Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.

Chapter 6. Decision

Claudine is kept at the school's infirmary overnight to be monitored. Her parents are contacted once again, and the decision to remove her from the upcoming performance due to health reasons is officially made.

Maya and the others ask to see her that evening when they return from the giraffe's stage, but the nurse is reluctant to let in so many people at once. The girls decide that Maya should go, and she thanks them all with sincerity.

The nurse lets her into the infirmary, where the lights have been dimmed to let Claudine sleep. Maya finds her lying in bed unmoving.

Even though the nurse had undoubtedly cleaned her up and done all she could for her, Claudine still looks worryingly sick. She'd been changed into a fresh set of pajamas which seem a few sizes too large for her. Her face is still pale, and now Maya can discern shadows under her eyes.

Maya approaches quietly, not wanting to wake her.

But it seems Claudine was already conscious, as though she couldn't rest unless she had passed out altogether. Her eyes flutter open meekly, and Maya's heart clenches in her chest.

"Saijou-san-" She tries to keep her emotions in check, but the sight of Claudine like this is tearing her apart. She sits at the edge of the bed, placing her hand over hers as Claudine draws in a trembling breath.

"Maya…" It's as though she's too exhausted even to use her last name too. When Maya touches her hand, her skin is cool and clammy.

"Saijou-san…" Maya tries to say more, but the tears choke her up. They start to fall down onto the sheets one by one. Claudine's fingers twitch beneath hers.

"Tell me… am I off the cast…?"

Maya looks up at her. Unlike the misery she herself is feeling, Claudine's eyes are dull with understanding. She's already accepted it. So Maya tells her the truth.

"Yes… I'm so sorry…"

Claudine closes her eyes, as though she'd been dealt a physical blow. She sighs.

"I thought so…"

From there, she can't hold back any longer. Her chest jolts with hiccups as she begins to cry.

Maya leans down over her and wraps her in a soft hug as best she can. She can't think of anything more to say to her now. She doesn't want to give her false hopes. So she just lets her cry, and Maya cries with her.

She stays until Claudine has fallen asleep, or rather lost consciousness. Maya leaves her with a kiss to her forehead, and a silent vow not to give up on her.

When she exits the infirmary, she finds all of her friends have waited for her outside. They all walk back to Starlight Hall together, forced to leave Claudine behind.

Claudine remains at the infirmary and misses classes the following day.

During the other girls' dance classes and rehearsal, there is a depressed atmosphere all around. Maya has nothing against the girl who was Claudine's understudy, and who is now to act as the lead in the play with her, but she simply knows this isn't right. Even that girl seems to be going through the lines rather guiltily; Maya can tell she never wanted this to happen, that she wanted Claudine to play the lead as much as anyone else did. But given the situation, they do what they must.

"The show must go on," Maya reminds herself.

After running through several scenes, rehearsal comes to an end, and the girls are dismissed.

It's then when Maya begins to think over what Hikari had proposed yesterday - the only feasible suggestion anyone had come up with. As someone who had once lost her radiance as well, and as someone who had successfully gotten it back, they all wanted to trust her theory. Maya herself saw enough merit in it to insist they give it a try. Everyone had agreed, and so they had decided that as soon as Claudine was well enough, they would bring her back to the giraffe's stage and do everything they could.

But until then, they take turns visiting her after classes.

Karen, Hikari, and Mahiru casually fill her in on whatever lecture content she'd missed out on, speaking casually and trying to promote an air of normalcy for Claudine.

Futaba and Kaoruko bring her some of her books and her cell phone for the evening, since she has to stay at least one more night under the nurse's care.

Nana and Junna bring her some light snacks that hopefully won't upset her stomach.

And all the while no one mentions the play to her, and Claudine never asks about it.

When it's Maya's turn, it's well into the evening, and Claudine is very clearly drained of energy. So Maya merely helps her lie down and holds her hand until she falls asleep.

When she finally brings herself to leave her side, the nurse informs her that Claudine can try returning to classes tomorrow if she feels well enough. Maya vows to stay by her side at school and look after her.

She goes to bed alone again that night, hoping that Claudine can at least get a few moments of rest.

