Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Chapter Text
Maya was a well read person. And as such, she took deep pride in being as culturally knowledgeable as any stage girl should be; this, added up to her mother's insistence on foreign studies (something about understanding her audience's traditions) had led her to comprehend many of the behaviours that most of her classmates deemed ill-bred. Seisho was, after all, an internationally renowned school, to grow accustomed to the peculiarity of some of its abroad students was just another requirement. And as usual, Maya excelled.
However, there was a detail, as there so often is. An exception if you will, and as more often than not, that exception had a name.
Maya knew better, it was not unheard of in any manner, she had even known of some cases in the upper classes, therefore, after careful study it should have provided her with no problem. As some of her troupe would address it, the matter was to be treated as no big deal. Yes, Maya knew better, so she pushed it to the back of her mind and gave absolutely no second thought to the situation she had found herself in for the last few months. However, if asked, only if asked, Maya could pinpoint the exact moment where it all went down. It had all been that moment, and even the remembrance of how it had happened made her head feel dizzy at best, as if the room was suddenly all too hot again. She pulled a bit at the ribbon of her uniform, in hopes of loosening it a bit.
- I, for once, find it rather amusing.- Kaoruko smiled lazily. - It's always entertaining to see another unsuspecting target of Saijo-san.-
- Heh, she can be tad touchy. And don't give that look! You said so too.- Futaba rushed.
Maya looked elsewhere, trying not to seem overly eager at someone else bringing the topic to the table.
- It's simply a matter of culture.- Junna pointed out.- In France they are far more physical than in most oriental cultures.- she pushes her glasses up, as if she had just disclosed a vital piece of missing information.
Maya, of course, already knew that.
That is evident enough, was the first thing that came to her; Claudine, after all, had always been proud of her French heritage and made no show of trying to hide it in any manner. She always took it proudly, “I have stood out my whole life, I don't see how I should be treating this any differently!” she had told Maya once she had asked about the matter. She had admired her resolve at the time, but for now, she was starting to resent her partner´s openness regarding said upbringing.
- Is it true they also kiss to wish good morning and night?-
Maya started coughing uncontrollably as soon as Karen posed the question. She received a couple of curious glances but was quickly aided by Banana who handed her a glass of water.
- That is in fact a common misunderstanding.- Junna continued, clearly pleased at providing some insight. She continued on how it was nothing out of the ordinary, and Maya despised whoever had brought up the conversation a bit more. - It holds no romantic connotation and in most cases it's a matter of respect.-
Maya toyed with her glass and decided she wasn't overly fond of that habit in particular.
- No to worry though!- the class president added as a last note when the girls started to whisper. - The kisses are customarily in the cheek, so there is no chance anyone here will end up accidentally making out with Saijo Claudine.-
Kaoruko snickered as Maya started choking again.
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Class A is waiting for the play to begin, and while everyone else is running from one place to another, engaging in nervous chatter, or almost shaking due to the weight of it all, Maya feels the usual warmth when she spots Claudine near the curtains. Her expression is steeled but determined, proud, and Maya realizes she must be smiling as she is greeted with a roll of eyes on her behalf.
She looks regal in her Flora attire and Maya is sure they must make quite the piece only by standing together on stage. She feels almost giddy, everything is coming together, she lifts her hand towards her and smiles disarmingly. There is no one else she would share the spotlight with.
- I wish you the best of luck out there, Saijo-san.-
She remembers thinking it was bold, this exchange. It was the thrill of the competition, seeing her right before the play, before they melt into their roles, she holds her hand a bit higher, expecting for her rival to take it. It was a challenge, but with something more sincere sprinkled over it. Playful. What goes next is something Maya has committed to memory far better than most plays she´s been in.
A hand is snaking across her side and before she can do something it takes a firm hold on her shoulder, her chest tightens as she feels Claudine drawing closer. Now she sees blonde hair cascading over her robes as her other hand is moving brushing aside some brown strands framing Maya's face. The latter tries to cast a glance to their sides, panic rising in her throat, but she stops in her tracks when she feels Claudine´s warm breath against her ear. It's horrifyingly efficient, Maya is stuck in place.
