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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: What's occurred in the previous chapter brings up a sensitive subject. Yes, that subject. It's a subject that's slightly touched upon during both the anime and manga - many might say it's a common and overlooked theme in various anime and manga - and I hope I've portrayed it and the impact it has on those involved well.
As revealed in the previous chapter, Shizuka has been deeply involved behind the scenes, guiding several events seemingly controlled by others. One of these events will reach its climax here, but there are still a few others to be revealed shortly thereafter… which really means the chapter after this one as there's only so much further to go. xD
I'm not sure if any of it still remains unseen, but I'm going to pretend that it is and only reveal them as I'd planned. I did manage to keep my readers in the dark for my last major revelations, but I didn't quite feel like I did a good enough job of it this time.
~Strawberry Panic: The Second Year~
Spica's Student Council Office is a flurry of scattered papers and smudges on several white boards. Had the other members of the Student Council been present, there would surely be words, however, time is slowly whittling away and each passing second only causes the disarray to worsen. The recent obstacles have caused irreparable damage to everything Makoto has worked towards. Nothing she's concocted has the capability of mending the situation and the time she spends trying to formulate another plan only raises her anxiety. There are only days before all candidates must announce themselves. Miator's candidates have already declared their entry, two of their Student Council's members who are a well-known and beloved couple. The only pair that could combat such a strong opponent is Yaya and Tsubomi in Makoto's eyes and there is nothing she can do to heal the wounds they've suffered in time.
Proper Alignment
"Okay, now don't scream when I remove this." Asuka says, slowly moving her hands up to pull the gag from her captive's mouth.
The room they are in is barely lit, the only light being what can permeate the black sheets covering the windows. From what she can make of it, it's just another dorm room, decorated in much the same way as any other. It feels strange to her to have been abducted like this without winding up in a terrifying lair. Of course, her captor has more than fulfilled the terrifying aspect, what with her unblinking eyes and calm, emotionless countenance. There's also that sense of danger in her voice, but that could have simply been the result of stress and so there is a sense of danger to just about anything her captor might do or say. Requesting that she not scream didn't aid matters.
"I need you…" Asuka whispers, inching close to her, causing her to let out a squeal of fear, "to listen."
Once Asuka has untied the cloth covering Eiko's mouth, she quickly pushes the mad girl away to grumble, "You could have said that without the pause, you know?!"
"Oh, sorry about that." Asuka realises, rubbing the back of her head in embarrassment, "In any event, I need you to listen, Eiko-chan. Please give me the chance to explain."
Eiko shifts uneasily, considering whether agreeing to Asuka's request was the better option between it and attempting escape. Of course, given how quickly she had been kidnapped, she decides the former option may actually be the only one afforded to her. She reluctantly nods, which, to her relief, Asuka takes as a cue to stand and give Eiko a bit of much appreciated breathing room. As the imposing girl paces about the room, struggling to find words to begin her tale, Eiko is allowed to see that she truly means no harm to her.
"I'm sorry, Eiko-chan." Asuka finally says, "I know your feelings for Tsubomi-san are real and you've wanted nothing more than to be with her."
She turns and sits on one of the beds, "It's a lie."
"What's a lie?" Eiko asks, now more concerned for her classmate than frightened.
"All of it." Asuka mutters, looking away, "It was all my doing."
"Your doing? What did you do?"
Asuka takes a breath before continuing, "That day when you saw the Etoile-sen flier. That was me. I dropped it in front of you when you were with Tsubomi-san."
"It was only a flier."
"And then when it wasn't doing enough, I was the one that pushed you into her. I saw the look in your eyes when you were on top of her. I counted on it."
Eiko is silenced by the revelation and moves to the far end of the bed to sit. Asuka takes notice of this, but proceeds to talk of her ill deeds. She recounts each of her many schemes in great detail, pausing to reflect on how she could have ever convinced herself of the good to result from any of them. Eiko absorbs every word and thinks back on how close those actions had gotten her to her precious Tsubomi-senpai. One common thought arises from them and that is that each of those wonderful moments was tainted. According to Asuka, had she not interfered as much as she had, Tsubomi would have eventually found her way to Yaya. At first, such assumptions seem implausible, but Eiko is reminded of how it had all began and the unwanted truth creeps forth in her mind. The whole of her time spent with her Tsubomi-senpai recently started with that day and the flier that appeared before them.
"I was going to choir practice, but the location was changed suddenly." Her voice speaks for her while she is still lost in her thoughts.
"Yes, it was." Asuka replies in a whisper.
Eiko can't accept this, standing with a start and staggering towards the door. Asuka knows she would react like this, but there is still more to say. She needs Eiko to understand so that they'll have a chance at bringing Yaya and Tsubomi back together, though even just the undoing of that wrong means Asuka will have brought pain to someone else.
