Chapter 4

Epilogue: What Lies in the Future

Late that night, the two couples are sitting at the round table, having their usual Tea Party together, chatting and giggling. It's been a few days since the Etoile Election. Yaya and Hikari got elected as Etoile and done a few paper work here and there. Nagisa and Tamao haven't heard from them for a few days until today when they planned to have this tea party as a celebration. The four girls are quite happy with the results, quite frankly. Not only did Yaya and Hikari win, but Tamao has gotten the girl of her dreams.

"So…how does it feel to be the Etoile~?" Tamao clasps her hands together to get everyone's attention.

Hikari shyly looks away, fiddling with her fingers. "W-well um…it's a little difficult to get used to but…with Yaya-chan by my side…I don't feel as nervous."

Yaya brightens and hugs her girlfriend. "Awwwww, that's the most sweetest thing you've ever said! I'm so happy~!"

Nagisa laughs at this cuteness. "I'm very happy for you guys."

"And~?" Yaya looks over at the cute redhead. "Tell us, Nagisa-san. How does it feel to be a real couple with Tamao-san~?"

"Y-you're asking ME this?" Nagisa jumps at the question. "That would be a question for Tamao to answer."

"I want to know how YOU feel about it~" Yaya winks.

Nagisa fiddles with her fingers, then looks over at the bluenette, who smiles sweetly. She then turns to Yaya and Hikari, taking a few deep breaths.

"Well…I feel like we are the happiest we can be~" Nagisa replies with a smile. "We are free from the hurt we have been holding inside, we don't have to worry about anyone interfering. Everything is fine~!"

"I'm very glad to hear it~" Yaya says. "You two make a perfect match, as far as I can see."

"I agree~" Hikari says. "You two are perfect together~"

Tamao gasps happily and hugs her lover. "Did you hear that, Nagisa-chan~? She said we are a perfect fit! That makes me so happy!"

"Tamao-chan…~" Nagisa cannot help but laugh and hug her back.

Yaya and Hikari share some soft giggles and then the four of them drink their tea and eat their snacks.

"I wonder how Shizuma-sama is doing," Nagisa suddenly asks.

Tamao deadpans. "Do we REALLY need to talk about that woman?"

"I mean, even though she hurt me, I'm still a bit curious after what happened at the election," Nagisa replies. "She was hurt, too. She wanted to love someone to fill her heart. But…even then she couldn't forget about Kaori."

"Who's Kaori?" Yaya asks.

"The previous Etoile who passed away," Tamao says. "it's a long story."

"I see," Yaya sips on her tea.

"Honestly, I heard Shizuma-sama's going through a tough time," Hikari says. "Having been heartbroken like that…"

"Wasn't she planning on moving out of Astrea Hill once she graduates?" Tamao asks.

"I heard about that, too," Yaya says. "She's probably going to a new place far away."

"Well then…" Nagisa says. "I pray the best for her."

"Nagisa-chaaaan…" Tamao sighs heavily.

"What?" the cute redhead turns to her lover.

Yaya giggles. "Tamao-san's probably mad that you're still the same kind and sweet person you always are~"

"I…may have gone a bit too far?" Nagisa rubs the back of her head, laughing nervously. "But, even so, despite everything, I still need to respect her."

"Oh, you…!" Tamao hugs the cute redhead. "Let's not talk about it anymore. This is just us and having a celebration for our two new Etoile!"

"That's right~" Yaya says, holding her cup of tea up. "Wish us luck on our big responsibility for our new role here at this school."

"Cheers!" The four of them chorus and clink their tea cups.

**Next Day**

"Nanto-san and Konohana-san as the new Etoile!"

"That's amazing! Oh, my gosh! Look how beautiful they are together!"

"I cannot get enough of these two! I am very surprised Nanto-san competed!"

"I wish the two new Etoile the best!"

Yaya and Hikari are very well respected now that they have become the Etoile. Mostly, Hikari since before she wasn't as popular, and have been the target of bullying thanks to two certain girls. But now, as Etoile, she's become loved and respected, as the Etoile should be. And Yaya cannot be any happier.

