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TITLE: Intents and Purposes
SERIES: My Otome
AUTHOR: Dreiser
EMAIL: dreiser7@yahoo.com
YAHOO ID: dreiser7
MY WEBSITE: http://www.dreiser.org/
CONTENT: F/F romance. F/F sex. Haruka/Yukino.
SUMMARY: Haruka Armitage and Yukino Chrysant have done everything in their lives for a common purpose with a shared intent.
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but my habit of only watching anime a year or more after it's released and is highly recommended to me.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I like My Otome so much more than My HiME. Hands down, Haruka and Yukino are my favorite couple. I really prefer their characterizations in My Otome and I wanted to write a fanfic exploring the history of their relationship. This first chapter is a lot shorter than the others will be since it's just them as young kids and how they first meet.
Intents and Purposes
By: Dreiser
One
Haruka Armitage was seven years old when her father, Daisuke, was promoted to the rank of General in the Republic of Aries army. Shortly after they celebrated this great personal victory, once again they were packing, moving from the distant southern lands of their country to the far north and the capital city of Caeles. Her father would be working in The Hexagon, where her mother often was assigned as a Captain in the Aries Rangers Special Forces. The Hexagon was the heart of the Aries democracy, where the President lived, the Senate had their sessions, and even as a little girl Haruka knew it was a great thing, both her parents working there.
Just like she knew it was a great thing that one of the Senators who worked in The Hexagon was throwing her father a party to congratulate him on the promotion and welcome him to the capital city. Her mother told her that Senator Makoto Chrysant was an old friend and he had once served in the same army unit as her father. Although Haruka knew all these things it didn't stop her from being bored at this stuffy grown up party. Heaving a large sigh, Haruka gazed out the long windows of the crowded room and fixed on the sight of another girl who had managed to escape the gathering of adults. The girl was far in the distance, sitting on the green lawn of the yard, resting against an impressive tree that shaded her from the sun as she read a book. Looking up at her parents and seeing them busily chatting with the Chrysants, Haruka decided to try and make a break for it. Taking several slow steps backwards until she was at the door, she slowly pushed it open, and the moment she was outside she took off in a run, a large grin spreading across her features, glad to be free of the grown ups and their dull conversation.
She loved to run, she loved any physical activity really, running, jumping, biking, swimming, the sports of the world, Haruka loved them all. There was a happy sort of exhaustion granted in playing hard and this had been taught to her by her parents. Even if your muscles ached it was in such a strangely pleasant way and Haruka accepted this need to be active as a natural part of herself just like she accepted she would always find studying and school painfully dreary at the best of times. Her running came to an abrupt halt as she reached the girl she had seen in the distance. The girl looked to be slightly older than her with short brown hair and small glasses that slid down the bridge of her nose and she didn't notice Haruka's approach, she was so absorbed in reading her book.
"Oi," Haruka grunted, an unconscious mimic of her father as it was a noise he often made when curious about something. The girl looked up, bright green eyes wide with surprise. Shifting from foot to foot, Haruka asked, "What are you reading?"
"A book of fairy tales from Florince," the girl said softly.
Nodding her head as if she already knew this and ignoring the blatant fact she didn't, Haruka plopped down on the ground next to the girl and stuck out her hand. "Haruka Armitage," she said by way of greeting.
"The General's daughter," said the girl with recognition. She wore a gentle smile and accepted Haruka's hand, laughing a bit when Haruka instigated an enthusiastic handshake. "I'm Yukino Chrysant."
"This is your house," Haruka noted, eyes drifting around the massive grounds and large mansion.
"Yes," admitted Yukino with a light blush. "Father says it's been in the family for many years."
Nodding again as if she understood, Haruka stood up on her tip toes and pointed off into the distance. "We live there now. It's a house too, not so big as this one, but better than the place we were in before."
"Where were you before?" asked Yukino curiously.
"The southern lands," said Haruka with a grin, rocking back on her heels. "It's warmer there and it has beaches."
"Do you miss it?" Yukino questioned, feeling a bit embarrassed and wondering why she was asking so many questions but somehow not able to help herself. She wasn't a particularly shy or outgoing person, instead she tended to keep to herself, and she found herself rather perplexed at her sudden need to interact with the girl in front of her even if she knew her to be the daughter of a friend of her father's.
