Second

Tamao opened the windows and breathed the fresh air coming from outside. The Astraean scenery is indeed beautiful during the morning. The sun slowly melts the leftover snow of the past days. She knows that the coming days would be cold and snowy as the winter season was only in its early beginnings. She looks at her right and sees her red-headed roommate, still asleep. "She must be tired from yesterday's events," Tamao thinks solemnly. The blue-haired girl was still wearing her Miator uniform...didn't bother to change into her nightwear due to being so sad and preoccupied. After a warm shower and getting dressed, she took the blue dress she wore from yesterday's election into her hands. As she looked at it closely, she noticed the marks of teardrops visible on the fabric. She remembers the time she spent at the dressing room crying. If it weren't only for Chikaru's consistent comforting, she might have not regained her composure throughout that afternoon.

"Tamao-chan?" a soft voice from behind whispered. Tamao turned around to see Chikaru standing at the door.

"Chikaru-san?" The blue-haired girl mumbled, her gray eyes brimming with tears. Chikaru's eyes were filled with concern for the then Etoile candidate. The raven-haired president understood the pain the fourth year girl was feeling at the moment. No words needed to be said. What mattered most that time was to console a friend in grief. The Lulim president approached and cradled the blue-haired girl in her arms.

"Tamao-chan, I know you're sad. Just cry it all out. I am here for you," Chikaru thought as she pulled the girl to a warm embrace, stroking Tamao's dark blue hair. Things have gotten out of hand. Nobody expected that this ruckus would happen…or at least it was rather expected to some. Chikaru knew that Shizuma would come back. And she was just waiting for the silver-haired woman to do what she had to do that time. The raven-haired girl smiled when she heard the big confession of the former Etoile.

"Nagisa!" Yes, Shizuma extends her hand and shouts the magic words.

"I LOVE YOU!"

Everyone was shocked…that is, except her. She couldn't help but look at Tamao. The blue-haired girl's eyes closed and breathed a sigh. Chikaru understood how painful it was for Tamao to let go of her beloved, but she also knows that the blue-haired Miatorian only had her cherished friend's best interest in mind. "Go for it, Nagisa-chan," whispered Tamao and she removes the red ribbon then pushes her away. Chikaru heard how Tamao whispered the words to Nagisa. It was with acceptance…but at the same time filled with pain.

The blue-haired pulled off from the embrace and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Thank you, Chikaru-san." Tamao bowed.

"Are you sure you'll be okay?" The Lulim president asked.

"Yes." Tamao said with a weak smile. "I have to pull through no matter what. Nagisa-chan will be worried about me. I don't want to burden her."

Chikaru faced the other direction and aimed for the door. "Tamao-chan…"

The blue-haired stopped what she was doing and closed her eyes.

"I know you're stronger than this," Chikaru said, yet not facing her. "But if ever you need someone to talk to, you know where to find me."

"Thank you again, Chikaru-sama. You're so kind." Tamao whispered. "You could have been a good Etoile, given a chance."

Chikaru smiled and thanked the blue-haired girl gently. "I'll be going ahead. The procession ceremony will start soon." She closes the dressing room door and heaves a sigh.

"Thank you, Chikaru-san." Tamao whispers as she looks out the window. "I'll be okay from now on."
She hears the bed covers rustle as her roommate awakens. Nagisa's eyes were still half-closed and she tried wiping off the sleep from her eyes.

"Good morning, Nagisa-chan." Tamao says timidly.

"Tamao-chan," Nagisa's response was rather delayed. Deep inside the redhead, she knew that the events of yesterday will take toll on their friendship. She wants to make it up to Tamao for being so understanding, yet at the same time, apologize to her for leaving her like that. "I don't think this will be easy," Nagisa was lost in her thoughts.

"What is it?" Tamao asked while she was folding the blankets from her bed.

"I am…sorry…" Nagisa stuttered as she said the words. Tamao heard her roommate sob. "I am…really sorry. This is my fault."

"Nagisa-chan…?" Tamao was at lost for words. The sight of her best friend crying knifes through her heart. "Nagisa-chan, why are you blaming yourself?" The blue-haired sat down and draped her arm on her friend's shoulder.

