Twinkle Twinkle, Little Stars (ch9)

EARLY RELEASE FOR ALL MY PATRONS!!

And now, it is time for Maya to experience the phenomenon.

Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.

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						Chapter 9. A Tour Guide's Task

When Maya regains consciousness, the last thing she remembers is how the stage had shaken and churned beneath their boots. She'd tried to hold onto Claudine at the very least, but her partner had stumbled to the floor just as the lights had gone dark. Maya doesn't even recall hitting the floor herself before she'd blacked out.

But now, even before she opens her eyes, she can tell she isn't lying on the stage like she should be.

Slowly, Maya inhales and opens her eyes to find herself sitting upright in an audience seat. The lights are off, save for the spotlights of the stage, but Maya can tell right away that this isn't Seishou's main stage, or even the giraffe's underground one.

As her hearing comes back to her, she's aware of small voices singing onstage, voices that can only be those of children. Maya glances to either side of herself, finding she's seated at the end of the aisle. But the people around her aren't familiar at all. They all appear to be older and formally dressed, in contrast to Maya who is just wearing her usual weekend outfit of a blouse and skirt.

/But how?/ she wonders. /Why am I not back at school with everyone...?/

There's a sudden applause from around her, and Maya looks up sharply to the stage, where a young girl with short black hair is just exiting stage-left. Maya feels that if she's going to leave the theater, it should be now in between contestants. She makes a move to stand, keeping herself bowed low.

But then, she glimpses the next child who walks daintily out to center-stage.

Maya's lips part in a soft gasp. She forgets she'd been trying to stand up, and now drops back down into her seat.

/No. It can't possibly be-/

This adorable girl with her white shoes and stockings, her pink dress, and her wavy silver-blonde hair presents a charming smile to the crowd before giving a perfect curtsey. Music begins playing shortly afterward, and Maya can't so much as budge.

/It isn't possible. She must just strongly resemble somehow-/

But then the little girl begins to sing in a voice that is indisputably familiar. Her tone and pitch are a little big higher and softer, as any child's would be, but the way she sings certain words, the way her voice has a slight inflection on certain syllables, the way she holds her notes and holds herself…

Maya would recognize that voice anywhere, even if it was coming from the mouth of a small child. There's no doubt about who this girl is.

/But… how…? She must only be five or six years old at best…/

After a moment of trying to logically process all of this, Maya's only feasible explanation is that this must be a dream or vision sent to her by the giraffe or that stage somehow. Even though it's real enough for her to feel every fiber of her clothing on her skin, and every nervous beat of her heart.

If it is real… how is she to get her Claudine back? Her partner and classmate? Has her time been rewound, or has Maya been sent back somehow?

It's all too much for her to fathom at the moment, and before Maya knows it the girl's performance has ended and the audience bursts into applause. The girl takes a deep bow before tossing her curls over her shoulder, a motion that makes Maya's heart jolt. It really is her. Somehow, some way…

As the clapping ebbs away, the people around her begin to stand now as the lights come on, indicating the end of the auditions or recital or whatever this was. Maya stands as well, but rather than heading for the doors, she hurries up toward the stage.

A dozen young girls dressed in formal clothes are scampering down the steps to the adults who must clearly be their guardians. Maya keeps a cautious distance and stays to the back of the group, searching the younger crowd for the girl in pink.

She finds her only when all of the other girls have gone off with their families. The girl is left by herself, with no adults remaining in the room to come for her. She's the only one left.

Naturally, the little girl's curious pink eyes turn to Maya, and she tilts her head.

"Pardon?" she says politely in clearly-evident French.

Maya nearly sputters.

/France? Are we in France right now?/

She'd studied a bit of the language for her Claudine's sake, yes, but only enough to tease her with at school. If she has to actually hold a proper conversation, Maya is at a grave disadvantage.

"Ah, p-pardon…" Maya dips her head awkwardly. But before she can say any more, the little girl's eyes go wide, and then she laughs softly.

"I'm sorry!" she says. "Sometimes I speak in my native tongue without realizing, but I've never heard anyone but my parents speak it back to me!"

