The price of her smile
The spotlights light up the stage brightly. The cogwheels sound, starting to work at full power.
Maya is conscious of the racket around her, the final touches before having to go onto the stage. She knows she should be paying attention to the last guidelines and details of the play before the performance starts, but she can't help but slip away behind the drop scenes to steal a glance at the audience through a little aperture in between the curtains as if she was a little kid nervously searching for her parents in her first play.
Maya lets her gaze wander over the front row of the theater in the hopes of meeting a pair of deep magenta eyes, but she finds nothing.
She knows she shouldn't expect her fiancé, busy with her own play, to be there, but she can't help but feel a little hope deep inside, wishing she'd have come to surprise her by being there.
She takes a last quick look over the front row, catching a brief glimpse of blonde hair that makes her heart jump in anticipation, only to find out that it's just Nana. She sighs, disappointment written all over her face because of it.
Then she sighs heavily once again before taking a deep breath to help her to calm down her nerves, ready to start the play and shine as bright as always being the top star.
As she steps onto the stage with firm step, she can't help but let her gaze wander one last time over the front row in search of her beloved ash-blonde, but the seat where she usually sits it's empty.
Maya takes another deep breath to dispel the growing sadness in her, and puts the best smile she can muster, but even with her best smile present on her face, three people at the audience can notice the sad glint in her eyes.
Yet even like that, Maya manages to take over the stage with full force and charisma and shine like the top star she is, taking everybody's breath away and captivating them with her impeccable performance.
The play ends with the audience standing on their feet completely devoted to the performance, applauding effusively and yelling Maya's name out loud. She doesn't get tired of the amount of admiration and love she receives in each one of her plays and with a final bow and a proud smile on her face, the curtain drops, leaving a bittersweet taste on her mouth.
Ah, she really wishes Claudine would have been there in the present day, well, she actually wishes Claudine could be there every single day she has to perform but she obviously can't…
Maya sighs once again before going back to her castmates, congratulating them for their performances to then go to her dressing room to meet her friends.
In the distance, a trio can already be found waiting for her outside the dressing room's door.
- My, my, I never thought it'd come the day in which I'd see Maya-han looking so sad – Kaoruko points out, her characteristic fan over her mouth, hiding a mischievous smile behind it.
Futaba tsks at her girlfriend's words.
- Yeah, even though her acting was impeccable, it wasn't hard to notice she was really sad – she says agreeing with her.
- Do you think our two lovely lovebirds had a fight? – Kaoruko says, giggling wickedly, gaining a light chop on her head – Futaba-han!
- Serves you right for being so mean to our friends.
Nana giggles at her friends' antics, who didn't change in the slightly over the years, and places her hand on her chin thoughtfully.
- Maybe it's because Maya-chan's birthday is coming soon and she feels lonely with Kuro-chan being away for over more than a month, right?
Kaoruko and Futaba stop quarreling after listening to her friend's words and look at her, thinking about what she just said before looking one another again.
- Makes sense – Futaba chimes in, chuckling slightly.
- Ooooh, then we need to do something about it – Kaoruko suggests, a dangerous and evil glint glimmering in her eyes.
Futaba shivers, knowing full well what Kaoruko is capable of when planning mischievous things while Nana simply smiles, clapping happily.
- I'm in.
Oh, no.
It's all Futaba can think about, feeling already sorry for her friends when she sees Maya walking towards them calmly, unaware of what is coming her way.
- Good night ladies, I apologize for my delay – Maya says politely.
Some things never change even after years…
- Don't worry Maya-chan – Nana says with a reassuring smile and Maya smiles back at her, her eyes still glimmering sadly but less than before with the presence of her friends – Should we go to have dinner?
Maya nods and soon, they leave to their favorite restaurant, a peaceful small place with a view of a large and silent forested park.
As soon as they sit down and order their food, Kaoruko chimes in, being the first one talking.