Releasing a noise of bored disagreement, a grunt of sorts, Haruka shook her head and put her hands behind her head, grinning at Yukino as she said, "Not really. I kinda like moving, you get to see everything that way. But Mother says we're staying here awhile." She fixed her gaze on the large book that was now in Yukino's lap and said, "What's it about anyway?"
"A lot of things," said Yukino slowly. "Knights, princesses, it even has monsters."
"Yeah?" Haruka's eyes shone brightly and she sat next to Yukino on the lawn, gazing at her curiously. "What kind? Scary ones?"
There was something about how the blonde girl's eyes had a sparkle to them, a friendly eagerness that charmed Yukino, and she found herself smiling. In school she was left to her own devices, testing having placed her several grades ahead of children her own age. She was young enough that the older students felt guilty if anyone was to tease her but at the same time she was too intimidating in her intelligence and family connections for anyone to begin a friendly interaction with her and so she was simply left alone. Solitary for most of the day until she returned home to her parents who were the only ones who treated her like a normal person, not someone to be quietly examined for their oddities and gossiped about behind their back. At least, until this girl, Haruka Armitage, who didn't seem to realize any of that.
"Some are scary," replied Yukino, smiling and opening the book to a picture of a massive creature that had the heads of several serpents and was descending to attack the Knight in the story. "This one is scary, I think."
"Ah, it's a separable!" Haruka exclaimed, excitement in her voice, and Yukino blinked.
"Did you mean serpent?" asked Yukino, a touch of humor in her voice as she looked at the younger girl.
"That's what I said," blustered Haruka and she noticed the humor in Yukino's eyes and she frowned. "Didn't I?" she asked, her forehead scrunching up, rubbing the back of her head in an act of confused consideration.
"You said it was a separable," said Yukino gently. "I could tell what you meant though."
"Oh," said Haruka and there was a flush of embarrassment to her cheeks. "I get words mixed up sometimes. I don't know why." She turned to Yukino and there was a honest curiosity in her eyes as she asked, "You ever do that? Think one thing but say something else?"
In response, Yukino shook her head no and Haruka looked disheartened at this and something about seeing that expression on the blonde's face, one that had been so open and friendly since the moment she first introduced herself bothered Yukino. She didn't like it looking that way. It didn't suit the other girl, not in the least. Perhaps that's why she found herself saying quickly, "Maybe it's just that your brain goes too fast for your mouth and it can't keep up? You could slow down before you talk and think and maybe the right word would come out."
"Maybe," said Haruka slowly. She flopped onto her back and stared up at the sky. "I don't like thinking much."
Laughing at this, Yukino responded, her tones lightly teasing, "But everyone thinks."
"Not me," said Haruka stubbornly, looking at Yukino and forming a wild and somewhat rakish grin. She made a fist and declared, "I'm a woman of action! Just like mother and father. Thinking should be for smart people."
Wondering how Haruka's father could possibly be called a woman of action when he wasn't female, Yukino smiled and was quietly amused at the statement. "I'm sure you're smart, Haruka-chan," Yukino said and she automatically placed the fond endearment onto the other girl's name, not quite able to help it, just like she couldn't help the strange affection she found herself forming for the blonde. "You'll be going to Caeles Academy, won't you? That's my school and it's a school for very smart people."
"What grade are you in?" asked Haruka, turning her attention to Yukino. "I'd like to be in your class."
Blushing at this statement, Yukino ducked her head and she wondered what it would be like, being in the same class with someone like Haruka, who wasn't intimidated by who her parents were and how high she placed in her testing. Someone who just spoke to her like another person and didn't have any artifice about them. She thought it would be a very wonderful thing indeed. "I'd like that too," Yukino murmured.
"So," said Haruka, prodding Yukino in the side, causing the girl to blush darker. "What grade?"
"Sixth year," Yukino replied and she swore her face never felt this hot when she heard Haruka whistle on hearing this.
"I thought you were my age," said Haruka. "Or are you just really smart?"
"I'm nine," said Yukino and she looked at the book in her lap, absently flipping through the pages. "When I took the entrance exams I placed higher than the other kids my age. Everyone else in my class is older."
Haruka released a sort of muttering noise then she scratched her cheek as she stared at Yukino. "You should be plod, you know," she remarked. "Being that smart. I'm seven and I got placed right where I should. Second year. Sorta boring that I'm only good at sports."