Maya breathes a sigh of relief, glad they're at least still in Japan. But there's still the matter of the girl before her. Maya clears her throat.

"I see. I apologize if that was rude of me."

"Not at all! I'm impressed!" the girl replies. "You're the first who spoke French back to me! And your accent was quite good!"

"Really, now?" Maya chuckles softly. Your older self would never have admitted such a thing to my face. But Maya shakes her head, slowly realizing this strange reality is genuine for the time being, and there are greater matters at hand than Maya's French accent. She presents the girl with a kind smile, then slowly kneels down to her height.

"Forgive me," she says. "But might you be… Saijou Claudine-san?"

The blonde girl puffs up her chest proudly.

"Oui! I am Saijou Claudine! I'm going to be a famous actress one day! I've studied both in France and in Japan!"

"My," Maya nods. "That is quite impressive. I've heard so much about you."

"You have?" Claudine blinks, and Maya can tell she's trying not to smile and appear conceited because of it. The little girl dips her head modestly. "Thank you very much!"

"Not at all," Maya replies. "But that aside, Saijou-san, are your parents here today to collect you and take you home?"

Claudine shakes her head.

"No. Maman and Papa almost always come watch me, but they had an important meeting today. They dropped me off for my recital and will be back in an hour! Until then I'm waiting with the staff!"

"The staff?" Maya looks around, but doesn't see anyone else left in the theater. Claudine twiddles her fingers a bit.

"They must be very busy. But I don't mind. I'll simply sit and wait here until Maman and Papa come to pick me up!"

Maya has already decided she isn't going to let the girl stay here all by herself. She shudders to think what would happen if Claudine were to stumble offstage and get hurt somehow. Maya shakes the thoughts away immediately.

"Well then," she says. "Instead of staying here all alone for an hour, why don't you accompany me instead?"

"Accompany you?" Claudine repeats. "Are you lost? Do you need to go somewhere?"

"Ah, yes…" Maya clears her throat. "You see, I am new in town and I'd wanted to see the park. Do you think you could show me? And then we can return here for your Maman and Papa to pick you up."

Claudine's eyes begin to sparkle with the thrill of the challenge of being a tour guide.

"Certainly! I can show you the park! But if it's the park you want to see, then why are you here at the theater today?"

"Ah… Well, you see…" Maya scrambles while trying to maintain a calm expression. "I… I had heard about the talented Saijou Claudine-san and that she might be in today's recital, so I stopped by here on my way."

/Surely, the Saijou-san I know would scold me for being such a terrible liar…/

But as things are with the Claudine in front of her now being only a child, she seems satisfied with that response.

"So you came to see me? Merci! Thank you very much! What did you think of my performance?" She's clearly very excited to hear an opinion, though she's doing her very best to still be composed. Maya presents her with another smile.

"You were brilliant. Even more radiant than the rumors said. I was very impressed."

Claudine beams as she soaks in the praise.

"Thank you very much! But I've still got a long way to go. I can always keep improving myself."

"My, such an ambitious girl. I guarantee you that passion will bring you to heights the likes of which you can't even begin to imagine as you are now."

Claudine gives a little bounce and giggles.

"Merci, ah…?"

"Oh, where are my manners?" Maya dips her head again to the girl. "My name is Tendo Maya."

Claudine repeats it back to her.

"Tendo… Maya-san? Then may I call you Maya-san?"

"O-Of course. Please, go right ahead." Though Maya herself will have to get used to that. It's both surprising and precious how this younger Claudine, who knows nothing about Maya, is so bubbly around her.

/To think, in ten years' time when we have our first proper encounter, she will resort to pouting and blushing, and will scold me to no end. Though, those few rare instances when she lets her guard down, her smile and her honesty shine through./

Maya shakes herself out of her thoughts as the younger Claudine waits expectantly. Maya gets to her feet and offers her hand.

"Would you like to hold my hand, Saijou-san?"

Claudine lifts her chin proudly.

"I should be asking you that, Maya-san, since you're the one who doesn't even know where the park is! So would you like to hold my hand?"