- I have to say tonight's performance was excellent too, as always Maya-han – she compliments her, and Futaba gulps, knowing all too well the deceiving sweet tone her girlfriend used just now and the dangerous glint in her eyes.
- It really was – Nana soon joins and Futaba nods in agreement, happily starting to eat the food served on her plate.
- Thank you, I'm glad to hear that – Maya thanks them sincerely, a soft smile playing on her face.
- Now Maya-han, how is Kuro-han been doing lately? I'm afraid I haven't had any recent news from her – Kaoruko asks, her voice laced with such sweetness, innocence and worry that Futaba chokes with her food.
Three pairs of eyes turn to look at her immediately, only one of them full of amusement glimmering in them while the other two look at her with concern.
- Are you okay, Futaba-san? – Maya asks her concernedly and Futaba only nods, dismissing her worries with her hand as she gladly accepts the glass of water Nana just handed over to her.
Once they're sure Futaba is okay, Maya turns to look at Kaoruko with a soft smile on her face.
- Claudine is doing good, thank you for asking Kaoruko-san. She's busy with her play in Kyoto.
Even though Maya says it with a proud and beaming smile on her face, a trace of sadness can be heard in her voice and be seen in her eyes.
- And are you two okay?
Straight to the point.
Futaba thinks, tensing in anticipation while waiting uneasily for Maya's answer.
- Of course. Even though our schedules are hectic, we're both okay. We have a strict routine, we get enough rest and eat healthily, thank you for your concern Kaoruko-san – Maya says with a soft smile on her face and Kaoruko can't help but smile back at her awkwardly, a sweat drop running down her temple at her friend's denseness.
Futaba snorts, starting to laugh lightly before she conceals her laugh behind her napkin, finding Maya's answer and Kaoruko's baffled expression hilarious while she hides from her girlfriend's murderous gaze and Maya observes the exchange puzzled before going back to eat moderately.
- I think what Kaoruko-chan meant to ask is, if you two are okay as a couple, Maya-chan – Nana explains to Maya fondly and Futaba's eyes open widely, not expecting her to be the one clarifying the question, much to Kaoruko's enjoyment.
The smile on Maya's face falters for a brief second before she pulls herself back together and cleans her mouth with the napkin to answer slowly, three girls waiting eagerly for her answer.
- We're okay Nana-san. Thank you ladies for your concern – Maya ends saying tersely, with a tight smile on her face, not developing any further information about them.
- Ooooh, are you two? Because you don't look nor sound like the both of you are okay – Kaoruko pesters her.
- Kaoruko…. – Futaba warns her lowly, gaining a wicked smile from her girlfriend.
- It's okay Futaba-san – Maya tells her calmly, her eyes focused on her plate, slightly playing with the food on it – We're okay, for real, it's just... it's a bit hard to be apart from Claudine for so long. We talk everyday over the phone and Skype, but… it's not the same as having her with me by my side every day.
Maya admits sadly, lowering her voice.
Nana smiles at her sympathetically and pats her forearm fondly.
- It'll pass soon, don't worry too much Maya-chan – Nana offers her some calm and reassuring smile, at the same time as Kaoruko's eyes light up again mischievously, this time choosing to not say anything but keep enjoying the rest of the dinner between moments of silence and lively conversations about their plays and their works for what it seems forever, until Maya excuses herself.
- I apologize for having to end dinner so abruptly, but I'm afraid it's getting late and I should head home to get a proper rest and prepare for tomorrow's play – Maya apologizes politely.
- Oh my, it's really late indeed Maya-han. We should also go back home, right Futaba-han?, we have a lot of things to do – Kaoruko says with a sweet but deceiving smile on her face, trying to not let Maya feel guilty for ending their dinner so soon.
Futaba shudders and nods, before they all stand up to leave the restaurant.
The girls bid their goodbyes, watching Maya going back home alone while they go part of their ways together.
