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 dislike for humidity.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: More Shizuru.
Intents and Purposes
By: Dreiser
Four
Perched on one of five large pieces of luggage, Haruka frowned as she observed Yukino packing yet another suitcase for her move to Windbloom University. Kicking her legs absently against the luggage and grinning when Yukino turned her way and arched an eyebrow in a silent sort of demand, Haruka drawled, "You've got a lot of stuff, Yukino."
Instead of replying, Yukino's face reddened in a blush and she returned to packing her sixth and final piece of luggage. "I could be at university for four years, Haruka-chan. I should bring as much as I can. It isn't like Garderobe where they provide everything for you."
"Father says it's expensive," Haruka revealed, leaning back on her hands. "Much more than any universities."
"That makes sense," said Yukino, folding up a shirt and putting it neatly inside the suitcase. "Given all of the things they'll be teaching you there and how becoming an Otome is probably one of the hardest things for someone to achieve in Earl." Lifting her head, she offered Haruka a sweet smile and murmured, "Unless they are Haruka-chan."
"Right!" Haruka agreed with a vigorous nod. "Yukino," she said her name slowly, her brow furrowing in a frown. "What are you going to study at Windbloom again? You said it was two things, didn't you?"
"International Affairs and Earl Economics," said Yukino, turning back to her dresser and debating on which pair of black pants she really needed to pack, trying to recall which ones Haruka said had looked nice on her. "In politics the economy is almost always a pivotal point in the elections of our officials and I think understanding finance will be a great help if I'm to have any effect in the government. The same for international affairs because a country can't really stand alone, it must have allies if it is to grow."
Haruka made a soft grunt of agreement and Yukino smiled as she looked at the other girl. She knew most people would lump all of the little sounds Haruka made together but over the years she managed to differentiate what each one meant in terms of Haruka's mood. That was a noise that the blonde made whenever she thought what someone was saying was intelligent but she didn't quite understand the concept herself, so instead of making herself appear stupid in a reply, she simply made that noise instead. Part of Yukino found it incredibly endearing and another part hated it because she disliked the idea that Haruka thought she wasn't smart enough.
There were two Haruka's, that was what Yukino often thought, the one that she presented to the world as a whole and the one you got to see once you became close to her. The Haruka that most people saw was brash and loud, someone who acted first and considered the results later, but the other Haruka, the ones those closest to her saw was caring and considerate. Yukino sometimes had a hard time dealing with the first Haruka but the moment she felt annoyed or weary the second Haruka would emerge and Yukino was reminded why she loved the blonde so. Sometimes she thought it was a result of Haruka's rather rough childhood, growing up with parents who were kind but at the same time didn't coddle her and shelter her as most parents would do for their small child.
Whatever the reasons behind Haruka's personality, it didn't alter the fact that Yukino loved her just as she was. If she had the option to change the other girl somehow she wouldn't take it because then it wouldn't be the Haruka who had been with her for all these years, who stood by her side faithfully, and shared her dreams. Not having that person with her would be devastatingly lonely for Yukino.
Putting the last item of clothing in the suitcase, Yukino studied it thoughtfully before determining she had everything she could possibly need and closed with a quiet snap. Looking over to Haruka, she saw the blonde was staring at the small flag that she had given to her. Wearing a soft smile, Yukino questioned, "Did having it help?" When Haruka jerked her head up and looked at her in surprise, she elaborated, "The flag, did it help to have it with you when you took the exam?"
"A lot," said Haruka firmly, jumping down from the top of the large piece of luggage. She presented the flag oh so carefully to Yukino and grinned crookedly, "I kept it folded up over my heart. The whole time I never had any doubts I'd pass and it's because I knew it was there."
"Then keep it," said Yukino quietly, gently folding Haruka's fingers back over the flag to keep it in the younger girl's hands.
"But Yukino," Haruka protested, her eyes going wide. "It belongs to your family."
"Haruka-chan is part of my family," revealed Yukino, her cheeks hot in a blush, and despite her embarrassment she kept her green eyes steady with Haruka's violet ones. Allowing the other girl to see exactly how serious she was. "I want you to keep it… to remember me and to give you strength while you're at Garderobe. I trust you, Haruka-chan. I know you'll keep it safe."
A frown tugging at her lips, Haruka said solemnly, "I'll keep it but I don't need something like this to remember Yukino. No matter what happens, I'd never forget you. And besides," she looked a little exasperated now. "You'll be right by me at Windbloom University."
"Yes," Yukino breathed, a happy laugh escaping her lips. "I will, won't I?"
"Yukino," huffed Haruka and her cheeks puffed out slightly, causing the brunette to laugh once again. She lightly rapped her knuckles on top of the older girl's head and remarked, "You'll always have me. That's an infusion fact!"
"Irrefutable," corrected Yukino, smiling fondly and reaching up to hold Haruka's hand in her own. "I know, Haruka-chan. And you know it's the same for me, don't you? That you'll always have me?"
That blonde head ducked down and Yukino heard a mumbled assent. Moving closer to Haruka, she slipped her hand away from the younger girl's and moved up to touch her cheek which was blazing underneath her fingertips, a sure sign that Haruka was blushing. Yukino suddenly felt overwhelmed to know this, to feel this, to have proof of Haruka's affection for her in such a very real and tangible way and she was swept up in a rush of affection for the blonde. Before she even realized what she was doing, Yukino had pulled Haruka into a hug, her arms wrapping around Haruka's waist, pulling her close until there wasn't a breath between them and it felt so very right.
