[accidental video]

[quicktoreward]

[The video opens on Utena and an older girl. Utena is dressed in her boy's uniform, the other is dressed more sharply; the remaining light glints off of the gold locket around her neck. They're talking while sitting on the edge of a fountain. Utena is speaking, almost as if she's telling a story to herself. The older teenager listens quietly.]

When I was a little kid, it was getting late at night. Kind of like this, Arisugawa-sempai. A prince came to me and said, "Never lose your strength or nobility even when you become a woman." He gave me this ring. [Arisugawa is silent as Utena raises her hand to look at the ring she always wears.]

It'll lead me to him one day or at least that's what he told me. He was so impressive--I want to see him again so I wear this uniform to be a little bit closer to him. [Arisugawa tilts her head slightly, not interrupting Utena but acknowledging that she's listening.] Ah; sorry for telling you such strange stories. However, I don't believe that the Student Council is right about the power of the Rose Bride's miracles but...

How should I put it... [Utena lowers her hand back to her lap, absorbed in her memories.] I believe that I'm fated to meet him again. Maybe you could call that a miracle, but...

[Arisugawa stands up, Utena's words drifts off as Arisugawa moves in front of her. She places her hands on her shoulders and leans close. Utena's face is suddenly tinged with a blush.] Sempai...?

[And the video cuts out.]

Comments

[icantbelievethis]

...Okay, what, now everybody wants you?

[quicktoreward]

...You know what? It really figures it cut out there.

[icantbelievethis]

So what happened, Utena-san?

[quicktoreward]

She tried to force me to throw the ring away, lecturing me on how she was disgusted by me.

I really thought Arisugawa-sempai was cool...

[icantbelievethis]

What? Why would she do a thing like that?

[quicktoreward]

Because I don't believe in the Rose Bride but I believe in my prince. To her, I have no reason to fight.

[icantbelievethis]

But you do. You just told her.

[quicktoreward]

Let me rephrase: No good reason to fight. "If fighting for the Rose Bride is stupid, so is your so-called nobility."

[icantbelievethis]

Oh, come on!

[quicktoreward]

I agree with you. I really didn't want to duel with her; I guess I'm going to end up doing it anyway.

[icantbelievethis]

What's wrong with these people?

[quicktoreward]

They're just... I don't know. I like Miki-san but he still wants to duel. I still think Arisugawa-sempai is kind of cool but...

[icantbelievethis]

Maybe you'll convince them to act normal if you beat them.

[quicktoreward]

Miki wants a rematch.

[icantbelievethis]

Then beat them as many times as you need to! It's like when your rival school keeps trash-talking you even though your team's been beating them all season long!

[enshrined]

That is a lovely story, Utena-sama.

[Strange obliviousness thy name is Anthy (...apparently).]

[quicktoreward]

Uh. Really?

[enshrined]

It is very inspiring!

[baaaaseball]

That prince had some good advice.

And the video picked a good time to cut, I must say.

[quicktoreward]

Yeah. Yeah, he did but--

Ugh. Sempai was going for my ring; she hates me.

[baaaaseball]

Why? You haven't done anything to wrong her, have you?

[quicktoreward]

I barely know her! This is the first time we've been able to talk privately.

[baaaaseball]

...That makes no sense.

Maybe she's jealous of something?

[quicktoreward]

We're both in this... tournament, I guess. I don't really believe in it. I guess she thinks I don't belong there.

[baaaaseball]

Ah, so it's like that. You must have moved to where you are really recently.

I'd say just ignore her, but I know that probably won't change much.

What's this tournament for?

[quicktoreward]

No... I'm a newcomer to this whole Rose Bride thing but I'm not new at the Academy.

It's among the Student Council, fighting for the Rose Bride and the supposed "miracles" she can bring.

[baaaaseball]

Hmm, miracles, huh...?

You're an able fighter? I guess I shouldn't be surprised after your fight with the kangaroo. That's quite a contest though. The school allows that?

[quicktoreward]

That's what I gathered, anyway.

I guess I can do some sword fighting. Not like Saionji, the captain of the kendo team, or Arisugawa-sempai who is the fencing team captain but... I managed to beat Saionji twice. Didn't really want to fight Arisugawa-sempai, though.

As for the school... Well. To be honest, the Student Council does what it wants. If it wants to stage a fight club I don't think the school could do a thing.

[baaaaseball]

Hmm. You could always defeat her, and gain respect from her that way. Prove to her you belong her just as much as anyone else.

That's a powerful student counsel you have there. Ours is more like a disciplinary committee, but really, we tend to all try to just get on their nerves. It's pretty fun. We actually have a bit of a fight club going here as well, though we don't use swords or even our own fists.

Instead, we have an audience throw us random items, and use those as our weapons. We do this mainly for the fun of it, there is no real prize. But it is pretty entertaining when someone gets a toothbrush and their opponent gets a paper airplane.

[quicktoreward]

Huh, maybe. Maybe beating her will make her back off a bit.

You're right, though. Our council is a bit... Out there. Arisugawa-sempai is the treasurer. I've already defeated the secretary, Miki-san. I also beat the vice-president. Twice. Saionji is a bit...uh. Stubborn and that's his best trait.

[aburningspirit]

Oi, tell her to back off, you've already got a lady fair!

[quicktoreward]

....Kamina, two things: one, she wants to duel me and two, if she wins she gets my 'lady fair'.

[aburningspirit]

THEN YOU'VE GOT TO BEAT HER NO MATTER WHAT

[quicktoreward]

....Because she'd take Himemiya away...

[aburningspirit]

Of course!

[quicktoreward]

Maybe I should let her win.

[aburningspirit]

Then you'd be a dumbass unworthy of that ring and that prince that believed in you! Only cowards give up before even trying! Only cowards let down people that depend on them! And you sure don't look like no coward to me, Tenjou Utena!

[quicktoreward]

Sheesh, Kamina. I was just wondering. I wouldn't just lose to her.

[aburningspirit]

You better not.

[quicktoreward]

Or what? You'll come over here and take my ring?

[aburningspirit]

'd make you GRIT THOSE TEETH!

[quicktoreward]

I'm so scared.

[aburningspirit]

You should be!

[quicktoreward]

Sure.