Mahiru went ahead to open the door. Sluggishly maneuvering her crutches, Hikari hobbled into their dorm room with Karen hovering mere centimeters behind.

"Just take a seat right…" Mahiru paused, putting a finger to the side of her face as she surveyed the room. "Hm, I guess you can't exactly sit on your bed…"

"Oh, take mine, Hikari-chan!" Karen said. "We'll switch until your leg gets better!"

Hikari thought a moment before shuffling over to sit on the edge of Karen's bed. Mahiru and Karen each took a crutch, and then they guided her to a point where she could lean against the headboard for support.

Karen frantically looked back and forth. "Uh, let's see, we should, uh!"

Mahiru set a hand on Karen's shoulder to get her attention. "Take some deep breaths, Karen-chan. We'll elevate Hikari-chan's leg and let her rest for a bit."

"Right, right! Right." Karen took a deep, very loud breath. "Right."

As carefully as she could, Mahiru lifted Hikari's broken leg and slid a pillow under it. Karen stared intently with her fists clenched in front of her face. Mahiru gave a satisfied nod and stood up to look at Hikari.

"Now Hikari-chan. In order for your leg to heal, you're going to have to keep off of it as much as possible."

Hikari nodded once. "Right."

"Try to sit still. If you need anything at all, don't get up: ask me or Karen-chan for help."

Hikari nodded again. "Thanks."

Mahiru wagged her finger. "I mean it! Even if you think you can do something yourself, don't. I don't want to catch you testing your limits, not even a little!"

Hikari averted her gaze. "...Fine."

Karen put one hand on her hip, slamming the other against her chest. "Don't worry about a thing, Mahiru-chan! I won't leave Hikari-chan's side for one second, and I'll make sure she gets her rest!"

"Good." Mahiru checked her phone. "I should get started on dinner. Is there anything you need before I do?"

Karen and Hikari both shook their heads.

"Alright then. I'll bring you each a plate as soon as the food's ready. Text me if you need something, okay?"

"Okay," Hikari said.

"You got it, Mahiru-chan!" Karen said.

Mahiru shut the door behind her as she left. Karen hopped onto the edge of her bed, careful not to bump into Hikari's leg in the process.

"I guess we should have found a better place to practice that dance routine. I'm really sorry, Hikari-chan."

"It was my idea," Hikari said. "I'm glad you were there to get help."

Karen fixed her eyes on Hikari's cast. "Hm...they said at least six weeks, right? We'll be done with King Lear by then…"

She sighed. "I'll have to sit this one out. Maybe I can use the time to get a head start on preparing for the next play…"

"Ooh, that's a good idea! I'll help you out!"

Hikari tilted her head. "Shouldn't you focus on Lear?"

"Oh, right...uh, well, I can multitask!"

"You might not be able to get as deep into either role that way. Lear won't succeed without a strong performance from Cordelia."

Karen scratched her head. "Uuuhhhh...maybe...but…"

Hikari's expression grew stiff. "Karen. I hope you won't use this as an excuse to slack off."

"What?! Of course I won't slack off, Hikari-chan!"

"Hmmmm…"

Karen pouted. "Hey, I know I need a push in the right direction sometimes, but not all the time!"

A small smile broke through Hikari's stern expression. "Hehe...okay. I'll trust you."

Karen grinned. "Good! I'm really, really excited to play Cordelia! She was always my favorite character. Being the only one honest about her feelings, and risking everything for the sake of her family..."

"Yeah. I always liked her too."

They talked for a few minutes more, a weariness steadily encroaching upon Hikari until it finally manifested in a yawn. Rubbing her eye, she said, "Sorry…"

Karen leapt to her feet. "Oh, I should probably let you sleep! Let's see, you can't lay down like this, can you?"

She carefully removed the pillow beneath Hikari's leg. Hikari tried moving away from the headboard on her own, but the pain in her leg put a stop to that. Getting right next to the bed, Karen slipped one arm behind Hikari's back and the other under her knees, and then lifted her slightly, took a slow step, and laid her back down.

"Is this alright?"

