Follow My Lead (ep1)

EARLY RELEASE FOR MY $20+ PATRONS!!

Welcome back! It's been a while since I wrote the previous 8 chapters of this, but I'd toyed with the idea of an epilogue and enough people asked me for one, so I eventually got around to it!

Part 1 here will be a bit of an overview of their next couple of years at Seishou. It will start off in past tense and eventually pull you directly into the present moment.

Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.

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															Epilogue

															 Part 1.

In retrospect, their time spent together at the Academy seemed to pass by in a blur.

The girls had kept to their routines like clockwork, had strived to continue their ascension upon the stage. Days turned to weeks, then to months, and eventually to years, but all the while the girls of the 99th Class stuck together.

Karen, Hikari, and Mahiru continued being roommates throughout the years. The same was true for Futaba and Kaoruko, and for Nana and Junna.

However, it wasn't until their senior year that Maya and Claudine had caved on the matter as well. They had been dating before any of the others, yet had been the last to officially admit it. But when they had finally decided to start sharing a room together, things had changed for the better. Days of heated competition would end in tender nights of apology and forgiveness.

Even years after the accident, Claudine would sometimes suffer nightmares about the fall and her amnesia. It was always better to have Maya there to kiss her back into reality and cradle her close.

The constant struggle for top position teetered back and forth without end, with Maya always just one step ahead, or with one more performance as the lead than Claudine had. And, being it had been the last year they'd have at Seishou, their senior year had been the most competitive.

But also, it had been the most fun. All new songs and dances, new acts and scripts, new costumes and casts. Once they had underclassmen of their own, Claudine and Maya strove for even higher pedestals of perfection to inspire the newcomers. They made new friends and new rivals, but no friendship or rivalry as messily beautiful and passionate as their own.

They went through all the classes, the dances, and the routines, but the nine Starlight girls of the 99th Class always found their way back to one another for movie nights and group dates and things of that nature, so much so that by the time their final days at Seishou were upon them, they were closer than they'd ever been before.

The weekly plays and monthly performances had eventually culminated to one final act just days before graduation. It was a very special play, not only because it would be their last here, but because Maya had been planning something for a very long time.

She had auditioned for the role of the leading prince and of course gotten it, while Claudine had been her princess. Dressed in a dashing blue vest all adorned with lapels and tassels, and with a sword at her hip, Maya had given the world her best, most dazzling performance yet.

And Claudine in her lavish red dress layered with frills and lace had given a performance to match, and some would say she'd even bested Maya in that final act.

All in all, there hadn't been a dry eye in the school when the final curtain had fallen upon their last play. At the end of it all, the cast and crew had stood upon the stage to face an audience that overflowed from their seats and lined the aisles and floors of the room. All of their friends stood in lines beside them with Maya and Claudine at the center as they'd taken their final bow.

Only, Maya hadn't come back up right away.

She'd dropped to one knee, and, keeping hold of Claudine's hand, she'd reached into her pocket with the other and pulled out a small box.

The entire room had gasped, but no one louder than Claudine Saijou.

And just as she'd done years ago in that bedroom with her, Maya had proposed with but two simple words:

"Marry me."

She had told no one of this, and as such everyone in the building had either held their breaths or squealed or sobbed.

Somehow, Claudine had managed all three at once.

She'd nearly fainted too, but by some miracle she'd managed to stay on her feet, eyes swelling with tears, heart in her throat, trembling onstage like she never had before.

She couldn't speak. She'd forgotten how to.

So she'd just yanked Maya up by her wrist and kissed her for all the world to see, making her acceptance of the offer clear as day.

The entire school had erupted in cheers and wails of joy.

The 99th Class' final performance had been one the world would never forget.

Graduation came soon afterward, and everyone was in tears at all times.

They were going to separate establishments to continue studying song and dance and the stage, but everyone was staying close by. They had a few summer months off before they would all need to start their college lives.

Those months were mainly spent planning the wedding.

Claudine had chosen Futaba as her best woman, and Maya had chosen Kaoruko, which had created all sorts of bantering about which colors and themes they should go with.

It wasn't to be too big a wedding, since it was very spur-of-the-moment and there wasn't much time to plan. Maya and Claudine didn't care for anything too extravagant anyway. They had each other, and that's all they needed.

That's what they always replied with when people asked them why they decided to get married at such a young age of barely twenty.

Maya's typical response was something along the lines of, "Because I know what I want, and that's her. And that will never change, so long as she wants me too."

