A/N: We've past the halfway mark. It's all about the final eight now. Bebe is one of my favorite Social Links. He was a gem to watch, and I'm glad to be his tomodachi. He is one of my favorite characters in this series.
Temperance - XIV
The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed.
As death bides its time, mankind teeters on the razor's edge of balance—light and shadow, life and death, chaos and harmony.
Andre Laurent Jean Geraux—known simply as Bebe—sat patiently on one of the leather chairs, his gaze fixed on the pictures that lined the establishment's walls. It was as if he was visiting an art gallery, and the blonde-haired transfer student wondered if his work of art would be displayed for future customers.
Although his excitement was overwhelming and he wanted to dance, he maintained his composure. He believed that patience was his greatest virtue. Considering the masterpiece he and his good friend spent months working on, his patience had to be godly. Months of relentless effort had culminated in the masterpiece he now guarded with his very soul. Every stitch told a story; every thread carried the weight of his dreams, determination, and sacrifices. The shimmering fabric haunted his thoughts, glowing like moonlight on water.
Yet, as Bebe sat patiently, he knew something was still incomplete. Its beauty was like a diamond, perfect in itself, but needing the right setting to truly shine. His fingers were raw, and his eyes stung from countless late nights, but he felt an ache in his chest—this work deserved someone who could match its elegance and awaken the power within the silk!
While Bebe waited, his thoughts drifted to the city he had come to love. Every corner of it—the food stalls, the hidden shops, the vibrant festivals—resonated deeply with him, and he felt as though Japan had a heartbeat that he'd tuned into from the start. He wasn't a photographer, but he had an eye for detail, and he knew of a local studio with props and outfits where visitors could transform themselves into anyone they wished. Today, it would be the perfect setting for his design.
The door swung open, jolting him from his thoughts. A familiar voice greeted him.
"Bebe, you didn't have to wait long, did you?"
Makoto Yuki, ever composed, stepped inside with the rest of the group trailing behind him. Each member of SEES brought with them a distinct energy, as vibrant and diverse as the city itself. Yukari's sharp eyes scanned the room, Junpei's casual grin brightened the air, and Fuuka lingered near the doorway, her soft smile radiating warmth.
Aigis twirled in place as she entered, her golden gaze sweeping across the establishment with wide-eyed curiosity. Akihiko came next, hands in his pockets, a faint smirk playing on his lips—half-bored, half-amused to be there. Little Ken walked in with calm steps, his outward composure barely concealing the youthful spark of excitement in his eyes. Even Koromaru padded in, his tail wagging as he took in the unfamiliar surroundings with eager energy.
However, Bebe instantly knew who the star of the show was. Thinking about it now, the exchange student couldn't believe he didn't consider it first. How could he forget Miss Madam President, Mitsuru Kirijo?
Bebe rose to greet them, his usual exuberance tempered by an uncharacteristic nervousness. This was the moment he'd been waiting for.
"Ah, Yuki-dono, mon ami! It is so good to zee you!" Bebe clasped his friend's hands tightly before bowing to the others. "And all of you! Merci for coming. Today, you shall witness ze culmination of my raison d'être! Ze kimono of my dreams!"
Ken raised an eyebrow. "You guys really made a kimono from scratch?"
Bebe puffed up his chest, a proud gleam in his eye. "Oui, monsieur! Zis is no ordinary kimono. It is a harmony of East and West, tradition and innovation! A piece zat transcends borders!"
Mitsuru stepped closer. As a fluent speaker in the language of love, she and Bebe had an entire conversation in French. Bebe was astonished but elated to speak in his native tongue.
"Très bein," the crimson-haired beauty nodded. "I hope to do your work proud."
Bebe's cheeks flushed, though whether from pride or embarrassment was anyone's guess. "Ah, you are too kind, Kirijo-san. Zis kimono is not just fashion—it is a testament to ze friendship I have found 'ere in Japan. Every stitch carries a piece of zat joy. Come, I shall show you."
Bebe's heart thudded against his ribs as he led the group toward their destination. His mind raced with possibilities, envisioning the moment his creation would finally be worn. Yet doubt lingered like a shadow in the corner of his mind.
Would they understand the depth of his work? Would they see the love woven into every thread?
As they walked, Fuuka fell into step beside him. "Bebe-kun," she said softly, "do you want to become a designer someday?"
He hesitated for a moment. "Ah, zat is a dream, oui. But dreams… zey are fragile, no? For now, I am content to work, to learn, and to grow. Ze future will come when it is ready."
Fuuka smiled at his answer, her quiet encouragement bolstering his resolve. "If your kimono is anything like the way you talk about it, I think your dream is closer than you think."
Her words settled in his chest, warm and steady. For the first time that day, the gnawing anxiety began to ebb.
"You are in for a treat," Bebe promised with a confident smile.
