Okay, this story was written over a year ago and has been patiently waiting its turn all this time. I'll admit, when I conceptualized it in my head, it didn't exactly end up as I'd wanted in some regards, so I hope you'll still be able to enjoy it! It's a bit different from other stories I've written, at least in terms of Mahiru's feelings! But it was also so fun to explore, because Mahiru is the only character I feel would have these emotions...

It takes place in Mahiru's first year of Seishou - on the first day of moving into the dorms, to be exact.

Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.

My Own Star

Chapter 1. First-Day Jitters

Mahiru told herself time and again she wouldn't cry the day she left home.

She was thrilled to have gotten accepted into a theatre school as prestigious as Seishou. Her family, and the entire town was proud of her, and everyone in her life was supporting her with everything they had.

Most of all, her grandmother was so excited for Mahiru, and Mahiru knew that if she cried the morning she left, then her grandmother would cry, too.

So she really, really tries her best to hold it all in this morning as she goes to each of her siblings and hugs them each in turn. They all smile and congratulate her and wish her well.

"Good luck, Mahiru Onee-chan!"

"We'll miss you!"

"But don't worry! We'll help out Mom and Dad!"

Mahiru pats each of her siblings on the head.

"I'm very happy to hear that, everyone. Please do your best at home, and I'll do my best at Seishou, too!"

They all chorus back at her with wide, toothy grins.

"Okay!"

Mahiru feels a rush of emotion in her chest, but she manages to keep it in check.

Next, Mahiru turns to her mother, who pulls her in warmly.

"We're all so proud of you, Mahiru. Make sure you write to us as soon as you've settled in."

"I will, Mom! And I'll come back to visit whenever I can!"

This time, the emotion moves up to her throat and chokes her up a bit, but still she doesn't cry.

Next, Mahiru goes to hug her father, who is dressed in the town's mascot suit.

"We'll send you lots of veggies in the mail," he says. "Make sure to share them with all the new friends you're going to make!"

"I'm not sure if I'll make any…"

"Of course you will!"

Mahiru isn't so confident, but she doesn't say any more. The emotions now rush up to make her lips wobble and her nose sniffle, but still she holds it all back.

But then, Mahiru turns to the final member of her family who has yet to see her off, and she can't even make an attempt at holding back any longer. She bursts into tears as she wraps her arms around her grandmother, sobbing with her whole body.

"Grandma… I'm sorry…"

"Dear, why are you apologizing?"

"B-Because… I s-said I wouldn't cry…"

Her grandmother just smiles and strokes a hand gently through Mahiru's hair.

"As long as they're tears of joy, I don't mind."

Mahiru cries, and the rest of her family start tearing up too. The Tsuyuzakis take a few moments to let out their tears of happiness and offer Mahiru more words of pride and support.

And before she knows it, the bus has come.

Mahiru gives everyone one last hug before wiping off her face and straightening up. She brings her suitcase with her onto the bus and takes an empty seat, then waves goodbye to her family as the bus begins rolling off down the road.

Only when they're completely out of sight does her brave face vanish, and she bursts into tears all over again.

She fumbles through her skirt pocket for her handkerchief, hiding her face and trying to quiet herself as best she can so as not to disturb the other passengers.

The tears just won't stop.

And of course it's because she's sad about leaving home on her own for the first time, and it's also because she's excited about getting to start this new chapter of her life.

But more than anything, she cries because she's just so painfully nervous.

She's so nervous it physically hurts, making her chest tighten as if something sharp has been gnarled up inside her. Her heart is pounding so hard she feels like she has to clutch herself with all her might just to keep it from bursting out.

She's so nervous. So so nervous. And it's half bad and half good, and overall enough to make her more confused and overwhelmed than anything.

Her head is buzzing with too many jumbled thoughts all at once. She wants to make her family and her town proud. She wants to become her own star, her own person. She wants to make friends. She wants to become more confident…

Dabbing the handkerchief over her eyes, Mahiru sniffles as she sits herself up again and gazes out the window. The rural countryside landscape soon becomes more suburban, as buildings begin appearing little by little.

It really finally starts to sink it. She's going to Seishou Academy.

By some miracle, she'd managed to get in and pass the entrance exams. And even though that had happened months ago, she can still recall it as clearly as if it'd been yesterday.

She'd been nervous then, too, nervous enough to nearly get herself lost on the walk from the hotel she and her family had been staying at at the time. She'd panicked as she'd looked over the map and tried to reaffirm herself of her location. She'd nearly started crying then, too.

But then, a kind and energetic girl had called out to her. She'd introduced herself as Aijou Karen, and had exuberantly proposed that she walk together with Mahiru to Seishou, since that was where she'd been headed as well.

