Setsuna was holding her princess closely, a hand pressing Konoka's head onto her chest.
She pressed her lips against the chocolate-hair, trying to suppress her girlfriend's sob.
Konoka's hands were clenching her knight's shirt tightly, as if she was about to disappear.
" I'm sorry...I didn't mean to hurt or...to make you cry. " Setsuna whispered as she kissed her head.
Few students were walking outside the school, glancing at them but Setsuna didn't give a crap about their staring. All that was important to her now, was her princess.
Konoka stayed silent for a while, breathing Setsuna's smell so she could calm down.
" S-Secchan...what...happened to you just now? " Konoka finally spoke, resting her head on her lover's chest.
Setsuna sighed, surprised that her love could see she was out of her mind.
" I...don't know..." she held her closer.
Konoka slowly pushed back not enough to stay in her hold, but far enough to stare at her dark eyes.
" Secchan...I'm only...looking at you...I love you so much... " she was about to cry again when she felt warm lips held her tears back.
Setsuna kissed her for a while, until she felt no more tears coming to her girlfriend's eyes.
" I love you too Kono-chan...more than anything else. " she rested her forehead against hers.
They stayed like this until Konoka stopped shaking. She got so frightened when she saw Setsuna back then. Eventually, they went to the classroom.
Hand in hand.
Evening came quickly as everyone didn't see time pass since they were all busy getting dressed and preparing the ball.
The school had a room for important evening that the class-rep succeeded to book for their party. It was decorated with white and pink balloons hung on every pillars. They put a stage for the music group, and a buffet to keep energy to dance until dawn.
A blond-hair girl went to stage and spoke with a micro.
" I announce the ball is officially beginning! "
" Yeahhhhh! "
Everyone yelled, and music was soon played.
" Wow Sakurazaki-san! You look really sexy in these clothes! There, say 'cheese'!...Yes! " the journalist girl said as she took a picture. She was wearing a green tight dress.
" Um..thank you Asakura-san. the sexy girl said. She was dressed in a black leather pant with a unbuttoned top white shirt, so a silver necklace with a half heart shape pendant could been since. What's more, she was wearing small white earings, a black jacket and black heels. You could say that Konoka did a great job to dress her. She was her girlfriend after all.
" Um, hey, sorry about earlier in class. I didn't mean to snap at you like this... " Setsuna bowed to her classmate to her surprise.
Asakura smiled at her.
' She really changed...it's really great! ' the journalist thought.
" Nah don't! It was my fault to say stupid thing, don't mind, I didn't take it personally anyway. " Asakura said as she put her hand on Setsuna's shoulder. The latter sighed in relieved.
" Oh! Looks like your girlfriend is here! Congratulations by the way! Tonight is yours, so, enjoy as much as you can 'kay? " Asakura said as she waved to Konoka.
" Let's take a picture of the big couple! " she pushed them together and took tons of pictures.
" Asakura-san! Stop taking pictures my eyes is seeing white now! " Konoka said, trying not to rub her eyes since she put make-up.
The paparazzi girl laughed and walked away from them.
Setsuna watched her cute and pretty and lovely girlfriend. She was wearing a princess peach color dress, with white heel and the same necklace like her Secchan, but she had the other half heart shape. Also she was wearing a gold bracelet and pink diamand earings. She was absolutely breathtaking.
Setsuna smiled at her, blushing at the beauty next to her, and offered her her arm to hold onto. Her lady smiled back, blushing at her sight and behaviour. She took her arm and placed a chaste kiss on her lover's cheek.
Not far away, a red-hair girl dressed in a white gown watched them.
' They really do look like a knight and his princess. ' she giggled as she ate the buffet.
" Indeed they do. " a voice said behind her back. She choked from the surprise.
" cough cough...wa...ter... " and she was given a glass of water she drank quickly.
" Aaahh...You! Why the hell would you come and scared people like that! I almost choked! " Asuna said, taking her breathe.
" Because you were eating, if not, what's the point to catch you by surprise? It won't be funny then. " a girl dressed in a black suit said.
" Either way it's not funny! And what's with this look anyway! Where were you all this time? Setsuna-san got so worried about you! " Asuna was on fire.
