Fragrant Oleanders

--CHAPTER THREE--

Disclaimer: No, I actually don't own any senshi... As it says, this is a fanfiction; I'm a fan and fictioning...

Author's Note: Story is highly influenced by: Oniisama E and Maria-sama ga Miteru. I wanted to do more drama and angst, but nothing too heart breaking or overly dramatic that's forcing limits of logic.

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Behave properly, stand straight, look proud, and move graciously to achieve your dreams…

This is St. Marianne Education Institute, only for the ladies of future Japan. We grow delicate flowers that'll shape the future, every graduate we have had is a unique diamond. It's being unique on your own, shining with a unique light of your own, is what we teach young ladies.

Every girl is a flower, and we want to give the world and Japan new flowers, more unique and rare than ever before. Welcome to St. Marianne, this is where you learn how to shine brilliantly…

--

There wasn't a single noise, how could there be while music was so bewitching. A single movement, slightest noise, a small breath could dispel the magic cast upon the audience –an outcome none could have dared to cause...

It was the grand theatre hall of St. Marianne Education Institute. Dark red velvet curtains were tied loosely to both sides of the stage, revealing the piano player, a single young girl. Spotlight illuminating her gave a golden halo, crowning her short blonde hair; given to the serene expression on her young, beautiful face, she was surely an angel came from heaven. Her looks were betrayed by her school uniform though, navy blue middle school uniform she wore indicated a much younger age than her face showed. Her slender fingers were flowing so casually, almost like caressing keys. Her long eyelashes rose slightly, revealing half of the spectacular green shades of her brilliant eyes. It had been so long since she had played without being interrupted, finally on stage she could prove that her potential was already beyond expectations.

But unexpected happened, a finger hit wrong key, ruining spell, silence awoke Haruka from her reverie. She opened her eyes, stage was still there; velvet curtains tied loosely on both sides of the stage, tailed piano was still there –a shiny black Riverpool. But blonde player was replaced with one of her brunette classmates, who were instructed by Kawasaki-sensei too. Music instructor was an old, round man at his late fifties, he was one of the few male teachers walking in campus grounds. And he was calmly instructing troubled girl and encouraged her to play once more, overcoming her tensed nerves.

Thanks to Hino Rei, Haruka was sitting in one of the seats with rest of her classmates, if student council member haven't walked her here she could be enjoying fresh summer air outside, under a cool shade. Not here, in this hall. This was, boring… Blonde sighed deeply as she leaned her head back and closed her eyes to resume her previously disturbed nap.

"Haruka-san!" an angry whisper called out from two seats of her right. "You should behave more respectfully."

Haruka cared to glance at girl with her right eye only, who was frowning in a not approving manner. She smiled halfly, one of the teasing ones she used to show for types like Meioh Setsuna.

"To be honest dear, if it wasn't Hino Rei, I'd be gladly ditching today's practice and napping in a quiet corner of the garden."

"Oh, of course… Unlike you, mademoiselle Tenoh," girl started with a perfect French accent, dipped in sarcasm, "we all haven't mastered these few pieces in middle school. You know, we still need to practice to learn."

"It's not like old man will pick me to play today anyway. This practice is for you, not for me."

"Why are you still here then?"

Haruka blinked before giving a proper answer, well, the one she just came up was valid enough. She rested her head back again, closing her eyes.

"It's easier to sleep here." She answered finally.

"Pfftt… You have no shame Haruka-san!" girl said, shooking her head.

"Thank you Kochiro-san." Music instructor's kind voice got louder as player left stage. "Well ladies, my dear daughters…" He continued, turning to his small audience. "I'm quite disappointed with you today. Many of you are still at same level, and I gave you two weeks to practice. Am I right?" an approval raised from girls, so maestro nodded continuing his speech. "This piece wasn't hard; 'Requiem for Love'. Actually I choosed a new composition, composed by a young musician. So you'd like and practice more willingly to learn piece, or is it because of the workload you're receiving lately?" Groans and murmurs raised, old man smiled knowingly. "Then perhaps we should cancel our lessons in theatre hall?"

Outcome was obvious; girls reacted the way maestro wanted them to. The ambience of theatre was a great enthusiasm for students, they liked practicing here a lot more. He gestured them to calm down, raising one hand up was enough for girls to get silent again.

"Very well then… By any chance, is Tenoh-san present here?"

