Name: Maiko Suzumi (Aoi Ichigo)

School Attending: St. Miator

Age/ Year in School:


~ Appearance ~

Links (will use one as my avatar ASAP): www.flickr.com/photos/95640787@N03/8977488202/ , www.flickr.com/photos/95640787@N03/8976297643/

Hair Color: Maiko's hair color is probably best described as sky blue in tone, though slightly darker than the average interpretation of such phrasing. At times highlights are visible which make it appear a little more of a slate blue. Overall it would be prudent to describe the tone as somewhere between the two.

Hairstyle: Having hair that goes down to about her waist, Maiko understandably keeps her hair up during class or other activities where it's liable to get caught in or on something. At such times she ties most of her hair up in a high ponytail, the tip of which pokes out above her head like a disorderly pom-pom. Regardless of if her hair is up or down she has somewhat messy bangs that refuse to straighten under even the most intense brushing, as well as side locks that frame her face while leaving a hint of her ears just barely visible.

Eye Color: Maiko's eyes are also blue, though a decidedly different tone than her hair; they hold more of a bluish/greenish tint

Height: 5'10" and bashful about every inch.

What kind of clothes does you character wear when she's not in uniform? Out of uniform Maiko's choice of clothing reflects the company she keeps at a given time. If she isn't as familiar with the people she's with Maiko will err on the side of caution and choose a more conservative mode of dress. This means medium or long skirts with a nice blouse, maybe a dress if she's feeling a little adventurous, with stockings and comfortable flats. Should her company be more familiar, Maiko tends to loosen up an dress for comfort rather than appearance. Despite her lineage this is incredibly casual - usually jeans or trousers of some sort along with a t-shirt or soft toned knit top and tennis shoes which appear to be second-hand. She has a favorite t-shirt, toned a more grayish blue than her hair, which she will only wear amidst the closest of friends or when she thinks she's alone. Also owns a set of silky navy pajamas for sleepovers.

What Sports/activities is you character involved in?

Japanse Tea Ceremony: No

Flower Arrangement: No

Ballroom Dancing: Yes

Needlepoint: No

Foreign Language: Yes

Band: Yes
What instrument(s) does she play? Trumpet


Is your character on the Student Council? - Despite a few friends suggesting rather regularly that she attempt to join the Student Council, Maiko has never been particularly inspired to try. She's more concerned about there being a lot of expectations on her just based on her family history; this is compounded by the fact that she doesn't really know what that history entails specifically. It seems like a lot of responsibility to take on beyond that, so she's happy to let other girls step up in her place. Even if she does toy with the idea of doing so herself some day.

If yes, what does your character think of the student council president, Shimizu Hikari? Though she is not part of the Miator Student Council Maiko does know of its president, Shimizu Hikari. She can't speak from any personal experience with the girl, but everything she's heard about Shimizu Hikari is kind of intimidating. From a good family, nearly perfect in her exploits and beautiful to boot. Becoming Student Council President at 14 is no simple feat either. Maiko is pretty sure she wouldn't know what to say to such a girl; though she can respect the responsibility Shimizu-san has taken on, Maiko wouldn't consider herself worth the president's time.

Please explain your character's personality in 200 words or more: Outwardly Maiko does her utmost to act as a proper lady should, and furthermore how a lady of the Suzumi family is expected to. She strives to be polite and courteous to her classmates, respectful towards her seniors and instructors, and supportive of the traditions and institutions of Miator and Astraea Hill. It seems like she always has time to hear out the concerns of others, no matter how full her schedule is. In order to better hear what troubles her peers and offer advice Maiko prefers to talk such things over more privately. This ensures greater personal attention and lets her offer analysis and words of advice or support afterward. More among girls her own age or younger, Maiko is known for being insightful and thoughtful if a little distant. If older girls seek her out for such purposes they're not admitting it. She is genuinely interested in helping others and will go far out of her way just to help someone smile. This is why she makes time in her schedule to hear girls' problems out.

Maiko prefers to keep conversations focused on others lest attention linger on herself an inordinate amount of time. At face value this is merely the virtue of humility on display. Deeper than that Maiko truly doesn't think she's all that interesting compared to other girls and is afraid of boring her friends. Beneath her ladylike mask Maiko can be quite goofy and awkward, making jokes to break the ice or ease a tense situation. Less positive emotional issues are a little more difficult for her and she's more likely than not to keep them to herself or outright avoid them if possible. It can be much easier for her to express her feelings through her activities - ballroom dancing and music - than to try and describe them to others in words.

