Just as Haruna predicted, it was indeed a sleepless night. She tossed and turned, but for once, in giddy excitement rather than anxious longing. Every time she rolled over, she caught a glimpse of the White Marguerite Miyu gave her earlier that day and it would only send her back into a spiral of wonder and delight all over again.

Ohhhh, she said it! She said it! She really, REALLY said it! She cares about me…Deeply…Haruna was thankful that her blush was hidden under covers. She tried to muffle her giggles, but it was so hard to contain the sheer, unfettered joy she felt!

Oh, but what the teacher said…about White Marguerites…Secret love…could it really be? Haruna bit her lip to hold back a squeal of excitement and nervousness. Even though she was still reeling, still on cloud nine, from Miyu's mutual love confession with her earlier, Haruna couldn't help but wonder and hope…In what way did Miyu love her? She was a naturally affectionate girl, so it wasn't always easy to tell what was romantic or what was platonic with her.

No! No…I mustn't…mustn't be greedy now! Miyu was generous enough already! To give me a flower from her personal garden…to tell me she…cared about me…Haruna tried to be grateful for that which Miyu had already given and done for her, but once again, Haruna's mind started to stray. But, what if..,? What if…she cared about me in THAT way?

Another nervous giggle escaped Haruna, and she buried her face into her pillow to stifle her next hopeless, helpless squeal. She simply had to ask tomorrow, she had to know! Did Miyu know the symbolism of the White Marguerite? Or was it just dumb luck since it was the only white flower she had? That seemed like the likeliest answer, but for some reason, tonight, Haruna felt brave enough to trust in her highest hopes.

Oh, come on, Haruna Kasuga! Get a grip! It's just…a fantasy! A childish, foolish fantasy! That's all! I shouldn't even be getting so worked up over it! It might not even be true! But then again, Haruna's hope of receiving a white corsage from Miyu also used to be nothing but a fantasy, and yet it still came true, so what if…? Haruna uttered another lovestruck sigh as her eye caught sight of the White Marguerite once more.

ooo

The next morning, Haruna met Miyu outside homeroom. Despite having stayed up most of the night thinking, Haruna didn't feel tired at all. Maybe that was a good sign?

"Good morning, Miyu!" Haruna greeted the other girl cheerfully, hoping she sounded charming and disarming. On the inside, though, her heart was pounding. It was White Day all over again! Only this time, Haruna was carrying a book about flowers rather than any actual flowers. It was called "the Language of Flowers", and she was going to use it as a conversation-starter to ask Miyu about the White Marguerite. It was brilliant!

"Oh, good morning, Haruna! You look lovely today!" Miyu waved to her.

"Eh?!" Haruna's eyes widened, and she straightened up. "I- I- I do?!" She immediately began to pat herself down, as if trying to remember what she was wearing, even though it was the same thing she and everyone else at the academy wore every single day. She smoothed her skirts, hoping desperately that there weren't any wrinkles or creases anywhere.

Ohhh…to be complimented by Miyu! I must be in Heaven! She truly is an angel! I can only hope that I look all right…

"Of course you do! You always do! I just meant that you look extra happy today, Haruna!" Miyu laughed and Haruna's heart nearly stopped again.

She- she laughed! I made her laugh!

"Oh! Oh! Uhhh, well, uhhh, I guess, uhhh, I guess it's just that kind of day!" Haruna stuttered. She was sure she was blushing like crazy right, and she felt like the world's biggest fool, but Miyu only continued to smile at her fondly. Gah! That smile! Why does she have to be so…so cute?

"Well, anyway, shall we head in?" Miyu gestured to the door.

"Huh? Oh! Right! Of course!" Haruna was quick to pull it open, holding it for Miyu and gesturing for her to step inside.

"Thank you!" Miyu smiled again and Haruna just barely held in a nervous laugh. It wasn't until the middle of attendance that Haruna remembered that she forgot to ask Miyu about the White Marguerite.

ooo

It really was like White Day all over again. No matter how many times Haruna tried to ask Miyu about the marguerite, something always came between them at the last second. First, Miyu had to rush to her next class before Haruna could pull her aside. She had a presentation and needed to be there early. Next, Kurumi wound up causing trouble in the east wing of the school, so Haruna had to go take care of it. Next, Haruna had to stay late after class to ask the teacher a question. Then, another student wound up reaching Miyu before Haruna could in order to ask her about Lyrical Lily's next conference and Haruna didn't have time to ask her once the other student finally went away.

At lunch, she and Miyu ate with Kurumi and Miiko, so that wasn't exactly the best time for a…potentially romantic conversation either.

