilty either, we would have done the same for our friends Tamao-san and Nagisa-san."

Remon nodded silently during all this, choosing to let her friend do the speaking and just feeling content to have her hand held reassuringly by Kizuna as the girl beside her grabbed hers and raised both their hands for emphasis.

Remon noticed Hikari's and Yaya's smile at witnessing the two of them together. They must have suspected we had a fight. I guess that's the only logical explanation for why I was out all night. I'm just amazed at how normal Kizuna's acting, despite everything that's happened. She has to be the most amazing girl in all the world. I don't know what the future holds, and I don't think she does either, but I'm going to trust her. Remon's thoughts were quickly interrupted by a voice coming from outside her field of vision.

"I have no doubt you would have done just that, Kizuna-chan." All eyes turned to view the remarkably dignified arrival of Shizuma and Nagisa, gliding hand in hand in the raised wrist formal fashion that would usually be expected of the former Étoile Aînée and Cadette during this last of their official duties. "Please everyone accept our apologies for our delayed arrival," Nagisa continued with surprising decorum as the two Miatorans converged on the table.

"There isn't anything to apologize for, Nagisa-sama.," Hikari stood and responded in likewise formal fashion appropriate for her role in the circumstance. "We arrived earlier than was agreed. Please forgive our own rudeness." The last was directed towards Tsubomi, who was clearly holding back saying something. Hikari saw signs that Yaya was holding Tsubomi's hand under the table, although she couldn't tell for sure. Still, Hikari's smile widened at what she hoped would continue to be a calming influence on her serviteur and friend…and vice versa.

"In the end…" Shizuma and Amane began together, using the same words. Shizuma looked at Amane and bowed her head ever-so-slightly. "Please continue Étoile-sama," the silver-maned girl said with a gracious smile.

Amane smiled too as the Aînée shared a look. "In the end, all is well," Amane resumed. "We can now settle into a pleasant afternoon spent among friends. Now, if our predecessors will make themselves comfortable, I'd like to serve you both some tea and then Hikari can present the pastries that Nagisa-sama provided for the occasion."

Amane and Hikari proceeded to serve the others as the guests and the talk tended to light discussion about the flora surrounding the center table. Nagisa engaged those conversations excitedly, relishing the chance to talk about the greenhouse she had come to love over the past six months. Once the pastries had been served, Hikari claimed her spot next to Nagisa and the discussion turned to detail- details of the care and feeding of the flowers, where they were generally used and for what occasions insofar as she knew, etc. Tsubomi, Yaya, Remon, and Kizuna arrayed themselves around what silent convention had determined were the former and current Étoile Cadettes in this circumstance. The two Aînée weren't missed as they slipped away a distance, although still in sight, to speak between themselves.

"You and Nagisa-chan made an amazing entrance, Shizuma-san," Amane began more informally, clearly meaning the sentiment of her words. "I'm very glad to see her embracing the role of your Cadette after the fact. Hikari had been hoping very much Nagisa-chan would do so, if just to have someone she can lean on outside of me over the next year. Assuming you and she are amenable, we'll make it clear that we consider Nagisa-chan to be former Cadette-in-fact, with all that the title of Cadette Emeritus would usually imply. We couldn't have asked for a more capable and dedicated serviteur than Tsubomi-chan, but Hikari has already learned she can't confide certain things without Tsubomi-chan taking it personally with those involved. Hikari needs someone she can be candid with."

"Yes, I've noticed that about your young serviteur," Shizuma responded with a humored smile. "We discussed earlier that she's a very passionate girl. That said, I'm confident she'll learn to take things less personally over time. Experience will moderate her. Again, I hope she has plenty of chances to learn from Tamao-chan. The interaction will do both of them good."

"You are aware that Tsubomi-chan and Yaya-chan are becoming interested in each other. Hikari and I both are encouraging it," Amane explained, looking for Shizuma's reaction.

