Only Time Will Tell

EARLY RELEASE FOR ALL MY PATRONS!

I know this is coming a very long time after it, but I actually wrote this back in September 2020, and I think it could potentially serve as somewhat of an epilogue to Revue, Rewind, Replay. It doesn't necessarily have to be one, but there are plenty of implications and references to that fic, and it deals with the same topics. It'd probably work that RRR came first, then the anime, and then this.

Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.

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							Only Time Will Tell


Ever since the truth about their revues had come to light, Junna couldn't help but feel a certain sense of guilt.

Nana is not only her roommate, but also her best friend - the first friend she'd made here at Seishou. Even now, so many months later, she still blushes to remember the Junnana Cafe, the first time Nana called her by her first name, the first time she'd hugged her…

Junna had seen every side of her.

She'd seen Nana struggling at her desk writing her scripts at night.

She'd seen her dancing around the kitchen making sweets for everyone.

She'd seen her tense and anxious before a performance.

She'd seen her laughing so hard she'd fallen out of her seat.

She'd seen her cry a few times - one having been very recently.

The night Junna had spent alone with her outside in the grass, holding Nana in her arms as she'd caterwauled at the top of her lungs, wailing her apologies for what she'd done. She'd cried so loudly, so fully, with her entire body, to the point where Junna could tell that the cracked rasping of her voice as she'd done so had come naturally.

Meaning Nana had cried alone many, many more times than Junna had ever known about.

That had been one of the toughest nights of them all.

And yet, it remained to be one of Junna's favorites.

All those weeks prior, she'd had the feeling Nana had been keeping something from her. Of course, Junna never would've imagined it was something so colossal, something that stretched over and amassed dozens of years of their lives, looped on endless repeats. There was no way she ever could have known that, but she'd known Nana had been shouldering some great and devastating burden.

Perhaps it hadn't been the weight of the entire world, but it had been the weight of theirs.

Hence the helpless sense of guilt that's been churning in Junna's stomach ever since the truth had been revealed.

She's been a little at war with herself.

She should've known - yet there's no way she could have known. She should've remembered - yet there's no way she could have remembered.

Her only sources of solace in all of it in the end had been that she'd gotten to share a piece of Nana's burden with her and help her alleviate some of the rest of it, and that the time loops had finally been stopped. Time is progressing forward once more - unstoppably - as it was always meant to, as a construct.

The revues have ended - for now - though the newfound ReLives have started taking up some of their time. Everyone has returned safely; Karen had freed Hikari from her prison, and Claudine had brought Maya back from the verge of erasure.

Their school days continue, into new territories time had never brought them into before.

They push forward, but it becomes very clear to Junna that her roommate can't help but keep looking back…

...

It happens a few months after the revues have ended and the ReLives have begun. Their classes and lessons continue on as per usual, but Junna can sense there's been a slight shift in the balance of things. It's a tiny shifting, one that trembles with Nana at the epicenter.

When Junna wakes this morning to the sound of her alarm, she sighs and savors the last few seconds of feeling her cheek on the pillow before pushing herself up. Her loose hair falls down all around her shoulders as she reaches for her glasses to silence her alarm.

"Morning, Nana."

Typically, Nana is still asleep at this point and would only start rousing herself to the sound of Junna's voice. Junna would have to get up and go to her bed where she'd find Nana lying on her back with her pajama shirt halfway up her stomach, chide her for it, and then take her by the hands to sit her up.

But as Junna looks across the room, expecting to see her roommate in her adorable early-morning disarray like usual, she's a little surprised to find Nana's bed vacant and neatly-made instead.

"Oh, good morning, Junna-chan!"

Nana's voice comes from near the doorway. Junna glances over to find her already dressed in her uniform, completely ready for the day, other than the second twin-tail she's presently tying.

Puzzled, Junna looks to her alarm clock again, wondering if she'd slept in. But it's just past 7, meaning Nana must've woken before her. Her greeting had been cheerful enough, but Junna can see the slight strain in her smile. She proceeds with caution.

"Wow. You're sure up early."

Nana finishes her second twin-tail, then begins gathering her books for the day.

"Yeah! I woke up a few hours ago and just couldn't get back to sleep. So I got up early and just decided to get ready instead."

Junna gets out of bed herself and makes it tidy, keeping her voice casual.

"Are you feeling all right?" As she finishes making her bed, she nearly jumps in surprise to turn around and find Nana right behind her, smiling quietly.

