The Commencement Ball
Chapter 6
"Miya-san, you will go to the dance, right?" Yayoi asked.
"Yes." Miya smiled. "But, right now I need to buy some flowers. I'll be there shortly."
"Ok!" Yayoi took her hands, "Take care, ok! Tomoe will get better, don't worry."
"Thanks."
--
The Ball was largely a success, but still the people were its main contention. Protective and proud parents showing their love by offering potential marriage partners to their beloved children while others looked to find Otome for their kingdoms. Surely the daughters would be proud of these options. Surely.
"Your brother spoke of many strange stories." Akito laughed. He had thought to hold her arm, but she kept them to her self. They were walking in the courtyard away from everyone. It seemed a safer option given her status.
"I'm sure he did." She would not look at him.
"You don't seem to like him very much."
"Like? That's not it." She thought a bit, "He's always impersonal in everything he does. He's a politician, not a brother."
"I guess I can see what you mean, but he does love you."
"I guess, but when he said 'bounce on his knee' I heard 'continue the family line'" she sighed.
Akito nodded and smiled. She was still angry, but seemed to tire of it a bit. "Well, let's talk about school then."
"Fine."
--
Akito and Natsuki sat at a bench in the courtyard. Natsuki had grabbed a blade of grass to chew on and took in the marvelous detail of the concrete beside her.
"Natsuki, if you keep avoiding me like this, I'm afraid things will not work out well."
"You think?"
"No, I mean for you."
"What?"
"You need to open up to people."
"I don't need you telling me that." she rubbed her face and spat out the grass. "Look, I don't know you, you don't know me. We only know 'of' each other."
"Yes, this is why we have the day to talk. To enjoy ourselves."
"Right." She rubbed her face some more.
"May I get you a drink?" he asked.
"Heh, what if I ditch you?"
"Well, that'd be unfortunate." He got up. "Anything in particular?"
"Water is fine."
"Water it is." He walked away. Natsuki watched him and frowned. Her brother just had to find a nice decent guy this time. Now she can't break his toes or 'accidentally' knock him into the fountain. She kept the latter option handy just in case.
--
"Tomoe, I brought you flowers." Miya walked into the hostpital room and found it empty. "Tomoe?"
"I'm getting dressed." Tomoe spoke off to the side.
"Oh." Miya blushed and stepped out.
"No, wait. Help me with this."
"Ok." Miya smiled and walked in further. "Tomoe-san, what are you wearing?"
"Do I look ok? I thought I try something new."
"Silly," she grabbed the tie and adjusted it. "You can walk alright?"
"Don't worry about that."
--
In another part of the school away from the hall, "Shizuru-san, how long have you worked with my sister?" Yukito took her arm and walked with her down the hallway.
"She was my class mate's bath attendant. You could say we grew up together."
"Ah, I bet you have many fond stories to tell" He laughed a bit. "You wouldn't mind sharing some?"
"I might not." Shizuru's interest was perked.
"Should we sit?"
"No, too much trouble, I'm afraid."
"Fair enough." He thought to himself, "Would it be better if you wore another dress?"
Shizuru regarded his comment, "You tell a story first."
"Alright." He rubbed his chin in a thought.
--
The hall was alive with chatter as festivities were well underway. Students have taken dance partners, many of which were fellow students. Others were parents and yet others were lovers and then there were the people they'd rather not know. Nao leaned against the wall near the entrance with an empty soda can slightly crushed in her hand. She was bored out of her mind.
She opened her eye just a bit to see who walked in. Miya Clochette and Tomoe Magueritte. "Shit." Nao blinked and smirked. "Damn."
One by one the people who knew them took notice. One by one those who knew the situation were amazed. Most of them however were amazed about what they were wearing. Miya was in a beautiful red dress with a slit on the side. He hair was longer, but well kept.
Despite how great she looked; Tomoe was in a killer black tuxedo.
--
Akito returned and found the bench empty. He sighed knowing full well this was going to happen. She really was quite a woman and maybe more than he could ever hope to chew. One way or another. He had to smile.
--
Shizuru laughed rather openely at the story. Yukito had to laugh as well. He really enjoyed telling these stories of his younger sister and it was good to have a better audience. Shizuru knew better, despite enjoying the story, he enjoyed them more than anyone. She mused about how well they really knew each other.
From the sounds of it, he's been to school, trips, and meetings for most of his life. Natsuki had also been to this school for half her life. They barely knew each other at all.
"Yukito-san, I remembered I had a a few people to talk to in the dance hall. If you would excuse me."
"Certainly, I did not wish to take up your whole day." He bowed a bit.
"Certainly." Shizuru smiled politely.
"I will see you on the dance floor in a couple hours. I'd love to dance with you again."
"Indeed." Shizuru curtsied and walked back to the dance.
--
Later in the day, Akito and Yukito met up at a bar by the hall. "I tell you." Yukito smiled.
"Mm?" Akito picked up the mug of beer.
"That Shizuru Viola is a fine woman. A real man eater."
"Really." He sipped some.
"She hides it so well, but I can tell she'd eat you alive if you let her. I've met noone else like her."
"Heh, I'm not sure it's a good idea."
"No, it probably isn't. I'm always moving around, always flirting, always kissing ass, but that woman is a woman. I may have to just enjoy tonight." He drank his beer readily, "So, how is my sister for you?"
