Mai-Hime belongs to Sunrise.

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Chapter 1

It was a regular Monday morning when all of the students of Fuka Academy was still in dreamland, snuggling closer to the warmth of their soft pillows in an attempt to savor the remaining seconds of the weekend. Let us be real. Almost everyone hated Mondays. Well, almost but not all. Because the day had already began in one of the mansions in Garderobe Hills.

Garderobe Hills was subdivided into two implied hierarchy. The Uptown Garderobe which was an exclusive and high-end residential place for the rich and famous people in Japan. It was Japan's version of America's Beverly Hills. The residents were famous actors and actresses, politicians, and businessman. It was no surprise to see humongous mansions with gardens the size of a soccer field and swimming pools in weird shapes and designs. One of the residents' swimming pools was even filled with perfume instead of water. Why? Well, that was just a proof of those rich people's weirdness and extravagance. Everything in that area of Garderobe screamed luxury. Literally.

Then there was the Downtown Garderobe where other normal people who had decent livelihood such as small-scale businessmen, professional practitioners like lawyers and doctors, and the like lived. The place was the typical residential place with houses of two storeys. Everything in that area screamed simplicity and humility which was in contrast to the other end of Garderobe.

One of the residents of the Uptown Garderobe was the daughter of Japan's Prime Minister, Shizuru Fujino. She was a woman of grace and high upbringing. Eyes the color of blood, soft pink lips, rosy cheeks, long tawny mane which flowed down just in the middle of her petite back, fair complexion, and a skinny body devoid of unnecessary fats. Unlike any ordinary students of her age, she was wide awake long before her alarm clock hit six o'clock in the morning. She got up from the comfort of her queen-sized bed and started her usual morning routine. She was not required to be in the school ground until seven-thirty in the morning. She took a quick shower before bringing herself down the dining hall where the uniformed maids had just finished laying her breakfast on the elegant long dining table. Her breakfast mostly consisted of healthy food and nothing sugary in them.

Shizuru sat herself on the end of a twelve-seater table while her butler stood behind her. The man was wearing his usual attire which was black suit. He was a man of age and was serving the Fujino family for years that it will not be a wonder if he will take his last breath in the mansion.

"Good morning, Ojou-sama. I hope the meal is to your liking. Please inform me should you have anything in mind and I will inform our helpful chef to prepare them."

Shizuru flashed him a smile before arranging the table napkin on her lap. "Good morning, too, Akito-san. I believe there is no need for the bother." She started with her breakfast as the maids stood to her right in an array. For some commoners, the scene was quite awkward but never for a Shizuru Fujino who was used to the treatment ever since she had her first intake of oxygen.

It felt lonely being the only diner in the massive hall but she had no right to complain. Plus it was not as if complaining will get her anywhere. It was her fate and she had long resigned to it. Her parents were always away to fulfill their respective duty. Her mother was a businesswoman who always traveled abroad while her father was Japan's current Prime Minister. She was an only child for obvious reason. Her parents did not have much time for each other although, she knew that they were trying to always make themselves available during most of the important events in her life such as her birthday which the two never missed. So far.

"Your lift is ready, Ojou-sama." The butler informed when he noticed her removing the table napkin from her lap. It was his usual cue that they will be going to his ward's school.

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Shizuru was wearing a cream colored blazer over her white undershirt. A red ribbon was secured around her neck. She was wearing black skirt which was above her knees and a pair of black socks which fell a little below her knees. A pair of black shoes was on her feet. A role model for an obedient student. A red arm band with the word "member" written on it was secured around her right arm. She was one of the members of the student council. Being a sophomore, that was the highest position that she can be elected to because the seats for higher positions were reserved for juniors and seniors who were more experienced in managing the school affairs.

She was looking at the school ground which was filled with students. Fuka Academy was the center of Garderobe Hills where children of both Uptown and Downtown parents were sent to. Ordinary students' uniform design was the same with the one worn by Shizuru except for the coat color which was black. Instead of red ribbon, they wore black tie and they also had the option to wear pants instead of skirt. Everyone had the option except that Shizuru preferred skirt over pants herself. She believed that wearing skirts was more lady-like than wearing trousers which in her opinion should be worn only by gentlemen. Just like any other schools, there were packs of snobbish rich privileged kids who didn't want to associate themselves with commoners. The same went for some commoners who didn't want to breathe the same air as the former. But there were also students who did not give a damn about social status.

The uniform was the same for everyone regardless of social status unless one was a student council member. The most obvious method used to determine one's status was their mode of transportation. The Uptowners usually came in sleek vehicles such as limousine, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Pagani Huayra, Aston Martin One, Koenigsegg One, Mansory Vivere Bugatti Veyron and all others. While those Downtowners used bicycles, normal cars which can still travel the same distance and had the same speed with overpriced vehicles, and some even just walked to school. The extravagance was not true for all students though, because there are Uptowners who live like they were Downtowners but never the other way around.

The sleek black limousine that was carrying her abruptly stopped, causing her body to be thrown forward. She heard her driver let out an amused laugh before the man turned to her. Typical driver will be pissed as hell when someone suddenly blocked their way but it looked like she had a unique employee to say the least.

Akito turned his attention to his ward after blowing the car's horn in a not so gentle manner. "My apologies, Ojou-sama. Are you alright?"

"I am fine, Akito-san. What happened?" Shizuru tried straightening herself and gaining her balance again. They were already in the school ground where her butler, who also happened to be her personal driver, was just rounding the curve near a huge fountain.

"A young lady suddenly came across our path, Ojou-sama." Akito explained, looking at the very familiar figure.

"You can drop me here, Akito-san." She grabbed her satchel from the passenger's seat before starting to come out of the limousine. Her butler was already opening the door for her before she can open it herself.