" I have been asked to be the security patrol for tonight, and they gave me this suit so I'd be more visible in case something happens. " Emiko answered, avoiding the last questions.
" Do you have to wear the sunglasses? " Asuna sweat-dropped.
" Don't I look sexy with it? " Emiko smiled to her.
It was true she looked cool but, Asuna wondered why and how could she wore this and saw around her. Emiko sighed heavily, reading her mind.
" Because...if I take them off... " and she did it. She looked into Asuna's eyes.
The fact that she was really beautiful was on thing. And that she had really clear bright blue eyes was another. However with the black suit and her dark-hair, her eyes were even more brought out. Plus the fact that she was tall added more appeal.
Asuna was blushing like mad. It was just...too beautiful, too blue and too deep to stare away from those eyes. She felt trapped like the first time.
Then Emiko quickly put her sunglasses back on, smiling at Asuna's stare.
" You see? " she simply told to her friend. Sometimes just one look is enough instead of words.
Asuna's jaw dropped. How could she be that beautiful and had such perfect eyes?
" Yeah...keep them on, please... " the red-hair girl felt like she couldn't resist to stare at again if she could.
" So, who's going to be your partner for tonight? What was it? Ah yeah, Takaha- " she avoided a stuffed tomato just in time.
" Will you shut up! Please! " the red-hair girl was acting like a monkey.
" Oh? I thought you already asked him out. So sorry Asuna-san. " she smiled as she saw the said teacher walking towards them behind Asuna.
" I heard my name coming from here! My...you really look beautiful Asuna-chan! " the handsome man told her, bowing to her.
" Whaaa! T-Ta-Takahata-sensei! " Asuna turned back, however not used to wear big gown like she wore tonight, she tripped on her gown and was falling down when a strong arm caught up before.
" You should be careful Asuna-chan...or you might get- " he stopped as he realized how close their faces were.
" Ah...um..yes... " Asuna was short of breath.
Suddenly the music group played a love song.
The class-rep was still on the stage.
" And this is for you! Please applaud the main couple of the night! Konoka and Setsuna! Please start the dance so everyone could follow next! "
" Whoooooo! "
Everybody moved into a circle to draw a dancing floor. They all waited for their couple to dance.
" I guess we have no choice now, Kono-chan...would you? " Setsuna bowed with a hand.
" How could I say no to a beauty like you... " the princess smiled and took her hand.
Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
They held each other close, moving slowly. Everyone in the room whistled and clapped their hands to the couple.
Dance me to the panic 'til I gathered safely in
Setsuna slowly parted their body and raised her hand still holding Konoka's so she could spin...
Lift me like an olive branch and be my homeward dove
And returned into her lover's chest.
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love
Then few couples joined them to dance, sharing their love. Among the guests, we could see Nodoka's back being pushed by Haruna so she could ask Negi to dance. He nicely accepted her offer, and led her to the dance floor.
Oh let me see your beauty when the witnesses are gone
Asuna was blushing like the stuffed tomato she threw to Emiko. She was about to leave when she felt a hand grabbing her wrist.
" Would you do me the honor to dance with me, Asuna-chan? " as a gentleman, he couldn't let a beautiful woman went away while a love song was played.
Let me feel you moving like they do in Babylon
" Y-yes... " she blushed even more but couldn't move to take his hand. Emiko slowly pushed her back. Asuna looked back as her teacher was pulling her to the dance floor.
Emiko took off her sunglasses to wink at her.
Show me slowly what I only know the limits of
" Say Secchan... " Konoka whispered to her ear, as her head rested on her lover's shoulder.
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love
" Yes my princess? " Konoka blushed a little at the name.
" Doesn't it seem like... "
Dance me to the wedding now, dance me on and on
" ...we were about to marry? " Setsuna's eyes widened, and pushed herself back to look into her eyes.
She saw so much love, and hopes.
Dance me very tenderly and dance me very long
" One day...we will. " and she dropped a kiss on her princess' lips.
We're both of us beneath our love, we're both beneath of us above
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love
" I promise. " Setsuna drew back to kiss her forehead.
