The Trials Of Time (ch7)

EARLY RELEASE FOR ALL MY PATRONS!

I'm sure a 'fight to the death' revue has been done a million times, but I hope mine will prove to be unique.

Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.

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						Chapter 7. Sacrifice


Horrified silence consumes the stage as the giraffe finishes speaking. But even then, the hissing of the Korosu surrounding them grows louder and louder in Maya's head.

This can't be real. It can't…

Her heart seizes in her chest, and her sword begins to tremble in her hand. Beside her, Claudine has also started to shake, and her breath catches in her throat.

Everyone is stunned beyond sound or movement for a long, gripping moment, until Nana's shaken voice finally speaks up.

"Wh… What is this…?" After advancing on the giraffe all this time, now she staggers back into Junna. "What… What do you mean… a fight to the death…? That can't be real…"

"N-No way!" Karen cries out. "No way we could ever do that!"

Beside her, Mahiru has started to sway.

"K-Karen-chan… I don't feel very well…" Not a second later, Mahiru drops to her knees, clutching herself and putting a hand to her mouth as if she's about to be ill. Hikari and Karen kneel down beside her.

"Don't worry…" Hikari murmurs. "We'd never accept such a fight."

Beside them, Kaoruko has started to wobble as well, and Futaba puts an arm around her waist to steady her.

"The hell…" she spits. "What the hell is this bullshit you're spouting, giraffe?! Don't even joke about something like that!"

"F-Futaba-han-" Kaoruko chokes. "I can't-"

"Don't worry. None of us are ever gonna accept something like that."

"Th-That's right!" Junna says. "As we said earlier, we'd rather let the plays disappear than put each other at risk!"

"We refuse!" Claudine cries out, stomping her boot down to keep herself grounded. "We'll never do it! So just send us back already!"

Maya steps up to join her, keeping her voice as level as possible.

"Yes. We are all in agreement."

All nine Stage Girls look up to the giraffe with gazes laden with fear and determination alike. At this point, Elle finally raises her head to speak.

"H-Hold on a moment," she says. "He didn't explain everything to you. We would never ask you to do something so dangerous for real."

Nana eyes her suspiciously.

"What do you mean?"

Elle glances up at the giraffe and he inclines his head to her, so she continues.

"Have it be a performance," she explains. "Make the Korosu think you've actually made a sacrifice to the stage. Convince them you've exchanged the radiance of the life of a Stage Girl, and if it's believable enough, they'll vanish."

"Indeed," the giraffe says. "Make but one 'sacrifice.' Concede to this, and you shall never be called upon to fight the Korosu again. The 'life' of one single Stage Girl to spare all the rest? It is a very tempting trade. I understand."

Slowly, the girls begin to glance at one another. Karen and Hikari help Mahiru back up to her feet. Maya catches her partner's eye, and finds equal skepticism there, but also the same hint of intrigue. Maya gives a small nod and speaks up next.

"So then, it will be a feigned fight?" she clarifies. "And more importantly, a feigned death?"

"Indeed," the giraffe replies. "A staged performance, and nothing more. Let the Korosu believe you have paid the highest price. If the act is convincing enough, they will accept the supposed radiance of the sacrificed Stage Girl, and as such will not return to this stage. However, fear not, as no radiance shall actually be stolen. It shall all be merely an act. Nothing more."

Everyone seems to let out a breath.

"Geez…" Futaba shakes her head. "You coulda said that sooner!"

"Seriously!" Junna snaps. "If it's all just an act, then maybe…"

"But..." Mahiru whimpers thinly, still clinging to her roommates. "If it's all just an act, and no radiance is actually being given... Can we really deceive the Korosu like that...?"

"It should work," Elle says. "They are mindless creatures, after all. If you put on a good enough show, they'll perceive the stolen radiance even when it doesn't exist."

"Putting on an act for the Korosu…" Claudine murmurs. "What do you think, Tendo Maya?"

As the others begin to mutter amongst themselves, Maya mulls it all over. Her heart isn't beating quite so hard anymore now that she knows no one will actually have to get hurt.

"If that is the case," she says. "Then I believe it is worth a try. Should it mean we can erase the Korosu for the foreseeable future if we succeed, I think we should at least make an attempt."

"I agree," Hikari speaks up. "As long as it means no one has to get hurt."

"Yeah!" Karen gasps. "If the Korosu are gone, then we won't have to worry about losing any plays anymore! And not just us, but the other schools, too!"

"It sounds feasible…" Junna says.

