Ten Years Chasing A Dream (ch7)

EARLY RELEASE FOR ALL MY PATRONS!!

This will be our final main chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.

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							Chapter 7. A Love That Transcends Time

It's a little more than halfway through their second year.

Maya and Claudine have been challenging one another in their affectionate rivalry for several months now, bantering good-naturedly back and forth, making bets, complimenting and criticizing one another honestly, all while secretly holding hands and hugging each other while no one else was looking.

They have undeniably become the most stunning pair in all of Seishou Academy's history, and they've only just gotten started. Their juniors, seniors, and classmates alike admire them, and their close friends in particular are always supporting them.

By this point in her life, Maya has stopped thinking about the mistakes of her past. She is perfectly content as she is now, with Claudine openly showing her affection to Maya when she feels it's best to do so.

Maya loves living these days with her, getting to be her rival and her classmate and her very close friend once again.

She loves sitting with her at lunch and occasionally teasing about feeding her.

She loves bickering with her about who grabbed whose hand first.

She loves dancing with her in front of everyone and holding her particularly close.

She loves every second of it.

And tonight, another Friday, Maya enjoys her shower beside Claudine and sings with her as usual, then dries and brushes her hair for her before Claudine returns the favor. They sit together with their friends in the lounge and chat about the week while eating snacks and playing card games.

Maya has no idea what tonight will have in store for her.

Once midnight has passed, Junna tells everyone to get to bed and rest up in spite of tomorrow being Saturday. The girls all wish each other goodnights before going to their dorms in pairs or trios.

As she always does, Maya walks with Claudine to her door and dips her head.

"Sleep well, Saijou-san. Please join me again tomorrow for some extra training, if you would." With this, Maya turns to head to her own room.

That's when, for the first time, Claudine reaches out to stop her.

"Hold on," she mutters.

Maya does as she's asked and pauses, turning back to her slowly.

"Saijou-san? Is something the matter? Are you all right?"

Claudine is quiet for a moment, which only makes Maya's worry intensify. But then, when Claudine finally does lift her face again, the blush that's settled on her cheeks tells Maya right away that there's nothing to worry about at all.

"I'm fine," Claudine says. "I was just… wondering if you'd like to sleep here tonight. That's all."

Maya nearly sways on the spot. She might've fallen, if not for Claudine's grip on her hand.

Maya flounders for a moment, reduced to a dumbfounded state of shock.

"I… Would you perhaps mean-?"

"You know what I mean!" Claudine snaps. "So are you coming in or not?"

"I would love nothing more."

"Then hurry up before I change my mind."

Claudine opens her bedroom door and pulls Maya in after her, though Maya is so excited she ends up in the lead somehow. The door closes behind them, and only then does Maya pause in the middle of the room. Claudine glowers at her.

"I can already tell you're getting ahead of yourself, Tendo Maya. We're just going to sleep. That's it."

"Of course," Maya says with a dip of her head. "I would never expect anything more."

"Mechante."

Nonetheless, Claudine brings her to the bed. Maya's heart trembles with glee as she stands back a moment, waiting for Claudine to choose her side and lie down first. The moment Claudine gives her a compelling look, Maya joins her.

And for the past few months, Maya had more or less let her old life fade from her memory - for the most part.

But now it all comes rushing back. How she used to sleep with her every night in the better part of their life together. How she would always hold Claudine and be close to her. She knows exactly how Claudine preferred to be held, how she liked to sleep, what she liked to do in return for Maya.

But before she can get too consumed by the old memories, Maya reminds herself of the here and now, of the fact that she and Claudine have never shared a bed before in this life.

Maya lies on her side facing Claudine, her eyes riddled with nervousness and her heart leaping. Claudine just stares back at her, searching her eyes for a long, long moment. Eventually she reaches out for her. Maya instantly reciprocates, placing her hand on Claudine's hip for the one Claudine had laid on her side.

"I knew it," Claudine mutters.

Maya blinks, puzzled.

"Pardon?"

Claudine closes her eyes, drawing in a deep, shaking breath. When she opens them again, her eyes are full of something impossibly soft and warm.

"You did it," she murmurs. "You got what you wanted."

"Eh…?" Maya swallows, feeling she might cry and not understanding why.

At least, not until Claudine gives her answer.

