„Tamao, there you are! I haven't seen you all day!" Nagisa exclaimed as she entered her room one evening.
"Oh, Nagisa, I've been so awfully busy! I have no idea how Miyuki managed to be school council president, have such excellent grades and take care of Shizuma…no offense, Nagisa." she added.
"No need to apologize. I know Shizuma can be a bit…scatterbrained. I don't know how she would manage university without Miyuki." Nagisa giggled. "I was looking for you all day because I wanted to know if you'd like to go to town with me tomorrow. There's no school and we could browse a little, have lunch in a café…how about it?"
"Oh, Nagisa, that sounds wonderful. I'd love to go. But there's a meeting of the school council tomorrow and a meeting of the poetry club and I haven't even started working on the history project. I'm afraid I won't be able to go. I'm sorry." Tamao looked sadly at her best friend.
"Don't worry, Tamao. I understand. I'll just find some other way to spend the day tomorrow. Actually, I have to do some work on the history project myself." Nagisa smiled.
Later that night, she lay in bed, not able to sleep. Tamao had fallen asleep as soon as her head had hit the pillow.
Ever since Tamao had been voted school president, she had been busy with meetings, poetry or school. She was really working hard and Nagisa missed her friend. Even if it was selfish. Yaya and Tsubomi had eyes only for each other, Chikaru and Shion were as busy as Tamao.
And Hikari and Amane were occupied with their Etoile duties, as well as their own relationship, which was progressing rather slowly since they were both painfully shy. Nagisa had spent some time with Midori, but she was so much younger and had already formed a circle of friends around her.
Nagisa decided that she definitely needed some sort of activity to pass her time. But what? Still thinking, she finally fell asleep.
A few days later, Nagisa was still moping around and feeling bored. Not only was Tamao busy, Shizuma was busy as well and barely had time for a chat on the phone. Nagisa's school work was finished and excellently done, her grades were as high as they'd never been. She was happy about it, but studying wasn't exactly the perfect hobby.
And this book wasn't all that great, either. Or maybe reading just wasn't as much fun if you spent 90 percent of the day doing nothing else. With a sigh, the redhead put the book down and glanced at her watch. It was late and Tamao still hadn't come back to the room. Nagisa sighed again.
Suddenly, the door opened and Tamao stormed in.
"What a day! I'm so exhausted! I can't wait for this week to be over. Then, maybe life will be a bit calmer. What did you do today, Nagisa?"
"Oh…well…I studied some…finished my history project…read a book…tried to call Shizuma…read some more…that's it, I guess." Nagisa's answer was unenthusiastic.
"You seem bored lately…you need something to do. How about joining a club?"
"I don't know, Tamao. I'm no good at anything in the clubs. But you're right, I AM bored."
A soft knock sounded at the door. Nagisa jumped up, opened it and found herself facing Chiyo, their roomtemp.
"Hello, Chiyo-san. Come in!"
The young girl nervously entered the room.
"Good evening Tamao-sama and Nagisa-oneesama." she stuttered.
"Chiyo-san, what can we do for you?" Tamao smiled fondly at the young girl.
"I…I have some problems with mathematics and physics. The sensei told me to find someone to tutor me, so I'll be able to pass my tests and exams." Chiyo looked at her feet.
"Mathematics and physics…those are Nagisa's subjects." Tamao looked at her friend.
"I'd love to help you, Chiyo-san." Nagisa said honestly. "Let's start tomorrow, after lunch."
"Hai! Thank you so much, Nagisa-oneesama! I'll work very, very hard!" Chiyo's face blushed a light pink when she looked thankfully at her idol.
"Great. I'll meet you in the library."
"Thank you. I'll be there on time."
Chiyo said goodbye and left the room, leaving Nagisa and Tamao to themselves.
"Well, now you have something to do, Nagisa."
"Yes. And it's great to be able to help Chiyo-san. She is so sweet." Nagisa looked happy for the first time in weeks.
The next day, Nagisa entered the library and found Chiyo already waiting for her. The two girls spent several hours bent over Chiyo's books. Nagisa patiently explained different rules of mathematics to the young girl. Chyio listened attentively, asking questions and making notes.
"Okay, Chiyo-san, can you solve this problem here?" Nagisa pointed to a spot in the mathematics book.
"I'll try." Chiyo picked up her pen and began writing. After a few minutes, she looked up and pushed her notebook toward Nagisa.
"Is this correct?" she asked worriedly.
Nagisa looked over the numbers carefully.
"Hai. It's perfect! Great, Chiyo-san! I think it's enough for the day. How about going to the cafeteria? I'm hungry, and I heard they have great cake today."
Chiyo blushed. "Hai, I'd love to go!"
Excitedly, the young girl gathered her books and notebooks and shoved them into her bag. Going to the cafeteria with Nagisa would be the highlight of her day.