"Wait!" She calls out, tackling the smaller girl to the floor, "I can't fix this by myself."
"Let me go!" Eiko screams, struggling against her, but to no avail.
Asuka is stronger. She is more aggressive, perhaps more so than any in Spica. She has easily pinned Eiko to the floor, using her own body to steady herself over Eiko as her hands hold the girl's arms down. Try as she might, none of her docile moves pose any threat to Asuka and she soon resigns herself to whatever fate the girl has for her. After Asuka takes a few recovering breaths, she, too, notices, but this only allows her to realise what role she's assumed between them, the same role, she comes to see, that she'd assumed with Yaya. She's the aggressor, a villain that forces her desires on others. Her victims aren't willing enough to sink to the depths she'd go and so they fall before her. As she reaches this epiphany, she freezes, shock keeping her from any further action. Eiko soon sees her assailant stayed and makes a successful attempt at freeing herself, quickly going for the door and escaping.
Asuka remains on the ground for a moment longer before the weight of her crimes becomes too much and she collapses on her side, curling up to clutch her knees to her chest. Her eyes stare out unblinking as her mind reviews her past actions again, this time viewing them in an even harsher light.
"You're sure?" Amane asks.
"We heard her clearly. After all, she wanted us to hear." Kaname replies, going for a seat on the wooden fence surrounding the stable.
"It doesn't sound like her is all." Amane remarks, considering the information as she brushes Starbride's mane.
"Doesn't it?" Kaname muses, "Must you keep to your fancies about the girl? She's not quite as benevolent as you've fooled yourself into believing, Etoile-sama."
Amane shoots a look at her, but accepts what's been said, "We can use that."
"My thoughts exactly."
"It's as if she doesn't know that this behaviour is what we're trying to evoke in her."
"Oh, she didn't know." Kaname suggests, "I'm fairly certain she knows now."
Amane strokes her chin in contemplation, "We should let her see it through. When she succeeds, it should make it clear how competitive she actually is and we'll be able to get through to her then."
"You're confident, aren't you? So she'll undoubtedly succeed where everyone has failed thus far?"
"Everyone being your understudy?"
"Well, I wouldn't say young Fushimi-chan or Inoue-chan have had better progress."
"Shizuka-chan will." Amane states, starting to walk Starbride back to her stall.
The two closely track the movements of Lulim's Star following their meeting. This proves to be tedious; Shizuka, they find, is skilled at letting herself be found only when she wants. However, it isn't long before one of those instances occurs. The two of them follow her as she leads them to a class building in Spica, their curiosity peaked as Shizuka had hardly ever set foot on Spica grounds. The hardest part of their spying comes at the stairs as the proper distance needed is rather great. It nearly costs them when Amane has to "heroically" lift herself on the handrails to catch a glimpse of Shizuka's ebony strands disappearing on the third floor, which the two would have missed at such a large distance of separation. The girl has nearly reached the end of the hallway by the time they arrive on the level.
"Where is she goi-" Kaname starts to ask, but Amane stops her.
As they look on, they see Tsubomi arriving, moving down the hall in the same direction as Shizuka. Once she rounds the corner, they move to follow her, pondering whether her appearance is coincidence or the reason why Shizuka has come to Spica. Once they themselves reach the corner, Kaname peers out to scan the adjoining hallway before they proceed. She stifles a gasp, which Amane takes notice, peeking out herself. From one of the rooms, Yaya enters the hall, coming face to face with Tsubomi for the first time since Asuka's plans began. The spying pair deduces that this is part of Shizuka's plan to repair their relationship and ready them for the Etoile-sen, though there is significant doubt in their minds as to how effective this direct confrontation will be.
Both Yaya and Tsubomi seem surprised at the other's presence, but their situation has grown too awkward for either of them to give voice to what's on their minds. Yaya remains at the door, unsure of what to do. Tsubomi, likewise, doesn't take another step forward. She'd been on her way back to the dorms after going to an impromptu choir practice set up by Eiko or so she had been told. No one had been there where she was told the practice would be. Yaya, likewise, had been led to the classroom by a message from Kizuna, something about making peace, but Kizuna was nowhere to be found.
With neither making a move, Amane motions to Kaname to intervene on Shizuka's behalf. They need to ensure the Lulim Star accomplish her scheme to further their own. Otherwise, they may lose any of the ground they believe they've gained with her. Amane takes the first steps around the corner towards the intended couple, but feels a hand on her shoulder just then. Shizuka stops them, signaling for them to be quiet and follow her away. Trading looks with Kaname, the two leave Yaya and Tsubomi to play out whatever plan is in motion. They pray for its success given how much hinges on them coming together.