School comes and goes until Yaya and Hikari are free to do one of their responsibilities as Etoile. One of them is attending the Green House, the one that is exclusive for Etoile to love and care for the flowers. For Yaya and Hikari, that is just fine. They can smell and admire the flowers while caring for them as much as they want. And so they do.

They arrange, water and sort the flowers out as time goes by. Yaya and Hikari share some giggles and talk for a little while as they plant new flowers in the small pots. Once they are done, they take a minute to admire their work before giving nods of satisfaction. They clean up and put the materials away when Nagisa and Tamao enter the Green House. The red and blue haired girls admire the new plants blooming while the other ones were just sorted out nicely.

"Nice work, you two~" Tamao says.

"This place gets more and more beautiful~" Nagisa comments.

"Hikari and I make a great team~" Yaya puts an arm around her girlfriend's shoulder.

The four girls share some giggles and the two new Etoile proceed to show them around.

However, something catches Nagisa's eye from the other side of the glass. She sees Shizuma…with three other people beside her. Looking back at her dear friends and girlfriend, they seem to be busy, so it shouldn't be a problem if she's gone for a little bit. She hurries out of the greenhouse and picks a hiding spot behind a tree to take a closer look.

She sees Miyuki in front of the silver haired beauty. The two other girls, Mizuho and Hitomi were on both sides of her. Nagisa figures out that they must have comforted Shizuma in many ways possible ever since the election. The silver haired beauty is in a better mood now.

The short haired student council president takes a knee and whips out a small blue box. Shizuma gasps, cupping a hand to her mouth as she sees a diamond ring revealed. Mizuho and Hitomi clap their hands as soon as Shizuma gladly accepts the proposal. Miyuki smiles and stands back up to take her new beloved's hands in her own. They lean in and share a kiss. Mizuho and Hitomi have their turn and kiss Shizuma on both cheeks.

Nagisa just smiles. She hoped that one day, Shizuma would have a better life despite the things that happened to her in the past. And now, right in front of her, it's all coming true. With her mission complete, she hurries back to the green house just in time for the other girls to turn around and notice the cute redhead pretending to admire one of the fully grown flowers.

"What are you up to, Nagisa-chan~?" Tamao asks.

"Yeah, why are you over there?" Yaya questions.

"It's nothing," Nagisa shakes her head and stands up. "I just think you two did a wonderful job of taking care of these flowers."

Yaya chuckles and pets the cute redhead. "You silly~"

"Let's go back, Nagisa-chan~" Tamao links arms with her beloved. "Let these two enjoy themselves~"

"Sure thing~" Nagisa nods. "I'll be seeing you two!"

"See you~!" Hikari waves.

"We will see you tonight~!" Yaya says. "Our usual Midnight Tea Party~"

Nagisa and Tamao nod and wave good-bye to their comrades before leaving the greenhouse. Together, they head back to the Strawberry Dorms, arms linked, happily giggling.

What lies in the future is up to them. Nagisa has chosen her future with Tamao. Yaya has chosen hers with Hikari as the new Etoile. And Shizuma…she chose her future to be with the ones that knew her ever since childhood. And for Nagisa…that is the best decision the former Etoile has made to fix her broken heart.

A/N: Please hear me out. I know I despise Shizuma, so why am I including her in this story? Because I'm the kind of person who ships girls as much as I want. When I see them click, i ship them. I know most people aren't familiar with Mizuho and Hitomi since they are just side characters, but still.

That's why I decided on a foursome with Shizuma. The childhood friend shipping is the best I can come up with.

And I wrote this epilogue just because. XD

Hope you like it, even if you didn't because I put Shizuma in there, you should still enjoy it. XD

P.S: Nadaoriginal, okay. I understand. But I can help you expand our mind just like Mike Powell says. The BEAUTIFUL ones kinda ruined me since Kannazuki no Miko, so I immediately ship Yaya x Hikari because of that. And i've been told that Nagisa x Tamao are a better ship by some people, so that's why I came to ship them together.

Have a nice day.