Nota Bene:
First of, Domo Arigato Gozaimasu to everyone who took the time to review this slow-going piece of work. Especially to Alithea (One of my all time faves! Who is near peerless among Juri/Kozue writers.) who reinvigorated my interest in striving to finish this, even though it has been years since Strawberry Panic! came out.
In that light, Moushiwake Arimasen, Minna-san! I hope you still have some lingering interest for these characters, despite all the other fandoms and animés that, I'm sure, you've already moved on to.
I'd love to be able to write more, but work's a bitch! Pardon, my French.
Anyway, just some notes: yes, that's an OOC Kyouya from Ouran Host Club (So, I guess, this is officially a crossover fic, of sorts.); yes, I'm trying to "find the funny" (West Wing reference); and finally, I've been re-watching Kare Kano or His and Her Circumstances recently, so I'm turning more moody in the tone of writing (Hence, the search for "the funny".) and I'm going to make Shion into an Arima kind of character, who has a "complex" on Chikaru. Her issues, mostly driven by her family, would cause her to break away from Chikaru and transfer to Spica. I'm thinking, on a track scholarship, since Spica is supposed to be this great sports powerhouse and I've already established that they both do track.
Hmm…what else? Ah, I've always intended for them to get together around the time that they stage "Carmen" – what with Chikaru in that red dress I don't think Shion could resist.
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Despite the subtle hints, that became pleading, that became arm-twisting, that became outright hysterics – never mind the chill that crawled up his spine in remembering how unbecoming hysteria was on him - Kyouya was unable to dissuade Chikaru from crashing the omiai.
So here they were in one of the smaller gardens of an expensive hotel. It was situated in an inner courtyard and was surrounded by bamboo. The space was created with intimate gatherings in mind and it afforded privacy from other hotel guests. An open air tea ceremony, or nodate, was underway and a hushed atmosphere permeated the gathering as everyone tried to be Zen. It wasn't customary to have one before an omiai, but since a great mistress of the art was staying in the hotel, it seemed a shame not to take advantage.
The two cousins were keeping still behind their elders, looking for all the world like perfectly groomed and refined youth of Japan: stoic and reserved. Except that an all too pale Kyouya was sipping his steaming tea too often. In desperate need of some strong coffee, Kyouya was going through his tea like it was water, hoping that its weak caffeine would wake him up. He cursed his early morning low blood pressure. He was all but abducted from his bed by a sprightly Chikaru who deviously took advantage of his inability to defend himself.
Looking askance at his cousin, Chikaru looked as demure as the muted and elegant iromuji that she wore. The silvery kimono was deceptively simple, but it proudly bore the crest of the Minamoto clan and was made of silk. Chikaru had her hair up and was decorated with a comb style kanzashi inlaid with mother of pearl. Kyouya, himself, was in a blue kimono with the Ootori crest.
The Minamotos were matched by the prospect's contingent. Both parents of the candidates were present, at least a pair of grandparents were in attendance, an assortment of siblings and cousins, and of course the nakodo or matchmaker. It was also unusual for such a large group to be present in an omiai, as this was supposed to be an opportunity for the two candidates to get to know each other.
Minamoto Megumi, Kyouya and Chikaru's older cousin, had just finished her degree and had a rather "wilting-violet" type of personality. Most Minamotos present, when asked, would profusely attest to a wish to give moral-support to their shy relative in finding a suitable husband...but they knew they were fooling no one, as they were a clingy lot who were given to, as a rather Western-crazy Minamoto would say, par-tay.
It was times like these that made Kyouya wonder how in the world did the Ootori clan and the Minamoto clan produced a match between his parents.
Shion was nowhere in sight. Kyouya wondered at that. It was rare for those two to be separated. Chikaru must have made plans for Shion to meet them later. Glancing at his cousin again, he could tell that she was restless and was trying to suppress it. When they had arrived, she had initially begun to scrutinize Megumi-neesan's prospects. She had also begun to grill the hapless candidate that was being matched with their oneesan.
He was a fairly attractive fellow who was their oneesan's sempai at Tokyo University. He had graduated ahead of their oneesan with a law degree, and was now engaged in the legal corporate affairs of his family's business. As with the Minamotos, his was a prominent family from the samurai class.
Not a drop of his feudal blood, however, helped when faced with an unrelenting barrage of pointed questions from Chikaru. He was flustered that an adolescent was talking so matter of factly at him, and oh boy the questions Chikaru were asking!
Kyouya plucked Chikaru from the conversation before the poor man exploded in embarrassment.
