Starlight Stories (ch4)

EARLY RELEASE FOR MY $10+ PATRONS!

This idea was based off a brief little scene in one of the mobile games. I just took it up like 5 levels and made it dramatic and gay. Go figure.

Day 4: Maya/Claudine

Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.

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													Chapter 4. Four-Letter Words

Claudine has always considered herself to be a very observant person. Considering she'd been trapped at the #2 spot since she'd joined Seishou, observation had played a significant role in maintaining her position and thriving for the top spot.

Mainly, she had become an expert in observing one person in particular.

Which is why she can tell long before anyone else even has a fraction of an inkling, that Tendo Maya has been acting a bit strange lately.

It starts with very minor things - things so small that Claudine isn't even sure if they're really amiss or if she's just imagining things.

One such thing is that Maya sometimes seems a bit distracted during their lecture classes recently, enough to have to apologize to the professor for not hearing when she'd been called on.

Another such thing is that she starts walking in the wrong direction for her next class, and Claudine has to pointedly remind her to turn around.

And another is that she just seems the slightest bit less engaged in conversations.

Again, this is something most other people wouldn't be able to discern, but Claudine can tell easily.

These sort of things begin happening very faintly on Monday, a tiny bit more on Tuesday, and by Wednesday even other people have begun to notice.

No one says anything, though. Not yet. Not until Thursday.

Because it's on Thursday afternoon at lunchtime when everyone comes to understand that something is definitely wrong with Tendo Maya.

Claudine has just retrieved her tray of food for lunch. All week, she's been deliberating whether or not she should say something to her friends about Maya, unsure of if it might be considered meddling or overreacting. But the seed of worry has taken root deeply enough in her stomach by now.

So she brings her food to the table where the rest of them are already sitting, minus Maya, who is still waiting on line. Claudine greets the others and clears her throat as she sits.

"Just wondering," she begins. "But have any of you noticed anything a little… off about her..?" she asks, glancing back to her partner.

The others seem to become more attentive.

"You know..." Nana says quietly. "I wasn't too sure, but I think I started noticing she's been acting a little strangely since yesterday."

"Not just since yesterday," Claudine says, shaking her head. "It's been like this all week."

"Oh~?" Kaoruko purrs from over her dumplings. "Leave it to Kuro-han to be the most in-tune when it comes to Tendo-han."

"In this case, that's a good thing," Futaba says. "And yeah, now that you mention it, Kuroko, she has seemed a bit…weird."

"Is she getting sick?" Junna offers. "She could be trying to hide it."

"Oh no!" Mahiru cries softly. "That would be terrible!"

But Claudine shakes her head before anyone can panic.

"No. I don't think that's it. It's more like there's… something on her mind, or something different in her routine she's adjusting to… I don't know. I can't figure it out."

"Why don't you ask her?" Hikari suggests, ever the blatant voice of reason. Claudine flinches.

"Of course I was planning to ask her. I just wanted some second opinions on it…"

"Wait!" Karen blurts out, so loudly she nearly gives away the privacy of the entire conversation they're having. "What is Tendo-san doing?!"

Once Mahiru has quieted her down, everyone turns to glance as subtly as possible back at Maya who has just made it to the front of the line. She receives her lunch as per usual - with only one major difference.

It's a known fact that Tendo Maya loves baumkuchen. It's her favorite food. She gets one every day with her lunch, and watching her eat it will always result in seeing a smile come across her face no matter what else is going on. On the days the mess hall has run out of baumkuchen and she can't have one, she becomes visibly less vibrant for the entirety of the lunch period.

The thing is, today there are plenty of baumkuchen left. And even the woman behind the counter knows that Maya always gets one, and naturally holds one out to her now.

But for the first time in history that anyone has ever known it to occur, Tendo Maya politely dips her head and refuses.

The entire table of her waiting friends gasps.

"What?" Junna hisses. "She didn't take one?"

"That's a bit worrisome…" Nana frowns.

Even Kaoruko now seems to be genuinely concerned to some degree.

"Quite strange indeed…"

"Something definitely isn't right," Mahiru agrees.

