Disclaimer: I don't own Kaleido Star

Broken Promise

Chapter 20

- First, she finally discovered that I wasn't attending ballet anymore…Actually, someone told her.

- Oh my, how did she react? – asked May inquiringly.

- The International Circus Festival was nearer and the costumes were almost finished. I don't know how, but she came to the conclusion that those costumes were for Leon and Sophie. She told me that she felt betrayed and used. She was about to rip off the costumes, but I took them before her and hid them.

- Good that you could save them!

- I know…and well, I had to finish them by hand, during the nights with half-light. Despite the conditions in which I was working, I really enjoyed doing it. I was locked in my room for a few days, but I guess my aunt just gave up. She was taking responsibilities that weren't initially intended for her.

- That's true…but why did you said she was bad?

- Let's go in order. There were just some days until the festival and I took the costumes to Sophie and Leon so they could try them on.

- I finished them! What do you think? – I asked them.

- You are really good! – exclaimed Sophie looking at herself in the mirror.

- I thought you didn't have any skills… – said Leon examining the costumes.

- Hey! Where are your damn manners? At least thank me! – I exclaimed angry.

- In the same place where your delicacy is – he said.

- What are you saying? – I replied threatening.

- I mean…Thank you for your wonderful job – he said.

- After that, those days went by like a lightning – I said staring at the roof - Finally, it was the day of the festival. The "amazing" festival. I recall Leon saying something about a guy that he considered a strong rival. But, unfortunately I didn't pay attention to him. Before Sophie and Leon left behind the scenes, Leon said he wanted to talk to me… - I realized what I was about to stay and stopped.

- What did he said? – asked May approaching to me.

- Uhm, May…do you like Leon? – I asked nervously to my friend.

- Huh? What do you mean? Why are you asking this all of the sudden? – asked May confused.

- Do you have a crush on him? – I questioned looking to her eyes, as if I wanted to be sure she was telling me the truth.

- Well, no...I mean he is handsome – she smiled - …but nah. Before, I thought I had…but no, I was wrong. It was something else – she said looking down as searching for the right words.

- Something else?

- Yeah, I don't know how to explain it…but it wasn't love or attraction or anything related – said May laughing – I don't know what the hell it was!

- Fine, then.

- Why? – she asked grabbing a pillow.

- Well, Leon confessed to me that day.

- OMG! So Leon does love you! – she said grabbing my shoulders - I'm surprised! Well, I'm half-surprised. It's definitely not the same just having the suspicion! I always knew there was something there! Oh my…you love him too, right? - asked May enthusiastically.

- No! And let me continue with the story! – I exclaimed as I pushed her away.

- Yeah, sure…

- He also told me that Sophie wanted to travel through the world to show everyone the Angel's Maneuver. And if they were really doing it, he wanted me to go with them. I was totally speechless.

- Rogue? Are you okay? – asked Leon worried.

I didn't know what to say, the confession left me in shock.

- What do you think? Will you come with us? - he asked grabbing my shoulders.

- Since when? – I asked realizing his words.

- Some time ago... – he said staring to my eyes.

- Uhm, I see – I said avoiding eye contact.

- So?

- "So?" What are you asking? – I was lost.

He seemed to notice my confusion, so he approached and embraced me.

- Don't worry Rogue, you don't have to answer anything…

- I felt relieved when he said that. After a while, we broke apart and I wished him good look on the performance. I went directly to the audience seats and waited until the show began. It was the first time I saw other people besides Leon and Sophie doing circus performance. It was really amazing. Finally, it was Leon and Sophie's turn… But, they didn't appear.

- What happened to them? What did you do?

- I went behind scenes and asked someone of the staff if anyone knew where they were. They guy was totally clueless, and then I described Leon and Sophie to him.

- Oh…yeah! Those siblings. I think the girl got a call right before the show began. It was weird, because they called to the office here and asked for her. After she hung, she changed her clothes and left quickly. The guy stayed here, waiting. He seemed worried for some reason…I don't know – he said.