Haruka opened her eyes wide; she glanced to the girl sitting next to her with corner of the eye. An interesting expression has formed on her face, her smile got wider as Haruka continued staring at her silently without a move. She was actually too busy to stop the girl, should she skip rest of the lesson or attend personally? Kawasaki-sensei was a genius instructor and Haruka really respected him as a teacher. It would've been proper to attend each of his classes, but since she was quite on a different level then rest of her class Kawasaki-sensei gave Haruka special treatment. She could skip his lessons, only to play practiced new pieces to him once later and master on other compositions maestro gave her personally.

"Is Tenoh-san here?" maestro asked one more time.

Time did past quick to Haruka's fear. While she was lost in thoughts, her classmate spoke up, in a rather cheerfully way too…

"Yes Kawasaki-sensei!" girl chirped as she grinned evilly at Haruka.

"Tenoh-san?"

A few heads turned behind to see if the rebel blonde was really there. After a few moments of endless silence, unmistakable deep voice of hers was heard clearly.

"I'm here!"

She sat, buried in her comfy seat for a while though, and then slowly she stood up, quite unwillingly. After stretching her back briefly, young lady shoved hands into her pockets and started walking to stage. Even among her classmates she was admired, she gathered attention, not making an effort for it. To relief of the girls, she held back urge to jump on stage and she climbed up stage through stairs. Even Haruka was respecting some tutors in St. Marianne, and one of them was maestro.

"Hai, sensei?"

"Would you please be so kind and enchant us with 'Requiem for Love', Tenoh-san?" old man smiled genuinely as he gestured girl to piano. "I'd like to have your classmates hear you play whole piece for us."

No, not even Haruka could hold back a pleased smile after her ego was stroked the right way. She nodded the man who was actually 20cms shorter than her, then sat in front of piano. She gently placed her fingers over keys, for a brief second she gazed dreamily to notes, but only for a moment, not longer than blink of an eye. Then young virtuous' fingers started flowing over keys casually, like they actually knew why they were created since the beginning…

--

"I don't know Usagi-chan. Perhaps we should wait for Makoto-san? How will she find us when she's back?"

"Ah don't worry about it." Blonde shook her hand with an assuring gesture. "Mako-chan has senses of a hound, she'd find us out here eventually."

Michiru nodded thoughtfully, clinging on her art supplies like they were the most important possessions young girl ever had. Actually she was too troubled with latest nuisances to notice enthusiasm her blonde friend started radiating. She was dumbfounded when Usagi held her arm only to drag her after the new excitement she discovered.

"Michiru-chan hurry up!!"

"U-usagi-chan!! School rules?!" petite one resisted holding back.

"What rules?!" but blonde've won the struggle.

Dragging clueless girl after her through gardens, where dozens of excited young girls were forming a lousy crowd in front of the grand theatre hall. She could hear a faint melody in air now, so melodic indeed that it was unmistakably a professional's doing.

"But running is forbidden?!" Michiru cried, trying to slow airhead at lead a little.

"Demo!!" Usagi stopped all of a sudden, turning to face Michiru's troubled face. "Tenoh-sama is playing!!" leaving aqua haired girl even more confused.

"How could you hear it from such a distant?!"

"Reiko-chan told us back there, didn't you hear her?" Usagi shook her head like it was a matter of fact statement.

So, that was the reason, Michiru thought. She rolled her eyes as comforted herself secretly for the previous inner scolding. But before she had a chance to clear her mind blonde started pulling her after inside the building. It was more crowded inside, especially at entrance lobby, she could hear more clearly notes of a familiar composition, echoing in high ceilings of the lobby. Young girls were peeking through grand doors opening to theatre hall, rising on fingertips, sighing, listening with excitement and joy. Usagi was dragging her after herself though, trying to find a space where she could take a peek inside too. Finally found a less crowded door, Usagi almost tripped over the girls standing behind the door. They hushed each other and finally blonde let go of poor Michiru, she stepped back a little and leaned her back to wall sighing with relief. Unlike other joyful ones, she didn't feel urge to see player, just listening one play was enough for her educated ears. If she was to watch a musician playing their instrument, she'd rather watch them from a seat close to stage, not behind doors peeking like naughty little kids.