- I haven´t lost yet.-
It would have been foolish to say Maya was merely spellbound before, but she was downright starstruck at the moment. Claudine squeezed her shoulder a bit harder and then she pressed even closer against her, Maya´s heartbeat spiked as she felt her own hands starting to reach out, but then, just as if she hadn't permanently altered her brain chemistry, Claudine pulled back. Leaving her stunned and relying on her years long mastery of acting to salvage her role and dignity during the play, as whenever Claudine would take her hands or even brush her fingers against her in any way, Maya´s mind came reeling back, with alarming speed, to backstage some minutes ago.
It wasn't until Claudine´s french accent took over in their after-play euphoria, that Maya saw it with some sense of clarity again. It was not unheard of in any manner, she had even known of some cases in the upper classes, therefore, after careful study it should have provided her with no problem. As some of her troupe would address it, the matter was to be treated as no big deal. And, yes, Maya knew better, so she tried to push it to the back of her mind, but after that night, she could have sworn that to her, Claudine was shining more than ever.
Chapter 2: Chapter 2
Summary:
The girls are flirtingggg (or one of them is)
Chapter Text
After the unfortunate conversation, Maya was left feeling something entirely new, it was unlike anything the young promise had ever faced before and she was sure she would think back to it whenever she was asked to emulate despair, agony or any of the atrocious emotions that she was trying to associate with this new and acrid taste.
It dawned on her two days later. She was feeling self-conscious.
Alongside this change, came side effects as well, since she now found herself staring at Claudine almost as much as she knew the other girl stared at her. It was maddening, she would stare at the back of Claudine´s head during class, she would stare at her figure while she danced, and she would even stare at her hands whenever she was showing Maya something she had found in her phone. Each time Claudine stood unnecessarily close to do any of these things Maya would feel her stomach tighten, and then the feeling would crash like a wave.
She would find herself standing a bit straighter, or trying to fix the little hairs that kept falling to her face or even just leaning in a bit forward in order to show the proper amount of interest. Perhaps it was customary in France to reciprocate the same level of closeness. Maya figured out it was the case and so, she committed, while she fixed her collar she'd dare to tower slightly over Claudine´s shoulder as they read their lines, or whenever she picked up her own bag and handed her partner hers she´d let their fingers brush.
At first Maya contemplated she must be doing something right, as she had been earning less glares and more glances on Claudine´s behalf. Sometimes said looks were even completely unrelated to any practice or play, questioning in most cases, as if she wasn´t completely sure this wasn´t a trick or another of Maya´s over the top ways of challenge. But then, Claudine would just go and sit beside her (not without drawing their chairs closer together first) and look at her like she was trying to piece together a puzzle. Maya would feel the waves of consciousness hit her then, as Claudine's eyes danced along her expression, scanning her. But a win was a win, and it never left Maya not feeling a swell of pride bubbling low in her gut.
She was figuring it out bit by bit, no doubt Claudine was impressed by her openness and ability of managing cultural differences. Only the thought of it made her feel a little smug, she was also sure that after a while Claudine would notice the effort into it, eventually ending up begrudgingly admitting her appreciation for the gesture, as she so regularly did.
One day, however, Maya miscalculated, it was like missing a mark and falling down. They had been sitting down with their friends in a small patch of grass in a nearby park, and while they laughed at yet another of Karen's occurrences, Claudine had reached to show her a picture she´ d just taken of their friends. Maya's response had simply been to lean closer and switch the camera to snap a quick photo of the both of them, then she´d turned to Claudine with a winning smile. Her partner's reaction´s could have been best described as… abashed, Maya tilted her head, feeling suddenly all too shy.
A loud whistle was heard throughout their little picnic and Claudine quickly scrambled and glared, not without pushing a confused Maya aside, much to the delight of an amused Kaoruko. Throughout the rest of the outing Claudine had not reached out to show her anything again, but Maya caught her staring and gripping at her phone a bit harder than usual a couple of times.
That might have been the other moment Maya could blame for her current predicament. As for when she was getting ready for bed that night, her phone chimed. This was peculiar enough, it was late, and no one ever asked for her notes at this hour. She picked up and was surprised to read “Saijo-san” as the little bubble popped up. The next thing that showed up in her chat was nothing else than the afternoon´s picture.