It's probably true that she's entirely too self-deprecating. Maiko is quick to condemn her flaws and failures but hesitant to praise her virtues or successes. She gets a bit uneasy when too much attention is focused on her because she thinks it'll carry further expectations with it. When girls actually get to know her they find that she does have hobbies and can get carried away talking about them at length to the point of rambling. If something catches her fancy Maiko will get daydreamy about it and speak glowingly about anything dealing with the subject. Naturally curious about things, Maiko likes to thoroughly investigate something that catches her attention, albeit quietly. Above all Maiko prefers not to rock the boat as it were.


What does you character think of the Etoile position as a whole? The subject of the Etoile is one of those things that Maiko has herself gotten daydreamy about in the past. It's wonderful to have such a shining example to inspire and unite all three schools. No matter which institution on Astraea Hill the pair comes from they're the royalty of the whole campus, which is pretty amazing. To put yourselves out for everyone to see like that takes a lot of courage. It's got a wonderfully romantic overtone to it if you think about the position in such a way (which Maiko does constantly) - two girls united in their feelings for each other, shining for all to see. Quite beautiful but clearly demanding.

Does your character want to be an Etoile someday? At first Maiko would tell you she has no interest in the proposition, that she'd rather just go about her school life like normal. This would be a lie. Particularly due to the romanticism she attributes to the Etoile position, she loves to imagine herself as one. To be in the loving arms of another girl would be lovely; a girl whom she has sworn to love and protect, or something like that. Maiko deeply would love the opportunity to become what she might refer to as a 'Princess of Astraea Hill'. It's not something she expects to be able to achieve or is completely worthy of, however.

What does your character think of Chokone Manatsu and Shizuka Myūzu, the current etoiles? Once again Maiko cannot speak from personal experience about the current Etoiles, since they attend a different school. Their position being so public, she has some general thoughts about the pair however. Due to their both being taller girls, Maiko can't help but compare herself to Shizuka Myūzu. Doing so reveals difficiencies that only Maiko sees in herself: Shizuka is popular, confident and outgoing, qualities Maiko doesn't really see fitting herself. Chokone is adorable and seems like a nice girl herself. Together with her partner, she makes a lovely Etoile. Being somewhat aware of the drama surrounding the esteemed Etoile position at times, Maiko is pleased that the current pair seem happy together. Looking at them does make her wonder what it would be like to find love herself.

What does your character think of the other schools? As Spica is Miator's rival, Maiko gets fairly competitive when the schools have any direct competitions. This is about as far as any antimosity goes. Of course she wants Miator to win when Spica is the opponent, but that won't stop her from crossing lines to help other girls out. She appreciates the freedom that Lulim Students have and the independence Spica promotes in its girls, too. All the same Miator is her school, and she wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

~History~

Please write in 100 words or more your character's history before she came to Miator.

History before Astraea Hill: The Suzumi family of which Maiko is part can claim two things of importance: firstly, a prosperous family business incorporating several smaller businesses. It began as a textile company but has expanded to several different industries since its founding decades ago. More relevant to Maiko's future both her mother and grandmother attended St. Miator in order to become proper ladies who would be better wives. Following the school's reputation both of these ladies were engaged before graduation and in doing so helped unite more businesses with the Suzumi core. With this as foundation it was only natural that Maiko would also attend St. Miator when she came of age to enter its hallowed grounds as a student.

Not much was ever told to Maiko about what went on when the ladies of her family were students on Astraea Hill however. Any time she asked, the answer was simply 'don't worry about it' or 'you'll find out soon enough.' While this was intended to allow Maiko to develop her own opinion of the experience, it made Maiko start wondering even more about it. So much that she would dig through her mother's things looking for an answer. Eventually she unearthed an old journal her mother had written and was shocked to find what sounded like descriptions of a very romantic experience. There was someone whom her mother had deeply loved in high school and it wasn't her father. This made Maiko realize that no matter how much her father seemed to love her mother, that affection wasn't fully reciprocated. In fact her mother acted more like her husband was a friend than a lover. Clearly something special had happened at St. Miator.

As a child she was constantly taught that she should be a proper lady. Interest in unladylike things – sports, graphic novels and the like – was frowned upon. Maiko secretly pursued them anyway when she was sure that she wasn't being watched by a maid or parent. The prospect of attending St. Miator was a bit scary since they were so big on tradition and this might prevent her from pursuing certain hobbies. At the same time she really wanted to find out more about what her mother had experienced. Her doubts were further put to rest by an attachment to the school uniform, which made Maiko feel like a princess. A princess that would find love on the campus just as her mother had!

