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Disclaimer: Sakurako Kimino, the creator of Strawberry Panic and Media Factory, the company that sponsors its anime, own all copyrighted material this fanfiction may include such as characters, events, et cetera.
The rest of it is mine... ALL MINE! BWAHAHAHHA! *thunder crackles in the background* ... So no stealing! =p Well, unless you ask me nicely. ^.^;;;
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews Brother Stalin and my ever faithful Guest. 3 I'm actually surprised the emo Yaya is enjoyable. The way the story is going, I think that Yaya will be back rather soon. =p Good luck with your thesis!
Alright, lots of bits started in the last chapter. Hikari had asked Amane to assist her in getting through to Yaya. Chiyo baked cookies for Tamao… and failed hard until Kagome arrives, bringing stuffed bear reinforcements. Momomi showed different colours than the ones from the anime. Tsubomi had picked up on a bit of Yaya's jokester ways. And Chikaru pulls a Jedi Mindtrick out of her arse. xD
What can all this mean? *points down* That. That's what it all means. =p *poof gone*
~Strawberry Panic: The Second Year~
"Even though Kagome-chan helped me with these, I really hope they will carry my message to her." She silently speaks, looking carefully at the package in her hands.
Chiyo finds herself standing before Nagisa and Tamao's room. She looks intensely at the door, swallowing her doubts and going to knock.
Between the Lines
Shizuka writes in her notebook. The words are meaningless, just scribbles, but their representations of her mindset are clear. She wonders about the future and what it may hold. Spica's President, Kenjou Kaname, wants her to compete. She's made it quite clear she intends to keep pushing her to it. Might she be willing to accept such a fate, to be confined to a life of struggling to be the best and rival others that pose a threat? It seems like such an alien concept for her, to improve oneself through the defeat of others. She had always believed in mutual advancement, the bettering of oneself through cooperative work with those around her. Chikaru was the chief proponent to this belief and has nurtured Shizuka's benevolent nature through and through. Her creative mind is an inspiration to Shizuka and she's cherished their time together since the beginning. However, there are times when Shizuka's interests deviate from the artistic and creative talents of her roommate. At those times, when she wanted…
"Shizuka?" Chikaru asks, returning from her shower.
The ebony strands of her long mane brush against her cheek as Shizuka turns her attention to the fair-skinned girl, sporting nothing but her faint pink towel. She puts down the notebook, flipping the cover back over the page she had been writing in, and goes to her side.
"What are you working on?" Chikaru continues her enquiry, having always been an avid fan of her roommate's various concoctions.
"It's nothing. I was only scribbling." Shizuka responds.
Though partially true, those nonsensical words she had written in the notebook are a map of everything being contemplated within Shizuka's mind. However, without knowing what she intends to do with it, Shizuka decides it best not to mention these troubles.
"Oh?" Chikaru replies, letting her roommate know she isn't fooling anyone, but that she isn't going to press the matter.
Shizuka is grateful for the easygoing and supportive aspect to her roommate, something she has always felt to be the reason she engaged in that side of her personality much more extensively than the one Kaname intends to promote. Shizuka chooses to leave the issue for a later time, when she's more confident in making the choice. Besides, there are yet other avenues that need to be dealt with and they take precedence for now.
Kaname traces her hand in the warm water. Her roommate lays inside the tub, letting the warmth soothe every inch of her body. There have been many thoughts running through the girl's mind in regards to the President and her peer's schemes, but for the moment, she can relax and let the water drown them away. Kaname has long since noticed this in the girl, having drawn the bath for her in order to help her relax. Of course, there is always the other, more obvious reason for having drawn the bath, as she continues to play with the clear water.
"The seeds are planted and they await the spring." Kaname says to her, reaching her hand further into the water.
Momomi slowly opens her eyes, knowing what her lover wanted of her. In a quiet voice, she asks, "I wonder… Will the bees enjoy their nectar?"