"Proud," Yukino found herself correcting automatically and when Haruka blinked she smiled sweetly. "You said I should be plod."
Rolling her eyes, Haruka gazed up at Yukino and said stubbornly, "You know what I mean."
"Yes," said Yukino quietly. "I do and I am, I guess. It just gets…" She trailed off, not sure if she wanted to say so much. It was true she felt an instantaneous bond with the other girl, a strange comfort in her presence, but she had never told anyone this. Not even her parents who were the closest people to her. She was afraid it would upset them too much.
"Gets what?" Haruka asked and Yukino turned to her, seeing the earnest look in violet eyes, Yukino felt compelled to answer truthfully.
"Lonely, I guess," admitted Yukino, her gaze steady with Haruka's. "I'm the only one my age in class and no one talks to me."
Frowning at this, Haruka's voice was fierce as she demanded, "They don't pick on you, do they? The older kids."
"No," said Yukino quickly, shaking her head. "They leave me alone. Everyone at school just leaves me alone."
The frown still firmly cemented on her features, Haruka scooted up into a sitting position and she placed her hands firmly on Yukino's shoulders, causing the older girl to look at her. "I won't," Haruka declared and when Yukino blinked, she continued, "I won't leave you alone."
"Haruka-chan," Yukino whispered her name and she could feel tears in her eyes and she didn't know why but she wanted to cry.
"After all," Haruka went on, a wide grin on her features. "We're friends, aren't we?"
"Yes," said Yukino, agreeing without even thinking about it. She never had a friend before, not a real one, she read about them in her books, she knew what they were and she saw the other kids at school, in her class with their friends but she never had one of her own. Still, she knew what one was and she thought she knew the feeling you should have around a real friend. A happy and content feeling and that was what she had from the very first moment she spent with Haruka. That made them friends, didn't it? "We are."
An hour later, Haruka's mother called for her and the blonde girl said her goodbyes, wrapping Yukino up in a hug and promising to see her soon, adding she wanted Yukino's help with her homework, her being so smart. Then she ran off to her parents, caught up in the arms of her father who laughed and swung Haruka in his arms before placing her on his shoulders and Yukino watched them with envious eyes. Her parents loved her, yes, she knew that, she felt that, but they were quiet, restrained, and formal in their affection. Nothing at all like the Armitages who were loud, open, and gregarious in their love for each other, not seeming to care in the least who witnessed it.
Though she was only nine, Yukino knew instinctively she wanted to have that for herself someday.
---
The next day at school was the same as always. Yukino was set apart from others. Left alone in class and at lunch except for that moment in the morning when Haruka greeted her enthusiastically before the bell rang, signaling they had to go to their classes. Watching Haruka go, taking her friendly smile with her, Yukino wished for the first time she wasn't quite as smart as she was, that she was normal. If she was she might have the same lunch period as Haruka and she would be able to spend some time with her at school. She wasn't normal though, she never had been and Yukino resigned herself to her usual existence, concentrating on her studies, and forcing herself to forget the loneliness.
She liked being outside when she was at home. Yukino wasn't particularly active, she didn't excel in sports or the physical, but she enjoyed the cool breeze and the soft grass. There was a comfort in it and being outside helped her forget how empty her home seemed without her parents who often worked late into the night in their respective jobs as Senator for the state of Solis and head of the Spirit of Aries, the largest charitable organization in their country. Yukino was reading another book, a large and dusty text she had found in her father's study, called The Heart Of An Otome. The book was an educational text from the Otome training academy, Garderobe, in Windbloom and she had only read a few pages when she heard her name called in the distance. Lifting her head, Yukino's green eyes widened as she observed Haruka flying down a large hill on a bicycle.
Fast, Yukino thought, she was going far too fast, and she watched in horror as the younger girl crashed the bike, tumbling off of it and landing face first in the grass. Dropping her book on the ground and taking off in a run, her breath coming in short bursts when she reached Haruka who was rubbing her head and wearing a sheepish grin by the time Yukino arrived.
"Haruka-chan!" Yukino said her name breathlessly, worry lacing her tones. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," Haruka grunted, brushing the grass off her clothing, and tilting her head from one side to another. "I do it all the time."
"Crash your bicycle?" asked Yukino in disbelief.