Shizuma smiled at her successor, knowing full well what Amane was getting at on several levels. Trying to place her out of reach, hmmm? Good luck with that. "It doesn't look like it's taking much encouragement," the silver-haired girl said after a few moments thought, turning her head to look across to the girls in question who were now huddled shoulder-to-shoulder listening intently to Nagisa. "While I'll admit it would be nice to find an alternate target for Tamao-chan's affections, any alternate target, that is by no means the only reason, or even a primary reason, I've suggested that Tamao-chan and Tsubomi-chan work together next year. Tamao-chan or Chikaru-san of Le Rim really are the best mentors for what I see Tsubomi-chan growing into. Chikaru-san is perhaps a better teacher right now, but she's a strategist. With her, you never know in what direction Tsubomi-chan might be led. With Tamao-chan, I feel confident that what you see is what you get, insofar as her motives are concerned at least."

Amane nodded thoughtfully at what she was hearing. "I appreciate the advice. I will be having a chat with Suzumi-san very soon as I feel it only fair to let her know to what extent I expect Hikari to be leaning on her Cadette. We can discuss Tsubomi-chan at the same time."

Shizuma frowned as she turned her sharpened gaze back to her successor. "Her Cadette?" she responded with an edge to her voice.

Amane took a deep breath before continuing, knowing she was on brittle ground with the very powerful personality next to her. "Shizuma-san, Nagisa-chan was Aînée candidate Suzumi-san's Cadette. If my suspicions are correct, her successful Étoile Cadette. Nagisa-chan in essence has two Aînée …and none. Regardless of my personal feelings toward you, I feel I owe it to Suzumi-san to share anything about Nagisa-chan I would share with you. I appreciate your feelings, and I do very much hope the four of us can spend more time together before you graduate, but please forgive me for not getting directly involved between you and Suzumi-san."

Shizuma could see a clearly torn expression on Amane's face. Shizuma wanted to fight this, but she also could see Amane's logic. Shizuma was also sure Nagisa would agree with Amane if it came to that.

"Fair enough." Shizuma allowed reluctantly with a grimace. "I can't say I'm happy to hear this, but I can see your logic. It may not be what I would do in your place, but it's well known I'm selfish and self-centered. Just ask your serviteur." Shizuma smirked while saying this last, and Amane responded with a nod as her lips curled slightly upwards in acknowledgement of the intended humor. "That said, I really did mean it that Tamao-chan will be good for Tsubomi-chan. After this morning, you know all my cards there, so please don't turn down good advice just because you don't entirely trust my motives."

"Oh, I trust your motives just fine," Amane responded, now with a full smile. "You have no more intention of letting someone come between you and Nagisa-chan than I do between me and Hikari. You made that much clear last summer and again this morning, Shizuma-san!" The silver haired senpai smiled in response to Amane's grin, but remained silent as her blue-haired successor continued. "Rest assured you have my complete personal support, as I hopefully demonstrated already this morning. I was serious when I said I looked forward to spending time, the four of us, over the next four months. I'll also very much be leaning on, and trusting, your advice. It's just, as you have made clear yourself, Suzumi-san will be a major force for Miator and all the schools during the next year and I will have to work closely with her. I want to make sure I respect her as well."

"You're probably wiser than I am, but you're also not in middle of it," Shizuma admitted, shaking her head but also grinning at the irony of it all.

"We all have our messes we get to deal with. Anyway, perhaps we should check in again with the kohai. They've been on their own long enough to make trouble, I'm sure," Amane said with a wink to her friend and peer. Shizuma's look indicated her shared amusement with that assessment and she turned to walk back with the Spican prince.

"…especially important to pay attention to water the flowers in the smaller pots. They dry out really fast," Nagisa was explaining as the two Aînée returned to join the rest of the girls.

Amane could tell that Hikari was anxious as she approached, so she came up behind the blonde girl and put her hands on both her shoulders in reassurance. Hikari lifted a hand to place on one of Amane's and leaned herself back into the older girl's hold.

"It looks like you're scaring our successors, Nagisa," Shizuma chided the redhead gently.

Nagisa shrugged, but also looked contrite. "The plants are a lot of work, I can't hide that fact. That said, they're a lot of fun, too. Especially when the experience of caring for them in shared between friends." Nagisa smiled warmly at this last as she reached out for Shizuma's hand and the silver-haired girl responded in kind.

