Love fight
A heavy sigh escapes her lips as she stares at the orange helmed in her hands, looking up from it to watch her companions, or rather her teammates, putting their respective helmets on, before they turn around to give her a fond smile.
Claudine doesn't take long to return their smiles as she wonders how she ended up in a paintball field on the day of her birthday, remembering how everything started since very early in the morning.
She was sleeping peacefully in her queen-sized bed, when she was rudely woken up by a very energetic auburn haired girl.
- Happy birthday, Kuro-chan!
The auburn haired girl banged right into her bedroom yelling enthusiastically, almost giving the poor ash-blonde and birthday girl a heart attack.
- Qu'est-ce qui te prend de rentrer dans ma chambre comme ça?! Tu comptes me donner une crise cardiaque comme cadeau d'anniversaire?! (What the hell you think you're doing entering my bedroom like that!? Are you planning to give me a heart attack as birthday gift!?)
The ash-blonde yelled frantically in French as she pulled her sheets up by instinct trying to cover herself scared of the sudden intrusion in her bedroom.
- Kuro-chaaaaan, you know I don't understand you when you talk in French.
Karen could only whine in return, getting a death glare from the French girl.
- And it's my fault!? – Claudine yelled, letting her sheets fall.
- But -mmph.
Karen's whining was soon cut off by a kind but strong midnight blue haired girl getting inside Claudine's bedroom to put a hand over the auburn haired girl, preventing her from keep talking and annoying the French girl further on her birthday while she dragged her out of the bedroom, before she could ruin Claudine's surprise.
- Sorry Kuro-chan, but you know how Karen-chan is. She's just really excited about your birthday – Mahiru apologized for their friend with a soft smile on her face, still dragging a whining Karen outside the bedroom while Claudine chuckled, more placated after the appearance of the midnight blue haired girl.
- It's okay, Mahiru.
The ash-blonde sighed, giving the both of them a soft smile that only Mahiru was able to return.
- We'll be waiting for you at the common room. We've prepared something special for your birthday.
- And for the day!
Karen happily chimed in as she finally released herself from the hold Mahiru's had over her mouth, just before Mahiru ended up closing the door behind them making Claudine click her tongue amused at her friends' antics, before she fell back onto her bed.
- It seems as it's going to be a loooong day.
She couldn't help but exhale as a fond smile took over her features, her heart beating fast and excitedly upon thinking about what her friends might have prepared for her birthday.
She shook her head and got ready for the day, dressing up comfortably, before she got out of her bedroom to go to the common room where all the girls were already waiting for her gathered together.
As soon as she stepped in, she was greeted by confetti exploding along with her friends' voices singing in unison.
- Happy birthday, Claudine!
Claudine couldn't help but laugh, happy at such sweet reception, before she found herself wrapped into the tight hug of her friends.
As soon as the hug ended and everybody went back to take their seats at the table, only one girl stayed behind holding her hand in hers, before she leant over to leave a feathery kiss on her cheek.
- Bon anniversaire, ma Claudine.
A certain brunette wished her softly, and Claudine couldn't help but look at her fondly, blushing lightly.
- Merci, ma Maya.
She thanked the brunette coyly, looking into one another's eyes as they got lost in them. They slowly shortened their distance to share a tender brief kiss, before the clearing of a throat interrupted their intimate moment.
- I'm sorry to burst your bubble lovebirds, but the breakfast we've prepared with so much love will get cold if you don't stop smooching.
Kaoruko kindly pointed out with a sly smirk playing on her lips as the pink haired girl next to her sighed heavily.
- Kaoruko stop bothering Kuroko on her birthday, you already do that the rest of days – the short girl said, and Kaoruko couldn't help but fake a gasp upon what her girlfriend just said, placing her hand over her mouth looking horrified.
- But my dearest Futaba-han, I've merely stated a fact.
Kaoruko said cheekily as a groan escaped Futaba's lips, accompanied by a heavy sigh from Junna as she brought a hand up to her face.
- Please girls, let's leave them have their moment – Nana interrupted amicably, taking Junna's hand in hers to rub it with her thumb and help her like that to calm down.
- But Banana-chan, I'm hun-mmph.
Karen whined once again, before a fork was shoved into her mouth with a bit of croissant on it.
- BaKaren.
Hikari murmured as she took the fork off Karen's mouth and left it on the auburn haired girl's plate, to then take a croissant for herself, letting Mahiru taking care of an almost choking and whining Karen while she ate peacefully her croissant.
Maya and Claudine couldn't help but watch the exchange between their friends from the doorstep amusedly, chuckling at their antics before they looked at one another, laughing and sharing a short kiss to then walk hand in hand to the table with the rest of the girls to eat all together.
- Ready, Kuro-chan?
Mahiru's gentle voice brings Claudine back to the present, seeing her best friends already wearing their orange helmets and protections. She smiles at them and quickly puts her protections on, then her helmet.
- Ready.
She says as she finishes fastening her helmet and bumps Futaba's and Mahiru's fists.
They share a smile, before they enter the paintball field, their paintball guns ready to shoot their rivals.