- Ladies, I have a great idea for Maya-han's birthday – Kaoruko announces excitedly.
- Kaoruko don't… – Futaba exhales out, bringing a hand to her face in exasperation. Kaoruko's great ideas are never great but troublesome.
- Oh come on Futaba-han, don't deny you also want to see Maya-han's smile and happy glint back in her eyes.
Futaba just groans knowing she's been caught, already disliking her girlfriend's knowing smirk.
Nana giggles at her friends and pats Futaba's shoulder in consolation.
- What do you have in mind, Kaoruko-chan?
Futaba groans even more knowing there's no way she can escape this.
And like that, Kaoruko excitedly starts to relate them her idea, or rather, plan.
- Oh no, hell no. I'm not doing that – Futaba says hastily as soon as she ends hearing the entire plan, stopping abruptly in the middle of the street.
- But Futabaaaa… – Kaoruko whines with feign sadness, looking at her girlfriend while pouting and giving her puppy eyes really hard to resist.
Futaba closes her eyes to try to resist them, but when she hears Nana, she knows she lost the battle without even starting to fight.
- I'm in! – Nana says cheerfully and Futaba just sighs tiredly.
They're gonna be some loooong and hellish days.
It's all she can think about as they resume their way and start to plan out everything for Maya's birthday.
The days remaining until Maya's birthday go relatively calm while all the preparations for the plan are defined until further execution.
And finally, the long yearned and marked day comes: Maya's birthday.
- Urgh, do we really have to do this? – Futaba asks out for what feels the umpteenth time.
- I've already told you yes. If you didn't want to go with it, you could have said no – her girlfriend tells her, rolling her eyes.
- As if you'd have let me – Futaba mumbles under her breath.
Nana just watches them bicker with a happy smile on her face, entertained, before she pats their heads friendly, trying to calm them down.
- Okay, okay, girls, let's go over the plan one last time before we put it into action.
They go over the plan and what each one of them has to do one last time before separating.
Kaoruko goes in search of Maya to take her out for a little snack and chattering after Maya's rehearsal ends, while Futaba and Nana go to Kyoto where Claudine is performing for the present day to watch her play before they get her.
Easy, right?
Or at least it's easy for Kaoruko, as she watches Maya performing on the stage again, to then observe her complimenting the rest of her castmates before biding her goodbyes and exit the theater.
- Kaoruko-san? May I know what are you doing here? – Maya asks her politely, a bit surprised to have found her waiting for her at the theater's entrance hall, at the same time as mildly confused.
- Ara, ara, you sound like you aren't happy to see me Maya-han – Kaoruko says deviously, hiding her smile behind her characteristic fan.
- I apologize Kaoruko-san, it wasn't my intention. I'm indeed glad to see you again.
Kaoruko smiles.
- Now answering to your previous question, I'm here to spend my evening with you, Maya-han – Kaoruko says cheekily, a smirk playing on her lips as she loops their arms together.
- Oh – Maya says, trying to process the information Kaoruko just gave her while looking strangely at their linked arms – I'm flattered but that's not necessa-
Kaoruko cuts Maya off as she starts to drag her with her, already moving and setting her plan into motion.
- Of course it is necessary. It's your birthday so I want to treat you with some baumkuchen.
The mere mention of her favorite and beloved dessert is enough to make Maya's eyes light up and stop struggling against Kaoruko's grip, following her happily.
Good.
Step 1: taking Maya out to distract her, completed ✓
Kaoruko thinks, smirking as they keep walking calmly to Maya's favorite bakery shop, talking about work and plays and occasionally, facetiming with the rest of the girls once they're inside the bakery shop, eating the dessert accompany by a cup of delicious tea.
On the other hand, in another city, Futaba's and Nana's part of the plan is a bit more complicated.
- Oi, do you think we can do it? – Futaba asks Nana in a whisper as they watch their friend performing on the stage.
Nana gives her a calm smile.