"That's it!" Karen wails. "She's dying!"

"Karen!"

"Shh!"

"She'll hear you!"

The eight of them quickly try to act natural as Maya approaches them now, taking her usual seat across from Claudine.

"Good afternoon, ladies," she says smoothly, picking up her chop sticks. Everyone tries to remember how to sound casual as they reply, forcing themselves to break off into random side conversations so she won't suspect anything. But Claudine catches worried glances from everyone else across from her: Junna, Nana, and Mahiru. She gathers up a bit of courage and thinks things through tactfully, not wanting to raise suspicion.

Maya is eating across from her slowly, her entire person seeming a tad deflated without the promise of her baumkuchen to treat herself with at the end. Claudine hopes she sounds normal when she finally manages to speak up.

"No baumkuchen today?" she asks innocently. She instantly regrets it, because Maya visibly flinches. But she quickly covers up and presents Claudine with the fakest smile she's ever seen.

"Not today. I'm afraid I'm not that hungry."

Bullshit. Claudine wants to blurt it outright, but she restrains herself with great effort. She isn't sure what's going on with her, but she now understands it's just serious enough that she might have to start getting worried.

But she doesn't want to jump to conclusions or make assumptions that might upset Maya further. So for now, Claudine holds her tongue and just continues acting as if nothing is amiss.

"Are you feeling all right?" she asks, determining that's a logical follow-up question to Maya's answer.

Maya eats another mouthful of her sushi and wipes her napkin over her mouth.

"Why, I'm right as rain, thank you for asking."

Claudine is at a stalemate. She can't risk asking more questions because it might let on that she suspects something. So she's forced to settle with a huff and take another bite of her own food. Maya chuckles softly.

And normally it would probably irk Claudine, but today she's just relieved Maya is still acting normal in some ways, if not others. She uses it as an opportunity to continue the conversation.

"What's so funny?" she demands.

"Nothing at all," Maya replies. "You were simply being cute, Saijou-san."

"Wha-?" Okay. So she's well enough to still crack comments like that. Good to know. Claudine has to admit it makes her feel a little better. "Just be quiet," she mutters.

They all continue eating, and Claudine keeps an extra close eye on Maya. Her posture seems a little off in a way she can't quite put her finger on, and she seems to sigh a bit more than she needs to. Claudine doesn't realize a pout has come across her own cheeks until Maya looks up at her and smiles way too cutely.

"Saijou-san? Are you feeling all right?"

"Quoi?" Claudine almost feels irked. She should be the one asking her that again. Maya simply chuckles yet again and shakes her head.

"Never mind." She picks up her empty tray and stands, pushing her chair back in with her hip. "If you'll excuse me, ladies. I want to get to my next class early to ask the teacher something."

And Claudine almost springs up at the chance to go with her and get her alone for a moment. But Maya is already hurrying off before Claudine can stand. She huffs and puffs and watches her go, unable to shake away that little seed of worry that's still wiggling its roots into her stomach.

Now that Maya is gone, everyone else turns back to her.

"Did she seem off to you guys?"

"I dunno? I feel like she was kinda normal, but also not…"

"Such an enigma, that one."

"Either way," Nana address Claudine directly. "Do you think you could talk to her, Kuro-chan? I don't mean to push the responsibility onto you, but being her partner and the person closest to her, I think she'd tell you before anyone else if something was wrong."

Claudine nods determinedly.

"Don't worry. I was planning on asking her about it for a few days now."

The others smile, clearly relieved.

"Thanks, Kuro-chan."

"We'll leave Tendo-san to you!"

And so Claudine spends the rest of the afternoon classes thinking of ways to bring it up to Maya after school. She keeps an eye on her now more so than she had been the previous days this week, and can just barely tell that Maya's posture is indeed still a bit slack, or that her focus is a bit off.

By the time the final bell rings, Claudine can't get changed and down to the rehearsal studio quickly enough, anticipating her alone time with Maya. And typically, even in the past few days this week when she'd been acting oddly, Maya had still made it to the studio within minutes.