"I can attest to that," Shizuma reassured all the girls present. "First off, sharing the care of this place is one of those things that bring the Étoile together," Shizuma squeezed Nagisa's hand before continuing. "Kaori loved this place, and she told me her final days were warmed by the act of sharing it with me." Nagisa squeezed Shizuma's hand back in reassurance before Shizuma continued. "After that, I'll admit I became closer than I had been in years to my two childhood friends, Hitomi-chan and Mizuho-chan. And in the end this greenhouse helped bring Nagisa and I together." Shizuma smiled down at her dearest love, and Nagisa smiled back.

"It doesn't seem all that onerous," Remon added, feeling uncomfortable at the affection being felt and clearly displayed by the other three couples and hoping to get the mood back to business. Although Kizuna's handhold earlier was reassuring, it had been painfully short lived as Kizuna had again placed distance between them as she positioned herself to listen to Nagisa. Remon's trust in her beloved was absolute, but their circumstances were by no means even close to being settled. "As they say, many hands make for light work, and there are seven of us, excluding Shizuma-sama, who are committed to making it happen."

"And for that, we are grateful," Amane assured all present. "Now that we're done eating and the preliminaries are out of the way, may I suggest our hosts start sharing all the paperwork and business details of how to care for the place? Based on my experience caring for horses, it works best to learn by actually doing it."

***PGBR***

For the next several hours, the eight girls went through all the motions of caring for the plants and arranging them decoratively. Shizuma explained all the places and events where the plants were expected or desired throughout the year. She went over the schedule book that had been developed by Étoile past that suggested when to plant what flowers for which activities. Amane was relieved to learn that much of the planning was predetermined by this critical little guide. As she reviewed it, something which had been troubling her came to the fore of her mind. She set the thought aside until the eight of them had finished their work and once again sat to enjoy tea and conversation. At an appropriate break in the discussion, Amane chose to share her concern.

"Shizuma-san, how did you handle school breaks and maintaining the greenhouse?"

Shizuma reached a hand up to scratch her head as she looked toward Amane with an embarrassed expression. "I haven't left Astraea Hill, other than to go to my coastal house which is just outside town, since I came here." At Amane's disappointed expression, Shizuma continued. "Past Étoile have asked friends who were staying here during a holiday to handle things in their absence. I was the roomkeeper and serviteur to the E'toile during my second year at Miator and along with Miyuki cared for the greenhouse during breaks for them that year. Rest assured, not all Étoile have been bound to Astraea Hill. You can think of it like the stable and how you've stayed during breaks to cover the horses while your teammates go have fun. Historically, that duty has been shared as well."

Amane nodded thoughtfully at this. "The stables were my other concern."

"So, are you considering breaking your previous trend and leaving for the Christmas Break?" Shizuma asked, suspecting she knew the answer and the reason for it.

Amane looked down at Hikari, who looked up in response. "Yes, Shizuma-san. Hikari and I have been making plans for me to spend Christmas with her family, who is Catholic, and then for her to spend New Years with mine, who are Buddhist. In both cases, we will be too far away to reasonably care for this place given all the plantings that have to be prepared later this month for January activities per the schedule book."

Shizuma smiled knowingly. "Yes, I remember Miyuki and I being very busy over Christmas…both times. Given this last was very shortly after Kaori died, the distraction was rather appreciated in my case. I can see why it would be vexing in yours, however. Unfortunately, like you, I too am breaking my trend and leaving Astraea Hill this Christmas. I won't be here to help cover, nor unfortunately will Miyuki. I'm sorry." Shizuma used all her skills to maintain her outward demeanor unchanged as she finished speaking, although inwardly the reminder of the previous night with Miyuki caused her stomach to roil.

"That's perfectly understandable. Don't feel bad." Amane was clearly disappointed, but sympathetic.

"I can do it." All eyes turned to Remon, the surprise source of the offer. "My original plans for Christmas feel through and so I am going to be staying here. I'd be happy to manage the greenhouse so everyone else can do their thing. I'm sure I can handle the plants and direct the deliveries we discussed will be scheduled during the break. In fact, Amane-sama, if you can show me how to do it, I'd be willing to learn how to care for the horses too. Really, I'd rather be kept busy so it is no trouble." Remon worked hard to keep her expression positive and sincere. She specifically avoided looking toward Kizuna, knowing her composure would likely break if she had to look upon her friend at that moment.

"Remon-chan," Nagisa queried innocently, "I thought you mentioned last summer that you spent breaks with Kizuna-chan."

