Starlight Stories (ch2)

EARLY RELEASE FOR MY $10+ PATRONS!

So as you'll quickly notice, all of these are sort of just convenient weekend days where we just follow around the designated pair in whatever they're doing.

Day 2: Futaba/Kaoruko

Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.

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														Chapter 2. Hiccups

Futaba wakes to something other than the sound of her alarm clock. She can't tell exactly what it is right away, but it's a sound she definitely isn't used to.

For the moment, she simply lets her senses come to her and relishes the fact that it's a weekend and there's no rush to get to school. As she rolls over and stretches out her arms, she hears the sound again. It's small, muffled, almost like a squeak.

Crap. If we have a mouse in here, I'll never hear the end of it from Kaoruko until I've caught it with my own two hands and tossed it out the window.

She's already beginning to dread her day off if it means she's going to be hunting rodents.

Slowly, she sits herself up and rubs her eyes with a groan, and the sound happens again. From what she can tell, it's been occurring in a pattern, more or less, which seems strange if it were to be coming from an animal. Futaba glances around the room, scouring the floor to search for any signs of mouse activity, but she doesn't see anything out of the ordinary.

"What the hell…?"

Another squeak.

She looks up to follow the sound, eyes widening as her gaze brings her to none other than her roommate's bed.

Kaoruko is lying on her side facing away, presumably still asleep. But when another little sound comes, Futaba is surprised to see that Kaourko seems to twitch along with it. Futaba gets a slight sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.

Oh no…

She waits for another second, hoping not to confirm her fears. But again, when the sound comes, Kaourko jolts along with it. Certain of her misgivings now, Futaba throws the blankets off herself and jumps out of bed.

"Oy, Kaourko!" She hurries to her friend's bed and crawls on beside her, resting a hand on her shoulder and shaking gently. "Kaoruko? What's the matter? Why are you crying?"

Another jolt. Another squeak. Kaoruko turns her head slowly to glance back over her shoulder. Her eyes are tired, but they aren't red or wet from tears, which confuses Futaba even further.

"Futaba-hic! han…"

Futaba blinks.

"Kaoruko… did you just-?"

"Hic!"

"Y-Yeah, that…" Futaba sits back as her friend groggily rolls over to face her, her expression the definition of miserable.

"It would appear hic! I've gotten a case of the hiccups…"

The knot that had been forming in Futaba's stomach slowly unravels.

"That's good," she sighs. "I thought you were crying."

"Oh my, were you concerned? hic! I'm touched, Futaba-han."

"Idiot. Of course I'd be worried." Futaba flicks her forehead and Kaoruko whines.

"How cruel! I haven't been able to sleep hic! all morning and now you're hitting me."

"I'm not hitting you, you drama queen. You've had hiccups all morning?"

"Yes… For nearly an hic! hour now…"

"That's weird. Who gets the hiccups in their sleep?"

"Are you making fun of me?"

"Mm, maybe not?"

"Futaba-hic! han!"

Futaba laughs at how ridiculous she sounds when her chiding gets interrupted like that. Kaoruko gives her a pout so big she resembles a chipmunk.

"Sorry, sorry," Futaba sighs. "Want me to get you some water?"

"If you would…"

So Futaba slips off the bed and grabs a bottle of water from the desk. She could count on one hand how many times Kaoruko had gotten the hiccups in her life, but whenever she did they were always persistent and reoccurring throughout the day. But dealing with a hiccuping Kaoruko on her day off sure beat the idea of dealing with a mouse loose in their room.

As Futaba returns to the bed, Kaoruko pushes herself up dramatically, like a wounded animal. Futaba rolls her eyes.

"Kaoruko, you missed an hour of sleep. You didn't get shot."

"I may as hic! well have!"

"Save the drama for the stage, will ya?" Futaba helps her sit up straight and attempts to give her the bottle, but naturally Kaoruko feigns suddenly being unable to use her hands.

"Feed it to me, Futaba- hic! han?"

"Yeah, yeah… geez… You gotta hold your nose, remember? This'll only work if you do it correctly."

So Kaoruko makes a face, but she pinches her nose nonetheless.

"Ready?"

"Mm… hic!"

Futaba uncaps the bottle and holds it steadily at her lips. Kaoruko takes a tentative sip, and Futaba tips the bottle toward her accordingly. She manages to drink for about ten seconds until a particularly strong hiccup ruins it. Kaoruko gasps and pulls away, spilling water all down her sleep shirt and pants.