It really takes Maya a good amount of effort not to chuckle. She dips her head and accepts the small hand Claudine has so readily offered to her.

"I would be honored, Saijou-san."

"Please," Claudine says. "You're much older than I am. You must be in high school! You needn't address me so formally!"

Maya bites her lip.

"Then... Ojou-san…?"

"That's fine."

Maya breathes a sigh of relief, glad she can get away with this rather than any less formal version of Claudine's name. Claudine squeezes her hand and begins a confident march down the aisle.

"Well then, allow me to show you the way, Maya-san!"

"Yes. Please do." Maya follows after the girl who has her heart set on her newest task.

They exit the theater for the time being, and Claudine struts through the lobby with Maya in-tow before bringing her outside. Thankfully, the day is bright and sunny.

"The park is this way!" Claudine announces, and starts off down the sidewalk. Maya follows, walking mostly at her side but just a little behind her to allow Claudine the lead.

As they walk, Maya's thoughts wander back to how she might have gotten into this situation, and how to be free of it and have Claudine return to her rightful age.

/If I recall correctly, the giraffe had said to 'have fun'… Perhaps if Saijou-san has a fun enough time with me, all of this will go back to normal./

It's the only thing she can think of, short of waking up if this is a dream. But as things are, Maya is just having Claudine bring her to the park, and she isn't sure how fun that might be for the girl.

She ponders what more she could do as Claudine dutifully brings them to a halt at a crosswalk. When the light turns green, she tugs Maya forward.

"Careful! Watch your step!" she cautions.

And somehow Maya isn't surprised that, even though Claudine is the child here, she's acting like a responsible adult. Maya nods to her and smiles.

"Yes. Thank you, Ojou-san."

Claudine straightens up even more proudly as she continues to guide Maya to the park. They arrive within a few more moments, and pause on the sidewalk beneath the shade of a tree.

"Here we are!" Claudine announces. "We've made it to the park, Maya-san!"

"Indeed we have," Maya says. "Thank you very much."

"So why did you want to come here?"

"Eh? Ah…" Maya hadn't thought that through. I truly am a terrible liar… She fumbles for an excuse, but really can't think of a valid one. "I… I simply wanted to see the pond. I'm told there are swans there."

"Oh! There are!" Claudine affirms. "They're so beautiful! Come, let me show you!"

Maya sighs in relief that her fib had been good enough, and follows along beside Claudine as they make their way toward the pond. They pause on a grassy hill overlooking the sparkling blue water, where the shoreline is dappled with tall reeds and grasses.

Maya feels a small tug on her hand and looks down to see that Claudine has put a finger to her lips. Maya remains quiet, and looks when Claudine points to a bushel of grass. Sure enough, there is a snow-white swan sitting there in her nest, preening her feathers.

Maya gives a squeeze to Claudine's hand to indicate she's seen the bird. After observing the swan for a moment, the two girls ease away to a distance where their speaking won't frighten it.

"My," Maya smiles. "What a magnificent creature."

"Oui," Claudine says. "I've always loved swans. I even got to play Odette in The Swan Princess last spring! Of course, I didn't really turn into a swan, though. We used props. But after the play, we got to meet a real swan!"

"My, that sounds exciting!" Maya tries to think of what she can do next to allow Claudine to have a bit of fun. "Ojou-san? Would you do me the honor of showing me your Odette? I would love to see you portray her."

Claudine's eyes begin to sparkle.

"Of course! I still remember all the lines perfectly!"

Claudine lets go of her hand, and Maya takes a respectful step back to give her her space. The young girl begins one of her scenes from the play Maya knows very well herself, but in truth she's never gotten to see Claudine perform this, not even at her proper age. So to be seeing her now as a child, Maya is truly astounded.

She moves with all the grace and surety as the Claudine that Maya knows from Seishou does, which is clear indication that she's truly been working her hardest at theatre even from such a young age. It's no wonder she'd been a child actress, starred in commercials, and eventually made her way to Seishou Academy as one of the top students.

But of all the videos and DVDs of Claudine's earlier work that Maya had secretly collected, she'd never seen her dancing her heart out in the middle of a park.