And that's what she did, leaned her head to wall behind her and closed her eyes as she listened the played piece. Tunes were captivating yet alien somehow, only solid proof reminded her surroundings were the sketchbook she held closely over her chest and the dusty scent lingering in air of old theater hall. She could imagine a clear setting in her mind, a mansion, drown in purity of color white. Angelic feeling was disturbed with colors of a potted flower or framed picture on a wall, sometimes it was furniture in pale colors hinting rich color of gold. But they were brushed away soon as a room came out all of a sudden, it was white too, just like other rooms it was part of the very same mansion, richly decorated with delicate details of colors here and there. And in middle of the room there was a woman sitting in a white kimono. Though, it wasn't any kimono... It had a pale, faint blue colored floral pattern over it, and the woman wearing this beautiful kimono was looking at her with a sad, but loving smile, shadowed by the depth of her bright, ocean blue eyes.

Michiru gasped, almost jumped like she woke up from a dream, but it was only a few moments gone unnoticed by anyone. She sighed deeply as she realized music has ended-so did her reverie- and everyone was so busy with the player that no one has noticed her loudly racing heart, watery eyes and pale face. She could catch her breathe before Usagi joined her, who was lost in her own dream world. They followed others as they hurried to greet the blonde womanizer.

--

"Thank you Tenoh-san, that was splendid!" Old man applauded cheerfully his student. He chuckled as he heard voices and squealing coming out of the hall, but then he looked behind the blonde, rather surprised. "Tenoh-san?"

Haruka stopped and turned halfly to look at maestro. She was about to take her leave, making it obvious by heading to exit, not her seat…

"I don't think I'm needed here any longer sir, since I'm the only one who played composition flawless." She said arrogantly, apparently just to tease her classmates. "But if you suggest otherwise…"

"Oh no, very well... You're dismissed Tenoh-san."

Blonde grinned, she bowed to old instructor and then continued her walk to freedom, where excited young girls were waiting for her departure. She pushed both doors a little, just to leave enough gap so she could pass and didn't need to push younglings aside much. But she didn't, instead she leaned her hands to both doors to prevent them close back, Haruka threw one of her charming smiles to happy crowd which would strike from bottom of their hearts. Michiru had reached scene at that moment, she was quite moved with the previous experienced. Enough to expect a little difference in Tenoh-sama's behaviors, but her next words proved this possibility was completely illogical.

"Now now, ladies… If you block doorway, how are we, upperclassmen, suppose to leave hall?" she said casually, ending with a husky tone.

Michiru heard several sighs, one coming right from Usagi as well, but judging by looks would make injustice to the lady in this situation. Michiru was lucky to have spent many years with her mother and her close friends. She could read act and honesty underneath the lines and to her eyes 'Tenoh-sama' was a great façade feeling as fake as cheap paper masks. She glanced briefly at the scene and took her leave under loud excuses told to upperclassman; she might be successful with influencing others but it've definitely failed on Kaioh Michiru. As she stepped out to fresh air, Michiru heard hurried footsteps of her airheaded friend.

"Michiru-chan!" she started gasping. "Why we didn't stay longer?"

"Simple, we have an art class to attend, starting in a minute. Half of school may not bothered with that but I don't like being late to my classes."

"But we could talk with her!!"

"Do you really think, Tenoh-san would talk to you?"

"But we could have a chance if we stayed there." Usagi pouted, "Besides she talks back to us if we ask her something… and and!! Seeing her any distance is enough for us to dream!! We should dream! I mean.. all girls should dream and dreams are important.. and, innocent weapons we… possess…" she added, failing a quote from their lecture lesson.

Michiru smiled amusedly, both to Usagi's childish complaints to her logic and the surprised cries of other girls who weren't oblivious of Tenoh-sama's presence in theatre hall. But that wasn't only reason middle schoolers were giving excited cries in gardens as well. Michiru slowed down a little to take a look at what made others start stirring as well; soon her curiosity was answered by the arrival of archery team. As any St. Marianne student would know, two golden four members were in archery team; Hino Rei and Meioh Setsuna.