"Have a pleasant day, Ojou-sama." Akito gave her a knowing smile. His eyes casted a quick glance to their little distraction who had not move a muscle from her position which was in front of their limousine. He was used to the intruder's surprises and as long as his ward did not give him any instruction to get rid of it, he had no heart to do anything. He himself believed that the little chaos in the form of a young lady was a good thing to spice up his ward's routinary and boring perfect life.

"All I am asking is a peaceful day, Akito-san. But I don't think that I will be having one today." She released a sigh and looked at the grinning figure a few steps away from her.

There straddling a bicycle was a young lady with long raven mane, green eyes, snow-white skin and a firm body typical for athletes. She was wearing black coat and trousers as her feet were planted on the ground to prevent herself from falling. She parked her bicycle a few inches away from the limousine's front and grinned at Shizuru who was shooting her cold glares.

"Perhaps giving in to her demand would make her stop. A short tea time with her might not hurt, Ojou-sama. We can even host it at the mansion should security be of concern to you. But then again, it is still up to you." Akito closed the passenger's door.

"I highly doubt that, Akito-san. That will only further encourage her." She glanced at the woman whose smile widened at her.

"I shall be taking my leave now, Ojou-sama. Inform me should you have an errand for me. Until then." He glided back inside the driver's seat.

Shizuru decided to face one of her unfortunate encounters, as she termed it, and started striding towards the young lady who was straddling her bicycle.

"Perhaps Kuga-san would like to clear the way and allow Akito-san to proceed his way?" Shizuru slowed down near Natsuki before briskly walking towards the academy's direction.

Natsuki pedaled her bicycle and in just a few seconds, she was riding beside Shizuru. "Good morning, too, Your Majesty! What a lovely day to be graced by your presence once again." She halted her bicycle in front of Shizuru. "Breakfast?" She offered the sandwich held in her right hand towards Shizuru after fishing it out of her satchel which was strapped across her back.

"Thank you but I must refuse. I had taken my sustenance for the morning." Shizuru glanced at the sandwich, which was dripping with mayonnaise, in disgust. It was too early for one of her veins to pop in annoyance. Plus she should be seen by other students as someone who was graceful and calm.

"Your loss, then." Natsuki shrugged before biting into the sandwich. She looked like she just had a taste of the most exquisite food in the world. Her left hand was holding unto the bike's handle while her right hand was busy feeding her mouth. She continued circling Shizuru while riding her bike. "So, finally decided to go on a date with me today?"

"No." Shizuru hissed and glared at her. She had been hearing that question since day one and two more months of endurance awaited her before class will finally come to end. Natsuki can be so persistent in a not so good way and no matter how many times she rejected her, the woman did not seem to know when to give up.

"Tomorrow?" Natsuki rounded again, trying to keep the bicycle's distance so as not to bump into Shizuru who continued walking, ignoring her.

"No." Shizuru ignored her and continued walking faster.

Natsuki grabbed Shizuru's satchel from her hands and slung it over her shoulder. "The day after tomorrow?"

Shizuru halted in her steps and released an annoyed sigh. "Still no. It will be a no for eternity. No means no, Kuga-san."

"That hurts, your highness." Natsuki stopped in front of Shizuru and emerald orbs stared into crimson ones with emotion that Shizuru preferred to ignore.

For a moment Shizuru caught a glimpse of genuine hurt crossed the other's feature before it was covered with a grin.

"Natsuki! Hurry up. You'll be late for the meeting." A woman with fiery red head and well-endowed bust yelled from the entrance arc. She was wearing the same uniform with Natsuki except that her bottom consisted of skirts and not trousers. She was waiving her satchel in the air as she cupped her hand to serve as an amplifier.

"Shit! I forgot about that." Natsuki muttered under her breath before turning to Shizuru. "Gotta go before captain decides to drown my ass in the pool during practice later. Don't miss me too much, babe." She winked before giving back Shizuru's satchel.

"In your dreams." Shizuru grabbed her satchel back and her fists tightened around its handle.

"Oh, I always dream about you, Ojou-sama. Every single night. But I don't think you want to hear the details. They're not PG13." Natsuki smirked at Shizuru's reaction who almost wanted to chop her head off. She could see that the woman was urging every ounce of control in her body as to prevent herself from ruthlessly hitting Natsuki with her satchel. "See you later!" She waved her hands before pedaling away from Shizuru and going towards her captain's direction.

"I pray not." Shizuru silently uttered under her breath before she tried calming her raging nerves.

The woman always had a knack for annoying the hell out of her. Suffice it to say that Natsuki's daily routine consisted of pestering her every chance she got. Natsuki was a freshman which was a good thing for her because the probability of them sharing the same class is extremely low. Impossible even. For whatever reason, the freshman seemed to be attracted to her like a metal to a magnet. Being a sophomore and a member of the student council, she was tasked to give a quick tour for the freshman during the latter's first day in the academy. Shizuru wasn't quite surprise when the woman expressed her admiration on that same day because she was used to the occurrence. But what surprised her was the effort that she was spending in putting those words of admiration into action. Shizuru had a fair share of admirers and she surely did not need an additional fangirl who was more annoying than what she had in hand.

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Author's Notes: You guys are so going to kill me this time for real. Believe me when I say that I have the ideas in my head but they just won't flow through my hands. In other words, I'm running out of words! This is worse than a writer's block. I know I have mentioned that I will not be writing any time soon because of my tight schedule but something just popped in my head when I was reading some stories. I kept skipping them without finishing because that was not what I wanted to read. So, here I am again, writing what I want to read. I don't know if that does even make any sense at all. Let me know your thoughts on this one ;)