- And then? – I asked desperately.

- A while ago, he changed clothes and left the place – he seemed to be gathering his thoughts- I guess because their turn was near and the girl wasn't back yet.

- Do you have any idea where they could have gone to?

- I can't remember…I'm sorry.

- I didn't know what to do, we didn't have mobile phones at that time! I had to use a public phone to call their apartment, but there was no answer. I also called my home and asked my aunt if anyone called me. She told me that nobody had called and that I should be back home early.

- Then? – asked May rolling towards me. She must have been tired of staying in the same position, just hearing my not so short recalling of France.

- There was no way for me to know, so I returned home and waited for them to appear or call. After a while, I got the waited call.

- Aunt, I have to go – I said approaching to the door.

- Where are you going? – she asked stopping her sewing machine.

- To the hospital.

- Are you sick?

- No! Sophie had an accident and she's on the hospital.

- That girl? Well, go…you might not see her again.

- Aunt! Why are you saying those things? You are the worst! – I said slamming the door.

- That wasn't nice – said May angry.

- I know, I will never forgive that. Anyway, I got to the hospital at an inhuman speed. Leon was on the waiting room, walking in circles.

- Rogue! You are here – he said as he hugged me.

- Leon, what happened? Why did you and Sophie left? What happened to Sophie? Is she all right?

- Sophie got a call from someone. That bastard told her they needed to meet; there was something to be said. Sophie, our naïve Sophie…she went to meet that idiot and waited forever.

- Who was it?

- It doesn't matter…The thing is, it was a trap…The purpose of that meeting was to delay Sophie, so we would lose our turn in the Festival. I shouldn't have allowed her to go…

- What? Who the f*ck did that? You must tell me! Tell me! – I said shaking him.

- When I noticed Sophie wasn't coming back, I went to look for her. Fortunately, she told me where she was going; and the place wasn't far from the Festival. I arrived there and when she saw me... – he began trembling.

- Leon? What happened? – I got worried.

- She ran towards me…- he took a deep breath - and a car hit her…

- No… - I couldn't believe it, once more I was left speechless.

We stayed on the waiting room, without exchanging words, or looking at each other. But, I couldn't let go this hand. After a while, a doctor came to us.

- I'm so sorry Mr. Oswald, we did all we could…But she's not going to make it.

"She's not going to make it" That phrase kept echoing in my head.

- What do you mean? – asked Leon furiously.

- Her internal organs are severely damaged. We can't save her, we are very sorry…You can come now to see her – said the doctor.

"She's not going to make it, she's not going to make it, she's not going to make it…"

- If he had let go my hand, I would have stood there, catatonic. But, he led me into her room. He rushed towards Sophie, hugged her and then he sat beside her, holding her hand. I was standing on the door; I couldn't move or say anything. She didn't look different, she was…she was Sophie. It was Sophie, lying on a cold hospital bed…with that warming smile of hers. Smiling as if nothing had happened, as it nothing in this world was bad or wrong. Her eyes were looking at us filled with joy. But, Leon was torn apart, he began to cry desolately.

- Don't cry Leon, its okay – she said smiling – Rogue! Come here! What are you doing? You came to see me right? Come here! – she said extending her hand.

I took her hand and sat on the other side. After a few moments, the doctor came in and called Leon, they got out of the room and I was left alone with Sophie. After a while, she broke the silence.

- So…did he say it? – asked Sophie.

I didn't know what she was talking about and I'm sure my face reflected it.

- No? I'm disappointed – she said looking to the window.

- Huh?

- If he didn't, then I'm going to ruin it! – she sighed - He didn't say anything unusual to you? Before we went behind scenes?

That, I almost forgot about it.

I nodded.

- Really? I feel really happy! But, it took him too long! – she complained laughing - I can't think of a better girl for my brother than my best friend! – she said squeezing my hand.

Even in those moments, she was laughing.

- My brother...He loved you from the first time he saw you – she said.

I couldn't say anything, so I just hugged her and tried to smile.