To which Claudine would respond with a huff and a blush and something like, "I never could say no to her..."

The planning had all been very swift and hectic, but they'd somehow found a venue for use, a place outside at some local gardens, surrounded by all sorts of flowers just about every size and color.

It had been rather wonderful for a shotgun wedding. Family and classmates and teachers had been in attendance. Kaoruko and Futaba had eventually agreed that the main colors would be reds and blues and purples. With the natural greens, pinks, and whites of the gardens, it made for a very stunning scene indeed.

Maya's parents had walked her down the aisle first, her dress a pure white, rimmed with laces of light blue, and a veil the same shade. Her hair had been partially tied up into a bun with the usual blue ribbon, but the locks that were free had a gentle curve to them.

Where everyone else was already in tears or about to be, Maya had maintained her composure.

At least, until she'd seen her fiancee.

But the very second she'd glimpsed Claudine at the other end of that aisle, wearing the same wedding dress with highlights of pink, her hair a cascade of silver, and her smile brighter than any sun or star, Maya had broken down at the altar.

Claudine had taken her time approaching, then kissed each of her parents before making her way up to Maya. She'd taken her hands and scolded her for crying so soon and ruining her makeup. But only seconds later Claudine had lost it as well.

The ceremony had commenced, and with two sobbing brides everyone else was in ruins as well.

When the time had come to recite their vows, Claudine had gone first. Words like "me'chante," "insufferable," and "infuriating" came up quite a few times, probably more than they had in any other wedding vow in history.

But for every word of aggravation, there were two of love. And not only love, but respect, admiration, joy, and everything else honest and good.

Because Maya Tendo had made her who she was. Without that shadow to stand in and rise up from, without that example to follow and strive to best, Claudine Saijou would not have been herself as she had been on that day.

And she certainly wouldn't have been standing at an altar about to be married just one month after graduating high school.

But there she stood, and without a single regret about it.

"After all," she had concluded. "What better way to follow your lead than to stand beside you, as your one true partner in every sense? Tendo Maya, you're mine now."

Applause.

Raucous applause and boisterous crying.

And by that point Maya had composed herself enough to return the vows. She'd always been so lonely at the top, fearful she'd lose her touch without someone to keep her on her toes.

And heavens, had Claudine Saijou done the job.

In her mind, there had been times when Claudine had definitely surpassed her, in departments such as liveliness and beauty, and in adorable blushes, but none more adorable than the one she showed then.

Maya spoke of Claudine's passion, her grace, but most importantly her companionship.

"I am certain," she had finished. "There is no one in the universe better suited to stand at my side, and no one better suited for me to stand beside, than Saijou Claudine."

More applause. Even louder than before.

And at last, everything begins to register...

It's all real. It's all happening. Right now, in this very moment.

As the priest begins to read, they recite what they have to in turn.

The rings are presented and exchanged.

They are asked if they will love and cherish one another, in sickness and in health, to which the responses are calm and clear.

"I do."

"Je le veux."

The entire world holds its breath; even the wind pauses for a brief moment. The summer sun shines down on the two young brides, encompassing them in pure white and warmth.

They are given permission to kiss. As if they need it.

Hands in hands, Maya and Claudine let their noses brush.

"Je t'aime, Ma Claudine."

"Je t'aime, Ma Maya."

And the kiss. More radiant and beautiful than any moment before or since, magical in its own regard, transcending through time and space to exist here and now, in a moment that will live on forever somewhere, somehow.

Years of acted stage kisses in front of hundreds had prepared them for the real ones they'd shared alone together.

But nothing had prepared them for this kiss, the one that will be forever commemorated in pictures and posts and memories for lifetimes to come.

No words of love and adoration in any language could ever compare to such a kiss.

It is, by far, their best performance yet. Unmatched by any, even themselves.

And with tears flowing down both their faces, they laugh, sigh, then kiss again.

All throughout the rest of the day and well into the evening, they kiss.

In between family photos and tearful hugs with their friends, they kiss.

In between conversations with instructors and thanking their parents, they kiss.

Every time their eyes come into contact, even from across the room, Maya and Claudine gravitate towards one another and kiss.

They dance, with their parents and then each of their friends in turn, before finding themselves back in each other's arms.

They sit hand-in-hand at dinner as toasts are made and speeches are given.

But even after the sun has set and guests have begun to depart, the night is far from over.

Maya has but one more surprise up her sleeve, one both hers and Claudine's parents had been a part of.