Maya chuckled as she flopped on the bed, she rolled on her back and looked closer at it, Claudine was sporting that confused and fierce expression Maya knew betrayed surprise as she turned to Maya's wide smile for the camera. She looked really cute. Maya rolled again and kicked her legs as she headed for her phone´s settings, she chuckled once more and then left her phone on the nightstand.
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Claudine had stared.
Ever since Maya had checked her phone and the French actress had gotten a peak at her new wallpaper, Claudine had stared at her. Sometimes frowning, others opening and clothing her mouth before muttering a string of curses under her breath. Maya did not understand where this reaction was coming from, and to be totally honest it didn´t really matter, as there was no way she was going to take their picture down.
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Maybe she should have, well, she most definitely should have, as for the days that came, all of Maya´s efforts had plummeted down to the sheer force that was no one other than Saijo Claudine. As part of her studies on the way Claudine behaved herself, Maya had of course taken into account cases that were not her own, and in the middle of these cases was none other than Hoshimi Junna.
Claudine has always been closer to the troupe than Maya was, not to say they weren´t near, but it was simply a fact that not only did she have a less intimidating presence but she was also friendlier in many ways. However, Maya had just recently started to realize their interactions; it was true that the class president had always been a bit wary of her place in the team, but fortunately the rest of the troupe had always been there to reassure her, including of course, Claudine.
It had been a day after a little accident had happened in class, where Junna´s voice had faltered in the middle of a note and if the color of her cheeks was anything to go by, she was extremely embarrassed. In order to take her mind off things, Banana has decided to plan a movie night to cheer their friend up, and Maya was not the one to refuse, but when she crossed the hall later that afternoon (already in her pajamas) she was surprised to see some of their team members already there.
Karen was talking Hikari and Mahiru up over choosing some movie that to Maya's (admittedly very limited) artistic sensibilities reminded of a fever dream. Banana was apparently setting some snacks in trays, and when Maya headed her way with the intention to lend a hand she realized that both Claudine and Junna had already arrived as well. They were comfortably seated on the couch, with the latter listening to Claudine´s no doubt emboldened speech on how failure is the fastest way of learning.
She nodded to Banana as the taller girl smiled and handed her a couple of bowls to be set on the table, Maya followed as instructed and sat at the other couch doing her best not to cut both the conversations held. She felt Banana sit on her right and by the way she took out her phone and sent a couple of quick texts, she imagined she was summoning Futaba and the blue devil to the common room, so they could begin their movie night.
As if on cue, Claudine made a movement to accentuate one of her statements, and as a true actress, she commanded Maya´s attention upon her. She observed she had a particular way of getting her messages through to people, that was something Maya admired, her sincerity, the way she believed what she was saying and she pushed you to do the same. Her movements were curt, straight to the point, no added flourish but still with an aimed perfection, effective, polished.
- Tendo-san?-
- Hm-
- Maya!-
She snapped back to Banana when she felt a tentative tap on her shoulder.
- Tendo-san? Are you alright?- her brow furrowed in concern. - It's the third time I ask about your training today?- she glanced over Maya´s shoulder.
She felt color rush to her cheeks, her palms clammy, but relaxed when Banana looked at her with a comprehensive smile.
- She looks better, doesn´t she?- her gaze was bordering on affection and it took Maya a second to realize they were talking about Junna here. - I was hoping tonight would lift her mood, but it seems like a pep-talk was more than enough!-
She let out a sigh.
- She has more resilience than we realize, you know?- she turned her eyes to Maya, who wasn't quite sure what to do in these situations. - And I don't think I've ever heard of anyone who didn't feel at least a bit better after a hug from Saijo-san.- She winked.
The sound of the opening door saved Maya from the strange conversation, as Kaoruko and Futaba crossed the hall and popped themselves on the couch without taking a break from their usual bickering. They stopped timely however, as soon as Futaba raised her arm and Kauroko fell accordingly against her partner in their usual resting positions. Maya felt her eyes drift to her own partner.
- Sorry guys. Someone was not above being dragged out of bed.- Futaba grumbled while she laid her head against the back of the couch with an apologetic sigh.
Kauroko shifted against her, but didn´t bother to refute.
- It´s all good! You are here now, we can all watch Trolls!- Karen flashed them a toothy grin.