Maya applauds her, then inquires about another play, and another role. Claudine eagerly shows her those as well, reciting every line flawlessly and with character. And then, Claudine proposes another idea.

"Oh! Maya-san, have you ever heard of Arrie?"

Maya feels an excited little bubble in her chest. She hadn't been sure if this Claudine had covered that yet, but evidently she has.

"Yes. Indeed I have."

"Wonderful! Then you must know this song!" Claudine gets into her pose and clears her throat, folding her hands in front of her stomach. Then, she lets out the most beautiful little singing voice the world has surely ever known: "My dear friend, my dear friend, we are all friends. Even if we cry today, we friends can do anything in time…"

And with only the first few notes being sung by that adorably familiar little voice, Maya has tears in her eyes. She'd heard Claudine sing this song many times from the DVDs she'd purchased years ago, and then again more recently at Seishou with her, as Claudine would often choose songs from Arrie to do for vocal warm-ups. It just stirs up something profound in Maya, enough to bring her to sit down on the nearest bench and put her hands to her face.

By some miracle, she finds her handkerchief in her skirt pocket, and quickly pulls it out to cover her mouth. She hears a startled little gasp as Claudine cuts off her song and dashes over to her.

"Maya-san? Are you all right?" Claudine fretfully rests both her hands on Maya's knees and looks worriedly at her. Maya wipes her eyes and quickly presents her with a wobbly smile.

"Yes. I'm so very sorry to have worried you, Ojou-san." She reaches out to pat the girl's head gently. "My apologies. I was just so overwhelmed by your beautiful song…"

Claudine sighs in relief.

"I'm sorry."

"Not at all-" Maya grasps the girl's hands gently. "You conjured up such emotion in my heart, Ojou-san. That is precisely what an actress is meant to do. You are so talented beyond your years. It's truly astounding. You must have worked very hard."

Maya knows it's the truth, that Claudine must spend the majority of each day training herself in every way she can. She's the same way at Seishou, and that work ethic isn't one she'd just started practicing upon entering the academy, but rather one acquired at a very young age. Even now, the girl is humble and doesn't brag at all.

"I practice as much as everyone else," Claudine replies.

Maya pats her head again, her heart warm with adoration. It's clear that the best way to let Claudine have fun is to let her do what she loves most - perform. So after wiping her eyes one more time and putting her handkerchief away, Maya gets to her feet.

"Please, allow me to join you."

"Eh?"

"Arrie," Maya clarifies. "I would be honored to sing it with you."

Claudine gasps in excitement.

"Really?"

"Yes!" Maya smiles. "For you see, I, too, aspire to be an actress one day. Hopefully one as brilliant as you."

"I've still got a long way to go," Claudine says. "But I've never sang Arrie with someone older before. I would love to!"

"As would I."

So Claudine offers her little hand, and Maya accepts.

Together they stand in the grass beneath the sunlight and begin to sing, letting their voices carry out over the water. Maya can see the surprise and the wonder in Claudine's eyes, the shock that Maya has such a voice and knows the movements to the dance so perfectly.

/Only because I have watched you so many times./

Claudine moves with her, playing her part with refined expertise and signing with all her heart. Maya works to match her tone and pitch to Claudine's, so as not to drown her out, but to harmonize with her. She compensates her longer stride for hers, and does everything she can to let Claudine shine.

And Claudine smiles all the while, as they go from Arrie to other plays and songs. Before long, a small audience of onlookers has stopped to watch the impromptu duet and applaud them.

They must sing and dance together for nearly half an hour before Maya remembers the Claudine with her now doesn't have quite the same stamina and energy as her older counterpart. Maya can tell she's getting tired, and though it's the kind of tired one gets from having too much fun, she still doesn't want the girl to push herself. So after they finish their current song, Maya lets out a long sigh.

"My, that was quite something," she says. "Ojou-san, you are truly an amazing young girl. I don't think I can keep up with you for another song." She acts as though she is the one exhausted in order to spare the girl's pride.

Claudine's cheeks are flushed pink and she's panting a little, but the smile hasn't left her face for a second.