"Junna-chan, lemme brush your hair for you!"

"Eh? O-Okay…"

"Yay!" Nana picks up the hair brush from Junna's night stand, then takes her by the hand and has her sit on the edge of the bed. Nana sits beside her and turns Junna around to begin brushing through the ends of her hair.

"Junna-chan, have I ever told you your hair is so pretty?"

Junna chuckles.

"A few times. Thanks."

Nana begins to hum a happy little tune, one Junna knows somehow from somewhere. She closes her eyes for a moment, enjoying Nana's treatment.

It's too late when she realizes her mistake. She'd fallen right into Nana's trap.

Nana had never given her a direct answer to her question. Instead, she'd smoothly changed the subject - so smoothly that Junna hadn't even noticed her lack of a response.

But then again, she supposes the absence of Nana's answer is answer enough. She hadn't lied and said she was fine though, so Junna is a little glad she's avoiding the question rather than being directly dishonest.

Junna knows she needs to tread carefully, lest she reopen old wounds. Even the smallest misspoken word could send Nana spiraling back into a pit of dark memories. She takes a deep breath.

"Hey, Nana-"

"There!" Nana gives Junna a merry pat on the back. "All done!"

And Junna can tell her roommate isn't just finishing the job halfway through in order to speak and cut her off like that; her hair really is thoroughly-brushed.

Once again, the timing had worked in Nana's favor. Or had she planned it that way? After all, she's always had a special connection to time.

Junna gives herself a shake, turning back to send her roommate an appreciative smile.

"Thanks, Nana."

Nana just beams back at her, standing and putting the brush back on the night stand before retrieving their school bags.

"I'll pack for you Junna-chan, so you get dressed!"

"All right."

Junna slowly gets up and retrieves her uniform hanging on the dresser, then retreats into the bathroom. This is nothing new. She and Nana always do these sorts of things together in the morning; brushing each other's hair and packing each other's bags and helping each other with mundane tasks. But this was different in a way Junna can't fully explain.

Something is off.

She stands still for a moment while holding her clothes, waiting and wondering if a sudden sense of deja vu will hit her. Had the time loops started again somehow? Is this another repeat world line?

The only thing that tells her it's not is how secretive Nana is being.

From what memories Junna can recall of the repeated times, Nana had never given anything away. She'd live in the moment fully believing it was the truest of times.

So the fact that there's a fracture in her smile this morning, a sign of weakness or uncertainty or whatever it may be, proves that this is the real and proper time. Nana would never be nervous in her loops, because there, she was always in control. Only in this free-for-all time when nothing is certain to repeat, and the future is yet unknown, would Daiba Nana ever be the slightest bit unraveled.

So that is a relief - to know the time loops are not happening again.

But that still leaves the matter of what is happening.

Maybe it's nothing. Maybe Nana simply happened to wake up earlier than her today. But Junna knows her better than that.

As she gets dressed, she begins planning out how she'll bring up the topic to Nana, and when. After classes when they're alone again would probably be best. It will have to wait until this evening.

Junna tries not to let her thoughts go wild just yet as she changes clothes and brushes her teeth. She ties her hair into the usual side-ponytail, checks herself over once again, and then steps back out. Nana is there waiting for her with a smile, holding Junna's bag out for her.

"Ready?"

Junna accepts the bag and smiles back.

"Yeah."

They head out the door just like on any other morning.

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So much happens that day that it slips Junna's mind she'd wanted to talk to her roommate, come evening.

They have a pop quiz in history which Junna had sort-of anticipated, but she'd had to console a blubbering Karen and promise to tutor her a bit for the next test.

Then there'd been several girls from class B who'd asked for her help with some documents, and as one thing had led to another, Junna had found herself immersed in paperwork.

But in spite of everything, she'd managed to keep an eye on her roommate. And to her relief, Nana had been completely fine all day. She'd still made treats for everyone at lunch, still danced beautifully with Junna during lessons, and still given Kaoruko a shoulder massage afterward. She'd been her usual cheerful "Banana" self, to the point where Junna truly felt she didn't need to ask if she was all right. Nana really might've just woken up before her this morning.

By the time they've showered and had dinner and wished the others goodnight, Nana is yawning and slouching against her on the walk back to their dorm.

"Hmm, what a good day," she mumbles, looping her arm around Junna's. Junna takes her hand and squeezes it.

"We got a lot of things done. I'd say it was a success."

