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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: And here it is! The first big thing I'm going to do to the characters. =p I'm glad you like Tsubomi teasing back. There's going to be more of that and yes, more of your Eiko-chin. ^_^
This next chapter will finally start a significant arc to round out the first half of the fanfiction. As with the anime, I'm going to be dividing it into two equal parts, the latter half obviously dealing with the Etoile-sen in the winter.
The new first years will play a significant role for this part, though it's still undecided what I want in the end. Anyway, thus far we have Tsuya Misato of Miator, Inoue Eiko of Spica, and the previous chapter introduced Hasegawa Kaede of Lulim. There's going to be more. =p
I was actually concerned when writing this chapter, though. Some of the scenes played out contrary to how I had originally outlined them. It led to interactions that deviated from what I thought the characters' roles might have been, but at the end of writing it, I liked it. xD It may just play well with the upcoming events, but I'm rather surprised that even I can't guarantee anything.
Still, I do believe that there is one event I've outlined for a future chapter that will occur exactly as I've planned for it and I'm excited to reach it since it does wonders for some of the backstory. Of course, that's for later. =p As for now, please enjoy Chapter 9!
~Strawberry Panic: The Second Year~
Misato observes the spring foliage as it sways in the breeze. An event is arriving, which she hopes to take advantage of, intently probing the details of it in the notice she'd received earlier in the day. It is her chance to show her gratitude to the one who'd guided her to the school where she would have otherwise been lost.
Tucking the notice away, she walks to the same location just steps away from the school grounds and recalls the event.
"Please, let there be some way for me. I don't want to miss my first day!" She had said.
An older girl, wearing a pink plaid skirt and silky red qipao had arrived moments later. With her vibrant ebony mane streaked with brunette strands flowing behind her fair-skinned form, she had walked past Misato. At this time, she had taken her demure hazel eyes off the path for a single moment, sending a glance to the young girl before continuing back on her way.
Misato felt that she was the answer to her prayers. This woman, who she knew nothing about and whose sudden arrival held no reason to justify Misato's faith in her, would show her the way. And, despite what little sense it made, that was exactly what she'd done.
Misato recalls looking up to see the registration building of St. Miator Girl's Academy not three metres from her. Shocked, she had gone back along the path she'd been traveling only to discover she had already been just a turn away from the school's entrance when she'd given up. It was for that, Misato believed the angels had sent her the woman, her guide.
"I pray all my senpai are as wonderful as you." She had whispered to herself, bowing in the direction her saviour had left.
"I will find you… Mori-sama…"
Invitation
Nagisa is curious about the new event that had been created by the Etoile. Nicknamed the Senkou dance for its specification between senpai and kouhai, it is something that has never existed in the whole of Astraea's history. In spite of having been given the notice for it, Nagisa is still confused as to what it means.
"Tamao-chan, what is this Senkou Dance for?" Nagisa asks her more informed roommate.
"The Senkou Dance was devised by Amane-sama and Hikari-chan as a way for the new class of first years to have an easier time getting acquainted with everyone who has already attended school here." The President explains, "Starting now, each of the first years has the right to invite any students from the second to sixth year to attend the dance."
"Wow, that's an amazing idea! Amane-sama and Hikari-chan are really giving their all to be a good Etoile, aren't they?" Nagisa comments.
"Yes, it is my opinion that Amane-sama wanted to give back once she and Hikari-chan won the Etoile-sen. Since she had taken so long to make a decision and since it took Kenjou-san to show her how much it meant to the girls attending each of the three schools that she take on the role, I believe Amane-sama desires to give back to those girls, to make sure she does a good job with her time as the Etoile." Tamao explains her theories.
"I think she's doing a wonderful job." Nagisa says with a warm smile, "I'm excited about this dance now. I wonder who will be going and who they will be going with."
"You know, even Nagisa-chan could be going." Tamao notes.
