"Revue of... Longing?" Yachiyo read the big shining latin words atop the stage. It's not a surprise Giraffe like to name every time there are a duel on stage. From Yachiyo's analysis, the title of the revue involved a part of their most strong emotion. That is just a guess, the real reason? That it a mystery for her.
Ah, Yachiyo understand. The title was a mock for her. It felt like the title pointed it's finger and said, 'All of this because you didn't act fast enough. Didn't care enough.'
It hurts, she thought.
The crossbow in her hand felt hot when she stepped up to the stage, standing alone as she said her introduction. Yachiyo expected Giraffe to be there when she glanced up, and reality met her expectation for the first time. Girrafe stood proudly with a shadow beside him. It looked like a person but Yachiyo can't make out their face. What she know is that person is a girl
"Student of Rinmeikan Girl Highschool, Yumeoji Fumi. I will seek for my own stage light!"
Yachiyo tensed up, So now her opponent was Yumeoji Fumi. God, even after their victory in the last Audition against Rinmeikan, Yachiyo will always head to head against her, huh? Such a fate.
Yachiyo turn and face her opponent, crossbow ready and smirk attached on her face.
"Hey, Fumi."
The said girl only furrowed her eyebrows. She raised her dagger and stand in position. Eyes hard and ice cold, like she never know Yachiyo. The pink haired girl only a stranger that become her opponent. That stung Yachiyo's heart a bit.
"Let the Revue of Longing, begin. " Giraffe started the revue.
Both girl didn't waste anytime to draw their move, Fumi dashed forward with her dagger swung elegantly. Yachiyo in the other hand jump and landed on the stair giraffe has set up for them. Her crossbow pointed right to ribbon that kept Fumi's arm piece intact.
They clashed at each other like there is no tomorrow. Giraffe and her companion looked at them, analyzing their brilliance.
??? : I do not believe that this is not your doing, Kirin.
Giraffe : The stage girl whose revues outshine all others, even I can only stood as an audience.
??? : Then whose the one that started this? A revue that start itself, I found that hard to believe
Giraffe : Do not underestimate. A stage girl's brilliance will not only grasp a tiny star.
??? : ...they will graps both stars instead.
Giraffe : Indeed.
Giraffe : A stage that born from a stage, I understand.
??? : You and your cryptic message.
Giraffe : Let's enjoy the revue to its fullest, Elle.
Elle : ...Fine
The stage was full with heavy panting and the sound of steel clashed against each other. Sweat covered their foreheads. Each girl fought for a different purpose yet with the same fire.
"You're still as predicted as ever, " Fumi can't read what Yachiyo meant by that, her face didn't show her usual smirk and laid back nature. It was replaced by poker, emotionless face that did not suit Yachiyo at all. Fumi can feel she shuddered by that.
But she scowled, "And you're still an unpredictable fox."
"Thank you~" at least Yachiyo's smirk back to her face
"That's not a compliment." Fumi dashed forward. The dagger in her hand swung rapidly only to be blocked by Yachiyo's crossbow. They dance and sang like fire and fire, flaming each other without stopping.
Yachiyo draw her arrow again and lock it in her crossbow, waiting for the right time to shot it. She fended off every strike Fumi delivered. 3 more slash and Yachiyo know Fumi will give her final strike that indicated she put more strength and less defense.
Slash. Repent.
Slash. Dodge.
Slash. Defense.
Fumi let out a small battle cry, dagger ready. She swung it from her hip-level up to above her head. The trick to repent this, is not using a weapon. Yachiyo chose to use her free right hand and fend Fumi's Final strike by changing it direction from the wrist. Even if you fail to change the direction, you can make your enemy caught off guard, and that is the most important part.
Yachiyo raised her crossbow when Fumi's left hand aren't near her white coat's tie. She used the tip of the arrow on her crossbow to cut the Fumi's ribbon. Yachiyo smirked when it rip the ribbon and Fumi's arm piece start to fall.