But this afternoon, Claudine is left to sit on the floor and stretch by herself for nearly twenty minutes, and before much longer her heart begins to pound. She's just about worried enough to go to her bag, get out her phone, and text Maya when the door finally slides open. Maya walks in dressed in her blue leotard, adjusting the ribbon in her hair. Claudine breathes a sigh of relief, but doesn't let it into her tone.

"Well, it's about time," she snaps. "Keep being tardy like this and I'll take that #1 position from you in no time, Tendo Maya." It's a small challenge in general, and an even smaller way of chiding her for being late and making Claudine worry. Maya seems to understand and dips her head to atone.

"My apologies. I simply had to stop by the infirmary for a moment."

Claudine is on her feet in a flash, all notions of subtlety now out the window.

"The infirmary? Why? Are you all right?"

Maya's lips curve into a tiny smile.

"I'm just fine," she chuckles. "My apologies for making you worry."

Claudine feels heat in her face and quickly turns away, huffing as she crosses her arms.

"Good. Then let's get practicing."

"Oui, mademoiselle."

And for the first hour or so of their private training together, Claudine more or less forgets about her concerns. Maya is as insufferable as ever, always taking the lead, making flirty comments, giving her advice that's sincere, but just shy of conceited. It's like a normal afternoon for a while.

But as they begin getting into their second hour, Claudine begins to notice something odd.

It's in the way Maya moves. She can't quite place it, but just as she'd observed during lessons and classes, Maya's postures seems to be just a centimeter off, her steps just a tiny bit skewed, her focus just the slightest bit hazy.

It's barely anything at all. To anyone else, Tendo Maya's performance would still appear to be beautiful and flawless.

But to the person who has been watching her for longer, and more closely than everyone else combined, Claudine notices with ease.

She doesn't say anything right away, less because she doesn't want to injure Maya's pride, and more because she wants to try and come to a conclusion on her own without asking.

Perhaps Claudine is feeling a bit merciful this evening, and she truthfully still is a bit concerned, but she decides to end their session by claiming it's she herself who needs to rest. As they finish up the last few steps of the current song, she tosses her hair back over her shoulder with a sigh.

"That will do for tonight. Just because tomorrow is Friday doesn't mean we can stay up and slack off."

And she almost expects a playful challenge from Maya in return, a chuckled, "Oh? You're finished already? I think I'll stay a few more minutes," or something infuriating like that.

But to her surprise, Maya doesn't fight her, or even try to. She simply dips her head in compliance.

"Very well. Some rest should do us both good."

And Claudine almost asks. Almost. The anxious words are right behind her lips, but she can't muster up the courage or reason to speak them.

She'll give things one more day. If Maya is still off tomorrow, Claudine will address it outright.

So they change back into their uniforms and make their way outside into the cool evening to head back to the dorms. And even as they walk, Claudine keeps finding she is a step ahead, which never happens, as Maya's stride has always been more prominent. Now, Claudine has to force herself to consciously slow down to keep pace beside her.

Again, it isn't much, but it's just enough for the person closest to Maya to notice.

By the time they make it back to the dorms, dinner is already being served. Their friends have likely eaten in the cafeteria or gone back to their rooms, so Claudine and Maya find themselves alone at a table.

And even though tonight's dish involves a generous amount of potatoes, Maya only eats about half of her meal, and wraps the rest up for leftovers.

Claudine almost can't believe her eyes. Maya has always been the biggest eater of their bunch. For her to need to pack up any extra food is unheard of, but especially one of her favorites.

As Claudine watches her close the food container, she can't hold back any longer. The concern in her stomach bubbles up and boils over.

"Say-"

Maya looks up at her curiously.

"Yes?"

Claudine clears her throat, lowering her voice just a bit.

"Be honest with me. Are you all right? Did something happen? Perhaps I'm just being nosy, but if there's anything bothering you… you can tell me. As your rival I deserve to know. I can't have someone else exploiting your weaknesses, now can I?" She tries to put a hint of indifference into her tone, but with the genuine concern in her words and in her heart, the aloofness doesn't break through at all.