"Kya! I-It's cold!"

"Geez, you're a mess." Futaba puts the cap back on and puts the water aside for the moment. "Did it work at least?"

Another miserable hiccup provides an answer. Futaba sighs.

"All right, let's at least get you cleaned up. We can try again later." She takes Kaoruko's hand and guides her out of bed as if she were an elderly lady. Kaoruko acts much the same way, hobbling and shivering and jolting from her condition as if she's on her last legs.

Futaba grabs them each some casual clothes before they retreat to their personal bathroom. Kaoruko hiccups all throughout the routine as she changes and brushes her teeth. She hiccups a few times as she brushes and ends up dripping foam on the sink, which Futaba cleans.

Kaoruko then declares she can't brush her own hair because, "If I hic! hiccup suddenly and yank my arm, I'll pull my hair clean out!"

So Futaba has her sit on a stool and brushes it for her. She really doesn't mind normally, but today she's actually enjoying herself a bit more, because she has to admit the sounds Kaoruko is making are pretty cute. She almost feels a little guilty in enjoying herself though, because Kaoruko really does seem to be genuinely miserable.

Once they've finished in the bathroom, they head to the common area for breakfast. Kaoruko doesn't breathe a word to anyone in a desperate effort to keep the hiccups hidden. But they pop out before long, and all of her friends turn curious glances at her.

"Kaoruko?"

"My, my, Hanayagi-san. Do you perhaps have the hiccups?"

"That's so cute, Kaoruko-chan!"

Kaoruko turns bashfully red.

"I-It isn't cute at all!" she snaps. "It's hic! annoying, is what it is!"

"Did you try holding your nose while drinking water?" Junna inquires.

"Yeah," Futaba answers. "Ended in disaster."

"Hmm…" Nana ponders from her seat at the island. "I heard you can get rid of them by eating peanut butter."

"Really?" Karen jumps in. "I heard spoonfuls of sugar!"

"Of course you heard about sugar," Hikari sighs.

"I've been told if you hold a handstand they could go away..." Mahiru puts in timidly.

Kaoruko hiccups on and off all throughout their suggestions.

"I don't think hic! eating gross amounts of sugar and peanut butter will do me any good. Though Futaba-han hic! and I were planning on going to school today to practice a bit. Perhaps I could attempt the handstand method…"

"Sounds like a plan." Futaba brings her empty plate to the sink to wash it before gathering her roommate.

As it turns out, all of the others decide to make the short trip to Seishou as well to practice.

Kaoruko begs to take the motorcycle, but Futaba denies her, arguing it might be better for her to exercise a bit and breathe in some fresh air. She takes her mumbling, grumbling childhood friend by the elbow, and together with all their friends they head to the school building.

Kaoruko's hiccups still haven't stopped by the time they arrive, or by the time they've changed into their leotards and gotten into the studio. Everyone sort of naturally breaks up into their respective groups, leaving the two of them together.

"C'mon," Futaba says, pulling her to an open area. "We still gotta practice, even if you're a bit jumpy."

"Futaba-han, you're so cruel!"

"Hey, you agreed it was a good idea to come here today."

So they begin the usual routine of stretching out, and even that is made immensely more amusing by Kaoruko's hiccups. They sit up side by side and slowly lift their legs up in front of them for an abdominal stretch, one they can both hold fairly well for a good amount of time. But one hiccup from Kaoruko has her sputtering and falling over sideways. Futaba can't help but burst out laughing. Kaoruko whines again.

"So cruel indeed… You can't blame me! Hic! They interrupt my breathing!"

"Sorry, sorry!" Futaba helps her sit back up, and they move on to leg stretches.

Futaba coaxes her down into a split, kneeling behind her and pushing on her lower back to ease her forward. Kaoruko lies her chest flat on the floor and holds the stretch in spite of the hiccups. Futaba can't stop herself from grinning in amusement whenever she feels her jolt and squeak. Kaoruko snorts.

"Futaba-han, I can feel you grinning from back there."

"M-My bad…"

"Honestly… hic! Here I am suffering and you're taking pleasure in it."

"Now you know how I usually feel..." she sighs. "Wanna try that handstand thing, then?"

"I'll do hic! anything at this point. I'll even try Karen's sugar method!"