Mahiru had instantly taken a liking to Karen's friendly and outgoing personality. Of course she'd still been plenty nervous, and had stammered through every question Karen had asked her along the way, but her presence had put Mahiru at ease enough to calm her down a little on what had been the most nerve-wracking day of her life, up until that point.

Once they had arrived at Seishou Academy and been given their brief tour, the entrance exam had begun. Mahiru had poured her efforts into the written portion, and looked over it multiple times before handing it in. And then she'd followed the other prospective students to the dance studio. And to her relief, Karen had offered to stretch with her and be her partner when necessary.

Mahiru had been so grateful for Karen's kindness. But upon watching some of the other girls perform their routines and listening to them sing… Mahiru's confidence had plummeted.

She'd made certain to remember their names.

Aijou Karen and her unwavering enthusiasm.

Isurugi Futaba and her astounding vocal range.

Hanayagi Kaoruko and her alluring Japanese dance.

Hoshimi Junna and her impressive knowledge on every subject the instructors asked about.

Daiba Nana and her incredible ability to shift roles.

And then the two who had nearly caused Mahiru to faint.

The renown and prestigious Tendo Maya, who could execute any dance routine flawlessly on her first try, or reach any high note with little to no effort. She was absolutely amazing, even more so than the rumors had lead her to believe.

And finally, the famous half-French child actress, Saijou Claudine. Her beauty alone was enough to make her shine, but her voice was even more lovely, and her movements were even more captivating than everyone else's combined.

To Mahiru, she could see the difference between Tendo Maya's innate talent and Saijou Claudine's conditioned training.

And her confidence…

Even when Tendo Maya had ruffled her feathers, Saijou Claudine had performed with the utmost confidence and charisma. She had enough of it to go around, and Mahiru had almost envied her for that, until she'd realized how rude it was of her to think that way about someone she'd only just met.

But when thinking about the incredible talent she was up against for a seat at this school, she never in a million years thought she would succeed in getting in.

And yet, by some miracle, she had. She'd received the acceptance letter in the mail a few days later, and had cried on the spot.

And after making all of the arrangements for the dorm room, she had discovered that her roommate would be none other than that sweet and friendly social butterfly Aijou Karen.

And Mahiru had been so happy, so relieved, that fate had smiled upon her in such a way, to have let her meet Karen on the day of her entrance exam and then allowed them to be roommates for the coming school years as well. Mahiru had been so overjoyed, so thrilled, so excited…

The memories fade from her mind as the rumbling of the bus registers in her head. Mahiru blinks her eyes open back in the present. She hadn't even realized she'd fallen asleep, but thankfully she hadn't missed her stop, though judging by the scenery now, she recognizes they are nearing Seishou Academy.

Thoughts of Aijou Karen dance around through Mahiru's head as she brings herself back to the present. She's still very nervous about today, but her heart has calmed down just a little.

I was so happy to get accepted, she reminds herself. And to have Aijou-san as my roommate. So why am I so nervous? Why am I crying so much?

She doesn't want to get ahead of herself and claim she was Aijou Karen's friend. Just because they were roommates and had met and talked on the day of the entrance exam didn't mean they were actually as close as Mahiru wants it to mean.

I'm just getting ahead of myself and thinking these things on my own… Aijou-san doesn't owe me anything... I'm just a nobody…

Whatever smile she'd almost started to feel falls away, and her heart sinks under the realization that she's probably the least impressive of the new batch of first-year students coming in.

Am I really good enough to be here…? I'm not sure I can do it…

The bus rolls to a halt, and Mahiru's heart jolts when she realizes they've reached her stop. She can see Starlight Hall - the dorms for students attending Seishou Academy - in the distance, just down a few more streets.

Flustered, Mahiru pops up from her seat, scrambling to put away her handkerchief and grab onto her suitcase before stumbling out into the aisle. She pays her faire and thanks the driver before hurrying off onto solid ground, where she almost sways.

The town around her isn't any larger or louder than it had been the last time she'd come here, but then she'd had her family with her.

And now…

"Kya!"

Mahiru yelps out loud as the bus doors close behind her, startling her enough to make her drop her suitcase handle so she has to flounder to grab hold of it again before everything falls.

A few other people passing by pause to look at her strangely, and Mahiru bows deeply to apologize for causing a scene. Feeling as though she's about to start crying all over again, she grabs her things and hurries down the sidewalk.

What if I can't do this after all…? I'm going to disappoint everyone…

She wants to cry.

Even though she should be happy.

Even though she's going to start her own story to reach her dream and become more independent.

Even though she's been wanting this her whole life.

But she's alone now. She has no one, and it's scary.