The rest eventually give their agreement, even Mahiru.

"However," Nana says. "In order for this to work, like the giraffe said, this needs to be convincing."

"But of course," Claudine says, twirling her hair. "It will be a test of our skills as Stage Girls, no? We convince audiences of our stories every day. We just have to convince the Korosu this time. An audience is an audience."

"Spoken like a true Stage Girl," Junna says approvingly.

"Should be simple enough," Futaba agrees. "Yeah! Let's do it, then! Let's get rid of these damn Korosu!"

"Just a moment." Kaoruko taps her roommate's shoulder. "Don't you think it would be wise to decide on a plan before we begin?"

"Th-That's right!" Mahiru nods, still clutching her mace nervously. "We should all know what we're going to do s-so no one gets hurt."

"I'll do it," Nana declares. "I'll be the 'sacrifice.' So you can all come at me seriously."

"And who shall be the one to 'slay' Banana-han?" Kaoruko wonders.

"That's obvious, isn't it?" Claudine says. "Wouldn't it make the most sense for our Top Student to do the honors?" She turns back to smirk at Maya. Maya blinks in surprise, but as the others start to murmur their agreement, she accepts the role.

"Very well. Then I shall be the one to finish things."

Maya meets Nana's gaze. Both girls share a little smirk and then nod before Nana turns back to their overseers.

"Well?" she prompts. "How does that sound?"

"It should work," Elle says. "But like we've said, you have to make it convincing. You can't all just fall after one strike and let it be over in a few minutes. Everyone should fight against each other until only the final two remain. And of those two, the strongest shall prevail. I believe this will be enough to entertain the Korosu, and let them believe you've made the worthy sacrifice."

A beat of silence falls as all the girls turn to look at their friends, drawing in deep breaths as sparks of determination light in their eyes. Maya and Nana make their way to one another. Maya offers her hand, and after Nana puts both of her swords into one palm, she accepts.

"Let's make it a convincing act, Maya-chan."

"Yes. Let us rid this stage and our minds of these Korosu once and for all."

At last, the nine Stage Girls turn together to face the giraffe, tightening their grip on their weapons. Elle draws in a deep breath and gives a sharp nod.

"Let this be the last fight," she declares.

The giraffe swishes his tail.

"Now then, has it been decided? I understand." He lifts his head as high as it can go, and calls out to the darkened theatre and its twitching shadows. "Now then, let it commence: The Revue of Life and Death!"

Suddenly, nine spotlights of different colors blaze to life and shine down on each of the girls. They leap apart and turn to face one another, weapons raised and eyes burning.

All around them, the Korosu screech and clammer in the shadows.

The Stage Girls begin to fight.

Maya turns to face her first opponent - Junna. She drives her back with full force behind her swings, slicing and deflecting every arrow shot her way.

But Junna isn't going to give her an easy win, lest the believability of their act be compromised. She thrusts out her bow as Maya aims a jab at her, and hooks the sword right out of her hand to toss it aside. Junna draws an arrow and takes aim, and Maya gives her a quick nod to convey she should fire. Junna releases the arrow, and having been able to predict its trajectory, Maya leaps clear and dives for her weapon again.

But as she grabs hold of it, she hears a battle cry from behind her. Mahiru charges at her, twirling her mace with impressive and terrifying speed. Maya lifts her sword to block the blow, suspending both girls for a moment. Mahiru hiccups softly under her breath.

"I'm sorry, Tendo-san-"

"It is all right. This is credible enough, Tsuyuzaki-san." Maya pushes her back. She doesn't believe it should take too much to deceive the mindless Korosu into thinking they're actually fighting for real. So long as no one visibly breaks character, they should be able to do this.

Maya whirls around to face Karen next, their swords clashing loudly as their boots skid on the stage. All around them, their friends are engaged in fierce mock battles, using all the skills they've ever learned in their training.

Of course, in their school plays, all of the weapons training for plays had been for acting and nothing more, but now they have to make everything seem lethal. They can't afford to go easy on one another - not with a future where no Korosu exist on the line.

Maya attacks Karen with all her might, and Karen doesn't hold back either. Maya leaps back to avoid a swing and then drops down into a crouch, aiming a kick at Karen's legs. She only misses by a second, and is back on her feet instantly to continue the fight.

Beside them, Claudine is engaged in a furious parry with Nana, Kaoruko and Junna are at-odds, and Futaba and Mahiru have teamed up against Hikari. Every moment or so, someone jumps back and ends up in a different fight, and the match-ups continue switching.