Dance me to the children who are asking to be born
" What about kids? " Konoka asked happily, starting to dream of a blissful future life.
Setsuna sweat-dropped but kept her hands still.
" I think we should enjoy our new blossom love first, don't you think so? " she smiled to her lovely girl.
Dance me through the curtains that our kisses have outworn
" Yeah... " they both suddenly felt a burning desire at what Setsuna said.
Raise a tent of shelter now, though every thread is worn
They looked at each other, drowned once more.
Dance me to the end of love
Their eyes were saying the same.
' I want you now. '
Touch me with your naked hand or touch me with your glove
And dance me to the end of love.
The party was at its height. Rock musics were played and everyone enjoyed the dancing skills of the crazy kung fu girl.
Setsuna, as she was the honor guest of the ball, was asked to participate with Ku fei. Outside at the balcony, Emiko could hear loud laughs. She smiled as she looked at the sky.
' I never thought you'd be that loved Setsuna...I'm so relieved now... ' she took off her sunglasses to see the bright stars.
" Eh? You're here Emiko-san? Secchan has been looking for you today. " a girl dressed in peach color asked the security guard.
" How did you know it was me? " Emiko turned back. Her blue eyes was as bright as the stars.
Konoka couldn't help but blushed at the look. She stepped forward to talk.
" I just knew. " she stood next to her, looking at the moon.
" Aren't you supposed to be in there dancing like crazy with your girlfriend? " Emiko laughed as she saw Setsuna twisted her body awkwardly.
" I know, but I needed to breathe fresh air, it's so hot in there! " she said as she took a big breathe.
Emiko looked at her, her back was facing the trees. Her hands were holding the banister.
The princess could felt her stare so she looked away, avoiding any eye-contact.
" Why are you avoiding my face, princess Konoka? " Emiko asked simply, holding her gaze.
Feeling embarassed to be caught, she eventually stared back. She couldn't supressed her blush when she looked at the beautiful eyes before her.
Even since she discovered the reason why she was so drowned in her eyes, she thought it would stop her from loving to look at it. She remembered her previous quarrel with her Secchan, and looked back to the sky.
" Why are you so sad? " Konoka lowered her head.
" I...I don't know why...your eyes make me feel this way...the same way as Secchan's eyes. " she stayed quiet for a while, Emiko waited for her to continue.
" I...love her with all my heart. She completely have it for ever. Yet...why do I feel this way when I look into your eyes? As if...I just like when you stare at me... " she didn't want to repress her need, and turned to look in those eyes.
" Like I hate...when you don't. " she seemed lost once more, in those perfect eyes.
Emiko looked back deeply, leaning forward and raised Konoka's chin with her hand.
" Konoka... " Emiko said, lost in her eyes.
" I...feel so...angry at myself... " but she wanted to keep looking, and be eaten by her eyes.
' How can you stand to watch all of these? '
They stood there, lost in the moment.
The taller girl smiled weakly.
' Can you see it? Can you read it? Can you...'
" Konoka...you really are beautiful. " Emiko finally spoke.
" And I wish I could make a wish, for you to change into someone else. " she rubbed her cheek with her thumb.
" Do you remember the first time we met? You told me, I was looking for someone else. " Konoka suddenly came back to her mind.
" You were right. Because I see in your eyes the one I once loved. " Emiko smiled sadly
" No...the one I still love. "
' There's so many...scars. It's like a nightsky. So dark. But at the same time, so starry. '
" And having the same eyes as Setsuna, I'm looking at you the same way she does because I'm in love. " she released her grip to let her hand rested back on the banister.
" But I'm not looking at you. And you're not looking at me. "
Konoka smiled eventually.
" I've just understood what you told me. I see now...how love, can heal. " they looked back at the stars.
" It's about the way we love... " Konoka said, making Emiko smiled softly.
' In another world, another lifetime, I will always look out for your eyes. '
' Because they are windows of your love. '
' To lead me, as much as it can, to find pieces of you. '
A shadow behind them moved as it seemed to hit the wall.
Song fic: Dance me to the end of love, from The Civil Wars.