It felt like this was where she belonged, especially when Haruka returned the hug, her hands gentle but firm as they pressed into Yukino's back, warming her skin through her shirt and causing the brunette to tremble. "You got new glasses," Haruka murmured.
"What?" Yukino questioned, a little confused at the change in conversation, moving back to look at the blonde.
"Your glasses," said Haruka, reaching up to touch the frames lightly. "They're different. You got new ones, right?"
"Yes," said Yukino and for some reason she felt altogether shy as she was pinned by Haruka's eyes which studied her thoughtfully. "My mother thought it was a good idea to visit the doctor and see if I needed a new prescription before I left for university."
"What happened to your old ones?" asked Haruka with a frown.
"They're on the table over there," revealed Yukino, looking at the small bedside dresser. "I got two pairs with the new prescription so I really don't need them anymore. I didn't want to throw them away though."
Haruka released a mutter of sorts then shifted her gaze back to Yukino, touching the frames to the new glasses again and smiling as she said, "I liked how you looked with the old glasses but these are good too. You look just as nice."
"Haruka-chan," Yukino said her name in a whisper, her face turning red. There was so much she wanted to say, so many things she wanted to tell Haruka, how it made her feel when she said things like that but it was terribly confusing and then she heard the rumble of the blonde's stomach and she chuckled, looking at Haruka fondly. "Should we have lunch?"
In response, Haruka nodded enthusiastically and Yukino smiled, walking out of the bedroom with Haruka on her heels. Never noticing until much later in the day, when she was alone in her bedroom, that her old pair of glasses were gone.
---
Much to her parents surprise, Yukino refused their offer to rent a small apartment for her off campus. Instead, she chose to place herself in the university dorms and opted for the choice of having a roommate. Part of Yukino was rather nervous at the idea of sharing space with another person, though she did allow her parents influence to help her get into the nicer complex which had dorms with two small separate bedrooms for the people sharing it as well as a modest bathroom, living room, and kitchen area.
Really it was altogether like living in an apartment except your roommate was chosen by the university based on the information you supplied on the housing application and the building was located in the middle of school grounds. Other than that, it was an like an apartment, and Yukino had a strangely grown up feeling when she stepped inside. Truth be told, the reason she wanted to live in the dorms was to have more chances to interact with the other students on campus in hopes of making new friends and distracting herself just a bit from the loneliness she knew she would experience from not being able to see and speak to Haruka every day even if their schools were so close to each other.
Sometimes she was grateful for her parents work because if they weren't busy people, constantly in meetings that weren't the type that could be cancelled and changed, she was sure they would have insisted on spending the entire day with her as she moved into her dorm room. Only due to their schedules they were just able to spend the first part of the day with Yukino and were long gone by the time she heard the front door open and she was greeted by her roommate. Rin Lake was a tall redhead with a bright smile and inquisitive nature. The moment that they first met, Rin squinted at Yukino, then asked how old she was and if she was in the right place.
"Fourteen and assuming this is Crandler Dorm Room 15, then yes, I am in the right place," Yukino replied dryly.
"You're fourteen years old?" asked Rin, looking surprised. "You must have skipped three grades."
"Four actually," said Yukino, smiling softly.
"Hey," said Rin, nodding towards her luggage which still remained in the living room. "I want to start unpacking. Would you want to spend time with me while I do that? We can get to know each other better. I'm pretty curious about a fourteen year old student at university."
"All right," Yukino conceded, picking up one of the pieces of luggage, following after Rin as they moved down the hallway. "I don't think there's a lot to be curious about though. I'm at the university because I placed higher in my school's placement exams."
"What school?" asked Rin, setting the luggage on the small bed.
"Caeles Academy, it's a private school in Aries," said Yukino. "That's where I'm from."
"Aries?" repeated Rin curiously. "The country with the President instead of a King or Queen?"
"Yes, that country," said Yukino, chuckling. She was well used to the reactions of people from other countries who weren't used to Aries democratic political system. If they didn't disdain the process itself, they tended to be utterly confused by the idea of it. "My father is one of the elected Senators. He represents the state of Sol which is where our capital city, Caeles, is located. Before you ask," Yukino began with an amused smile. "A Senator is something like what a Duke or Dutchess would be except they're chosen by the people."
"A Duke or Dutchess that the people choose," said Rin thoughtfully. A laugh emerging from her lips, she remarked, "I can't even imagine who we would pick in Windbloom if we had that kind of ability."
"Probably someone popular or someone qualified or maybe a combination of both," suggested Yukino kindly. "That's how it is in Aries."
"Maybe," Rin replied, searching through her luggage. "So," she drew the word out slowly, lifting her head to reveal twinkling green eyes. "Risking sounding somewhat cliché, what's your major? Or have you even decided?"
"I'm majoring in International Affairs and Earl Economics," Yukino said, watching as Rin continued to unpack. "You?"
"Pre-law," said Rin, her tone was wry and her first suitcase empty, she placed it on the floor. "I have foolish dreams of helping the commoners in this country. Not that the law helps much when nobles or royalty is involved."
"In Aries," murmured Yukino seriously, holding Rin's gaze. "I suppose you would say everyone is common since its people are the ones who choose those who lead them and when they lead, they can only do so for a limited amount of time before we choose again."