"Because," she murmurs. "I've finally fallen in love with you, Tendo Maya."

Claudine kisses her without another sound.

And Maya breaks. She sobs, so hard and so genuinely that a whimper comes tumbling free. She reaches out her trembling arms and pulls Claudine as close to her as possible, then kisses her again.

Maya weeps then like never before, in all her years, in however many lives she may or may not have lived. Her heart floods with joy, overflows, and then refills all over again. She hugs Claudine, and Claudine hugs her back, returning every kiss, clearing Maya's tears away, rubbing her back and combing through her hair and telling her just how hopeless and precious she is.

Maya cries long into the night, until Claudine has quieted her with kisses. Maya finally meets her gaze again, and there is far too much to describe blossoming in this warmth between them. Maya only loses herself in her because Claudine is willing to do the same.

They kiss all throughout the night, anywhere and everywhere they can, expressing their love in every way possible. This love that had transcended timelines and restarted worlds. This love that had brought them back and given Maya a second chance.

"I love you," she sobs breathlessly between so many kisses. "I love you so much, Saijou Claudine."

And at last, Claudine can say it back comfortably and with all her heart.

"I love you too, Tendo Maya. You insufferable woman…"

For hours they love one another, until they can finally be still. Maya locks both arms around her, and is consequently locked in Claudine's arms as well. Her tears have long-since stopped, and her face aches from smiling so much. Likewise, her chest has started to become just a bit sore, but in the best way, because of how hard they are hugging one another. She can feel Claudine's pulse racing in time with her own, matching every beat fully.

Just when they each thought they were too tired for any more kisses, they kiss again, and part with a laugh so pure it brightens the stars in the night sky.

Maya only eases away so she may gaze into Claudine's eyes, until she just simply can't keep them open any longer. Claudine drifts off, but before she goes, Maya plants a small kiss on her forehead.

"Je t'aime, Ma Claudine."

Claudine can only hum a mumble in response, but though she says no words, Maya still hears her loud and clear.

Maya stays awake a while longer holding her, listening to her breathe, memorizing the rhythm of her heartbeat.

And maybe it's all just been a dream, one that's persisted for so long after the nightmare. At this point, Maya is so indescribably happy she would even be willing to accept that.

Her soul is whole again. She can finally start to forgive herself and heal.

She kisses Claudine's lips and squeezes her one last time before she fades away.

Maya prays with all her heart that she'll wake up tomorrow, and Claudine will still be in love with her.

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Maya sleeps deeply for the remainder of the night, but her soul is so alive with so many emotions that when she wakes, she feels restless from how active her heart and mind had been even in her slumber.

As soon as she's conscious, she doesn't waste another second with her eyes closed, unsure of whether this was all really just a dream or not.

As soon as she opens her eyes, the first sight she beholds is that of a sleeping angel that is almost too good to be true.

Claudine is still there beside her - in her arms, rather - breathing quietly. Maya's heart overflows all at once again, and a rush of tears brims behind her eyes. She pulls her closer, tucking her face into Claudine's shoulder to cry quietly into her hair.

It's real. It's all still real. Her life together with Claudine now, their new - yet still very familiar - relationship, and their confessions last night…

Maya hurries herself to stop crying so she can pull back and start pressing small kisses into Claudine's hair. And though she's been doing her best to keep herself separated from the feelings of her past twenty-eight-year-old self, a few of those kisses are planted with their past lives in mind.

But she doesn't want apologies and guilt to rule her life any longer. Instead, Maya wants to bask in the joy and mirth of this new love, which is more beautiful than anything she's ever known. It may even be brighter than the first time they'd fallen in love, because that had been much later than it was now.

Which means Maya gets to love Claudine for longer this time. And she's going to do it properly, with her whole being.

She seals that silent promise in every kiss she leaves on Claudine's skin this morning, peppering her hairline, her cheeks, her nose, and then down the side of her neck to her shoulder, and around her front to her collar. Maya only pauses there to lean in and press close to listen to her heartbeat once again. It's a pulse she's heard many times, for many years…

And yet it's still the loveliest sound she's ever heard. She'll never get enough of it. She could listen for the rest of her life and still never be satisfied.

It's agony to think of how Claudine's heart might have stopped once before. Maya recalls that the medics had said she'd died instantly in the crash.

