Kazami Serika

The first reason I admired Zuiran Institute was how cute school uniform looked on the older onee-san in the neighborhood. The fine white design possessed an air about it unlike any other school uniform, and it was love at first sight. I exclaimed, "That clothes on the onee-san's cute!" to my mother who replied, "That's the uniform that you can wear if you attend a school called Zuiran Institute."

"Zuiran Institute." I didn't know what kind of school that was but wanting to wear that uniform I said, "I want to go to Zuiran, too," much to the joy of my parents, who went to ask that onee-san's family about Zuiran. The Onee-san's family ran a general practice hospital that also specialized in multiple departments, so my family went to them when we had a cold or for preventive care, so the director parents' and onee-san greeted me with a smile and told us about the entrance exams.

The onee-san in high school and the junior high students wore the white blazer, but the elementary school wore navy colors. I felt bummed a little, but the grade school uniform in the pamphlet they showed me were very cute, so it reaffirmed me wanting to attend Zuiran. The stained glass windows in the school building looked like a church, and the building was like a castle in the middle of the forest, so beautiful.

"Serika-chan, Zuiran has a society called the Pivoine composed of chosen students."

"Pivoine?"

"Yes, it means the peony flower in French. 'Regal presence' is it known as in the language of flowers. As the name implies, they are worthy of ruling over Zuiran."

I didn't understand some of the words well, but her stories of Zuiran elevated my admiration of Zuiran. A special school with special people. There must be many people like princesses and princes, and if I were in the Pivoine, I'd be able to spend my time as a princess in my dreams.

I had already been attending preschool to study for elementary school entrance, so I didn't change much other than making Zuiran my target. The study became harder to match Zuiran, though. Even so, I worked hard to wear that uniform. Mother said that some children from especially powerful houses were entering Zuiran this year, so competition would be fierce. I was uneasy about qualifying, but it was worth working so hard at my lessons when I was accepted into the idolized Zuiran…. But I wasn't able to get into the Pivoine. Even so, I was happy when I wore the uniform. A shiny, wonderful uniform and a shiny school. I was going to have a splendid time at the sparkling Zuiran!

I found out what the 'special people' were like after the entrance ceremony when I entered my class. Kisshouin Reika-sama… I understood the moment I saw this child. No, this person was so unlike any of the other kids. She was what I idolized about Zuiran. The big eyes, the pink cheeks, the beautifully curled hair were that of a princess in a picture book. There really was a princess in Zuiran!

As the daughter of the Kisshouin Group, and descended from nobility, she was obviously a member of the Pivoine. So this is the Pivoine! And this girl is the princess of the Pivoine! Incredible! Just incredible! Maybe I can be like a princess if I stayed next to her! I anxiously greeted Reika-sama. The western doll smiled at me.

There were other members of the Pivoine, but Reika-sama stood out among them. First, their wealth. My family was comparatively wealthy, but the Pivoine were on a different level. Even among the Pivoine, the Kisshouin family were among the top. Add the bloodlines that wealth can't buy, and how calm and capable Reika-sama was compared to us of the same age, and her doll-like face stroke admiration of the girls, and all students held her in awe and fear.

Even among the special class, the Pivoine, Reika-sama was at the pinnacle. If the world were right, she really would be a princess. I was proud to be the closest to her. Reika-sama is the symbol of what a perfect Zuiran girl was!

And the perfect Zuiran boys were Kaburagi Masaya-sama and Enjou Shuusuke-sama. They're so cool! They're handsome, smart, and athletic… Possessing all of these traits, they were obviously Pivoine members, and even upperclassmen looked up to them. The silent and dignified Kaburagi-sama, and the gentle and wise Enjou-sama. Though they were very different, among their male adherents, they truly possessed a regal presence. They have an aura that naturally makes others subservient.

Before I knew, Kaburagi-sama was called the Emperor, and he would truly rule Zuiran as he was named. Kaburagi-sama was friendly with the boys, but possessed an air that would keep girls away, so unless I had a necessary errand, I could only watch him from afar.

Enjou-sama had a friendlier presence compared to Kaburagi-sama, but still had an air that would keep us somewhat distant.

And the only girl who could speak to them as an equal was Reika-sama! And Reika-sama was the only girl that the Emperor spoke to for himself. Reika-sama really is special!

When we excitedly pointed that out to Reika-sama, she casually replied that they spoke with other Pivoine members normally, but we've rarely seen that so, we don't know the truth of that statement. What we do know is that Kaburagi-sama spoke to Reika-sama on his own, and looked very friendly.

Kaburagi-sama and Enjou-sama, and Reika-sama are the brilliant symbol of Zuiran!

