Healing Kisses (ch7)

EARLY RELEASE FOR MY $10+ PATRONS!

Okay, I'll be honest... this chapter is a mess. Someone proposed the initial idea to me and I tried to roll with it, even though it's almost exactly the same idea I've already done in Tender Moments, but I did it anyway. But it just seemed to keep dragging on and on and went off on its own... So it's very just... not good, imo.

Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.

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															Chapter 7.

After a performance, their friend group would typically have a little after-party celebration in one of the communal rooms of the dormitories. These rooms were intended for large groups of students and were equipped with large TVs specifically for movie-viewing purposes.

But tonight, Maya and Claudine's group aren't here to watch movies. Rather, they're here to eat snacks and play games as they enjoy the feeling of accomplishment.

Everyone arrives at relatively the same time, all dressed in pajamas and casual wear. Treats had been prepared in advance by Nana and Junna, and drinks are brought by Kaoruko and Futaba, while Karen's group brings board games and cards.

Claudine has been a bit uncharacteristically quiet this evening, likely still upset about her mishap onstage. Now she tugs on Maya's sleeve and mumbles so only she can hear.

"We should've brought something too..."

Maya should have known she'd been finding any reason to keep feeling guilty. Claudine always digs herself out of her ruts, but she wallows in them for a bit first. Maya rotates her hand and takes Claudine's in it, giving a reassuring squeeze.

"It's all right. No one else is holding it against us."

Claudine merely sighs and does her best to join in on all the fun.

The girls kneel down on pillows on the floor and sit around a coffee table. They start by splitting the group and playing board games like Monopoly and Settlers, which start out calm and quiet. But as the final rounds begin winding down, some of them get really into it.

"No- no!" Karen wails. "You can't take my resources, Hoshimi-san!"

"Sorry, Aijou. That's the way it is."

"Don't worry, Karen-chan!" Mahiru chimes in. "I can give you some of mine!"

"Not if I take them first!" Nana laughs.

"Mahiru-chan, it's fine! Just go on without me!"

"Karen-chan!"

And meanwhile, the other game's players are a bit more level-headed, if not equally as passionate.

"Look!" Futaba says. "Kaoruko, you can't just buy Kagura's Pet Shop because you want it. You have to strategize-"

"I am strategizing," Kaoruko replies calmly. "I'm willing that she'll roll a 4 and get herself sent to Jail."

"That's not a strategy," Hikari mumbles. "Draw a card."

"Heh?! S-Skip a turn? How unprecedented."

Maya enjoys the game quietly to herself, but her main focus isn't on winning fake money bills. Claudine had opted not to play, only to watch, and by now she's slumped up against Maya's side, still lost in her own thoughts, no doubt.

Maya can't help but feel a little concerned; she'd thought Claudine had gotten over the mistake earlier when all of their friends had shown that what she'd done really wasn't an issue. But Maya knows better than anyone that Claudine is extremely stubborn by nature, and won't be letting this go so soon. Maya nudges her softly to pull her from her reverie.

"Would you like anything to eat?"

But before Claudine can answer, Kaoruko is butting in.

"Oh yes, please! Liven up a bit, Saijou-san." She hands her a bottle of flavored water. "Get some sugar in you instead of moping around!"

"I'm not moping!" Claudine snaps in offense. "I'm just-"

"Oh, that reminds me!" Nana smiles from across the table. "I forgot to tell you, Saijou-san, but Junna-chan and I talked a bit, and we decided to change the script of the play on that line. We're going to rewrite it exactly how you'd said it tonight, because it just feels more natural to the character that way!"

That's the first thing since they'd finished the play that gets Claudine to perk up.

"You... really...?"

"Yes! It would also help portray how the character is really feeling in that scene. Just a little hint of her feelings so the audience can catch on!"

The news of this small script alteration has Claudine straightening up a little, and Maya breathes a sigh of relief. Claudine takes a drink of the pink water, which seems to do its job in refreshing her.

"All right then," she says. "Explain to me what's happening in this game."