"Sounds nice," said Rin wistfully. "You know," she turned to Yukino, lifting an eyebrow humorously. "When we first met I was a little worried about rooming with someone four years younger than me but I have a feeling you're more mature than ninety nine percent of the Freshman on this campus. I was afraid I was going to get stuck with a roommate who just parties and would constantly disrupt my studying time."
"I think that's the last thing I would be," Yukino admitted, laughing warmly. "And I was worried about the same thing."
"One less thing to worry about," said Rin, opening another suitcase and going through its contents. Looking up at Yukino curiously, she questioned, "Since you're from Aries, do you know anyone in Windbloom? Besides your charming new roommate, that is."
"Yes, I do," Yukino formed a far off expression, her cheeks blushing lightly as she thought of Haruka. "I have a good friend who is attending Garderobe. We've known each other since we were just children."
"The Otome academy?" said Rin and she paused to give an impressed whistle. "I heard that place is harder to get into than any university, that exam of theirs is legendary for its difficulty despite how secret they keep the details of it. You must be really proud of her."
"I am," Yukino breathed the words, more than said them, because she always felt so very overwhelmed and gratified when she thought about the results of Haruka's exam at Garderobe. She knew, more than most, what it took to get into that school because of watching Haruka and hearing from her everything she had to go through and that was the reason she admired Haruka so for her accomplishment. Something done not just for the blonde herself or their country but for Yukino as well. "I'm very proud."
---
A month after her thirteenth birthday, Haruka was on the grounds of Garderobe, her suitcase in hand and a wide grin on her features. She had been released from the medical bay and felt strangely invigorated with the Coral GEM in her ear and the permanent infusion of nanomachines in her system. Haruka wondered why she didn't feel that same horrible sensation from the entrance exam when injected but dismissed it as her body already adapting to the tiny invaders.
Whatever the reason, Haruka was glad for it and she was in good spirits as she moved into a run, making her way through the campus, taking in the sight of the Coral and Pearl students, greeting them as she passed and admiring the wide green spaces of the school. While Garderobe was in middle of Wind City it was like being in nature, giving it a separate feeling from the populated area which Haruka supposed had to do with the school being politically independent from Windbloom despite residing inside the country. Garderobe was a nation onto itself with the Principal as its ruler and the other Columns as her aides.
Finding the guidance office was a relatively easy matter but locating her room in the dorms for the Corals was a little harder. Winding through hallway after hallway, Haruka was ready to shout with frustration, ignoring the fact that she refused the offer from the guidance office worker to lead her there, when she finally came upon her room. Huffing with annoyance, Haruka flung the door open and found the room empty. She snorted loudly, wondering where her roommates were. She was supposed to have two of them but neither were in sight. In fact, the room was untouched, leaving Haruka with the impression she was the first one to arrive. With orientation starting in an hour, it was more than a bit irresponsible for them both to be wandering about the grounds.
Dropping her suitcase on the floor on the right side of the room, Haruka flopped down on the single bed that was there, effectively claiming it and that side of the dorm as her own. The last thing she wanted was to be on a bunk bed with someone sleeping below or above her, the only way that situation would come close to being acceptable would be if the person was Yukino and she was at Windbloom University right now, going through her second week of classes. Sighing quietly, Haruka pulled out the pair of glasses she had taken from Yukino's house just before the older girl left for university. She wasn't sure why she took them, she just knew she wanted to have them, to have some small part of Yukino with her while she was at Garderobe was comforting somehow. Unfolding the glasses, Haruka placed them on her face, grimacing as her vision immediately became blurry and she felt the beginnings of a headache form.
But however much the headache from the glasses hurt, it hurt more knowing she couldn't see Yukino every day, that she couldn't speak with her. The brunette suggested they write to each other, remarking the letters would arrive quickly because of how close they were to one another, but it wasn't the same. She couldn't hear the warmth of Yukino's voice or see her sweet smile and that made it nowhere as good.
"What am doing?" Haruka muttered after a few moments, a scowl forming on her features, she carefully removed the glasses and put them back into her pocket. Kicking her feet up, she sat on her bed, wearing a look of determination. "Sitting around feeling sorry for myself because I can't see Yukino. It's stupid, she'd make fun of me if she knew." She paused after saying this, shaking her head and laughing lightly. "No," she mumbled. "Yukino wouldn't do that, she's too nice. But it is stupid, I worked this hard to get in here and now I'm going to mope? No," Haruka said again, her eyes gleaming with confidence, her right hand clenching into a fist. "I've got to do my best. It's not like I can't ever see her. Right," she enforced, nodding her head eagerly.
Jumping to her feet, she flung her suitcase on the small bed and set about unpacking. Haruka had just changed into her Coral uniform, tugging absently at the collar, and inwardly grumbling that they had to wear something so frilly. Wearing skirts and dresses was something Haruka was sadly used to because even in Aries, it was standard for girls to dress in such a manner, even in the military, but that didn't mean she particularly liked it. Heaving a sigh, she hung her other uniforms in the tiny closet, and just as she shut its door she heard the creek of another door opening and she looked to the front of the room, saying it was about time her roommates showed up.