"Right…" she says. "Then I suppose we should take a rest and head back to the theater soon."

"But of course," Maya agrees. "I've had more than enough fun here at the park with you, and your parents are surely eagerly awaiting to pick you up and have you tell them about your recital."

"Oui!"

With a chuckle, Maya extends her hand.

"Well then, shall we?"

Claudine accepts her hand cheerfully.

"We shall!"

As Maya begins walking with her along the sidewalk, her heart is warm and happy. This is a Claudine she's never known personally, and she just prays she will remember all of this whenever she wakes up.

Claudine is in such high spirits she's even started to skip a little. Maya subtly lets her arm swing a bit, and Claudine swings hers right back.

As they exit the park, Maya takes the lead and guides her along the sidewalks.

"Ojou-san, did you have fun today?"

"Oui!" Claudine smiles. "It was much more fun to practice with a partner, even if you're bigger than me. Maya-san, you're very skilled! If you were my age, I'm sure you would have won the part of Arrie instead of me."

"I'm sorry to say I don't agree." Maya shakes her head. "Ojou-san, you have more passion than anyone I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. You earned that part by working hard and doing your very best. You should be proud."

Claudine blinks up at her, and a faint blush dusts her cheeks.

"M…Merci…" Just as when she gets older, she resorts to French when she gets flustered. Maya reaches out with her free hand to pat her head. Once Claudine has gotten her bearings back, she squeezes Maya's fingers again.

"Maya-san, you're so good at singing and dancing. You must be an actress already, I'm sure of it!"

"Well, perhaps just a little…"

"I would love to be your dance partner."

"I would love that as well. You never know. Perhaps someday…"

By now they've come to the crosswalk to wait for the light. As soon as it turns green, Maya guides her out onto the street.

But as they're crossing, there's suddenly a loud sound coming from behind them. Maya turns to see two middle-school boys chasing each other and laughing as they run across the street. As they clamber by, one of them bumps into Claudine and knocks her to the ground, right out of Maya's grasp. Claudine falls to the pavement with a yelp as the boys run off without looking back.

Maya's heart nearly stops, and she quickly kneels down beside the poor child.

"Ojou-san!"

Luckily, a few other concerned pedestrians have stopped to ensure no cars start moving even when the light changes. Maya reaches out to help the little girl up. Claudine is shaking, and her eyes are watering. Maya can see a smear of red on her elbow.

"Ojou-san!" Maya gathers the girl into her arms and hugs her close. "Ojou-san, are you all right?"

She can feel and hear the little girl hiccuping softly, but can tell she's doing her very best not to cry.

"Y-Yes…"

But just as Maya is a terrible liar, so is this precious little girl.

Carefully, Maya hugs her close, picking her up securely. She gets to her feet, thanking the other people before hurrying the rest of the way across the street. At the nearest bench, she kneels on the ground and has Claudine sit before her to inspect her injuries.

"Ojou-san, you are very strong, but it is all right to cry." Maya tries to remain calm and kind so as not to spread her panic to the child. "Does anything hurt?"

Claudine is still trying extremely hard not to shed her tears, which is making her more and more upset. She shakes her head, and Maya is relieved there are no scrapes or cuts on her face. But there is a cut on her elbow for certain. Maya quickly fishes out her handkerchief and presses it over the girl's forearm, holding Claudine's other hand in hers.

"Is there anything else? Please, Ojou-san, you must tell me truthfully."

Claudine meets her eyes, swallowing thickly. But she shakes her head again.

"No…"

"Are you certain?"

"Yes…"

Maya lets out a deep breath.

"All right. Then please allow me to clean your wound a little."

She gently has Claudine turn her arm so Maya can check for any more cuts. Thankfully there was only a bit of blood, which she's cleared away now, and all that's left is a bit of redness on her skin.

"If only I had some of Lou's ointment," Maya says quietly. "If you use Lou's, you'll never lose to pain, right?"

Claudine blinks.

"You… know my commercial?"

"I do," Maya says. "You were wonderful in it."

