✤
After that, Lady Sakura followed Lady Kagura back to the Sky Salon; apparently, they had a bit more to talk about today. Kirara and the Kokonoe sisters accompanied them, but Lady Saeko, Lady Sumire, and their respective Seraphs headed back to the dorms.
I wasn’t exactly sure why, but Himeko and I loitered outside Erisu’s École Kitchen for a while. As she held my hand, all she said was that she wanted to stay a little longer. My guess was that she was waiting for Lady Shion to come out.
Eventually, she and Aoi appeared in the doorway. Himeko practically ran over to them, just as I’d expected.
“Shion!”
“Congratulations on winning over Sakura, Himeko. It was quite a spectacle to behold. Everyone gave it their all.” The smile on Lady Shion’s face suggested she was in a very good mood.
“I see,” Himeko replied hesitantly. “I’m glad you had such a good time. However, you’re ultimately the reason why this became such a large event, aren’t you?”
Without letting her smile drop for a moment, Lady Shion cocked her head in puzzlement. “How so?”
“Please stop trying to feign ignorance. I know you were the one who leaked information about Sakura to Rosalie. She knew things that no one outside the school’s administration should have had access to.”
“Hmm, yes. I suppose I can’t deny it.”
Finally, she’s admitted that she’s the culprit! She must’ve decided that there’s no need to hide it anymore now that the battle for Lady Sakura is over.
“I heard that Sakura was joining the school and wondered if there was some way I could use that to my own ends. Rosalie was right there just when I needed someone. Along the way, I got quite fixated on gathering intel. I even managed to pinpoint that fruitcake was her favorite, but I couldn’t go as far as reading her memories, so I didn’t know exactly how it should be made. You managed to beat me, Misaki.”
Under her piercing gaze, I tensed up. “No, erm, I didn’t do anything.”
Himeko took a step forward as if to protect me. “Now that it’s all over, can you please tell me why you did it?”
“Yes, I suppose I will.” In an instant, the smile dropped and she wore a serious expression. “I was bored, so I wanted to have some fun.”
“Really? That’s all?”
“That’s all. I was really, really bored, though. I’ve been waiting on you, Himeko.”
“What?”
“I remember what you said to me a long time ago—that when you started at this school, you’d make it so much better. You’d make it into a more fun and exciting place. But it’s been a year and a half since you joined and you’ve done nothing of the sort.”
“But—”
“I know it’s easier said than done, and you’ve had a lot on your plate. Still, none of that is my concern. I decided that if you didn’t feel like changing the school, I’d have to do it myself.”
“I’m really sorry that I haven’t done more, but—”
“You don’t need to apologize,” Lady Shion replied, her voice kind as she turned to walk away. “I’ve already learned not to expect anything from you. I’ll take care of it instead.” She turned her head slightly and shot a challenging gaze at Himeko. “You can just watch in silence.”
Anguish haunted Himeko’s eyes. “Shion, I never intended to lie to you. I still want to make the school a better place!”
“Don’t strain yourself. Stick to your figurehead deputy chairman role.”
With those scathing words, she departed with Aoi. Unable to stop them or make a counterargument, Himeko stood and watched Lady Shion go with a look of frustration and regret.
✦ ✦ ✦
✤
Himeko walked back to her dorm with leaden footsteps. She didn’t say a word along the way. Not wanting to leave her alone, I tagged behind. Even though we’d won today, with Lady Sakura set to join the Sky Salon, any joy resulting from that had totally vanished.
Her mood didn’t lift at all when we got to her room. I suggested we have a bath, hoping that would cheer her up, but she remained totally silent even after we went into the bathroom. I ended up just watching her from inside the tub as she washed without my help for once. There was nothing I could do.
Himeko had wanted to make this school better. However, as far as I knew, she had only done the bare minimum. There was nothing inherently wrong with that, of course, but it sounded like she hadn’t stuck to what she’d told Lady Shion.
I know there must be some reason behind it, but I have no idea what it could be. If only I could do more to help Himeko. Maybe I should ask her. The problem is, if she tells me, it’ll inevitably make me want to be even closer to her. Then it’ll be tough to break off our relationship when the time comes.
Leaving Himeko’s side was already difficult, but I couldn’t imagine what would happen if we forged an even deeper relationship.
I blew bubbles in the water.
When Himeko finally showed me a smile, it looked slightly forced, but I could tell she’d come back to herself a little. “I’m sorry you had to see me like this.”
“Please don’t worry about it. You can always be yourself in front of me.”
“Thank you, Misaki.” There it was—the usual Himeko smile. “By the way, it’s almost summer vacation. Will you go home and see your family?”
“No, I was planning to stay here the whole time.”
“Excellent! Then we can be together all summer.”
“Oh! Yes!”
It sounded like Himeko planned to stay on campus over the vacation too.
“I wonder if anyone else from the Sky Salon will be sticking around?” she mused. “Kagura will probably be going back to see her family, and Inaho too. I don’t know about the others, but Sakura only just got here, so I doubt she’ll be going anywhere just yet. Either way, the Sky Salon will be pretty empty, so we can enjoy having it all to ourselves!”
“That sounds nice. I’ll do my best to make delicious treats for you.”
Himeko chuckled. “I can’t wait.”
She turned off the shower and got into the tub behind me. Wrapping her arms around me, she said, “During the summer, I’m going to set myself straight. It might end up giving you a lot of work, but I could really use your help.”
“That’s what I’m here for. I’m your Seraph.”
The word “Seraph” was a weighty one, as was the position it represented. I was Himeko’s Seraph. Every time I said it, it seemed to grow in significance. At the same time, something was starting to grow inside me. A feeling that was very comfortable and made me want to surrender myself to it.