"Ara," Shizuru Viola's light and melodic voice rang out in the air and Haruka instinctively scowled on hearing it. "Was Haruka-san so anxious to meet me again? I couldn't begin to say how happy I am to know that, it makes me sing inside."
"You," Haruka growled the word more than said it, pointing an accusing finger at Shizuru. "What are you doing here?"
"Moving in," said Shizuru simply, placing her luggage on the bottom bunk and turning to face Haruka in an elegant movement. When she moved, the skirt to her Coral uniform ruffled slightly, and something about that irritated the blonde further. Pushing her brown hair over one shoulder and tilting her head, Shizuru formed something of a pout as she said, "Haruka-san doesn't seem pleased to see me."
"Of course not," huffed Haruka, putting her hands on her hips and frowning. "You're like a diocese! I can't escape you."
"Does Haruka-san mean disease, perhaps?" Shizuru suggested, amusement gleaming in her rust colored eyes.
"That's what I said!" Haruka insisted, scowling heavily. Shaking her head and flopping down on her bed, she stared hard at Shizuru and remarked, "Where's our other roommate? You didn't do something to her, did you?"
"Our roommate," Shizuru said this distantly and for the first time since she encountered the other girl, Haruka saw her form a serious expression on her features. "It was discovered that Cardair used unethical means by which to increase her performance. The doctors here at Garderobe found this out shortly after she was accepted. Since none of the candidates passed the exam, I'm afraid we will have no one to replace her. Alas," she murmured and the seriousness was gone, replaced with a fond twinkle as Shizuru drawled, "it is we alone."
"She cheated," muttered Haruka, her tones dark, her hands clenched into fists. "That's the lowest."
"Yes," said Shizuru lightly, turning back to her luggage to begin her unpacking. "It was most unseemly of Cardair. I don't think it will reflect well on them for whatever upcoming Otome candidates they intend to present. Although," Shizuru said this thoughtfully, looking over her shoulder to offer that strange smile, the one that should have been charming and winsome but Haruka found wholly irritating because she had a sense it came from a false place. "It didn't do her much good in the end since Haruka-san and I had the highest entrance scores."
"I got second," Haruka snorted, folding her arms across her chest and scowling. "It's not good enough."
"Oh?" Shizuru questioned, a curiosity lingering in her voice. "Why does Haruka-san say such a thing? It was good enough to gain entry into Garderobe and that was her purpose, was it not?"
"I have to be the best," said Haruka firmly, her jaw setting. "I made a promise."
"A promise?" echoed Shizuru, a smile curving on her lips. "To whom?"
Blinking and realizing she had just spoke aloud, Haruka glowered at Shizuru and said, "None of your business!"
Shizuru smiled again and she started to reply when there was a knock to the door and they found themselves greeted by the stern form of Miss Maria, informing them it was time for them to go to the annual Garderobe enrollment battles. Walking down the hall, they were joined by Coral after Coral student, and Miss Maria told them as they made their way through the dorm that watching the battles would help them get a good idea of what sort of skill it requires to graduate and become a Meister Otome.
The coliseum for Garderobe reminded Haruka of something out of the collection of fairy tales that Yukino used to read from Florince. It was round in shape with white stone walls and impressive balconies where Haruka could see three of the five Columns gathered. Walking out into the open, Haruka grimaced on seeing how crowded the coliseum was, gritting her teeth as she followed after Shizuru and sat next to her on the long stone bench which went around the structure with the other Corals. Placing her hands on either side of her body to make sure she maintained space between herself, Shizuru, and the nameless Coral on the other side of her, Haruka focused her attention on the center of the coliseum as the booming voice of the school Principal echoed in the air, announcing the battle between Pearl No. 1 Anh Lu and Pearl No. 2 Maya Blythe. Great pillars rose up from the floor of the coliseum and the Principal called out their names, and Pearl No. 1, Anh Lu, gave a graceful bow to the audience, causing many cheers among the Corals. By contrast, Pearl No. 2, Maya Blythe was a far more outrageous figure, bouncing on her toes and shouting for the crowd support, making the cheers for her much louder.
When the call for the battle to begin was sounded, both Pearls produced halberds into their grips and Maya flew across the coliseum, her halberd coming down for a massive blow, only to be blocked by Anh. The battle was one of furious motion, each Pearl flying at each other from different angles, exchanging blows in mid air combat. Haruka was captivated by the sight, she could see the power behind every attack and she wanted to have that same ability, that knowledge these two Pearls had, and as she followed the battle while it moved all across the coliseum, even as Anh sent Maya flying into the wall with a great crash, she took notice of Shizuru's expression.
For once, it wasn't something put upon or fake, something that the brunette had thought about placing there, instead it was one of natural born emotion and the emotion it revealed was admiration. Real and genuine admiration as Shizuru fixed her rust colored gaze on the figure of Anh Lu as she captured Maya Blythe underneath the blade of her halberd and the Principal declared her the winner of the battle.
Seeing this somehow reassured Haruka about her new roommate. She didn't like the falseness she could sense in Shizuru, that she was putting on an act of sorts, playing a game with her charm and her polite ways, but this look she had as she watched Anh Lu battle, this was something real and it made Haruka think that perhaps the other girl was capable of more than just artifice.
Now if only she could get Shizuru to admit that.
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 dislike for humidity.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: More Shizuru.
