Extra: short side-story that takes place during Cutting Losses.
Warnings: Snarky Nao-POV; inconsistencies with the name of the school because of all the Westernized names in Otome...and my laziness.

Nao, Youko, and Arika all paused as Shizuru emerged from the Principal's office and slammed the door with shocking force. She strode away at a good clip, much unlike her usual glide.

"Trouble in paradise," Youko murmured.

"Should we take care of it?"

It took Nao and second to realize Arika had taken Youko's words seriously. "It's an expression, kid. The Principal probably opened her mouth and something stupid fell out of it."

The Principal's door opened again, and Natsuki turned a bewildered look to them. Right on cue, she said, "What did I say?"

Nao heaved a sigh and went in Shizuru's direction. "Stay here," she told Arika, not wanting the scar the poor kid for life. Nao didn't care what Shizuru's general impression was on people: you couldn't be that in control all the time and not have some kind of weird kink. Who knew what kind of terrible things she might hear on this venture? She found Shizuru on one of many little patios on the outer edge of campus.

"What'd she say this time?" she asked, as if she were somehow emotionally in touch with the Principal's stupidity. It seemed a highly probable thing though. Nao flopped down on the bench next to Shizuru. "Did you hear about that indecent exposure charge and think we were having sex?"

Shizuru's expression was rigid. "Yes."

"And you know we weren't, right? I mean, I'd tap that, but circumstances as they are, like you probably killing me in some horrifying way—and the fact that she's a complete idiot—are really turn-offs for me. Plus, she's a total prude; she'd never have sex in public."

Shizuru didn't take the bait. "I fucked Tomoe Marguerite. To ensure Natsuki's safety."

"Okay. Gross. You must really love Kruger, that's all I have to say, 'cause that bitch is slimey. You've told Kruger, right?"

"Yes."

"Uh, huh." Nao wasn't sure where this conversation was leading. "And why exactly are you mad and she isn't?"

"She isn't jealous."

Nao opened her mouth then closed it. The hell? "She probably understood your motivations. I mean, I guess it could be considered romantic." Yuck.

"She made it clear she didn't care if I even had feelings for the girl. She could care less."

Nao had no idea what to say. Why was it that the one time she decided to help, the person actually talked about her romantic woes? Shizuru was supposed to tell her to fuck off, and Nao would happily comply. But, no, she got the entire sob story, delivered by the scariest woman on the planet. Damn her luck.

Shizuru continued tonelessly. "We first time had sex was during the year before her graduation. I was ecstatic. I loved her, and she was going to be a Column. We would work side by side to make something great, something lasting. I assumed our relationship would progress as well. But that morning I was called away, and she took a brief leave to go home. When we reunited, Natsuki acted like we'd never been together. But the next time we were together, weeks later, I was certain we would stay lovers.

"I had to attend a diplomatic function. A senator there got me drunk, which is a feat in itself, and she took me back to her apartment. I told her 'no' all the same, and she let me go amicably enough, but I knew people would assume. I hurried back to Gardeloupe because I wanted to explain to Natsuki in person that nothing had happened, that I hadn't wanted anything to happen, and Natsuki greeted me with congratulations."

Shizuru closed her eyes, and Nao was discomfited to see a tear slide down her cheek. "You never told her?"

"What's the point? If she doesn't want to be exclusive…" Shizuru shrugged. "But the way she spoke today, I'm—I've always been her only lover. I just don't understand."

"Maybe she's mentally retarded. How's that?" Nao supplied. "If you're unhappy with the way things are, just break things off."

"Break up?" Shizuru finally looked Nao in the eye, and she did so with an intensity that startled Nao.

"Sure. If making her jealous never worked—" Shizuru winced, but Nao didn't know why she was upset since it had always been fairly obvious that Shizuru's so called conquests were for the benefit of one person only, and that person was Natsuki. "—then just break up. If she loves you, she'll ask to get back together, and you just tell her your terms. Repeat it with me: I want to be exclusive."

Shizuru took a breath. "I want to be exclusive." She winced and sighed. "I'm going to have to be honest, aren't I?"

"It's good every once in a while. You okay now?"

"Better."

As Nao got up to leave, she felt…vaguely charitable. She caught Shizuru's eye and said, "Good luck. We never had this conversation."

"My lips are sealed."

-around Kruger's pussy. Yeah, Kruger wished.

-end-