Three
Finally, the time had come for both of the four schools' Student Councils to meet. The girls from St Lilian Girls' High School weren't as pleased about leaving their school behind for six months, and they hoped that they would feel welcome here at Astrea's Academies. They had soon found out about the Etoile system, and they couldn't quite understand why the other three Student Council Presidents couldn't work around without this said Etoile. To them, it was quite unnecessary to place all decisions on one person, regardless of which school the Etoile was in. If the three Student Council Presidents couldn't even agree to one idea, or merge all three ideas together, what was the point of the whole Student Council system at all?
"I wonder how we are going to address them." Sei thought aloud as the Yumayurikai gang was making their way towards Astrea Hill.
"I suppose by their surname with the added 'sama'." Youko said. "However, I think it might be different with the Etoile."
Eriko frowned a little. "I've heard that the Etoile is the same as us. Surely, I don't believe that we should address her as Etoile-sama. I believe that we should just address her by her surname with the much added 'san'. We don't see students our age address us as such back in Lilian."
Youko let out a sigh. "If that is how we are going to address the Etoile of all the three schools, I can't complain with you there." She then turned to the rest of the younger members and smiled softly. "However, I expect you to address them with their respectful surnames with the added 'sama' at the end, okay?"
They all nodded in confirmation which earned them a gentle smile of approval from Youko. The calm and collected woman was looking forward into this first meeting with the three schools. She wasn't sure of what to expect of them, other than the fact that it wouldn't be too hard for her to respect them. She held in a sigh, knowing that she'd most likely have to share a room with another student. It had already been set up for every single one of them. The only person that she was most worried about was Sachiko. She knew that there was no man in this school but Sachiko valued privacy when it came to strangers. Hopefully, her soeur wouldn't make too much of fuss over it.
"By the way, why do we have to walk?" Sei started to complain, breaking the short silence.
Eriko giggled and patted Sei on the shoulder. "Because, Sei, walking is a good exercise."
"Besides, we are almost there." Youko commented as the Astrea's gate began to reveal itself to the group.
"It seems like there are four people there waiting for us." Sachiko commented softly.
The dark blue hair beauty was right. There were, indeed, four people waiting for them at the top of the gate. The group didn't make it look like they were in a hurry to get there, however. They were walking towards them in their own pace. Although Yoshino was already too excited about wanting to see these four girls face to face, as if she wanted to compare them with her Onee-sama, Rei. It turned out that she didn't need to hurry, not when they were just several steps away. When the group reached their destination, both of the parties exchanged their respectful bow before Shizuma stepped forward to welcome them.
"Good day to you all, and welcome to our schools. My name is Hanazono Shizuma. I am the Etoile of the school and currently studying under St Miator." The silver-haired beauty then turned to her right where her best friend was standing, giving a small hand gesture towards her. "This is Rokujou Miyuki, the Student Council President of St Miator." Then to two girls on her left. "This is Toumori Shion, the Student Council President of St Spica and next to her is Minamoto Chikaru, the Student Council President of St Lulim."
The three said Student Council Presidents bowed respectively at the Yumayurikai group, and when they looked up only Chikaru was offering them a warm smile, while the other two held a stern expression.
"I hope that you will enjoy your stay here and if there are any issues regarding to the school or your hospitality, please do not hesitate to talk to us." Shizuma said softly, offering them a warm welcoming smile that she knew was fake. In truth, she didn't really want to perform this take for she knew Miyuki could have done it for her anyway.
Youko stepped up between Eriko and Sei, smiling at the four girls in front of her gently. "Thank you for welcoming us, although it would be fine if you all didn't go out of your way to wait for us here."
Chikaru giggled and shook her head. "Oh no, it's not trouble at all. In fact, we are very eager to meet all of you."
Because of Chikaru's carefree and easy-going nature, the Yumayurikai group felt somewhat comfortable under Chikaru's presence. The younger Lilian students knew that they could easily make friends with Chikaru, even if they might not be attending the same school.
Youko nodded, a smile still intact as Eriko and Sei both gave out their own smile in thanks. "I would like to introduce myself. My name is Mizuno Youko, Rosa Chinensis of St Lilian Girls' High School. This is my soeur, Rosa Chinensis en bouton, Ogasawara Sachiko and her petite soeur, Fukuzawa Yumi."