To think of it now…

To consider Claudine's pulse might suddenly cut off after any given beat…

Maya makes a strangled sound and holds herself tighter.

/No… I will never let it happen…/

Because this time it's different. This time she's going to do right by Saijou Claudine.

Maya is still for a long while, sorting out her thoughts, emotions, and memories all while pressed close against Claudine's heart. She can't even fathom just how deeply and greatly she loves her. And it isn't even so much the love leftover from her past life, but an entirely new affection as well. It's overpowering, so much so that Maya feels she may not be strong enough to harbor so much of it. She needs to express it properly this time, so that Claudine and the rest of the world know without a doubt.

Maya cuddles close to her for a while longer that morning, savoring the rhythm of Claudine's heart and the lulling pattern of her breathing. Her softness, her warmth… Everything.

Eventually, the milky morning sunlight weaves its way through the curtains and into the room. It highlights Claudine's form, encompassing her in a gently-golden glow.

Maya consciously savors every second, every heartbeat. Every single one. For all the ones she'd missed out on in the latter years of her old life, and all the ones she'd robbed Claudine of.

"I love you…" Maya murmurs it again into the crook of her neck. "I love you so much, Claudine…"

This too, is something she could say for the rest of her life and it would still never be enough.

Maya continues whispering it to her, wishing it could compensate for all those years she'd neglected to say it because she'd been too caught-up with her work. Though that life never happened, and though Claudine knows nothing of it, Maya needs to tell her these feelings.

Another hour must pass by in this manner, with Maya curled up into her chest, confessing over and over again, sometimes through tears, and other times through smiles, and still other times through both.

And at last, she hears the slight change in Claudine's pulse and breath to signify she's waking. Maya stays put, wanting to listen to just one more beat of her heart. She feels Claudine's fingers twitching through her hair, then curling tiredly. Maya moves her hands slowly up and down Claudine's back, rubbing in a comforting pattern, letting her wake on her own time.

Claudine moans softly, adorably, and Maya can't help but smile. She finally manages to move away, but only enough so she may ease Claudine down onto her back and rest gently over her. Maya caresses her cheek and holds a small kiss to her forehead. She feels Claudine's hands hugging behind her shoulders in return. Maya coos to her just as her eyes flutter open.

"Good morning, Saijou-san." She dips down to kiss her nose, then nuzzles against her cheek.

Claudine tangles her fingers playfully through her hair.

"Maya… bonjour…"

Maya is delighted by how joyful and relaxed she sounds. Not nervous or hesitant, but wholly content with this. It's clear that Claudine doesn't regret a single thing from last night, not the confessions nor the kisses nor anything else.

Maya sighs blissfully, leaving more kisses behind on her face. Claudine allows it for a while until she lets out a small snort of laughter.

"All right, all right! Do you ever come up for air?"

"If you are my ocean, then I would gladly drown."

"Wh-?! Don't say stuff like that first thing in the morning!"

"My," Maya chuckles. "Did your heart skip a beat, perhaps?"

"Mechante va!"

Maya laughs again and flops gently down on top of her. Claudine squawks and grabs her in a hug, trying to roll her off, but Maya stays put and proceeds to tickle her. Claudine yelps and desperately tries to fight her off, but Maya knows all her weak points. She tickles her until Claudine has lost herself completely to the laughter, until she's blushing and breathless and more beautiful than ever.

Maya eases off of her and lies down at her side, running her hand gently over Claudine's chest to help her calm down. When she can, Claudine sends a glare her way, though the giddy smile on her lips cancels it for the most part.

"Why you… cheater…"

"My apologies. I simply couldn't resist."

"You're gonna be sorry, all right. Just you wait."

Maya opens her arms to ask forgiveness, and though Claudine huffs, she slips herself into them.

They enjoy the lazy warmth of the Saturday morning, curled up together and simply being close. But Maya's heart truly feels it's about to burst from how much she is feeling all at once. She's been incredibly lucky, to have been able to fall in love with Claudine - and to have had Claudine fall in love with her - this much sooner this time around.

From this moment forward, Maya is going to ensure Claudine lives a full and fair life, and that she never for a fraction of a second comes to doubt Maya's endless affections for her. Maya will let her know every second of every day and every second of every night that she loves her.