Remon could see Yaya and Hikari both biting their lips. Likely they suspected now that the events of the morning had some link to her staying for the break and her offer to care for the greenhouse. Lord this is awkward, Remon thought but persevered. "Kizuna is going overseas with her family this time around. There are family reasons keeping me in Japan," Remon answered, avoiding everyone's eyes by looking down at her folded hands. Please Nagisa, don't dig further.

Nagisa just nodded thoughtfully, a movement which drew Remon's eyes back up. Sympathy was apparent in her face, as it was also in Yaya's and Hikari's, but none pursued the issue. Remon prayed the subject would change soon as she wasn't sure how much longer she could hold out before she gave in either to her anger or her despair.

Amane sensed there were undercurrents going on that she wasn't party to, but she decided to accept Remon's offer in the spirit it was given. "My gratitude would show no bounds if you were to do as you offer, Remon-san," Amane responded. "I can already take you up on the offer for the greenhouse. I'll need to consult some of my teammates regarding the stable, but it should work. Many of the horses still here will be taken home for the holiday anyway. I suspect maybe half a dozen will remain, which should be quite manageable."

"I think Chikaru-sama has some experience with horses, and she will be here part of the time as well," Remon added, hoping it might reassure anyone concerned about her abilities.

Amane nodded at the new revelation. "I have heard that she rides, although I myself have never seen her mounted on a horse. I'll mention that as well to the others."

"So," Shizuma spoke into the resulting silence. "Are there any other questions? Keep in mind I'll be around until April, and Nagisa isn't going anywhere. In fact, I suspect she'll be here almost as much now as during my tenure." Shizuma smiled to see her love blush at the accurate assessment. "There are also Miyuki, Hitomi-chan, and Mizuho-chan who know this place as well as I do. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions. Other than that, I don't think there's anything else to explain. Now that we know who the winter caretaker will be, I think I'll take my leave now and go work from the E'toile office to arrange the deliveries and holiday break maintenance like I committed to do." Shizuma then paused and surveyed the greenhouse and its current occupants. "Tradition now is that we should leave the new Étoile to start bonding." Shizuma smiled as she allowed a pause before finishing with, "To the greenhouse, of course." She winked at Amane and Hikari with this last, then stood up to begin coaxing the others out to face the increasingly cloudy afternoon outside.

***PGBR***

"It looks like Miyuki won the bet after all," Remon heard the intimidating presence next to her share as the two of them walked the paths from the Étoile greenhouse to Strawberry Hall. Shizuma appeared in good spirits today despite the events of the previous afternoon, so when the former Étoile had announced that she'd be spending the afternoon arranging deliveries and otherwise completing the handoff of the Étoile office Remon had volunteered to assist with the task despite her usual trademark quiet shyness. She had sensed Kizuna's surprise at her making the offer, but Remon felt comfortable with her reasons. Above all, Remon wanted to understand how things worked. Despite the wealth of knowledge her own mentor, Chikaru, provided in this regard, Remon sensed Shizuma offered an alternative source of such knowledge that she didn't want to pass up learning from when an opportunity conveniently arose. This despite her apprehension at being on her own with Miator's storied Queen of Astraea Hill, a title on par with Le Rim's Shadow Empress, and for good reason as Remon was rapidly learning.

There was a reason Remon was a member of the Mystery Club. It had, in fact, been her first club during her first week at Le Rim the previous year. She had an intense curiosity streak especially as it related to how people work, and she had hoped to meet others with a similar interest in discovery. It had been one of the most fateful decisions of her life; life changing, in fact. It had brought her and Kizuna firmly into Chikaru's orbit.

Remon had been musing about her situation when the voice next to her had startled her out of her reverie. "Excuse me, Hanazono-sama?" Remon responded, allowing her confusion to show.

"You," Shizuma said with a smirk that suggested the one word explained everything. She turned to face the younger girl as they continued their sedate journey to their shared home. "You lost me 10,000 yen. Chikaru-chan is finally making a move. Miyuki thought she would, and Mizuho-chan agreed with her. Hitomi-chan and I were sure she'd somehow string things to the very end."

Remon had a suspicion she knew what the silver-haired girl was intimating now, but she had no intention of making assumptions. She had learned enough already to know that it was better to stay silent and let those around you assume you were a fool than to open your mouth and prove it.

