Healing Kisses (ch35)

EARLY RELEASE FOR ALL MY PATRONS!!

Here we go, next reward for nadie95! This one is a bit different from the usual in the sense that we aren't staying at Seishou - or even Japan - anymore!

Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.

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						Chapter 35. Tendos And Saijous


Initially, it had sounded like the best possible way to spend their spring break. Truthfully, Maya couldn't have been more ecstatic when Claudine had casually proposed the idea of flying back with her to France for a short time to sightsee and enjoy themselves.

But of course Claudine wouldn't go back to France without visiting her family.

The concept of meeting Claudine's parents had either not phased Maya at first, or - the more likely option - had astounded her to the point of disbelief, flown so far over her head that she hadn't even had the sense to worry about it until their plane was already landing.

For the entire flight Maya had been talking to Claudine, listening to music and watching movies with her, listening to her ramble excitedly about all the places she wanted to show Maya with that beautiful sparkle in her eyes.

But all the while there'd been a nagging in the back of Maya's mind, the reminder that she would be meeting her girlfriend's parents for the first time.

Even as they're getting up from their seats and retrieving their luggage, that aspect of their trip still doesn't feel real. The flight was no issue, the unfamiliar scenery didn't phase her, nor did the language barrier or obvious cultural differences surrounding her. But the idea of meeting Claudine's parents is still incomprehensible even now that she's already here.

She and Claudine had slept a bit on the plane and landed in France during the early morning. The plan was to do at least a little bit of sightseeing today; both agree they're too excited to simply take the first day to relax at the Saijous' residence.

Claudine has been talking excitedly all the while as they make their way to exit the airport, but Maya hasn't been listening all that well due to the rising panic in the back of her mind in thinking about meeting her parents.

She needs to prove to them that she is a suitable partner for Claudine, that she, too, is a distinguished, talented, and respectable performer who has dedicated her life to the stage, that she is a studious and excellent student at the head of her class, that she is proper, knowledgeable, well-versed and-

"Tendo Maya!"

Claudine doesn't sound too exasperated, but definitely a little frustrated.

Maya snaps herself back into the present moment where she's still heading for the bustling airport exit beside her partner. Claudine only pauses them now, taking Maya by the hand to have her look at her.

"Honnêtement, what are you spacing out for? We're already here, you know. Were you listening to a word of what I was saying?"

"Eh…?"

Claudine sighs.

"Clearly not. I was explaining how my parents have been dying to meet you, since I may have… told them about you here or there. Just a little."

Maya is pulled out of her reverie for a moment at the sound of that.

"Oh? So you have mentioned me to them, then?"

"Of course I have! I've mentioned everyone to them," Claudine says. A slight blush creeps across her cheeks for a second before she looks down. "But… you're the only one I'm bringing home with me, Tendo Maya."

In spite of her troubles, a smile breaks out across Maya's lips. She gives Claudine a tug to bring her close, and presses a soft kiss to her forehead. Claudine mumbles something before straightening up again.

"Anyway… they're waiting to collect us at the gate so let's go."

"Oui, mademoiselle."

"That's another thing. Maybe you'll be able to improve that terrible accent of yours while we're here."

Maya chuckles, giving her hand a squeeze as she follows along.

As they make their way through the crowds of people, Maya mentally coaches herself about how she intends to speak and act once she meets Claudine's parents.

Of course she had readily and immediately agreed on accompanying Claudine back home because she wants to spend time with her in one of the most romantic places in the world. But perhaps the most significant thing in all of this will be giving a good first impression of herself to Claudine's parents.

She's sort of in a haze for a few moments as they pass through the gate. She can feel Claudine bursting with excitement as she looks around eagerly for familiar faces. She's squeezing Maya's hand so hard and doesn't even realize it, and Maya thinks it's absolutely precious.

Luckily for Maya, since she never takes her eyes off of Claudine, Maya witnesses the exact moment when she spots her parents. Claudine's faces absolutely lights up, her eyes shine with glee, and she smiles with the most joyous gasp of air to ever exist.

"Maman! Papa!"

Maya doesn't even bother to look at the couple coming toward them just yet; she wouldn't dare miss a second of witnessing Claudine like this.

Claudine puts down her luggage and starts waving to her parents with the hand that isn't holding Maya's. But Maya can feel the energy in her, that need to break away, so she lets go. Claudine casts her a quick look of surprise still mixed with joy, a brief inquiry of if it's all right for her to go. Maya smiles and dips her head, then takes a step back.

Claudine whirls back around and rushes forward the final few yards separating herself from her parents. They are a humbly-stunning couple, their clothes and features clearly expressing that they are from one of France's more well-off families, but not at all in an obnoxious or boastful sort of manner. Her mother's light brown hair has the same natural curls as Claudine's, and her father's hair holds the same ash-blonde color.