Fumi frozen when her ribbon start to rip. It like a slow motion in her head. Everything slowed except her heartbeat that rang in her ear.
'No. I will not lose again-'
She gripped her hold on the dagger before swung it down quickly, hoping that it will reap Yachiyo's tie before hers rip first. The arm piece she wore become loose and fell yet Yachiyo's coat never fall down.
She herself that fell.
"Arg-"
Red. So so much red splattered at the stage, some staining her green revue's uniform and some splattered at her dagger. Fumi's eyes widened in shock as she took a step back, releasing her dagger as it felt too heavy in her palm.
Yachiyo screamed in agony as she fell to her knees with her crossbow still loosely clutched with her left hand. Yachiyo gripped the base of her neck, just before her wounded left shoulder.
Fumi stumbled down and stared at the wound she created. It clashed Yachiyo's shoulder for about 5 or 6 inch, and it cut deep enough for Fumi to know that Yachiyo cannot use her left hand. It is not deep enough that would need amputation (Fumi thank the God).
Yachiyo can't feel anything else, only her and her painful wound on her left shoulder. God, it felt awful. Yachiyo only scream until her throat dry. The blood staining her uniform, trickling from there to her hand.
"I... Can't feel my hand... Aghh- " Yachiyo whimpered to herself.
From shadow, 5 shadow emerged with it's black hood hid their face. It looked at Yachiyo and Fumi from far away, scowling. They, without doubt, are Korosu. What a nice coincidence.
Elle : Kirin-
Giraffe : I understand
.
.
"Ma Maya... M-maya...," Claudine hazily looked up. Her body trembled as she felt Maya quickened her pace. The fingers inside her touched her G-spot as the thumb teased her clit.
"Ah! Maya! Ha... Hah... " her nails scratched Maya's back, leaving a mark on it. Claudine kept gasping and shuddering with every trust from Maya skillful fingers.
"Yes, Ma Claudine?"
Maya looked down at the naked angel below her, thinking how gorgeous Claudine is. She trailed kisses after kisses on Claudine's body. Sometimes Maya licked her hard nipple, cherishing the elicit moan Claudine make. The soft and pale skin feels good on her lips, especially the chest part and neck.
"B-bite me... Mark me Maya," Claudine begged before she moaned loudly when Maya flick her clit.
"Gladly."
Maya licked her lips as she scan for a perfect spot to bite and suck, it was hard since all part of Claudine are beyond perfect. But if she has to choose...
"Nggghh- ah... " Claudine moaned harder when Maya bite the base of her neck, licking and sucking to leave a kiss mark. The pain quickly transferred into pleasure.
"Ma Claudine... Ma Cherie... Tell me, are you close?" Maya whispered to her ears, biting the lobe and licking it.
"A-ah... I... I'm Mmmnn-"
Claudine curled upward, her legs tensed and her grip on Maya's shoulder tightened, scratching her shoulder with her nails. Maya keep thrusting in and out to let her lover rode her climax. She let her fingers out when Claudine twitched uncomfortably from being oversensitive. After all, Claudine can only last 2 or 3 rounds.
When Claudine back from cloud nine, Maya licked her fingers clean right in front of her and smirking when Claudine blushed more.
"You... Insufferable woman... " She really want to shout and smack that woman but she was spend, tired and gasping for air.
Maya smiled and press her lips on her forehead, "I know."
The sound of Maya's and Claudine's phone jolted them awake. They looked at each other in confusion before Maya kissed Claudine and told her to lay down, she will pick her phone for her. Claudine flashed her a grateful smile before laying down.
Maya stood and walked to her desk as she tried to read the words on her phone. It's from giraffe judged by the icon and dark screen. But Starlight are done, what bussiness that giraffe want?
A running text quickly catched her attention.
Danger
Midnight Revue
[Giraffe Icon]
The revue shall be protected
It also appeared on Claudine's phone. Maya furrowed her eyebrows.
