Mahiru's got some decisions to make - in terms of her feelings and her goals!
Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.
Chapter 7. Training
Mahiru is at-odds with herself for a while after that. But now that's she's recognized her true feelings for Claudine, it's cleared things up a little bit.
She really does love Karen as a dear friend - the first friend she'd ever made here. And there's no doubt she'd had a crush on her at first, and perhaps still does somehow. But it isn't really in a romantic sense.
And the lack of romantic feelings isn't because of Karen's childhood friend Hikari, either.
Of course, finding out Karen has a close bond with someone else had stung Mahiru a bit, but she knows she was foolish and selfish to have felt jealous about that. Everyone had people they knew in life before the people they currently knew - Mahiru included.
It was just a matter of looking at things objectively.
Karen remains to be a source of light and happiness and entertainment in Mahiru's everyday life.
But now that she's admitted her feelings for Claudine to herself, Mahiru can't help but spend more time thinking about her.
Not only does she excel in dance and acting classes, but she's also a hard worker in all their lectures as well. She studies and trains hard, and has probably collapsed or passed out many more times than just the time Mahiru had found her because she tries so hard to achieve her goals.
While initially Mahiru would have just settled for landing any role in a play, watching Claudine over the weeks has motivated her to put herself out there and try to land a lead or two.
Therefore, when their class' first play of the year is announced, rather than become nervous, Mahiru decides she'll aim for the starring role. With Claudine still helping her after classes, she believes she can at least pass the audition, even if she doesn't land the part.
That day, Mahiru tells Claudine straightforward.
"Kuro-chan… I want to audition for the lead!"
And though Claudine is admittedly surprised, she's even more delighted.
"Tres bien! That's amazing, Mahiru! Then I suppose we'll be competitors, won't we?"
"Y-Yeah."
"Just promise you won't go easy on me."
"I won't!"
"And neither will I."
"Right!"
Ever since she'd realized how she feels about Claudine, Mahiru had feared their after-school practices might become awkward, or that she might start tripping over her words or acting strangely around her. But to her surprise, Mahiru still feels perfectly at-ease around Claudine. She just has that kind of personality, at least to Mahiru.
And that's one of the reasons why I fell for her…
Claudine continues helping Mahiru with speaking louder and building up her confidence, and by the time auditions roll around, Mahiru is only half as nervous as she thought she might be. She doesn't end up landing the lead role, but she doesn't get a minor role either, but one somewhere in between.
And she's happy about that, because she isn't certain she could've pulled off a lead on her first performance at Seishou, but she didn't want to sit back and be a wallflower with one line either.
The two lead roles go to Maya and Claudine, though Maya is technically the starring role.
It's a small play, one that only requires a week or so of practice, but when it comes time to perform, Mahiru feels as though it's the most incredible experience ever. Her first play at Seishou, acting onstage with all of her new friends…
There's a nervous excitement all throughout the changing rooms before the show, and everyone compliments each other in their costumes and shares techniques of how to boost morale and spread good vibes. Mahiru is so touched by everyone's kindness as they wish her good luck and say how they can't wait to see her perform. She offers the praise right back to them. But more than anyone else, she makes sure to find Claudine and call out to her.
"Kuro-chan!"
Being it's a play that takes place at a Victorian-era ball, everyone is wearing regal gowns, Mahiru's being green and Claudine's being peach-orange. The moment Claudine hears her, she turns to Mahiru with a smile.
"My, Mahiru! You look lovely!"
"I-I should be saying that… you're beautiful, Kuro-chan!"
"You flatter me."
Mahiru scurries forward to give her a hug. Her own heart has been pounding for the past half hour or so, but Claudine's pulse is quite calm against her chest.
"Kuro-chan, are you nervous?"
"A bit," she admits. "But more than anything, I'm excited. We've all rehearsed seriously for this play, so I want to make sure I live up to everyone's expectations."
"You will! I know you will!"
"Merci, Mahiru. I can't wait to watch you perform in front of an audience, too."
They part from their embrace, then assemble with the rest of the cast to prepare for the curtain call.
Mahiru had been worried she might mess up or forget her lines once the spotlight was upon her and an audience was hanging on her every word. But once she steps onto that stage, she's overcome with feelings she'd never known before.
It isn't quite like when she'd performed baton for competitions. While the audience was similar, this audience expects a story, characters, a plot.
And here, Mahiru isn't performing alone.
Thanks to her classes and rehearsals, and her training with Claudine, Mahiru manages to project her lines with conviction, and truly tries to become her character as best she can.
And even though she knows she shouldn't compare herself to others… she can't help but truly understand the difference between people like herself versus people like Maya and Claudine.
They are the ones that truly make the performance, and it's no surprise as to why they were chosen as the leads; making the 99th cohort's first performance strong was the best way to ensure an interested and hopefully faithful audience from day one.