Claudine seems as though she's about to smile for a second, but then her lips wobble and she bows her head again. Maya is overcome with concern as she reaches out to hold her hands.

"Ojou-san? What's the matter? Does something hurt after all?" Maya's heart is riddled with worry for her.

But the girl just shakes her head again.

"No… Nothing hurts… I just…" She's still trying so hard not to cry, which is hindering her words. It's so very like her, but it's killing Maya.

"Ojou-san…" she says gently. "It is all right to cry. Please, never be afraid to express how you are truly feeling."

Claudine hiccups as she looks up at her, and only a second later the tears start to overflow.

"I… I just…" She crumbles, bringing her hands to her face to sob outright. Maya sits beside her and pulls the little girl into her arms, petting her hair gently.

"It's all right," she soothes her. "Please tell me, Ojou-san."

Claudine hugs her back tightly.

"I just… I was having so much fun with you today, Maya-san… and now it's ending like this…"

Maya understands now; Claudine's tears are of frustration rather than pain, and while she's thankful, she also refuses to let their day end like this. Maya cradles the girl in her arms and speaks softly to her.

"Ojou-san? May I tell you a secret?"

Claudine sniffles again, but slowly pulls away to look up at her.

"A secret…?"

Maya nods, turning her handkerchief inside-out to a clean spot to gently whip the tears from the girl's cheeks.

"Yes. Actually, you are absolutely right. I am an actress. I'm a student at Seishou Academy."

Claudine gasps softly.

"You…? You attend Seishou? That Seishou?"

"Indeed I do," Maya replies. "And I have learned so much there, from my teachers and my classmates… but most of all, from you."

Now Claudine is too puzzled to be upset. She tilts her head, and the tears have stopped.

"From… me…? But how?"

"Well, you see," Maya explains, twisting the truth just a little. "I was lacking inspiration for quite some time until I witnessed the talent of the famous Saijou Claudine-san. I have seen all of your movies and plays, and for such a young girl to be so motivated and inspired… it sparked something within me. It made me want to work even harder. And now I am at the head of my class. All thanks to you."

"Because… of me…?"

Maya nods. And it really isn't a lie. She's just omitted a few details and kept it vague, but it is the honest truth.

Claudine is in disbelief as Maya finishes cleaning off her face.

"Maya-san… I inspired you…?"

"More than you will ever know," Maya smiles. "You have done so much for me, Ojou-san. I cannot possibly ever thank you enough. I just hope you could have fun with me today."

"I did!" Claudine cries. "I had so much fun, Maya-san! Honestly, I did!"

"Then I am very happy to hear that."

"I wish…" Claudine sighs. "I wish I could really be your dance partner someday…"

Maya pats her head again.

"You never know. Perhaps it will come true someday, somehow."

At last, Claudine smiles back at her again.

Maya opts to carry her the rest of the way back to the theater, so she picks Claudine up and hugs her close, and Claudine seems perfectly content to stay like this.

Maya makes her way back to the theater building and enters the empty auditorium, taking a seat. When she looks down at Claudine, she finds the girl is mostly asleep by now.

"Mn… Are Maman and Papa back yet?"

"Not yet," Maya whispers. "I am certain they will be here soon. But until then I will stay with you, Ojou-san. Please rest your eyes. You've had an exciting day."

Claudine snuggles up to her and hugs Maya's shoulders.

"Merci… Maya-san…"

"I should be saying the same thing," Maya murmurs. "I had a wonderful time as well, Claudine Ojou-san. Merci."

Claudine smiles to hear the word spoken back to her in French, and eventually dozes off in Maya's arms. Maya kisses the top of her head and keeps her close.

The next time she sees her Claudine, she vows to hold her even more tightly.

But for now, Maya closes her eyes as well for a moment, and the quiet world fades around her.

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A/N: Maya calling Elle "Ojou-sama" was always one of my favorite things in Starira. So I continued it here with her treating young children formally like princesses, only "Ojou-san" for Claudine. I wanted to focus on how Claudine inspired Maya and have Maya address and confess that to her younger partner~

The final chapter is a wrap-up about this mysterious occurane!