First Year: As a first year Maiko spent most of her time adjusting to life away from home and adapting to the expectations of St. Miator. She mostly kept to herself apart from those activities in which other girls were present; she spent a lot of time beginning to learn ballroom dancing during this time. Also did her best to avoid attracting attention due to her family name despite having an instructor who had taught her mother.

Second Year: Now more settled in as a Miator student, Maiko started coming out of her shell and listening to other girls' problems (as she'd become known for as time went on). She began applying earlier trumpet lessons practically by joining the band, through which she made her first friends. Continuing to study ballroom dancing, she was a bit distressed to learn she'd grown more than expected in just a year; this made following her partner harder. Around this time she also began investigating her mother and grandmother's times at St. Miator. Through this she came to the alarming realization that the person her mother had loved appeared to have been a girl, and that her grandmother had been an Etoile. All this while also starting to realize that she herself had romantic feelings towards girls herself.

Third Year: Maiko finally comes into her own as a resident source of advice and counsel for peers. By this point she'd grown her hair out to its current length and began to experiment with hair styles. Another growth spurt shot her up to 5'9", and at her instructor's insistence Maiko tried to learn how to lead in ballroom dancing. On the side Maiko secretly follows a professional sports team from overseas via computer and other means, admiring their athleticism though she could never do it herself; she later orders a t-shirt with their logo on a whim, which becomes a prized possession. She has a crush on an upperclassman she does not act on, then subverts when that girl is engaged. Starts having serious thoughts about what it'd be like to be an Etoile.

Fourth Year: Ongoing

Sample Post: “So.. I think she's a really cool person, and I want to be friends with her, but I don't know how to bring it up,” the cute little underclassman admitted, fidgeting nervously in the chair before Maiko, “What should I do, Suzumi-senpai?”

Maiko gently took the girl's hand and smiled warmly at her, trying to assure her that everything would be just fine. Simultaneously she gave the second year student's concerns thoughtful consideration. From everything she had just been told the subject of the girl's interest was kind and welcoming, so there shouldn't be much problem getting to know her. What provided the greatest obstacle to friendship was this girl's own lack of self confidence. It was something Maiko could easily relate to, even if she believed her own lack of confidence was well founded. This wasn't the first time such a concern had been brought to her, so offering advice was easy enough. There was just a little hesitation as Maiko appreciated how adorable the girl was, like a little sister asking her sibling for help. A lovely thought for Maiko, considering she had no actual siblings of her own to dote upon. Perhaps that was why she liked helping out her schoolmates so much, she mused. She scolded herself for thinking on such tangents, however, as the second-year girl continued to anxiously look up at Maiko.

“I know it's going to be a little hard, but you should just try talking to her. Talk about something that you're interested in or maybe ask her for help with homework. I'm sure that once she gets to talk with you, this girl will see all the good things about you and want to be friends,” Maiko at last advised, “Don't worry about what anyone else thinks about you. Just be yourself and I know that you'll have a lot of wonderful friends.”

“You really think so?” the second-year asked hopefully, stars in her eyes.

“I'm certain,” Maiko nodded.

“Thank you, Suzumi-senpai! You're great!” the girl exclaimed, taking Maiko's hand in both of her own.

“Now, unless there's anything else I think you should go find this girl and start talking to her,” the blue haired girl suggested, “And if you need anything later, I'll be happy to help you.”

With that the girl excitedly excused herself, leaving Maiko to her own devices once more. Only after the door to her dorm room closed did Maiko allow her shoulders to slump a little. Now that she wasn't acting as fountain of wisdom, she could relax a little. Thankfully the girl hadn't remarked upon her rather casual clothing – silky pajama pants and her favorite t-shirt. It had been a very sudden intrusion that gave Maiko very little time to dress more appropriately. The girl's concerns had outweighed her powers of observation, though. After taking a moment to listen for any more footsteps heading towards her door – there were none at the moment – she smiled and opened the old book resting on the desk before her. A family book she'd borrowed during her last visit home. Specifically a book about the Etoile pairs of the past, during her grandmother's time as a student.

“It looks so lovely,” she mused wistfully, turning the pages yet again. Then there was a knock at her door, a hesitant call of 'Suzumi-senpai?' following.

Maiko chuckled, closed her book and responded, “Yes, come in.”

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