'Something isn't right...'
Maya quickly pick Claudine's phone and bring it to her. They exchanged gazes as they come to an agreement.
[Reborn]
Maya and Claudine stepped in the theater already clothed in their Revue's costume along with rapier and sword. They were shocked that there are Korosu left after their victory. To think that Korosu reborn upon this stage, just what is going on?
"I am Tendou Maya, Head of the Seisho Music Academy's 99th graduating class. Even alone, I am Star!"
"Runner up of Seisho Music Academy's 99th graduating class, Saijou Claudine"
"Together, we'll go higher and further!" They quickly finished their introduction for the stage to allow them in the Revue of Longing.
Maya locked gaze with Claudine before nodding and darted off to the nearest Korosu. The rapier in her hand ready to jab and slash her enemy. The Korosu didn't expect another stage girl to disturb the revue and it become a benefit for Maya as she can open the duel with a surprise attack. Her rapier's tip slashed the Korosu's side and by the motion of her dash, Maya took a step to change her direction to the side. She raised her rapier again and pointed its tip to Korosu.
Meanwhile, Claudine rushed to the other occupants of the stage. What confuse her, why they are on the floor with their weapon thrown away; one frozen and one trembled like she can't even look at all 5 Korosu.
It didn't take long for Claudine to understand, the red color that splattered in the floor became an unavoidable evidence of wound. Claudine was right. When she drop to her knees beside the pink haired one, she instantly became mortified by the wound. Dang it, it looked deep and it keep bleeding. Why didn't the other do something?! Mechante!
Claudine ripped the red haired's coat's left sleeve with her sword and tied it to close the wound.
"This will hurt," is what she said before she tightened the make-up-bandage.
Yachiyo grunted loudly when her wound stung so badly, like there were hundreds of needles punctured it then the open wound was splashed by salt water. Yachiyo shut her eyes and gritted her teeth to stop her from screaming in pain.
Back in the audience's seats, Elle was pissed and worried. Pissed because there is nothing that she can do, even Giraffe himself cannot stop the revue. Worried because she was afraid for the stage girl. She really hope that they will be alright.
Giraffe : At ease, Elle. This will end finely
Elle : At ease? I found that hard to do. One is badly injured and another in shock state. The revue will not stop until we don't know when and your power can't do anything about it. How can you be at ease?
Giraffe : The revue will always obey the brightest stage. If my light cannot do anything about them, then let their brilliance do it. Believe, Elle. Their starlight are nothing to be misjudged of.
Elle : ...
Claudine shook Fumi's shoulder, "Snap out of it! Fight the Korosu!" Claudine picked the dagger, not asked anything about the blood in it, then cleaned it with a flick of her wrist and shove it to Fumi's hand before darted off to help Maya.
Fumi snapped from her shocked state, looked at her dagger then at Yachiyo. She didn't want to leave Yachiyo but she has to, or this real nightmare will never end. Hesistating a bit, Fumi left Yachiyo after whispering "I'm sorry" to darted to where Maya and Claudine are.
Fumi found out that the two of them already took down 2 Korosu, as expected of Tendou and her partner. Fumi didn't waste anytime to join the fight.
With their teamwork and strength, they finally killed all the remaining Korosu before checked at Yachiyo. The said girl already unconscious, hopefully not because of bloodloss. Maya quickly lift the girl and carried her bridal style, careful to not iritating the wound.
Giraffe's voice boomed and echoed in the theatre.
Giraffe : Leave and I shall bring you to where you should be.
Elle : Go to the Theatre door.
The three of them nodded before ran as fast as they can to the door. Fumi and Claudine opened the door for Maya and Yachiyo took go trough. A sudden whiteness blinded them for a moment before the sight of hospital lobby can be seen. Maya rushed to the nearest nurse or doctor, whoever that wear the hospital 's uniform, to told them the grieve state of Yachiyo.