"Eh? Me?" Nagisa replies, surprised by this news as it hadn't occurred to her that…
"Yes, any of the upperclassmen can be invited and no upperclassman who gets invited may decline. If one is invited, she must attend." Tamao clarifies.
Nagisa changes from excited to concerned. She hadn't thought that she could be attending. Thoughts return to Shizuma and Nagisa worries over being unfaithful to her if she can't refuse an invitation.
Seeing her roommate so flustered over this news, Tamao decides to set the girl at ease, further clarifying that, "The dance isn't meant to be romantic, Nagisa-chan. It is only meant to promote interaction between the established student body and the incoming class, to allow them to feel more comfortable here. In fact, from what I've heard, swapping partners is promoted."
Still, Nagisa worries. What had sounded to her to be an excellent opportunity for the first years has mutated into a question of fidelity and, even as Tamao says that there is no romance involved with the dance, she can't help but think that feelings will play a significant part.
Later in the day, Hikari sits down to lunch with Yaya and Tsubomi. The three friends haven't had this time in a while and most of their time together recently has been the few minutes following choir practice on the days Hikari visited. Today, though, Hikari has dedicated this space in her schedule to be with them as the dance is afoot and her friends will undoubtedly have questions for her.
As it happens, Hikari is correct about her friends' concerns over the dance. While Yaya is silent and distant when hearing the details, Tsubomi is an anxious mess. Her sentences barely maintain a grammatical structure and syntax let alone hoping to make any semblance of sense. The chief concern does still seem to be the connotations behind being invited to a dance.
"But what if… and she doesn't… or maybe I don't… or when… things can get… or they might… but then again… so what I'm saying… you think… right?" This is one of the pink-haired girl's more structured sentences.
To this end, Hikari throws up her hands with a smile, reassuring her friends that, "We aren't trying to make couples with this dance. If someone invites you, it only means you'll be attending the dance. So, you don't have to get so worked up, Tsubomi-chan."
"So, if someone invited me, I don't have to assume they like me in that way?" Tsubomi wants to clarify, a blush creeping across her features.
"As if someone would be foolhardy enough to like Tsubomi-chan in that way." Yaya lets the words slip before casting a sidelong glance at the girl.
"Yaya-senpai…" Tsubomi grumbles, balling up a fist.
"In any event, yes, Tsubomi-chan, that's exactly right. Amane-senpai and I only came up with the invitations to allow the first years the chance to get to know the people they prefer because that should make it easier for them to open up. We also have later events that will help them integrate more fully."
"Hikari-chan is stronger than she was before." Yaya notes, moving closer to her friends.
"Thank you, Yaya-chan. I hope to do my best." Her roommate replies, appreciating the openness Yaya is showing as she knows how hard it had been for the girl to let her go and be with Amane.
Oddly and in a twist, Tsubomi is quiet during this time, head bowed and distant. Hikari thinks to question her on this, but she wouldn't get the chance. Suddenly, a loud and shrill voice erupts, shattering the tranquil scene. The words this voice speaks seem to be in regards to an invitation for the pink-haired girl.
When it is repeated at closer range, "TSUBOMI-SENPAI! I REQUEST YOUR ATTENDANCE AT THE SENKOU DANNNNNCEEE!", the message and its sender become clear.
However, given the sudden jump in decibels from Hikari, Yaya, and Tsubomi's conversation to little Eiko's outburst, Tsubomi is caught by surprise and shrieks on reflex. Her scream then has the chain effect of catching Eiko by surprise and causes her to scream, as well, and Hikari is tasked with trying to get them to settle back down.
After they've calmed themselves, Hikari suggests to Yaya that they leave the senpai kouhai pair to talk amongst themselves. Yaya nods her agreement, but is silent again. Hikari finally will not accept this from her closest friend and calls her on it. For a moment, she is unresponsive, staring out into the distance. However, contrary to her previous bouts of inaction, Yaya spins about to her roommate, her typical smile of confidence returned to her visage. She walks back to her roommate's side and pats her on her head.