When they reached the dressing room, Bebe turned to face the group. His expression was serious now, his theatrical nature subdued by his devotion to the craft.
"Mes amis, I must insist—only ze girls may enter." He held up a hand to silence Junpei's protests. "Apologies, but zis is for ze best. Ze unveiling must be… magnifique."
Junpei groaned, but a swift jab from Yukari shut him up. The boys resigned themselves to waiting, while Bebe opened the door, ushering Mitsuru, Yukari, Fuuka, and Aigis inside.
The door clicked shut behind them, and Bebe moved with practiced precision, removing the kimono from its case.
"How long did this take?" Mitsuru inquired.
Bebe didn't stop moving. "Hmm, I wish to zey… four months. Schooling and social life extended ze process. Some days, I lacked focus. Others, exams took precedence. Sometimes, Yuki-dono was unavailable so I had to work on it myself. He has been a wonderful friend."
After a few minutes, Bebe displayed his opus for the girls to see. Their reactions were exactly what he had hoped for. Even he couldn't stop himself from admiring such beauty.
"You and Makoto-kun made that?" Yukari asked.
"Oui, this is our finished story."
"It's breathtaking," Fuuka stated.
"C'est magnifique," Mitsuru chimed in. "It's beautiful. Suddenly, I don't feel worthy enough."
Bebe let out a hearty chuckle. "Zat is why you're the heroine of zis story, mademoiselle. Yuki-dono chose you for a reason, and I trust his decision with my whole heart. Now, I shall leave you to your business. Take as much time as you need. I'll be back."
The Frenchman bowed and exited the room as the girls got to work.
He returned to the lobby, finding the guys chatting amongst themselves.
"Everything alright?" Makoto asked upon seeing his friend return.
"Oui, everything is fine. I cannot thank you enough, my tomodachi. These are your friends, no?" he turned to Junpei and the rest. "I'm glad to make your acquaintance finally."
Bebe wasn't expecting such a warm reception, but the boys pretty much integrated the exchange student into their circle quickly. They regaled the exchange student with hilarious hijinks while being careful not to reveal the truth of their squad.
Eventually, the girls, minus Mitsuru, joined them, their faces full of smiles. The boys were in for a treat. By then, they were doing their own thing. Ken, Bebe, and Koromaru sat patiently as Makoto, Akihiko, and Junpei were scheming. Bebe was teaching the youngest the basics of French: small phrases, most common words, and his personal farewell to Makoto.
"Kirijo-senpai is almost ready," Fuuka announced.
Bebe's heart leapt. "Ah, zis is wonderful! Was ze fit alright? We didn't plan on having anyone model it, so I feared—"
Yukari sparkled with glee. "It's perfect. Like it was made for her. Did you two really make that yourselves?"
Bebe laughed, his head held high with pride. "Oui, zat's right! My tomodachi and I worked tirelessly on it."
And in that moment, he knew that all the effort, the long hours, and the dreams poured into each stitch had been worth it.
"Speaking of my tomodachi," Bebe said, scanning the room, "where is he? And ze other two? Zey seem to 'ave vanished."
Ken just now noticed. "Aigis is also missing."
Yukari rolled her eyes, shrugging. "Probably trying out clothes too. Makoto and Sanada are both pretty smart, but the second they team up with Junpei, it's like all their brain cells become one. He's such a bad influence that Aigis likes to copy him."
Fuuka stifled a giggle, nodding. "It's true! Those four together are always up to something unpredictable."
Bebe chuckled, imagining the quartet causing harmless chaos somewhere nearby. "Ah, zen we may see ze results soon. Perhaps zey will emerge looking... magnifique!" he said with a grin, unable to resist a bit of amusement at the thought.
Before anyone could respond, hurried footsteps echoed through the room. A short, sharp intake of breath followed, and an older woman burst in. She was the master photographer, her graying hair pulled into a severe bun, and her glasses reflected the studio lights with a piercing glare. Her eyes zeroed in on the group like a hawk spotting prey.
"You!" She ran up to the group, invading their personal space. "Who made that kimono?"
Bebe stepped forward, unbothered by her intensity, and raised his hand with a flourish. "Zat would be me and my tomodachi. Zis kimono is ze fruit of our labor."
Before he could say more, the photographer seized his hand in a vice-like grip and began shaking it with unrestrained enthusiasm. Each shake threatened to lift Bebe off the ground entirely.
"Brilliant!" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of admiration and frenzy. "It's a masterpiece! I've photographed thousands of outfits, but this—this—is art!"
Bebe, though slightly winded, grinned ear to ear. "Merci, madame! Zat is very kind of you to say. But ze real magic will come when you see it on our muse."
"Are you friends of the five back there?"
Five? There should've only been one.
"Oui," Bebe spoke up. "Are zey ready?"
The woman chuckled, her grin widening. "Oh, they're all dressed up. Quite the scene-stealers, I'd say."