Intents and Purposes
By: Dreiser
Four
Perched on one of five large pieces of luggage, Haruka frowned as she observed Yukino packing yet another suitcase for her move to Windbloom University. Kicking her legs absently against the luggage and grinning when Yukino turned her way and arched an eyebrow in a silent sort of demand, Haruka drawled, "You've got a lot of stuff, Yukino."
Instead of replying, Yukino's face reddened in a blush and she returned to packing her sixth and final piece of luggage. "I could be at university for four years, Haruka-chan. I should bring as much as I can. It isn't like Garderobe where they provide everything for you."
"Father says it's expensive," Haruka revealed, leaning back on her hands. "Much more than any universities."
"That makes sense," said Yukino, folding up a shirt and putting it neatly inside the suitcase. "Given all of the things they'll be teaching you there and how becoming an Otome is probably one of the hardest things for someone to achieve in Earl." Lifting her head, she offered Haruka a sweet smile and murmured, "Unless they are Haruka-chan."
"Right!" Haruka agreed with a vigorous nod. "Yukino," she said her name slowly, her brow furrowing in a frown. "What are you going to study at Windbloom again? You said it was two things, didn't you?"
"International Affairs and Earl Economics," said Yukino, turning back to her dresser and debating on which pair of black pants she really needed to pack, trying to recall which ones Haruka said had looked nice on her. "In politics the economy is almost always a pivotal point in the elections of our officials and I think understanding finance will be a great help if I'm to have any effect in the government. The same for international affairs because a country can't really stand alone, it must have allies if it is to grow."
Haruka made a soft grunt of agreement and Yukino smiled as she looked at the other girl. She knew most people would lump all of the little sounds Haruka made together but over the years she managed to differentiate what each one meant in terms of Haruka's mood. That was a noise that the blonde made whenever she thought what someone was saying was intelligent but she didn't quite understand the concept herself, so instead of making herself appear stupid in a reply, she simply made that noise instead. Part of Yukino found it incredibly endearing and another part hated it because she disliked the idea that Haruka thought she wasn't smart enough.
There were two Haruka's, that was what Yukino often thought, the one that she presented to the world as a whole and the one you got to see once you became close to her. The Haruka that most people saw was brash and loud, someone who acted first and considered the results later, but the other Haruka, the ones those closest to her saw was caring and considerate. Yukino sometimes had a hard time dealing with the first Haruka but the moment she felt annoyed or weary the second Haruka would emerge and Yukino was reminded why she loved the blonde so. Sometimes she thought it was a result of Haruka's rather rough childhood, growing up with parents who were kind but at the same time didn't coddle her and shelter her as most parents would do for their small child.
Whatever the reasons behind Haruka's personality, it didn't alter the fact that Yukino loved her just as she was. If she had the option to change the other girl somehow she wouldn't take it because then it wouldn't be the Haruka who had been with her for all these years, who stood by her side faithfully, and shared her dreams. Not having that person with her would be devastatingly lonely for Yukino.
Putting the last item of clothing in the suitcase, Yukino studied it thoughtfully before determining she had everything she could possibly need and closed with a quiet snap. Looking over to Haruka, she saw the blonde was staring at the small flag that she had given to her. Wearing a soft smile, Yukino questioned, "Did having it help?" When Haruka jerked her head up and looked at her in surprise, she elaborated, "The flag, did it help to have it with you when you took the exam?"
"A lot," said Haruka firmly, jumping down from the top of the large piece of luggage. She presented the flag oh so carefully to Yukino and grinned crookedly, "I kept it folded up over my heart. The whole time I never had any doubts I'd pass and it's because I knew it was there."
"Then keep it," said Yukino quietly, gently folding Haruka's fingers back over the flag to keep it in the younger girl's hands.
"But Yukino," Haruka protested, her eyes going wide. "It belongs to your family."
"Haruka-chan is part of my family," revealed Yukino, her cheeks hot in a blush, and despite her embarrassment she kept her green eyes steady with Haruka's violet ones. Allowing the other girl to see exactly how serious she was. "I want you to keep it… to remember me and to give you strength while you're at Garderobe. I trust you, Haruka-chan. I know you'll keep it safe."
A frown tugging at her lips, Haruka said solemnly, "I'll keep it but I don't need something like this to remember Yukino. No matter what happens, I'd never forget you. And besides," she looked a little exasperated now. "You'll be right by me at Windbloom University."
"Yes," Yukino breathed, a happy laugh escaping her lips. "I will, won't I?"
"Yukino," huffed Haruka and her cheeks puffed out slightly, causing the brunette to laugh once again. She lightly rapped her knuckles on top of the older girl's head and remarked, "You'll always have me. That's an infusion fact!"
"Irrefutable," corrected Yukino, smiling fondly and reaching up to hold Haruka's hand in her own. "I know, Haruka-chan. And you know it's the same for me, don't you? That you'll always have me?"
That blonde head ducked down and Yukino heard a mumbled assent. Moving closer to Haruka, she slipped her hand away from the younger girl's and moved up to touch her cheek which was blazing underneath her fingertips, a sure sign that Haruka was blushing. Yukino suddenly felt overwhelmed to know this, to feel this, to have proof of Haruka's affection for her in such a very real and tangible way and she was swept up in a rush of affection for the blonde. Before she even realized what she was doing, Yukino had pulled Haruka into a hug, her arms wrapping around Haruka's waist, pulling her close until there wasn't a breath between them and it felt so very right.