Releasing a noise of agreement, Haruka lifted up her bike, looking at the other girl with a serious gaze. "Happens when you go fat," she explained, kneeling down to fix the chain which had gotten tangled thanks to the crash.
"Fast," corrected Yukino automatically. Studying the younger girl, she continued, "Are you sure you're not hurt?"
"I'm sure," Haruka said, standing up after she fixed the chain. "I fall all the time. I get kicked and punched too, in training."
"Training?" questioned Yukino, walking alongside Haruka as they headed back towards the large tree where Yukino had been sitting.
Nodding her head firmly, Haruka said, "I train every day with mother and father. It's fun but I get hurt sometimes, especially when there's sparring. But I haven't done that in awhile. I have to find a new Sensei and class since we moved."
"They make you fight?" asked Yukino, a little horrified at the thought. She knew Daisuke and Kaoru Armitage were from military families, that they both were dedicated to the army, but the idea that they made her new friend fight and hurt herself, it seemed so very wrong.
"No," Haruka said, looking at Yukino as if she were a bit crazy. "I asked to learn. It's good to know how to fight, to protect yourself."
"Oh," said Yukino quietly, blushing heavily and feeling embarrassed to think badly of Haruka's parents.
"What were you doing? Reading again?" asked Haruka as they neared the large tree that served as Yukino's outdoor sanctuary.
"Yes, a different book though," said Yukino, leaning down to pick it up and hand it to Haruka who squinted at the cover.
"Otome," Haruka said in soft and reverent tones. "Does it say in here how you can become one?"
"Not so far," said Yukino, sitting on the ground and watching as Haruka followed.
"I want to be one," revealed Haruka, still staring at the cover of the book, a grave look on her features. "Meister Eva Blomquist saved my mother once. I saw footage, she was strong, and I want to be strong like that. To protect everyone in Aries like she does."
"We can read it together," suggested Yukino, blushing when Haruka fixed a determined gaze on her. "If you want."
"Please," said Haruka and the way she said it, with such solemn intent, made Yukino think it wasn't a word she uttered often.
---
Every day after school Haruka would come over to visit. Sometimes later than others, her parents had managed to find a new Sensei for her and she was back at her training, and more than once she'd come bearing bandages from some scuffle or another, but always waving off Yukino's concern. It had taken two weeks for them to complete The Heart Of An Otome and once they finished reading it, there was an increased fervor on Haruka's part to focus on her training and her ultimate goal to enter Garderobe Academy and become an Otome. In Aries the only people who could have Otomes were high ranking members of the military or important political figures such as the President. Yukino's father, as a long standing Senator, had an Otome for several years.
Due to this, it was the Aries government which sponsored Otome candidates for Garderobe, instead of private individuals. This meant girls who wished to become an Otome in Aries had to first pass the exam given by their own country before they could move onto the actual entrance exam at Garderobe. This wasn't something Yukino was even aware of until she met Haruka who was forever training for the sponsorship exam, her goal fixed and focused on her mind, enough that Yukino was envious of it.
"What does Yukino want to do?" Haruka asked, huffing and puffing as she went through her kata, grinning rakishly at Yukino as she punched at kicked at the air. "Something smart, I bet. Just like Yukino."
What did she want to do? She wasn't really sure. She wished she knew like Haruka did. Had that sort of steadfast knowledge of her future and what she wanted to do with it. They were young though, it wasn't like she had to know right away. She told Haruka this who grunted in reluctant agreement then she said something that unwittingly would change the rest of their lives.
"Yukino should be President of Aries, she's so smart," Haruka said resolutely, still going through her kata. "She should be President and I'll be her Otome and we'll be together forever."
It was such an innocent thing, such a small statement, but it put an idea in Yukino's head and the more time she spent with Haruka the more she knew she wanted to be with her. Haruka was her first real friend, after all, the first person who treated her normally, who didn't have the smallest hint of hesitation around her, who didn't think twice about who her parents were and how she skipped all those grades. Haruka just seemed to like her for who she was and Yukino couldn't imagine anything better than being with her forever and the idea, it kept permeating in her brain, rumbling around and she wondered, was she really smart enough to be President like Haruka said?
More and more, the scenario appealed to her, enough that she stood in front of the mirror before she went to bed, and found herself practicing her introduction as the President of Aries, Yukino Chrysant, much to the amusement of her silently observing parents.