Until now, Claudine's mind had been swamped with thoughts of the wedding; the preparations, the decorations, the music, the ceremony... She really hadn't even considered what would come next – what always comes next.

As she and Maya are waving off more guests, a limo pulls up on the street. Maya straightens herself and prepares for the reveal of her last surprise. With a gentle tug, she pulls her bride into her arms and gives her a little spin.

"Ma Claudine," she murmurs. "How are you fairing? Are you tired?"

Claudine sighs, loops both arms around her neck, and leans in against her.

"Who wouldn't be tired after such a wonderful day...?"

Maya purrs.

"You truly have no idea how happy I am to hear it. Even though it was a bit rushed, I hope our wedding was everything you dreamed it could be."

"Of course it was." Claudine cups Maya's face in her hands and rests their foreheads together. "Even though you threw that proposal at me out of nowhere, and it was all a bit fast-paced, I wouldn't trade it for the world. For anything."

"I'm very glad to hear it. Though, I do hope you'll forgive me."

"Pardon? For what, exactly?"

Maya wraps both arms around Claudine's waist and turns her slowly, until the limo is in her sights.

"Because I may have made just one more arrangement behind your back..."

Claudine spots the luxurious car where the driver has gotten out to open the doors. Her own parents hurry there, rolling suitcases Claudine recognizes as her own, suitcases she hadn't packed-

"H-Hold on just a moment. What exactly-"

"Forgive me for telling you on such short notice," Maya whispers. "Our parents were also in on it. I'm sorry you had to be the last to know. But it simply had to be that way."

"Enough with the riddles!" Claudine snaps at her almost breathlessly, though it's more out of excitement than anything else. Maya smiles.

"Ma Claudine, we are taking a little trip tonight. Just you and me."

By this point Claudine is all but trembling from the absolute thrill of the surprise. Her mind and heart are racing, but she tries her very best to remain composed on the outside. She clings onto Maya's dress to steady herself, inhaling deeply, but even that doesn't seem to be enough to remind her how to breathe.

"Where...?" she murmurs.

Maya scoops her up by her waist, pulling her in close for another kiss. She takes her time with the reveal, letting it last, letting Claudine relish this pure, genuine excitement.

"I do believe I'd mentioned it some time ago, after one Revue or another... I started saving up years ago, and only just recently made it official."

Claudine heaves out a breath.

"You're driving me insane. Please just tell me-"

"Ma Claudine, you must know by now that nothing pleases me more than driving you insane," she chuckles. "I already did tell you." She steps back and pulls Claudine with her, letting her twirl. "Do you remember all those years ago? After we lost our duos revue?"

Claudine moves with her, letting Maya sweep her up into her pace. The mention of their old loss sends a small pang through her chest.

"Of course," she mumbles. "How could I forget...?"

Maya tucks a lock of silver curls behind her ear and moves her a bit closer toward the limo, just step by step.

"Naturally, it is impossible to forget such feelings of frustration and regret. But that is not what today is about. That is not what I am asking you to remember."

Claudine follows her another step across the grass. Her heart is gradually working its way up her throat.

"Might you refresh my memory? A lot happened that night, and a lot more has happened since."

Another twirl, and it's a miracle neither of them has stumbled on their dresses yet. Maya quickens her pace just a little.

"You remember, ma princesse," she assures her. "You remember what I said... about our honeymoon, do you not?"

Claudine freezes in the middle of their little dance, and Maya nearly knocks into her and topples her over. It's only thanks to her refined dance skills that she manages to readjust their weight and catch her flabbergasted bride in an effortless, fluid motion.

Claudine's eyes are wide in shock as she stares up at her. She loses her breath, and tears begin to rise up.

"You... You mean...?"

Maya grins and pulls her up gently. By now they've reached the waiting limo. Maya kisses her once more, giving her the air she needs before easing back. Claudine is already smiling and weeping into her shoulder even before Maya confirms her thoughts.

"Indeed, our flight is arriving soon, Ma Claudine. We shall be off in just a few hours-"

Claudine squeals and throws both arms around her, jumping up and down. Maya squeezes her back tightly, and breathes against her ear:

"To France."

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A/N: Okay... so the original plan for this epilogue was simply to do their promised honeymoon, but then I wanted to do the wedding and graduation too! However, I didn't want those to be the focus, and so I kind of sped through them and gave them their own chapter here. The next and final chapter will be their proper honeymoon!

Thanks so much for picking this old fic up again! I hope you'll enjoy the final chapter!