Maya blinks, clearly unsure of what expression to make, then bows her head for a moment. Claudine braces herself to hear whatever it is she has to say. But when Maya looks back up at her, it's with another faint smile.

"I'm sorry to have worried you, Saijou-san. But there is nothing for you to be concerned about, though I do still very much appreciate it."

Claudine nearly blurts out an indignant sound, annoyed at both the fact that she'd gotten so into this, and by the fact that Maya had decided not to say anything about it. By the time Claudine has configured her thoughts accordingly, Maya has already risen from her seat with her leftovers and headed for the doors. Claudine hastily cleans up and follows after her back to the dorms.

"H-Hey! Wait a second! Tendo Maya!"

Now, Maya's pace is definitely too quick. She's running away and Claudine knows it. She only pauses outside her door to give Claudine another smile.

"As I've said, there's nothing you need to be worried about, Saijou-san. I hope you have a good night's rest."

As she opens her door, Claudine nearly grabs her hand to hold her back. But a group of girls rounds the corner in that instant, and she retracts her hand.

"Maya…"

"Bonne nuit, Ma Claudine."

And the door closes behind her, leaving Claudine like a cat out in the rain.

For all Maya's wishes that she'd sleep well, Claudine had barely slept a wink last night. She'd been too flustered and worried deliberating over what could be amiss with her partner.

She'd even tried texting Maya, believing maybe she'd feel more inclined to come clean in writing if not in speech. Claudine had texted, "Are you sure you don't want to talk?" and Maya's response had simply been an easygoing smiley face.

And Claudine hadn't known whether to be more worried or annoyed about it.

So she'd been both of those things, all night long, and had lost a good several hours of rest in the process.

But she doesn't let any of it slow her down the following day in class. She has to admit she's relieved to see Maya still attending, and that she hadn't disappeared in the night or something like that.

But every time Claudine even thinks about addressing her, Maya seems to sense it and just sends a smile her way. She eats last night's leftovers for lunch and again skips out on the baumkuchen, which has all her friends sending nervous glances at one another from across the table. When Maya excuses herself to the restroom, everyone begins hounding Claudine.

"Well, Kuro-chan?"

"Did Tendo tell you anything?"

"What's going on with her?"

But Claudine can only huff and shake her head.

"That infuriating woman didn't tell me anything."

The others deflate.

"Oh no… I hope she's all right."

"If she won't tell Kuro-chan, then she won't tell anyone!"

Claudine flinches.

The seed of worry has sunk its roots in deep by the end of lunch, and has begun sprouting twisted flowers by the end of the school day.

She's come to a decision. She's going to confront Maya today in the rehearsal room and take no nonsense from her. She's going to discover the truth, no matter how badly it might hurt either of them.

Claudine doesn't even head back to the dorms first when their last class is over. She stays on-campus and heads straight after Maya toward the studio's locker room to change.

And that's when it finally clicks.

Not because of some letter conveniently sticking out of Maya's locker, or the sounds of hearing her crying alone in the bathroom echoing out. Nothing so cliche or dramatic.

It's all because of a magazine Claudine glimpses as she finishes changing.

It's sitting on one of the benches, something a random classmate had surely been reading and forgotten to take with her. Naturally, it's a fashion and beauty magazine, and the thing that makes it all come together for Claudine is a simple cover ad containing a specific word.

And she snaps.

All matters of politeness and manners go out the window as she storms to the studio, grabs the handle, and flings the door crashing aside with a shout that rises high above the innocent dance number playing inside.

"Tendo Maya!"

Maya pauses in her piece, clearly surprised, but somehow not startled. Claudine stomps over to her like a charging bull, head bowed as she shakes it from side to side, fists clenched at her side.

"Unbelievable-" she growls. "And after all this time- I was worried something had happened. A death in the family? Your funds getting cut off? A terminal illness? How stupid of me to ever get so concerned…"

"Saijou-san-?" Maya actually takes a step back and puts her hands up in defense.

Claudine comes straight at her.

She's pissed. She's mad. She's furious-

And she's crying.