The corners of Kyouya's mouth turned up at the memory.
The tea ceremony had winded down and now the nakodo was acting as an intermediary between the two parties. Sticky rice pastries appeared before them and tea was replenished by the impeccable hotel staff. Given that their elders were occupied with introductions and in trading compliments, and the youngsters were being given no heed, Kyouya decided to give Chikaru a little bit of advice.
"Cousin," he begun softly, "observe our prospective groom and his family. What do you see?"
Chikaru rattled off with a quick answer. "Well, the oji-chan and oba-chan are about as interesting as a used popsicle stick. They have an uncle who brays like a horse when he laughs. I don't know what they brought the baba and jiji at the corner there for, as they're better off dozing at home. Besides, as ancient as they are they hardly hear half of what's happening. Oh, and Megumi-neesan's groom to be is a nerd."
At Chikaru's pithy remarks, Kyouya nearly burst out laughing, but he was quickly able to compose himself. Chikaru had been honest and correct in all her observations, as Kyouya's own eyes moved through the entourage facing them, making his own assessments.
"Those are good observations, cousin." Kyouya said diplomatically. "But listen to what I see: His parents are a bit stiff and do seem kind of haughty, and about as interesting as a used popsicle stick…like you said. But when they arrived, his father held his mother's hand to help her out. He frequently touches her back to either assist her, or for no apparent reason at all. That shows that he's doing it out of affection. More importantly, he lets her walk either ahead of him or next to him."
Chikaru's eyes were wide and seemed to regard the handsome couple in a new light. She had barely noticed these things as she was used to this kind of affection in her family. She was spoiled in this regard, she realizes, and had forgotten how conservative other Japanese were. Holding hands and walking abreast each other, even for married couples, were considered quite liberal. To the point that showing affection amongst royal couples of the Chrysanthemum throne and even among spouses of noted personages of government, were met with media frenzy.
"Don't be fooled by his uncle. He may seem laidback and quite foolish, with a funny laugh," Kyouya continued. "He is the founder, and now CEO of Happy Sunny Chibi-ko Corporation, a privately owned firm. You may have heard of it, it's only the largest chain of toy stores in Japan. Even in the Kansai region they are strong. They even own some amusements parks, and last I heard he's expanding the business to television. He seems to be a fan of sentai shows, and has always dreamed of creating one."
"As for the ancient ones over there, his grandparents," Chikaru turned her eyes from gawping at the prospect's uncle with the laugh she had made fun of, to the tiny elderly couple that were nodding off at the other side. "The grandfather was a member of the Diet and almost became a Prime Minister. He didn't, because at that time his wife – grandma, over there – was seriously sick and they didn't think that she would make it. He devoted himself to her, and turned down the candidacy for his party. It seems that he would have won too, if he had run."
Kyouya watched in amusement at Chikaru's look of affection as she regarded the now frail looking grandpa, who was drooling slightly on his snowy beard. "And you're going to love this…that baba-chan over there is a sempai of yours in Astrea Hill. She went to Miator though, and served as its student council president."
"Whoa." Chikaru breathed out in awe.
"See? They're not so bad after all…but, we forgot the most important one – if Daisuke-san would be a good match for Megumi-neesan." Kyouya and Chikaru now regarded the easily-flustered man who Chikaru had ambushed earlier. He was now frozen stiff on his cushion looking petrified.
"Doesn't look good, cousin." Chikaru sniffed dismissively.
"Look with new eyes, Chikaru. Observe more closely. Look at his body language."
Chikaru practically bored holes through the poor man, glaring so fiercely at him. He was oblivious though and continued to sit so tensely that he was in danger of popping a vein. The nakodo was making a mighty effort in getting her candidates to speak to one another out of their own volition. From time to time she would bring in either of the candidates into the conversation with a pointed "Ne?" to indicate where either party needed to affirm something. Neither seemed to have the courage to do more than that though, and let every conversation opener drop.
Chikaru was about ready to scream in frustration at the hopeless match, when she began to notice some things. Daisuke-san, whom Chikaru had called a nerd, blushed every time Megumi-neesan gave a soft "Hai" to the nakodo's cue. From time to time he did look up to shyly glance at Megumi, before snatching his gaze away to stare fixedly on his teacup. A member of the hotel staff was going around, efficiently and quietly seeing to the wants and needs of their guests. Daisuke, in between blushes and quick glances at Megumi, had seen his grandfather start to teeter to one side as he snored softly. With a sureness of movement that seemed out of character, he confidently called the attention of the waiter that was making his rounds, and directed him to help his grandfather, all without disrupting the nakodo as she continued to do her work.