Michiru could identify her highness, Queen Meioh immediately. Even in hakama and simple traditional uniform, she was looking elegant. She had tied her dark green hair into a ponytail beneath a stylish bun; her bangs were falling over her long eyelashes, bolding her cheekbones more under her smooth, dark skin. Her crimson eyes shone brilliantly as she merely brushed crowd, granting them a pleasant smile formed on her crimson lips. She was followed by the Priestess Princess Rei, who had tied her raven hair into a loose ponytail, falling over her chest from her shoulder. Michiru was not going to pause more and waste her precious time on this free show, but when Rei whispered a few soft words to Queen's ear and she looked at her way, Michiru had to stop dead in her tracks. For a moment intimating crimson eyes locked hers, it was a feeling similar to what she felt from the time when Haruka locked her eyes to hers. But yet, it was different somehow, both had measured and examined Michiru in their way. While Haruka was measuring her on a different scale, perhaps Setsuna was measuring her potential, whether Michiru was worth of her attention or not. After a moment felt like lasted for decades, Setsuna smiled briefly and nodded lightly before dropping her gaze to rest of the crowd. It took every bone in Michiru to keep her calm, perfect lady posture at that one short moment. But now she was feeling exhausted, drained, as if all her strength had left her as she was unable to move.

Haruka frowned at the sight, she wasn't even close to scene. But she could read what happened just now, and the look on Setsuna's foxy face was enough proof that Queen had decided on her new sister candidate. Michiru on the other hand, was far from looking thrilled. She looked thoughtful, but strong, far from weak. It was clear that she was impressed; one could tell that from her pink cheeks and the determined look in her big bright blue eyes. Her childlike round features were giving her age, but her posture was of a noble woman's. There she was standing in crowd, only female lead of the story, standing alone under the cherry tree still blooming some flowers. And that was the first time Haruka looked at Michiru under a different light.

--

"Eh? What happened to your drawing pencils Michiru-san?" one of her classmates asked.

Michiru smiled calmly to girl.

"Apparently I misplaced them and they're all broken. Oh, well…" she resumed her drawing. "I can buy a new set after school. Since there was a new brand I wanted to try, it was just on time."

Makoto overheard conversation behind her, she frowned and turned back to look at sea green haired girl.

"All are broken?"

"It's ok, Makoto-san."

"No really… It's already hard to break 2 pencils at a time, if you want to break a set of 10 pencils…" Makoto took 2 of her pencils to show pencils don't break that easily altogether. Though, hers broke quite easily, brunette looked troubled as she held 4 pieces of her pencils in her both hands. "Uuh…"

"Of course Makoto-san, but if it's you I don't think it'll be a problem to break a set altogether." Michiru said smiling widely, as girl next to her burst into a silent laughter.

"Ok, I'm quite strong… So what?" Makoto sighed defeated. "But proves my point: A few people or things can break a set together. Otherwise you break them one by one." She said finally before turning back to the model they should draw; Usagi.

"Sensei, it's already hard to draw a plant… Why do we draw Usagi-chan?" a girl in back protested.

"It may be hard for you but art isn't about perfectly portraying objects, it's about vision my dear." Sensei Takeda was quite a chubby woman, so she preferred staying at her table rather than walking around. Since easels were so close to each other, there were barely gaps for students to pass. "I don't expect you to be Picasso's of this century, but this practice is for you to improve your vision on seeing things around you with a different perspective." She smiled, pleased with her ambition.

"It's not that hard Chiaki-chan, all you have to do is drawing a body, since there isn't more to the model." A girl spoke from behind, making some girls giggle at her remark.

Michiru frowned, seeing the surprised look on blonde's face. Everyone knew Usagi wasn't brightest of all, but it was never a subject to tease girl. At least not this way…

"Subaru-san, please resume your drawing." Teacher warned girl, politely.

"What? Don't us have a living proof of the very title; 'dumb blonde'?" some more chuckle raised from class. "Forgive me sensei, but we're not Kaioh-san, we can't draw imaginary fantasies like she does. It's a matter of fact, she's perfect."

Michiru's eyes got wider; she looked over her shoulder to see a classmate of her she hardly knew. How could she gain hatred of a person she hardly talked to begin with? Images began to rush her mind; at her first day she created quite a commotion with famous Tenoh-san, later on she got envious gazes by her music and art talent, at cafeteria she made 3 Graces very upset, after that she beat two swimmers from school team and finally, summing up all this together outlines portrait of a perfect lady whom most people would despise. She didn't experience such a behavior before, she didn't know nor imagine why being good would turn people against herself. It was illogical but maybe Michiru grew up into a girl who was quite full of herself.

"Young lady, I advice you to stop this nonsense right now!" as she was about to continue her words, a knock was heard on the door and arts teacher was called outside. "I don't want to hear more about this anymore."