They both open their arms as their daughter nears, and Claudine throws herself right into them with a laugh so blissful that all people in the terminal seem to stop and smile just for a second.

Maya's heart warms to an almost painful degree with how happy it makes her to witness that familial embrace.

There is almost a second of sadness where she feels sorry for herself and her own family's lack of such affections, but she is so overwhelmed with joy at this display that no unfavorable thought can touch her in this moment.

Slowly, Maya picks up both hers and Claudine's luggage and begins making her way over as she watches Claudine kiss both of her parents on the cheek multiple times. Maya pauses a few feet away at a respectable distance and sets down their things, heart thudding slightly as she once again reminds herself of how she must act, how she must present herself to them.

She refrains from giggling or commenting on Claudine's adorable antics as she wants to, because she doesn't want to come off as childish.

Claudine converses with them in French for a minute, speaking so quickly and fluently it may even rival her Japanese. When she finally eases away from her parents, she takes a step back and looks to Maya. Her eyes are still twinkling with delight, and the mirth in her voice is clear as well, no matter which language she's speaking.

"Maman, Papa," she says. "Let me introduce you to my girlfriend. We met at school, and we've been dating for some time now. This is Tendo Maya."

Maya is so adamant about giving them a solid first impression that she hardly lets Claudine finish saying her name before Maya is already bowing deeply.

"It is an honor to make your acquaintance." She uses her most formal speech to express her vernacular prowess, and her strongest, most confident tone. She lifts herself from the bow and presents them with a businesslike smile. "My name is Tendo Maya - top student and head of the 99th Class at Seishou Music Academy. My marks are second-to-none in nearly every category from dance to acting to vocals, therefore I can assure you that I am constantly keeping Saijou-san on her toes."

Hearing this extensive and borderline obnoxious introduction from Maya, Claudine gives her a puzzled look. Likewise, her parents are a little taken-aback, but do their best to show Maya their kindness.

"Tendo-san," Claudine's mother smiles. "It's a pleasure to meet you. You are just as lovely as Claudine has told us."

"M-Maman!"

"Oh dear, was I not supposed to mention that?"

As Claudine reverts to speaking flustered French at her mother, her father gives Maya an amiable smile.

"Claudine has told us much about you, Tendo-san. She thinks very highly of you. I'm glad you decided to come along with her to meet us."

Maya bows again.

"Yes, sir. Being that I ail from the prestigious Tendo family, money is never an issue for me, and so I purchased a ticket for the first available flight."

Her intention is to ease any potential misgivings about her family, her background, or her financial comforts. She wants to prove to them that she is the best possible partner their daughter could ask for.

Claudine's father nods, then turns back to his family.

"The car's waiting. Let's get home and have something to eat."

"Oui!" Claudine scampers back to Maya and picks up her luggage, and together they follow after her parents.

As she walks, Maya holds herself high and proud, looking straight ahead.

Claudine gives her partner another puzzled glance. She can't quite put her finger on it, but something feels off. As they follow her parents, Claudine moves in to Maya's side and bumps gently into her to get her attention.

"Hey, Tendo Maya. Are you... feeling all right?"

"Pardon?"

Claudine gives her a once-over.

"You just seem… a bit stiff. Did the flight make you anxious? Or are you just hungry or something?"

Maya gives her a charismatic smile, but somehow Claudine feels there's something a little off about it.

"Nothing of the sort, Saijou-san," Maya assures her. "I am perfectly fine."

Claudine decides that maybe it was just nerves, and that now that they've arrived Maya will go back to her normal self.

"All right then. But if anything's bothering you or if you need something, just tell me right away."

"Of course."

Claudine watches her a moment longer, but trusts Maya will be honest with her if anything is wrong.

Maya is completely unaware of Claudine's uncertainties, and continues projecting her most refined sense of dignity and eloquence once they reach the car, and all the way back to Claudine's home. Once they park and exit the vehicle, Maya is sure to offer the highest praises regarding the property, from the hedge trimmings to the architecture.

When Claudine's parents have them join them for breakfast out on the patio, Maya is constantly planning out what to say next before they can even inquire. She can't afford to let them think she's uninteresting or unimpressive in any way, so she flaunts her knowledge about various topics during the conversation. And of course she doesn't neglect to mention her prestigious upbringing.

"My family is quite renown in Japan for our accomplishments," she informs them. "Both my parents are famous actors, with my mother claiming multiple awards across the country, and my father is a highly-sought-after guest to any banquet. As their daughter, I intend to follow in their footsteps and embody only the best qualities of pride, prestige, and prowess, and to bring only success to such a highly-esteemed name."