Hehehe, potentially romantic…Oh, what a lovely idea that—Wait! Potentially romantic?! Hahaha, no, no, nonono! I must be going crazy! Haha, yeah, that must be it…There's nothing romantic about this! Oh…

Haruna sighed, staring down at her lunch. She suddenly wasn't very hungry…

"Hey, you going to eat that, Chairman?" Kurumi gestured to the dessert on Haruna's tray.

"Who are you calling Chairman?" Haruna snapped, blocking Kurumi from touching her dessert. But while her attention was drawn to Kurumi, Miiko swooped in from the other side and stole the dessert. "Miiko!" No, lunch was definitely not a good time to ask Miyu about anything serious.

Haruna couldn't help but think that if Miyu was an angel, kind and beautiful and sweet and dutiful, then Kurumi was a little devil! Honestly, sometimes Haruna felt as if she and Miyu were Kurumi and Miiko's parents. Haruna was the strict father trying to maintain order in the family while Miyu was the too-doting mother. It was…actually a rather cute way to conceptualize their—

Wait! What am I doing? Fantasizing about having a family with Miyu!? Hahahah, oh, nonono, like I thought before, I surely must be going crazy! Crazy with love…All of her irritation with Kurumi and Miiko was replaced by another fantasy about Miyu.

But even after lunch, there was never a good time to ask Miyu about anything. Next class, it was Haruna's turn to be approached by another student. Then, the class after that, Miiko was caught causing trouble in the school's west wing, and Haruna again had to take care of it. Then, for the last class of the day, it was Miyu's turn to need to stay behind to ask the teacher a question. Meanwhile, Haruna needed to dash away because she had a meeting with the Disciplinary Committee that day. Ah well, there was always after the meeting…right?

ooo

"Hey! Haruna!" Ah! Finally! Luck was on Haruna's side! The very first person she saw after her Committee meeting was Miyu.

"Miyu!" Haruna waved to her in relief and excitement. As she made her way over to Miyu, she reached into her bag. At last, her "Language of Flowers" book would finally—! Wait. Where…where was it? Haruna's blood ran cold as she stopped to peer inside her bag.

Oh, no! Did I leave it somewhere? I must've forgotten it in my last class! I was in such a hurry to get to my meeting! Now luck was working in reverse. Because Haruna tried to flag Miyu down before their last class started, she left the book on her desk in hopes that Miyu would notice and ask. Alas, it did not happen, so Haruna slipped the book under her desk dejectedly. Then, because it was a book she was not used to carrying, and she had to reach her Committee meeting, she completely forgot to grab it before running out of the classroom.

"Is something wrong, Haruna?" Miyu asked, concerned, noting the look of intense despair on the other girl's face.

"Oh, it's nothing, Miyu," Haruna sighed, shoulders slumping.

"Oh, come now, Haruna, I thought we talked about this?" Even though Miyu's tone was gentle, she put her hands on her hips, giving Haruna a firm stare. "We promised that you would allow yourself to rely on others when you need the help, and that you wouldn't just bottle things up anymore!"

"Miyu…" Haruna gave Miyu a pleading look, but Miyu only shook her head firmly. Haruna sighed again. "Y-you're right…" Oh, how much like a Disciplinary Committee member Miyu looked, standing there with such determination and care on her face. Haruna felt herself fall even deeper in love with Miyu. This was exactly what attracted the redhead to the other girl in the first place!

"No more secrets between us, Haruna." Miyu's expression softened slightly.

"You're right," Haruna repeated, but it still took her time to muster up the courage to say anything. She knew she could just ask outright, but the White Day event made it clear that she was horrible about asking outright. That was what the book was supposed to be for! A smooth transition into the conversation! Well, clearly, fate had other plans…

And now Miyu is waiting for me to say something! Haruna fretted. I feel like such an ignoramus! I'm sure she'll think I am, too, once she finds out…Ohhh…Haruna had to bite back a whimper of disappointment in herself.

Then again, this is Miyu I'm talking to…She gave me such a wonderful gift barely a day prior! And like she said, she WANTS me to be more open with her, so surely she wouldn't be mad at me if…

It was clear Haruna didn't like the idea of being that vulnerable around Miyu, but she tried to talk herself out of her fear by reminding herself that Miyu had asked for her honesty first. It wasn't like Haruna was inconveniencing her by thrusting it upon her!…Right?

While Haruna's inner turmoil raged on, Miyu's look became increasingly sympathetic. Perhaps I should not have put her on the spot so suddenly, especially when she looks so troubled! The pink-haired girl thought guiltily. But not to worry! It was an easy fix! Perhaps, if she spoke first, that would break the ice and give Haruna the confidence she needed to say whatever it was that was on her mind.