They reach their room and head inside together, then go straight to their respective beds without even turning the lights on. Junna removes her glasses and frees her hair, still warm from the blow-dryer, as she pulls down her blankets to climb in. As she lies on her side, she looks across to Nana's bed.

But Nana hasn't touched it yet. She stands there in the darkness, looking puzzled as she stares at the window where the moonlight is failing to come through.

Junna feels a slight shudder run through her. She props herself up on her elbow and breaks the silence.

"Nana?"

Nana jolts, as if she'd forgotten where she was, and that she wasn't alone.

"Oh, sorry! I was just spacing out a little. I'm actually not that tired."

Junna can't see her face now as Nana turns away from her, and she wonders if that was intentional.

"Well, we did a lot today, and you were up really early. You should get some rest."

"Yeah. You're right."

There's another moment of stillness, and Nana still refuses to touch her bed, almost as if she's hoping it will disappear if she waits long enough. But eventually she sits and pulls up her legs awkwardly, as though she'd forgotten how to lie down.

As Junna watches her, the same question from this morning pushes at the back of her lips.

'Are you okay?'

But there's just something about it - be it the hour, or the darkness, or Nana herself - that stops her from asking.

Is it because she's worried she's overreacting for nothing? Is it because she doesn't want to pry unnecessarily? Is it because she's scared to hear the answer, or lack thereof again?

Junna isn't sure what it is, but she doesn't give voice to those words. Instead, she changes them to the usual phrase.

"Goodnight, Nana."

Nana must not hear her - because she's already asleep, or because of something else, Junna doesn't know.

But either way, there's no reply.

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Nana blinks, and the night is over.

She's lying on her back with an arm across her stomach, looking blearily up at the ceiling, which is only barely visible.

It's early - so early that the sunrise hasn't even started, only just the bare tips of its most distant rays. The clock on her night stand reads a little after 5; the same as yesterday.

Or… had that been the day before? She can't remember.

She could swear she'd only just lain down on her bed for the night a moment ago, but now that she's awake her body and mind alike know she hasn't slept at all.

Instead, she'd been fighting revues.

She can still feel the ache in her arms from fending off Maya's most powerful blows.

She can still see the anguish in Kaoruko's eyes as Nana robs her of her dream of Top Star.

She can still smell the blood on her sword from the one time she'd accidentally cut Claudine's arm instead of her jacket.

She can still taste the cold salt of the waves of her battle with Hikari.

She can still hear the echo of Karen's voice, pleading with her not to do this to them again-

There's a flash of light - bright, blinding yellow - and a tall figure of the same color. He's standing there beneath a dead tree - waiting.

Nana rolls over in bed, her stomach gripped by a sudden tightness that threatens to make her retch. Her eyes flicker to the bed across the room, but she doesn't feel worthy enough of calling out to Junna for help or for comfort.

The revues are over. The time loops are over. For the rest of the world, anyway.

But they still haunt Nana every night. The memories of what she'd seen, what she'd done, what she'd caused.

Even though everyone had understood and forgiven her. Even though they'd all hugged her and reassured her they loved her so much. It doesn't change the fact she'd trapped them for dozens of years, kept them all to herself, hoarded their futures so they could never even start.

Her nails dig into the blankets, almost piercing through into the plush of the mattress itself. She stifles her breathlessness into her pillow, biting down to keep herself quiet.

The only things she can't stop are the tears. They flow warmly and quietly, seeping into her pillow and staining it. Her stomach heaves, crushed between her body's weight and the bed, and her skin shivers with sweat.

The next time she lifts her face it's almost 6. She pushes herself up on wobbling arms and flips her pillow over to hide the tear stains; the stains on the other side which she'd flipped yesterday morning have dried and disappeared by now.

She gets up, staggering to collect her uniform and get changed. She paces anxiously around the room for another hour, mumbling to herself, trying to keep her eyes open, because so much as a blink has the images of swords and sand flashing through her mind.

The sunlight creeps into the room, and it makes her shy away. She moves toward the door and begins tying up her hair right as Junna's alarm sounds.

Just like yesterday, Junna greets her and asks why she's up so early.

Nana's response is a smile and an offer to brush her hair.

-------------

For several days and nights, Junna is at a loss for what to do about her roommate. Though Nana acts a little odd in the mornings and just before bed, she always seems fairly normal throughout the day when they're in classes or with their friends.