- Oh non!- Claudine ruffled Karen´s hair as she chuckled. -Pas si vite, sauterelle. We watched that one last week, you are not getting your way this time!-
Karen laughed good naturedly as she tried to escape Claudine´s grip.- But it´s a great musical! And I want to sing!-
- I happen to be certain that as theater students we can surely enjoy a musical that isn't Trolls.- Junna came to aid with a deadpan.
- That´s the spirit!- Futaba quickly grabbed the controller and scrolled through the selection available.
To be totally honest Maya wasn´t really paying attention, she would always leave the movie choosing tasks to her friends, they got into some really heated discussions over them. Plus, she had always seen most of the ones they picked anyway; on this particular occasion though, even Hikari and Mahiru seemed interested in the musical for the evening. Kaoruko lifted her head a couple of times. But as much input as everyone seemed to be adding, no progress was made in the search.
- This is taking too loooong- Kaoruko complained.
Pretty much everyone voiced their agreement, and sharp as ever, Claudine took the lead. Her eyes glimmered as she stood straighter and puffed out her chest in pride, too pleased with herself at finding the solution.
- Moulin Rouge.- she declared.
Maya raised an eyebrow, she had to admit that one had been in her watchlist for a while, but she had always found a suitable excuse to avoid it until now. The biggest of said excuses just turned around as the rest of their troupe either nodded or gave up and agreed. Then, she pressed “play” and as the opening number played on, Maya found herself engrossed in a very different actress than the one who played Satine.
At first she tried to be subtle and avoid giving herself away, but since Claudine was too fixated on the movie to notice her, Maya allowed herself some indulgence. It really was a different picture than the one she was used to, the limelight made her look almost far away, and the red tones constantly on screen flattered her looks. She was mentally tracing the profile of her nose when the movie took a faster pace, and oblivious to her scrutiny Claudine gasped, eyes to her lips Maya could see them parting, the first seat looked away in a frenzy. That felt like seeing something she wasn't supposed to, and Maya didn't even know why!
She pouted as she tried to reign herself in, the now usual waves of unease threatening to drown her. The matter was getting out of hand, but then again, Claudine shifted, and like a moth to a flame, Maya's gaze followed suit. The French actress threw her arm around Junna as she pointed at an actress who had the same vocal range as her; the encouragement seemed to do wonders as Junna could barely contain her smile when she looked back at their friend.
Purple zeroed on Claudine´s arm, both girls were back at staring at the screen, but her posture remained. Maya felt her brow pinch and an itchy feeling ran her over as the movie went on and that fact remained, she frowned a bit harder, troubled, and as if sheer determination would change a thing. She huffed, the nerve, and Junna appeared unbothered, as if she no longer felt the arm circling her, Maya didn't buy it, there was no way she was this unaffected at that level of uncalled physical intimacy. Maya had worked hard to attain her facade, and yet here she was, witnessing the biggest of these gestures to the date and her case of study was as comfortable as they get.
Too comfortable for Maya´s liking. And most importantly, why couldn´t Maya achieve this ease? After all, it was her partner we are talking about.
Claudine raised an eyebrow. Maya´s eyes widened slightly when she realized she had been caught. She swallowed, frozen in place again. She felt her cheeks heating up with embarrassment, Claudine held her gaze, eyebrow still raised and face neutral outside of slight skepticism. They stayed still for a second and Maya felt her muscles starting to protest; she could only wonder what Claudine would be making out of the situation. Maya swallowed again, maybe she noticed, maybe she didn´t, but a moment later, expression unchanged and with astounding normalcy Claudine stuck her tongue out to her.
Maya recoiled, immediately, dignified indignation surfacing at the childish gesture. Seemingly entertained at the rare expression she had spurred, Claudine smiled, it was easy, warm, and surprisingly enough, soft around the edges.
Maya´s jaw dropped a little at the sight.
Lights were suddenly on, and the movie was paused. Maya groaned as she tried to shield her eyes with her hand as best as she could, similar sounds of discontent were heard across the room but Kaoruko was having none of it.
- Snack break.- she imposed.