They can finally be together now. They're finally in love.

And Maya needs the world to know it. She's made up her mind.

After just one more moment nestled up with Claudine, Maya leaves her with another kiss to her lips and eases back before pushing herself up. Claudine watches her curiously, clearly having been enjoying this. But now that Maya's getting up, Claudine sits up as well.

Maya gets out of bed, but before Claudine can follow, Maya turns around to stop her.

"Please," she says.

Claudine blinks, puzzled, but stays put sitting on the bed as Maya had asked her. She waits, expecting an explanation for the distance. Maya dips her head, silently promising to give her one in a moment.

Maya closes her eyes, letting everything rush through her once more. She can't make the same mistake again. If she waits to properly express her love for Claudine like last time, they will have already made arrangements to stay in Japan after graduation. And here, they will be stifled by the forced secrecy of their relationship, and by the looming threat of Maya's parents and their withholding of crucial funds.

Being forced to hide their relationship in the past had hurt Claudine. She'd never said it outright, but Maya had always known. That was why she'd wanted to move to France, so they would be able to live and love freely, even if it meant they wouldn't be as well-known or famous as they would be in Japan.

They can't stay and live here in the future. They'd tried it once, and eventually all of those unfortunate factors had led to an unspeakable tragedy. Maya won't risk Claudine's life a second time.

Therefore, she has to change things here and now.

At last she lifts her head, meeting Claudine's curious but patient eyes. Maya steps forward closer to the bed and takes one of her hands gently.

And then she drops onto one knee.

There's a brief pause before the absolute shock registers on Claudine's face. Her breath catches in her throat, her face turns bright red, and her mouth opens in a disbelieving gape.

"Wh-"

"Please," Maya cuts her off in earnest. "Claudine… I know this may feel strange to you, but I've no doubt at all in my mind nor in my heart. You are the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. I love you, and I want the world to know of our love. I want them to know we are affianced. I want everyone to know it and welcome it. And upon graduation, let us immediately take off to France so we may live our dream together."

Tears start to spill from her eyes, and her voice wobbles with the sheer emotion of it all. She bores her gaze up into Claudine's, praying she will understand the seriousness of this proposal. Maya gives a shaking squeeze to her hand and makes her request.

"Though I have no ring to offer you just yet… Saijou Claudine, would you… do me the highest honor… and be my wife…?"

The words are so broken she hardly gets them out. Maya bows her head under the weight of the tears. She never thought she would get to live this moment again. She never thought she'd be worthy enough to fall in love with and propose to Saijou Claudine a second time. Once had surely been too much of a blessing for someone as selfish as Maya. And yet, the universe had allowed her to have it again.

Maya doesn't even get to see Claudine's reaction, because she can't lift her head anymore. She bursts into tears as the memories come flooding back.

The last time she'd proposed to Claudine, four years after they'd graduated. How they'd persevered and finally bought their apartment together. Their first night together in their own bed. Their first time cooking together and dancing around the apartment on a silver evening…

She tries not to let the haunting memories in. Not now. Right now, she only wants the good things.

Maya isn't really sure how long she stays there like that on the floor, sobbing. But what she does know is that Claudine hasn't let go of her hand, and she's relieved for that.

But eventually, Maya is aware of Claudine getting up from the bed. And Maya's first thought is dismay, fear that she'd overstepped far too much and frightened her away for good.

But Claudine doesn't leave her. Of course not.

Instead, Claudine drops to her knees in front of Maya and folds both arms around her shoulders, pulling her in close.

And Maya isn't sure why, but it just makes her cry even harder. She clings to her, hands shaking so badly she can hardly find purchase on Claudine's nightgown. Maya shudders, coughing past the sobs, begging her not to go.

But Claudine doesn't ever make a move to pull away. She stays close, running her hands soothingly across Maya's back and through her hair. She doesn't say anything yet, not until Maya has quieted herself down enough to listen.

Maya slumps forward, but Claudine lets her rest her head on her shoulder and helps her stay up. Eventually, Maya hears her let out a soft sigh.

"You really are… so selfish, Tendo Maya."

The words may sound harsh, but Claudine says them with all the tenderness in the world. She continues rubbing down Maya's back as she goes on.