Whenever Junna attempts to bring it up, Nana smoothly dodges the topic or replies with something just vague enough to satisfy her for the time being.

But no matter how skilled an actress Nana may be, Junna knows her better than she knows herself.

She knows when Nana is putting on a mask. She knows the real Nana.

So after several days of fruitlessly waiting for a direct answer from her, Junna knows it isn't going to happen unless she takes action.

Therefore, one day after school is over - after everyone has started heading back to Starlight Hall for the afternoon - Junna notices right away when Nana slips away from the group. When she asks the others, they give her simple answers.

"Banana-chan?" Mahiru says. "I thought she mentioned she was going to talk to a teacher about something."

"Either that," Futaba says. "Or she was gonna talk to Class B."

"Is that so?" Maya questions. "I'd thought she'd mentioned that she was going to the library to look through some reference material."

Junna grimaces as they all glance around curiously at one another. She bites her lip; Nana had told them all something different, which meant where she was going and what she was doing was most likely none of those things.

"Got it," Junna replies, keeping her voice level. "Thanks, you guys. Don't wait up for us. I wanna talk to her about something." And before any of them can ask or try to follow her, Junna hurries out of the classroom and down the hall.

She doesn't bother going toward the library, or Class B, or the teachers' lounge. Something tells her she knows exactly where Nana had gone.

She hurries down the nearest staircase, mumbling brief apologizes to the girls who are walking up, startled by their Class Rep running in such a frenzy. Junna could care less about her image right now, especially if her hunch is correct.

She doesn't stop after going down one level, or two. Not until she's reached the basement, the very bottom level of the building.

It's always been like a completely different world down here. There was never any girls' chatter or daytime heat, only the low groaning of a faulty ventilation system and the chilling rush of cold air.

Even so, she doesn't stop. She rushes down the long empty hallway, her shoes making far too much noise down here.

She just hopes she isn't too late.

Rounding the corner, she looks up ahead and whimpers with relief. A tall, familiar figure is standing far down the hallway, like a single dead tree in a desert. The image of a long shadow flashes through Junna's mind, with flicking ears and a tail.

"Like hell-"

It isn't often she'll curse, but for Nana's sake she does. For Nana's sake, she'd do anything.

Junna sprints down the hallway, and now her shoes seem to make no sound at all.

Nana remains unaware of her, standing perfectly still in front of that elevator. None of them have been called down here for weeks since Karen and Hikari had returned. But as Junna nears her now, she can tell Nana is engulfed by the elevator's presence, so much so that she doesn't even hear or see Junna approaching her. She takes a step toward it like a moth to a flame, and the light on the wall suddenly flickers red-

"Nana!"

Junna breaks the silence of the trance, voice cutting through and bouncing off the walls. Nana jolts and turns towards her, though her eyes linger on the elevator for as long as possible.

"Junna… chan…?"

Junna reaches her in a fluster, grabbing both of Nana's hands both because she's glad she'd reached her in time, and to prevent her from going toward that elevator.

"Sorry…" Junna fumbles for breath, giving her a strained smile. "It's just that it's almost time for dinner. Everyone was wondering where you went."

"Eh?" Nana blinks, and Junna watches a single tear fall down her cheek. She isn't even sure if Nana herself knows about it. When Nana next opens her eyes, Junna sees a mist of sorts dissipate from her gaze. "I… classes are over. What was I doing down here…?"

"It doesn't matter." Junna puts a firm end to the train of thought, as though acknowledging the elevator or the giraffe or the underground theater will somehow give those things power again. Junna pretends they don't even exist.

"Anyway, it's dinner time. Let's go eat with everyone, all right?"

Nana is quiet for a moment, still puzzled. But when Junna sees her about to turn her head back toward the elevator, she gives a gentle tug on Nana's wrists to direct her back to her instead. Finally, Nana cracks a tiny smile.

"Okay. Let's go eat!"

Junna breathes a sigh of relief. She'd made it - this time. But what about next time…?

She needs to address this with Nana before the giraffe tricks her back down here again. As far as she knows, he may be looking for someone else to take Hikari's place as a prisoner of the stage somehow.

/I won't let that happen. Not to Nana, or to anyone else./

Only when they reach the stairwell does Junna let go of one of Nana's hands so they can walk up the steps side by side. She doesn't mention anything dangerous, only their classes and their pop quiz and what they should have for dinner. Nana seems all too eager to entertain those topics, but it's clear that this is a forced conversation for the both of them. There's still something much bigger and darker pulling at the corners of their minds.