So Futaba stands up and gradually helps her into a handstand, holding her legs and supporting her weight, especially when she jolts. Kaoruko purses her lips and tries to swallow the hiccups down, making a face as she does so.

"Oy, don't do that," Futaba says. "Just breathe normally."

She holds her up for a minute or so, until Kaoruko's arms begin to shake and her face turns red. Another hiccup makes its way out, and both of them sigh in defeat.

"All right, that's good enough. We tried." Futaba gently helps her down. Kaoruko sits on the floor and pouts like a child.

"How am I supposed to get anything done like this?"

"Uh, you could just do the stuff you normally do anyway? It's not like it's debilitating."

"But it is!" she protests. "Goodness, I just had the most perturbing thought! What if one of us were to suddenly acquire hiccups while onstage during a performance?"

"Kaoruko-"

"I mean it!" she continues. "What would we do? Would we have to cancel the show?"

"Kao-ru-ko!" Futaba bonks her lightly on the head, earning a peep.

"Wah! Futaba-han! What was that-"

"Your hiccups."

"Eh?"

"They're gone."

Baffled, Kaoruko blinks and sits quietly for a moment. Sure enough, nothing interrupts her. All at once she jumps up to her feet and grabs Futaba's hands.

"I'm cured!"

"Glad to hear it." Futaba gives her a twirl and she giggles, seeming motivated now that the hiccups are over.

"Quickly now," Kaoruko smiles. "Let's practice before they come back!"

Futaba laughs again.

"Kaoruko, they're hiccups, not hit-men."

They spend several hours in the studio with the others, dancing and rehearsing lines and roles from various plays. Kaoruko seems to be moving and singing with more vigor than usual, as if rejuvenated after fending off some horrible illness.

It's after they've finished up and hit the showers when Futaba hears a telltale squeak above the rushing water. Kaoruko moans from the stall beside her.

"Oh, heavens, no…"

Another bout of hiccups takes hold of Kaoruko, and Futaba has to hide her amused smirk all throughout her shower as she listens.

Kaoruko limps out into the locker room dramatically, once again being jolted by them. All of their friends do their best not to giggle or comment as they get changed, knowing it will only injure her pride even further. Futaba had barely gotten to dry off her hair before she hears a zombie-like groan.

"Futaba- hic! haaaaan... Just put me out of my misery!"

"Hold on, I've got'cha." She makes her way over to where Kaourko is seated at one of the stools by the hair dryers. Futaba gets to her usual task of tending to her, smoothing her free hand through her roommate's hair as she goes about the process. Kaourko keeps jolting every few seconds and follows every squeak up with a whining moan. Futaba pats her head in consolation.

"There, there. I think you'll survive somehow."

"At this point, I'd rather not. This is hic! torture!"

"Let's just get some dinner. Maybe eating will help smother them."

But even as they retreat to the mess hall with their friends for supper, Kaoruko finds herself plagued by the godforsaken hiccups all throughout. Not even Karen's cunning plan to run up from behind and scare the wits out of her works. It's only successful in making Kaoruko knock over half the food on her tray.

Futaba keeps one hand on her fork to eat and the other on her friend's back, continuously patting her for comfort's sake. Kaoruko mumbles and grumbles and whimpers as she pitifully picks at her food. Her friends give her hopelessly-amused glances all the while.

Even by the time they've finished eating and Futaba walks Kaoruko back to their room, she's still suffering from her hiccups. Once they reach their room, Kaoruko retreats to her bed and crawls underneath the blankets - once again - like a wounded animal.

"Farewell, Futaba- hic! han… I'm going into hibernation. Perhaps forever…"

"I swear, you must be the most dramatic thing to have ever existed on this earth."

"Cruel as ever," she pouts, peeking out from under the covers. "First you hit me, now you continue to hic! insult me."

"See what I mean? Dramatic." Futaba sits down on Kaoruko's bed beside the bundle of blankets that is her roommate. Kaoruko hiccups again, following it up with a massive sigh.

"How am I to sleep like this, Futaba-han? If I don't get my beauty rest hic! then what will become of me?"

Futaba holds herself back from teasing her further, and instead ponders up an alternative.

"Then screw sleeping. We don't have class tomorrow anyway. Let's stay up."

Kaoruko blinks in surprise, slowly peering a little further out from her cave.