Claudine is released the following day, so Maya and the others head straight to the infirmary in the morning to pick her up. They take turns hugging her, and give her her school bag and supplies for the day.

From what Maya can discern she must have eaten and rested somewhat properly, because she seems to be in better health physically, at the very least. But her eyes are still lifeless, and she never smiles even once.

She makes it through morning classes, but after lunch, Claudine tells her friends she's going to take the afternoon off. Maya can't blame her for wanting to skip dance classes and play rehearsal, but she can tell none of them seem keen on the idea of leaving Claudine by herself as things are. Maya offers to take the afternoon off with her, but Claudine won't let her.

"You have a play to practice for," she reminds her. "Just because I can't- ...won't be performing along with you doesn't mean you should start slacking off."

"Of course not…" Maya frowns. "However, Saijou-san-"

"I'm just going to finish my assignments," Claudine mumbles. "Junna, can I copy your notes from yesterday?"

"Sure."

So after lunch, while the rest of them head back to classes, Claudine checks herself out at the main office and returns to Starlight Hall. Maya can tell that her friends are just as worried about Claudine as she is, but at the very least now they can discuss their plan of action.

"We can do that tonight, right?"

"Is everything ready?"

"Yes. We put everything in the storage room backstage."

"Good. Then after rehearsal we'll do as Kaugra-san suggested."

Hikari dips her head, still looking a bit nervous.

"I'm not sure if it'll really work," she mumbles. "But it's the best I could think of."

"It's a great idea, Hikari-chan!" Karen takes her roommate's hand and gives her a squeeze. "I'm sure it'll do something!"

"Yes!" Mahiru agrees. "I really believe it can help Kuro-chan!"

"I really hope so…" Futaba sighs.

"If not..." Kaoruko says softly. "Then what else is there to do?"

Maya clears her throat pointedly.

"Let us worry about such things only if that ends up being the case, shall we?"

"Maya-chan is right," Nana says. "We've gotta stay positive."

So the eight of them work hard in their dance, singing, and rehearsal blocks that afternoon. When she can spare a moment, Maya sneaks her cell phone and messages Claudine to check on her.

How are you doing?

She waits anxiously for a response, deciding that if she hasn't gotten one by the time she returns to check her phone that she'll go back to the dorms to check on her partner herself. But to her relief, when she next gets to her phone, Claudine has sent a reply.

Fine. Just working on some papers.

Maya breathes out a sigh. Knowing that Claudine is all right helps her to refocus her attention on practice.

Rehearsal today lasts a bit longer than usual, and they end up staying a little late. And normally, not Maya nor any of the others would have any issues with that. But today, being they had something very important to do for Claudine, everyone is anxious to be released.

As soon as they're finally free, they wait for their other classmates to exit the building first before heading for the auditorium. They ensure it's vacant, while Mahiru goes to check on the supply closet. When she returns to them she gives a sharp nod.

"Everything's there."

"All right!" Futaba shouts. "Then let's do this!"

"Right!"

As their cry of determination echoes around the theatre, Nana turns to Maya.

"Maya-chan, we'll all get ready, so can you go get Kuro-chan?"

Maya dips her head, already moving back toward the exit.

"Of course."

"We'll be waiting!"

"Go get her, Tendo-han!"

"All right everyone, let's do this!"

With this, Maya leaves the others and turns to hurry for the exit. She can't help but want to rush to get back to her partner and bring her back here. This is the best theory any of them could come up with to try and help her. It has to work. Maya refuses to think about what might happen if it doesn't.

So what starts out as a jog back to the dorms becomes a sprint halfway through, and before she knows it she's running as quickly as she can. She startles a few other girls who are sitting around chatting outside, but rushes by and into the building without looking back.

Maya only slows down a little once she's inside, prepared to continue on quickly all the way to the lounge they always use. But before she can take off, she skids to a halt when she spots the very person she's looking for.

Claudine is just passing by down the opposite end of the hall, heading in the direction of the front desk. Maya turns and hurries after her.

"Saijou-san."

Claudine freezes. As Maya approaches her, she can see Claudine is carrying papers in her hand. Maya slows down and pauses just a few feet behind her.

"Saijou-san… My apologies. Were you going somewhere off-campus?" She watches Claudine's shoulders rise and fall as she lets out a slow exhale. After a moment, she finally turns to face Maya with the same dull expression.