"I know you're in pain, Tamao-chan," Nagisa stammered. "I heard you last night. You were crying. I know it's because of me. I am so sorry…"

"Nagisa-chan…" Tamao just closed her eyes. A knock on the door interrupted the blue-haired girl's thoughts. She pulled away to look at Nagisa's eyes and stroked her hair. Tamao stood up to answer the door. To her surprise, it was the student council president, Rokujou Miyuki at the door.

"G-good morning…Rokujou-sama," Tamao stumbled at her words. The blue-haired president noticed the hesitation in Tamao's eyes.

"Good morning, Suzumi-san," Miyuki replied with a smile. "How is Nagisa-san doing?"

"Nagisa-chan is doing fine, Rokujou-sama." Tamao still stuttered with her reply.

"May I have a word with you?" Miyuki asked.

"Now?" Tamao was puzzled.

"Please meet me at the student council room before sunset. I'll be expecting you there." The older woman said casually.

"The student council room…" Tamao thought.

"I would need to discuss an important thing with you," the blue-haired president said.

"Yes, Rokujou-sama. I will be there." Tamao answered in a polite tone.

"Thank you." Miyuki smiled as she walked away. Tamao stared at the sight of the student council president walking away and her footsteps fading.

"Tamao-chan?" the voice from inside the room called.

"Yes, Nagisa-chan?" Tamao goes back into the room and sits down beside her friend.

"Tamao-chan," Nagisa's tone was uncertain.

"It's not your fault Nagisa-chan," Tamao whispered in her ear. "That's how life is. We win some, we lose some. What matters is that you've followed your heart."

"Tamao-chan, I…" Nagisa sobbed again. Tamao laid a finger on her friend's lips, trying to silence her.

"Nagisa-chan, you don't need to worry about me."

"Tamao-chan…" The red-haired girl bowed her head.

"Chiyo-chan will be here tonight with Hikari-san and Yaya-chan. We'll be holding a tea party to celebrate Hikari-san and Amane-sama's victory as new Etoile. Will you be here tonight for that?" Tamao asked with a smile.

"Tamao-chan, I am not…a good friend. I don't know if I'd be able to…" Nagisa's words were stammering.

"Don't say that, Nagisa-chan." Tamao stroked her hair. "Everyone loves you. Everyone, including me. Even though I wasn't as brave as Shizuma-sama, I know I can say it from my heart. I do love you, Nagisa-chan. You're my friend. So please, don't blame yourself for what happened."

"Tamao-chan…?" Nagisa looked at her blue-haired friend.

"Please, Nagisa-chan, don't put Shizuma-sama's effort to waste." Tamao pleaded. "Her feelings for you are true. That much I am certain of." Tamao smiled at her friend and embraced her.

"You've brought joy to everyone around you, including me and Shizuma-sama. It's the main reason why she loves you…why we all love you. So, please, Nagisa-chan, don't be sad."

"Thank you…Tamao-chan. I am really sorry." Nagisa embraced her friend.

"Nagisa-chan," Tamao whispered softly. "That's enough apologizing. You shouldn't. So, would you be at our tea party tonight? If you want, you can ask Shizuma-sama to come, too."

"Tamao-chan?" Nagisa asked with hesitation.

"It's fine, Nagisa-chan." Tamao smiled.

"Rokujou-kaichou?" a voice from behind inquired.

"Hitomi-san, I didn't notice you were there." Miyuki spoke to one of her colleagues, Tougi Hitomi with a casual tone.

"Have you already pondered on whom shall be the next Student Council President?" Hitomi said as she piled the all the paperwork at the table.

"I already have," Miyuki answered quickly. "I asked her this morning to meet me here before sunset. I know it won't be easy, but I have to convince her somehow."

"You're very determined to have Suzumi-san replace you," Hitomi said with a hint of uncertainty in her voice. "Considering the recent events that happened, I don't think Suzumi-san would entertain the idea."

"You're probably right." Miyuki stared blankly at the window. "Let's just see how things will turn out."