But for now, they have to ignore it. They can't turn back; if they do, it feels like he'll be right behind them.

Junna hurries them up the stairs to the ground level, and it feels as though they've just escaped certain doom.

The rest of their friends are just leaving to head back to the dorms, and when they spot the two of them, everyone waves them over. Junna smiles and begins pulling Nana toward the group, but stops when she feels a bit of resistance. When she looks back, she finds Nana's gaze hazy once again, and it feels as though some unseen force is drawing her back to the stairs. Junna bristles at whatever it may be, but keeps her voice soft.

"Nana?" She gives her a little pull, a statement that she'll fight for her. She gives Nana an imploring look, one that begs her to remember her friends who are waiting for her. Nana snaps out of it.

"Oh, right! I'm starving!" She bounds forward, and Junna gladly goes with her, hurrying her along out the door with the others.

The ominous pull of the building seems to grab at them all the way back to Starlight Hall.

The nine of them gather in their lounge to either start on homework or help with the cooking. Junna stays in the kitchen beside Nana, always keeping an eye on her as she helps Mahiru and Claudine with their respective tasks of cooking the meat and chopping vegetables.

Dinner is ready and served within the hour, and like usual, Nana is her cheerful and chatty self throughout the meal. By the time they've cleaned up and headed to the showers, Junna is once again calmed by the sense that nothing is amiss, in spite of the clear warning signs.

As she steps into her stall and turns on the water, Junna listens to all the different songs her friends are humming and singing around her.

But when she hones in on the lull of Nana's hum coming from the stall next to hers, Junna is at a loss for a few moments. She knows she's heard this song before, but probably only once. It's a song from a darker stage, one of violence, a song of pride and greed…

Junna knocks the shampoo bottles from her shelf, causing a loud clatter. Everyone stops their singing, including Nana.

"Junna-chan?"

"What was that?"

"Are you all right?"

Junna sighs, glad it had worked.

"Yes. I'm fine, everyone." She picks up the fallen bottles and puts them back. When everyone resumes singing, Nana has chosen a different song this time, one they'd danced to in class many times before.

When they've all finished washing up and changing into their sleep clothes, Junna sticks closer to her roommate than she usually might. After drying and brushing Nana's hair for her, she accepts Nana's offer to do the same.

Junna stays by her side as they wish their friends goodnight and make the walk back to their room. Once they enter, the lights are off, and something about it makes Junna turn them on right away.

"What a day," she says, sounding as casual as possible. "Dinner was delicious tonight, Nana."

"Thanks!" Nana says as much, but she's turned away so Junna can't see her face. But Junna is done keeping her distance. She walks up to her side, putting an arm around Nana's back.

"Nana-"

But before she can say anymore, Nana steps away from her.

"We should probably get some sleep, huh?"

Junna is a bit confused for a moment, but then she smiles. This is the first time all week Nana's sounded so enthusiastic about getting some rest.

"All right." She nods, retreating to her own bed to remove her glasses and smooth out her loose hair. She hears Nana's bed creaking behind her and is hopeful things have taken a turn toward normalcy. Junna flicks off the lights, then gets into bed.

"Goodnight, Nana."

There's a small mumble in response.

"Junna-chan…"

It almost sounds like a call for help.

But suddenly, Junna finds she can't move or reopen her eyes, or do anything other than fall into the blackness.

---------------

A long, pale hallway stretches out in front of Nana, but when she turns to look behind herself, there's nothing to the sides. There are no windows, no doors, no paths of escape.

Much like the progression of time, there is only forward.

She tries to refuse it, tries to turn and flee the other way. But her legs continue taking her forward, which feels like the wrong way.

"No!" she cries. "I don't want to go there-!"

Her voice echoes, scared and shaking, off the bone-white walls. There's a low rush of air all around her, a threatening growl. It forces her onward.

She closes her eyes, not wanting to see what lies before her, whatever future it might be. She wants to stay where she is-

But even when she closes her eyes, she's aware of a deep red glare behind her eyelids.

When she next looks, there are metal doors that opens sideways, beckoning her. The doors won't take her backward, but they won't take her forward either. They'll take her downward. But as far as she's concerned, any direction is better than forward.

So she walks toward them - resolved - following the burning light.

There is no sound, and yet something is still calling to her. Those doors are where she must go. It is her only option.

But before she can reach them she feels something.