The staff quickly took over the situation, leading them to put the girl on the bed before calling a surgery doctor and then wheeled the bed to the nearest surgery room. The girls were forced to wait outside and let the doctor do their job.
Maya and Claudine noticed they were back to their first clothes, the on they wore before going to the stage. A plaid blue t-shirt along with a black jacket and a black jeans for Maya and pale grey dress for Claudine.
Fumi also wore her pale green t-shirt and a brown skirt. She have her head hung low in guilt. Her hand clenched the edge of her skirt. This will never happen if she was careful, or even let Yachiyo win the revue. But no, she had to be so greedy to win, too prideful to let Yachiyo win. And now Yachiyo has to brace the consequences of her doing. It felt awful. Fumi never want this, never hope for this. She only...
Fumi shook her head to clear her thought. It will change nothing. Right now, Fumi and the pair from Seisho can only wait.
It took 2 hours, and it was already 4 AM. Yachiyo already moved to another room since the operation run without any hitch. The doctor told she will wake up when the anesthesia cleared from her blood circulation. Nothing major side effect happen, Yachiyo didn't lose too much blood to effect her brain and the ripped muscle can repair itself, it will only take a long time. All in all, Yachiyo can go back to her healty self
Maya and Claudine have excused theirself to go back to their dorm. They didn't forgot to offer their concern and hope for the pink haired girl.
Now it's just Fumi alone inside Yachiyo's room, gripping her phone and Yachiyo's that somehow pocketed in her skirt. She stared at the calm faced Yachiyo, half hoping she open her eyes.
Many thoughts and regret crossed her mind. Fumi wondered if she didn't do what she has done, will Yachiyo be okay?
That's impossible, since she already hurt Yachiyo way before this. Way more painful, but what can she do? Fumi still think her choice to leave Siegfeld was the right choice.
As she stared Yachiyo, she fiddled with Yachiyo's phone before decided to told someone, the recent contact on Yachiyo's mailbox. It stung her heart a little, the password of her phone didn't change, it still the date when they... They-
Fumi exhaled shakily from her mouth to calm her erratic heartbeat. It will do no good, reliving the past she meant. Only pain in her heart that she got, nothing soothing or calming. Brushing off the password number, Her thumb tapped the mail icon and she was greeted by the list of her message.
The recent one was from Shiori.
It was really tempting to search for another contact, another Edel. But Fumi didn't know if it's a good idea to do it. Akira will mostly scolded Yachiyo before explaining her dissapointment. Mei fan is a close friend of Yachiyo, but she will make a big fuss of it that it will cause many problem for the poor girl. Michiru is... Michiru. She don't know about her much, but something about Michiru didn't settled right in her heart.
As for Shiori, well, what's more reason for it? Fumi just didn't want to talk to Shiori. She dreaded that Shiori will say to her, will it be words laced with venom or it will be an angry tantrum? Then again, Fumi won't contact her from her phone so it will be alright, right? She only need to be as short and cryptic as possible.
Hesitating for a good minutes, Fumi move her thumb to type a message for her little sister.
Ding!
Shiori turned her back from the wardrobe. She was still in Yachiyo's room, tidying the costume and leftover cloth along with the sewing tools. It was only a good half a hour before her alarm goes off when Shiori woke up, alone with no sign of her senpai, which brought a huge question mark on her head. She opted to tidying the mess before she searched for Yachiyo, that is what she want to do but the sound of her phone halted her step from going outside.
Shiori picked her phone and looked at the lock screen. [1 new message] from Yachiyo-senpai appeared on it. The first year smiled before quickly opening her mailbox. That smile turn into confusion.
Yachiyo-senpai : I'm sick. Shujutsu Hospital, Floor 1 room 113.
"Ho-hospital?" Shiori didn't remember her senpai was sick, she looked alright yesterday. Or is she actually sick but Shiori just did not notice it? Shiori fretted over the message, rereading it a couple times to make sure her eyes didn't trick her. Shiori is beyond worried. To be so sick that she need to be treated at hospital? Oh god, Shiori really want to know is her senpai alright.
