Chapter 3

The Only One For Me

It is time. The Etoile elections are underway and the audience are watching in anticipation. Shion clears her throat, hand still holding the mic.

"Would the candidates please turn toward their partners? We are headed toward the dance room as we speak," Shion says. "See who can perform the dance the most passionately. Only then we can see who will be worthy of being Etoile."

Everyone else follows the main candidates and the Student Council Presidents to the next room where the dance takes place. When they gather around in a very large circle, the candidates walk to center stage. Tamao takes her best friend's hand and wraps an arm around her slender waist, pulling her close. Nagisa gives a small gasp and Tamao just smiles. They then hear the slow music playing and the two start to dance, slowly and passionately.

Yaya and Hikari start to dance as well. The shy blonde takes baby steps from side to side. Yaya gives a small chuckle as she guides her gently, swaying from side to side. Hikari giggles softly and follows Yaya's steps. She does it perfectly shortly after and this makes the raven haired girl smile. They continue to waltz, their long hair swaying gracefully and their dresses swaying from the movement as well.

Miyuki watches Nagisa and Tamao for a bit before darting her eyes toward Yaya and Hikari. In all honesty, both of them look beautiful in their dances, but...

"Seems that Hikari-chan and Yaya-chan look more beautiful this way~" Chikaru chimes in.

"Are you just saying that because of their appearance?" Shion asks with a raises eyebrow.

"Not at all~" Chikaru replies. "The way they dance is beautiful as well. Do you think they will have a chance at winning~?"

"Only time will tell," Miyuki says as she looks at Nagisa and Tamao again.

Both of the youngsters have cute smiles on their faces as they gaze at one another. It's like they are in their own little world. Miyuki can hope they will win the election. She believes they have potential.

*Meanwhile*

Shizuma walks along the long path, looking up at the cloudy sky. She cannot forget about her beloved Nagisa, not after letting her go. Why is it so hard to let go of her? Why is her heart still beating for her when she willingly told her to forget about her? Something just isn't right. The memories of Nagisa still swims in Shizuma's mind. The good times they shared during the school year. They even studied together. They laughed together, practiced the play together and lots of other things she can recall that was meaningful to her. She cannot let those go at all.

She approaches the big tree, the place where she first met Nagisa. Putting her hand on it, Shizuma presses her forehead against the bark and closes her eyes.

*Etoile Elections*

The dancing has come to an end and now it's time for the vows. Shion gets on the mic again and the four main candidates stand on each side of Shion. Nagisa and Tamao on Shion's right and Yaya and Hikari on the blonde's left. The audience hold their breath as Shion speaks up.

"Alright, ladies," the blonde speaks. "I will now do the vows. Each candidate shall give her vows to her partner, the best of her ability and the vote will depend on the audience's reaction. Let's start with Yaya and Hikari." She turns to the beautiful couple. "Yaya Nanto, do you vow to protect the one beside you?"

"I swear to protect her," Yaya says with a serious face.

"Then demonstrate your vow," Shion instructs.

Yaya turns to Hikari with a serious expression. Hikari gasps a little in surprise, but when the raven haired girl gives a nod, the shy girl knows what she is talking about. She wraps her arms around Yaya's neck and the raven haired girl scoops her up, now putting her in a Princess Carry.

"I solemnly vow to protect my beloved," Yaya says.

The girls give super loud squeals and cheers that fill the room completely.

"Well, this is somewhat expected," Shion says. "But we still need to do Tamao and Nagisa of Saint Miator."

Tamao takes Nagisa's hand, squeezing it gently but firmly. The cute redhead turns to her best friend. The bluenette looks back and gives a confident smile.

"Do you, Tamao Suzumi, protect your beloved with all your heart?" Shion asks.

"I swear to protect her," Tamao replies.

"Then demonstrate your vow," Shion instructs.

Tamao takes a few small steps back, her hand still holding Nagisa's. She performs a curtsy with her other hand and then leans down to kiss Nagisa's back palm with her lips. She pulls away.

"I solemnly vow to protect my beloved," Tamao says.

The crowd goes wild, but not as intense as Yaya and Hikari's vow. Shion gives a little nod.

"Very good," Shion says. "Now then, onto the next thing..."

*Meanwhile*

Shizuma opens her eyes. She is still standing near the tree. She grits her teeth and clenches her fist. She has made up her mind. She will take back Nagisa, apologize to her for everything and see if she can truly get back together with her. She is not whole without her beloved redhead.

"Nagisa..." Shizuma mutters.

She doesn't care if the elections are still going on. She HAS to talk to Nagisa and set things right! With that in mind, she turns and dashes toward the church. She hopes she is not too late.

*Etoile Elections*

"Alright then," Shion says. "The results are in. I will now announce the winner of the Etoile Elections."

