Summary: Shizuku can't help but get trapped in her dark thoughts after she fails another audition. Only Kasumi and her encouragement will be able to get her out of there and bring her back home with her
Shizuku/Kasumi

Who will stay?

Another audition, another failed opportunity.

Shizuku doesn't know how many auditions she has already lose with this one, or maybe she does, but she doesn't want to think about it. She just keeps replaying their words over and over again in her mind, remembering their disappointed eyes staring at her as they were daggers in her heart.

She messed up again...

She sighs heavily and keeps looking at the night falling over the old stone amphitheatre in front of her, giving it a special charm.

She extends her hand in an attempt to touch and grasp for the stars in the sky, but she can't even reach out for them.

She sighs and lets her hand linger in the air until it falls back to its previous position resting on the floor, feeling the first tears rolling down her cheeks.

- I knew you'd be here – says a very familiar voice from behind her, startling her as she quickly and subtly tries to wipe her tears away with the hem of her jacket.

- Kasu? – Shizuku asks out confusedly, seeing the other girl walking towards her to sit next to her and wipe some of her remaining tears away – How…?

- You always like to come here when you want to be alone – she says smiling at Shizuku softly yet sadly at the same time – I guess the audition didn't go well, am I right?

Shizuku can only stare at Kasumi, a knot forming in her throat before she starts crying again, lunging forward to rest her head against Kasumi's chest while the other girl hugs her tightly.

- There, there, it'll be okay. I promise – Kasumi says reassuringly, stroking Shizuku's hair in a soothing way in an attempt to help her to calm down.

- I've messed up again Kasu. I'm a failure – Shizuku whispers while Kasumi now rubs her back in circles.

- Shizu, you know that's not true.

- But-

- But nothing – Kasumi interrupts her and obliges her to look at her, caressing her cheeks while she keeps wiping more tears away with her thumbs – You aren't a failure, they're just incredibly blind and deaf to not realize about your incredible talent!

Kasumi's effusiveness brings a timid smile upon Shizuku's face as well as it throws some light into her current dark mood and world.

- One day you'll be there – Kasumi says pointing at the old amphitheater – shining as brightly as a star, and all of them will regret to have rejected you.

- Y-You think so? – Shizuku asks her, just like every time she feels insecure.

Shizuku knows only Kasumi can reassure her, filling her with the courage she needs to make her believe in herself again.

- I know so – Kasumi says calmly with an encouraging smile on her face, and Shizuku can only smile back at her timidly, pulling her into a fond kiss.

- You're right. I love you, sorry for worrying you again – Shizuku whispers softly, resting their foreheads together.

- I-It's okay babe – Kasumi whispers embarrassedly, still not used to Shizuku kissing her out of nowhere nor saying she loves her so lightly, making Shizuku giggle before she kisses her again.

- Let's go home, baby – Shizuku teases her, loving the hard and stubborn blush on Kasumi's face. She then takes her hand, intertwining their fingers to go back home together.

Maybe things seems dark and empty at the moment, just like a closed or abandoned theater, but Shizuku knows if Kasumi stays by her side, everything will be okay.