…When was it that I had misgivings about that Reika-sama? The first time was… a tiny, tiny pebble called a misgiving. Then that tiny, tiny pebble created many ripples in my mind. Perfect and flawless, and special. The special person was being attacked by deers in Nara! Huh, a pigeon pooped on that perfect person…? Isn't her luck too awful? She trips on a stair not noticing it (is she careless?). Got caught by an elevator closing (Huh? Not paying attention?). She goes to her locker to retrieve a book, but comes back empty handed (Huh? Forgetting something at this age?) etc. etc…

I discovered many other small flaws like this. Fortunately, the other students haven't noticed. We haven't spoken about it, but Kikuno-san and Ayame-san may have noticed. But we can't say it. If we did, it might ruin many different things!

But! However, no matter how many mistakes there were, even if she alone gets attacked by deers, even if pigeons leave droppings on her, Reika-sama is our leader, the greatest group of girls of Zuiran. We can't let other students take her lightly. Especially that Tsuruhana group that's just waiting to overthrow her. If Reika-sama isn't perfect, we just have to support her! We strengthen ourselves around Reika-sama.

Reika-sama occasionally disappears by herself. It's our duty as close aides to find her.

"Hungry, hungry… funfunfunfun…." From an isolated set of stairs, I hear a familiar voice singing a strange song…. Reika-sama's humming a weird song!? Hungry, hungry!? Is she making up that song (Is she strange!?) Why here?! I turned around in the fall making loud footsteps on purpose. The humming stopped instantly. I called, "Reika-sama."

"What is it, Serika-san?" Reika-sama descended gracefully from the stairs.

"Oh, there you are, Reika-sama. Much time has passed since lunch break began. Shall we go eat?"

"Yes, I'm sorry. Much time had passed as I was thinking, looking out the window."

"I see. Then, shall we go to the cafeteria?"

"Yes. I am hungry." You must be.

As I sensed the danger in Reika-sama's carelessness, I joined with Kikuno-san and the others to always protect Reika-sama's public persona. We'd act as her shield in the open by supporting Reika-sama so that others wouldn't notice her small mistakes, and in the shadows, call out and pressure the fools and insolent ones to prevent future interrogations. Thanks to our devoted activities, Reika-sama's influence grew across the school.

These joyous if busy school days brought us to our senior year, and I was to room with her in London for the school trip. After seeing a musical at the Piccadilly Circus, I stepped out from the bath and opened the bathroom door to find Reika-sama singing and dancing. Oh, no… I should have confirmed before opening the door… Too late to regret, since my eyes met Reika-sama's.

"…"

"…"

What do I do! She'll feel embarrassed if I don't do something…! Should I praise her, or… Oh, if I call myself her aide, forget being embarrassed, just do it! "Christine!"

I threw away much in that foreign land, and drew a figure 8 in extending my hand to her, and Reika-sama's face brightened. As we reenacted the phantom of the opera for tens of minutes, Reika-sama went to bed very pleased. I also got ready for bed, since I was already exhausted before I took my bath.

That night… 'pee…pee…'

What is that strange sound? Is that the devil whistling?! Nope. Reika-sama's nose whitling… I got up silently and retrieved my earplugs from a pouch and pulled the covers over my head.

In Paris, Reika-sama was troubled choosing a gift for a man. "He had very good taste, so I'm not sure what would make him happy…"

We joined to help, but being considerate, Reika-sama said that we should go shop for ourselves. As if we could leave Reika-sama by herself! Then Enjou-sama arrived. I know, we can have Enjou-sama choose for her! We asked Enjou-sama and he agreed. Being considerate, we left Reika-sama alone with Enjou-sama. Good luck, Reika-sama!

"Enjou-sama definitely likes Reika-sama."

"I think so, too, Serika-san." Enjou-sama's eyes look so kind when he looks at Reika-sama!

As we discussed whether to continue shopping or stop at a café, so Zuiran boys called to us. "Hey. What are you standing around here for?"

"Discussing whether we should shop or go to a café first. And you?"

"We're about to go for some sorbet." We see the shop where he points.

"Sorbet in Paris? Sounds nice."

"Yeah." As we were introduced to another option, he asked, "Want to come with us?"

"Oh? Does that mean you're treating us?"

"Uh, I guess so."

"Fufun. I guess we'll let you treat us," we laughed arrogantly.

They complained, "You've got an attitude for being treated," but took us there anyway.

The shop had many flavors of sorbet. What should I get? There are so many…. Okay, black currant, it is. We sit down at a nearby bench and enjoy our sorbets.

"This is so juicy and delicious!"

