Strawberry Panic: The Etoile Election

Pairings: Nagisa x Tamao and Yaya x Hikari

Genre: Romance/Drama

Disclaimer: I do not own Strawberry Panic or any of its characters.

"Farewell..." Shizuma says softly after kissing the cute redhead on the forehead. She gives her a sad expression. "You should just forget about me..."

Nagisa gasps and she hangs her head low. She cannot blame her, really. After being used like she's some sort of replacement for her lost lover, how can she stay with Shizuma like this? It's better to just move on.

She reluctantly hands the key to Shizuma, but keeps hold of the chain. She is trembling, her eyes brimming with tears. A tear drop lands on Shizuma's hand. She then lets go of the chain and runs off, not looking back.

*Present*

Nagisa finds herself in the arms of her best friend, Tamao. She had been crying since yesterday and luckily, Chikaru comforted her and took her back to the dorms when she was good and ready. Tamao was relieved when she heard that Nagisa was safe and sound.

However, there are bigger things to deal with. Actually one big thing: the Etoile election. It's not too far and Nagisa and Tamao still have to prepare. But...the way things are now, how can they compete with Nagisa's condition?

"I'll speak with Rokujo-san and tell her we are not competing," Tamao says with a determined expression. "Things have been way too hard on you lately...with Shizuma-sama and all. So, just wait here and..."

But Nagisa rises up, takes both of her best friend's hands and looks at her with a determined smile.

"No," she shakes her head. "Let's enter. I want to do something special with you after all."

"But...Nagisa-chan..." Tamao says with a worried expression.

"I'm already over it with Shizuma-sama," Nagisa says. "It's time to move on. I cannot just sit here depressed. It's time to face the facts and find a new person."

"Nagisa...chan?" Tamao's eyes start to brim with tears.

Nagisa's smile softens as she gently squeezes the bluenette's hands. "And that person...will be you, Tamao-chan. You have always been there for me. Always. I am so sorry I couldn't see the hints you were desperately trying so hard to give. Tamao-chan...I love you~"

Tamao starts to cry and hugs her best friend tightly. "Nagisa-chan! I...love you, too! I...I have been wanting to t-tell you...how much you mean to me...all this time, but I...! She breaks down into sobs and wails.

Nagisa embraces her friend in return. "There, there, Tamao-chan. I'm here now. Don't worry~"

Tamao continues to break down in sobs, clutching Nagisa's Miator uniform, not caring if she got it wet with her tears. She's just so happy that she got to be with the one she loves so dearly.

Once the crying ceases, the two pull away and they gaze into each other's eyes. Tamao cups her hands on Nagisa's cheeks and then quickly leans in to kiss her on the lips. Nagisa immediately closes her eyes and wraps her arms around her best friend's waist to pull her closer. The two young St. Miator girls kiss like there's no tomorrow, breathing the same air before diving back in again. For Nagisa, this kiss is so much better than the one she had with Shizuma. It isn't forced or anything. Just pure gentleness and above all, love.

They pull away and gaze into each other's eyes again. Tamao caresses her new lover's cheek and Nagisa presses her face against it while putting her own hand on top of her beloved's.

"You're right, Nagisa-chan," Tamao says. "We have a duty to fulfill. Together, we can help the school be a better place. We can represent all of the schools with our outstanding teamwork."

"Yes...yes~!" Nagisa nods in agreement. "Together...we will make it happen!"

They intertwine hands and lean in to kiss each other again.

*Meanwhile*

Since the news of Amane's accident, she recovered but there was just one problem: she has slight amnesia, which meant that she doesn't remember her loving relationship with Hikari. When the poor blonde heard that, she was just heartbroken. To the point where she could no longer stand and just trembled at the thought of her once beloved not remembering her relationship. It just tore her apart. Even so, Yaya was also quite devastated by the fact that her best friend was now in that state. Spica's student council president Shion insisted that it would be best to take Hikari back to the dorms and think this through while she tries to find some way to get Amane's memories back. And Yaya does so.

Inside their room, Hikari sits on the edge of the bed with Yaya by her side, gently rubbing her shoulders for comfort. This whole thing cannot be forgotten this easily. But what Yaya cannot stand is that Hikari is still obsessing over Amane. She doesn't realize how amnesia can be. Amane could possibly forget for months as worst case scenario.

"Hikari," Yaya starts but Hikari cuts her off.

"It's...it's not fair..." The poor blonde says. She clenches her fists at the hem of her skirt, trembling. "Why does...why does it have to happen to Amane-sempai!? And the Etoile election's not far away! What if...what if she doesn't recover her memories by then...!? I might as well give up!"

"Hikari!" Yaya shouts as she steps in front of the blonde. "Do not talk like that! Are you seriously thinking of throwing away something that important!?"

"What's the point, Yaya-chan!?" Hikari argues. "It's like I lost Amane-sempai! I loved her! And she loved me! And now all of that is gone because of that stupid accident!"

Yaya grits her teeth and tightens her grip on Hikari's shoulders. "You're an idiot..."

"Eh..?" Hikari raises her head to listen carefully.

"You really are an idiot!" Yaya shouts. "Are you serious!? You think you can just sit there moping about some stupid accident!? And then you tell me you're going to quit the Etoile election because of that!? Well, you know what...you don't know that there is still a chance!"

"What...in the world are you talking about?" Hikari asks.

"I'm talking about what's right in front of you!" Yaya says as she gestures toward herself. "Don't you see!? I shall be Amane-sama's replacement if things don't go well!"

"Y-Yaya-chan...can you really do that?" Hikari says. "And...do you mean to tell me that...you love me!?"

"Yes!" Yaya says with tears stinging her eyes. "I can consult with Shion about this and then you and I will compete in the Etoile election together!"

"But I..." Hikari turns away, her eyes bringing in a new batch of tears. "What about-"

"Forget her," Yaya eyes her best friend with a serious expression. "I absolutely see nothing between the two of you. Even if you can call it love, in my eyes, I just don't see it. Think about it, Hikari: does Amane-sama REALLY love you? Has she done anything besides staring at your beauty? Yeah she took you out on a date, but was that really all that was? Just a simple walk? Nothing else?"

"I...I..." Hikari cannot believe that Yaya is right. All this time, Amane was just thinking all of this was just infatuation? But now she is beginning to understand. "I don't believe it. Am I...not really in love with Amane-sempai?"

"No," Yaya says truthfully. "And quite frankly, you don't deserve her anyways. Please, love me and let's enter the Etoile Election together."

Hikari feels Yaya's hands intertwine with hers. The cute blonde is beginning to see the light. Yaya is her savior now. Even if Amane does get back her memories, their loving relationship is nothing more than just innocent little crushes.

"I will...enter the election with you, Yaya-chan," she says softly.

"That's what I like to hear~" Yaya says. "Oh, I love you, Hikari~"

"I love you too!" Hikari replies.

Both lean in and share a passionate kiss.