Hikari nodded. Karen replaced the pillow, then retrieved Hikari's Mr. White plush from the other side of the room and handed it to her. Hikari hugged it tightly. She was about to close her eyes when Karen began to climb back onto the bed. "Huh?"

Gently as possible, Karen lifted Hikari's head, setting it back down in her lap as she sat with her back to the wall and her feet hanging off the edge. Smiling down at her, Karen said, "This way I'll be right here if you need anything!"

Hikari blushed. Turning onto her side to look away from Karen, she squeezed Mr. White and muttered, "BaKaren…"

Karen giggled. She began to stroke Hikari's hair, humming softly as she did. Hikari hummed along for a few bars. The weariness grew stronger, but stronger still was Karen's warmth, pulling her exhaustion away to tenderly cradle her spirit. Hikari's humming faded, and her eyes shut. For a few blissful moments before her consciousness melted into that inviting warmth, the only sound in the world was Karen's voice, and as far as Hikari was concerned, that was all that there ever needed to be.

Hikari eased into her chair, waiting until Mahiru pushed her up to the table before finding the right angle to lean her crutches against the side. Karen set a few bags down and quickly dug Hikari's lunchbox out of one.

"Let's see," Karen mumbled, "that's Hikari-chan's, this one's for Mahiru-chan, and...huh? Huh?!"

She dropped into her seat, eyes wide and downcast. Mahiru said, "Karen-chan, did you forget to pack your lunch?"

"Mmmm...it must still be in the fridge back at the dorm…"

Hikari opened her box, saying, "Here. We can share."

"Non-non! I can't take your food, Hikari-chan: you need to regain your strength!"

"Karen-chan, it's a broken leg," Mahiru said. "I'm not sure that's…"

Karen checked her pockets, coming up with a handful of coins she quickly counted through. "Uh...I think I can buy something from the cafeteria with this...but…" She looked back up at Hikari.

"Go," Hikari said. "I can last a few minutes, at least."

"I'll keep an eye on her, Karen-chan," Mahiru said. "You should really eat something!"

Karen hesitated a few seconds more, then pushed herself up and said, "A-Alright, I'll be quick!"

She raced back towards the cafeteria. Mahiru cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted, "Karen-chan, be careful!"

Hikari stared after her. Just as she turned back to her lunch, she heard footsteps approaching.

"Good morning Kagura-san, Tsuyuzaki-san," Maya said as she approached. "It seems we just missed Aijou-san."

At her side was Nana, hand up to shield her eyes as she stared after Karen. "Wow. I don't know if I've ever seen her move that fast."

"Ah, Maya-chan, Banana-chan!" Mahiru said. "Good morning! Karen-chan, uh, forgot to bring her lunch…"

Nana giggled. "Ah! So that's it! I knew it had to be either food or Hikari-chan that was spurring her on."

Hikari fidgeted.

"How are you feeling, Hikari-chan?"

"Fine," she said. "The pain isn't too bad."

"That's good. Hey, I thought of something that just might speed up the healing process…" She rummaged in her bag briefly, ultimately withdrawing a handful of markers. "Ta-da! If everyone decorates your cast, you'll be feeling better in no time!"

"That's a wonderful idea, Banana-chan!" Mahiru said. "What do you think, Hikari-chan?"

"...Okay." With some help from Nana and Mahiru, Hikari repositioned her chair so that she could prop her leg up on the seat next to her. Nana immediately took a marker and set to work.

"I was also hoping to discuss King Lear a bit with Aijou-san," Maya said. "Her role is very important, yet she spends a great deal of the play off-stage. We have to highlight the clash in character between Cordelia and her sisters as effectively as possible in the limited time we have, and I thought she could provide some insight on the best way to do that."

Mahiru nodded. "I see. To be honest, I'm not sure Karen-chan has had that much opportunity to think about her role yet."

Hikari glanced over at her.

"Perhaps, but it may still prove fruitful," Maya said. "Aijou-san is a natural fit for Cordelia: one who loves genuinely and recklessly, not hesitating to follow her heart in spite of the consequences. I suspect she understands the character quite well simply on instinct."

"Hehe, that does sound like Karen-chan!"

Hikari poked at her lunch.

"I was really impressed with your audition for Goneril!" Mahiru said. "You were really captivating…even a little terrifying."