When she finally gets within three feet of Maya, Claudine lifts her face to reveal tears clinging to the corners of her narrowed eyes. Her cheeks are red, and her voice is the very definition of exasperation.

"A diet?!" she shrieks, and it echoes incredulously. "All of this… because you were trying to go on a diet? That's it, isn't it? And here I was fearing the worst… Why you insufferable-"

And just when Maya thinks she really might give her a good smack across the cheek, it all comes crumbling down.

Or rather, Claudine does.

The rush of all the emotions she'd been feeling the past few days culminate strongly enough to buckle her knees, and she begins to fall. Maya's heart nearly seizes in her chest as she lunges forward to catch her.

"Saijou-san-?"

They fall gently to their knees together, a pitiful contrast to the upbeat tune playing in the background. Claudine heaves in a few breaths, which might sound the slightest bit angry, but overall the thing she's feeling the most of is relief.

But the anger isn't too far behind.

She snaps her head up, still glaring through tears, lips curved back into the tiniest snarl.

"How dare you-? Do you have any idea how worried I was…?"

Maya's heart aches, but in the most loving way possible. She pulls Claudine close to her and can't help but smile again.

"I do now. And I couldn't possibly apologize enough."

"Mechante…"

"I should have told you when you'd asked."

"Damn right you should've…" In spite of all her huffing and puffing, though, Claudine hugs her back. Maya sighs.

"I had no idea it would make you worry this much. To the point of tears."

"I-I'm not crying because I was worried!" Claudine quips, pulling back and wiping her eyes furiously. "It's only because I was… so relieved it wasn't anything serious…"

Maya's eyes are already as soft as they can get, and yet somehow they soften further.

"But to make you shed any tears at all is quite a grave sin for me to have committed. It may take me the rest of my life to make amends."

"It's your own fault," Claudine pouts. "You should have just told me it was something so simple."

"I know." Maya bows her head. "I hadn't wanted to worry you or the others. And yet, it seems that's all I've managed to accomplish…"

"Hey." Claudine reaches up and cups her face with both hands, making her look up again. "Don't go getting all depressed on me now, Tendo Maya. I… suppose I'm equally at fault for overreacting and letting my mind run rampant…" She looks down as well. "If… something serious were wrong, you would confide in me, wouldn't you…?" She eases back, letting her hands fall away into her lap.

And now it's Maya's turn to gently cup her cheeks. She looks into Claudine's eyes in earnest.

"Yes." It's surefire and honest, not an ounce of doubt in her heart. Claudine breathes a sigh of relief.

"Good, then."

"And I trust you would do the same?" Maya prompts. "If something serious were ever troubling you?"

Claudine dips her head and replies with equal honesty.

"Oui."

Maya relaxes.

"Very well."

Now that the misunderstanding is behind them, the ridiculousness of the situation begins to settle in over them. Maya chuckles and pulls Claudine close to her once more. Claudine - for all of her pride and annoyance right now - doesn't refuse.

"Honestly…" she grumbles. "To think I'd let my thoughts become so far-fetched… A diet was all it was… you insufferable-"

"I do apologize." Maya squeezes her a little tighter. "I knew you must have been losing sleep over this… and yet I admit I was a bit embarrassed to mention what I was doing…"

"Embarrassed?" Claudine asks, tucking her face into Maya's shoulder. "Why should you be embarrassed? People diet all the time, especially girls in theater."

"I know. I simply-"

"Not that you even need to diet." Claudine eases back and looks sharply into her eyes. "I'm being serious, Tendo Maya. You of all people don't need to change anything about what you're doing. You're already at the top, so you should keep doing what you've always done. In fact, this diet has made you start slacking. You don't have as much energy or poise. Keep it up and I'll be snatching that top spot from you in no time."

A warm little flame flickers in the top of Maya's chest. Even though Claudine words it that way, Maya can interpret her true meaning: 'You're fine just as you are.'

This time, it's Maya who nearly feels tears coming on, and she has to sniffle a bit to keep them in check.

"It's just… I've always been the biggest eater of the group. I didn't want it to affect my performances."