"I guess you could say that."

Maya blinks, puzzled.

"Could you perhaps reschedule for some other time?" she wonders. "You see, there's something we'd like to show you back at school. Would you mind accompanying me?" Maya steps forward, reaching out in an effort to take Claudine's unoccupied hand.

But to her dismay, Claudine steps away.

"Sorry. This is kind of important. I have to hand these in."

"Pardon?" Maya can't recall any assignments they'd had to complete within such a brief amount of time, let alone for anyone at the front desk. A prickle of unease worms its way through the confusion filling her chest. "Saijou-san… as I said, the others and myself have something we would like you to see." Again, Maya tries to reach for her hand.

But again, Claudine evades her.

"Sorry," she mumbles. "But this can't wait anymore."

Maya doesn't like the look in her eyes. The unease in her chest begins to prick her like thorns until it stings. She glances down to the papers in Claudine's hand. That's when she sees one of the words across the top:

Withdrawal

Maya's heart seizes in her chest. This time she doesn't think before lunging forward to grab Claudine's wrist.

"Saijou-san! You can't!"

Claudine tries to struggle away from her.

"You don't get to decide that for me, Tendo Maya. I've already called my parents and they understand my decision."

"But you mustn't!"

"And why not?!" Claudine raises her voice to the point of shouting, and when she lifts her face again there are tears in her eyes. "As someone who has lost their radiance… I can't even call myself a Stage Girl anymore! It's clear I'll never get it back no matter how hard I try! If that's the case, then I don't belong here!"

"Of course you do!" Maya cries. "Saijou-san, please-! There must be a way! As I said, everyone has-"

"There isn't a way!" Claudine shrieks. "Don't you see that? I've lost everything! I can't even remember the simplest lines, let alone put feeling into them! I can't even do the most basic dance anymore! I'll never be able to stand by your side again-!"

"That isn't true!" Maya shouts. She tightens her grip on Claudine, refusing to let her go, pulling her forward as her emotions spill free. "We all know you have tried harder than anyone to get to where you are! You can't give up now! You simply can't!"

Maya holds onto her even harder. Claudine struggles.

"Tendo Maya-"

"I won't let you!"

"Maya, you're hurting me!"

When that cry of pain echoes through the empty hall, Maya snaps back into the moment with a gasp. Instantly she releases Claudine's wrist, leaving behind red marks and indentations from her nails. Claudine pulls her hands to her chest. The Letter of Withdrawal covers her heart as she sobs.

Maya staggers back a step, trembling.

"Saijou-san, I'm-" She doesn't finish. She doesn't even know where to begin apologizing.

Claudine shakes her head. Her voice comes out in a thin, broken wail as she slowly falls to her knees.

"Why…?" she chokes. "I was resolved to do this… Why couldn't you just let me go, Maya…?"

"Claudine…" Maya feels acid in the back of her throat. The fear of potentially having to watch her leave Seishou had been debilitating enough. But to have hurt Claudine with her own hands…

Maya wants to leave her, simply so she won't end up making it worse.

But she can't. She knows that if she leaves her now, Claudine is going to withdraw from the school, and then Maya will truly lose her. Possibly forever.

She can't leave her now. Even if it's what Claudine might want…

Maya knows it isn't how things are meant to be.

Claudine was born to be a Stage Girl. She was born to stand beneath the spotlight and tell stories, project emotions that would reach and inspire people around the world.

When Claudine had lost her radiance, the light shining on the entire planet had dimmed. The world can't afford to lose her. Least of all Maya.

Claudine hunches forward and sobs into her hands, her tears dripping onto the papers and smearing the text.

As the heartbreaking cries seep into the walls, Maya takes a small step forward, but no more. She sinks to her knees before her partner, but doesn't touch her again.

"Claudine…" Her voice is thick with regret, her heart throbbing from the despair of causing her so much pain. But Maya continues. "I'm sorry. I will never be able to say it enough-" She sobs, and her own tears start falling. "But… if you can find it in your heart to forgive me… then please… come with me now. Please, Claudine…"

Claudine weeps harder, as if to drown her out, as if she doesn't want to hear Maya giving her the option to try one more time. She'd made her choice. She'd been hurt enough. She doesn't want to go through it all again…

Claudine hunches forward with her head in her hands, digging her nails into the paper and crumpling it.