'Sh-should I visit her right now?'
But it will cause an uproar if not one but two Edel missed class at the same day. And Shiori didn't want that. Ah, should she message the other Edels? M-maybe...Yes, she should do it.
[Edel's chat room]
Shiori : Senpai, Yachiyo-senpai informed me that she is sick and cant attend classes.
Mei fan : Ehhh? Then I will told the teacher! I will come to her room later and bring some medicine!
Mei fan : Wait, she's sick from what again?
Shiori : I don't know, but you can't find her at her room, senpai. Yachiyo-senpai is in the Hospital.
Michiru : Hospital?
Mei fan : I really hope she is alright.
Shiori send a picture
Shiori : This is her message.
Mei fan : Then I will visit her after school! Shujutsu, right?
Shiori : Yes. Can I tag along, Mei fan-senpai?
Mei fan : sure!
Michiru : that message didn't look like Yachiyo's usual typing.
Michiru : but maybe that because she is sick.
Shiori : oh, I hope Yachiyo-senpai is not too sick...
Mei Fan : I wonder why Akira-senpai isn't replying.
Michiru : She is just confused
Shiori : confused?
Michiru : technology and all.
Mei Fan : I see.
With that, Shiori turn off her phone and went back to her room to prepare for her classes. The thought and worry for Yachiyo never left her head.
"Yachiyo!"
Bang
Yachiyo who sat at her bed jolted when Mei fan shouted and entered her hospital room after banging the door open. The phone on her hand fall to her lap as the pink haired looked at the panting girl. Yachiyo put her signature smirk before picked her phone and turn it off then put it beside her.
"Hey, Mei fan~" She began, "This is hospital, remember~"
The purple haired girl clamped her mouth shut with both her palm covered it, blushing a little bit. A train of sorry at the tip of her tongue but Yachiyo just smirked wider and said, "Don't apologize, you will yourself kicked out you know~"
Mei fan didn't take offense in her comment, she herself acknowledge that she was loud when flustered or when her emotion got the best of her. Mei fan smiled before walked to Yachiyo.
Now that the tall girl move, Yachiyo can saw the smaller one that hidden behind Mei fan before.
"Shiori~ miss me much?" Swing the girl fidgeted really make her want to tease her. She is, in fact, the easiest person to fall for her trap. As expected, the girl blushed before averted her gaze to the floor.
But what she didn't expect was that Shiori nodded and cutely said, "Yes... " with those soft voice of hers.
Yachiyo can feel her heart quickened a little, she change her gaze to the wall for a split second before looked at Shiori again. The short eye break was enough for her heart to slow it pace.
"I feel honored to be missed by such a beautiful maiden~" Yachiyo winked at Shiori.
She didn't get to see her reaction since Mei Fan, being her usual self, decided to strike a question. It's a dissapointment, Shiori's so cute. Her blush and all it was almost identical with-
"Yachiyo-san, you're okay?! Do you have a fever?" Mei fan placed her palm to Yachiyo's forehead to check her temperature, "No? T-then are you feel sick? S-stomachache?"
Yachiyo appreciated Mei Fan's concern for her but can she please slow down a little?
"I'm alright, just can't move my left hand, is all~ don't worry don't worry~" Yachiyo dismissed her.
"What?! How- why?"
'Ah right, they didn't know what happen'
"Just some missap on the revue," Yachiyo quickly replied with her usual laid back tone to easing the good girl that looked like she will have a heart attack any moment.
"Revue?" Shiori asked silently after listening to Yachiyo and Mei fan conservation. They along with the other school already beat Korosu and the boss, All Performance and Revue are saved so why there is another Revue?
"But I thought there will be no revue since we beat the Korosu?" Shiori thanked Mei fan for voicing her confusion.