"Doing something like that… proposing to me just the morning after I confessed to you? You really are unbelievable. You're impossible. You're ridiculous… But I'd be lying if I told you my heart didn't skip at least twice."

Maya makes a hopeful whimper, praying for a positive response.

Claudine is quiet for a moment, gently easing her back so she can see Maya's face again. She reaches out to wipe her tears, but they just keep coming. Maya meets her eyes, begging and apologizing with her own. She just loves her so much, she doesn't know what to do. Even though Maya had done something so outlandish, Claudine is still smiling at her with such unconditional kindness.

Claudine cups Maya's cheek, and Maya leans into her palm, sniffling. Claudine's eyes become just a bit more firm now.

"It's just like I thought… You really are in a rush with all of this. Since the end of the first semester, you've been so eager to be with me. Maybe even too eager. Even months ago, you claimed to love me while hardly knowing me. But I knew from the start that you were dead serious. You weren't just messing around. And even now, you're proving that, too. You love me, Maya. You really, really love me. I know that.

"I just… can't understand why. Why do you love me this much? Enough to propose to me when we're still in our second year of high school? You were born to live on the stage. You exist to be on the stage, and everyone knows it. But even acting has become second in your life because of how much you love me."

Claudine shakes her head, but it isn't rejection, just genuine confusion.

"I can't understand it. These past several months, it was like you suddenly didn't see or care about anything else anymore. Only me."

Now, past all the jumbled confusion and affection, Maya sees the first thing in Claudine's eyes that scares her.

Suspicion. Though it isn't the accusatory kind, but rather the kind that suggests she might be aware of something she shouldn't be. Something Maya knows all too well.

Claudine inches closer to her, keeping her hand on Maya's cheek to support her, brushing her thumb gently over more tears.

"You used to be obsessed with the stage and nothing else. You used to be so distant and aloof and conceited. You used to challenge me and taunt me and act condescending. But then one day, you suddenly just started… looking at me like that. Hugging me. Complimenting me. Holding my hand… If you can think about it from my perspective, you must realize it's a bit strange, right…?"

She tapers off, looking unsure now. Claudine pulls Maya into another hug.

"I'm sorry… I'm… not rejecting your proposal, all right? But I just… I feel like I need answers first, Maya. I need to understand what's going on with you and why. I don't want to rush this. I want to savor every moment of being in love with you. But I can't do that if you're keeping secrets."

And Maya sobs all over again.

Mostly, it's from relief. Relief that Claudine hadn't rejected her or been frightened away.

But also too, the tears come from the realization that Maya must tell her the truth.

Claudine is absolutely right. Maya hadn't considered things from her perspective, how jarring it must have been for Maya's personality to have suddenly taken such a dramatic turn seemingly out of nowhere.

It's a miracle Claudine hadn't felt overwhelmed enough to run away from her, all things considered. Maya very easily could have pushed her too hard, and she realizes that she likely had overstepped Claudine's boundaries more than once through all of this. But even so, Claudine had adjusted, even if she'd been uncomfortable, because she'd still wanted to get close to Maya.

Maya clutches at her back and whimpers against her neck.

"I truly… don't deserve you…"

Claudine huffs over her shoulder.

"See, that's exactly what I'm talking about. Why would you say something as heavy as that to me…?" She gives a few more pats to Maya's back.

But Maya has made her wait long enough. She draws in a sharp breath and pulls herself back with determination in her heart.

"Claudine… You are absolutely right. It's time… I told you the whole truth of all this."

And this time, Claudine doesn't seem surprised at all. Rather, she just nods, as though she'd suspected for a while now that there was something bigger going on here somehow.

Maya's heart throbs with uncertainty about doing this, but she believes it's high time that she be the one to put her own comfort at risk.

Maya tries to get up, but she's still so distressed that Claudine needs to help her stand. Maya just coaxes them both back to sit on the bed, where she takes a moment to gather herself. Claudine waits, and she holds both of Maya's hands all the while. But when Maya tries to talk, she just bursts into tears and apologies all over again.

"I'm sorry-"

Claudine forgives her with a soft kiss to her cheek.

"It's all right. You didn't do anything wrong, Maya. Take your time. I'm listening."

Maya weeps, wanting to tell her she's mistaken, that Maya had done plenty of things wrong.

It takes her a while longer before she can finally lift her head again. Claudine is waiting for her with honest eyes. Maya inhales a long, slow breath.