To be continued...
SERIES: My Otome
AUTHOR: Dreiser
EMAIL: dreiser7@yahoo.com
YAHOO ID: dreiser7
MY WEBSITE: http://www.dreiser.org/
CONTENT: F/F romance. F/F sex. Haruka/Yukino.
SUMMARY: Haruka Armitage and Yukino Chrysant have done everything in their lives for a common purpose with a shared intent.
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but my habit of only watching anime a year or more after it's released and is highly recommended to me.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I like My Otome so much more than My HiME. Hands down, Haruka and Yukino are my favorite couple. I really prefer their characterizations in My Otome and I wanted to write a fanfic exploring the history of their relationship. This first chapter is a lot shorter than the others will be since it's just them as young kids and how they first meet.
Intents and Purposes
By: Dreiser
One
Haruka Armitage was seven years old when her father, Daisuke, was promoted to the rank of General in the Republic of Aries army. Shortly after they celebrated this great personal victory, once again they were packing, moving from the distant southern lands of their country to the far north and the capital city of Caeles. Her father would be working in The Hexagon, where her mother often was assigned as a Captain in the Aries Rangers Special Forces. The Hexagon was the heart of the Aries democracy, where the President lived, the Senate had their sessions, and even as a little girl Haruka knew it was a great thing, both her parents working there.
Just like she knew it was a great thing that one of the Senators who worked in The Hexagon was throwing her father a party to congratulate him on the promotion and welcome him to the capital city. Her mother told her that Senator Makoto Chrysant was an old friend and he had once served in the same army unit as her father. Although Haruka knew all these things it didn't stop her from being bored at this stuffy grown up party. Heaving a large sigh, Haruka gazed out the long windows of the crowded room and fixed on the sight of another girl who had managed to escape the gathering of adults. The girl was far in the distance, sitting on the green lawn of the yard, resting against an impressive tree that shaded her from the sun as she read a book. Looking up at her parents and seeing them busily chatting with the Chrysants, Haruka decided to try and make a break for it. Taking several slow steps backwards until she was at the door, she slowly pushed it open, and the moment she was outside she took off in a run, a large grin spreading across her features, glad to be free of the grown ups and their dull conversation.
She loved to run, she loved any physical activity really, running, jumping, biking, swimming, the sports of the world, Haruka loved them all. There was a happy sort of exhaustion granted in playing hard and this had been taught to her by her parents. Even if your muscles ached it was in such a strangely pleasant way and Haruka accepted this need to be active as a natural part of herself just like she accepted she would always find studying and school painfully dreary at the best of times. Her running came to an abrupt halt as she reached the girl she had seen in the distance. The girl looked to be slightly older than her with short brown hair and small glasses that slid down the bridge of her nose and she didn't notice Haruka's approach, she was so absorbed in reading her book.
"Oi," Haruka grunted, an unconscious mimic of her father as it was a noise he often made when curious about something. The girl looked up, bright green eyes wide with surprise. Shifting from foot to foot, Haruka asked, "What are you reading?"
"A book of fairy tales from Florince," the girl said softly.
Nodding her head as if she already knew this and ignoring the blatant fact she didn't, Haruka plopped down on the ground next to the girl and stuck out her hand. "Haruka Armitage," she said by way of greeting.
"The General's daughter," said the girl with recognition. She wore a gentle smile and accepted Haruka's hand, laughing a bit when Haruka instigated an enthusiastic handshake. "I'm Yukino Chrysant."
"This is your house," Haruka noted, eyes drifting around the massive grounds and large mansion.
"Yes," admitted Yukino with a light blush. "Father says it's been in the family for many years."
Nodding again as if she understood, Haruka stood up on her tip toes and pointed off into the distance. "We live there now. It's a house too, not so big as this one, but better than the place we were in before."
"Where were you before?" asked Yukino curiously.
"The southern lands," said Haruka with a grin, rocking back on her heels. "It's warmer there and it has beaches."
"Do you miss it?" Yukino questioned, feeling a bit embarrassed and wondering why she was asking so many questions but somehow not able to help herself. She wasn't a particularly shy or outgoing person, instead she tended to keep to herself, and she found herself rather perplexed at her sudden need to interact with the girl in front of her even if she knew her to be the daughter of a friend of her father's.