- We can – she says but Futaba isn't that much confident about it, her nerves gripping to her stomach.
As soon as the play ends, both friends head to the backstage to catch up with Claudine.
The staff let them go in without any problem, and soon, they reach Claudine's dressing room, knocking on her door.
- Girls, what a surprise! I'm so happy to see you two here – Claudine says happily, opening the door to let them come into the dressing room, kissing both of their cheeks before she goes back to the dresser to take off the earrings and necklace she was wearing for the play.
- It was a lovely performance Kuro-chan – Nana points out amicably, nudging an anxious Futaba who is nervously rubbing her sweated hands over her trousers, going over mentally their plan one last time.
- Oh yeah, you were great, as always Kuroko – she says sincerely with her best smile and Claudine rolls her eyes at her friends' words.
- Of course it was, I'm the best – she says, winking at them playfully as she moves around the room – So, did you two just came here to tell me how great am I? Not that I mind though.
She says, pausing briefly on her actions to look at them severely yet playfully with her hands on her hips and Futaba can't help but gulp hard and smile nervously.
- Of course not, we wanted to hang out with you for a bit after have come here from so far away – Nana says cheerfully and Futaba nods effusively to then take a deep breath calming down her nerves before stepping closer to Claudine.
Why does she has to be the one doing this?
Claudine looks at her warily, with an arched eyebrow before Futaba goes ahead and kisses her cheek fleetingly.
- Mon dieu, what was that for…
- I'm sorry Kuroko, please forgive me…
It's all Futaba can say, facing the astonished look on Claudine's face before Nana gags Claudine loosely from behind and Futaba covers her head with a thin fabric bag.
Claudine tries to yell but the gag in her mouth prevents her to do it, and soon, her hands and feet are tied, not letting her move nor run anywhere.
Oh God, Claudine, please forgive me, it's all for a good cause. I swear!
Futaba prays internally as she and Nana try to reach the back door of the theater without being seen, with a tied and gagged Claudine over their shoulders, or rather, over Nana's shoulders.
They look one way to another and after not seeing anybody around, they run to the car, lying Claudine on the back seat and starting up the car to leave the "crime scene" at full speed.
Step 2: kidnapping Claudine, completed ✓
Nana drives as fast as she can without over passing the speed limit while Futaba checks up on her, hopefully, still best friend. She looks at her over and over again, trying to make sure she's okay and still breathing.
- Do you think she'll be okay? - she asks Nana worriedly, taking another quick look at the back seat of the car where Claudine keeps wrestling with her ropes and kicking, trying to yell at them angrily for putting her in that situation to start off.
- Of course. I didn't tie the ropes nor the gag in her mouth too tight to not hurt her, and she can breathe through the bag so don't worry Futaba-chan – she says while she keeps driving, a calm smile present on her face that doesn't really help at all to calm Futaba's nerves down, neither makes her feel any better about what they just did.
- She's so going to hate us. I'm so going to go to hell after this – Futaba breathes out distressed.
- Probably, but it won't last long and it's for a good cause after all. And don't worry, you won't go to hell – Nana says giggling.
Nana may be right, but it still doesn't make Futaba feel any better about it.
She turns back again to look at Claudine, whose constant wrestling comes to a stop as she gets tired, knowing that it's useless to carry on and gives up, groaning and letting them have their way and have a relatively calm remainder of the travel back home.
Futaba takes her phone out her pocket to text Kaoruko.
"We're on our way.
P.S.: I hate you."
Kaoruko's phone vibrates while she's engaged on a conversation with Maya, now talking about baumkuchens with her. She quickly makes a pause to answer her girlfriend.
- Just a moment, Maya-han.
Maya nods her head, dismissing her and sipping her tea.
"Great, I'm still distracting Maya-han.
P.S.: I love you too ;P"
She texts her girlfriend back with a devilish smile on her face while Maya keeps sipping her tea, smiling softly at her before they resume their talking about her favorite dessert.