"That should be left up to Mother Nature, wouldn't you say?" Kaname responds with a question of her own.
"Nature has her uncanny ability to surprise all with her results, but I find that those surprises can go either way, wouldn't you agree?" Momomi returns, continuing the foreplay.
"I would. I suppose that's why we garden." Kaname says, making implications as to her and Makoto's devices.
"Yes, I suppose. Though, proper gardening techniques would be better followed than ignored." Momomi replies, revealing to the President, what's been concerning her.
"Agreed. It should prove to be a bountiful harvest." Comes the understanding response.
"However will we collect them all in time?" Momomi asks with a smile, opening her arms to Kaname.
With a smile of her own, the President moves in, seizing her prize for having done a good job.
Two heads poke out of the grass leading into the lake. They are equipped with active camouflage, face paint, binoculars, and other devices that are quite possibly more useful as props than actual functional equipment. As if there could be any doubt, their identities are Hyuuga Kizuna and Natsune Remon of St. Lulim Girl's School. On this day, Kizuna has come up with the idea to spy on the new class of first years in order to investigate their progress in immersing themselves as students of Astraea. Though usually done with the supervision of their Chikaru-oneesama, this time Kizuna has decided to take the initiative and start the mission of the Secrets Club on her own. Remon is with her as her default cohort and is also impressed with her roommate's assertiveness.
"Ma'am, bogey at two o'clock." She reports to her commanding officer.
"Remon-chan?" Kizuna asks.
"Yes, Kizuna-chan?"
"It's only one o'clock." The pigtailed redhead tells her, oblivious to what her roommate had meant.
"No, Kizuna-chan, two o'clock is a military term for direction. It means over to your right." Remon replies.
"Oh, but why does it have to be two o'clock for that to happen? Can't the target be to my right at one o'clock also?" Kizuna ponders, still confused about it.
"No, that's not what I mean."
"I don't want to wait that long to see one of the newbies." She adds, whining.
"Um, excuse me, but what are you doing in those outfits?" A third person asks, causing Remon to stiffen as she turns.
The girl, a petite and slight first year with wavey bundles of lavender hair, braided and tied back in a bun with a red hair stick decorated in flowers has discovered the spies, though she seems unaware of their mission and targets. Unlike Remon, Kizuna is also blissfully unaware of the circumstances this presents and happily greets the girl, offering her an extra camo-helmet that she'd brought also for Kagome, who the two had not been able to find.
"My name is Hyuuga Kizuna and this is my roommate, Natsune Remon." Kizuna introduces once the girl has donned the attire.
"It's nice to meet you, Hyuuga-san and Natsune-san." The polite girl replies, placing a hand to her chest, "I am a first year, of the C Class. My name is Hasegawa Kaede. It's nice to meet you!"
"Likewise, Kaede-chan!" Kizuna chirps.
"Kizuna, shouldn't we tell Kaede-chan about what we're really doing out here?" Remon suggests, not wanting to deceive the young girl.
"Oh, right! Kaede-chan, we're out here spying on the first years that enrolled at the school this year! Do you want to join us?" Kizuna tells the first year in excitement.
Kaede thinks on this, but nods her head happily, saying, "That sounds like fun!"
As Kizuna takes the binoculars and returns to her post, leaving Kaede to record her findings, Remon sits by herself completely godsmacked. Did either of those two know what just happened? Did either of them understand that little Kaede was, herself, a first year and one of their targets?
Once she absorbs all of this, Remon sighs and mumbles to herself, "Here we go again.
Amane walks through the halls of Spica, intent on catching Yaya as she leaves class. Her strategy is not quite refined, but without a first-hand account to go by, she is at a loss for further development of it. As she moves, she becomes more and more self-conscious in regards to the efficacy of her plan. If anything should go awry, it could push Yaya even further. After all, if Yaya is still infatuated with her Hikari, being the girl's lover wouldn't bode too well for her chances at reasoning with her.