"By the way, I noticed you left a book under your desk. You ran out so quickly, I didn't have time to give it to you sooner." Miyu reached into her own bag and pulled out "the Language of Flowers" guide. "I didn't know you were into this sort of thing, Haruna. Oh, but don't get me wrong! It looks very interesting!" She smiled reassuringly as she held the book out to the other girl.

For a moment, Haruna could only gawk. Th-the book…MY book…For the third time that day, Haruna couldn't help but be reminded of White Day. All of her carefully-laid plans failed to come to fruition, and yet, things still worked out in the end, even if not exactly in the way she expected. Maybe that was a sign…?

"Miyu…Thank you," Haruna took the book, beaming. She suddenly felt a rush of calm wash over her. Life had handed her this golden opportunity, she would not waste it! "I got this book after you gave me the White Marguerite yesterday," she said. "Do you know what it symbolizes?"

"Oh, no," Miyu admitted, looking bashful. "Could you tell me? Or may I check?"

For a split second, some of Haruna's calm was replaced by disappointment. Ah, so she DIDN'T give me that flower because of some secret love she felt for me…But that didn't mean it was too late to ask! The disappointment was replaced by confidence, and even Haruna noted how strange it was for her to feel so bold, but she held the book back out to Miyu, smiling. As soon as Miyu found the page with White Marguerites on it, her pink eyes widened.

"I know it was not your intention," Haruna said, looking away shyly, "But…I still really appreciate it."

"Oh…Haruna…" Now it was Miyu's turn to flounder, wondering what she ought to say next. Haruna was correct that Miyu had only chosen the White Marguerite for its color rather than its meaning, but after reading from Haruna's book, it started to make Miyu think as well. It wasn't something she'd ever really considered before, but now that she was faced with it, she couldn't find any cause to disbelieve it.

Haruna is the person I'm closest to, and the one I love and trust the most. I feel the most comfortable around her. Oh, I love all my friends! Make no mistake! But Haruna? She's…something special. She's really, really near and dear to me…I just have so much respect and admiration for her, and for all that she does! Even if she's a little rough around the edges, and even if she gets carried away at times, she has such a good heart.

What wasn't to love about that?

"It's ok if you don't," Haruna shrugged. Even she couldn't tell if she meant that or not. "I just thought you ought to know…"

"No! I'm glad you told me!" Miyu said quickly. "Because…I think…Maybe it's true…"

"Huh?!"

"I…never really thought about it before, but…the more that I think about it…" Maybe it was such a secret love, even Miyu hadn't realized at first.

She stumbled carefully through her words, trying to find the best way to explain it to Haruna. One speech and five minutes later, she was certain she must've done a good job because Haruna looked just as starstruck and close to crying now as she had yesterday.

"Oh, Miyu!" She lunged towards the other girl, arms open wide, stopping only an inch away. "Uhhh, it's…it's…it's all right if I hug you, right?"

"Of course, Haruna, you don't have to ask," Miyu smiled, setting the book down to accept Haruna's embrace. "And actually…I have another gift for you as well," she said during the embrace.

"Oh?" Haruna's eyes widened as she pulled away to look into Miyu's. Miyu only nodded, the smile on her face turning downright mischievous. Before Haruna could ask, Miyu suddenly pressed forward and kissed her. She only kissed once, and it was a small one at that, but it was enough to make Haruna freeze up completely as she felt Miyu's soft, sweet lips connect with her own.

"Haruna? Are you ok? Haruna?" Just before Miyu could worry that maybe she'd been a little too forward, Haruna's face split into the widest smile Miyu had ever seen. She gave a very undignified, unladylike squeal of childish and blissful delight.

"Oh! You mean it?! You really, really, really mean it?!" she cried, and the moment Miyu managed a nod, Haruna squealed again. "Oh, Miyu! You've made me so happy! This is the best day of my life!"

Just like before, she lunged forward, stopping only an inch away from Miyu's face. "Ah, it's all right if I, uhh, uhh, if I, uhh…"

Miyu's surprised expression melted back into a warm, friendly smile. "Sure," she said, then she leaned forward too, closing the gap between herself and Haruna for a second time.

What a beautiful, secret love, Haruna managed to think through a dreamy haze.

Even more wonderful, today, she was the only witness to the magical moment. Yesterday, Kurumi and Miiko watched from the shadows. As much as Haruna appreciated their…supervision, she much preferred this setting where she could kiss Miyu freely, alone. The only thing watching them now was the book lying open on the ground between them. It was still open on the page with the White Marguerite.

AN: That Event Episode - White Corsage of Dearest Love… I don't even have words… I watched it SO MANY TIMES OMG, IT'S SO FREAKING CUTE! Ok sorry, I'm done, LOL! (Honestly, any time Haruna's speaking and it's about Miyu, or Miyu's there… hnnngh!)