"Sorry, Hikari. I was distracted for a while." She tells the blonde, "I'm better now. I guess it was just another episode. I hope I didn't make Hikari-chan worry too much."
"Is that all it was?" Hikari ponders.
"Yes, I was being foolish." Yaya states, looking away.
"I don't think Yaya-chan was being foolish. Yaya-chan puts too much on herself." Hikari replies, though she has already fallen for her roommate's sinister ploy.
Within moments, Yaya is upon the smaller girl, arms raised and wearing oni fang veneers. As if the cruel outburst by her roommate wasn't enough, the bestial appearance of her mouth and the eyes rolled to the back of her skull were more than enough to send Hikari tumbling back in fear. She would back away far enough to slam into a group of Spica students. As she catches her balance, she goes to apologise to them, but only receives yet another shock as one of the students in the group jumps out with a roar, arms also raised as if a monster. Hikari backs off again, losing her balance and falling. Yaya quickly catches her and steadies her, as she and the other student share loud, obnoxious chuckles.
However, with a glint in her eye, Yaya turns to her would-be coconspirator and makes note that, "It is unwise to play tricks on the Etoile."
"Oh, is that so? Well, I always love to live outside the rules." The girl replies, running a hand through her long strands of turquoise hair.
"Living outside the rules may be fun, but without the proper balance and control, you won't last very long." Yaya continues.
The girl's deep orchid eyes gauge Yaya, scanning her from the bottom up. "I guess, you'll just have to show me the ropes then."
With that, Yaya crosses her arms and gazes intently at the girl. She notices then that, while taller than the average, she must be one of the new first years. A fiendish grin curls her lips and her amber eyes narrow on her and she asks the girl just how she might "show her the ropes".
"That's easy." The girl replies, "I, Fushimi Asuka, first year of the Deux Class hereby invite you to the Senkou Dance!"
Yaya is taken aback by this unexpected invitation, even nearly losing her composure for a split second, but quickly straightens out and accepts, greeting the girl with her confirmation, "I, Nanto Yaya, a fourth year in the Un Class hereby accept your invitation. I'll see you there, Asuka-chan."
She winks at the girl before walking away hand in hand with an as yet bewildered Etoile. Asuka's eyes follow Yaya as she leaves, her lips curling into a cocky smirk.
The plain white ceiling of her room is perfect for envisioning the scenes of the play Shizuka reads, lying down on her bed. She is immersed in its story, contemplating the significance of each act and what it means to the characters. There are actually other reasons for Shizuka giving so much focus to the play, but at the moment, she does not admit them, even to herself. However, due to this, she also finds her thoughts skewing from the play every so often.
The Senkou Dance seems to be taking center stage. In fact, it had been the dance's popularity that Shizuka spent the day seeking out escape routes so as not to be bombarded by the hordes of girls. She could hear the crowds whispering about her as she passed. Nagisa hadn't been the only one to stalk her in an attempt to meet her and, though she enjoyed meeting new people, she didn't want to do so in an ambush. For Shizuka, she has already seen how the Senkou invitation process would work for her and the other more popular girls. It wouldn't be a calm and light interaction between her and a first year. It would be a mauling of the girl by a collective of the first years. At that image, Shizuka actually finds herself smiling and the events of her play suddenly warp to it, except that the parts are still being played by the characters of the play and the setting has remained, as well. Seeing those characters, adorned in classy Victorian dress, acting like the girls of Astraea causes the girl's smile to advance into a giggle. It appears she is done reading for the night.
Just as she thinks this, a knock sounds at her door. She lifts the book higher so that she can see it. She isn't expecting anyone tonight and Chikaru certainly would have her key. There is another knock and Shizuka puts down the book, making her way to open it. However, as her hand reaches the knob, there is a loud bang followed by lots of whispering voices. Shizuka pauses for a moment, thinking it quite odd, but shakes her mind of it and opens the door. As soon as she does, Chikaru falls into her arms followed by an army of Lulim's new students. They are all screaming with excitement, their words jumbling together into a meaningless soup of syllables.