However, the situation would progress even further astray from what Amane had considered. Once classes are dismissed, a flood of girls exit the classrooms and, upon seeing the fabled Etoile walking amongst them, quickly crowd her, chanting praises and admiration. In fact, due to this collection of the students, it only improves Yaya's route away and the bistre-haired girl doesn't even notice Amane there.
Grumbling at her failure, Amane makes a promise to herself to be more assertive in her approach the next time, settling for resuming her Etoile duties and speaking to the girls surrounding her.
Yaya arrives at her destination. The only light throughout the church is provided by candles. As the church is not in use at the moment, Yaya has taken the opportunity to practice her singing on her own. She's come to understand that the melody can actually be used to help her through her troubles rather than be a reminder that her song didn't help her attain her first love. She changes into her choir uniform, feeling more comfortable singing in the garment than in her typical attire.
She checks to make sure she is alone and then makes her way to the altar. Thinking to herself about recent events, she yells at herself in her mind, upset that she's allowed her friends to worry about her. She had hoped to feign her usual mannerisms so as to keep her friends content and distracted from her actual state, but she still can't seem to fool those closest to her. She reasons that it must have been due to how well Hikari knew her, having been her roommate for over two years and having already seen her unveiled anguish over losing her to Amane. If she improves her performance, she should be capable of relieving everyone from worrying over her.
However, that is for the future. For now, Yaya looks out at the empty seats, taking in a deep breath and leaving the trouble in her life outside, beyond the slightly ajar door of the church. As she is alone and not practicing for the choir, she chooses to sing a song she personally enjoyed away from the lofty gospels of the Saintly Choir. No, this song, this song is for her.
Yume? Daydream…
Tada no yume… Sweetest Dream…
Nanoni mune… zutto…
Furueteru… zutto…
Koi no shita… Missing…
Kuchibiru ga… Wishing…
Setsunasa ni anata dake wo yonda
Waiting for you, watashi no omoi ni hayaku
Having been walking nearby, Tsubomi is drawn by the sounds of music, a bewildering voice. She has never heard such an exciting melody and her curiosity beckons her towards the slightly open doorway into the church. When she arrives, her eyes grow wide upon seeing none other than her Yaya-senpai before the altar, her voice echoing through the congregation hall. Tsubomi takes to shielding her presence with the door, not wanting to let Yaya know she is listening for fear she might stop the wondrous song.
Toiki na hane tobashite dakishime ni kite kudasai
She is successful as Yaya is immersed in the performance, having delivered the previous line with so much passion that she naturally spread open her arms, projecting emphasis on the last words. The church has filled with her enchanting voice, the structure resonating its power as she continues.
Daitan na kokuhaku kokoro ga nozonderu
Anata wo mitsumeru me kara hitoshizuku
Koboreru no jounetsu wa
Namida no sei ni shite
Chikaimashou futari wa nandomo meguri au no dream...
As Tsubomi watches on from behind the door, Yaya takes in a deep breath and chooses not to sing through the full song, settling on having finished the first verse. She uses the time saved to traverse the large space, moving over to a couple of benches towards the entrance. She passes a hand over one of the bench's back, stopping at the spot. A tear drips down onto her hand, but unknown to Tsubomi, Yaya is smiling. She has begun thinking back to all the times she had shown anguish and emotional pain and how, during each of these immature episodes, Hikari had gone to great lengths to bring her back. In fact, not only had she worried Hikari, but these personal troubles of hers had also enlisted the aid of Nagisa and Tamao on one occasion.
Yaya turns to face the door, silently proclaiming renewed resolve to regain her old personality and push these doubts into the past. She need only face facts that she simply isn't meant to have her own love story. Tsubomi sees her confidence return and is amazed that she could regain herself with a simple song. No, amazed isn't the right word. It is more that she admires Yaya for such a display. She has incredible strength of character and her voice holds no equal in the Saintly Choir. However, despite how much she wants to congratulate her senpai and compliment her ferocity, she chooses to make a quick exit before Yaya could spot her, reasoning that the older girl wouldn't be interested in the words of adoration from her.