"Well," Futaba says. "I'm about to win-"

"Eh? Futaba-han, you traitor!"

"Sorry, not sorry!"

Maya had been more focused on Claudine than the game, so she doesn't mind losing. Claudine is intent to join in the next game, which the group decides to be Uno so they can all play together. Claudine takes another drink from her pink water and snuggles up against Maya.

"Mm~ This is nice~"

"It certainly is." Maya has to admit she's a little surprised. Typically, Claudine would only be this affectionate if they were alone. She makes eye contact with Kaoruko across the table, and she's grinning like a Cheshire Cat. Maya has an inkling in mind about the oddities of Claudine's behavior. She decides to test out her theory. "Saijou-san? May I have a sip of your drink?"

"Hmm? You want an indirect kiss? I can just give you a real one~"

"Perhaps in a moment." Maya picks up the bottle and downs a mouthful just before Kaoruko can stop her.

"Ah, Tendo-san-"

Maya gives her a cunning glare back.

"Pardon me, Hanayagi-san, but if you'd planned on intoxicating Saijou-san, I would've appreciated your informing me about it first."

"Hah?!" Futaba cries. "Kaoruko, you did what?!"

"Oh, it was only a harmless prank," she says dismissively. "She was so uptight about the play tonight, I figured she could loosen up a bit."

"You're somethin' else, Kaoruko..."

"How did you even get something like that onto the campus...?" Junna mutters.

"I-Is Kuro-chan gonna be okay?"

"Honestly, Karen, it's not like it's lethal! It's just a little magic."

Everyone looks to Claudine, who doesn't seem to have much of an idea about what's going on.

"All right! Are we all done talking yet? Let's play the game!"

"She didn't even understand what we were talking about..." Nana sighs.

"Wait a moment," Hikari says. "Tendo-san, did you know her drink was tampered with?"

"And you drank it too!" Mahiru finishes.

And only now that they say it does Maya realize it's true. Her intentions had been to test the theory of Kaoruko spiking the drink, but she hadn't really thought through the consequences of what would happen if it really was alcoholic. She can already feel her mind becoming a little fuzzy.

"Well... I would rather take a bit of it for myself... rather than let Saijou-san drink too much of it..."

"How sweet," Junna sighs. "But you two should go sleep it off now."

"Nooo!" Claudine wails. "I haven't gotten to play a game all night! Let me play!"

Everyone looks to her and then to Maya, who does her best to keep hold of her senses.

"One game won't hurt. She's earned it, after all."

So they start the game of Uno, with Claudine already plenty tipsy and Maya beginning to feel the effects little by little. Whatever Kaoruko had put in the drink must have been fairly strong to have started affecting Maya after only taking a sip, so she's glad she hadn't let Claudine drink the entire thing, or else she likely would've passed out by now.

But as things are with Claudine excessively expressive, it makes for quite an amusing game. She clings onto Maya's arm and holds her cards, all but vibrating in anticipation as everyone goes around taking turns. When it's Claudine's turn she always throws her card down with a squeal or a yelp and yells out what's on it: "Four!" or "Yellow!" or "Reverse!"

Everyone else laughs and gets into the game with a more mild level of enthusiasm, all except Maya who becomes a bit more reclusive thanks to the alcohol. Every time Claudine yells out, Maya jolts, then proceeds to timidly play her card.

"Blue..."

"Whaaat?!" Claudine whines. "But I just changed it to Red!"

"Sorry..."

The others look on in sheepish fascination.

"Huh..." Junna says. "So Saijou-san becomes bold and unapologetic, whereas Tendo-san becomes flustered and shy."

"Talk about a role-reversal," Futaba mutters.

"You see?" Kaoruko says proudly. "We all learned something new tonight thanks to me."

"You shouldn't be proud of something like this, you idiot..."

Karen, for one, adores this new side of Claudine. She moves to sit next to her and gets boisterously invested in the game, especially when things start getting heated.

"Une! Une!"

"Kuro-chan, you still have three cards left! And that's the wrong language!"