"She was in pain." Asuka whispers to herself, still huddled upon the floor of her room, "My most precious Yaya-senpai was in so much pain."
Since Eiko's departure, memories of the past few days come flooding into her mind. These memories are different than she remembers them as her eyes have been made clear.
"I suppose it's your innocence." She continues to say, seemingly speaking to Eiko in spite of the girl's absence, "Yaya-senpai seems so strong-willed, I could delude myself into believing what I wanted, but you gave me the drastic contrast I needed to see."
Asuka supposes the same could be said about the Etoile. Yaya, despite the respect she should have shown to Hikari as Etoile, played tricks on her and teased her. However, each of them was harmless, meant only in fun. That was who her Yaya-senpai was, a prankster, but benevolent regardless. It was even this quality that attracted Asuka in the first. However, Asuka, much as she'd noticed of Eiko, had taken that characteristic too far. She supposes this is due to their youth, exaggerating a desirable aspect of their loved ones' personality in order to feel closer to them.
"Not that that's a viable excuse…" She admits, "It isn't as if Eiko-chan mimicking Tsubomi-san's stickler ways hurt anyone. Annoying them, maybe, but nothing compared to what I've done."
She finally uncurls herself and props herself up on her arms, "I used them… How did I not see that?"
Lifting herself up, she pats the dust from her clothes before making her way towards her covered windows, "No, I did see. I used poor Eiko-chan to keep Tsubomi-san away from my Yaya-senpai. I knew I was using them and I didn't care. But how could I not have figured out that I was also using Yaya-senpai?"
Cringing in disgust, she pulls the covers from the windows, allowing the light to flood inside. Seeing herself in its pristine glow only makes her feel worse, as though the shine unveiled her unclean hands. She tosses the black covers onto her bed and looks outside.
"It's difficult to detect, but Yaya-senpai isn't the dominant one in her relationships. She acts that way; it makes her seem like the more powerful one when she's always being cocky and playing around. But she isn't. I think it's to hide her frailty and vulnerable heart. And I violated that. I'm so sorry, Yaya-senpai."
She turns about, leaning against the wall between windows as her eyes trace from the floor back to her door, "And if she's the more vulnerable one, then that makes Tsubomi-san the stronger one."
The notion slowly works itself out in her mind; Tsubomi, despite being younger and yet another victim of Yaya's pranks, she has characteristics akin to Astraea's other prominent individuals. She's young, which means that part of her personality has yet to mature, but much like President Kaname or the Etoile, Ootori Amane, Tsubomi knows what goals she means to set for herself and proceeds toward reaching those goals. She is truly the person Yaya needs as she can be there to see her potential, nurturing it until it blossoms. She has the tenacity to motivate Yaya to it, as well.
"Even if I don't like it, I'm no good for her. With me, I'd only end up preying on her insecurities and holding her back. With Tsubomi-san, she could be Etoile. What did I make her except a problem for the other schools?" She voices aloud, hanging her head low.
"It's my fault." Makoto growls, her fingers digging into the edge of her desk in her anger, "I should have just told her she was perfect for the Etoile-sen."
Makoto shakes her head, "No, because she wasn't. Not then. Not yet. She was so close and my plan was working, but then all of it fell apart."
"I could blame that Asuka. I could blame Yaya herself. I could blame this failure on anyone, but in the end, it's still all too clear that I'm to blame."
"Percival…"
"And if I don't do something now? Spica cannot be without a candidate! I won't allow it and neither would Shion-senpai have. There must be a way!" Makoto all but shouts, pounding the surface of her desk.
"Kusanagi-san shou-"
The silver-maned Student Council member has no ear to heed Kagome this time. She frantically paces about the office, scattering pages of half-finished stratagems and notes filled with madness. She's been at it for days now, trying to seek out a solution that continues to elude her. Each time a new path fails to reach it, Makoto sinks into even deeper desperation. Through it all, Kagome has been at her side, though surprisingly, not even she knows how to help her. This has brought an unusual expression of worry and fear to her face as she watches Makoto's growing frustration.
"I'm helpless." The girl growls.
In defeat, Makoto slams her back against the far wall, sliding down to her knees as she let's the remainder of the papers in her hands to fall to the floor. Kagome gasps at this, her grip on Percival loosening as she takes a step closer to the fallen girl.
Yaya shifts uneasily and attempts to look away from Tsubomi, as if it isn't clear that she's been spotted by the girl. However, much as the recent events have affected Yaya, Tsubomi has become unsure of herself around her. Conflicting thoughts struggle against one another in her mind, neither gaining any ground. She wants to go to her, perhaps hug her or talk to her, at the least, but she does neither. Indecision breeds frustration and she grits her teeth.
