"This is Maria Cadenzavna Eve and Serena Cadenzavna Eve. They'll be your new partners for this collaboration." Ogawa said smoothly. Tsubasa wasn't really paying much attention to her manager as she was just a bit distracted by the beautiful woman in front of her. She had long pink hair and striking teal eyes. So this was the diva from overseas that had the music industry in a stir just three months after her debut. Tsubasa had to admit, she did have quite the presence. She was going to be Tsubasa's duet partner for this collaboration.
"It's nice to meet you, Tsubasa, Kanade." The young woman known as Maria told them confidently, a smile that bordered on a smirk on her face. Serena meanwhile smiled angelically at them and she heard a soft whistle come from Kanade. Maria then stretched a hand toward Tsubasa, and she felt Kanade elbow her side.
"It is nice to meet you as well, Maria, Serena." Tsubasa responded in kind, just slightly squeezing Maria's hand in hers. It was soft and smooth as she had expected, and she allowed her grip to longer for a second longer than normal before finally letting her go.
Act II - First Duet
Maria tried to catch her breath as she stood on stage with thousands of people cheering and applauding their wonderful performance. Adrenaline surged through her entire being as she beamed, pleased at the enthusiastic appreciation their audience showed. It almost shocked her at how well her duet with Tsubasa went. Everything was perfect, not a single mistake in the music or the choreography, even when they only managed to have one rehearsal.
Maria looked over at Tsubasa who was smiling widely beside her, waving at the crowd. She was very impressed, Tsubasa was indeed a top tier idol. Maria had so much fun singing along with her, and even during the rehearsal, everyone from the director to the stagehands said they have never seen such chemistry between two singers before. Maria would even dare say that their performance was legendary.
"…I am glad that I was able to participate in this and got to sing with Japan's top artist, Kazanari Tsubasa." Maria said into the stylized mic she held, every word of it sincere and true as she looked into Tsubasa's deep indigo eyes.
"Likewise, it was a pleasure to work with you." Tsubasa said in kind, offering her hand to her, mirroring what Maria did when they first met. And so Maria took it.
Act III - Coffee Break
"Here." Tsubasa was a little surprised when a can of her favorite canned green tea from the lobby vending machine in front of her. She was half-expecting Ogawa or even Kanade but that feminine voice could only be Maria and she was right when she looked up.
"Maria?" Tsubasa ventured, confused yet also grateful as she took the can into her hands.
"I just thought you needed it, and since I went to the vending machine anyway…" Maria said, sounding just a bit defensive as she was holding onto a can of tomato juice.
"How did you know this was my favorite?" Tsubasa asked curiously, opening her can of green tea.
"I noticed it's the one you always drink." Maria answered, her voice a bit faint, and Tsubasa couldn't help but smile a little. Maria paid enough attention to her to know what her favorite drink was. For whatever reason, Tsubasa felt quite happy.
"Thank you, Maria."
"Yeah, and here… You should eat something too." Maria nodded and handed Tsubasa a small container that seemingly had two handmade riceballs in it. "I'll see you later." Maria then excused herself quickly, with Tsubasa staring after her.
"Oh hey, riceballs!" Kanade suddenly appeared and snatched one of it away. Tsubasa had all ability to prevent Kanade from doing so but she didn't really mind, and she continued to smile as she looked down at the container.
Act IV - Under the same Umbrella
Maria frowned as she looked up at the overcast and gray skies from the window in the staff room. She certainly hoped that it wouldn't rain when she's about to go home. However, as the meeting she was in finished and she found herself alone at the exit of the building, it was already raining. Maria sighed, anxious to go home since she was tired from her work today. She longed for a nice dinner and a long soak in her bath. It was just her luck that she forgot to bring an umbrella today and that Serena had already gone ahead and was hanging out with Kanade.
Maria had half the mind to just run in the rain since her apartment was just two blocks away. Just as she was debating on what to do, she heard her name being called.
"Maria? You're still here?" A familiar voice called out to her and Maria turned back to see Tsubasa. "Is there something troubling you?" She then asked in concern.
"I actually forgot my umbrella…" Maria trailed off, blushing a little in embarrassment at being caught so unprepared.
"Ah, I see." Tsubasa then nodded solemnly and suddenly brandished a large umbrella like a sword. "If you'd like, I would gladly accompany you to your apartment." She offered generously.
"If that's okay…" Maria mumbled shyly, ducking her head a little. Normally, she would be too polite to accept such help but Maria was tired and Tsubasa seemed earnest to help. It made Maria happy that Tsubasa was concerned enough for her.
Tsubasa nodded and opened her umbrella. It was a large one, comfortably fitting two people. Maria still had to stay close to Tsubasa and thoughtlessly, she linked arms with her so that they could stay as dry as possible. Tsubasa didn't seem to mind, and the both of them walked through the rain.
"Thank you, Tsubasa."
Act V - Holding Hands
Tsubasa did not anticipate for things to escalate this quickly. Even with their whole line of bodyguards trying to stop the massive crowd of people from reaching Tsubasa and Maria, they looked like they weren't going to hold any longer.
"Tsubasa-san! Run!" Ogawa urged her from where he was helping stem the flow of people. Tsubasa gave a determined nod and took hold of Maria's hand even as she was still gaping at the impending tidal wave of people.
"We have to go!" Tsubasa urged Maria, and it was then that her fellow idol snapped out of her shock and nodded. They then fled back into the building.
"We love you Tsubasa!"
"Maria! Please marry me!"