It felt like this was where she belonged, especially when Haruka returned the hug, her hands gentle but firm as they pressed into Yukino's back, warming her skin through her shirt and causing the brunette to tremble. "You got new glasses," Haruka murmured.
"What?" Yukino questioned, a little confused at the change in conversation, moving back to look at the blonde.
"Your glasses," said Haruka, reaching up to touch the frames lightly. "They're different. You got new ones, right?"
"Yes," said Yukino and for some reason she felt altogether shy as she was pinned by Haruka's eyes which studied her thoughtfully. "My mother thought it was a good idea to visit the doctor and see if I needed a new prescription before I left for university."
"What happened to your old ones?" asked Haruka with a frown.
"They're on the table over there," revealed Yukino, looking at the small bedside dresser. "I got two pairs with the new prescription so I really don't need them anymore. I didn't want to throw them away though."
Haruka released a mutter of sorts then shifted her gaze back to Yukino, touching the frames to the new glasses again and smiling as she said, "I liked how you looked with the old glasses but these are good too. You look just as nice."
"Haruka-chan," Yukino said her name in a whisper, her face turning red. There was so much she wanted to say, so many things she wanted to tell Haruka, how it made her feel when she said things like that but it was terribly confusing and then she heard the rumble of the blonde's stomach and she chuckled, looking at Haruka fondly. "Should we have lunch?"
In response, Haruka nodded enthusiastically and Yukino smiled, walking out of the bedroom with Haruka on her heels. Never noticing until much later in the day, when she was alone in her bedroom, that her old pair of glasses were gone.
---
Much to her parents surprise, Yukino refused their offer to rent a small apartment for her off campus. Instead, she chose to place herself in the university dorms and opted for the choice of having a roommate. Part of Yukino was rather nervous at the idea of sharing space with another person, though she did allow her parents influence to help her get into the nicer complex which had dorms with two small separate bedrooms for the people sharing it as well as a modest bathroom, living room, and kitchen area.
Really it was altogether like living in an apartment except your roommate was chosen by the university based on the information you supplied on the housing application and the building was located in the middle of school grounds. Other than that, it was an like an apartment, and Yukino had a strangely grown up feeling when she stepped inside. Truth be told, the reason she wanted to live in the dorms was to have more chances to interact with the other students on campus in hopes of making new friends and distracting herself just a bit from the loneliness she knew she would experience from not being able to see and speak to Haruka every day even if their schools were so close to each other.
Sometimes she was grateful for her parents work because if they weren't busy people, constantly in meetings that weren't the type that could be cancelled and changed, she was sure they would have insisted on spending the entire day with her as she moved into her dorm room. Only due to their schedules they were just able to spend the first part of the day with Yukino and were long gone by the time she heard the front door open and she was greeted by her roommate. Rin Lake was a tall redhead with a bright smile and inquisitive nature. The moment that they first met, Rin squinted at Yukino, then asked how old she was and if she was in the right place.
"Fourteen and assuming this is Crandler Dorm Room 15, then yes, I am in the right place," Yukino replied dryly.
"You're fourteen years old?" asked Rin, looking surprised. "You must have skipped three grades."
"Four actually," said Yukino, smiling softly.
"Hey," said Rin, nodding towards her luggage which still remained in the living room. "I want to start unpacking. Would you want to spend time with me while I do that? We can get to know each other better. I'm pretty curious about a fourteen year old student at university."
"All right," Yukino conceded, picking up one of the pieces of luggage, following after Rin as they moved down the hallway. "I don't think there's a lot to be curious about though. I'm at the university because I placed higher in my school's placement exams."
"What school?" asked Rin, setting the luggage on the small bed.
"Caeles Academy, it's a private school in Aries," said Yukino. "That's where I'm from."
"Aries?" repeated Rin curiously. "The country with the President instead of a King or Queen?"
"Yes, that country," said Yukino, chuckling. She was well used to the reactions of people from other countries who weren't used to Aries democratic political system. If they didn't disdain the process itself, they tended to be utterly confused by the idea of it. "My father is one of the elected Senators. He represents the state of Sol which is where our capital city, Caeles, is located. Before you ask," Yukino began with an amused smile. "A Senator is something like what a Duke or Dutchess would be except they're chosen by the people."
"A Duke or Dutchess that the people choose," said Rin thoughtfully. A laugh emerging from her lips, she remarked, "I can't even imagine who we would pick in Windbloom if we had that kind of ability."
"Probably someone popular or someone qualified or maybe a combination of both," suggested Yukino kindly. "That's how it is in Aries."
"Maybe," Rin replied, searching through her luggage. "So," she drew the word out slowly, lifting her head to reveal twinkling green eyes. "Risking sounding somewhat cliché, what's your major? Or have you even decided?"
"I'm majoring in International Affairs and Earl Economics," Yukino said, watching as Rin continued to unpack. "You?"
"Pre-law," said Rin, her tone was wry and her first suitcase empty, she placed it on the floor. "I have foolish dreams of helping the commoners in this country. Not that the law helps much when nobles or royalty is involved."
"In Aries," murmured Yukino seriously, holding Rin's gaze. "I suppose you would say everyone is common since its people are the ones who choose those who lead them and when they lead, they can only do so for a limited amount of time before we choose again."