"Quoi? Three cards left? Karen, be a dear and take two of them from me."

"Ehhhh?"

"Wow, so if you say the number one in French multiple times, it sounds pretty dirty, huh~?"

"Kaoruko, shut the hell up."

On the quieter side of the table, Maya is fretting over which card to play, while Hikari and Mahiru try to help her.

"You can play your blue card," Hikari offers.

Maya shakes her head.

"But Saijou-san just changed the color... I don't want to change it again and make her upset..."

"Tendo-san, th-that's kind of the point of the game though..." Mahiru says. "What about your Reverse card?"

"Then it will be Saijou-san's turn again, and she'll have to draw more cards..."

Hikari and Mahiru share hopeless looks with one another. Behind them, Junna and Nana – the more responsible pair of the group – have seen enough.

"All right," Junna sighs. "I think we've gotta call it a night."

"It might be a challenge to get them to go back to their rooms though..." Nana clears her throat and addresses the tipsy pair gently. "Ah, Tendo-san, Saijou-san? I think you two should get some rest for tonight. You worked so hard in the play as the leads, after all."

"Right," Junna adds on. "Plus, don't you want your beauty sleep?"

Claudine whirls around at that.

"Quoi? Are you implying I am not beautiful?"

"W-Wait no, that's not-"

"Sorry..."

"Why are you apologizing, Tendo-san..."

From there it becomes a process to try and convince the tipsy couple to go back to their rooms and sleep.

"We don't need to sleep!" Claudine declares. "We should stay up all night! Isn't that right, Tendo Maya?"

"Maybe..."

"What's with that pathetic answer?"

"Sorry..."

It's almost painful to watch. The others try all kinds of ideas to convince them to head in for the night.

"We can have another game night tomorrow," Futaba suggests. "A proper one without any added surprises."

"I haven't the faintest idea of why you're glaring at me, Futaba-han. It made for a rather interesting night, and it helped Saijou-san forget her troubles."

"Yeah, but it just caused us more troubles..."

"We're all going to bed now," Karen says, faking a yawn. "Right, guys? So Kuro-chan and Tendo-san should too!"

Claudine looks around suspiciously.

"Are you really all going to bed...?"

"Yes!"

"Of course!"

"Definitely."

Claudine huffs and looks down at Maya, who has been clinging to her all the while; as soon as Maya had become timid from the alcohol, Claudine had taken on the role of her protector instead. Presently, she gives the girl a light shake.

"Oy, Tendo Maya, are you tired?"

Maya doesn't look up at her.

"Yes... sorry..."

"Then I guess we should sleep," Claudine conforms. "But I won't let you out of my sight. We'll sleep together."

And of course her wording gets an amused reaction from the others.

"Oh my~"

"Can it, Kaoruko. You know that's not how she meant it..."

"Isn't it, though?" Claudine asks seriously. "I want to sleep with her. Only Tendo Maya and myself have no roommates. All of you sleep together all the time, don't you?"

"E-Eh?"

"Geh!"

"Oh, my-"

"I mean..."

With that comment, all of the others fall silent and shuffle their feet. Claudine puffs out her chest triumphantly, then turns to Maya.

"Do you want to sleep with me?"

Maya peeks up at her and nods shyly.

"Yes..."

"Then that settles it!" Claudine proclaims, loud enough for all the dorms to hear. "I'm sleeping with Tendo Maya!"

And with this she whirls around out the door, tugging Maya along with her. Maya stumbles behind, keeping close.

"Saijou-san...?"

"What is it?"

"...Are there any ghosts in this building? I'm scared..."

"Oh right, you were afraid of them... Mm, but don't worry. I won't let them touch you."

"Thank you..."

"Ghosts can't touch anything anyway. Now... which room do we go to? That one's mine... right?"

"I'm not sure..."

"Hmm... well then we'll just pick one!" Thankfully, Claudine ends up choosing her own actual room, rather than slamming open the door of some innocent student who'd been trying to sleep. She looks around the room and nods, satisfied that it's right. "Good. And there are no ghosts here, I've already checked."