Michiru sighed as she turned back to her canvas, watching sensei leave with edge of her eye.

"If one describes what they see now is a fantasy, then one should suspect their mental health for sure." She said casually, resuming her drawing, sure of all attention was directed at her. "I can see a perfectly healthy girl sitting right in front of me, both complete biologically and spiritually."

"I didn't say I don't see her incomplete. Of course, you'd defend your best friend Kaioh-san, that's so sweet of you." Girl replied with sarcasm.

"If it was a girl out of school just passing by, I'd say same. Because art is about seeing truth, even if they're well hidden an artist would find it."

"Oh please do tell us Kaioh-sama!" girl said rather loudly, with a dramatic voice. "Enlighten us so we might become better people in our souls and minds."

Girls started laughing; it was obvious that no one was actually complaining about this silent war neither the subject of it. Usagi was trying to understand what was the reason behind all this with sad eyes, looking like she'd burst into tears anytime.

"Stop it already!" Makoto finally snapped to students. "Who are you to measure someone's IQ level and potential Einstein?!"

"Speak for yourself Kino, we all know it's all about money when it comes to enrolling this school. Not everyone is filthy rich, some enroll for their talent to this private institute." A girl said with a proud look in her eyes.

"You're far beyond help my dear." Michiru murmured as Takeda-sensei had entered classroom again.

"What's the deal ladies?" old woman asked with her deep, rich voice.

Michiru stood up, took her drawing with her. Almost as an answer, she dropped her drawing on teacher's desk and smiled politely.

"May I go restroom sensei? I'd like to wash my hands."

Large woman nodded, eyes open wide staring at her student's drawing. After she left, Miss Takeda cleared her throat and left her desk with Michiru's drawing. Most students looked up to arts teacher, Usagi hardly swallowed as her first portrait was coming to her with the homeroom teacher.

"Everyone, please listen to me, especially you Subaru-san." She was holding paper gently in her chubby fingers, like it was a fragile antique. "What I am trying to teach you is not drawing a few plants, portraits or landscape. What I want to give you is vision. Vision on life, vision on people… I want to teach you something you can't learn with science, cosmetics or money. Apparently I have a lot to teach most of you, and perhaps little to Kaioh-san. It's not because she's talented in art, it's because she already gained that vision I'm trying to teach you.

"Art is beauty, art is soul, art is life; the reason for you to breathe gratefully. What I placed here might've been a pot of cactus; but if we bring Van Gogh here, he'll draw something completely different than Salvador Dali, completely different than Leonardo Da Vinci. And that's what I'm trying to give you; not talent of worldwide known artists, because they're recognized after their deaths. I want to grow you with different windows, not with same point of view. And to the reason, why I have a lot to teach you and not to Kaioh; is this…" she turned drawing to them. "She can see things as she sees, doesn't defy or despise if she doesn't like them."

Usagi gave a light cry unwillingly; she closed a hand over her mouth as she jumped from her seat. Michiru had done a pencil drawing and it was more of a detailed sketch for a greater project, but she added a little more than environment to her drawing. And somehow, picture looked like something totally different, it was drawing of Usagi sitting and smiling brilliantly as usual. But girl in the drawing had an unbelievable light, such a pure and innocent smile radiating Usagi's warmness, nothing less. Everyone was amazed with the living feeling of the drawing, as if the girl would come to life and start laughing happily to them. Makoto smiled proudly, happy that justice was done in the most appropriated way without unnecessary chaos.

Usagi smiled as tears of joy rolled from her bright eyes; she was looking like a fairytale princess in the drawing and knew she was nothing alike a princess.

--

NOTE: Again, it's been almost a year since I uploaded any stories. My inspiration for writing comes and goes. Then again, there is college life, online manga and other distractive things happen in life. I'm not going to promise any "I'll post more from now ooon!" anymore. Just know that I'm alive and I'd definitely say goodbye if I happen to abandon here at all :P I'll post whenever I can and try to post more often though. To make up for the past inactivity, I guess you'll be delighted to see 2 chapters are posted already :) Enjoy and see you next time dears. Thank you for your support, know that I always appreciate it even if I can't get back at you.

URGENT NOTE: I really care about this one here, if anyone would be up to beta reading I'd be more than glad. Oh, I know now we have a beta reading system here but I have no idea how it works. Any help would be welcome