Fifth
"Aside from representing Miator to the other schools within Astraea Hill, the student council president also represents the school's student body to all external stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and visitors from other schools…"
Miyuki and Tamao are both in the student council room of Miator: Miyuki, at the blackboard writing keywords and phrases while Tamao is at the table taking notes. For several days, they've been meeting in this room after school, with Miyuki promptly explaining to her student the various responsibilities and duties of the Student Council. Their regular interactions have only served to strengthen their common respect. Setting council duties aside, Tamao is pretty much aware that Miyuki had unnoticeably performed several of the Etoile's duties as well. On her part, Miyuki finds herself impressed time and again by Tamao's aptitude and wit. The younger woman has easily kept up with the pace due to having a photographic memory and accompanied by a keen understanding of politics. Certain facts don't escape the young girl's intelligent mind, and is surprised to know that Tamao has made researches of her own. It didn't seem hard for Miyuki to mentor the fourth year student.
Today, feeling especially pleased with her pupil's progress, Miyuki decides to call for an unexpected break.
"Tamao-san, why don't we go out for a walk? The weather sure looks fine today."
Tamao looks up from her notes, surprised by her mentor's spontaneous good cheer. She has grown accustomed to Miyuki's seriousness and reserve. Tamao is surprised to see this unexpected side of the older woman. She also misses the Astraean scenery. Since Nagisa and Shizuma started going out together, she has lost a walking companion and has eventually abandoned the pastime altogether. For the first time in a long while, a candid smile lit the younger girl's face.
"That would be a great idea, Rokujou-sama."
They walk in silence for a good few moments, simply enjoying the weather, the landscape, and the undemanding presence of the other. Tamao pauses in occasion to appreciate bits of scenery: an icicle, a snowflake, winter greened leaves, and the remains of a snowman.
Miyuki is in amazement as she watches the younger girl's quiet appreciation, a fact made more touching by her awareness of Tamao's personal grief. It is this quality, Miyuki thinks, which Tamao has very much in common with Nagisa. Both girls have the mysterious ability to appreciate the simplest of things in spite of the most painful circumstances – and to spread that joy to others. Such a contrast, Miyuki ponders, to how she and Shizuma had dealt with their own tragedies in the past or continued to deal with them in the present time.
A sudden stinging sensation on her right shoulder sends Miyuki out of her reverie. With wondering eyes, she looks around and finds Tamao gazing intently at a bush on the far side of the path, with drops of melted snow on her right glove. Miyuki's eyes narrow and…
Thwaack!
"R-Rokujou-sama!" Tamao yelps in surprise and rubs the side of her head. "You didn't have to hit me there!"
To her own surprise, Miyuki finds herself laughing openly at Tamao's shock. "Ara, punishment for insubordinate behavior, Tamao-san. And yes, I really have a good aim with snowballs."
In that one careless moment, with Miyuki's guard down and a smile on her face, Tamao realizes something so late. "Why, you're beautiful, Rokujou-sama…"
They are strolling by the woods, with their breaths steaming despite the wintry air. Their afternoon lectures have gradually given way to afternoon walks. Miyuki still talks occasionally about the student council, explaining odd bits of fact and procedure. Tamao has noticed that whenever the older woman mentions the former Etoile, her hand unconsciously touches her neck. It appears to be an unconscious gesture.
They are almost near the edge of the woods when they started to hear voices. The first one, being low and enthralling while the second being all happy and chirpy. They look at each other for a few moments, and then turn away so quickly. Neither has foreseen the look of concern on the other's face. By the time Shizuma and Nagisa come into view, their thoughts began getting preoccupied.
"Tamao-chan! Rokujou-san!" Nagisa waves happily at her best friend. It does not escape Miyuki's notice that the redhead has moved slightly away from Shizuma upon seeing Tamao.
Tamao kindly smiles at her closest friend and bows slightly to greet the former Etoile. "Nagisa-chan, Shizuma-sama. It seems that you are both busy at the greenhouse."
Nagisa nods and shakes her head remorsefully. "Hikari-san and Amane-san aren't still used to caring for the flowers, so we thought we'd drop by and help them…until they get used to it."
Miyuki lifts an eyebrow at the silver-haired woman. "You didn't use to be so helpful, Shizuma. It must be Nagisa-san's influence."
Shizuma gives her only friend a lazy grin. "I can be hard-working when properly motivated, Miyuki."
The tension between the older women doesn't escape the younger students with them. Finally, it was Tamao's turn to speak and hopefully break it.
"I'm sure you and Nagisa-chan are eager to clean-up after your work, Shizuma-sama, so you won't keep you any longer."
Tamao bows down at the silver-haired woman and gives Nagisa a small smile and continues to walk down the path. To her relief, Miyuki has followed her lead. The older woman had a worried expression on her face, and once again, her hand is at her neck.
It is nearly midnight and Miyuki cannot sleep. She stands by her window, her hand absently rubbing the space just below her collarbone. She remembers the key she carried for two years. I gave her heart after carrying it for two years, and never did she even think to give me back mine. But tonight, for some reason, she cannot muster her anger or hate. She tries to recall the times Shizuma had caused her so much pain. But the only image that comes to mind is the look of concern on a blue-haired girl's face. Breathing a sigh, Miyuki lies down on bed and closes her brown eyes. Dawn, as we all know, would be a long way from coming.