Once Chikaru recovers, she lifts her hands up to say, "Yes, thank you for the invitations, but I already accepted them since the cafeteria."
Shizuka hears her roommate's words as sweat drops form on the girl's brow. She can now comprehend exactly what the girls are saying, having the foreknowledge that some of the raucous being said are parts of invitations being shouted. She has assumed correctly what the Senkou Dance would mean for the popular girls of Astraea. Of course, she hadn't guessed how funny it would be, though it was amusing as played by the Victorian characters.
"I don't think they heard you, Chikaru." She chuckles, moving to her desk, "I suppose it's the price you pay for your fame."
However, the moment she sits down, the girls realise who had caught their Chikaru-sama when she stumbled into the room. Akin to Chikaru's distinction amongst the student body, Shizuka possessed an illustrious standing with them that rivaled the likes of Spica's President and even the Etoile herself. The screams released by their discovery is deafening and the crowd pushes all the way into the room, some still surrounding Chikaru, but a number now collecting before the Lulim star.
A single voice would erupt through them before any could complete an invitation to the girl, however. Following Shizuka's glance, the girl's turn around to find a single Miator uniform, unique in spite of being immersed in a sea of similar uniforms. She has her head bowed, face covered by shoulder-length strawberry blonde hair, curled at the tips. She is panting, obviously having struggled within the crowd to reach Shizuka. Her hands ball into fists and she pops her head up to reveal a pair of nervous blue eyes, which compliment her fair skin and the blush appearing on it.
"My name is Tsuya Misato. I am a first year attending St. Miator Girl's Academy in the Flower Class. You helped me on that day, when school first opened. I never got to say thank you, but I'd like to do that now. I want to invite you to the dance, Mori Shizuka-sama." The girl says, the gravity of her words wowing all the other girls present.
Shizuka smiles at her, recognising her as the lost little one she'd encountered just outside the school grounds on the first day. The girl had believed she was lost and only needed someone to show her that she was so very close.
"Shizuka." She corrects the girl, "Leave out that -sama stuff."
"Okay, Shizuka… -oneechan." Misato replies, adding a more personal title as her blue eyes beam with joy.
"Shizuka-neesan! Mori-nee nee! Anue! I want to invite you, too! Yes, me too! We all want to invite you!" Despite coming from several locations, the mixture of words form a single understood statement, albeit with many variants therein, "Shizuka-san! I invite you, too… the dance, Shizuka-senpai!"
She takes her hazel eyes to Misato and they share a giggle as the other girls continue screaming overzealous invites to both herself and Chikaru.
Momomi leans on her arm as she sits at her desk. Her eyes are upon the door to the Student Council Office. Beyond that door is a line of Spica students. She pouts at this as Kaname looks out the window and Makoto paces about the room.
"What is the point of this dance?" Momomi asks, "Can either of you find use in it?"
"Well, as one of the invited, I will light up the dance floor with my dear sweet butterfly." Kaname declares, moving over to caress the auburn-haired girl.
"And while you two are off doing that, I might actually be doing something more productive." Makoto conveys, moving to the door to peek at the silhouettes still lining it.
"What makes you think dancing won't lead to anything productive, Makoto-chan?" Momomi asks, standing up and pressing herself up against the President.
"The dance is an implicit form of communicating, little Makoto. It can do much." Kaname adds.
Makoto considers these words, knowing well enough of the President's capabilities. She relents, "I suppose I'll have to watch closely and learn."
"That you may want to do, but I do hope it doesn't distract you from your own agendas." Kaname replies as Makoto opens the door to a group of cheering Spica students.