"Hanazono-sama, I must confess I am not sure what you are referring to, but I am also curious to understand more if you'll enlighten me."

Remon said this as she turned her own face to regard Shizuma's. She instantly regretted the move as she fell into the older girl's gaze. Two pools of emerald drew her in and the world around her disappeared. The pair's forward movement stopped, although Remon was scarcely away of it. This is what Nagisa-san tried to describe, was Remon's last conscious thought as she felt a soft hand grasp her gently behind her neck, fixing her gaze as the eyes came closer. Breath smelling faintly of strawberries filled her nostrils. All thought fled her mind as Shizuma threatened to fill the space thought had left. Instead, an image rose rapidly to fill the void in her mind and crowd out the emerald eyes. Violet eyes centering a smiling face framed by dark hair bound by red ribbons.

Strength, kōhai, Remon heard Chikaru's gentle voice in her head although the lips of the image now filling her mind didn't move. In those words, Remon found the will to smoothly duck and twist from the Queen of Astraea's grasp, gracefully completing the motion by spinning 360 degrees and ending about a meter away, standing looking once again into Shizuma's now surprised eyes, this time meeting the gaze confidently…perhaps even with a touch of defiance.

I'm not Nagisa. You won't wreck me like you did her.

"Hanazono-sama, while that was incredibly enlightening, I might better comprehend your meaning if you put it in words."

The focus of Remon's words regarded her for a few moments as her hand, the one that moments before had caressed Remon's neck, dropped again to her side. A smile of her own slowly crept onto the silver-framed face, eventually becoming a grin. "Fair enough, young Shadow Princess. You've already given me what I wanted to know. It's only fair that I reciprocate." Shizuma beckoned Remon forward with a motion of her hand and began down the path again alongside the now more wary, and despite her outward countenance more than slightly overwhelmed Le Rim girl.

"How much do you know about Chikaru-san and the changes Le Rim has experienced under her unusually long tenure as President?" Shizuma continued once the two were moving again.

Remon thought on these words and realized that, despite her questioning nature, she had never really examined Le Rim's past. Le Rim was about enjoying the present. Unlike Miator and Spica that seemed to focus on their past heritage and future legacy, often but not always respectively, Le Rim didn't place much focus on looking back or forward. The here and now was what was important which had always suited Remon just fine given the uncertainty that filled her future and the pain that filled her past. She knew that Chikaru had been President now for three years already, an eternity at Le Rim. "I never really thought much about it, Hanazono-sama," Remon admitted.

"Have you heard of the Étoile qui portedes rubans rouges?" Shizuma queried.

Remon considered the question. Yes, she had heard of the Star That Wears Red Ribbons. The previous Le Rim Étoile couple, one of only three in the school's history. It had been 10 years, but even Le Rim with the focus on the now felt pride in that storied couple who, hand in hand with their school and the equally storied E'toile à trois branches, the Three-Pointed Star, had stood and challenged the united adult leadership of Spica and Miator…and the shadowy Astraea Foundation…and won. Remon nodded.

"Ah, then have you heard of the Étoile rouges de la conception?"

The Red Star's Design, Remon translated in her head. Remon shook her head to indicate she had no idea what Shizuma was now referring to.

"I'm not surprised since Chikaru-chan began her illustrious career at Le Rim by setting it aside."

Remon allowed herself a quizzical expression as she again looked over at Shizuma, this time feeling no draw by the emerald eyes, just recognition of the amusement they now held.

"Has Chikaru-chan shared what her transition plans are with you?"

"No, Hanazono-sama, she has not."

Shizuma arched her eyebrow. "My, she has groomed you well, though. Ever the diplomat. Never offering more than you must, instead drawing other people out," Shizuma mused as they pass the gate onto the Strawberry Hall grounds. "You're a good listener and I doubt many details get past you. Despite losing my bet, I must admit I am relieved to see Le Rim's future in good hands. You're fortunate to have another year under the guidance of your mentor. Your young counterpart at Spica isn't so lucky." Shizuma chuckled and shook her head, then sighed as she stopped before entering the Hall, her hand on the door but not yet opening it as she turned again to face Remon. "Your Holy Mother has a favorite saying which I'll encourage you to never forget, even in relation to she herself. No one is ever exactly what they seem." Shizuma then winked at Remon before opening the door and guiding Remon through it.