"Sounds nice," said Rin wistfully. "You know," she turned to Yukino, lifting an eyebrow humorously. "When we first met I was a little worried about rooming with someone four years younger than me but I have a feeling you're more mature than ninety nine percent of the Freshman on this campus. I was afraid I was going to get stuck with a roommate who just parties and would constantly disrupt my studying time."
"I think that's the last thing I would be," Yukino admitted, laughing warmly. "And I was worried about the same thing."
"One less thing to worry about," said Rin, opening another suitcase and going through its contents. Looking up at Yukino curiously, she questioned, "Since you're from Aries, do you know anyone in Windbloom? Besides your charming new roommate, that is."
"Yes, I do," Yukino formed a far off expression, her cheeks blushing lightly as she thought of Haruka. "I have a good friend who is attending Garderobe. We've known each other since we were just children."
"The Otome academy?" said Rin and she paused to give an impressed whistle. "I heard that place is harder to get into than any university, that exam of theirs is legendary for its difficulty despite how secret they keep the details of it. You must be really proud of her."
"I am," Yukino breathed the words, more than said them, because she always felt so very overwhelmed and gratified when she thought about the results of Haruka's exam at Garderobe. She knew, more than most, what it took to get into that school because of watching Haruka and hearing from her everything she had to go through and that was the reason she admired Haruka so for her accomplishment. Something done not just for the blonde herself or their country but for Yukino as well. "I'm very proud."
---
A month after her thirteenth birthday, Haruka was on the grounds of Garderobe, her suitcase in hand and a wide grin on her features. She had been released from the medical bay and felt strangely invigorated with the Coral GEM in her ear and the permanent infusion of nanomachines in her system. Haruka wondered why she didn't feel that same horrible sensation from the entrance exam when injected but dismissed it as her body already adapting to the tiny invaders.
Whatever the reason, Haruka was glad for it and she was in good spirits as she moved into a run, making her way through the campus, taking in the sight of the Coral and Pearl students, greeting them as she passed and admiring the wide green spaces of the school. While Garderobe was in middle of Wind City it was like being in nature, giving it a separate feeling from the populated area which Haruka supposed had to do with the school being politically independent from Windbloom despite residing inside the country. Garderobe was a nation onto itself with the Principal as its ruler and the other Columns as her aides.
Finding the guidance office was a relatively easy matter but locating her room in the dorms for the Corals was a little harder. Winding through hallway after hallway, Haruka was ready to shout with frustration, ignoring the fact that she refused the offer from the guidance office worker to lead her there, when she finally came upon her room. Huffing with annoyance, Haruka flung the door open and found the room empty. She snorted loudly, wondering where her roommates were. She was supposed to have two of them but neither were in sight. In fact, the room was untouched, leaving Haruka with the impression she was the first one to arrive. With orientation starting in an hour, it was more than a bit irresponsible for them both to be wandering about the grounds.
Dropping her suitcase on the floor on the right side of the room, Haruka flopped down on the single bed that was there, effectively claiming it and that side of the dorm as her own. The last thing she wanted was to be on a bunk bed with someone sleeping below or above her, the only way that situation would come close to being acceptable would be if the person was Yukino and she was at Windbloom University right now, going through her second week of classes. Sighing quietly, Haruka pulled out the pair of glasses she had taken from Yukino's house just before the older girl left for university. She wasn't sure why she took them, she just knew she wanted to have them, to have some small part of Yukino with her while she was at Garderobe was comforting somehow. Unfolding the glasses, Haruka placed them on her face, grimacing as her vision immediately became blurry and she felt the beginnings of a headache form.
But however much the headache from the glasses hurt, it hurt more knowing she couldn't see Yukino every day, that she couldn't speak with her. The brunette suggested they write to each other, remarking the letters would arrive quickly because of how close they were to one another, but it wasn't the same. She couldn't hear the warmth of Yukino's voice or see her sweet smile and that made it nowhere as good.
"What am doing?" Haruka muttered after a few moments, a scowl forming on her features, she carefully removed the glasses and put them back into her pocket. Kicking her feet up, she sat on her bed, wearing a look of determination. "Sitting around feeling sorry for myself because I can't see Yukino. It's stupid, she'd make fun of me if she knew." She paused after saying this, shaking her head and laughing lightly. "No," she mumbled. "Yukino wouldn't do that, she's too nice. But it is stupid, I worked this hard to get in here and now I'm going to mope? No," Haruka said again, her eyes gleaming with confidence, her right hand clenching into a fist. "I've got to do my best. It's not like I can't ever see her. Right," she enforced, nodding her head eagerly.
Jumping to her feet, she flung her suitcase on the small bed and set about unpacking. Haruka had just changed into her Coral uniform, tugging absently at the collar, and inwardly grumbling that they had to wear something so frilly. Wearing skirts and dresses was something Haruka was sadly used to because even in Aries, it was standard for girls to dress in such a manner, even in the military, but that didn't mean she particularly liked it. Heaving a sigh, she hung her other uniforms in the tiny closet, and just as she shut its door she heard the creek of another door opening and she looked to the front of the room, saying it was about time her roommates showed up.
"Ara," Shizuru Viola's light and melodic voice rang out in the air and Haruka instinctively scowled on hearing it. "Was Haruka-san so anxious to meet me again? I couldn't begin to say how happy I am to know that, it makes me sing inside."