Maya keeps her eyes on Nana - on who is meant to be her final opponent. Everyone knows they have to be the final pair standing, so they all act as if they take great damage from them.

The entire stage is alive with action and light and movement. The Korosu shudder all around them, gradually inching closer to the stage. It would appear they have begun to understand what prize is within their grasp here - the life and radiance of a Stage Girl.

Maya thrusts Karen back with a shove, and the next thing she knows Claudine is charging at her. With a smirk, Maya blocks her sword and lunges forward.

"Now, now, Saijou-san-" she grunts. "Please do not be upset simply because I will be the last one standing at the end of this battle."

Claudine huffs and gives a good hard swing that stuns Maya's arm for a second.

"You really are such an infuriating woman!"

And in spite of their situation, Maya actually gives a short laugh.

She remains with Claudine for a moment, giving her partner all that she's got to lend to the credibility of the fight. Even though Claudine had been hurt before, Maya knows her partner would never forgive her if she went easy on her now.

And just a moment later, one spotlight goes dark. Maya, Claudine, and the others all pause for a second to glance back to see Mahiru drop to her knees at the far end of the stage. The giraffe speaks out.

"Tsuyuzaki Mahiru-san has been eliminated," he announces. "Only the two strongest Stage Girls shall remain in the end, and they alone shall fight to the death." He turns his head to the audience. "Such a thrilling performance, wouldn't you agree?"

Now, with only eight girls left, they even out into pairs to continue fighting.

Maya finds herself pit against Futaba. And even though she knows she isn't holding back on anyone, somehow her blows feel even stronger than she intends them to be. She can tell Futaba is staggering for real, and it isn't just a feint to make things look better. She gives Maya a bit of a startled look. Maya blinks and shakes herself off, dipping her head in silent apology before they continue.

But as her opponents keep rotating, Maya begins to feel the change in her own movements more and more. It's almost as though her body is moving on its own now - not entirely, but just as though there are strings pulling her ever so slightly here or there.

She faces Hikari next, charging her with a fierce battle cry that shocks her, too. Hikari only barely manages to block the hit and leap back. Maya can see the confusion in her eyes, as well as a hint of concern. But she can't seem to stop herself.

Maya continues charging at her relentlessly, even when the confusion in Hikari's eyes turns to fear.

Maya grits her teeth and swings at her again, and Hikari has to use all her strength to parry her.

"Tendo-san-" she murmurs. "What-"

But she's cut off by another announcement from the giraffe.

"Hanayagi Kaoruko-san has been eliminated."

With a snort, Maya kicks off away from Hikari and turns to watch Kaoruko slump down beside Mahiru. They're dropping out in a sensible order, making the act seem legitimate.

Maya shakes her head as she turns back to Hikari, and it feels as though she's forgotten everything that's transpired within the last few minutes. Hikari is crouched in a ready stance, still looking rather fearfully at her. Maya puts a hand to her forehead and blinks slowly a few times.

"Kagura-san… I apologize… I'm not sure what came over me…"

Hikari sighs in relief.

"That's all right. I think maybe you just got really into it for a minute."

"Yes. That must be it."

So they continue their fight, as do all the others who remain.

Maya finds herself against Junna again, and though she puts conscious efforts into her actions now, she once again starts to feel those tugging sensations in her muscles, as if she's being made to move a certain way against her will.

She attacks Junna ferociously, with much more force than she intends to, to the point where the archer actually trips over herself and falls back. Maya stands over her with a snarl and watches the light blue spotlight go dark.

"Hoshimi Junna-san has been eliminated."

To the others, it must just look like part of their act.

But Maya can tell something is wrong with herself. The more she tries to control her body, the less grasp on her movements and thoughts she seems to have.

Junna crawls back out of her shadow, wide-eyed as she stares up at her.

"Tendo-san…"

But before she can finish, Maya whirls around reflexively at the sound of approaching footsteps. She lunges and knocks Futaba back, bowling her over so hard she loses her grip on her halberd. The purple spotlight goes out a second later.

"Isurugi Futaba-san has been eliminated."

Maya stares down at her as if she's watching a film through someone else's eyes. She tries to speak, tries to apologize for her harsh actions, but nothing happens. Futaba wipes a drop of blood from her lip where she'd bit herself during the fall.

"Damn, Tendo. What's the matter with you?" She gets up and limps over to where the other disqualified girls are now watching. Maya looks over at them to see similar shock on their faces.

"Tendo-san?"