And with that she, Futaba, Banana and Junna disappeared into the kitchen, taking the trays that Maya had only now realized were empty. Karen was all but jumping on her place, trying to get Mahiru, who had already seen the end of the film to spoil the end of it. Her excitability made Maya smile, the emotion of someone witnessing a play (because at the end of it all, what was a movie but a distant cousin to theater?) always made her heart a bit lighter.
She looked up, still smiling, and realized that she was being stared at now, maybe she had never stopped. It was the same smile, closed lips, eyes wrinkled, relaxed, calm , and fond.
Fond
Maya stood up abruptly, everyone turned to her, questions and concern clear at the sudden movement but she quickly excused herself to the restroom. Her acting too poor if you ask her.
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When she was back everyone was already sitting, lights out and movie about to restart, they signaled for her to join, and she was relieved to see that no one remembered her little scene. About to head for the couches she saw Junna sitting next to Banana, both excitedly discussing something or the other about the script for the film.
She frowned, new seat placement. Turning to find a place for herself she realized the option was evident, everyone seemed to be following their usual groupment and she much preferred this option than to be side by side with Kaoruko. Still feeling a slight humming in her ears, Maya sat by Claudine's right. Funnily enough, even after her previous embarrassment, it came naturally, and while Moulin Rouge played, Maya found herself comfortably sitting and, for once, following the movie. She has almost forgotten about the arm incident, almost.
Satine and Christian were in another heated argument, they were soon to delve into song, she was sure. And just about when he started to vocalize, someone pressed her shoulder against hers, almost timidly; it would be a lie to pretend that not everything inside her was doing somersaults, but be it practiced self-control or spite for others demonstrations of restraint Maya stayed put.
The song ended and several sighs were heard, but Maya could not, for the life of her, remember a single word of the number. She turned slightly to her left, and careful not to clue anyone in, she whispered as low and calm as she could. It came out more breathless than intended.
- Saijo-san?-
Her partner shuddered. But outside of that, she kept looking to the front, Maya was about to do the same, convinced she was not going to gauge an answer when, without any warning Claudine laid her head against her shoulder. Maya held her breath.
- Not a word.-
Maya could hear the frown in her voice, but she happily complied, a lazy smile settling in, she didn´t think they would come out even if she tried anyway. The movie ended and at some point, Claudine had slumped down completely by her side, almost snuggling against her and making Maya wonder if she had fallen asleep at certain scenes.
If there had been a clue that maybe she wasn't handling the cultural differences all that well it might have been the thunderous beating of her heart or the sound of blood on her ears, but Maya could not have a repeat of public humiliation as it had been to excuse herself in a hurry with poor excuses. She was a Tendo, she was better than that, and so, for that reason, and for only that reason, she made sure she was the one next to Claudine each time they sat by the couch.
God forbid she fell asleep over someone else, she might drool over them even. It was decided, Maya would sit by her side, only to save some face for the both of them.
Chapter 3: Chapter 3
Summary:
Maya overthinks, she rejects herself and my beta reader just dropped a great fic, so this one is for him.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Maya was never one to accept defeat, not that anyone had ever come close anyway. Yet here she was, serving as support for Claudine's elbow, as the girl struggled to fit her shoes before they went for a morning run. She had come to the conclusion that this had to be some elaborate ruse, like the ones her partner always accused her of playing.
After careful consideration Maya had come to realize she wasn't really bothered by the nature of it, but more at her apparent inability to one up her opponent. She had to give it to her, her challenge was well crafted; every time Maya continued to try and match her, Claudine would find another way to catch her off guard. And then this treacherous feeling would come in, like Maya had something stuck on her throat and her chest would cave in.
She held her water bottle a bit tighter, she couldn't lose.
Oh, what would Claudine think of her if she did?
- Putain de merde.- she cursed as she continued to struggle.- You finished reading what I gave you?-
Maya snapped out of it.
She had been very pointedly looking somewhere else and thus surprised to be addressed directly. She cleared her throat before answering, cheeks still slightly dusted from the warm-ups she had already performed.
- Ah… I, yes.-
Maya considered adding something else, but she was remarkably thirsty.
Claudine finally put both her feet on the ground and then, with a huff, she looked to the front and broke into a pace that Maya was quick to follow. They were barely finishing their first mark when she spoke again.