There are a few minor blunders throughout the play, mainly missed or forgotten lines, and a few times it's on Mahiru's end. But her friends and classmates quickly and smoothly cover for her each time, to the point where she doesn't even feel all that guilty about the mistakes. And when it's Karen who flubs a line, Mahiru is the one to interject and cover for her as well, which is something she probably never would've had the confidence to do in the past.
All in all, the audience roars with applause by the time the girls give their final bow.
And once the curtain falls, Mahiru bursts into tears, not of frustration or disappointment, but of joy and accomplishment.
The eight of them come together for a group hug and sing praises all around to one another.
And after changing and cleaning up, they all head back to enjoy a feast together and spend the night playing games.
By the time everyone starts to yawn, it's a little past midnight, and Junna decrees it's time to go back to their rooms to sleep.
Mahiru wishes everyone a goodnight, but invites Karen to go on ahead to their room.
"I'll be right there," she says. "I just want to talk to Kuro-chan."
"Okay!" Karen yawns and gives her a thumbs-up. Mahiru scurries down the hall after Claudine, and catches her before she gets to her door.
"Kuro-chan!"
"Ah, Mahiru!" Claudine smiles, and Mahiru is filled with warmth. "You were wonderful this evening! The audience definitely felt your character's emotions because of how you portrayed her."
"You really think so?" Mahiru smiles back. "You were incredible too, Kuro-chan! Really! You worked so hard for that role and it showed!"
"Merci. Though next time I want to get the lead, not the secondary part. Tendo Maya may be skilled, but I won't let her have the spotlight forever."
"You can do it! I just wanted to thank you for all of your help, Kuro-chan. I know I never would have been able to land a part and perform it so well without you. You really helped me with my confidence and my voice and so much more. So thank you!"
Claudine shakes her head.
"You don't need to thank me, Mahiru. You always had that talent within you, after all."
"Kuro-chan, you're so kind…"
"But it's the truth!"
Mahiru giggles and can't stop herself from hugging her again. Claudine accepts with open arms, and Mahiru melts into her.
"Oh, that's right!" she says over her shoulder. "I think I mentioned before that there's a baton competition coming up next month… and I've decided I wanna compete!"
"Really? That's great, Mahiru!"
"Th-Thank you!" Mahiru hugs her tighter in her glee. "But that's around the time our next play will be, so I probably won't audition for that one. I hope you get the starring role, Kuro-chan!"
"Oui, bien sûr! I'm going to train even harder this time around!"
"J-Just please don't push yourself."
"I won't."
The two girls ease apart from the hug.
"Say, Mahiru," Claudine smiles. "Can I come?"
"Eh?"
"To your competition. I want to watch you perform your techniques."
"E-Eh? Really?"
"Of course! I know it's something you're passionate about and you really are incredible with it."
"Kuro-chan…" Mahiru's pulse speeds up and her face becomes warm again. "S-Sure, if you really want to…"
"Perfect! Text me the date later and I'll mark my calendar."
"Okay!" Mahiru dips her head. "Thank you again, Kuro-chan. Goodnight!"
"Goodnight, Mahiru."
After Claudine retreats into her room, Mahiru twirls around and bounds back down the hallway to hers.
This is bad… I think I'm falling more and more in love with her every day…
She wonders how long it'll be until she can't keep her feelings to herself anymore.
How long until she has no choice but to confess?
How long until she ruins everything…?
She can't think about that right now. Not yet. She'll hold off for as long as she possibly can, and continue being close to Claudine until the last possible moment.
That's just how selfish of a person she is.
Since Mahiru has decided to enter the baton competition, which isn't a part of Seishou's curriculum, but is a separate event in town, she doesn't audition for the upcoming play next month.
And since Claudine is determined to land the starring role this time, she spends every moment of her free time training.
As such, she and Mahiru cut their private practice days down to just Tuesdays for the time being, and on the other days after school they either practice together with some of their other friends, or practice solo for their respective goals.
And Mahiru is only a little bit sad for a little while that she's losing a bit of time with Claudine, but she also thinks it might be best - or else she might just keep falling for her even faster. She still sees her every day in classes, at mealtimes, and in their lounge though, and still chats with her as much as ever.
Mahiru has to admit she's eager to get back into acting, especially if it means she'll get to do so alongside all of her friends. But this is likely the only baton competition she'll have the chance of competing in for a while now, so she'd much rather do her best at that first, and then dedicate herself fully to Seishou's stage afterward.
She tells her other friends of her competition and invites them all as well. But it seems everyone else is busy that day, and they all apologize to her, though they express their honest interest and desire to go see her. So she promises to show them all her technique afterward.
Mahiru spends her time after school creating her routine, trying to make it stand out from the basic sort of pattern of spins and tosses. She selects a song to perform to, and perfects the timing of her steps, tosses, and catches along with the beat. She adds in a few dance moves, jumps, and even a cartwheel. That part is the most difficult for her to pop back up from in time to catch the baton, so she spends a lot of time practicing it.