"Are you hic! certain?"

"Yeah, why not? Is your hair all dried?"

"I believe so."

"Then come on." Futaba gets up and goes to the closet to put on her boots. "Let's go for a little ride."

Kaoruko sits up, letting the blankets fall off down her back.

"Eh? Now?"

"Yeah, why not?" Futaba tosses Kaoruko's boots toward her bed. "It's warm out and we're not gonna sleep for a while anyway, so might as well." She grabs both their coats from the closet and brings Kaoruko's to her. "Besides, don't you think it'd be a bit nicer to get out and get some air instead of staying cooped up in here?"

Kaoruko hiccups again, and the jolt more or less has her gripping onto her jacket already. She sighs.

"I suppose that's sensible."

"Glad you approve."

Once Futaba has slipped into her coat, she retreats to the bed to help Kaoruko into hers, then kneels down to put her boots on for her. She takes her by the hand - once again, as if she's some helpless elderly lady - and helps her to her feet. She grabs her bike license and zips it into her pocket and keys before they head out.

Kaoruko squeaks and groans continuously, and Futaba grins, slinging her arm around her shoulders.

"Have I told you yet just how cute you sound?"

"Wha-?! H-How dare you! I'm suffering here!"

"Right, right."

"Though… I suppose it's impossible to deny, hic!"

They exit the building, and the air outside is comfortably warm with the sun still just shy of setting in the distance. The pair walks to the bike rack, where the actual bicycles are stored, and then one much bulkier - and much cooler - motorcycle sits. Futaba unchains it and backs it out before taking her seat. Kaoruko slumps in behind her, securing her arms around Futaba's waist and slouching up against her back. Now when she hiccups, Futaba can feel her jump. She chuckles.

"I know it sucks for you, but you really do sound cute."

Kaoruko blushes and buries her face into Futaba's shoulder.

"That's quite hic! unfair of you, Futaba-han…"

"My bad. Here." She unties the two helmets from the handle bars and passes one back to Kaoruko, who begrudgingly puts it on.

"It's going to ruin my freshly-washed hair," she complains.

"Yeah, but a concussion would ruin a whole lot more than that," Futaba reasons.

Kaoruko huffs and squeezes her tighter.

Futaba starts up the bike, the sound of the engine stirring up the quiet chirping of the evening crickets. She starts them off slowly down the bike lane of the street before picking up speed.

She doesn't plan to go far, just to the school's building, around the campus and back. She just hopes it'll take Kaoruko's mind off of the hiccups for a while. And it's also a bit of the method of helping a crying toddler fall asleep by taking them out for a late-night car ride.

As she steers, Kaoruko continues jolting up against her, and the amused little grin never leaves Futaba's lips.

They reach Seishou in a matter of minutes, where Futaba slows down a bit to check on her passenger.

"You still with me, Kaoruko?"

Another hiccup. Another sigh.

"Yes. Tragically so."

"Good. Just take it easy. Enjoy the view."

Futaba takes them around the school's parking lot, then sticks to the dirt bike paths around the campus, going at a slow rumbling pace.

The bumpy ride surprisingly makes Kaoruko feel a little better, as now she can't discern when the hiccups are jolting her with all the jostling of the bike. The hum and sound of it resonates through her body in an oddly-calming way, and Futaba's familiar warmth spreads out across her chest and arms.

Kaoruko looks through her bulky helmet and observes Seishou's campus at night; the courtyards and gardens illuminated by lamp posts, the open sky overhead sprinkled with so many stars…

She inhales a deep, long breath, and actually manages to exhale it too without being interrupted.

Futaba feels her roommate's grip on her loosen just a tiny bit and slows the bike to a crawl. She turns her head back over her shoulder and leans back to support more of her weight.

"Kaoruko? You okay back there?"

"Mm…" Kaoruko nuzzles up between her shoulders as best she can with the helmet. "Yes. Just keep doing what you're doing."

"Just don't let go."

"I would never…"

Futaba rolls her eyes, but makes sure to focus on her a bit more than usual. While Kaoruko getting drowsy and relaxed was a part of her plan, having her fall off to a particularly rude and bruising awakening was not.

They ride around for a little while longer, until the sun has set and its warmer colors have faded into the blues of twilight.

It's on their third lap around the school building when Futaba feels the exact moment Kaoruko drifts off. There's a tired sigh from behind her back, and then the grip on her stomach loosens.