"You… probably aren't going to believe what I'm about to tell you…"

Claudine turns Maya's hands in hers and laces their fingers together.

"Try me."

Maya nods, swallows, and finally tells the truth.

"You see… the truth is… I loved you once before, Claudine. I loved you so much. I loved you… and I lost you…"

And so Maya tells her everything.

Of her past life, which was now nothing but a bad dream that existed in Maya's memory, and nowhere else.

She tells of their old life together in some distant, non-existent future, of their love and how they'd been forced to hide it.

She tells of her parents' disapproval, and of hers and Claudine's struggle to get by.

She tells of the better years, of the times they'd spent together, of their lazy mornings and their surprise afternoon dates and their tender nights.

She tells of their great successes in their lines of work, and of how hard they pushed themselves to achieve their dream of one day moving to France.

She tells of the best years of their lives, how happy they had been, in spite of the occasional financial trouble.

She tells Claudine how dearly she'd loved her, and how she'd never stopped.

And then, she tells of the beginning of the end of it all.

How Maya had decided to dedicate herself to her work in order to raise the funds to move overseas.

How she had eventually started to neglect and ignore Claudine, and caused her to think Maya no longer cared for her.

How Maya had thought she was doing it for the greater good and out love, to focus solely on making the money so she could let Claudine's dream become reality.

How horribly far she'd sunk into her idea, how she'd stopped talking to Claudine, stopped touching her, stopped showing her love for her in the ways Claudine had needed and deserved.

And then about that night.

About Claudine's text, asking her to come home.

About Maya's stubborn refusal because she'd been so close to her financial goal.

About the storm, and the call Maya had received a while later.

She relives Claudine's death all over again as she tells of it.

Of how loudly she had screamed.

Of how hard she had cried.

Of how bitterly, wretchedly, and deeply sorry she had been - and still is.

Of the end of her entire world.

And soon afterward… of the hope that she might have one more chance back here at Seishou.

Perhaps it would be a bit more believable to Claudine now that the revues had happened in this life. Now that she knew of the giraffe and the stage's magic, and of the fact that Nana had successfully turned back time... It would make sense that Maya would have been able to, as well.

And though she had paid with all of her radiance at the time, her life in that world had ceased to exist the moment she'd rewound the world. As such, here in this life, Maya had been able to rebuild her radiance all over again from the start, hence why she was still such a highly-skilled and successful Stage Girl.

Maya finishes by telling Claudine of the day she remembers coming to in 'this' world.

"And that is way-" she chokes. "That is why I… why I have been acting as I have… Why I have longed to be close to you. Why I love you as much as I do…"

Maya can barely speak through the tears. She heaves through the sobs, and finally lets everything free.

"It's all my fault… I'm sorry… But I love you… so much, Saijou Claudine… More than I could ever tell you or show you… I love you. I always have, I always will… I'm sorry…"

Maya weeps for all those nights she'd kept it in, for all those times she'd wanted to cry and had been too empty to do so. With the truth now revealed, her burden lifts. But somehow even when the weight of it is removed, Maya breaks anyway.

Through it all, Claudine hugs her, cries, and never lets go. And somehow, though it's even more ridiculous and impossible and romantic and tragic than she'd ever expected, she believes it.

From the very moment Maya had started telling her the truth, Claudine had started to cry. She couldn't understand why, but if it was true that she'd loved Maya once before and died in such an awful manner, her tears made sense. Because some part of her, somewhere, in some point in time, must have remembered.

Her past self loved Maya as deeply as Maya had loved her. And even if Claudine can't fathom the depth of that affection right now in her real life, she knows it will come in time.

Because she loves Maya with all her heart right now, and as they grow older together she will be able to love her more and more with each passing day.

She believes every word Maya tells her. Even at the mention of how Maya had started to ignore her, Claudine had felt a striking, unexplainable ache deep in her chest, as though just the concept of that pained her to hear, as though she somehow remembered that exact feeling of sadness.

Every emotion was so poignant and stinging, from the joy of loving Maya to the pain of feeling as though she'd lost her.