"She… somehow doesn't seem like herself…"

But before she can try to say or do anything more, she hears Karen give a battle cry from behind her. Maya whips around and brings her sword down hard enough that it chips Karen's blade and knocks her off-course. And as Karen runs past her, Maya feels her arm move all on its own.

No… Stop-!

She swings her sword, aiming at Karen's exposed back, unable to stop herself.

"Karen-!"

If not for Hikari throwing her dagger in at the last second to knock Maya's sword away, Maya would have cut her. She jumps back, horrified as her body continues to move against her will.

No- What is happening? Why can't I-?

"Hikari-chan, look out!" Karen cries out a warning as Maya is forced forward, jabbing her sword straight for Hikari's throat.

Claudine and Nana freeze in their battle just in time to notice something isn't right. Claudine grabs Hikari by the sleeve and pulls her out of Maya's range by a hair's width.

"H-Hey! Tendo Maya!"

But before anything else can be done, Maya feels herself lunging again. This time, she grabs Karen by her jacket and throws her into the open, then brings down her sword.

No- Aijou-san!

Maya tries to close her eyes and yank herself away, but to no avail. Karen only manages to defend herself at the expense of her sword. The blade shatters beneath Maya's brute force and fury, and Karen falls to the floor.

"Aijou Karen-san has been eliminated!"

No-

Maya tries again in vain to get control of her sword, but her body just keeps moving without her consent. She can't even cry out or speak to them to let them know what's happening to her.

This isn't me! This isn't what I want-!

Before she knows it, she's attacking Hikari again with a raging bloodlust pumping through her veins. Her body is on fire, fueled by some unseen, driving force. She snarls and bares her teeth as she slices and swings at Hikari with a force even beyond her capabilities. Hikari cries out and is driven back, and only Nana jumping in to cross her two swords around Maya's spares her from getting struck.

"Maya-chan!" Nana cries. "What are you doing?! This is too much!"

Claudine is standing at bay with Hikari now, placing Hikari behind herself defensively. Maya tries to look at them, tries to convey her confusion and her apologies as well.

I'm sorry- I don't mean to-!

But all she shows them is a menacing expression, her eyes glazed over as if by a thick mist. It takes all of Nana's power just to keep her at bay, even with two swords against Maya's single one.

"What's going on-?!" she demands. "What's happening to Maya-chan?"

"She's not herself!" Karen cries out. "We need to stop this!"

"Oy, oy, oy!" Futaba yells. "Elle-san, didn't you say the Korosu possessed Kuro last time? What if-?"

But Futaba's question is drowned out when Maya gives a furious shout that echos across the theater. She feels herself wrenching her sword free of Nana's, then lifting her foot up to give a hard kick to her stomach. Nana crumbles, and Maya whirls around to face the other two. Her heart is pounding a deafening beat in her ears, and her blood is blazing.

No- please stop-! I don't want to-!

But her body just keeps moving on its own.

She can feel it clearly now - that tugging like strings on a puppet. The will of the Korosu possess her body, forcing her to move and dance as they please.

She runs at Hikari and attacks her without mercy, and when Claudine tries to intercept her, Maya shoves her away with concussive force, enough to knock the breath out of her as she crashes to the floor. Hikari tries to run, but Maya is faster.

No! Stop this-!

Terror grips Maya as she feels herself jab her rapier, stabbing it into Hikari's blue jacket, and just missing her body by an inch. She gives a yank and pulls Hikari back toward her. The others cry out from behind them.

"Maya-chan!"

"Tendo-san! Stop!"

"Hikari-chan-!"

Maya wills herself to halt.

This has to stop! Please- someone-!

Her arm moves on its own again, flashing out to wrap around Hikari's throat from behind, her sword keeping Hikari snagged in place by her jacket. By now Claudine has pushed herself into action again, ramming headlong into Maya's back and forcing her grip to loosen. With a gasp, Hikari breaks free, but sags to the floor.

"Hikari-!" Claudine tries to go to her, but Maya grabs her by the hair and viciously tosses her in the opposite direction. Claudine sputters, stabbing her sword into the stage to keep her balance. Maya screams in her mind, but it never reaches her voice.

Saijou-san! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to-! I cannot stop myself-

She can see the anger and the fear swirling in Claudine's eyes as she takes a step back. Maya advances toward her, entirely helpless as the Korosu's hold on her grows stronger. Behind her, Nana stays back to protect Hikari.

The giraffe speaks, unfazed.

"Kagura Hikari-san has been eliminated."