Maya grinned. "Thank you. I studied the role a bit myself previously, and I wasn't about to let this chance pass me by."

"And…done!" Nana declared. "Well, with my part, at least."

Hikari examined Nana's handiwork: she had drawn a cartoonish frog near her knee, holding a first aid kit and giving a big smile. Nana's signature was scribbled next to it.

"Doctor Frog is here to help! He won't rest until you're back on your feet, kero!"

Hikari chuckled. "It's cute. Thank you."

Nana stood up, offering the markers to Maya. "Do you want to go next, Maya-chan?"

"I'd be delighted to."

Hikari took another look at the school. Karen was still nowhere to be seen.

Red evening sunrays came through the window to wash the dorm in crimson light. Hikari again lay with her head on Karen's lap, this time staring up at her face.

"Augh…I still don't understand that formula we went over in math today," Karen said. "I'm so not looking forward to that test."

"Yeah," Hikari said. "I couldn't make much sense of it either."

"Oh well. We still have some time to study, so it'll be alright…somehow." Karen looked at Hikari's cast, every inch of it now decorated by her classmates' names and drawings. "Your cast really does look great, Hikari-chan! They'll let you keep that once they take it off, won't they?"

"I think they should. I haven't had a broken bone before, though."

Karen smiled down at Hikari, starting to stroke her hair once more. Hikari felt herself being drawn into the light in her eyes, the joy in her smile. She would be happy if she never made it back out. But something stopped her—a tether keeping her anchored to reality.

"Karen," she said. "Why don't you recite some of your lines?"

"Huh? Oh, you mean for Cordelia! Sure, just give me one sec."

Karen picked up her phone, but Hikari grabbed her arm. "Do you have them memorized?"

"Uh? Well, that's…" She averted her gaze.

"Karen, the first rehearsal is tomorrow."

"I know. We're allowed to use scripts for that one."

"Still, you should know what you're supposed to say before you see it on the page. It'll show if you're just reading along."

Karen rubbed her neck. "I know…but…"

"You don't have to spend so much time taking care of me. You need to set some aside to prepare for your role."

Looking back down at her, Karen said, "But I want to take care of you Hikari-chan! You're way more important than any role!"

Hikari's heart unexpectedly skipped a beat. She fumbled to think of a response, feeling the blood rush to her cheeks, when a knock at the door took them both by surprise.

"Karen-chan, can I borrow you for a second?" Mahiru said as she poked through the doorway. "I need an extra pair of hands, and I think everyone else has turned in for the night."

"Oh, sure thing, Mahiru-chan!" Karen said. "Just, uh…"

Karen carefully slid off the bed, pausing to briefly regard Hikari before following Mahiru. Hikari stared at the door for a few moments, then the ceiling, and then finally, she buried her face in Mr. White and sighed.

"Tell me, my daughters—since now we will divest us both of rule, interest of territory, cares of state—which of you shall we say doth love us most?"

Hikari sat in the theater with their teacher, watching the others rehearse on stage. Even from this distance, she could tell Karen was hastily glancing ahead whenever the others spoke, verifying where she needed to come in.

Maya stepped forward, one hand over her chest as she gave the slightest bow. "Sir, I love you more than words can wield the matter; dearer than eye-sight, space, and liberty; beyond what can be valued, rich or rare; no less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour; as much as child e'er loved, or father found; a love that makes breath poor, and speech unable; beyond all manner of so much I love you."

Karen flipped a page. "Uh…what shall Cordelia do? Love, and be silent."

The teacher made a note. Hikari thought, BaKaren. It's an aside—you're supposed to face the audience, not the other actors.

Junna gave a deep laugh. "Of all these bounds, even from this line to this, with shadowy forests and with champains rich'd, with plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads, we make thee lady: to thine and Albany's issue be this perpetual."

Maya curtsied, flashing a brief, malevolent smirk as she retreated.

"What says our second daughter, our dearest Regan, wife to Cornwall? Speak."

Claudine stepped up next, nose held high. "Sir, I am made of the self-same metal that my sister is, and prize me at her worth. In my true heart I find she names my very deed of love; only she comes too short: that I profess myself an enemy to all other joys, which the most precious square of sense possesses; and find I am alone felicitate in your dear highness' love."