Fingers curl around her wrist, so warm and soft it makes her realize how cold her own skin has become. She looks sideways but can't seem to recognize the girl standing next to her. She can hear a voice, but she can't make out the words.

There's a loud screech of metal as the doors pull open, inviting her in. Images flow from inside, swarming her mind like raging hornets. The weapons, the stage, the dead tree in the desert…

The next thing she knows she finds herself onstage, dressed in clothes she can't feel, bearing a sword in each hand she can't register the weight of. There are people surrounding her - girls just like herself - girls she knows.

"I know you-"

Her voice rasps into the air as one of the girls charges. She has Hikari's appearance, but Maya's voice and Futaba's weapon.

It isn't right. None of this is right.

The stage heaves around them, staircases and castles push up from the wood, seas of waves heave at her feet, and lost white birds spiral dizzyingly overhead. The girls all around her are fighting, bleeding, drowning…

No. This can't be the stage she longed for.

She shouldn't be here. She can't.

After all, Junna had just caught up to her in the hallway and stopped her, hadn't she?

Junna...

Who is Junna? She can't really remember...

Suddenly, there's a searing pain in her back as a mace slams against her spine. An arrow shoots past her cheek and impales someone who screams. Others disappear into the raging waters.

Nana pleads with them just as she'd pleaded to the giraffe, and to time itself.

"Stop! Stop-!"

The voice shatters the quiet darkness of their dorm room. Junna is up in seconds, throwing the blankets off herself as she scrambles out of bed. Nana screams again.

"Stop! Please stop-!"

"Nana!" Junna races to her side, collapsing on the edge as she throws her arms around Nana and lifts her up into a desperate embrace. "Nana! Nana, wake up!"

Nana thrashes weakly in her arms, sobbing in between strangled gasps of air. Junna grabs hold of one of her arms to keep her still.

"Nana!"

With a sob, Nana's eyes fly open. She stares up at her in the darkness, utterly terrified.

"Y-You're-" Nana pushes herself away, pressing back against the wall, out of Junna's reach. She shakes her head, then grips it between both hands. "You're… Hoshimi-san…?"

Junna's chest tightens. She understands all too well what's going on.

Nana might have broken free from her time loops physically, but her mind is still lapsing back into them. Especially at night in her dreams when she has no means of conscious escape from her thoughts.

As badly as Junna wants to go to her, she knows she can't. Not like this. Not when Nana is trapping herself. Junna doesn't want to make it worse. She wants to give her room, but not enough to run away.

Junna swallows, keeping her voice as steady as possible.

"Not exactly." She shakes her head, trying out a smile. "Actually, you call me 'Junna-chan' now. Remember?"

Nana peeks up from behind her knees, hands still clutching her head.

"Wh… What year is it…? H-How many-"

"Nana." Junna shifts a little closer, just an inch. "The revues are over now. We're not going back in time anymore. That's all over."

Now, tears begin dripping from Nana's eyes, and once they start they don't stop.

"B-But…" She shakes her head, then squeezes her eyes shut for a moment before opening them again slowly to let out more tears. "I was just there… at that stage… everyone was fighting-"

"It was a bad dream, Nana."

"How do you know-?!" Nana's accusing voice rises up so high that it cracks. "H-How do you know it wasn't real?! Th-That's how the revues always were, right? They always felt like dreams, but they were real! All of it was real! All of it-" She shrinks back again, hitting the wall with a thump, curling herself tighter into a ball as if wanting to disappear.

Junna won't let her. She reaches out a hand toward her.

"Nana-"

"How do I know-" Nana chokes. "H-How do I know you aren't just a dream then? H-How do I know you're my Junna-chan-?" She huddles up against her knees, shaking all over. Her eyes are wide and scared, but also beseeching. She wants to believe her. She just doesn't know how.

Junna can't blame her, either. She can only imagine the amount of times Nana has relived timelines with different versions of them all, both in reality and in her dreams.

But Junna knows one way she can prove the finality of this moment in time.

"Well," she says, and her voice grows softer. "That's easy."

The calmness of her tone surprises even Junna herself. It's such a contrast to Nana's panicked screams from seconds earlier.

She's still holding out her hand to her, and Nana's gaze flicks between that and her eyes. Junna waits for her, smiling patiently.

It takes Nana a long time to finally unravel herself and slowly reach for her hand. But Junna doesn't mind waiting. She'd wait forever if it was for her.