"Isn't it! I was right choosing a fruit flavor."

"Be grateful to us asking you all."

"Quit being so self-important." Kikuno-san took a huge spoonful of the sorbet from him, and he screamed, 'gyaa'. She really shows no mercy in taking that moundful. We felt sorry for him, so each of us gave him a little bit of our own.

"I don't see your boss, but you aren't with her for a change?"

"What do you mean boss!? Call her Reika-sama!"

"It's rude to Reika-sama!" They don't seem to mind us getting mad, since they keep laughing.

"Shouldn't you all be a little more nervous?"

"Well, the sleeping lion of Zuiran just keeps on sleeping, recently."

"Yeah."

What?! This is horrible! Reika-sama's being taken lightly! As they say, even with small skirmishes with the Tsuruhana group, there hasn't been any large conflicts, so they may not fear Reika-sama much. That Satomi Yukinari is a good example. We have to put him down once. Oh! But Reika-sama can't be taken lightly! We have to show everyone that she is at the pinnacle of the Zuiran girls once again!

As we found new determination, Reika-sama joined us having Enjou help her choose a nice gift. She seemed happy looking through the many boxes of gifts.

On the final night of the school trip, we gathered in Reika-sama's room packing and chatting. Suddenly Reika-sama exclaimed, "My Byakugou is gone!" Huh? Byakugou? Apparently it's white hair of good luck. White hair…? Reika-sama has white hair?

Reika-sama seemed so troubled, we decided to just get her to sleep. We stuffed her in bed and forcefully got her to sleep. Phew… We definitely didn't do it because she was being too much trouble.

"Should we go to sleep, too?"
"Yes."

"But what was that byakugou?"

"Apparently, it was on her face."

"Oh…" Hair on her face… I peered at her sleeping face. I envy her long eyelashes. She turned her head and exposed her forehead. "Huh…?" Something's missing…

"What's wrong, Serika-san?"

"Something's missing from Reika-sama's face…"

"Something…?" Everyone gazed at her face and everyone found it to their shock!

"Re, Reika-sama's eyebrow…"

"Her eyebrow's half-missing!" Turmoil! Pandemonium! This is horrible! Reika-sama's eyebrow is missing!

"No, look closely. It's just a little thin. There's some soft hair." Kikuno-san calmed down first and observed. It's true. I'm so glad… But it still doesn't look good. Reika-sama must have used a pencil to add to it normally. But it's so depressing to see such a pretty face like this, it feels like looking at a doll tossed away for missing half an eyebrow…

"I know! I have some hair restoration cream!"

"That's it! Rune-san, put it on Reika-sama's eyebrow, quickly!" Good job, Rune-san! I guess everyone felt the misery, and jumped at Rune-san's words. We gently rubbed the cream onto the sleeping Reika-sama's eyebrow.

"Get plenty on there! Plenty!"

"I know." Grow. Grow! Reika-sama's eyebrow, hurry up and grow.

But feeling uncomfortable, Reika-sama murmured, and rubbed the eyebrow with the cream. That instant…. "Oh!" It fell out… Two more important hairs from her eyebrow… It's no use… We're not use… We're powerless against Reika-sama's balding eyebrow.

Defeated, we backed away from her bed and decided to never speak of this. We didn't see. We don't know. The next morning, Reika-sama's eyebrow was beautifully in order. Yes, last night was a dream.

From that day, our duties increased to watch out for wind and sweat affecting her eyebrow.

The biggest reason I'm with Reika-sama since elementary school is because I like her personality. For example, when we change classes or go out after school, when we move as a group, Reika-sama always turns around and waits for the last person. The one who notices someone not feeling well is always Reika-sama.

People think I'm confident and strong-willed, but I'm sometimes timid about getting attention. Once, when I wasn't feeling well, I couldn't ask to go to the infirmary, but Reika-sama noticed and asked the teacher for me. And she even took me there herself. It's a little thing, but it made me happy.

She had the most power among the girls in Zuiran, but she's a little strange and absent-minded, and makes those close to her nervous, but Reika-sama is someone who makes us want to support her no matter what when she smiles happily.

I hope we can stay friendly even through college.

As I reminisced of our past, I noticed mail from Kikuno-san. "What's this… 'everyone's going to barbeque.' Barbeque with Shimamoto-kun and others from Touzai high school. Reply… 'OK'." If the barbeque is during the day, I need to watch out for the sun. Sunscreen and bug repellant… and a hat. I had to borrow a hat from Shimamoto-kun the last time, so I need to bring my own this time. He said the cap looked wrong on me! Ayame-chan had a cute hat, so maybe I should talk to her.