"You," Haruka growled the word more than said it, pointing an accusing finger at Shizuru. "What are you doing here?"
"Moving in," said Shizuru simply, placing her luggage on the bottom bunk and turning to face Haruka in an elegant movement. When she moved, the skirt to her Coral uniform ruffled slightly, and something about that irritated the blonde further. Pushing her brown hair over one shoulder and tilting her head, Shizuru formed something of a pout as she said, "Haruka-san doesn't seem pleased to see me."
"Of course not," huffed Haruka, putting her hands on her hips and frowning. "You're like a diocese! I can't escape you."
"Does Haruka-san mean disease, perhaps?" Shizuru suggested, amusement gleaming in her rust colored eyes.
"That's what I said!" Haruka insisted, scowling heavily. Shaking her head and flopping down on her bed, she stared hard at Shizuru and remarked, "Where's our other roommate? You didn't do something to her, did you?"
"Our roommate," Shizuru said this distantly and for the first time since she encountered the other girl, Haruka saw her form a serious expression on her features. "It was discovered that Cardair used unethical means by which to increase her performance. The doctors here at Garderobe found this out shortly after she was accepted. Since none of the candidates passed the exam, I'm afraid we will have no one to replace her. Alas," she murmured and the seriousness was gone, replaced with a fond twinkle as Shizuru drawled, "it is we alone."
"She cheated," muttered Haruka, her tones dark, her hands clenched into fists. "That's the lowest."
"Yes," said Shizuru lightly, turning back to her luggage to begin her unpacking. "It was most unseemly of Cardair. I don't think it will reflect well on them for whatever upcoming Otome candidates they intend to present. Although," Shizuru said this thoughtfully, looking over her shoulder to offer that strange smile, the one that should have been charming and winsome but Haruka found wholly irritating because she had a sense it came from a false place. "It didn't do her much good in the end since Haruka-san and I had the highest entrance scores."
"I got second," Haruka snorted, folding her arms across her chest and scowling. "It's not good enough."
"Oh?" Shizuru questioned, a curiosity lingering in her voice. "Why does Haruka-san say such a thing? It was good enough to gain entry into Garderobe and that was her purpose, was it not?"
"I have to be the best," said Haruka firmly, her jaw setting. "I made a promise."
"A promise?" echoed Shizuru, a smile curving on her lips. "To whom?"
Blinking and realizing she had just spoke aloud, Haruka glowered at Shizuru and said, "None of your business!"
Shizuru smiled again and she started to reply when there was a knock to the door and they found themselves greeted by the stern form of Miss Maria, informing them it was time for them to go to the annual Garderobe enrollment battles. Walking down the hall, they were joined by Coral after Coral student, and Miss Maria told them as they made their way through the dorm that watching the battles would help them get a good idea of what sort of skill it requires to graduate and become a Meister Otome.
The coliseum for Garderobe reminded Haruka of something out of the collection of fairy tales that Yukino used to read from Florince. It was round in shape with white stone walls and impressive balconies where Haruka could see three of the five Columns gathered. Walking out into the open, Haruka grimaced on seeing how crowded the coliseum was, gritting her teeth as she followed after Shizuru and sat next to her on the long stone bench which went around the structure with the other Corals. Placing her hands on either side of her body to make sure she maintained space between herself, Shizuru, and the nameless Coral on the other side of her, Haruka focused her attention on the center of the coliseum as the booming voice of the school Principal echoed in the air, announcing the battle between Pearl No. 1 Anh Lu and Pearl No. 2 Maya Blythe. Great pillars rose up from the floor of the coliseum and the Principal called out their names, and Pearl No. 1, Anh Lu, gave a graceful bow to the audience, causing many cheers among the Corals. By contrast, Pearl No. 2, Maya Blythe was a far more outrageous figure, bouncing on her toes and shouting for the crowd support, making the cheers for her much louder.
When the call for the battle to begin was sounded, both Pearls produced halberds into their grips and Maya flew across the coliseum, her halberd coming down for a massive blow, only to be blocked by Anh. The battle was one of furious motion, each Pearl flying at each other from different angles, exchanging blows in mid air combat. Haruka was captivated by the sight, she could see the power behind every attack and she wanted to have that same ability, that knowledge these two Pearls had, and as she followed the battle while it moved all across the coliseum, even as Anh sent Maya flying into the wall with a great crash, she took notice of Shizuru's expression.
For once, it wasn't something put upon or fake, something that the brunette had thought about placing there, instead it was one of natural born emotion and the emotion it revealed was admiration. Real and genuine admiration as Shizuru fixed her rust colored gaze on the figure of Anh Lu as she captured Maya Blythe underneath the blade of her halberd and the Principal declared her the winner of the battle.
Seeing this somehow reassured Haruka about her new roommate. She didn't like the falseness she could sense in Shizuru, that she was putting on an act of sorts, playing a game with her charm and her polite ways, but this look she had as she watched Anh Lu battle, this was something real and it made Haruka think that perhaps the other girl was capable of more than just artifice.
Now if only she could get Shizuru to admit that.
To be continued...
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Tho it explains a LOT.
*LOL*
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I couldn't help but notice your 'Balkan Girls look down on you' picture, heh, Balkan girls do seem to fall into the rather hot category, I was over in Macedonia for a year, and they were quite the pretty bunch.
Sorry, rambling. xD Anyways, keep up the wonderful work!
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