What if Aijou-san gets sick of me? What if I can't make any other friends? What if no one likes me?

She keeps her head bowed to hide the tears as she hurries down the sidewalk. As she nears Starlight Hall, she can hear many voices, as groups of other girls are arriving to begin moving in and setting themselves up today as well.

Mahiru skids to a stop a little ways away, ducking her face into her sleeve and trying again and again to stop the sobs. This is the first time she's worn Seishou's uniform, and she's already smearing it with tears.

I'm such a mess… Why am I so…

"Pardonne-moi."

A pleasant, cheerful voice speaks from just a few feet behind her. With a gasp, Mahiru whirls around, fumbling to wipe her face one more time as she looks at the other person.

Mahiru recognizes her instantly.

She isn't wearing a leotard like the last time Mahiru had seen her, but instead a black Catholic school-styled uniform, likely from her old middle school.

But no matter what she's wearing, anyone involved in Japanese theatre in this day and age would instantly recognize the beautiful and elegant Saijou Claudine with her glowing white smile, her luscious pale blonde hair, and her rosy pink eyes. She has a light coral suitcase in-tow at her side, so it's obvious that she's heading to the same place as everyone else here.

Mahiru's heart backflips twice over, and she squeaks outright before quickly covering her mouth.

"Kyah! I-I mean, I-I'm so sorry! I was just spacing out here-"

Claudine cuts her off with a charming and genuine laugh.

"Not at all! I didn't mean to startle you."

"I-It's all right!" Mahiru quickly steps aside off the sidewalk to get out of her way. But Claudine blinks at her, puzzled.

"Hm? What's this? Aren't you going to Starlight Hall as well? You're wearing Seishou's uniform, oui?"

"Eh? A-Ah, y-yes."

"Then there's no need for you to move aside. Let's go together."

"E-Eh? B-But-"

"Tsuyuzaki Mahiru." Saijou Claudine says her name with such a beautiful voice, Mahiru is convinced her name has never sounded better before in all her life.

"E-Eh? Y-You know my name?"

"Bien sûr! I remember the names of all the people who performed beautifully enough at the entrance exams to be my competition."

"C-Competition?! Yours?!" Mahiru bows her head and shakes it from side to side. "B-But you're Saijou Claudine-san… N-No, someone like me could never-"

"What are you saying?" Claudine chides. "Tsuyuzaki-san, you had some of the best techniques out of everyone, not to mention your flexibility and your voice-"

"E-Eeehh?" Mahiru's heart stampedes in a frenzy to be hearing such praise from such a famous and lovely girl. She feels her neck and face turning completely red. "Th-That isn't true! I-I'm just average at best!"

"Average? Nonsense! Do you think Seishou Academy allows average students to pass through its doors?"

"I… guess not…"

"You see?" Claudine's cheerful voice and confident words have Mahiru slowly lifting her head again. When she does, she finds Claudine smiling kindly at her. Keeping one hand on her luggage, Claudine reaches the other out toward Mahiru.

Mahiru blinks, until she understands Claudine wants to shake hands with her.

She panics, remembering she'd just been crying moments earlier and her hands are probably all messy and wet with salt, so she hastily wipes them off on her skirt before tentatively reaching out to accept Claudine's hand.

Unlike Mahiru's timid, uncertain grip, Claudine's is comfortable, firm, and warm.

"It's a pleasure to formally make your acquaintance, Tsuyuzaki-san."

"L-Likewise, Saijou Claudine-san."

"Please, no need to be so formal. Saijou is fine."

"S-Saijou-san, then…"

They hold hands for a moment longer, until Mahiru frets she's beginning to sweat, so she pulls away. Claudine doesn't seem to take any offense, though.

"Well then, shall we?" she offers. "Or did you lose something? Is that why you were stopped in the middle of the sidewalk?"

Mahiru inhales shakily, then lets it out as slowly as she can.

"N-No… It's just… I was nervous…"

"Oh, is that all? Then that makes two of us."

"…Eh? You're nervous too, Saijou-san…?"

"Of course! Everyone's at least a little nervous today moving in, right? It's only natural."

It was such a simple and sensible mindset, and yet Mahiru hadn't considered it that way. She'd been too worried that everyone else would have inhuman confidence about their first day moving in and that she would be the only one nervous and confused, when in reality, it's exactly as Claudine had said.

Even someone as famous and talented as Saijou-san is nervous today…

Hearing that she isn't alone with these feelings makes Mahiru feel better. She draws in a deep breath and lets it out, and this time it doesn't wobble quite so much. Claudine inclines her head toward the dorms.

"Well then, shall we?"

"Eh? A-Ah, right! Of course!"

Claudine waits for Mahiru to gather her bearings and start walking, then continues on beside her, rolling her luggage behind.