- Leon is going to need you more than ever, please don't leave him alone – she begged.

I nodded.

- Isn't it funny? How the redheaded girl from America…whom we randomly met at our street performance…became such an important and beloved person to us! I will never forget that day in which we brought a smile to your face. It was the first smile from the many more than came through these years. I can say that I'm thankful for being able to meet you…

- Rogue, stop it. The last moments of someone's life…it's too sad. Damn, she was too young… – said a teary May.

- This is not easy for me…– I confessed.

- Okay, I can do it too. Continue – she commanded.

- I lay my head into her chest, while she caressed my hair. I could hear the beating of her heart…the last beats of her heart. I don't know how my face looked during those moments, but I'm not sure why even though I wanted to…I couldn't cry.

- Rogue…I'm so sorry! You worked so hard and I couldn't wear your costume on the stage… - she whispered.

I couldn't talk, so I just held her tight.

-You know what? I think Leon doesn't believe in my dream…He can't understand it.

I looked at her perplexed.

- I didn't tell you before…but the training Leon was giving me was only to accomplish a fake maneuver. I didn't want a fake! With a fake…a conflict-free stage is impossible. That's why I asked you to help me with a harsher training.

- A fake? – I asked confused.

- Now, I want Leon to accomplish that dream for me. I want Leon to be part of that kind of stage. But, if Leon doesn't get to understand the reasons…it will be hopeless. He's going to lose the right path many times…I know. But, maybe if he's not alone…

- I don't think I have the power to aid him much...

- I felt everything was just a bad dream. Suddenly, Leon came back. He took his place again. Leon and Sophie began to talk about…I'm not sure what they were talking about. My mind was somewhere else. It was as if I could see everything, including myself, from another person's view. It wasn't something that was happening to us, those were other people and that wasn't me. But I realized it was just life being what it is...a series of intersecting lives and incidents, out of anyone's control...that car did not go by, and that driver was momentarily distracted, and that car hit Sophie, and she was dying – I said with broken voice.

- It must have been too hard for you – said May as she approached to hug me.

- You have no idea…It was death's first appearance in my life. And it had to be in that sweet girl – I said punching my leg.

- I'm sorry Rogue… - she said as we broke apart.

- When I came back to reality, I sat by her side. Sophie began to talk about that dream of hers…and she made Leon promise that he was going to find and train someone who could master the Angel's Maneuver, become the true star and fulfill her dream.

- …and Rogue, you will help Leon do this, right? It's going to be difficult for him to do it unaided…You know, he is a little bit awkward – she said laughing - He's going to need you. Please Rogue, promise you'll be there for him. Don't leave him alone during that journey…stay with him.

- Wait, you promised that? This doesn't make any sense. Why all those fights and arguments with Leon? Weren't you supposed to help him? What have you been doing? – asked May confused.

- May, did you forget something?

- What?

- I told you I had amnesia. I couldn't recognize Leon when I saw him at Kaleido Stage.

- Didn't you say you got to remember everything? – asked May puzzled.

- I was wrong!

Author's notes:
Why I am uploading this on christmas? Because I can! Hahaha Is my present to you hahaah
I thought Rogue's accident was in this chapter xD I'm sorry, is until the next hahaah
So here we got Sophie's accident, not Rogue's! I know in the series we got to know most things, but I wrote all of this so you could see how it affected Rogue and Leon.
I must confess that I felt really sad while writing Sophie's moments in the hospital ):

cami (neko-rin): Hahaha the aunt feels like that, but she leaves in a normal house. And as Rogue said "she was by herself and didn't have a lot of money". She was one of those women that never marry and become bitter!
Oh, yeah. That kiss was unexpected, but he was very cool about it saying "you should be thanking me" like if she didn't deserve to be kissed by him hahaha After all, someone had to make a move first! And I really don't think that Rogue could have done it. Also, if you think about it, Leon's character was kind of different before Sophie's death, he become resentful after it.
Hahaha vacations! That's cool, hope you have happy holidays!