Releasing a noise of bored disagreement, a grunt of sorts, Haruka shook her head and put her hands behind her head, grinning at Yukino as she said, "Not really. I kinda like moving, you get to see everything that way. But Mother says we're staying here awhile." She fixed her gaze on the large book that was now in Yukino's lap and said, "What's it about anyway?"
"A lot of things," said Yukino slowly. "Knights, princesses, it even has monsters."
"Yeah?" Haruka's eyes shone brightly and she sat next to Yukino on the lawn, gazing at her curiously. "What kind? Scary ones?"
There was something about how the blonde girl's eyes had a sparkle to them, a friendly eagerness that charmed Yukino, and she found herself smiling. In school she was left to her own devices, testing having placed her several grades ahead of children her own age. She was young enough that the older students felt guilty if anyone was to tease her but at the same time she was too intimidating in her intelligence and family connections for anyone to begin a friendly interaction with her and so she was simply left alone. Solitary for most of the day until she returned home to her parents who were the only ones who treated her like a normal person, not someone to be quietly examined for their oddities and gossiped about behind their back. At least, until this girl, Haruka Armitage, who didn't seem to realize any of that.
"Some are scary," replied Yukino, smiling and opening the book to a picture of a massive creature that had the heads of several serpents and was descending to attack the Knight in the story. "This one is scary, I think."
"Ah, it's a separable!" Haruka exclaimed, excitement in her voice, and Yukino blinked.
"Did you mean serpent?" asked Yukino, a touch of humor in her voice as she looked at the younger girl.
"That's what I said," blustered Haruka and she noticed the humor in Yukino's eyes and she frowned. "Didn't I?" she asked, her forehead scrunching up, rubbing the back of her head in an act of confused consideration.
"You said it was a separable," said Yukino gently. "I could tell what you meant though."
"Oh," said Haruka and there was a flush of embarrassment to her cheeks. "I get words mixed up sometimes. I don't know why." She turned to Yukino and there was a honest curiosity in her eyes as she asked, "You ever do that? Think one thing but say something else?"
In response, Yukino shook her head no and Haruka looked disheartened at this and something about seeing that expression on the blonde's face, one that had been so open and friendly since the moment she first introduced herself bothered Yukino. She didn't like it looking that way. It didn't suit the other girl, not in the least. Perhaps that's why she found herself saying quickly, "Maybe it's just that your brain goes too fast for your mouth and it can't keep up? You could slow down before you talk and think and maybe the right word would come out."
"Maybe," said Haruka slowly. She flopped onto her back and stared up at the sky. "I don't like thinking much."
Laughing at this, Yukino responded, her tones lightly teasing, "But everyone thinks."
"Not me," said Haruka stubbornly, looking at Yukino and forming a wild and somewhat rakish grin. She made a fist and declared, "I'm a woman of action! Just like mother and father. Thinking should be for smart people."
Wondering how Haruka's father could possibly be called a woman of action when he wasn't female, Yukino smiled and was quietly amused at the statement. "I'm sure you're smart, Haruka-chan," Yukino said and she automatically placed the fond endearment onto the other girl's name, not quite able to help it, just like she couldn't help the strange affection she found herself forming for the blonde. "You'll be going to Caeles Academy, won't you? That's my school and it's a school for very smart people."
"What grade are you in?" asked Haruka, turning her attention to Yukino. "I'd like to be in your class."
Blushing at this statement, Yukino ducked her head and she wondered what it would be like, being in the same class with someone like Haruka, who wasn't intimidated by who her parents were and how high she placed in her testing. Someone who just spoke to her like another person and didn't have any artifice about them. She thought it would be a very wonderful thing indeed. "I'd like that too," Yukino murmured.
"So," said Haruka, prodding Yukino in the side, causing the girl to blush darker. "What grade?"
"Sixth year," Yukino replied and she swore her face never felt this hot when she heard Haruka whistle on hearing this.
"I thought you were my age," said Haruka. "Or are you just really smart?"
"I'm nine," said Yukino and she looked at the book in her lap, absently flipping through the pages. "When I took the entrance exams I placed higher than the other kids my age. Everyone else in my class is older."
Haruka released a sort of muttering noise then she scratched her cheek as she stared at Yukino. "You should be plod, you know," she remarked. "Being that smart. I'm seven and I got placed right where I should. Second year. Sorta boring that I'm only good at sports."