- Let's win this game!
Futaba exclaims rather excited and Claudine can't help but chuckle while Mahiru giggles openly.
- Let's win this.
Claudine says as they begin to advance through the field with determination, a goal set on their minds.
Futaba is the first one walking in the front with Claudine following her close enough while Mahiru is the last one walking behind them watching their backs, or more likely, watching Claudine's back.
- Somebody has to make sure the birthday girl is the last one standing.
Mahiru says playfully, winking at Claudine who can only giggle as a light blush tints her cheeks.
They keep advancing stealthily through the field, before they run into their first victim, a lost Karen who got separated from her team: Hikari and Junna.
- Ah, Kuro-chan!
Karen greets the ash-blonde happily as soon as she sees her, eliciting a fond smile from the other girl who can't help but compare her to a puppy.
- Karen – Claudine greets her softly, smiling at her while seeing Karen smiling back at her even wider, completely unaware of where they're and what they're playing.
- Are you having fun? I thought it'd be something fun for your birthday!
Karen asks her fondly and Claudine can only smile at her, feeling a bit bad upon having such a sweet conversation in the middle of the game.
- I'm having a lot of fun. Thank you for this, Karen.
Claudine thanks her, seeing Karen smiling even wider if possible, before she sees Mahiru appearing from behind the auburn haired girl, bringing a finger to her lips to motion her to be quiet as a guilty expression takes over her features.
- That's great!
Karen yells happily before a shot is heard and a big orange stain can be seen painting her back, making her gasp audibly and quickly turn around to look at her attacker in surprise.
- Mahiru-chan!
The auburn haired girl whines, pouting lightly as Mahiru approaches her to kiss her cheek lightly.
- Sorry Karen-chan, but Kuro-chan has to win.
Mahiru says sorrowfully, seeing Karen smiling understandably, before she leaves a kiss back on the midnight blue haired girl's cheek, her pigtails moving up and down in delight as a light blush tints her cheeks.
- It's okay Mahiru-chan, I understand it. Good luck, Kuro-chan! Win this!
Karen exclaims encouragingly as she leaves the field, and the girls can only watch her leaving with a soft smile on their faces as guilt takes over them. But soon enough, their guilt is replaced by alarm as they hear the bushes behind them rustling, alerting them of the presence of somebody else.
Quickly, both girls put their backs together to cover each other as they face and aim at their enemies ready to shoot, when a certain short pink haired girl appears from behind the bushes, quickly raising her hands in surrender.
- Woah, calm down, it's just me – Futaba says as she sees both of her teammates aiming at her.
But as they're lowering their paintball guns, a purple haired girl with glasses suddenly appears from behind one of the bushes ready to shoot Futaba. Yet before she can even pull her trigger to shoot her, another and different blonde appears shooting at her forearm, painting it in purple.
- Nana!
Junna squeals surprised as an expression of betrayal takes over her features, and Nana can't help but grin at her sorrowfully.
- Sorry Junna-chan, but I promised Maya-chan that we'll be the ones winning this game.
Nana apologizes to the purple haired girl and Claudine can't help but snort. Of course Maya would get Nana to shoot her own girlfriend in order to help her winning the game.
Typical of that infuriating girl wanting to win at all costs!
Claudine thinks to herself, narrowing her eyes as she tries to search for her infuriating girlfriend around, preparing herself to shoot at Nana when another shoot, followed suit by another one are heard.
They all turn around to see both Mahiru and Hikari aiming at one another as they look shocked and painted in red and orange paint respectively.
- Sorry Kuro-chan, but it looks like I won't be able to keep protecting you to the end.
Mahiru says cutely, a soft but sorrowful smile adorning her face as Hikari approaches her to take her hand in hers, intertwining them.
- It's okay Mahiru. Thank you for protecting me until now – Claudine says fondly, eliciting a giggle from Mahiru, before Hikari begins to pull her away with her and out of the field.
- You did a great job protecting her though.
They heard Hikari saying gently as she squeezes Mahiru's hand and a blush quickly dusts the cheeks of the sweet girl.
- T-thanks Hikari-chan.
Mahiru stutters timidly, eliciting a laugh from the girls left behind, before Junna sighs.
- You could have been that nice too.
Junna mumbles, looking briefly at Nana with a light pout adorning her features, before Nana takes a step forward to leave a kiss on her forehead so she can follow the other two girls out of the field, leaving Nana, Futaba and Claudine behind her.
- Sorry Junna-chan.
Nana apologizes aloud as her girlfriend leaves and before she looks at her blonde counterpart, squinting at each other. Nana then quickly pulls her trigger and shoots Claudine.
But just before her paint bullet can hit the ash-blonde, Futaba throws herself in front of Claudine getting the shot in her place.
- Futaba! – Claudine exclaims shocked as she sees Futaba falling to the floor.
- Argh, Kuroko – Futaba whines as she touches her stomach, seeing the purple paint stain tinting her fingers while Claudine crouches to take her in her arms – Sorry for not being able to accompany you to the end.