Kizuna and Remon are on their way to Chikaru's room. They have brought Kagome and Kaede with them to let their Chikaru-sama and Shizuka-senpai know that Kaede has already invited all three of them, Remon, Kagome, and Kizuna, and that she intends to invite them, as well, should they have not been asked. When they arrive, they see a large gathering of girls from each of the three schools and the door to the room is open. Remon suggests they politely push through to see what's happened. She takes Kizuna by the hand as the girl crouches, telling little Kaede to climb on. Seeing the equally petite Kagome, Remon smiles at her roommate and extends her other hand to Percival, nodding for Kagome to come with them.
Together, they wade through the sea of uniforms, eventually breaching the room and spilling inside. Chikaru greets them when she sees them and Shizuka looks on from her desk, head resting on her arm. Misato also turns, but is unaware of the newcomers' identities. Shizuka takes her eyes back to her and nods, letting her know to go introduce herself to them.
She first helps a girl with lavender hair tied back in a bun by a red hair stick to her feet. As she does, her blue eyes meet the girl's olive ones and she finds herself saying, "Hello. My name is Misato."
"Kaede. It's nice to meet you." She replies, gazing intently at her.
After watching them share that moment, the girls still on the floor call out to their would-be aid. Roused from their stupour, the two girls help the others. Misato takes the hand of a girl with green hair who wears glasses while the Kaede helps the redhead and blonde. Once they are on their feet, Remon and Kizuna introduce themselves and Kagome, who waves to Misato with Percival's paw. They go on to ask about the crowd that's gathered in Chikaru's room only to be likewise bombarded with invites regardless of their noting that they've already been invited and that Kaede is a first year like them. With beads of sweat lining their foreheads, the girls, Kizuna, Remon, Kaede, and accompanied by Chikaru try their best to calm the mob. Meanwhile, Misato returns to her seat on Shizuka's bed and Kagome sits on Shizuka's lap, the three of them merely witnessing the commotion.
Author's Note: The Senkou Dance. ^_~ Senkou is, of course, a portmanteau of senpai and kouhai. This new event made by the Etoile would have been a fantastic opportunity for the youngsters to get to know the older girls they would have encountered by now, but wouldn't have an easy time conversing with at length. After all, Lulim and Spica don't have room temps and the room temp system itself is only useful to introduce the first year to two upperclassmen whose room she'd be tending. O_o Not exactly what I'd have in mind if I wanted to get to know people. However, such a boiling pot of girls can also become chaotic, though I'm sure the more popular upperclassmen already know this, as in the case of Chikaru. xD
I hope everyone enjoyed the latest character to join this fiction and the interaction between Misato, Shizuka, and Kaede. I'm actually finding that Misato and Shizuka are meeting in very similar circumstances to Nagisa and Shizuma, which I hadn't thought to do, except for that first meeting in Chapter 1. Of course, I had only done that to write a rendition of Nagisa's arrival to Astraea Hill from the anime, which had been a favourite scene of mine. The similarity between this chapter's scene of Misato meeting Shizuka and Nagisa introducing herself to, unfortunately, Hitomi when she had believed her to be the Etoile was purely coincidental. Well, it did deviate at the end, given that Misato isn't as jumpy as Nagisa and she knew who she wanted to meet whereas Nagisa didn't realise the Etoile was Shizuma and not poor Hitomi who was just in her seat. xD
次回予告
Misato: Yay, now I'm in this part!
Asuka: That's just because the writer got lazy and doesn't have anything useful to say here.
Eiko: That's not true, is it?
Asuka: *stares out of the page*
Amane: Enough, you three. We've got a dance to prepare!
Asuka: We're not expected to do any of that, are we?
Hikari: Not at all! We've got our resources, after all.
Next time on Strawberry Panic, Setup!
Tsubomi: Eh? Kiyashiki-san? What are you doing in the music room?
この番組はメディアファクトリーとご覧のスポンサーの提供でお送りいしました!
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