"No… I can't… I'll never be able to-"

"Claudine-" It takes all of Maya's willpower to hold back from reaching out for her. So she just lets every emotion that's coursing through her veins manifest in the sound of her voice; cautious, weighted, pleading. "Is this… truly want you want…? To never stand onstage again…?"

"No…"

"To never perform with any of us ever again-?"

"Of course not!" she shrieks. "Of course I don't want that! But what can I do now? I've tried-!" Claudine raises her head, her face streaming with tears, her hair a mess, her eyes shattering with the most devastating, unspeakable feelings. Her voice cracks, then wavers into nothing more than a whisper. "I tried, Maya… I tried…" She loses herself to her tears again, folding over herself, burying her face into her skirt.

Maya swallows hard, wiping her eyes again and again.

"Of course-" she rasps. "Of course I know that… better than anyone else. I know you have tried harder than anyone... both before and after you lost your radiance. You tried your hardest, and beyond that… all on your own…"

This time, Maya shakily reaches for her, and when she rests her hand on Claudine's shoulder, it's the most gentle touch in the world.

"So that is why-" she whispers. "This time… please let us try our hardest for you, Claudine…"

And though her touch is soft, her words are powerful.

Enough to make Claudine weep even harder.

She should have known. She should have known her friends would never have given up on her so easily.

Even when Claudine had done all she believed she physically and possibly could…

Even when she had become pathetic and helpless and pitiful…

Even when she could no longer stand on her own…

Even then, her friends wouldn't give up.

Even if she fell, they wouldn't let her fall alone. They would bring her to her feet and help her stand again, no matter how many times it might take. The people she had met here, the friends she had made, in all the theatre schools…

Claudine had been a fool to think they'd ever let her go. She knows she would've fought just as hard for any of their sakes.

She can't give up now. Even though her soul feels bleak and hollow, she won't give up.

And so, when she's able to, Claudine slowly lifts herself up. She wipes her face again and again, no longer caring about crumpling the letter. She won't be needing it anyway.

Maya stays beside her until the tears have stopped. When she's finally able to meet Claudine's gaze once more, she still finds her eyes to be foggy and dull. But they're still the most beautiful sight Maya has ever beheld.

Claudine draws in several more shaky breaths, hiccuping softly.

It's at this point when Maya's gaze travels down to the redness she'd left behind on her skin. Deep sorrow passes through her chest to know she had done that to her, all in a moment of passion - a single second when she hadn't been thinking clearly. Maya withdraws her hand from Claudine's shoulder and bows her head.

But then, she feels a small touch on the back of her knuckles. Maya looks up at her again.

And even though Claudine has suffered far more than her fair share for so long now, she still tries to give her a tiny smile to show Maya she's been forgiven.

Maya feels a fresh surge of tears coming on, and she has to take a moment to let them out into her sleeve.

Claudine stays and holds her hand all the while.

When she's able to, Maya carefully gathers Claudine's sore hand in both of her own. She brings it to her lips and kisses her everywhere there is any redness left - her wrist, her knuckles, her palm.

At last, when Maya has made her atonement, and Claudine has resolved to put herself in her friends' care, the two of them help each other back up to their feet. Maya smooths out her hair for her, readjusting Claudine's headband and leaving a small kiss on her forehead.

"Claudine," she murmurs. "You're mistaken. You haven't lost everything. You will always - always - have us. I can promise you that."

Claudine breathes out, and it feels like the first time in weeks when it doesn't hurt to do so.

"Merci, Tendo Maya…"

With this, they turn and head for the exit. As they pass by, Claudine drops her Letter of Withdrawal into the trash.

Maya takes her hand gently, lacing her fingers with hers and rubbing her thumb over the back of Claudine's hand.

Together, they step out into the late-afternoon sun, and begin the walk back to that stage.

A/N: I really liked the idea of writing a big dramatic moment between them, of Maya finding out Claudine intends to withdraw and being so desperate to make her reconsider that she grabs her tightly. Agh, the drama!

What is this plan her friends have concocted...?

Please review!