Shizuka stands firm at one side of the tennis courts. Though she would never admit it, her recent bout with Kaname has brought on a sudden spark of interest in examining her skill level in the sport. She drags over the basket she's arranged, which is filled with about one hundred tennis balls.
Taking one into her hand, she tosses it high and smashes down with a powerful overhead. The ball soars into the baseline before bouncing low and striking the fence, causing the chain links to shudder. She makes several more serves just like it from her present position at the deuce court, smiling in triumph every time the serves are successful. After making around twenty shots, she takes herself to the ad court position and readies serves as if having faulted her serve. From this position, Shizuka starts with a few average shots, replicating what a player might be thinking after committing a fault. Soon, though, she gains enough information to alter her calibrations and enhance the quality of her serves. Her final ten serves rocket past the net nearly equivalent to that of her first services. With about sixty balls remaining, Shizuka breathes in the fresh air, enjoying the light breeze.
As Shizuka returns to the deuce court, she is being watched from afar by a pair of sinister crimson eyes. Kaname smirks at the Lulim girl and her beautiful form. Each serve is delivered precisely, striking the opposite court where Kaname is, peering out at the girl as she hides behind the shadow of the trees and low brush.
Suddenly, one of Shizuka's serves sends a ball directly into the fence, its trajectory following a direct line for the Spica President. Kaname stares in shock, but comes to notice that Shizuka is glaring at her. Standing up and lifting up both hands, she surrenders to the girl, casually making her approach to the gate and entering the courts.
"I didn't ask for an audience, Kaname." Shizuka growls, going back to serving.
"I am a rival, not a part of your ever-growing audience. I have a personal interest in knowing how powerful of an opponent I will be facing.
After hitting another serve, though this one had been too low and is caught by the net. Shizuka turns frustrated hazels at the Spica President, saying, "I'm not in competition. I have no rivals. Therefore, you still count as an annoying audience."
"Oh, I beg to differ, dear Shizuka. Don't think I don't have an eye for detail. Those glorious grins blazing from your features tell me otherwise." Kaname returns, whipping her braid to the side.
"Having skill in something and enjoying that skill does not imply that I seek to compete with anyone." Shizuka clarifies, scooping up another ball with her racket and balancing it on the strings, "I have no intention of surpassing anyone but myself."
"I see. Well then, I suppose this leaves no place for me." Kaname relents with a shrug, "I'll be taking my leave then."
Shizuka's eyes don't leave the blonde even as her racket bounces the ball it had been balancing. Once Kaname is no longer visible, the ebony-maned girl flings the ball high into the air and smashes down.
Chikaru busies herself sewing more outfits for her Henshin Club. There is a common gown theme to the designs she is currently making. However, she is decidedly bored, having had no part in the affairs of the other students at the moment. Her thoughts drift to the events of the day before, when Nagisa had asked her to demonstrate the idea of bridging the gap between two who cared deeply for one another. Though, the poor redhead had been unsuccessful, Chikaru was astounded that Shizuka had entered the clubroom at the precise moment she tried concentrating.
She giggles to herself at the memory and quietly whispers to herself, "I wonder…"
Closing her eyes, Chikaru concentrates once more on her ebony-haired roommate, only partially believing it would work. Mostly, she believes it had been a coincidence, but it was still fun. Suddenly, there is a bang on one of the windows of the clubroom and, when Chikaru goes to investigate, her eyes fall upon a tennis ball mere inches from the glass pane. Within moments, her roommate arrives, staring back at her from the other side of the window.
With the glass in the way, Shizuka gestures an apology and that something had happened when she struck that particular ball. Chikaru moves to the window and opens it, allowing Shizuka to climb inside.
"I'm sorry. When I went to serve this ball, it went wild. I guess I must have struck it too high." Shizuka explains.
"Yes… that must be it…" Chikaru replies, allowing her words to trail.
