Seventeenth

Miyuki unties the ribbon with nervous anticipation. The first thing she gets a hold of is a card with an unsigned poem. The dedication reads: "To my beloved Miyuki-sama." She guesses, quite accurately, that the poem in her hand is the first Tamao has written during those dreadful days—the days when her poetry abandoned her.

Rainbow's End
As happiness seemed distant
During those days of dread
My lonely heart kept searching
The tears well up, but aren't being shed

The rain ends and the clouds reveal
The blue sky with a colored promise
My heart slowly being warmed
After a long and cold abyss

I finally get to hold your hands
Finally getting you cuddled close
I realize then the love I have for you
Reaching your heart it constantly grows

The colorful rainbow finally came to me
Its promises for hearts to completely mend
More than that I have found you
You're my love, my rainbow's end

Behind the card, there are three sheets, a pamphlet and a small brochure. The three sheets contain invitations for job interviews from prestigious publishing companies. The pamphlet belongs to a nearby private university. The small brochure contains details on scholarship applications. There is a last piece of paper that appears to be a note, in Tamao's handwriting. It reads: "Be free, Miyuki-sama. Be free and live." It is only when teardrops mar the note's ink Miyuki realizes that she is crying. But for the first time in her life, they're not tears of pain.

Tamao sits quietly outside the greenhouse, waiting for her senpai's response. She honestly doesn't know how the older woman will react. She knows that neither she nor Shizuma have given Miyuki a real solution – just a possible way out. It will still be up to Miyuki to decide…whether to apply for the jobs, to apply for university, to apply for the scholarship, and most importantly, to call the arranged marriage off and to risk being disowned. The choice will be difficult for the older woman, and Tamao is very much aware of this. That's why she waits, hardly hoping, hardly daring to hope.

"Everybody deserves a second chance at something…"

The words played in Tamao's head repeatedly. No matter what the outcome might be Tamao knows that everything is all worth it. Her falling in love with Miyuki, their hearts both mended after their own onslaughts.

"I have no regrets."

It is Miyuki's only chance. No, THEIR only chance.

"Tamao-chan."

Tamao hears Miyuki's soft voice behind her. Slowly, she turns around, almost frightened by what she will find. But what she finds, on Miyuki's face, is an expression of indescribable love and tenderness. Tamao sobs a stifled cry of relief and throws herself into the older woman's arms. Miyuki buries her face in the younger woman's hair.

"You did all of that…for me?" Miyuki asks softly.

Tamao responds after a sigh. "I had some help. But I'd do it all over again if I have to."

The younger woman draws back and looks Miyuki searchingly, and somewhat nervously, in the eye.

"Miyuki-sama… Are you…absolutely sure? You'll probably be…disowned. You'll only have yourself to depend on."

A gentle smile is seen on Miyuki's face.

"It will be the hardest thing I'll ever have done in my life. But you're wrong, Tamao-chan. I just don't have me. I have YOU."

This time, when dawn finds them in each other's arms, there are no tears.

Author's Note: I've had my share of impromptu writing, including the poem Rainbow's End. Recalling the poem Rainbow from Episode 2 of the anime, I've tried making it similar to that, the rainbow in this poem symbolizing the promise brought by second chances. I hope I am able to achieve that.