Though looking away, Yaya senses the discomfort and thinks to make a joke, as she usually would, but no words make their way out of her mouth. Growing anxiety manifests itself as a slight shudder of her arms and quiver in her lips. Rather than seeking out a way to lighten the mood, she shifts her focus to hoping her awkwardness isn't visible to Tsubomi.
"I was so blind. All this time I'd been fantasising about being with Yaya-senpai, all I managed to do was ruin her life." Asuka speaks as she moves to her door, resting her forehead against it as she adds, "I've ruined the Etoile-sen."
The minutes are agonisingly long and the whole of Tsubomi's body trembles as she finds herself counting each one. She's been watching Yaya ignore her, her eyes fixated seemingly upon the upper left corner of one of the windows. Despite not seeing her face, it's quite obvious that the girl is in a similar emotional state. Yaya's condition has worsened from a mild shudder to verging on tears, which she fights to hide. Each of them prays for the other to say something and end their misery, but the longer they wait, the more difficult it becomes.
Finally, as she takes a deep breath to calm herself, Asuka moves to open the door and leave to… do something. Ideas begin to form again in her mind. Perhaps she could admit to either Yaya or Tsubomi of what she'd done. Perhaps to both of them. Perhaps she could seek out…
"Eiko?" She gasps in surprise as she finds the blonde before her, standing just outside her room.
Tears well up in her reddened eyes as she sniffles to fight them back. Her presence stuns Asuka who remains with her hand holding onto the doorknob, unsure of what else to do. Eiko's lips move a bit, as if she means to say something, but her silenced cries keep her from speech.
"I'm sorry." Asuka manages to say at last, but still makes no further move.
However, once she's heard the words, Eiko is roused and goes to embrace her, rubbing her topaz eyes of oncoming tears. She admits to Asuka that she's also known for some time that Tsubomi is in love with Yaya, but didn't want to believe it. Discovering that Asuka had been the sole reason for her recent time together with her senpai had overwhelmed her and so she'd fled. Once she left, the solitude allowed her to come to terms with the truth and she'd returned to apologise for running off only to hear Asuka's confession behind the door.
"They belong together, don't they?" She asks in a whisper.
"Yes," Asuka replies lowly, "but what will happen to them now?"
"I think they'll be fine." Eiko tell her, hugging her close, "It's only right that they will."
However, as the tension continues to rise throughout the hall they occupy, Yaya and Tsubomi appear to be anything but fine. Overcome by anger at her inaction, Tsubomi finally decides to make a move, taking a single step forward towards the bistre-haired girl shriveling by the window. Once her foot touching the floor, unfortunately, the sound it produces freezes both of them in place once more. She lets out several huffs of air, clenching her fists as a tear streams down her cheek.
"BAKA!" She screams before running away in tears.
Yaya gasps at the outburst, finally turning around to watch the girl disappear at the corner. She takes her eyes up to the ceiling and a woeful smile appears on her face. Her own eyes begin to water, but she holds them back with a sigh.
"I guess I am." She utters to herself, leaving in the opposite direction.
Author's Note: I was thinking to write another "BAM" here, but thought against it. xD Originally, I'd hoped to elabourate more on Asuka and Eiko's personalities and have them interact directly to set them up as another couple, but I couldn't fit it in. Therefore, I suppose I leave it up to you lot whether or not you'd prefer them to become a couple or to simple grow to become friends.
Also of note, I had Tsubomi scream "baka" rather than "idiot" as I feel there are significant differences in how each word is received. I felt our "idiot" doesn't carry as much weight as the Japanese consider "baka" and I wanted to convey Tsubomi's anguish over the situation. Unlike Asuka has figured out, neither Tsubomi nor Yaya have come to realise their roles in the relationship. Speaking of roles, this is another Japanese concept known as the seme and the uke. The seme is a stronger and more forward person in any given relationship. The uke is her opposite, more docile yet a balance for the seme. I feel that, while Yaya is more outwardly bold and she's clearly the seme between herself and Hikari, there were several scenes from the anime that show she's only so in order to hide her vulnerability, such as when she decided to leave the choir when she realised her "song" will never reach Hikari. Tsubomi, on the other hand, seems innocent and can fall victim to Yaya's mischief, but has also shown a strong and stubborn personality, staying firm to her decisions like staying with Yaya despite both of them keeping to the pretense of being interested only in Hikari. However, as she's only in her second year, that strong personality is immature, which leads to the outcome of this chapter. Don't worry, it won't be long before she figures it out. ^_^
次回予告
Kaname: Inconceivable!
Amane: And yet it works so well.
Kaname: And those two, as well?
Amane: Did you think it would be different?
Shizuka: Stones cast in the water ripple, but they soon dissipate.
Next time on Strawberry Panic, Puzzle Pieces!
Makoto: But isn't it too late?
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!
次回をお楽しみに