"Proud," Yukino found herself correcting automatically and when Haruka blinked she smiled sweetly. "You said I should be plod."
Rolling her eyes, Haruka gazed up at Yukino and said stubbornly, "You know what I mean."
"Yes," said Yukino quietly. "I do and I am, I guess. It just gets…" She trailed off, not sure if she wanted to say so much. It was true she felt an instantaneous bond with the other girl, a strange comfort in her presence, but she had never told anyone this. Not even her parents who were the closest people to her. She was afraid it would upset them too much.
"Gets what?" Haruka asked and Yukino turned to her, seeing the earnest look in violet eyes, Yukino felt compelled to answer truthfully.
"Lonely, I guess," admitted Yukino, her gaze steady with Haruka's. "I'm the only one my age in class and no one talks to me."
Frowning at this, Haruka's voice was fierce as she demanded, "They don't pick on you, do they? The older kids."
"No," said Yukino quickly, shaking her head. "They leave me alone. Everyone at school just leaves me alone."
The frown still firmly cemented on her features, Haruka scooted up into a sitting position and she placed her hands firmly on Yukino's shoulders, causing the older girl to look at her. "I won't," Haruka declared and when Yukino blinked, she continued, "I won't leave you alone."
"Haruka-chan," Yukino whispered her name and she could feel tears in her eyes and she didn't know why but she wanted to cry.
"After all," Haruka went on, a wide grin on her features. "We're friends, aren't we?"
"Yes," said Yukino, agreeing without even thinking about it. She never had a friend before, not a real one, she read about them in her books, she knew what they were and she saw the other kids at school, in her class with their friends but she never had one of her own. Still, she knew what one was and she thought she knew the feeling you should have around a real friend. A happy and content feeling and that was what she had from the very first moment she spent with Haruka. That made them friends, didn't it? "We are."
An hour later, Haruka's mother called for her and the blonde girl said her goodbyes, wrapping Yukino up in a hug and promising to see her soon, adding she wanted Yukino's help with her homework, her being so smart. Then she ran off to her parents, caught up in the arms of her father who laughed and swung Haruka in his arms before placing her on his shoulders and Yukino watched them with envious eyes. Her parents loved her, yes, she knew that, she felt that, but they were quiet, restrained, and formal in their affection. Nothing at all like the Armitages who were loud, open, and gregarious in their love for each other, not seeming to care in the least who witnessed it.
Though she was only nine, Yukino knew instinctively she wanted to have that for herself someday.
---
The next day at school was the same as always. Yukino was set apart from others. Left alone in class and at lunch except for that moment in the morning when Haruka greeted her enthusiastically before the bell rang, signaling they had to go to their classes. Watching Haruka go, taking her friendly smile with her, Yukino wished for the first time she wasn't quite as smart as she was, that she was normal. If she was she might have the same lunch period as Haruka and she would be able to spend some time with her at school. She wasn't normal though, she never had been and Yukino resigned herself to her usual existence, concentrating on her studies, and forcing herself to forget the loneliness.
She liked being outside when she was at home. Yukino wasn't particularly active, she didn't excel in sports or the physical, but she enjoyed the cool breeze and the soft grass. There was a comfort in it and being outside helped her forget how empty her home seemed without her parents who often worked late into the night in their respective jobs as Senator for the state of Solis and head of the Spirit of Aries, the largest charitable organization in their country. Yukino was reading another book, a large and dusty text she had found in her father's study, called The Heart Of An Otome. The book was an educational text from the Otome training academy, Garderobe, in Windbloom and she had only read a few pages when she heard her name called in the distance. Lifting her head, Yukino's green eyes widened as she observed Haruka flying down a large hill on a bicycle.
Fast, Yukino thought, she was going far too fast, and she watched in horror as the younger girl crashed the bike, tumbling off of it and landing face first in the grass. Dropping her book on the ground and taking off in a run, her breath coming in short bursts when she reached Haruka who was rubbing her head and wearing a sheepish grin by the time Yukino arrived.
"Haruka-chan!" Yukino said her name breathlessly, worry lacing her tones. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," Haruka grunted, brushing the grass off her clothing, and tilting her head from one side to another. "I do it all the time."
"Crash your bicycle?" asked Yukino in disbelief.