"Giraffe!" Nana shouts. "Elle-san! Stop this now! Maya-chan's been possessed!"

"It's true-" Elle says tautly. "At this rate, she really will fight them to the death-"

"Hyaaah-!" Maya's bloodthirsty scream drowns out all else, even the sounds of the onlooking Korosu. She lunges at Claudine, swinging wildly in contrast to her true emotions.

Please… I don't want to do this…

Claudine grits her teeth and tries to push back against Maya's strikes, but she's forced back in a matter of seconds. Nana rushes in to assist her, just to subdue Maya at the very least.

But Maya snarls at her, feeling a red-hot hatred churning in her stomach.

She doesn't want Nana.

She wants the only other Stage Girl in the world who can match her, who can accompany her.

Saijou Claudine-

With another shout, Maya throws her full weight at Nana, pushing down with every bit of force in her body. Nana staggers beneath the force of her downward blow, dropping onto one knee already as the scraping of metal echoes across the stage. The other girls are petrified as they cling to one another in terror.

"Stop!"

"Hey, Giraffe!"

"Tendo-han!"

"Tendo-san!"

"Enough!" calls the giraffe. "I am hereby officially canceling this revue. We are finished here."

The other girls sigh in relief. Maya wants to as well.

Thank goodness-

But even so, her body doesn't stop attacking. She pushes harder on Nana, until she yelps out in pain. Maya kicks her legs out from under her with a savage blow and sends her rolling, causing Nana to lose grip on both of her swords.

"Nana-!"

"Banana-chan!"

Maya hardly hears the others as they scream. The yellow spotlight goes out, so only white and orange remain.

No…

She turns, flicking her sword in a sharp motion as she advances on her final opponent.

No… please-

Claudine stands her ground, panting and shaking, but she raises her sword. Her eyes are filled to the brim with fear and dismay.

"Tendo Maya-" she chokes. "I… I don't want to fight you like this! I know you don't want to either!"

I don't! Maya tries to scream. I don't want to hurt you or anyone else anymore! Please- if it's the only way, then I wish you would kill me yourself-!

But the tormented words never come to be spoken. She just shouts out another hungry battle cry and charges across the stage.

She can see the terror in Claudine's eyes as she raises her sword to meet her, fighting only to defend herself now. Maya can feel her partner shaking even through the contact of their weapons, but no matter how desperately Maya tries to stop herself, the invisible strings just pull harder.

She strikes at Claudine over and over again, pouring all of her strength into every hit. All around her, her friends cry out, and the Korosu cackle.

Claudine parries her, dodges her, and tries to fight back.

But Maya overpowers her every time.

Even when the others begin to rush at her to try and intervene, Maya knocks them all aside and continues advancing.

They shout at her.

They scream her name.

They beg her to stop.

...

But she doesn't.

She can't.

She won't.

She needs to give the stage a worthy sacrifice.

No…

By now, Claudine is sobbing and bruised, barely able to stay on her feet.

Just as Claudine was previously unable to stop fighting until her body gave out on her, Maya is also drawing out the last of her energy to appease the Korosu.

Maya knows what Claudine is doing - she's simply trying to wear her down until Maya won't physically be able to move anymore. And every second, Maya just prays it will be the second her body give out on her, so she can stop all of this.

But she stays up. She just keeps going.

By now, tears are streaming down her face as well, the only sign of her true emotions through the possession.

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry-

She brings her rapier down again, and again Claudine blocks it, pushing back with all her might.

"You really are… infuriating!" she cries. "How are you… still moving like this-? You really train too much, Tendo Maya!"

She gives a shove, but Maya overwhelms her. With a heavy swing, she smashes her blade against hers.

Claudine's sword shatters.

She's bowled aside, crying out as she stumbles.

She can't get back up right away. She's exposed, defenseless.

Maya feels her legs moving toward her.

No…

She grips her sword and lifts it above her head, ignoring the shrill screams of her classmates.

No-

She finally stops, covering Claudine with her shadow with her blade raised high.

No-!

She fights with everything she is, warring against her own body.

And this time, a few of those strings snap.

Slowly, Maya forces her arms down, though they shake and tremble spastically as she does so. She can feel the ache in her body, the desire to finish the fight as the Korosu want it to end. She knows their hold on her won't break until a Stage Girl has been sacrificed here.

Which is why she turns the blade toward her own throat.

The others scream.

"Tendo-san!"

"No-!"

"Stop-!"