And when Maya mentions the accident… that Claudine had died…

Claudine could've sworn in that moment that her heart had stuttered, just for a second. Images had come to her - images of things she'd never seen before, but somehow knew. The sheets of rain, the darkness of the streets and buildings, the shattered glass-

It was real. She knows it. Even if Maya had rewound the entire world and time itself so that none of it had ever happened, Claudine can still determine it had occurred.

But thankfully it's been overwritten. Thankfully, Maya had loved her so impossibly much that she'd found a way to redo it. Thankfully, Claudine is alive right now, and Maya is here with her.

And that's all that matters anymore.

The two of them cry until time has stopped being of any importance. They cling to one another and hold each other up, never letting the other sway or fall. Maya is still too wrought with emotion to speak, but Claudine needs to say something to her now, just so Maya will know she believes her.

"So that's why-" she whispers. "That's why… you suddenly started staring at me in class that day… Why you couldn't take your eyes off of me… Why you kept saying such sweet things and holding my hand… when you didn't even know me that well…"

Maya is shaking and crying so hard that her fingers won't even make purchase on Claudine's clothes. Her voice tumbles out in such stunted, choppy sounds that it barely makes any sense at all.

"I-I just… w-wanted to- make it up to you- …f-for all the years I- didn't love you as I should have… I wanted to show you… a-all the love I never did… I never could-"

"Maya-"

"I d-didn't know what else to do… I just wanted to… to love you again… to let you know just how much I-"

"Maya!" This time, Claudine speaks a little more loudly, only out of concern for her. "You're going to hurt yourself. Take a breath."

Maya shakes her head.

"But… B-But I-"

"You idiot." Claudine smiles tearfully and locks her into another embrace. "Don't you think I understand that now? Like I said… I always knew you loved me. I just didn't know how much, or why…" She eases away from the hug, waiting until Maya looks up at her again so Claudine may press a light kiss to her tearstained cheek. "But now I understand. I understand just how much you love me. Enough to turn back time, rewrite the world, and turn a tragedy into a happy ending. Enough to give me another chance at life. No one has ever loved anyone more than you love me, isn't that right?"

Maya falls forward against her and wails.

"Y-Yes-" she rasps. "Claudine, I… I love you so much… I'm sorry… i-if I pushed these feelings onto you… when you weren't ready… I'm sorry if I-… if I hurt you again… I just-"

"All right," Claudine whispers, once more choked with emotion. "That's enough, Maya. It's all right now. It's all right."

And again, they simply cry.

Every emotion is let free, the good and the bad. And all of them are understood and accepted.

They express each and every feeling, cycling through the guilt and the pain and the fear, until all that's left is love and everything borne from it. Forgiveness. Acceptance. Gentleness. Warmth. Faith. Their shared embrace ensures that only these things remain between them, and finally the tears have an end in sight.

Claudine recovers first, and she waits until Maya has lifted her head once again. And though Maya's eyes are swimming with so, so much, Claudine sees the love beneath it all. She touches Maya's cheek gently, brushing the backs of her knuckles through her hair.

"Are you all right…?"

Maya dips her head, wiping her eyes once again. But she can hardly look at Claudine without feeling like she's going to burst all over again.

"Claudine… I-"

"You're so impatient," Claudine huffs. "Wait for one second, would you?" She gives a smirk with the chide, and Maya actually manages to flash a smile in return. She straightens up a little and resolves herself to listen to what Claudine has to say. Like before, Claudine reaches down to hold Maya's hands, rubbing them gingerly as she finds her words.

"That's… a lot. But I believe you. I know it's the truth, Maya. Maybe… we made mistakes in the past, er… future. But I don't think that means we need to rush through everything now. I understand you're trying to make it up to me, trying to love me as much as you can, because you didn't get to last time…"

She draws in another breath.

"And I appreciate it. I really do. Because I love you too, Maya. But… I don't want our lives this time to be bred from the mistakes of our past. You're so intent on loving me and on showing your love for me that you won't leave me alone for a second! And it's nice… but you don't have to protect me like that. You don't have to propose to me right now, and we don't have to get married right away and move to France just like that. Of course it would be nice if… one day we could do all those things…"

Here, a deep blush crosses her face.

"B-But until then… I want to keep going to classes with you. I want to keep singing with you and acting in plays with you. I want to be Claire and Flora with you again. I'm glad we fell in love so soon, but I don't want to rush through it. I want to experience every moment of it. I'm sure you feel the same."