Both Sachiko and Yumi bowed their head. "It is a pleasure to meet you all."
Eriko took the queue to introduce her Yellow Rose family. "My name is Torii Eriko. I am Rosa Foetida of St Lilian Girls' High. And this is my Rosa Foetida en bouton, Hasekura Rei and her petite soeur, Shimazu Yoshino." And even though she would like to add more about Yoshino just to stir the girl up, she held her tongue with a simple smile.
Both of the girls bowed, repeating what Sachiko and Yumi had said earlier. Shion was watching the Yellow Rose with expectation in her eyes. Just by a brief look at Rei, she knew that Rei would excel any kind of sport club that she wishes to choose. That also made her wonders if Rei was a part of any club back in Lilian.
Lastly, it was Sei's turn to introduce herself and, knowing her, she liked to go out with bang. Unfortunately, she had to minimize that effect and was willing to settle with a big smile, and a very outgoing attitude. "Hi! My name is Satou Sei and I'm Rosa Gigantea of Lilian Girls' High. This is my soeur, Toudou Shimako, also known as Rosa Gigantea en bouton." She quickly looked at Chikaru, giving the darker haired girl a wink. "And we'd be seeing you a lot, Minamoto-san."
Chikaru blinked, surprise at how outgoing Sei was until she let a giggle escaped her lips. "Of course, we will be seeing each other a lot, Satou-san."
Sei just offered her a big grin, while the rest of the Yumayurikai was already shaking their heads at her mentally. The other three girls from the opposite school was quite surprise as well, judging by the fact that Sei was an outspoken person while her soeur was a quiet and timid girl.
Of course, whatever they said about the whole 'sama' thing had gone out of the window. The sixth graders were addressing one another by their surnames and the honorific of 'san', while the fifth and fourth graders followed the older girls quietly. Yoshino was dying to speak up, but since Rei shot her a look she had to quiet herself down.
The Astrea students led them into the Strawberry Dorm, and watched as the other girls were marveling at the place in awe. Chikaru looked over to Eriko, smiling sweetly. "Unfortunately, we have one room short for one person. And since it has already been assigned who you would be rooming with, I hope that you'd be happy with your stay."
Eriko smiled and shook her head. "I'm very sure that I'd get along with whomever that I'd be rooming with."
"Well then, you'd be rooming with me, Torii-san." Chikaru said happily, clapping her hands together in front of her with a bright smile.
"If we are going to be roommates, we do not need to be this formal, Chikaru-san." Eriko said with her own smile.
"Alright, Eriko-san." Chikaru happily corrected herself before turning to face the other Lilian's girls. "Satou-san and Mizuno-san will be rooming together. Ogasawara-san has a room for herself as per requested from her family. Hasekura-san and Shizamu-san will be rooming together and Toudou-san and Fukuzawa-san will be rooming together. If you don't like those arrangements, I'm sure we can try and change it around."
As much as she wanted to be Sachiko's roommate, Yumi couldn't help but shook her head. "I'm happy with the arrangement, Minamoto-sama."
Chikaru blinked, clearly confused as to why she was being address as 'sama' when she knew she hadn't earned it yet. However, she smiled and shook her head gently at the younger girl. "Well, since we are all a bunch of formal people, let's try not to be that formal since I know we will get to know each other in the upcoming months."
Sei chuckled before grinning, nodding her head enthusiastically. "I agreed! Let's just drop the 'sama' and just be friends!"
Youko sighed. "Sei…"
Sei quickly turned to Youko, her grin still intact. "What? Objection?"
Youko shook her head, already felt that she had lost an argument with Sei without her having to start it. "No, I've got no objection at all."
"So it's settled!" Sei declared enthusiastically much to the other three girls' surprise. Chikaru found it quite amusing for she couldn't stop giggling at Sei's display.
Shizuma's eyes were soon drifted over to Yumi. The girl's face held so much innocence just as Nagisa's face did. However, as soon as her eyes were on Yumi, Sachiko's eyes were immediately on her. The said girl gave her a hard stare, and Shizuma was too amused to back down. It looked like Yumi had already been taken by Sachiko, and since she had no interest in Yumi, it would be quite interesting to see Sachiko's reaction when she was close to her. Perhaps this wasn't just some dull exchange program. Perhaps she could use this exchange program to entertain herself. Sachiko's reaction had already been chosen as her first entertainment.