The Commencement Ball

Chapter 3

Yayoi stood beside a phone in her dorm room. She had a smile on her face, but she was quite concerned. It was the next day and the dance drew closer. "Miya-san, will you come to the dance?" Yayoi asked.

Miya had been disowned as a failure, but having a chance to be an Otome once again meant little to her parents.

Miya's voice was dry and dulled, "I do not wish to."

"Are you ok?"

"Yayoi-chan…" she stopped herself. "Too much happened, just too much."

Yayoi gripped the phone with both hands, "Do you need help?"

"No! I…"

Yayoi was not often sad, "Miya-chan, its no trouble. We're still friends if you'll have me."

"I..." she sounded like she was crying. "I lost everything."

"…you're still you, right?"

"I guess so."

"I'll pick you up."

"…"

"C'mon!"

"I shouldn't."

"I'll never forgive you if you don't come out of that rain cloud!"

"...I understand."

--

Shizuru walked in to the bed room, "So, Natsuki, what will you wear?"

"I've a dress in the closet." She walked over to it.

"Blue?"

"Yes." She opened the door and walked in and took one off the rack. "Should I try it on?" The dress was blue with many light blue and white accents. It shined in the room lighting. Natsuki's mouth slowly became a grin as she noticed the pleasant smile growing on Shizuru's face.

"I'd like that."

"Ahem," Natsuki cleared her throat, "Then if you'll excuse me."

"I'm sorry, I don't have an excuse to leave." She feigned a pout.

"Mm…. do you have a dress picked yet?"

"It's a secret." Shizuru smiled.

"Well, those are my conditions then." Natsuki stood firm.

"Meany." Shizuru was still smiling as she walked out of the room. "To watch Natsuki dress, I will relent my secret."

Natsuki, somehow not surprised, stood with dress in hand. There was nothing she could do. "Is it violet?"

"Green." Shizuru commented.

"Like Haruka's?" Natsuki actually believed her and frowned at the laughter emanating around the corner.

"Silly, it is violet yes, but I thought to have more white this time. It's quite nice. You will like the cut." She brought a large box into the room and set it on the bed. She opened it and removed the gown. "There is a second box for the base of it. It's the larger one."

"A real Ball gown!?" Natsuki was astonished.

"Yes, it is and this is the cut." Shizuru held it up...

"Shizuru, that's the back."

"Oh, silly me." Shizuru smiled. "Help me into it?"

"Why a Ball gown?"

"Would it look silly on me? It is quite large."

"I, maybe?" Natsuki set the dress back on the pole and walked around for the larger box. She had seen it the other day, but couldn't for the life of her guess what it was. She carried it back into the room and set it beside the bed. She opened it and took it out.

"Yes?"

"Shizuru, are you wearing this to avoid contact with men?"

"Ara, why should I ever do that?"

She shook her head. This couldn't be helped either.

--

A half hour later, Shizuru was fully in her Ball gown. The cut was indeed nice and Natsuki was silently wishing her friend would cover up a bit more.

That woman always had a better chest. Deciding not to be distracted any further, she shooed Shizuru out of the room. Many more minutes passed and Natsuki was still fumbling with her dress. "Damn, how do you put this on?" she swore she'd get it on her own.

"Natsuki in trouble?" Shizuru asked. She smiled at the struggling girl.

"No, I have it!"

"Yuki-chan is here."

"CR…" she covered her mouth quickly and dropped her mismanaged dress onto the floor. She stuffed it in one of the boxes.

"Should I decline him, let him in, or kick him in the groin?" Shizuru smiled.

"Ugh." Natsuki mouthed 'hide me'.

--

In the hospital, Yayoi and Lilie were walking to the intensive care unit. Tomoe Marguerite waited there in stasis. Many of her organs had failed in the fall and she may have suffered brain damage. Nanites were repairing her body day in and day out. Despite popular opinion, she seemed to be making a full recovery in time for the dance. The doctors weren't sure why she lived or if she's fully recover, but they were hopeful.

Many said she was too stupid to die. She had many months to think about what she did.

"Yayoi-san, are you sure about this?" Lilie asked.

"I hate Tomoe-san as much as anyone, but we were all instructed to forgive and be forgiven for our deeds. No exceptions." She tightened her fist, "That was an important part of the treaty that ended the conflict." Yayoi spoke as if to assure herself and not just her friend. Lilie understood although her expression was as blank as ever. "Maybe I shouldn't do this, but I will." Yayoi clenched her other fist too...

--

"Juliette!" Shiho shrieked.

"Ah, why isn't it octopus head. How are you?" Nao grinned from ear to ear.

"I was instructed to ask if you are going to the Commencement Ball."

"I am a Pillar, I have to be there." She shrugged.

"Yes, so will you?"

"You think I might ditch?" she bent over to match their heights. She grinned and showed her teeth this time.

"Yes!" Shiho chastised her. Her hair darted to add to her anger. Her fists were tight and her posture was unrefined.

"Maybe I should." Nao stood up and turned aside. She tapped a finger on her cheek in a thought. "I have no date." She shrugged.

"Heh, who would date you?" Shiho grinned thinking it a good insult.

The grin couldn't hide behind Nao's hand there. "Oh? 'Who would I date?' You mean." Nao watched her with one eye.

Shiho growled.

--

Shizuru opened the door.

"My dearest Viola-ojou-san, it is quite the honor to meet you once again." Yukito Krugar bowed with one arm across his abdomen. He was in a real nice black suit with a dark blue liner and a white corsage. Almost every crease looked sharp to the touch. His hair was short and raven, slicked back and his eyes were green, but darker.

"The honor is mine." Shizuru smiled back warmly. It was a smile she'd given many delegates.

He stepped in and walked passed her. She turned a bit and watched him carefully. He turned to her again, "I am hoping to speak with my dear sister, is she in?"

"I do not see her, I'm afraid."

"That is too bad." His eyes wandered all around the room. "I may have to meet her on the dance floor. She does dance, yes?" he really was quite handsome if not for the smug grin whenever he spoke. A real politician.

"I've taught her how to tango." She added and winced inside at a pain in her leg.

"Awfully difficult in a dress like that, don't you think?" He jested.

"I have others." She didn't care for the jest.

"Then I'd like to see them. Keep in touch." He walked back to the bedroom door and turned. He bowed and walked away. Each step was strong and firm, each turn with purpose and intent. His shoulders were broad and proper. Perfection left a bad taste in her mouth.

Time passed in relative silence. "Is he gone?" Natsuki asked.

"Yes."

"Good, this is so uncomfortable." Natsuki got out from under the dress.

"Yes, having Natsuki-chan between my legs is unbearable."

"Shizuru…" Natsuki sighed.

"So sorry, here." She took her hand and helped her up, "Let's get you into that dress."

"Thank you."

"Do you believe your fiancée will be much like him?"

"Oh, hell no." Natsuki slapped her face. Shizuru giggled.