"Tsubomi-chan was very cute in there. Except I think your F was slightly flat." Yaya comments as the two walk together back to the Strawberry Dorms following choir practice.
"What do you mean, Yaya-senpai?" Tsubomi asks, considering this, "My F was spot on today."
"Not that one, Tsubomi-chan." Yaya purrs with a grin, taking her eyes from the girl's face to her lower half, "That second F I heard from you."
Tsubomi's eyes widen in shock and her cheeks redden to an extent, but she isn't going to stay silent this time, taking her yellow eyes up to meet the girl's ambers and saying, "What was Yaya-senpai's nose doing so close to that? Were you trying to kiss my b-"
"Don't flatter yourself." Comes Yaya's simple retort, though she is genuinely satisfied that the girl has developed a more assertive side. It is rather attractive.
"Flatter myself? I'd think it was about time after all the trouble you cause." Tsubomi continues to return the teasing, turning her head away in mock disappointment.
However, that would be the end of it. Just as the pink-haired girl expects another round, Yaya becomes silent. Opening her eyes to look at her, Tsubomi finds that they have been joined by Eiko, who had caught up with them. Eiko had been held back by the choir director to discuss her future with the group. As it turns out, she surpassed the director's expectations and has now officially joined the choir.
"That's wonderful, Eiko-chan! Welcome to the Saintly Choir!" Tsubomi congratulates, hugging her kouhai close.
Yaya takes this moment to take her leave as the two underclassmen celebrate the first year's success. Eventually, Tsubomi decides to bring Yaya in to join them, but she notices that the older girl has already left them. Her heart is stung with a sharp pain; she is upset by her senpai's departure. She assumes that the purpose for Yaya's earlier performance and her odd behaviour as of late must mean that her heart still belongs to Hikari and could never move on from her, not even to someone who has been standing right beside her…
Author's Note: Well, so much for Amane's help. Yaya seems to have found her own way of handling her depressing development in this story. By the way, yes, those lyrics are from the theme song of the second half of Strawberry Panic's anime. That scene? If you'll recall the opening montage for the second half, by the time the song reaches the lyrics in which I have Tsubomi enter, the montage also reaches such a scene, with Tsubomi peering into an empty church where Yaya is singing. I thoroughly enjoyed that short scene and felt it paired so well with the song and, specifically, that part of the song. Though Yaya's seiyuu is not the person who sings this song, I still felt it fit perfectly.
The Chikaru/Shizuka I think-you come technique is not meant to mean anything more than an amusing anecdote. It just so happens that when Chikaru concentrates on Shizuka those two random times, Shizuka just happens to find her way to her. It's the product of my watching too many cheesy romance films in preparation for writing this fic. xD
This chapter also introduces the first year character for Lulim, Hasegawa Kaede. I'm not quite sure what to do with her, but she is a rather reserved character in comparison to the Lulim girls like Remon and Kizuna, yet not detached and stoic as Kagome. I actually liken her to a Miator type of person, though there are differences that led her to enroll in Lulim instead.
This chapter also begins to unveil what's been troubling Momomi. After the fiasco last year, Momomi is apprehensive about going at it again with new targets. She simply hopes the two schemers won't muck up the school again. x)
It is also the first blatant mention of Shizuka's competitive nature, though she seems to have more control over it than say Kaname.
What does all this mean? Find out in the next exciting chapter!
次回予告
Nagisa: Eh? A dance? We're going to a dance?
Tamao: The light falls on the two lone figures as their bodies move together in unison, almost as though one organism… and then…
Nagisa: Tamao-chan, you're being weird again.
Tamao: And then! *ecstatic moan*
Nagisa: Oh, so that's how we get invited. Hm, I wonder who will invite who.
Tamao: The light that shines down on them is the same as the light within their hearts. As Tamao and …
Nagisa: Tamao-chan…
Next time on Strawberry Panic, Invitation!
Tamao: Oh my! Oooh!
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