Maya can't agree quickly enough.

"Yes-" she nearly chokes. "Yes… Claudine… I want to savor every moment with you. I won't rush through anymore… I promise. I only… I only behaved in such a manner because-"

"Because you wanted to express your feelings properly," Claudine finishes. "I know. I know, Maya. Don't worry. I'm not going to run away from you." She offers a small chuckle. "As if I ever could. Even if I did, you'd still be tailing after me like a lost puppy anyway, wouldn't you?" Claudine cards her fingers back through Maya's bangs and leaves another kiss on her forehead.

Maya simply can't believe it's real. That she'd revealed the truth and that the universe hadn't ceased to exist or punished her for doing so. That Claudine had listened, understood, and believed her. That Claudine is still holding her and looking at her right now, with such a tender warmth that it makes Maya's heart skitter with joy.

"Claudine…" Maya folds her arms around her once again, and this time her shaking has petered out enough for her to have a secure hold. "I won't try to rush us any further. From now on, you have my word that every stage of our lives that follows will occur as it should. At our own pace. As such… for the time being… please excuse me, but I must redact my proposal to you."

Claudine eases back and kisses the bridge of her nose.

"That's fine. All I want is to live my life with you, Maya. Even if it's at a slower pace than you might've expected. I just need a little more time to keep up with you."

"No," Maya shakes her head. "You needn't catch up to me at all. It is I who needs to slow down." Maya returns the kiss to the bridge of Claudine's nose. "There is no need to rush anymore. I understand that now. Thank you for… for letting me tell you everything… for believing me, and for accepting me, even when I am in such a pathetic state…"

"Just how are you 'pathetic'?" Claudine demands. "Maya. Being in love with someone doesn't make you pathetic. It makes you strong enough to rewrite time itself." She eases closer, resting their foreheads together. "Even though I was a little confused at first… I'm glad you started romancing me so soon. I'm glad I got to fall in love with you so early on."

Maya smiles a little more, and gently nudges her forehead in turn.

"I'm glad as well. Claudine… I am so unspeakably happy that I was granted this wish, this second chance. Because it means I can make amends for the wrong I have done. Because it means I can make sure you never doubt for a second that I love you more than anything. And because… it means I got to fall in love with you all over again."

Maya leans in, bumping their noses together and nuzzling softly. Claudine slowly eases one hand up to Maya's face again, letting her touch linger.

"And I got to fall in love with you, too," she murmurs. "It was a little annoying, but I don't mind."

Maya chuckles, and now her smile is here to stay.

"I'm afraid you'll have to get used to that."

"I suppose so." Claudine huffs, then pulls her into another hug. "And I promise to accept your proposal in due time, Maya. A little while from now, when we've come to learn about and love each other even more, please ask me again."

Maya squeezes her snugly.

"Of course. And I promise to make it a proposal worth your while."

"Don't go too crazy," Claudine mumbles. "And then… we'll see where to go from there. We'll see how we feel, and we'll do what feels right. Does that sound all right?"

Maya eases away from her and kisses her forehead again.

"That sounds perfect." Her eyes then drop to Claudine's lips. Maya isn't sure how much Claudine can handle at the moment after such an impactful series of events. But the moment Claudine catches the drop in Maya's gaze, she rolls her eyes.

"Oh, please. I'll save you the trouble."

Claudine pulls her in and kisses her fully, warmly, and with love. Maya makes a small, happy sound and kisses her back with equal force and affection.

It's a kiss that lasts a lifetime, with just as much love happening in a single moment.

When they finally part, Maya tells her again.

"I love you, Saijou Claudine. I love you, and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with you."

A tear drips from her eye, and then one from Claudine's as well.

"Je t'aime, Tendo Maya. I'll look forward to our future together, starting now."

Again they embrace.

And again they kiss.

And for every moment that follows, it's as though they are endlessly falling in love with each other, over and over again.

------

A/N: What a fine, heartfelt mess of emotions this one was! I powered through the heartbreaking angst solely so I could pour my all into the happy-end fluff! Believe me, when I read 0mn's notes for this one I knew it was gonna be a wild ride all the way through. For Maya to propose to Claudine so early on just to want to be with her for even longer than the first time, and for her to eventually have to confess her story... oh boy.