(Standard disclaimer applies.) This fanfic is written purely for entertainment purposes only. No disrespect, etc. is intended, and no profit had been/ is being/ will ever be made. Don't hunt me, don't sue me, and don't hurt me in anyway And please kindly acknowledge that Shizumi is my character, so do not use her without asking for my permission first! XD
This section (Green with Envy) is dedicated to my little sister, and Meryl Lynn Pestano - the first reader who actually sent me a comment on this story ^^ Words could not express how thankful I am for your encouragement and support! *big hug*
Author's memo: The Clamp Campus Detectives are in the Middle School division (and Utako and Nagisa are in the elementary division) when the events in this story happened.
Priceless Treasures
A Clamp Campus Detectives fanfic
By Apus
Chapter 2 – Green with Envy (Part A)
A quiet and cheerful Monday morning. The three Student Council members of Clamp Campus Middle School Division sat in the sofas inside the Council room, chatting together, savouring the taste of Akira's tea and cake. For once, the room was clear of Nokoru's paperwork. The morning sunlight shined through the opened windows and mingled with the colours of the room, displaying vibrant shades of gold around the boys.
For a while, they enjoyed the peace. Suddenly, there was a rampage coming down the corridor. It stopped in front of the Student Council room, and a knock was issued. With Suoh and Akira following close behind, Nokoru went to open the door.
A group of bubbly kindergartners were waiting at their doors. Some of them blushed at the faces of the elementary students. Others simply gave polite little smiles. They all seemed to be very excited though. Each of them held novelties of all sorts: flowers, gifts, biscuits
"Ohaiyoo gozaimasu! Imonoyama-kaichou!" a kindergarten girl spoke up, "We are looking for Nijikawa-sempai. Do you know where she is?"
"I think she is rehearsing for her next major performance. Is she at the Drama Department?"
"We've tried the Language, Drama and Computing Departments, but we still can't find her."
"Oh I am very sorry then. I don't know where she is"
Many chubby faces fell at that remark. Nonetheless, their representative said, "Thank you very much for your time." Then the kindergartners filed down the corridor, and the boys closed the door behind them.
"Nijikawa-sempai is truly amazing," Akira commented, "She hasn't even been here for a month and yet she already has a fan club!"
"That's hardly amazing. You got yours within two weeks of attending Clamp Campus!" Suoh commented with a rare smile. Akira blushed as the three of them made their way back to the sofas again.
"Still," Nokoru contemplated, "you have to applaud at her accomplishments so far. Not only has she earned herself several fan-clubs, she has also got the lead role in every single drama production since she came. Her enthusiasm in technology has contributed to many new inventions in the Computing Department. Plus, her language talent has charmed many of our overseas visitors and more students - "
"Would someone please help me?" a deathly moan drifted through the windows, interrupting Nokoru. Akira was caught off guard and dove behind the sofas with a yelp. Suoh instantly glided in front of Nokoru, body in combat position, sharp knives held firmly in his hands. Nokoru's eyes grew sharp as he looked towards the opened windows, then widened in surprise.
Well, it was kind of a shock to find a bedraggled Shizumi clutching onto the branches of the tree just outside the council room windows. Her hair was sent wild in all directions and her entire body was wobbling. Her eyes were like those of Nokoru's whenever he was forced to do his paperwork.
"May I come in?" came Shizumi's hoarse voice. Alarmed, Nokoru rushed to the windows to assist her, Suoh and Akira following close behind. The girl crumbled onto the floor when they finally managed to get her through the windows, and simply refused to budge from her spot when Nokoru tried to lead her to the sofas. Anyone would have pitied her if not for the idea that it was actually quite amusing to see the usually immaculate Shizumi in such a sorry state. Even Nokoru and Suoh's lips seemed to be twitching from the urge to laugh.
"Tea, Nijikawa-sempai?" Akira offered her a teacup. Shizumi snatched the cup from Akira and drank the contents down in one gulp, then held out the teacup again, indicating that she wanted more. From the sidelines, Nokoru and Suoh watched in silent amusement as the girl downed a few more cups. At last, from her spot on the floor, she looked up to the three boys and spoke.
"NOW I am starting to feel alive again," she breathed, "thank you for the tea."
"What happened?" Nokoru asked, even though he and the others already knew the answer - heavens know how often they had to do the same thing
"Running away from kindergartners the WHOLE MORNING!" Irritation edged the reply. "It's the usual story. You get out of the theatre after your practice and then you are instantly harassed by those brats!" Despite her exasperated tone, Shizumi's eyes wore a gentle shade of green. Clearly, she had not meant what she had just said. Because Utako and Nagisa frequently visited them with Shizumi, the boys had grown to know her better and had become good friends with the tall girl. They know that she loves each and every one of the little kids in the Kindergarten Division. As a matter of fact, she is very caring and protective of all students who are younger than her – the main reason for which her fan-clubs adore her. Like Nokoru to ladies, Shizumi wants all children to be happy and tries to satisfy all their desires, but she finds the fan-clubs' persistency very weary.