Karen looked straight down at her script. "Then poor Cordelia! And yet not so; since, I am sure, my love's more richer than my tongue."

Hikari grunted.

Junna waved a hand, saying, "To thee and thine hereditary ever remain this ample third of our fair kingdom; no less in space, validity, and pleasure, than that conferr'd on Goneril."

Claudine curtsied and stepped back. For just a moment, her gaze met Maya's, and sparks danced between them.

"Now, our joy, although the last, not least; to whose young love the vines of France and milk of Burgundy strive to be interess'd; what can you say to draw a third more opulent than your sisters? Speak."

Karen took a step forward. "...Nothing, my lord."

Junna frowned. "...Nothing?"

Karen nodded. "Nothing."

Leaning forward with a dark scowl, Junna said, "Nothing will come of nothing: speak again."

Karen shook her head. "Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave my heart into my mouth: I love your majesty according to my bond; nor more nor less."

She cast a quick glance at Hikari. Hikari clenched her fists.

Junna gritted her teeth. "How, how, Cordelia! Mend your speech a little, lest it may mar your fortunes."

"Um…" Karen scanned her script. "Good my lord…you have begot me, bred me, loved me: I return those duties back as are right fit, obey you, love you, and most honour you."

Hikari reached for her crutches. The teacher asked, "Are you alright, Kagura?"

"Please excuse me."

She received no protest. Hikari pushed herself upright and, quickly as she was able, hobbled out of the theater.

"Why have my sisters husbands," Karen continued, "if they say they love you all? Haply, when I shall wed…" Her lines came to a halt as she spotted Hikari. "...Huh?"

Junna cleared her throat.

"O-Oh, um…when I shall wed…that lord whose hand must take my plight…"

Her voice disappeared as the theater doors shut behind Hikari. She continued down the hall, no real destination in mind, eyes trained on the floor.

Karen…you can do so much better. Stop worrying about me and focus. If you don't constantly aim higher, you'll only fall behind.

A sudden sharpness in her leg made her stumble. Barely catching herself, Hikari stood perfectly still as she waited for the pain to leave her. It eventually lessened, but it didn't vanish entirely.

…I should sit down.

She dropped onto the nearest bench. Reaching down to rub her leg, she found herself studying the mural that now stretched across her cast. Dr. Frog now had the assistance of a baton-wielding Suzudaru Cat. A somewhat lengthy literary quote had been scrawled on her ankle, while a scribbly swan and a highly detailed fish disputed the space on her calf. Largest of all, however, was the gleeful Mr. White on her shin, accompanied by a cheering Kanihaniwa wearing a familiar crown.

…Karen…

"Hikari-chan!"

Her eyes snapped up. Karen came running down the hall, leaning over to catch her breath when she finally stopped next to Hikari.

"K…Karen? What are you doing here?"

Between gasps, Karen said, "I was…worried…about…you…"

Hikari felt…something. But she refused to let herself identify it, instead hardening her face. "You can't just run off during a rehearsal!"

"It's fine…really! Cordelia won't be…on-stage again…for a while…"

"Still! You need to be there to see the performance through. You have to take this seriously!"

To her surprise, Karen shrank back at this. "I-I'm sorry. I just…I got scared. I didn't know where you were going, or if you might need help…I didn't want…" She hung her head.

Hikari's hard shell shattered completely.

"I promise I'll do better—I'll get serious." She was trembling. "I'll memorize my lines, and I'll study the play real hard, the whole thing." A deep ache grew to consume Hikari's heart. "Please, just…don't go off on your own…I don't…"

Karen clamped a hand over her face. Unable to bear any more, Hikari sprang up, practically falling into Karen as she wrapped her arms tightly around her.

"H-Huh?!"

"...I'm the one who should be sorry," Hikari mumbled. "I didn't mean to scare you. I just…didn't want to be responsible for holding you back…"

"It…it's okay, Hikari-chan!" Karen smiled, pretending there weren't tears running down her face. "It's really—"

"It's not!" Hikari bit her lip. "I hurt you…I'm sorry, Karen."