But when Nana finally does slip her trembling hand into hers, Junna curls her fingers around it and gives a tiny squeeze. And instead of pulling Nana out of the corner where she'd retreated to feel safer, Junna moves forward and joins her there. She presses her back against the wall and curls her knees to her chest, mimicking Nana's position, but in a much calmer, more comfortable way. Little by little, Nana mirrors her.

"Junna-chan…?"

Her voice is still thick with tears, but it's clearer than before.

"Sorry," Junna mumbles. "I'm just thinking of the best way to say it." She gives Nana's fingers another light squeeze, and when Nana returns the gesture, Junna finds the last bit of courage she needs. "You see… back when we were all repeating time, we could never really progress past a certain point, right? Whenever the day of the final revue arrived - before Kagura-san joined us - that would always be when time would jump back to the beginning of our first year. We never got to move past that one day, until recently…"

She chooses each word carefully, in a way that just narrates the happenings objectively, never placing blame on Nana for any of it. Nana peers at her cautiously and sniffles, but nods to show she's following so far. Junna slides a little closer to her, letting their shoulders brush. She smiles when Nana leans against her.

"And I think… only now that we've gotten to pass that certain point, have I finally realized it."

Nana doesn't move, but Junna can feel her eyes on her.

"Realized… what…?" she wonders in a small voice.

Junna turns her face, flashing her a flushed smile in the darkness.

"I finally came to realize… I love you, Nana."

She hadn't even been that nervous to say it. It's just a truth she's lived with for so long now that it comes naturally. She does feel Nana's grip on her hand tighten, though.

"I…" Nana swallows. "I love you too, Junna-chan. I love everyone. That's why I-"

"No." Junna rests her head against hers, rubbing her thumb over the back of her roommate's hand. "That's not the kind of love I mean, Nana. I mean I'm in love with you."

Nana makes a soft sound in the back of her throat.

"I… In love…?" She eases away a little bit to seek Junna's eyes, but only now is Junna finding it a bit hard to meet hers. She continues staring ahead for a moment, looking at her own empty bed across the room, feeling her stomach backflip.

"Y-Yeah. I mean… I think it's been like that for a long time already. Maybe even since last year. But I could only come to realize it now; after the revues have ended. After you've let time go on."

She draws in a deep breath and finally looks at Nana, finding that her eyes are brimming with fresh tears. Junna smiles again.

"So that's how you know this is real, Nana. The Junna from any of those past timelines wouldn't have realized she was in love with you yet. That's something that could only happen now, once we've moved a little more forward."

She lifts Nana's hand and presses a soft kiss to her skin, liberated to finally have given voice to her feelings. She hears a little gasp from Nana and quickly looks up.

"Ah, s-sorry, Nana! I shouldn't have-"

"Junna-chan!"

"Whoa-!"

The next thing Junna knows, she's being bowled over backward onto the bed as Nana throws herself at her. Junna catches her, wrapping both arms around her back. Nana is already sobbing into her shoulder all over again.

"Ju… Junna-chan…"

Junna is at a loss at first, patting her roommate's back, a little nervous she'd overstepped a boundary. But after a moment when Nana finally manages to speak again through the sobs, Junna can hear the smile in her voice.

"Junna-chan… I'm so glad… I-" She cuts off in a long little wail, and if Junna hadn't been certain it was a happy sound, she'd surely be in a panic. Junna gives her a tighter squeeze, shifting one hand up to cradle the back of her head.

"Geez… you're still as big a crybaby as ever, though. That hasn't changed."

Nana makes a sound halfway between a sob and a laugh, burrowing into the side of her neck.

Junna sighs, glad that Nana isn't upset by her confession. In fact, it seems to be just the opposite.

For a few moments she lies there beneath her crying roommate, oddly comfortable under Nana's weight, patting her back. Truth be told, Junna would rather have her awake and crying tears of joy than trapped in a restless sleep all night.

Eventually, she feels Nana shifting, pushing herself up onto wobbly arms so she can meet her eyes.

"Junna-chan…"

Junna smiles, sliding one hand down to cup Nana's tearstained cheek.

"You're so cute, Nana."

Nana chuckles, leaning her face into the touch. She sniffles for a moment longer, waiting until she can talk levelly.