"Yeah I thought so too."
.
.
Yachiyo opened her eyes and saw 3 people: Fumi, Tendou and Saijou, fighting Korosu together. It registered in her mind that they were defending her, never letting the Korosu walk any closer, always pushing them away from Yachiyo. She want to aid them. Searching for her crossbow, she found it a couple step away from her.
Yachiyo unconsciously tried to move her left hand to pick the crossbow and it resulted an unbearable pain that Yachiyo have to silently cried and scratched her base neck with her right hand to avert her attention elsewhere. She gasped and lay her body down on the stage; no longer has the stamina to be awake.
She looked at the audience seat and found Giraffe and Elle stood there, not doing anything about this situation. Before her gaze succumbed to sleep, Yachiyo hazily looked at Giraffe that turn his head away from her gaze.
.
.
"Yachiyo-san?"
Yachiyo blinked and smile at them. "Nothing~"'I wonder why you turn your head away, is it just me that thought you're hiding something, Giraffe?'
Mei fan tilted her head before shrugging it off and put what she brought with her on the desk. She smiled as she told Yachiyo to drink the sport drink she bought.
"I'm sorry Yachiyo-san but I have to go help Akira-senpai with the student council," Mei fan smiled apologetically before excused herself, inviting Shiori to come with her but it seems the youngest Edel has another idea.
"Can I... stay here, Mei fan-senpai?" Shiori timidly asked Mei fan. Sending a knowing smile, Mei fan offered a thumbs up before leaving the room.
Shiori looked at Yachiyo and walked to stand beside her. Since Yachiyo was sitting on the bed, Shiori and her can look at each other without having to tilt their head. Yachiyo's flat almost dropping like eyes stared at hers shy eyes; still wearing the same smile she always have.
"What's up, Shiori?"
Shiori blinked several times before tugged Yachiyo's patient clothes (It annoy her to no end. Really, what's with this outfit that has no fashion at all).
"Are you really alright, senpai?" Yachiyo smirked.
"Why~ Are you really that worried?"
Her underclassmen pouted, "Of course."
Yachiyo expected the girl to blushed and stuttered but what she got was a honest answer with a pout, not like she can deny that Shiori become cuter when she's pouting. Yachiyo dismissed her worry with a wave from her good hand.
"It's fine~"
"B-but... You can't even move your hand senpai, H-how can you said it's fine?"
Unconsciously Yachiyo gripped her left shoulder, winced when she felt the weird sore she got but hey, Yachiyo was glad it did not hurt anymore. God know how painful it was for her.
"A-ah d-dont-" Shiori gripped her wrist and moved it elsewhere that was not near her bad shoulder. She put a frown on her face as if she want to scold Yachiyo before it turn into an unreadable face.
"Senpai..."
Yachiyo raised her eyebrow, "Hm?"
"Since... You can't use your left hand... That meant you... will have difficulties in doing something that.. You usually found easy, right?" Shiori hesistantly said.
"Yes, I think?" Where does Shiori want this conversation turn to?
"Then... Would you mind if I help you with it?" She shyly ask with her her eyes peeked behing her bangs.
"Help me?"
A nod, "Un. You know you can ask me anything, senpai."
Is it wrong that her heart fluttered? And also is it wrong if Yachiyo felt a little butterfly inside her stomach?
Shiori slide her hand down from her wrist and opted to hold her hand instead. It's warm, like a sun that basked her skin. It's soothing also, like a wind that brushed her hair.
Is it wrong for her to feel this way when she still hold such a strong emotion towards Fumi?
'Maybe it is... '
But that didn't stop Yachiyo from gently hold Shiori's small hand.
She is the worst, isn't she?
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-0-0-0-0--00
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okay, Imma gonna be frank
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I will not continue this in
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if you want to read the next chapter, it will be on AO3, just search it in the search engine the title and click the one made by Takiyama_Zen.
I will give the link in the next page