Claudine scoffs.

"Quoi? What are you saying, Tendo Maya? Have you gone completely daft?" She pulls herself away from Maya's hands and half-pouts, half-glares up at her. "You should be a big eater. Do you know how many calories you burn a day in this department? How much energy you expend? And especially you, being at the head of the class, and always doing all of these after-school practices. I think you should be eating more than you typically do, not less."

Maya blinks coyly up at her.

"Eh…?"

"You heard me," Claudine snaps. "I don't know what magazine ad or TV commercial or comment heard in-passing caused you to do this, but I would highly suggest you end, or at least alter, this diet of yours sooner rather than later. You haven't been yourself this week, and if you start losing stamina, it's going to affect me as well. I can't have my rival and partner stumbling onstage because of an empty stomach. What if your stomach growled in the middle of a performance and the audience heard it?"

At this point, Maya bursts out laughing. Claudine takes immediate offense.

"Hey! I'm not joking! That could seriously happen, you know!"

Maya laughs a little more and shakes her head.

"I know… I apologize…"

"Honestly, cette femme…"

But Maya's laughter is lighthearted and probably the best thing Claudine has heard all week, so she lets her have this. By the time Maya has composed herself enough, she gives Claudine another little squeeze.

"Then if my lady wishes it, I shall obey," she says. "You're absolutely right, Saijou-san. Indeed, I was beginning to lose energy because of all this. I cannot allow it to continue if I mean to maintain my position."

"So that means…?"

Maya nods.

"My diet ends tonight."

Claudine exhales.

"Good." She reaches up and hugs her shoulders softly, glad that all the worries can be left behind them now. "And besides, it's not like you need to worry about your figure or anything, you know..."

"Oh? Was that a compliment?"

"No-! It just… wasn't exactly an insult…"

Maya chuckles again and squeezes her back.

"Merci, Ma Claudine."

Claudine sighs again, glad it's all over and done with.

"We should tell everyone else," she murmurs. "They were worried, too."

"But of course. After all, I don't think either of us are in any condition to continue with practice here tonight. Can you stand?"

Claudine's legs are still shaky from the adrenaline crash earlier, so she needs Maya's support to get back on her feet. And Maya's stomach growls just as Claudine had anticipated.

"Look at us," Claudine sighs. "We're quite pathetic right now."

"Even those at the top must let their hair down every now and again, no?"

When Claudine is finally able to stand on her own, Maya crosses the studio to turn off the music and put the supplies away. They head into the locker room together to change, then start making their way back to the dorms.

"This feels so wrong," Claudine mumbles. "I didn't get to do any practice at all tonight. You'd better take responsibility, Tendo Maya."

Maya turns to her in a half-bow as she walks.

"But of course, mademoiselle. We shall train extra hard tomorrow to compensate."

"Good."

They arrive back at the dorms and head straight for the mess hall for supper. They're early enough to catch the rest of their friends, who look up in a mixture of confusion at seeing them back from practice so early, and relief at seeing them acting normally together. Claudine catches Nana's eye and winks, indicating all is well with Maya now.

They order their meals, and Maya unabashedly accepts her baumkuchen tonight. Claudine can see a bit of a sparkle in her eye as she does so.

They sit together with their friends, who have only happy greetings for them. Claudine has Maya spill the beans about her diet, and everyone groans in relief.

"That's all it was?"

"A diet?"

"Geez, Tendo. You had us worried there."

"We're just glad nothing's wrong!"

Maya dips her head.

"I understand it caused you all a great deal of concern. I'm sorry for not being outright about it. Saijou-san has made some very strong arguments, and as such I have decided to end my diet."

"I'm glad," Junna says. "You seemed a bit off."

"You don't need to diet anyway, Tendo-san!" Karen says. "None of us do! We're all fine as we are!"

"Food is a very important component of being a Stage Girl," Hikari says. "We can't live without it."

"No one can, Hikari-chan," Mahiru chuckles. "I think what she meant to say is that people whose careers revolve around physical activity are inclined to eat a bit more than others."