Releasing a noise of agreement, Haruka lifted up her bike, looking at the other girl with a serious gaze. "Happens when you go fat," she explained, kneeling down to fix the chain which had gotten tangled thanks to the crash.
"Fast," corrected Yukino automatically. Studying the younger girl, she continued, "Are you sure you're not hurt?"
"I'm sure," Haruka said, standing up after she fixed the chain. "I fall all the time. I get kicked and punched too, in training."
"Training?" questioned Yukino, walking alongside Haruka as they headed back towards the large tree where Yukino had been sitting.
Nodding her head firmly, Haruka said, "I train every day with mother and father. It's fun but I get hurt sometimes, especially when there's sparring. But I haven't done that in awhile. I have to find a new Sensei and class since we moved."
"They make you fight?" asked Yukino, a little horrified at the thought. She knew Daisuke and Kaoru Armitage were from military families, that they both were dedicated to the army, but the idea that they made her new friend fight and hurt herself, it seemed so very wrong.
"No," Haruka said, looking at Yukino as if she were a bit crazy. "I asked to learn. It's good to know how to fight, to protect yourself."
"Oh," said Yukino quietly, blushing heavily and feeling embarrassed to think badly of Haruka's parents.
"What were you doing? Reading again?" asked Haruka as they neared the large tree that served as Yukino's outdoor sanctuary.
"Yes, a different book though," said Yukino, leaning down to pick it up and hand it to Haruka who squinted at the cover.
"Otome," Haruka said in soft and reverent tones. "Does it say in here how you can become one?"
"Not so far," said Yukino, sitting on the ground and watching as Haruka followed.
"I want to be one," revealed Haruka, still staring at the cover of the book, a grave look on her features. "Meister Eva Blomquist saved my mother once. I saw footage, she was strong, and I want to be strong like that. To protect everyone in Aries like she does."
"We can read it together," suggested Yukino, blushing when Haruka fixed a determined gaze on her. "If you want."
"Please," said Haruka and the way she said it, with such solemn intent, made Yukino think it wasn't a word she uttered often.
---
Every day after school Haruka would come over to visit. Sometimes later than others, her parents had managed to find a new Sensei for her and she was back at her training, and more than once she'd come bearing bandages from some scuffle or another, but always waving off Yukino's concern. It had taken two weeks for them to complete The Heart Of An Otome and once they finished reading it, there was an increased fervor on Haruka's part to focus on her training and her ultimate goal to enter Garderobe Academy and become an Otome. In Aries the only people who could have Otomes were high ranking members of the military or important political figures such as the President. Yukino's father, as a long standing Senator, had an Otome for several years.
Due to this, it was the Aries government which sponsored Otome candidates for Garderobe, instead of private individuals. This meant girls who wished to become an Otome in Aries had to first pass the exam given by their own country before they could move onto the actual entrance exam at Garderobe. This wasn't something Yukino was even aware of until she met Haruka who was forever training for the sponsorship exam, her goal fixed and focused on her mind, enough that Yukino was envious of it.
"What does Yukino want to do?" Haruka asked, huffing and puffing as she went through her kata, grinning rakishly at Yukino as she punched at kicked at the air. "Something smart, I bet. Just like Yukino."
What did she want to do? She wasn't really sure. She wished she knew like Haruka did. Had that sort of steadfast knowledge of her future and what she wanted to do with it. They were young though, it wasn't like she had to know right away. She told Haruka this who grunted in reluctant agreement then she said something that unwittingly would change the rest of their lives.
"Yukino should be President of Aries, she's so smart," Haruka said resolutely, still going through her kata. "She should be President and I'll be her Otome and we'll be together forever."
It was such an innocent thing, such a small statement, but it put an idea in Yukino's head and the more time she spent with Haruka the more she knew she wanted to be with her. Haruka was her first real friend, after all, the first person who treated her normally, who didn't have the smallest hint of hesitation around her, who didn't think twice about who her parents were and how she skipped all those grades. Haruka just seemed to like her for who she was and Yukino couldn't imagine anything better than being with her forever and the idea, it kept permeating in her brain, rumbling around and she wondered, was she really smart enough to be President like Haruka said?
More and more, the scenario appealed to her, enough that she stood in front of the mirror before she went to bed, and found herself practicing her introduction as the President of Aries, Yukino Chrysant, much to the amusement of her silently observing parents.
To be continued...
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