From that point on, the rest of the afternoon was much more straightforward, which was fortunate given Remon's appetite for mystery was already gluttonously sated for the moment. Shizuma went on to explain the paperwork and administrative details of being an Étoile. It was clear to Remon that the former Étoile was holding nothing back, describing the entire process as if it were Remon she was handing off to. Remon asked many questions which Shizuma seemed quite at ease answering. By the end of the afternoon, Remon felt like she'd be able to assist Hikari and Amane in whatever duties they needed help with, which had been her goal.

She also had a lot to think about...more questions than answers...

***PGBR***

I wonder where they're going?

Momomi was curious. She had watched Tamao a lot during the day of service, and especially her interactions with Oosaki-sensei from Miator. The two seemed rather close, more so than would normally be explained even by the fact Oosaki-sensei was Tamao's homeroom teacher and literature mentor from previous years. Now Momomi was making her way through the woods alongside the trail the two were walking. She couldn't make out most of the words being said between them, but she was certain they were discussing a newborn child.

From the look on Oosaki's face, she must be a new sister or aunt or something. It was clear this new child they were discussing was a very big deal to the teacher…and interestingly enough Tamao also seemed very invested in the news being shared I wonder why she's sharing about her family with Tamao, and why Tamao seems so interested? Are these two related perhaps?

Momomi continued to follow the pair along a circuitous route, first seeming to lead to the staff parking lot but then looping back to end at the Groundskeeper's Cottage. Momomi watched as the two entered and the door closed behind them both, leaving the Spican alone with her thoughts and speculation.

Interesting, Momomi musedas she slowly made her way back through the brush and trees, choosing to keep both her presence and her thoughts private. There is yet more to learn about my dear, sweet queen piece. Tamao-chan is like a Russian Matryoshka doll. Layer, inside layer, inside layer.

Delicious.

Momomi's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone making their own way through the brush, although far less experienced at it…or at least less interested in stealth. Momomi remained stationary and silent until she could determine the distance and direction of the other person. Curiosity then drew her to follow. Before long she had caught up enough to the other to tell is was a girl in a Le Rim uniform.

This is the girl that was shadowing Chikaru-san last Sunday night, the one we had tea with after Tsubomi-chan let Shizuma-san through the gate. Remon, I think it is. Curiouser and Curiouser…

Momomi continued to follow as Remon made her way to a tree with a gnarled base. The Le Rim girl then looked around briefly, a useless gesture considering Momomi had no intention of being seen, and reached into a nook, pulling out what appeared to be a cellular telephone and another box. Remon then sat down at the base of the tree, attached some cables, and apparently made a phone call. Momomi moved closer to hear, but stopped her efforts when she realized the girl was speaking in another language. German? Momomi couldn't be sure. Still, it was clear the girl was happy while speaking. The phone call was relatively brief, perhaps 15 minutes. At that point, Remon detached what she had connected and replaced everything back in their hiding spot. Remon then looked around again before making her way back in the direction of the campus proper.

Momomi waited a good long time to make sure the girl, or anyone else for that matter, wasn't going to return. After more than enough time had passed, Momomi made her way to the tree, pulled out a handkerchief from a uniform pocket, and reached in to pull out the two items she had seen. One was indeed a cellular phone. The other was a box with a cable. More examination determined that it was an external battery pack powered by AA batteries.

Clever. This way, she never needs to bring the phone into school to be charged. Given school rules, if this were discovered she'd be disciplined at the very least.

Momomi decided it was worth the risk and, again touching the device only though the handkerchief, she opened it and turned it on.

Ooooo, it's not password locked. A pawn turns out to be a bishop. Oh the possibilities…


***Author's Note***

An alternate title of this chapter was "The End of the Beginning". After 100,000 words, I am finally done setting the stage. All my elements are out there and most of the shotguns are on the mantle. Now it's just a matter of putting it all together. I will also reaffirm that my buffer is exhausted so new chapters will be intermittent until I can get away for some solid writing again. Rest assured, though, this story will be told in its entirety...just really slowly. I hope everyone is patient and has lots of popcorn as we're in for the long haul…

I'll start using my profile to maintain notes about my progress if anyone's interested. That way I don't keep cluttering the story with personal trivia. ;-)