- So?- she swallowed and wiped some sweat from her brow in a clear motion. -No cheeky comments about it today?-
Maya semi-chuckled, her blood pumping and the adrenaline helping her simmer down. Wonderful what a bit of exercise and morning air could do to get something out of your head.
- I didn't remember you being so invested in my literary opinions, no?- she posed as they reached their second mark.
- Whatever would I give you a book for if I didn't want you to read it, Tendo Maya?- she sounded annoyed, making her almost want to peek. - Plus, we both know you can't help but loving yourself talk.-
Maya wholeheartedly snorted at that one.
- It would seem like I'm not the only one.-
They reached their third mark and stopped to catch their breath, at least Maya could take some pride that she was mostly unscathed, she had been working on her stamina as of late.
- Seriously, you are not getting out of this with a smart comment.-
She looked serious, so much so that Maya, for once, took the easy way out.
- I'm sorry, Claudine, but I'm afraid we shall discuss your book later, we are barely in time for class.-
As intended, her words seemed to stick the landing, and with a roll of her eyes and a groan, Claudine turned for some water. It didn't miss Maya that she looked slightly out of breath. She really needed more running in, maybe it was a good thing that she seemed so invested in accompanying Maya in her own morning routine.
At first, she had been tempted to decline the offer, as when she had put her own effort into… whatever it was Claudine had put her up to, the time the pair spent together only showed to grow evermore. But if there was one thing Claudine would never take, it was a “no”, especially coming from her.
Maya watched her as they entered the corridors towards their first class, she had gained strength since they had first started classes, she could tell from the way Claudine clinged to her shoulders when they danced. She wondered if she was also trying to increase her lung capacity by running; it was always good to aim to be the best, and that was something her partner never lost.
Something Maya admired deeply.
She stopped abruptly before the door when Claudine did, doing her best to hide her surprise at almost bumping against her (so unbecoming).
- Here you are, Tendo Maya, five minutes early, like I promised.-
Her smile was so captivating that Maya struggled to make sense of what she heard.
- Are you not coming in?-
- I do take painting classes, unlike others.- she seemed pleased at Maya´s slip, which made the latter's pride flare up in ways unknown. -Did you seriously forget?-
Maya was once again zoned out as she contemplated a new piece of information.
- You memorized my schedule?- she blurted out before she could catch herself.
Claudine looked defeated at best. Like she was caught red handed, she gulped and sputtered something or the other before swatting at Maya´s arm with more strength than necessary.
- What's it with you and stupid questions today?-
It wasn´t stupid to her, as soon as she was about to make that known, her partner gave her a cautionary glance and squeezed her arm a bit tighter, shutting her up definitely. Another thing she had been doing as of late and that Maya begrudgingly allowed, even if her pride was taking a hit more often than not.
Her courteous resignation must not have been all that silent, upon setting her eyes on Maya's sour expression Claudine couldn't help but grin.
- My, just look at that tantrum, you must have been a terrible thing as a kid.-
Color rushed to her cheeks as she found an appropriate retort.
- I´ll let you know, regardless of your little faith in me, that I was quite cute as a kid, Saijo-san.-
Claudine laughed hard at that, her eyes shut as she tried not to throw her head back and completely disrespect the Top Seat. Maya leaned forward, feeling her own annoyment lifted as Claudine's hand drifted towards her own.
- What happened to you then, Tendo Maya?-
Maya pouted, only succeeding in making the situation all the funnier for the other girl.
The bell rang, and whatever trance she had been some seconds ago came shattering down when she saw the teacher ushering some students into class. She turned back to Claudine when she felt her hands released, then, a soft kiss was pressed against her cheek.
Claudine then left hurriedly towards arts class, the only place she knew Maya would never follow. Maya searched for her eyes desperately as she rushed down the hallway but she didn´t even look back as she entered class.
Heartbeat spiked and nerves on edge, she frowned while she walked into class and answered the teacher´s roll call.
This was more serious than she had previously realized.
Far more so.
- Tendo-san, you quite alright?- Kauroko asked when ten minutes had passed and she continued to stare at nothingness. - You seem… flustered?-
She could already picture the smirk she must be wearing.
Maya turned to her. There must have been something bordering on murderous in her gaze as she was not addressed twice.