The myriad of shouting voices started to fade away as they ran as fast as they could, with Tsubasa clutching Maria's hand like their life depended on it. Their destination were the back doors that Ogawa showed her in case of emergencies. And this one was one huge emergency. Tsubasa didn't let go even when they were out of the back doors and into the waiting car.
"That was… a bit too exciting for my tastes." Maria commented as she tried to catch her breath in the backseat of the car. Tsubasa couldn't help but laugh softly, squeezing Maria's hand in hers. Maria didn't look like she minded as she looked at Tsubasa and grinned as well, squeezing her hand back.
"Do you think Kanade and Serena are having better luck at their event?" Tsubasa asked after they calmed down.
"Probably." Maria allowed, shrugging a little. Minutes later however, the driver told them that there's a distress call from Kanade and Serena as they too were mobbed.
"Perhaps it's not a good day for us." Tsubasa said with a soft giggle as the car sped off to rescue Kanade and Serena.
Act VI - First Kiss
Maria played with her pen absentmindedly, staring down at the sheets of paper in front of her. It made her look like she was concentrating on her task when honestly, she was in a bit of a loss on how to start writing the song for her next duet with Tsubasa. Maria then glanced upwards, looking at the adorable sight of Tsubasa with a pair of glasses perched on her nose. Tsubasa was looking down at the papers in front of her, a noticeable blush on her cheeks. Maria tilted her head curiously. Was Tsubasa coming down with a fever?
"M-Maria…" Tsubasa then called out to her, suddenly looking fairly determined as she looked up into Maria's eyes.
"Yes?" Maria answered automatically. Tsubasa suddenly leaned forward, and Maria was frozen in surprise when she was suddenly very close… And then Tsubasa's glasses almost poked her in the eye, while her lips narrowly missed Maria's.
"Ahh! I… I'm sorry!" Tsubasa practically jumped back, her entire face red. "T-that wasn't my intention, I'm so sorry!" She looked so cute and flustered and Maria could only blink at her before it clicked in Maria's mind what Tsubasa was intending to do.
Maria then took hold of Tsubasa's wrist, tugging her closer once again. With her other hand, she took Tsubasa's glasses and smiled at her. "You could've just asked if you wanted to kiss me." Maria declared and did just that.
Kanade and Serena looked at each other from the opposite side of the room, looking both exasperated and amused.
"They forgot that they're not alone." Kanade said and with a grin, whipped out her phone and took a picture of the kissing Tsubasa and Maria.
"And you owe me ten dollars." Serena said calmly as she scribbled something on the paper in front of her.
"Tsubasa was the first one who tried to kiss her!" Kanade argued, whipping her head back to look at Serena.
"But their lips didn't meet so technically, it was Maria-neesan who kissed her first." Serena stated with her sweet smile. Kanade sighed and slipped the ten dollar bill towards Serena.
Act VII - The Confession
Tsubasa stared determinedly at Maria's apartment door, cradling a bouquet of red roses in one hand and a box of premium chocolates in the other. She shuffled nervously on her feet, her heels clacking slightly on the floor. She resisted the urge to smooth the imaginary wrinkles on her dress and she took a deep breath to calm her frazzled nerves.
After that kiss with Maria a week ago, Tsubasa could not stop thinking about the other woman. Maria's smile, Maria's laugh, Maria's striking teal eyes and most importantly, the feel of Maria's soft lips on hers. Tsubasa realized that her impulse to kiss Maria then had a reason, it was because she had come to like her more than a friend, and she wanted more.
Actually, Tsubasa was a little confused since Maria did kiss her on her own accord. That meant that Maria liked her too right..? But what if it was just a foreign custom from where Maria was from? It seemed that Maria behaved pretty much the same way as before the kiss, though she was a bit more affectionate towards Tsubasa. She had asked Kanade for advice, wondering what she should do about this confusion. Kanade only rolled her eyes at her and shoved Tsubasa into her closet.
"Then clear the confusion by confessing properly!" Kanade had shouted.
And so, Tsubasa took the initiative, she was going to confess to Maria about her feelings! She even dressed for the occasion, and brought flowers and chocolates like in that one movie she saw with Hibiki and Miku. She was so ready for this!
"I can do this." Tsubasa told herself as she raised her hand to knock on the door. Tsubasa tensed when she heard the muffled voice of Maria answering and her heart thundered in her chest. The door opened and all of Tsubasa's composure slipped away to nothing as she saw Maria. For a moment, she felt like running away.
"Tsubasa!" Maria looked pleasantly surprised. "Come in!" She immediately invited Tsubasa in and Tsubasa was quick to take her invitation.
"Maria." Tsubasa was glad that her voice didn't waver as she inclined her head coolly. Internally though, Tsubasa did not have any idea on what to do so she offered the items in her hand. "H-Here…" Tsubasa could feel her cheeks flame as she averted her eyes.
"F-For me?" Maria asked, taking the offered gifts in her arms. There was a delighted smile on her lips and a flush on her cheeks. Tsubasa felt some of her nervousness dissipate at seeing Maria so happy. "Thank you…" She mumbled shyly.
"Maria… I…" Tsubasa faltered in her words for a moment before she gathered every ounce of her courage and plowed forward. "I like you, will you go out with me?" Tsubasa winced a little as she ended up blurting it out straight, her carefully prepared speech going out the window.
"H-huh?" Maria looked confused, blinking owlishly at Tsubasa. That was not the reaction that Tsubasa was expecting.
"Maria..?" Tsubasa ventured nervously. Maria then had this sheepish and embarrassed look on her face.
"Ah… I thought… we were already dating..." Maria admitted, her face glowing crimson. Tsubasa stared at her for a moment.
"Eh?"