Shirahane Suoh/Extra Episode

A deep and harsh winter passed at Saint Angraecum Academy, and a new spring arrived. A season of multifariously coloured flowers and new meetings. Shirahane Suoh reflected on how weak she had been a year again, and recalled the times that had passed quickly, busily, since. Reflected that, by now, that old, weaker version of herself was gone. Now she was surrounded by the friends she’d longed for, and a lover besides; could the old her have imagined such a thing? There were times she thought herself that it was a dream. And in those times of weakness, she would always ―

‘Have faith in yourself: you’ve gotten stronger’

She stroked the bud of a rose like a treasure, and whispered those words to herself. She checked her wristwatch: 11.41 PM. There were still 19 minutes left until the time they’d decided. She recalled something and looked over a corner of the greenhouse. There, grown by Dahlia Basquiat, was the flower that bore her name in Japanese; that could be said to be a part of herself: the Chinese Redbud. Its meaning in the language of flowers: “Doubt”, “Betrayal”, “Suspicious”―negative words piled atop one another, as if to make one question how a flower could be so ominous. Even now, away from the shadow of her step-mother, to see it made her remember the words of her father. No matter what, she couldn’t forget them―

(Because I can’t forget what happened that day)

Even now, with so much happiness, to think of the origin of her name made her chest feel constricted. Her father, who would always decorate the room with the Chinese Rosebud on certain days. And his expression, always so painful, and so sad. She recalled how to her young self, it had made her feel anxious. She must have felt instinctually that it was nothing good. Having learnt what the flower meant, gained knowledge and grown, now her mind could only guide her to one and the same conclusion whenever she thought about her parents. That conclusion: the flower means ― betrayal. An existence that was a symbol of something negative: Judas, hanging for his betrayal. The failure that I am… no doubt I am ― I am not Shirahane Suoh…

Her mother, who would never return. Her father’s expression, the sound of rain, the flowers left in the room. The memories spun and changed inside her world, always reaching the same conclusion. There was no deeper meaning to the flower; it represented her father’s feelings plainly and simply ― that is, “her mother’s betrayal”. But her reason sounded a warning and her train of reasoning always stopped there. She mustn’t step any further. She would only hurt herself. A bolt of weariness went through her, and she looked at the watch once again.

11.46 PM. Only five minutes had passed. She wiped her sweaty forehead with her handkerchief. At same point, she realized, she’d sat down. She went to stand up, and then Suoh felt a warm, gentle heaviness upon her back. And at the same time the scent of bittersweet citrus that she loved. The worries she’d been steeped in just before seemed to instantly recede, such was the joy she felt in that moment. The owner of that intimate scent, which filled Suoh’s heart, hugged her firmly from behind.

‘Sorry for making you wait. It’s alright. I’m right here with you’

Perhaps having guessed the situation, Kousaka Mayuri said this while approaching her face to Suoh’s own. Suoh didn’t want to make Mayuri worry, but Mayuri understood her well enough to know that, and reproached her ― whereupon Suoh taught her the secret hidden within her name. Because she didn’t wish to have secrets between Amitie partners, precious as they were to one another. Mayuri gently stroked her hair and laid her lips upon Suoh’s. The soft, sweet scent, like a sunny spot in the shade, enveloped Suoh as she hugged Mayuri back.

‘Thank you, Mayuri. I love you’

‘I love you too Suoh. I’ve told you before: you are nobody aside from Shirahane Suoh, the girl I fell for. And your name doesn’t affect a thing’

Suoh let out a response with a face that seemed about to burst into tears with joy:

‘Mayuri, call me by my name once again’

‘Suoh, I love you. I will say it as many times as you need: Suoh’

Mayuri’s words were able to reassure Suoh from the heart. She was able to believe, just from Mayuri saying her name out loud. She was glad to know that she was accepted. They embraced, with only the moon to look upon them, for a long time. It was a time so filled with happiness, that it made her name seem such a slight thing. With Mayuri by my side, there’s no limit to how strong I can become, thought Suoh. While feeling her body’s warmth, she prayed to the moon overlooking them and to God, to give thanks for her meeting with her precious Amitie, and so that this joy and happiness might continue forever on.

**Translated by Undene Sich Winden**