"She is an 'Ice Queen' as you put it, but she is also kind. I had thought she'd ditch me once or twice."
"See what I mean! Be honest, don't be afraid. She'll wisen up, so don't you worry!"
"She did ditch me in the end," he frowned. "But, Thanks."
"I tell you what, take her for dinner."
"I'll do that."
--
"Shizuru!" Natsuk ran over.
She turned at the call of her name. Her spirits had lifted just a bit. Frankly her day only got worse as it went on. "Natsuki. Where were you?"
"All over, we called the talk off."
"You ditched him?" Shizuru smiled.
".." Natsuki admitted defeat on her face and then looked around for them. "They're here, aren't they?"
"It would seem they might be."
"Where's my brother?" Natsuki suddenly asked.
Shizuru giggled. "Your brother is quite the ladies man."
"That letch." Natsuki growled. She spotted Akito a few couples away and panicked. "Hide me!"
"Oh my, where?"
"Shit."
--
"Shizuru-san my good lady, I hope you enjoyed the day so far." Yukito Krugar walked up behind her. He waved to Akito. Shizuru tried to read the situation, but she could only wait as it played out.
"You have not talked with Akito any, I take it?" Yukito asked.
"He is not of my concern, is he?" Shizuru asked kindly. Her intent was well hidden.
"No, but he might be someone you'd see more often." He elbowed him. "But to the point, have you seen Natsuki around? She had apparently ran off in the middle of their talk." He was looking around to room.
"She may be around." Shizuru smiled more.
"Akito, my good man, be a gent and have another look around here. Surely she is conversing with her peers and students somewhere." He pushed him away and took Shizuru's hand. "Shall we dance?"
"Shall we?" Shizuru returned the question and felt a hand upon her leg.
"I see you still dance in that ball gown."
"It seems you do not approve of such a dress." She jested back.
"It seems I can only be frank. I'd like to dance a bit closer."
"I see." She smiled. The hand on her leg was holding harder now.
"I will dance as you wish, my lady, if you will permit my honesty."
"Then we shall dance." She ignored the two hands she felt on her knees now. Surely this will be an unfortunate yet fun experience.
She moved across the floor a bit. The body beneath her scrambling to keep up. Natsuki could not believe what she was being put through now, but she could not have her cover blown. She knew she was as much to blame for this than anyone. Shizuru stopped and went another direction. Natsuki fell and scrambled again. Shizuru had almost tripped over her.
"Shizuru-san, I must say, you aren't as graceful as I last saw you." He laughed a bit as if to mean no harm.
"It seems I have things on my mind." Or on my feet.
"Then if I may inquire. I'd like to hear it. I mean, I'd love to know more about you."
"Mm, I'll tell you some things." She ignored the grip on her leg. No doubt the little one heard everything. What she'd give to see her face now.
They turned again and she felt a body hit against her leg. She stopped for a moment jarring their fluid movements as the litle one corrected her self.
"Should we stop?" Yukito asked.
"Yes, lets talk instead."
"Shall we take a seat?"
"No, its hard to sit. I don't mind standing here."
"Then we shall stand here."
Shizuru could feel the hot breath on her leg and tried not to blush.
"What is on my mind, "Shizuru thought aloud. "There is a fool I am in love with."
"A fool?" he grinned. He didn't know what to make of that word.
"Foolishness is not something that bothers me, but it is what makes me wonder." She felt the breathing stop.
"May I inquire who this fool is?"
"No, that is quite alright." She smiled. "This person means well and does everything well or as best the person can. I like that. I cannot read minds and I sometimes think I can read hearts, but I fear it is I who is filling in the details and not that person."
"Is this a love that can be mended?"
"Maybe."
"Then I won't push myself on you any further, but for tonight, I wish to offer you dinner."
"Dinner?" she felt a sudden pressure between her legs and blushed.
Yukito raised an eyebrow at the reaction and recalculated his thoughts. "Yes, if you may make myself available. I'd like to spend more time with you."
"Time?" She questioend again and tried to stop the pressure between her legs. The 'fool' had raised her own head in shock having forgotten where she was.
"Yes, dinner is not long from now so please, when you find time free, meet me at the banquet."
"I'll think about it." Shizuru kicked her again to knock off the grabbing. Surely she had marks now.
For what t was worth for 'revenge' or for 'protection, she walked across the hall and into the bathroom. The whole 20 yards away.
--
"Damn it!" Natsuki fell upon the floor on her back.
"Natsuki, you will mess up your dress like that."
"Shizuru." She panted. She didn't mean to scold, but then again.
"So sorry." Shizuru took in how she looked now. She was a wreck and it hurt her knowing she had done most of it.
"No, don't appologise." She took her hand and got to her feet. She was dizzy and fell onto her friend whom held her close. She patted her back.
"Hot and sweaty, are we?"
"Not just me." Natsuki grumbled. Shizuru blushed.
Natsuki pulled away a bit and had to laugh at the reaction.
"If I may ask." Shizuru looked her in the eyes.
"Yes?"
"Will you be hiding under my dress again?"
"Heh, no, no more of that." she sighed, "All that walking."
"Quite the workout?"
"Yes."
"So. You aren't mad at me?"
"I'm too sore." She rubbed her shoulder and moved it around a bit.
"Natsuki, you aren't a fool."
"Does that mean you don't love me?" she smirked.
"I…"
"The night is young. I won't hide anymore. I won't hide anything anymore."