"Really?" Maya smiles. "Thank you, Saijou-san."

"Now go to sleep," she orders, bringing Maya to the bed to sit. "Go ahead. I'll keep watch."

"...But you said you'd sleep with me..."

Claudine blinks.

"I guess I did. All right, then." She lies down beside Maya, who snuggles close into her chest for comfort.

"You're so kind, Saijou-san..."

"And I suppose you're rather cute yourself, Tendo Maya."

The two girls curl up snugly and sleep together that night as promised.

When morning comes, Maya is woken by the sounds of Claudine's groaning. When she opens her eyes, Maya finds herself a bit dizzy and her memory bleary. She props herself up and peers down at Claudine lying on her back, hair and clothes a mess.

"My head..." she moans. "Why does my head hurt so much...?"

Her comment has Maya's memories flooding back, at least as far as the game of Uno, but after that it's mostly a blur.

"I think I might have an idea." She leans over Claudine and kisses her forehead to help assuage some of the pain. "I don't remember much of last night, but if I had the honor of waking up beside you this morning, it can't have been all that bad."

"That Kaoruko... I'm gonna... ugh..."

"Revenge later," Maya soothes her. "For now, just relax."

Claudine huffs, her brow crinkling.

"Well I do remember one thing."

"Oh?"

"You clinging to me and wanting me to fight off all the scary ghosts," she says with a smug smirk. Maya blushes for a brief moment before countering.

"Well, I happen to remember one thing as well."

"And what's that?"

Maya grins and leans over her, whispering into her ear.

" 'I'm sleeping with Tendo Maya~' "

Claudine nearly chokes.

"Wh-?! You're dreaming! I-I didn't say that!"

"Ask the rest of the school."

"Impossible... there's no way..."

"Don't worry. I'm sure no one misinterpreted it. After all, we do sleep together quite often."

"But not like that!"

"Like what?"

"Me'chante-! You insufferable-!" She cuts off with another moan as a throb goes through the back of her head. Maya stops her teasing and helps her lie back down.

"My apologies. I shall gladly help you exact a bit of revenge on Hanayagi-san later."

"I'll poison her potatoes."

"Now, now."

"You're right. That would be a crime to the potatoes."

"We have all day to think about how to exact our revenge." Maya drapes an arm across Claudine's stomach to keep her in bed. "But for now, why don't we continue 'sleeping together'?"

"I should kick you out right now."

"And debunk the rumor that we're sleeping together?"

"Stop talking."

"Very well."

All in all, Maya has to be thankful for Kaoruko's little trick, as it truly had done its job in having Claudine forget about her guilt on making a mistake onstage. In spite of the headache, she seems to be back to her usual feisty self.

"That's all I wanted..." she mumbles.

"Pardon?"

"Nothing." Maya closes her eyes and rests her head on Claudine's shoulder. "Once you sleep off that hangover, we can begin plotting a counter."

"Fine."

Later in the day, they end up swapping Kaoruko's sugar for salt at dessert.

"But I'm honestly a little surprised," Claudine was saying after Kaoruko had downed half a gallon of water. "I thought the entire school would be buzzing with news about Tendo Maya and I supposedly... 'sleeping together'..."

"Uh, hate to break it to you, Kuro," Futaba says. "But it's not 'news' at all. Everyone already knew like... months ago."

"Indeed," Maya coos. "We have been sleeping together for quite some time..."

Claudine turns cherry-red and tosses a cupcake into her face, and then it's all-out war.

And even after a teacher comes in to stop the food fights, Maya and Claudine head off to bed together.

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A/N: I couldn't find the right spot to just cut it off and let it end lol. Sorry it was so messy and fast. The last time I wrote tipsy Kuro it was easier because Maya was sober to help narrate, but this time with both of them drunk it was just so sloppy... And it didn't even fit in with the "healing kisses" theme either... This was just like a filler basically.

To make up for it, next chapter is going to be back to hurt/comfort kisses! But not before a few other, separate Kuromaya fics go up, so keep an eye out!