Futaba grabs onto her partner's hands to prevent her from slipping off as she slows down the bike and comes to a stop. She turns around, smiling at the contrast of Kaoruko's soft violet pajamas and pink coat versus the bulky white helmet. The hiccups have stopped, and Futaba can't exactly be sure as to when they had ended their torment of her, but Kaoruko really must have been exhausted from them if she'd fallen asleep immediately in their absence. She hadn't even gotten to breathe a word to Futaba before sleep had taken her.

Carefully, Futaba steps off the bike and rearranges their positions. Sitting Kaoruko in the front now across her lap, she puts both arms around her securely before gripping the handlebars. The ride back to the dorms is a bit awkward in these positions, but she takes her time and enjoys the evening.

Once they're back, Futaba parks and chains her bike before removing Kaoruko's helmet, biting back a chuckle at the messy hair it leaves behind on her. Keeping an arm around her shoulders, she removes her own helmet and smooths out Kaoruko's hair a little. Her roommate doesn't even stir. She just continues to sleep deeply. Futaba could never wake her after the 'trauma' she'd been through today.

So she gingerly slips her arms beneath Kaoruko and lifts her up bridal style, then slowly begins making her way toward the dorms. She uses the automatic doors on the side of the building to enter, then gives a sheepish smile to the woman at check-in behind the desk, who smiles back.

Futaba takes her time, balancing Kaoruko's weight easily in her arms as she heads down the hallways. Miraculously, she makes it to their door without rousing her. It's a bit of a challenge to put her key in and open the door from there, but she manages.

With a long sigh, she makes it to Kaoruko's bed and deposits her, carefully slipping her roommate out of her pink jacket and boots before shedding her own. She hangs the coats on the bed post to put away in the morning.

For now, Futaba eases Kaoruko under the covers and softly tucks her in. She sits on the edge of the bed for a moment and fondly cards through Kaoruko's fluffy hair as she sleeps.

"A true drama queen. But really cute when she's not talking so much."

After a few moments, Futaba yawns and decides it's time for her to rest as well. But not before leaning down to leave a small kiss behind on Kaoruko's forehead. And there's a tiny moan in response before her eyes flutter drearily open.

Futaba sighs.

"Aw, c'mon. Riding around on a motorcycle and being carried all around the dorms doesn't wake you, but that does?"

Kaoruko smirks a sleepy, mischievous, cat-like smile.

"A kiss of true love always wakes a princess, does it not?"

"Yeah, yeah."

Kaoruko giggles, reaching her arms up needfully.

"Stay with me tonight, Futaba-han."

Futaba caves easily and lowers herself down into Kaoruko's waiting arms.

"Fine, fine. But only cuz you had such a rough day. Don't get used to this."

"My, so cruel."

They situate themselves beneath the blankets, with Kaoruko making absolutely certain to maintain her hold on Futaba, clinging to her greedily. Futaba accepts her role as a blanket tonight and lies down on top of her.

Kaoruko sighs, happy that it isn't interrupted by a hiccup, and locks her arms around her childhood friend. Futaba rests her head on Kaoruko's chest and hugs her sides.

"Get some sleep," she mumbles, closing her eyes already.

"Oh my, Futaba-han, you didn't let me finish speaking."

"Huh?" But before she can turn her face to look up at her questioningly, Futaba feels a small kiss being pressed to her head. She blushes just a little.

"Thank you, Futaba-han."

It isn't often Kaoruko is honest and grateful like this with her, though it does happen a bit more frequently than most people tend to believe. Futaba gives her a little squeeze.

"You don't gotta thank me. But you're welcome." She hears Kaoruko begin to giggle, but it turns into another petite yawn halfway. Futaba nuzzles into her neck. "Go to bed, Kaoruko."

"Mm… don't mind if I do…"

Futaba can tell by her pulse and her breathing that she's out like a light in about a minute. Even though she had been plagued by the hiccups all day, she'd still danced and practiced hard during her grace period.

Futaba settles into her softness and warmth, and begins to let herself drift off as well.

The two of them sleep without interruptions all through the night, and remain happily nestled in each other's arms.

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A/N: Listen, if you have a problem with just about all of these chapters ending the same way - with bedtime cuddles - you might just wanna stop reading now. You've been warned.