Having regained her strength, she thanked the trio again and excused herself, saying that she had to get ready for her classes. The boys could only show her out the door and look at her retreating figure with pity.
~~~~~
AFTERNOON
Shizumi was thankful that the rest of the day had continued without further on-slaught from her fan-clubs. However, her happiness was short-lived.
As she prepared to leave, she found a disturbing green memo in her shoe-locker. She read it again with a sharp glance, eyes briefly glistened with acknowledgement, before placing it into her schoolbag.
Then, resuming her usual calming smile, she went about her after-school activities like everyone else.
~~~~~
6 DAYS LATER – SUNDAY MORNING
"Is something troubling you Nijikawa?"
"Why do you ask, Tsuya-sempai?" Shizumi addressed the speaker – president of the Drama Department, Tsuya Makiko.
"I have been watching you performing for the past few days. Your acting is still excellent, but it somehow lacked the spirit I had seen in you before." the elder girl replied. "Tomorrow is the big performance and it is my responsibility to make sure that all actors can perform to the best of their ability"
"I understand your concern, Tsuya-sempai. However, I cannot predict the future. Therefore, I cannot promise you that I will be performing at my best -"
"Not good enough."
"- but I will certainly try my best."
Makiko looked at the younger girl before her. "You don't want to talk about it?"
"Let's just say I am waiting for something to happen." Shizumi said with unintentional mysteriousness. "Besides, it is part of my principle. I don't want to trouble anyone with my own problems, unless it is something that I cannot handle alone. More importantly, I will not make a promise I cannot keep."
"Just as long as it doesn't affect you or the performance in anyway." Makiko warned. "However, like you said, just try your best for now. Make sure that your acting doesn't get any worse."
Shizumi nodded and got changed into her costume when the president left. Romeo and Juliet is not a play that any middle school student could fully understand, and Juliet is not an easy character for any middle school student to play. But since she had accepted the role, she will certainly give it her best shot. She looked at her reflection in the mirror, preparing to get herself into her character.
Meanwhile, sitting with other members of the Drama Department in the audience section, Makiko rang the bell. With that musical tinkle, the rehearsal began. The president paid close attention to Shizumi, watching her every move and gesture, noting her voice and tone. Other members made special note on Shizumi's performance too - some with silent awe, others with green jealousy, whilst still some others strive for improvement by learning from the girl.
" O, Romeo, Romeo, Wherefore art thou a Romeo?' " Shizumi's dreamy voice rippled through the theatre. It was the famous balcony scene. The backdrop and props had proved to be a challenge as Makiko had firmly suggested' rather dramatically that (quoting the almighty drama president) 'the scene must be played from a high balcony... almost as tall as the ceiling'. So the stage crew went about and made a realistic backdrop that had a beautiful balcony jutting out above the man-made garden. Afraid of the drama president's wrath, they have efficiently followed her request word for word - i.e. the balcony really almost touch the high ceiling of the drama hall (Apus: *sweatdrop*). Being cast the role of Juliet, Shizumi had the privilege to toy with this little addition to the set. The young actress moved about the balcony, every gesture emphasising the romance and innocence within Juliet, every liquid movement graceful and elegant. Occasionally, there were some slight creaking that came from old wood of her little stage, but nobody noticed them, bound by the spell that Shizumi was weaving.
" be but sworn my love, And I will no longer be -' The rest of Juliet's verse was cut off by an uncanny rumble. Without further warning, the whole balcony came tumbling down onto the stage. A cloud of dust settled over the stage, vision obscured by the dirty mist for a moment. When the dust cleared, everyone stared, speechless, at the ruin that lay on stage. Slowly, reality kicked in and panic overtook the whole department. Screams and shouts echoed around the theatre.
"Oh my GOD!"
"Where is Nijikawa?!"
"The whole set is gone - "
"How are we going to build a new one - "
"Where will we get the funds - "
"What about the performance?!"
"The performance is due tomorrow!"
"Will everybody please SHUT UP and get me a LADDER - NOW!" an angry voice broke through the chaos. "Before I DROP!" Everyone turned and looked at the source of the voice.
Once again, Shizumi was found clinging for dear life – this time clutching the stage-lights pole dangling from the ceiling. When the balcony gave away, she had took the chance and made a jump for the pole, so she did not drop along with the whole set. All her grace and elegance from before were gone as she wore an irritated shade of red on her face. Makiko and the stage assistants quickly scrambled for the ladder in the backstage, whilst the remainders laughed heartily at the spectacle.
"This was definitely NOT the something I was waiting for." Shizumi thought as she suffered the humiliation, and prayed that the ladder would come quickly.
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Free-talk:
(Is there anything to talk about? Nothing much has happened after all – except poor Shizumi dangling from the ceiling like an inexperienced gymnast!)
Okay, short chapter, but that is because there is more to come in the next episode, so please read on
That's all for now! Did you enjoy the story? C&C are appreciated, so please send them to apus000@yahoo.com.au
Thanks ^^