The week of auditions, everyone in the group spends extra time rehearsing and practicing, Mahiru for her baton, and the others for their character roles.
Every afternoon that week, when Mahiru passes the main studio to get to the smaller one for practice, she sees Claudine and the rest of her friends rehearsing.
And by the time Mahiru leaves in the evening, Claudine is always the only one left.
And she can tell she's always exhausted, covered in sweat and wobbly on her feet from putting in every ounce of her effort for this. It takes all of Mahiru's self-control not to call out to her to have her stop, because she knows that would almost be like an insult to Claudine's efforts. But she is a bit worried about her health.
So the evening before auditions, when Claudine stays in that studio practicing by herself until sunset, Mahiru finally knocks to get her attention.
"Kuro-chan!"
Claudine had clearly been very invested in her role, and she's startled to hear the noise. She whirls around, panting hard.
"Mahiru!"
Mahiru hurries in, pulling a fresh towel from her own bag and offering it to her.
"Kuro-chan, are you okay? You've really been pushing yourself too hard this week!"
"I'm all right." Claudine accepts the towel and cleans off her face and neck a bit, then goes to retrieve her water. "But it's probably a good thing you came in to stop me now."
"You look a little pale. Are you sure you're okay? Are you dizzy at all?"
"Just tired. After I shower I'll go straight to bed."
"Okay. I'll carry your bag back."
"Mahiru-"
"Nope! I've already decided!"
Claudine is a little shocked, but mostly delighted at her assertiveness. She holds up her hands in submission.
"All right. Thank you, then."
Mahiru waits with Claudine for a moment until she's caught her breath and is ready to start the walk back to the dorms. Reflexively, she offers her hand, and before she can redact it Claudine accepts. Naturally, Mahiru's heart flutters at the contact.
But I'm not doing this because I like her. It's because I'm worried about her…
She hates having to try and justify her actions to herself. She just doesn't like feeling as though she's taking advantage of Claudine somehow.
As they walk, Claudine's palm feels hot in hers, and her pace is a bit slower than usual. Mahiru stays close to her side all the way back to Starlight Hall.
Once there, their friends are just finishing supper, but they'd saved Mahiru and Claudine their portions. They eat together as the rest go to shower, and then proceed to the showers just as the rest are finishing up there.
Mahiru listens past the rush of water, concerned that Claudine might get dizzy. But thankfully she's humming away as per usual.
After drying off and getting dressed into their sleep clothes, they realize they don't have their usual partners here to help dry their hair for them like normal. So Claudine offers to dry Mahiru's for her.
Mahiru sits a bit rigidly on her stool as Claudine turns on the hair dryer and gently begins curling her fingers through her hair. A shiver runs up Mahiru's spine. Claudine's touch is very different from Karen's.
Claudine starts at the ends and gradually works her way up, all the while easing her fingers through the slight knots. Mahiru's heart is a mess all the while, but it really feels so indescribably nice.
This is bad… I'm gonna keep falling more in love with her…
Even so, she enjoys it as much as she can. When Claudine has finished, Mahiru feels warm and fuzzy all over.
"There," Claudine says. "How's that?"
"Perfect!" Mahiru beams. "Thank you, Kuro-chan! Should I do your hair, too?"
"If you wouldn't mind."
They switch spots, and Mahiru takes the dryer from her to begin. She swallows, carding lightly through Claudine's curls, bouncing them a little in her palm to shake off the excess water. When she hears Claudine sigh happily, it sends a trill through her to know she's doing well. Mahiru takes care not to tug or pull even a little bit.
And being so close to her like this, breathing in her scent, touching her… Mahiru doesn't catch herself in time.
"Kuro-chan, you're so pretty…"
Thankfully, the hair dryer drowns her out for the most part.
"Sorry?" Claudine asks, tilting her head back a little. "What was that?"
"Y-Your hair!" Mahiru squeaks. "Kuro-chan, your hair is so pretty!"
"Ah, merci. I do love the curls, but sometimes I envy people like you who have it so straight and smooth."
Mahiru lets out a withering sigh, glad she'd been able to cover herself. When she finally finishes with Claudine's hair, she turns off the dryer, and the two of them clean up before heading back toward their rooms.
"Auditions are tomorrow…" Claudine says a bit absently. Mahiru does her best to give her some motivation, just as Claudine always does for her.
"Good luck, Kuro-chan!"
"Merci."
They stop at Claudine's door to say goodnight, and then Mahiru goes to her room to find Karen already fast asleep and hanging halfway off her bed. She heaves her roommate up and re-centers her a bit so she won't fall off, then climbs into her own bed.
And even long after, it's as though she can still feel Claudine's fingers running through her hair.
A/N: How is Mahiru supposed to not fall for her when they have quiet moments alone like that...
She's decided to compete in her baton competition! That's a big step for her confidence!
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