Finally, after a lot of stalling from the author, the day of the competition was upon our two heroines!

They began the morning like most, by warming up at the barre in their leotards, and even though the routine was all the same, a heaviness hung in the air. There was no light banter, or teasing remarks. Just Tutu, quietly correcting Ahiru's movements.

Ahiru was, honestly, the only one between them that was truly nervous. Tutu, sensing her sister's apprehension, kept quiet.

After they were thoroughly warmed up, they moved away from the barre to the center of the room. Here, Tutu aided Ahiru in practicing the steps she often messed up.

Nowadays, Ahiru didn't end up messing up as many things as she used to. Her body was now more toned than before, and she knew more ballet terms and their moves than she had even been taught in class.

Once warmups were done, they went through their steps without the music before going again with the music. During Ahiru's solo part of the dance, when she would be doing more moves than Tutu, who was in the background, Tutu looked upon her sister with fondness. Her beautiful little duckling had really grown up, into an even more beautiful and graceful little duck.

…

Before they knew it, the two sisters were sitting in the backseat of their moms' car. Tutu was chatting amiably with their mothers, while Ahiru sat slouched in the seat, out the window at the bare trees lining the road. It was only months ago that Ahiru walked down this same street whilst the trees were full of orange and red leaves, hours early to her morning class.

She knew the whole reason she was participating in this competition in the first place was null, for Mytho had already picked her over Rue, but still Ahiru couldn't help but feel nervous. It was the first time she'd be dancing in front of a crowd of people, not to mention her constant fear of messing up so badly she'd end up embarrassing Mytho by proxy.

They weren't dating, she didn't think. He hadn't officially asked her, sure they've kissed and held hands, but did that mean anything? Maybe it didn't, to Mytho. Maybe after she messed up horribly at the competition, Mytho would decide he didn't like her anymore. She still wasn't a very good dancer, despite how hard she's been practicing.

Ahiru let out a very audible sigh, which did not go unnoticed by her family.

Ebine and Edel shared a brief look before Ebine turned to give Ahiru a wide smile.

"Ahiru…" Ebine started, in that caring voice of her's as she reached to hold Ahiru's hand. "You know that no matter what, you'll always be our little ballerina?"

The redhead looked up at her mom, and cracked a small smile, squeezing the older woman's hand in turn. "Of course!" She giggled lightly. "Gosh mom, it's not like I'm going off to execution!"

Ebine nodded, laughing lightly in turn. Before she could respond, Edel piped in. "Of course we know that dear, it seems more like you are the one acting as if you're being sent to execution. Are you worried?"

Ahiru sighed again, letting her hand fall back into her lap. "I'm just nervous! Don't wanna mess up in front of everyone, y'know?" She laughed, scratching the back of her neck.

Tutu couldn't help but wrap her arms around her sister, squishing the poor girl in her unnaturally strong grip. "It'll be okay my little duck~ The only thing that matters is that you worked your little butt off, and if it comes down to it, you could always just fist fight that crow girl-"

"Tutu!" Ebine exclaimed, while Ahiru and Edel both laughed quietly to themselves. Ebine continued with a lighthearted lecture on how physical violence was definitely not the answer, not ever, and suddenly the atmosphere in the car had become much more lively.

Ahiru smiled at her family, and really finally felt that no matter what, boyfriend or no boyfriend, she'd always be glad to come home to this family.

…

I'm gonna die. Definitely. There's no way that I am going to leave this stage with my heart still beating.

"Ahiru, kindly calm down and finish putting on your costume," Tutu said gently, as if she could read her mind.

"R-Right, of course. Costume," Ahiru said shakily, donning the rest of her costume. They were getting ready in one of the bathrooms on campus, close to where the event was taking place. Ahiru turned to the mirror, smiling lightly at the costume her and Tutu made together. It was a standard blue leotard with matching tights, with a few foam armor pieces that were painted and strapped to her body, as well as a foam sword strapped to her hip, and a pink cloak that fell over one shoulder. She turned, her eyes scanning over Tutu's costume, which they also made together. It was a pink leotard and tights to match her sister, just with a romantic tutu and a tiara sat upon her pink hair, a blue sash pinned across her chest. They were made-up to look like opposite versions of each other, with Ahiru looking like an adventurer and Tutu looking like a soft princess. Ahiru had her long hair pulled up into a high ponytail, with her bangs framing her face, a style that others remarked made her look more like Tutu.

"Are you ready?" Her pink-haired sister asked, holding her hand out. Ahiru took her sister's hand with a deep breath and nodded, the two of them making their way to the auditorium. They were going to be the last ones up, right after Rue. Ahiru peeked out to see the crowd, and there were a lot more people than she thought there would be. She had just figured family of the people participating would be there, that it would barely fill half of the theater, but the seats were packed. Did people having nothing better to do on a Saturday afternoon?!

She stepped back, feeling her heart pounding. She was just getting used to the idea of messing up in front of a couple of families, but now she wasn't sure what she was going to do! If she messed up, she'd have to drop out, or worse! Still have to go in and face her classmates! And Mytho! Poor, sweet Mytho… He would be so embarrassed that he was associated with a failure like herself!

Ahiru was only shaken from her thoughts from a resounding slap, and soon focused in on the worried eyes of her sister. "Ahiru, I'm sorry, but you wouldn't snap out of it!" The redhead blinked slowly and nodded.

"Tutu, I don't think I can do this. Like really, if I go out there, I actually just melt into a gross puddle of failure and organs," Ahiru said, her large eyes staring straight ahead.