"She's right," Futaba adds on. "So long as we're not just eating junk food 24/7."

"H-Hey!" Kaoruko squeaks. "Why did you look at me just now?"

"Don't worry!" Nana chimes in. "You guys can count on me to always have plenty of healthy banana snacks ready!"

So after a week of awkward uncertainty, now the nine of them enjoy their dinners (and desserts) fully together. Everyone smiles and applauds as Maya bites into her first baumkuchen in three days and makes a blissful expression.

It's a feel-good evening all around, and by the time they've all showered and returned to the dorms, everyone is looking forward to the weekend. They all wish each other goodnight before breaking into their respective roommate groups.

But before Maya can even think about turning away toward her own room, Claudine grabs her hand and tugs her along into hers. Maya knows far better than to oppose her. Not that she even wants to.

Claudine brings her straight to bed and flops herself down with a breathy sigh, muttering to herself in French. As Maya lies down more slowly, she catches words like "unbelievable" and "ridiculous." She still feels guilty about causing Claudine so much worry over something so trivial. But she can't stop the warm, pleasant feeling spreading in her chest in knowing that Claudine would go so far as to be so concerned about her wellbeing that she'd cry in relief to learn Maya was actually fine.

As Claudine's mutterings finally taper off into the pillow, Maya turns onto her side and inches close to her. Claudine can sense her presence and slowly lifts her head.

"If you're going to apologize again, don't."

"I see." Maya gently drapes an arm across her partner's back. "Then please tell me what I can do in order to atone."

"You can be quiet and go to sleep."

"Perhaps when you aren't still so perturbed, Ma Claudine."

A huff.

"A diet…" she mutters, casting Maya a sideways glare. "I should've known. It's a four-letter word, after all. And you know what they say about four-letter words."

"And just what do they say about them?" Maya inquires mischievously. Claudine snorts.

"Nice try, but you aren't going to get me to curse. I still have my dignity."

"While it's true that many profanities are four letters long, so too are words like "kind", "care", and "love." All things I can feel coming from you, Ma Claudine." Maya leans over her and kisses the top of her head. Claudine grumbles.

"I can think of another four-letter word."

"Do tell."

Claudine turns onto her side now to face her.

"Maya."

Maya laughs.

"Is that meant as an endearing word or an unfortunate one?"

"I'd say it's an equal mix of both."

Maya just smiles and opens her arms. Claudine pouts and slips right into them. She loops her arms around Maya's shoulders and heaves another chiding sigh into her hair. Maya atones by folding her arms gently around her waist, brushing their cheeks together softly.

And even though Maya had already understood Claudine's meaning in all the things she'd said and done for her today, Claudine wants to be absolutely certain she says it clearly enough so that even a fool like her can understand.

"You don't need to change anything, Tendo Maya. You're perfect just as you are."

Maya's heart soars with glee. But she just can't help herself.

"Naturally. That is why I'm at the head of the class, is it not?"

"Why you-"

"Now, now, Saijou-san, it was merely a joke."

Claudine grumbles into her neck and pointedly knocks her knee into Maya's to chide her. Maya purrs and squeezes her closer. She sighs, and her tone becomes softer, more honest.

"Don't worry. I've heard you loud and clear, Ma Claudine. And I must ensure you know that you are also perfect just as you are. I wouldn't trade anything about you for the world."

Claudine has half a mind to keep being fed up with her, but she's too warm and too happy.

"Just be quiet."

"As my lady commands."

And even though Claudine had been the one to insist they go to bed, she can't stop herself from easing back just a little to press a small kiss to Maya's forehead. Maya melts into her embrace, nuzzling needfully into the crook of her neck to leave a kiss of her own.

"Bonne nuit, Ma Claudine."

Claudine sighs again as she finally closes her eyes and rests her head.

"Bonne nuit, Ma Maya."

And they sleep softly in each other's arms, hearts beating together in time.

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A/N: My (much gayer and more dramatic) interpretation of Maya's little dieting arc. And the 'four-letter word' thing is something I've wanted to do with them for a while haha I had a lot of fun with this one~