The girls hold their breath, including the main candidates. Tamao and Nagisa gulp, squeezing each other's hands tightly. The same can be said for Yaya and Hikari. The suspense is killing them.

Just then, everyone gets startled by the sound of the door creaking open. They all look toward an exhausted Shizuma standing at the doorway. Miyuki gasps in surprise while Chikaru just giggles. Shizuma gives a long sigh and then starts strutting toward the chapel.

"What is SHE doing here...?" Tamao mutters, giving the silver haired beauty a glare.

Nagisa can ask the same thing, but she is so shocked of Shizuma's arrival that she is unable to speak. Shizuma takes on last step that makes a small echo.

"Nagisa!" The silver haired beauty calls out. She holds out her hand. "I love you!"

Nagisa gasps in shock. Everyone else does as well. Tamao starts shaking and then lets out a shaky sigh. She should've known this would come. Shizuma cannot let go of Nagisa after all. Even after all of THAT...Tamao stands no chance against the beauty that is Shizuma. Yaya looks at Tamao's hurt expression. Something is not right about this.

"But...but...!" Nagisa shakes her head, having a pitiful look on her face. She doesn't know what to say or do. She has found a new lover...she was ready to move on but...

"Nagisa!" Shizuma calls, spreading her arms wide.

"She cannot help herself, couldn't she...?" Tamao whispers as she pulls Nagisa close.

"Tamao-chan...?" Nagisa says.

"Go to her..." Tamao says. She unties Nagisa's ribbon and pushes her away.

Nagisa turns to her best friend and then at Shizuma. Tamao gives a sad nod, telling her to go and not worry about her. Nagisa glances at the silver haired beauty again and then hangs her head low.

"I...cannot..." The redhead mutters. "I cannot...go back..."

"What are you saying!?" Tamao gasps. "I don't deserve you! Shizuma-sama was right! I am no match for her when it comes to love!"

"That's right," Shizuma says. "Nagisa, I want to make up and tell you that I want to truly be with you. My desire for you still stands."

But Yaya steps in front of the silver haired beauty, holding out her hand.

"Leave her," she says sternly.

"This doesn't concern you," Shizuma frowns.

"These are my friends," Yaya says. "I think they are very much my concern when they are in trouble."

"Yaya-chan~!" Hikari swoons.

Yaya turns toward Nagisa and gives her a wink. The cute redhead turns toward Tamao, who is still hurt by all this.

"No...Nagisa-chan..." Tamao is crying. "Don't force yourself to be with me out of pity! Go with your true love! She's right there! I'll be fine! I'll be...fine..." She clenches her fists to her chest and starts to sob.

Nagisa walks toward her and hugs her. "No...Tamao-chan. YOU are my true love. Not Shizuma-sama."

"What the!?" Shizuma gasps.

"I will not go through that again," Nagisa says to Tamao. "You are much better than her. I will never love anyone else other than you, Tamao-chan."

"N-Nagisa-chan...?" Tamao pulls away, tears falling from her eyes.

Nagisa gives a gentle smile and wipes the tears from her eyes. "I love you, Tamao-chan~"

They intertwine hands and lean in to share a passionate kiss. Shizuma drops to her knees, defeated. Yaya grins.

"Seems like she has decided~" the raven haired girl says. "There is nothing you can do now." She walks away and rejoins Hikari.

Shizuma shakes her head roughly and then turns to dash away, sobbing, exiting the chapel. Miyuki dashes after her. Chikaru grabs the mic from Shion and clears her throat with a giggle.

"Ufufu! That was rather an intense interruption," The Lulim President says. "But we still need to announce the results~" She takes the envelope. "The winners of the Etoile Election are...Yaya Nanto and Hikari Konohana!"

Yaya and Hikari gasp happily as the crowd cheers loudly. Tamao and Nagisa applaud for their friends' victory.

"We won..." Yaya's eyes brim with happy tears. "We won...Hikari..."

"Yes...it's wonderful, Yaya-chan!" Hikari says.

Shion hands both of the candidates beautiful necklaces. But Yaya decides to put one on for Hikari. She gently puts the necklace on her beloved. The blonde turns around and the blue jewel sparkles before the raven haired girl's eyes. Hikari smiles an angelic smile, which makes her heart race. The shy girl then offers to put the necklace on Yaya. The raven haired girl obliges and lets her beloved put the necklace on her. When it's done, the two winners face the audience and wave to them. Tamao and Nagisa continue to applaud with smiles on their faces. Even though they didn't win, what matters the most is that Tamao has won Nagisa's heart.

A/N:And that's a wrap!

So yeah. I went for the most beautiful ones of Strawberry Panic. Forgive me for choosing them but just a couple fics had Nagisa and Tamao the winners of the election. I mean, don't get me wrong, them being the winners is great. But I wanted to change things around. XD

Anyways, hope you guys liked my "Should've Been" story. I may do more Strawberry Panic stories in the future.

Have a nice day!