"One, that sounds disgusting, two, you have to calm down. You have been dancing this routine perfectly well, little duck. This is no different than practicing in my room," Tutu said, her hands resting on her sister's shoulders.

"Yeah, little duck," a snotty sounding voice appeared, coming from the mouth of a red-eyed, black-haired, she-devil. Okay, those were the thoughts of a very irritated Ahiru, but the physical attributes still rung true. "It's totally okay if you mess up, because then it's just eliminating whatever chances you had with my Mytho."

Any doubt Ahiru had in her abilities washed away almost immediately. Rue had the opposite intended effect, and instead of making her more insecure, she only boosted Ahiru's confidence. But, she knew she needed to be the bigger person. "Don't count on me messing up, Rue." She said, and turned around and walked away.

Tutu and Ahiru waited in the wings for their names to be announced. Ahiru sat with her back slouched, eyes on her phone, and a small grin on her face. Her and Mytho were chatting back and forth, and he was doing an excellent job at keeping her mind off of her own impending doom.

Mytho: Did you make your own costume?

Ahiru's smile only widened.

Ahiru: I did! How'd you know?

Mytho: It's very you, you're so creative

It was the bare minimum of compliments, but Ahiru couldn't help but feel a bubble of joy spring from her chest. She felt like a middle schooler again, and she couldn't wait to see him again after the show. Before she knew it, her and Tutu's names were being called.

Ahiru: Thank you 3 I'll see you afterwards!

With that, she dropped her phone into her bag and had to ignore it as it dinged with another message from him. Going up to the stage, she bumped shoulders with Rue, who was walking off the stage with a glasses wearing fellow. Ahiru rolled her eyes, and linked arms with her sister. The two stepped out together, just as the gentle sound of the music floated from the speakers. Just the day before, they changed their dance to cut out all dialogue, so everything was riding on their performance, to convey the story and emotions. Tutu hoped it would boost their points, and Ahiru was worried she wouldn't be able to do it right.

On stage, they assumed their roles as a princess and an adventurer.

The Princess started off the dance, while the Adventurer stood on one side of the stage, her head down, looking as if she was asleep. The Princess's dance was done in staccato, in a mood that screamed that she wanted more, with measured steps and a longing to break free from her cage. As soon as her part of the dance was over, she stopped, and let her head fall, and as she did so the Adventurer started up. Her dance was pronounced and free, like she had finally been let out her chains and could live free for the first time in her life. She leaped across the stage in a grand jeté, stopping in front of the dormant Princess, offering her hand to her.

The Princess blinked slowly, and shook her head. The Adventurer's body sagged, head falling again. The Princess's dance this time seemed more hurried, more desperate as she made distance from the Adventurer, but the further away from the Adventurer she got, the sadder her dance got. It wasn't long before she was dancing back toward the Adventurer, falling to her knees at her feet. The Adventurer jolted awake at the Princess's touch, and helped her up, the two of them finally dancing together. Their dance, along with the progression of the music, started slowly but turned joyful and energetic, before ending in a sweet way with the two of them with an arm wrapped around the other and facing the crowd.

Applause broke out, and Ahiru felt pure elation in her chest as a smile spread across her face. Her and her sister walked off stage, and that was the end of their performance.

Everything after that was a blur, waiting with the other dancers in the wings, announcing the places from ten down to the last three…

"In third… Pique and Lillie with their beautiful rendition of Shrek the Musical, absolutely stunning." Applause followed, and they went up to get their trophy. Ahiru waited with full anticipation. Neither her's nor Rue's names haven't been called yet. It was silly, but everything in her life rode on her placement in this competition.

"In second… Ahiru and Tutu with their original ballet, so very unique!"

She was hugged tightly by her sister, and they made it onto the stage to get their own trophy and prize.

"And last but not least, Rue and Autor for first place! Amazing job you guys!"

Cheers, applause, and Rue's smug face meeting with Ahiru's as she grabbed her prize and walked down to where Mytho waiting patiently for Ahiru.

Ahiru watched with bated breath, surrounded by her chattering family, as Rue said something Ahiru couldn't hear. Mytho's honey-colored eyes widened, and glanced in Ahiru's direction before landing back on Rue. He shook his head, and it was Rue's turn to look surprised. She stormed off, and Ahiru broke free from her family to quickly run over to Mytho.

"What just happened?" She asked him, her wide eyes searching his.

"Rue, the coffee shop owner's daughter, just asked me out… And also insulted you quite a bit in the process," Mytho said, and paused, "But I turned her down, of course."

"Of course…?" Ahiru questioned, hope floating in her heart.

"Yes, of course. I'm not going to ask you out and go out with her at the same time…" Mytho said with a small chuckle, his hands falling to rest on Ahiru's waist.

"Ask me out?"

"Didn't you get my text?"

Ahiru shook her head, quickly pulling out her phone. Lo and behold, the message from him from before the show. She hadn't checked it yet because she was so nervous about the placements.

Mytho: After the show, would you like to go to dinner with me?

Her eyes flicked up to meet his as a smile spread across her face. "Yes, totally yes!"

Mytho pulled her in for a hug, and a sweet kiss.

And such was the beginning of the rest of their lives.

AN: Thanks for sticking with this story for four years! Besides oneshots, this is only the second story I've finished and I've been writing fanfic for like, 6 or 7 years! This is a milestone! So thank you so much~ Maybe I'll add an epilogue, and I'm also thinking about starting a fic of drabbles for them in this universe!

If you need more Mythiru, I also have a canon au called Prince Tutu - Act 1, and it also updates infrequently! See y'all later~