She finishes with a determined nod, accomplished for having recited the lines so perfectly.

Claudine's parents are silent for a moment.

"My…" her mother eventually says. "That's quite something, Tendo-san."

"Yes." Her father quickly clears his throat. "Now then, Claudine my dear, did you want to visit The Louvre today?"

Claudine perks up.

"Oui! It's the first place I want to show Maya here."

"All right. Then we should get going."

Her parents get up first and take their dishes inside. Maya is about to follow when Claudine grabs her by the wrist.

"Wait a minute."

Maya blinks, curious.

"Is something the matter?"

"You tell me," Claudine huffs. "What was that just now? Your resume? You're not here to sell yourself, you're meeting my parents. Just be yourself. "

Maya just shakes her head.

"But I am," she says.

Claudine narrows her eyes a little.

"Are you sure you don't have a stomachache or something?"

"Quite sure." Maya gets up and takes both hers and Claudine's plates. "Now then, let's be off."

Without waiting for Claudine's reply, Maya turns and heads inside to deposit the dishes into the sink, already thinking through what more she can do in order to prove her worth.

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Claudine can't figure out what's wrong with Maya, but by the time they arrive at The Louvre, she's certain she isn't just imagining things. Ever since they'd gotten off the plane, Maya has been acting strangely, and hasn't stopped talking for a second.

When the four of them arrive at the museum, Maya instantly begins reciting historical facts and trivia about every little thing, to the point where it's becoming difficult to just enjoy the experience.

For every piece and painting they pass by, Maya has a textbook paragraph of information to present to Claudine and her parents as if she were a tour guide. The line to see the Mona Lisa is extremely long, but Maya talks all the while, and when she runs out of things to say about the artwork, she goes into history and theatre and a variety of other things.

Claudine can tell her parents are as confused and hesitant as she is, doing their best to acknowledge Maya's statements.

But that isn't the only thing Maya does strangely.

After the museum, the four of them attend a theater to see a play, which Claudine thoroughly enjoys. But when it's over, Maya offers everyone an in-depth analysis that extends nearly to the point of being monotonous. Whatever Claudine has to say, Maya takes it a mile further.

And at suppertime when they get reservations at a very nice restaurant, Maya insists on paying the bill. At this point, Claudine's parents do their best to dissuade her, saying it is their treat for their daughter and her girlfriend whom they are meeting for the first time.

But Maya hears none of it, declaring that a Tendo will always cover the bill, or something inane like that.

All in all, by the end of the evening, Claudine is exhausted, but it isn't in a good way. She isn't sure what's going on with Maya, but she keeps hoping it will pass and she'll return to being her normal self soon.

They arrive back at the Saijou home by nightfall, where Claudine is a bit hesitant to shower and leave Maya alone with her parents, so she proposes they shower at the same time in separate restrooms.

Claudine makes quick work of her own shower, and once she's dressed for bed she heads for the family room. She isn't surprised to find her parents waiting there with conflicted expressions.

"Darling," her mother says. "Would you come here, please? Your father and I have been talking…"

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As Maya turns off the shower and gets dressed for the night, she replays the day in her mind with satisfaction on her face. She'd done all she could possibly think of to prove herself as a suitable, intelligent, and financially-stable partner for Claudine, she had excelled in proving her incredible background, and she had acted with only the best and most proper manners in terms of the wealthy. She expects Claudine's parents to be ecstatic with her.

So of course, when she passes down the hall and overhears a conversation going on, Maya stops dead in her tracks.

"We're in agreement," Claudine's father is saying. "Dear, we don't want to upset you, but…" He trails off, clearly hesitant, and his wife continues.

"Claudine… we don't really think this Tendo girl is best for you."


Maya's heart drops into the pit of her stomach, heavy and painful. She takes a step away. Claudine's mother continues.

"She just seems so… materialistic. Dare I say superficial."

"She doesn't seem very genuine at all," her father says. "Of course she must be incredible in terms of the stage and her background. But all she seems to care about is her wealth and her upbringing. We don't mean to upset you, but we just don't think she would make for a very good partner for you, dear."

Maya can't hear another word. She can't bear to.

The very thing she'd striven to do, she'd failed at, and now she may lose Claudine because of it.

Shaking, she covers her mouth and flees down the hallway without looking back.

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Claudine isn't very surprised by her parents' reaction to Maya. Claudine herself had been a bit put-off by how her girlfriend had acted today.

She knows her parents are only saying this to her because they are speaking truthfully and because they only want what is best for her. It isn't that they question her judgement, but that they honestly believe Claudine wouldn't be happy with the Tendo Maya they met today.

Claudine steps up to them, taking one of each of their hands as she shakes her head.