Everyone sobs her name, and Maya feels the sting of tears pouring down her own face as well. But even now, she can't stop herself.

Trembling, she takes one last look at Claudine, and she can only hope her partner can see how many things she is trying to convey to her.

I'm sorry.

Thank you.

I love you.

Maya closes her eyes and presses the tip of her sword to her own neck.

"Tendo Maya-!"

A caterwaul of her name splits the theatre as Claudine cries out for her. When Maya tries to move her arms and her sword, it doesn't budge. Heart pounding, arms shaking, she opens one eye slowly.

Claudine is clinging onto the blade of the rapier with both hands, preventing Maya from moving it any closer toward herself. She sobs with her whole body, pulling with all her remaining strength. Blood begins dripping through her fingers and down her wrists.

Maya stares at her, unable to comprehend what's happening. Slowly, Claudine pulls the blade away from her, and Maya's body allows it.

But as soon as Maya realizes what she is trying to do, her heart seizes.

No- No-!

She tries to pull away, but Claudine whispers to her through a soft sob.

"It's all right…"

No- Saijou-san-

"Tendo Maya…"

Slowly, Claudine moves Maya's sword until it is pointing away from her again.

Now, the tip of it rests right at the center of Claudine's chest.

She holds onto it with both bleeding hands as Maya grips the hilt with both of hers.

Claudine-!

"It's all right-" she chokes. "Tendo Maya… you've done all you can… But it's all right now… I accept this…"

Stop! I don't accept this! I won't-!

"You'd go so far as to try and take your own life instead... But I can't allow that, Maya."

Claudine inhales a deep, shaking breath.

And through the tears she smiles, so beautifully and lovingly that Maya doesn't even realize when her arms are pulled forward in a sudden jerk.

The Korosu hiss.

Their classmates scream.

Guided by Claudine's own two hands, Maya plunges her blade deep into her chest.

No-

Claudine heaves a strangled gasp and closes her eyes.

Blood starts to pour.

Maya feels Claudine's weight slump onto her blade. She falls, and Maya falls with her, letting go of her rapier that has pierced her through. She holds Claudine with quivering arms as more and more red splatters the stage.

No-

It can't be real.

The others scream, turn away, and crumple to the floor.

Whatever hold the Korosu had had on Maya until now finally relinquishes. She shakes her head, and tears spill over.

Claudine sputters in her arms, heaving past the weight of the blade embedded in her chest, and more blood spurts out. Maya feels it seeping into her clothes, staining her.

She can't feel anything other than Claudine in that moment.

Not her own pulse. Not her own body. Nothing.

Only Claudine's dying weight in her arms, and the expanding pool of warm blood.

"S… S-Saijou-san…"

Claudine chokes out one last feeble breath, bubbling with red.

Her eyes turn gray. She doesn't move again.

The wails of her classmates deafen Maya to the point where she knows this can't be a dream.

But... it can't be real-

It can't-

"No…"

She reaches a shaking hand up to Claudine's face, and her fingers smear scarlet across her pale cheek.

"No, n-no…"

The tears fall faster. She can't breathe.

"NO! C-Claudine-!"

By now, the Korosu have vanished, as promised, and only the girls and the giraffe remain.

It doesn't end. The nightmare just continues.

Maya never wakes up from it. She's just forced to cradle Claudine close to her as she feels her final heartbeat.

And then nothing.

The orange spotlight cuts off and disappears.

"No-!"

She clutches Claudine to her chest and snaps her head around, flinging tears in the process.

"Daiba-san!"

The rest of her classmates have huddled together and curled over themselves and each other, sobbing in grief and horror at the sight they've witnessed. Nana raises her head weakly with rivulets of tears streaming down her face. She shakes her head.

"M-Maya-chan-"

"Daiba-san!" Maya screams again. "Please! Your wish-!"

It's all she can think of. It has to work.

Nana chokes, but seems to understand. She looks up to the giraffe and pleads with him.

"G-Giraffe-!" she cries. "Please! Let me have my wish one last time!"

Even Elle drops to her knees now as if she's about to be ill as Claudine's blood trickles across the stage.

Maya turns back to look up at the giraffe. He flicks and ear.

"Indeed, this is not a stage I wish to see…" he murmurs. "Very well, Daiba Nana-san. You may have your wish once more. But I cannot guarantee your rewound reality will be one you desire."

He lowers his head as far as if can go.

And then, the stage that echoes with the screams and wails of heartbroken girls - where only one white spotlight remains - finally goes black.

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A/N: xxx