'No', Chikaru corrected herself, 'confidence was his true character. He gets flustered when it comes to Megumi-neesan.'
"Do you see? I think he would make a good match for Megumi-neesan," Kyouya said and Chikaru nodded in mute agreement, more absorbed with her new found powers of observation.
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The initial formalities have given way to a more casual sort of mingling where opportunities and information could be gained in a relaxed manner. It was a slow weekend so no one was in a hurry to leave the impromptu party which had turned out to be a rather pleasant event. The hotel was more than happy to accommodate its distinguished guests and hastily prepared a room to move the group indoors. The couple that was the reason for this gathering, Megumi and Daisuke, was off wandering the extensive greenery of the hotel on their own, while their families hoped that they would find some spark between them. No one was willing to show their hand, of course, but in truth both clans had already privately agreed amongst themselves that the other was quite agreeable.
They were ushered into a washitsu or a traditional Japanese room lain with tatami mats. Low tables with refreshments and zabuton for sitting in seiza were provided for the guests comfort. Members of both families were now mixed throughout the room and interesting conversations abounded.
Chikaru, true to her forward nature, had fearlessly settled herself beside the grand dame of the other clan who had finally woken up from her nap. The ancient grandma may no longer be physically sprightly, but her mind was still as sharp and quick as it was in her youth. Her husband was engaged in conversation with one of the young Minamotos, who had political ambitions.
Chikaru was being regaled by stories of Astrea Hill when Lulim had just opened, and the Strawberry Dorms were still separate buildings. Chikaru was fascinated to know that Lulim actually broke away from Miator, and was founded specifically to create a method of education that would contrast against the stifling and strict atmosphere of the older institution. It made Chikaru proud to learn that one of Lulim's founders was a Minamoto, a great educator who wasn't interested in merely producing suitable brides for the upper class, but had truly believed that society benefited from the rise of women leaders.
In fact, the grandma whom Chikaru was chatting up, was so impressed with the vision of Lulim's founders that she had created quite a stir in her day, by enthusiastically supporting a greater say for Lulim's student council, when she had been Miator's student council president. It was fortunate that the Etoile couple of her day had wholly agreed that Lulim's representatives be welcomed as equals. Eventually, she became a member of Lulim's faculty and rapidly rose through the ranks to become Lulim's youngest headmaster.
Chikaru was enchanted, this fragile old woman was not merely her sempai, but living history of the school she attended. Kyouya, who had stuck by his cousin, could see that Chikaru was completely smitten.
Grandma, however, was no match for youth and despite her initial outburst of energy she had quickly tired and was again beginning to nod off. Chikaru smiled fondly at the tiny old woman. Kyouya, who had watched the lively conversation in silent amusement, wondered out loud of Shion was to make an appearance today.
Chikaru shook her head in the negative, "She couldn't come today. Apparently, her parents had a thing that she attend and couldn't get out of." Chikaru sighed wistfully, "I had a cake prepared and all too."
Kyouya looked at Chikaru in confusion. "What's a cake got to do with anything?"
"Oh," Chikaru shrugged negligently, "I was going to have Kero-chan pop out of a cake in front of Daisuke-san."
"To do what?" Kyouya asked, entirely dreading Chikaru's answer.
"You know…" Chikaru wiggled her brows meaningfully and leered at Kyouya.
"Geez, cousin, how'd you hide the mind of a lecherous old man in that teenaged body of yours, I'll never know." Kyouya said dryly, but inwardly he had to admire Chikaru's outrageous deviousness.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Fiddlesticks." Chikaru brushed off carelessly, "I'm kind of glad we didn't have to go through it since we're minors and all."
"One would think that that would be the first consideration, wouldn't it? How in the world do you ever convince that poor girl to follow your every whim?" Kyouya was actually curious to know.
"Ho, ho, ho! Mada-mada, cousin." Chikaru waved her finger at Kyouya's nose in pity. "I bribe her, of course! She has a weakness for Marzipan. Couldn't get enough of them, in fact."
An elegant brow rose to Kyouya's hairline, and he stared at Chikaru in disbelief. Shion seemed like a bright, strong willed girl. He couldn't see her as someone who could be easily convinced just with the promise of their favorite confection.
Chikaru merely continued doing her evil laugh.
Kyouya held the thought from Chikaru, that there must be some other motivation for Shion, for her to be such a willing victim – er, participant to Chikaru's schemes.
(TBC)