Futaba receives Kaoruko's text immediately, groaning partly, that cheeky little demon… yet she smiles softly, thinking about Kaoruko as she sees the city's sign pass by.
Almost there.
She tells herself, thinking about her best friends finally meeting one another again after being separated for more than a month.
Soon enough, they're entering Maya's apartment with Claudine over Nana's shoulders again, before placing her inside a big cardboard box.
They uncover her face, disheveling her hair in the process and pull down the gag in her mouth to let her breath properly after a couple of hours of have been like that.
- Hey! What do you two think you're doing!? I don't care if you are my friends, I still can sue you for- mmph.
- Okay, time is out! – Nana says playfully, putting the gag back in Claudine's mouth before getting ready to shut her up inside the box.
- I'm sorry Kuroko – Futaba says regretfully one last time, leaving a light kiss on her friend's cheek in apology, gaining a death glare and more complains from the ash-blonde.
Then, they shut the box walls around Claudine, hiding her from their sight.
- Don't worry, it'll be okay – Nana says, patting Futaba's shoulder reassuringly as they finish the arrangement of the present's bows and leave a small birthday card for Maya before leaving the house.
Step 3: getting Claudine home safe and sound, completed ✓
Now, the rest of the plan is up to Kaoruko.
Back to Maya's favorite bakery shop, Kaoruko and Maya keep enjoying the baumkuchen.
- Maya-han, it's getting late, shouldn't we go back home? I'm sure you have a certain somebody to talk to.
Kaoruko says sweetly, urging Maya to go back home after she had paid for the dessert, a charitable present of her own.
- I agree Kaoruko-san, I'm sure Futaba-san will be happy to have you back at home as well. Please, give Futaba-san regards on my behalf.
Kaoruko nods and walks Maya the last meters of their walk back home until they're in front of the brunette's apartment's door, opening it slowly to reveal a big wrapped box present resting in the center of her living room.
- Happy birthday, Maya-han. Enjoy it! – she whispers to her, somehow reciting aloud the same message written in the birthday's card. She winks at the brunette, pushing her friend towards the box before leaving, closing the front's door behind her.
Maya, for her part, stays confused and stunned in the same spot where Kaoruko has left her, not sure about what's going on or what to think.
With slow steps, she gets closer to the box and unties the bows, letting the box walls fall, revealing a gagged Claudine inside it, wriggling and complaining in her ropes.
As soon as Maya sees her girlfriend, her eyes light up as a big and happy smile takes over her features. Claudine, after seeing her, only wriggles and protests more for Maya to go and untie her.
Maya takes the gag off Claudine's mouth, allowing her to breath properly again.
- They're so going to pay for this! – Claudine yells furiously, struggling in her ropes – Especially Kaoruko, I'm sure everything was part of that cheeky little demon's plan!
She keeps complaining furiously while Maya keeps staring at her completely mesmerized with a big smile on her face, her eyes sparkling out of happiness.
- Ma Claudine… - she breathes out dazzled.
Claudine looks at her girlfriend with a soft smile before furrowing her brow.
- Don't stay standing there and come untie me – she says annoyed.
Maya, far from doing what her fiancé tells her to do, keeps admiring her with a naughty sparkle in her eyes and a little smirk appearing on her face, replacing her previous smile. Claudine sees this alarmed.
- Tendou Maya, I swear if you don't untie me rig-
Maya soon cuts her off with a hungry kiss, feeling Claudine struggle for a moment into it, before she gives in and kisses her back.
The kiss heats up, turning into a battle of tongues before Maya's hands sneak under Claudine's clothes to roam over her body freely, caressing her skin delicately while plunging Claudine under her complete mercy with her touch and kisses.
Oh, she sure will untie her, but all in due time, after all, she should enjoy her birthday gift, right?
Step 4: make Maya smile happily and her eyes sparkle again, completed ✓