It's only a minute walk at most to get to the dorms from where they are, but Mahiru instantly begins to fret that the silence might become awkward, so she starts to blabber.

"S-So, Saijou-san…" But she can't think of anything to say, so her voice just dies away. Face red, Mahiru bows her head.

But Claudine must be able to tell she wants to talk just to fill the quiet, so she casually speaks up instead.

"Tsuyuzaki-san, do you know who your roommate is?"

"Eh? A-Ah, yes. I met her before. She's really nice."

"That's good."

"Wh-What about you, Saijou-san?"

"I won't have a roommate," she replies.

"Ah, I see. I have a big family, so if I was living on my own, I'd get lonely…"

"That's to be expected," Claudine nods. "If I ever do get lonely, will you come visit me?"

"Eh? S-Sure! Of course!"

"Merci."

And Mahiru finds she wants to keep talking with her more, which is a feeling she's never felt around a stranger before. Though, she supposes Claudine and the rest of these girls won't be strangers for long if they're her new classmates. But they've already reached the gathering of girls and staff welcoming people into the dorms.

Mahiru is overcome with the urge to say something more to Claudine, but before she can think of anything, there's a jubilant call of her name.

"Mahiru-chaaaan!"

Startled, Mahiru turns to the sound of the voice to see Aijou Karen waving wildly at her and shouting her name with a big grin on her face. Mahiru turns pink.

"A-Aijou-san? F-First names-?"

Claudine gives a hearty laugh beside her.

"A friend of yours?"

"Sh-She's my roommate-"

By now, Karen has weaved her way through the crowd and come running to throw both her arms around Mahiru as if they were long-lost friends who'd known each other for years.

"Mahiru-chan! You're here! Thank goodness you didn't abandon me!"

Mahiru drops her luggage and flails her hands in a mild panic.

"A-Aijou-san? W-What are you-?"

"You're still my roommate, right?! You didn't dump me?!"

"D-Dump you-?"

Karen wails happily and clings to Mahiru, drawing a bit of attention from the crowds. Claudine takes a step back from the amusing scene and turns away.

"Looks like she'll be fine now."

She slips into the crowd and leaves Tsuyuzaki Mahiru and Aijou Karen. For now.

By the time Karen has released her flustered roommate, Mahiru's hair is all ruffled and her face is still blushing, but there's a smile on her lips. This girl reminds her of her younger siblings, and she can't help but naturally go into big-sister mode.

"There, there. I didn't abandon you. Of course I'm still your roommate."

"Yaaaay! This is gonna be so much fun, Mahiru-chan!"

"M-My first name again…"

"Yeah! We're roommates, right? You can call me Karen, too!"

"K-Karen-chan…?" Mahiru's heart flutters with excitement to say someone else's first name. Karen nods vigorously.

"Yeah! Yeah! Oh boy, this is sooo exciting!"

Mahiru chuckles softly, all traces of her previous nervousness gone. Somehow, the girl who had been crying all the way here was now smiling.

And it's thanks to-

But when Mahiru turns around, Claudine has already gone. Her shoulders slump.

I never got to thank her…

"Mahiru-chan?" Karen asks curiously, tilting her head to the side like a puppy. Mahiru turns back to her, still blushing slightly, and shakes her head.

"Mm. I-It's nothing. Ah, Karen-chan, where's your luggage?"

"Huh? Ah! I left it over there! I just got so excited when I saw you! Wait, come with me!" Karen takes her by the hand without a care in the world, and Mahiru squeaks softly as she's pulled along. "This is gonna be great!" Karen chants. "We're gonna have sooo much fun together, Mahiru-chan!"

And she really hadn't thought that would be possible just a few moments earlier. But now, Mahiru is willing to believe there is truth in those hopes.

Putting a bit of pep into her step, she follows along beside her new roommate.

"Mm!"

And so, Mahiru spends the rest of the day getting set up and settled down with her new roommate and friend Karen, going on a tour of the dorms with her, and then setting up their room together, all while getting to know more and more about Karen, and in turn sharing plenty about herself.

All throughout the day, Mahiru seeks out Saijou Claudine in hopes of getting to talk to her one more time. But she doesn't end up seeing her to thank her in-person.

Therefore, that night as Mahiru curls up in her new bed with her new roommate snoring across the way, she sends out a silent message of gratitude for Claudine, and hopes it reaches her warmly.

A/N: So many feelings for Mahiru on her first day! It hurts me to envision her being so painfully nervous, but I feel that's exactly how she was in the beginning, with no confidence and being so scared about leaving home and not feeling she was good enough to be at Seishou. Many complicated feelings lie ahead...

Please review!