She says as she leans more into Claudine's body, letting the other girl hold her in her arms while she brings a hand up to touch the ash-blonde's cheek, faking struggle as she does it.
- Avenge my death Kuroko, and don't let Kaoruko win.
Futaba says slowly and weakly as she hangs her head backwards pretending to be dead, making both Claudine and Nana laugh at her antics.
- You're such a dork – Claudine giggles as she sees Futaba opening an eye to look at her and grin, making her fully laugh.
- Sadly Kuro-chan won't be able to fulfill your wish, Futaba-chan.
Nana comments casually as she aims at Claudine with her paintball gun taking advantage of her distraction. Claudine can only stop laughing to look at her surprised, having completely forgotten about their game, before they hear Futaba clicking her tongue.
- Tsk, tsk, that's where you're wrong my dearest Nana – Futaba tsks, winking at Claudine as she sits up and points out at the orange stain on Nana's leg.
- What? When did you… – Nana trails off astonished as she stares at the orange stain on her leg, making Futaba chuckle.
- When I started to throw myself in front of Kuroko to protect her.
She says proudly as the three of them recall the exact moment and laugh all together once again.
- You're such a badass – Claudine teases her, high-fiving her as Nana giggles and walks to them to help the pink haired girl to stand up so they can leave the field together.
- Good luck Kuroko, you can beat them! – Futaba cheers on Claudine.
- Good luck Kuro-chan. Be careful of Kaoruko-chan and Maya-chan, they'll do anything to win.
Nana warns her and Claudine can't help but smile at both girls.
- Thank you girls. I'll be careful and win.
She ends up saying as she winks at Futaba, seeing her winking back at her, before Nana and her leave the field together and the ash-blonde resumes her walk through the field with caution, her paintball gun aiming ahead on as she's in alert due the possible attack of her girlfriend and her devilish teammate.
She's walking stealthily towards a small clearing at the field, when suddenly she hears the creak of a branch, giving out the presence of another person with her.
Claudine whips her head around and quickly aims to where the sound of the creak came from to find Kaoruko's sly smirk.
- My, my, Kuro-han, I didn't expect to find you alone so soon. I thought my girlfriend would be beside you – Kaoruko says slyly, grinning at Claudine as they aim at each other mutually.
- I could say the same thing Kaoruko. And sadly, your girlfriend sacrificed herself in order to help me win this game.
Claudine remarks as she smirks at her devilish companion, hearing her clicking her tongue while she slowly pulls the trigger of her paintball gun to shoot her. But before she shoots her, Claudine sees a Cheshire smile appearing on her face through the sight of her paintball gun, making her arch an eyebrow.
- Yet it looks like you've lost, Kuro-han.
Kaoruko comments slyly as Claudine whips her head around to find Maya right behind her, smiling at her before she pulls the trigger of her paintball gun and shoots, hearing an audible and surprised gasp.
- Maya-han! I'm your teammate!
Kaoruko exclaims shocked and bewildered at her teammate's action and betrayal.
- Sorry Kaoruko, but this is between ma Claudine and I – Maya says regretfully as she winks at the ash-blonde, making her click her tongue.
- You're the worst, Maya-han.
Kaoruko complains with a scowl taking over her face while Claudine simply giggles amused at how the tables turned.
- You're bad Maya, I really wanted to be the one shooting her – Claudine says playfully, hearing Kaoruko gasping again while Maya giggles.
- Kuro-han!
Kaoruko exclaims outraged, before she puffs out her cheeks and crosses her arms to begin leaving the field.
- Fine, I'll leave you two alone to kill each other while my sweet Futaba-han massages me where you just hit me with the paint.
She complains as she leaves the girls behind, hearing them laughing, before they calm down and look at one another with a mischievous grin on their faces.
- Looks like it's only you and me, ma Claudine – Maya says fondly as she smiles softly at her girlfriend, seeing her smiling back at her.
- Looks like it's just us – Claudine answers her equally soft as she brings her paintball gun up to aim at her own girlfriend – Ready to lose, Tendou Maya?
- Me? Never, ma Claudine – Maya retorts playfully as she also aims at Claudine, smirking behind her paintball gun.
Claudine clicks her tongue amused and lowers her paintball gun to then take her helmet off and throw it away, letting her hair flow completely loose, dazzling Maya with the movement.
- Are you sure of it… mon amour? – she purrs seductively, winking at Maya as she approaches her moving her hips in a captivating way, and Maya can only stare at her blankly, blinking at such seductive display from her girlfriend before a shot impacts against her chest, painting of orange where her heart is.
She lowers her own paintball gun to look at her chest agape, then at her sly girlfriend, seeing her giggling cutely, and she can't help but smile fondly, throwing her own paintball gun to the ground as the ash-blonde ends approaching her and cups her cheeks.
- I've won.
Claudine proclaims triumphantly, smirking while Maya smiles even wider, happy to see her girlfriend like that.
- You did indeed. You won my heart.
Maya says cheekily, hearing Claudine snorting at her, before she closes their distance and kisses her deeply.
At the end, the birthday girl ended up winning more than the paintball game.