Moments later, the sound of measured footsteps echoed from the hallway. All eyes turned toward the source. Bebe's heart pounded in anticipation. He had sent photos of the kimono to his uncle, teasing its magnificence, but this was the moment he had poured his dreams into.
The door creaked open, and five figures stepped into the room.
First came Junpei and Aigis, their appearances sharp enough to make heads turn. They entered side by side, Junpei donning a sleek black-and-white tuxedo. He had opted for a mischievous twist, pairing his formal attire with a cocky grin and a rakish top hat tipped jauntily to the side. Aigis, somehow, found a maid outfit that complimented Junpei's butler attire perfectly, complete with a headband atop her head. They come carrying a tray, one with a tea set, and the other stacked with desserts.
Next came Makoto and Akihiko. The leader radiated understated elegance, his suit tailored to perfection, every movement measured and deliberate. Akihiko followed, mirroring Makoto's refinement but with his own intellectual flair, a pair of slim-framed glasses perched on his nose.
They were a sight to behold—handsome, beautiful, composed, and oddly coordinated like they stepped out of a magazine spread. Yet, for all their polished charm, they were merely the entourage, the supporting cast.
Then came the star.
Mitsuru Kirijo stepped forward, linking her arm with Akihiko's. The air seemed to shift, and the room fell into stunned silence as the kimono Bebe had painstakingly created came into view.
It was more than a garment. It was a masterpiece of intricate artistry and delicate craftsmanship. The fabric was a rich, midnight blue silk, smooth and lustrous, almost reflective like the surface of a still lake under a starlit sky. Subtle threads of silver and gold were woven throughout, catching the light as they shimmered, giving the garment an ethereal, almost otherworldly glow.
Across the expanse of the dress, a stunning scene unfolded—a serene mountain landscape at dusk. The lower half was adorned with a pattern of snow-dusted peaks, fading into misty clouds as they rose, creating a sense of depth and quiet mystery. Pale shades of lavender, soft grays, and deep indigo blended with the night-sky silk, creating a seamless flow of colors that mirrored the fading twilight.
Scattered across the upper part of the kimono were delicate, hand-painted sakura blossoms. Some were fully bloomed, with petals intricately outlined in silver, while others were just budding, their blush-pink tones adding a touch of warmth to the cool color palette. The blossoms seemed to float in midair, their petals drifting in small clusters, giving a sense of movement and life to the still scene.
The obi was a striking contrast—a vivid crimson with intricate gold embroidery, depicting cranes in flight, their wings stretched as if soaring toward the heavens. Each crane was painstakingly detailed, their feathers flecked with shimmering gold and black, symbolizing longevity and resilience. The obi's edges were lined with a subtle touch of silver, tying it harmoniously into the overall design.
On the kimono's sleeves, there was further detailing: thin, delicate lines of silver representing streams winding through the mountains. Tiny stars, each painted with a faint touch of opalescent paint, dotted the background, casting a magical glow across the nightscape.
And at its heart was Mitsuru, who wore the creation as if it had always been hers.
Bebe's breath caught in his throat as he saw her, his creation transformed into a vision of living beauty. Mitsuru's composed elegance was the final touch that brought the kimono to life, a perfect harmony of artistry and grace. The room was still. Everyone held their breath, captivated by the regality she radiated.
This was more than he could have dreamed.
She walked with effortless grace. Her crimson gaze swept the room as she took her place at the center, settling gracefully into a large leather chair. The maid and three butlers flanked her like royal attendants, their sharp outfits elevating the display to something almost cinematic.
Mitsuru glanced at Bebe, and for a moment, her gaze softened. A small, genuine smile touched her lips, conveying a depth of gratitude and quiet strength that left everyone spellbound.
Yukari and Fuuka stood rooted to the spot, their words stolen by the sheer beauty before them. Even Junpei, typically the first to crack a joke, looked genuinely striking.
Bebe's hands trembled as they came together in an unconscious clap, his throat too tight with emotion to speak. Ken and the others soon followed, unable to find the words that could do the scene justice.
The master photographer was already moving, her excitement mirrored in the quick adjustments she made as she framed the shot, where she finally broke the stillness. "Are you all ready?" she asked, her voice brimming with restrained excitement.
No one needed to answer. The Empress and her loyal servants exchanged glances, full of bright smiles and nods that spoke louder than words. The photographer clicked away, capturing not only Mitsuru's poised beauty but also the joy and admiration in the faces of everyone around her. Each shot was a memory—a celebration of hard work, friendship, and shared moments.
Bebe found himself pulled into the group photos, joining in the laughter and merriment as the session went on. He knew he would cherish this moment forever, surrounded by his new friends, all bound by the quiet understanding that they were witnessing something special, something that would stay with them long after the photos had faded.
Next time, the Devil Arcana.