Tentatively, Karen lifted her arms to return the embrace. After holding each other a moment, Karen pushed gently, easing Hikari back onto her seat and then sitting down next to her. She didn't let go of Hikari's hand.

"...I am distracted," Karen said quietly. "I'm not performing as well as I want. I know. But…I can't help it. It's impossible for me to stop caring about you, Hikari-chan."

Hikari stared at her broken leg. Karen squeezed her hand, prompting her to look up to see the other girl smiling tearfully at her.

"But I don't want you to feel like any of that's your fault! You're not holding me back or anything, okay? I'm so lucky to have someone so special in my life! That's why…" Her smile faded a little, and she looked down, watching her fingers fidget between Hikari's. "...That's why…I'm so scared of losing you. Being near you makes everything so much better and brighter. The way you make me feel…if I had to go without it, without you, I…"

Hikari too looked at their entwined hands. …Genuinely…and recklessly. But that's exactly why…

She reached up, cupping her hand around Karen's cheek, and leaned in to press their foreheads together. Karen jolted a little, but then eagerly pressed back.

"I want all the best for you, Karen," Hikari said. "I guess…I'm afraid that I might…get in the way of that…"

Karen clasped Hikari's hand with both of hers. "Non-non, that's ridiculous! For me, the only way anything could be the best is if Hikari-chan is there with me!"

Hikari shuddered. "Then I guess it's okay…if I want to stay with you…right?"

Karen chuckled. "Yeah! That's perfect!"

"Good."

They sat together in silence for a time. Somewhat awkwardly, Hikari wiped away Karen's remaining tears. Karen did the same for her.

"...We should head back," Hikari said.

Karen nodded. "Okay. Here, let me help you!"

Once Hikari was on her feet, they started back towards the theater.

"So, did sensei mention anything in particular about my performance?"

"I saw her make a note during your asides. You need to actually turn aside when you do those."

"Wait, which lines were supposed to be asides? I'd better check the script again…"

"Hehe…BaKaren…"

Notes:

-Something something "break a leg!" Anyway

-For a long time I've been wanting to write more Starlight and HiKaren single-handedly restored my belief in love so. Here we are.

-There's definitely a part of me that feels basic af for picking something as obvious as a Shakespeare play to tie in. But I didn't know what the hell I was even looking for in the first place and suddenly realized Lear had the vibe I sought and I recently analyzed it for a course, and seizing opportunities like that is the only way I ever finish anything.

-What I think is the biggest hurdle in this relationship is the conflict between Hikari's instinct to push others away and Karen's separation anxiety. Neither is necessarily wrong, neither is necessarily right, but they are in total opposition and I find it fascinating to see how that push and pull plays out.

-King Lear is about a guy who banishes the only one of his three daughters who actually loves him, so I thought putting Karen in Cordelia's role would tie in well with her fear of Hikari pushing her away again. And, funnily enough, there was actually a long span of time where the most popular version of King Lear was one that replaced the tragic ending with a happy one, and that is super on-brand here!

-Oh yeah, the title is taken from Act 1, Scene 2 of Lear. The full quote: "This is the excellent foppery of the world, that, when we are sick in fortune,—often the surfeit of our own behavior,—we make guilty of our disasters the sun, the moon, and the stars: as if we were villains by necessity; fools by heavenly compulsion; knaves, thieves, and treachers, by spherical predominance; drunkards, liars, and adulterers, by an enforced obedience of planetary influence; and all that we are evil in, by a divine thrusting on: an admirable evasion of whoremaster man, to lay his goatish disposition to the charge of a star!" So, people like to blame their problems on other factors even if it's their own fault; relevant because Hikari can be a bit eager to find excuses to justify her urge to self-isolate.

-The lap pillow is the epitome of tenderness and none shall take it from me even in death.

-Decorating Hikari's cast is pure fluff, but it feels like a very Nana idea so in it goes.

-I guess the other classes are all out or something judging by how empty the halls are and how no one pops in during that final scene to shout "GET A ROOM!" It's quite convenient. How lucky.

-Well! That taxed my lonely heart! I'm gonna go lie in bed and listen to "Somebody to Love" on repeat for a few days. Weeks? We'll see.