"Junna-chan… Me too. I… I never realized it before, during all those loops… There was always so much on my mind, but… you're right. I've known it all along. I just… I never realized it until we all progressed past a certain point…" She closes her eyes again, letting out a few more tears. "I'm in love with you, too. My Junna-chan…"

Junna had been prepared for a while to say it to her, but she hadn't been as prepared to hear it back. She feels a rush of heat on her face, and now Nana smiles down at her.

"You're really cute too, Junna-chan." Nana lowers herself again, resting on top of her.

Junna hugs her tight, rubbing her back softly. She can feel Nana's heart beating quickly on top of her own, and she can still hear her hiccuping happily. Junna exhales, closing her eyes as she tucks her face into Nana's loose hair.

"So then… you understand now, right?" She nuzzles against Nana's cheek and leaves a tiny kiss there. "This is real, Nana. I promise."

She feels Nana nod and hears her hum into her shoulder.

"Yeah… I understand now…" Nana lifts herself up again, gazing down into Junna's eyes. "Thank you, Junna-chan. Thank you…" Her smile wobbles again, and more tears flood out. Junna sighs hopelessly.

"You're a mess, Nana."

"Mm…"

"Come here."

Junna coaxes her down with a hand on her cheek and kisses her lips softly. Nana squeaks in surprise and in glee, but she kisses her back right away, as best she can.

The sobs continue, but as Nana draws back for breath in between more and more kisses, a light laughter begins to bubble at her lips.

Junna gradually eases her down again, then rolls them both onto their sides to face one another. She holds Nana's teary face in her hands and kisses her again and again, until Nana is giggling too much to cry anymore.

"Aha! Junna-chan, that tickles!"

"Good!" Junna proceeds to run her fingers down Nana's sides to tickle her for real, and the more Nana squeaks and raises her voice, the fuller Junna's heart feels. Nana's high-pitched, rasping squealing laughter fills the room, and Junna's soul.

She does this for only a moment, however, as it is still the middle of the night, after all. When she's satisfied that Nana is all right, Junna pulls her in close again, waiting for her to catch her breath. When she does, Nana is hugging her tighter than ever.

"Junna-chan…"

Junna can feel Nana's fingers twirling through her hair, so she does the same for her.

The room around them has been flooded with moonlight now, chasing off the darkness that had seemed so threatening just a while earlier. By now, Junna can tell Nana is starting to drift off. She just wants to be sure it's for the better.

"Nana? Are you okay?"

Nana makes a tired little moan and gives her an affirmative squeeze around her back.

"Junna-chan… I don't think I've ever been better. I really mean it."

"I'm glad." Junna keeps her close, holding a kiss to her temple. "Nana. You need to know you're not alone with this. You never were. Even when we had no control over things, you must've known we'd all still be there for you. That hasn't changed, even now."

She pulls Nana as close to her chest as physically possible, as if to keep her safe from unseen dangers.

"If anything happens… even if it's only in your dreams, you can come to us. You can tell us. You can tell me. I'll do whatever I can to help you through it, Nana. I'm on your side. I've always been on your side, and I always will be."

As she speaks, she hears more tiny sobs working their way up Nana's throat. It hurts to hear her like that, but Nana gathers her voice up quickly to ease her mind.

"Junna-chan… thank you… I… I never-"

"Shh…" Junna hushes her, letting her know she doesn't need to say anything else. "It's all right, Nana. I understand."

Nana just wails again softly, clinging to her back.

"Junna-chan… My Junna-chan... I love you so much…"

Junna feels a throb in her chest, and a few tears of her own slip free.

"Me too. I love you, Nana."

She leaves one last kiss on her forehead, and almost immediately afterward feels Nana drift off to sleep. Junna stays with her, bringing the blankets up over Nana's back to keep her warm, hugging her close.

It's going to take time for all of them to heal - particularly Nana.

But they have time now - as much as their lives will allow - and it's at their disposal again.

Junna intends to stay with Nana for as long as it takes for her to heal, and perhaps even after that, too. With tonight's confessions and revelations, they've taken the first step out of that stifling past, and into the fresh new future.

Junna makes that silent vow to herself here and now to the night, the promise to stay by Nana's side. And she smiles to know that Nana wants to be by hers, too.

Only now that she's certain Nana is resting peacefully does Junna close her eyes at long last.

Healing is going to take time.

But time is something they have now.

And there's no doubt in her mind it's going to be time they will always share together.

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A/N: Angst and suspense building up to hurt/comfort and ending in fluff is my favorite trope... Junnana is chock full of it. Hope you enjoyed this little oneshot.