Now alone with her ruminations she scribbled down the lectures the teacher was trying to get through to them, but the thought was recurring, if Claudine had memorized her schedule that meant that she was seriously committed to defeating Maya as the Top Seat this year.
Her frown deepened when her pencil broke under the pressure.
It was like this since their first year, everything between them always delved in competition, even in their first meeting Claudine had been direct with her intentions.
Her fingers grazed the part of her cheek that still felt aflame.
Was this it? The one thing Maya couldn´t keep up with?
She snapped her fingers away from the aforementioned spot and buried them in her hair instead. It was too much, the squeezes, the hand holding, the intimacy of it all; it must have been messing with her head. It was no secret she was distracted as of late, thrown off her game even.
Since when had she stopped looking at their rivalry like one?
Call it culture shock, or codes, or whichever seems fit, but she recognized she had panicked more than once in her partner´s proximity as of late. All due to swirling into…inconvienient… thoughts
She swallowed and looked to the front as if finding a still spot might ground her.
Claudine was the only person that pushed Maya to her utmost brilliance, she had proved that to her once and over again, she challenged her in every way and had a brashness and passion that poured out in every role Maya polished with cold perfection. She was, in every sense of the term, her counterpart.
Therefore there was absolutely no one else who could do as their dance partners, no one Maya could compare to her in the slightest anyway, so it was no use. Claudine was the one person who kept up with her, so she had to find a way to do the same. In order to reach their highest they had to be together, the two of them, only like that could Maya see them succeeding in their never sated ambitions.
The bell rang again and the despair rose her throat once again, the finality. She had chosen to be better, to endure, to breach over their differences if only for them to keep complimenting each other as they always had. No matter if Maya was mistaking her actions under a different light, no matter if it sometimes made her want things that she most definitely couldn´t have.
Her things were still being packed when she checked her time tables. Her next class was in the music room, which meant her whole troupe would meet there. She steeled her nerves and stood up, bag already on her shoulders and ready to leave, but she stopped in her tracks when she could make the silhouettes waiting for her outside.
Futaba was laughing about some interpretation of the art teacher that Claudine had no doubt just nailed. Kauroko was also there which meant she was the only missing member before they headed out. Maya held her bag tighter.
Good thing the classroom had another exit.
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Claudine had stared at her when they arrived at the next class, as if she wanted to call her out for something. Maybe it was that she kept her waiting after everyone else had left or that she had chosen another seat for the class, disrupting their habitual order. Or maybe Maya was just overthinking as there was a shadow of worry she failed to notice when she started to fidget with her fingers and her partner caught wind of it.
She saw the little note that was sent her way but made her best effort to pretend to miss it as she was engrossed in a lecture she had already read with weeks of anticipation. Her jaw was tense and her cheeks were still burning, her mind running on how to address her predicament.
Maya was always proud of her dedication, of how she committed to something once she started it. And right now, it was very clear to her that she was playing the role of a coward.
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Not a single glance was exchanged during the following classes that day. Even during interpretation class Maya had made a point of looking at absolutely everyone in the crowd except for her. Sitting positions were also rearranged in a matter of seconds.
Some bewildered looks were exchanged here or there when she had found a fitting excuse for missing lunch with her friends, but she could barely hear them over the buzzing of her nerves making sure she was ready to flee as soon as any question arose.
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They finished the second period of classes and when the teacher dismissed them Maya was the first one on her feet. She heard someone call, but she had no time. She needed to recalculate, to come up with a new strategy and to ground herself so she wouldn´t feel as if she had just been zapped every time she remembered Claudine had waited for her outside of the classroom.
—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Of course Claudine had waited for her, she was also waiting for Futaba and Kauroko. How foolish.
—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maya received a single “?” when she missed her morning routine next day.
Notes:
Bro stole my comments for his end notes TvT (I´ll get you next time)
0mniessence on Chapter 1 Mon 07 Jul 2025 10:36PM UTC
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0mniessence on Chapter 2 Sun 13 Jul 2025 04:54AM UTC
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MegaMeo on Chapter 2 Mon 14 Jul 2025 01:13PM UTC
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Autumnintheinbetween on Chapter 2 Sat 09 Aug 2025 06:21AM UTC
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0mniessence on Chapter 3 Sat 06 Sep 2025 07:41PM UTC
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