"Maman. Papa. Thank you for worrying about me, but there's really no need. Tendo Maya is-"

But she cuts off with a gasp at a shuffling in the hallway and the sound of rapid footsteps heading away. Claudine's heart twists until it burns. Casting her parents a panicked look, they nod quickly and let her go.

Claudine takes off after her at top speed.

"Maya! Tendo Maya!"

Maya continues running down the hall. But Claudine can tell she's already losing steam; the girl who could partake in rigorously-exhausting trainings for hours on end is reduced to a pitiful speed in only seconds at the mere thought of upsetting Claudine and her family.

Claudine closes the distance between them and finally manages to grab Maya's arm.


"Hey! Hey-"

"Saijou-san please…" Maya shakes her head, and Claudine watches tears fly off. "I… I just-"


Claudine won't hear another word just yet. She yanks Maya into a tight hug and doesn't let go.

"You idiot!"

Normally, she would never do something like this, trap Maya so she couldn't get away if she needed to. But in this case she has to, because she knows it's all a terrible misunderstanding. Maya tries to struggle weakly, but Claudine is much stronger at this point and she refuses to let her go.

"Maya! Tendo Maya! Are you listening to me?"

Maya sobs softly and sags against her, clinging to Claudine in tears.

"I'm sorry-"


"Hey…" Claudine softens her voice and her embrace now, kissing her cheek tenderly. "You didn't do anything wrong."


"But… I-"


"Hush. Come with me."

It just so happened that they had ran toward Claudine's room, so Claudine brings her inside now, leading her straight to the bed to sit down. Maya hiccups softly all the while as Claudine dabs tissues over her face, holds her hand, and hugs her again. When Maya has finally calmed down a little, she tries to look up and meet her eyes, but falters every time.

"Saijou-san… I-"


"You were being the perfect girlfriend," Claudine says, suddenly understanding it all. "You were being the perfect girl your parents always told you to be."

Maya hiccups again, and finally manages to meet her eyes.

"Eh…?"


Claudine nods. She'd figured it out somewhere between here and there, but now it really makes sense. She elaborates.

"You were doing what your parents always taught you to do, right? Flaunting your wealth, speaking extensively about impressive things, being ostentatious and extreme in everything you do in order to promote your family name. Isn't that right?"

Maya is quiet for a moment. Her hand trembles in Claudine's, and Claudine pulls her into another hug.

"Yes…" Maya whimpers. "I… I did everything they ever taught me to do to impress others… I simply wanted to let your parents think I was good enough for you-"


"Stop right there," Claudine huffs. "When was any of this ever about being 'good enough' for each other? That would imply there's some standard to meet, some sort of test to pass. I don't keep company with people whom I don't enjoy, and I especially don't date them. Do you understand what I'm saying, Tendo Maya?"

Maya keeps herself as close to her as possible, wondering how she'd ever survive without her.

"Yes…" she sniffles. "It's just that… my personality is rather bland and uninteresting. I don't often have much to offer in terms of conversation, and most of my merit comes from my family-"


"Hey!" Claudine pushes her back and gives her a gentle shake by her shoulders. "What on earth are you saying to me right now, Tendo Maya? Calling yourself 'bland and uninteresting'? Your 'worth'? And it only comes from your family? Mechante va- where do I even start-?"

She gives Maya a good hard stare, not angry, but so powerful it lets Maya know what she's feeling right away, without question.

"Tendo Maya, I don't care what your parents ever taught you, but your worth is not based on your intelligence or your level of skill or your excellence in theater. You aren't expected to know everything, to pay for every meal, or to do everything on your own. Your value as a human being isn't tied to your family name. I'm not normally one to argue with how a family handles itself, but in this case your family is wrong."

She gives Maya another little shake by her shoulders, just to make sure she's listening. Maya is quiet, but her eyes have cleared, and the tears have stopped. Claudine charges onward.

"I don't care what they taught you, or how they told you to act as if this was some kind of exam, as if you'd be graded on every social interaction you ever experienced. You don't exist as a tool for measuring worth. Quite frankly, I don't give a damn about what your parents expect from you, or for their ludicrous ideals about basing their own daughter's value solely on how much people ogle her instead of who she really is as a person.

"That 'boring, unimpressive' girl who pushes herself to work hard every day, and who gets hungry at the mere mention of food, and who'll always be just one step ahead of me is the Tendo Maya I love!"

Claudine finishes with an unwavering, unashamed declaration from the bottom of her heart.

Maya had started to cry again when Claudine had only been halfway through speaking, but now that she's finished Maya breaks down in her arms all over again.

Claudine holds her, tightly yet gently, feeling emotions she's felt many times before; boiling anger at Maya's selfish, stuck-up parents who had manipulated and molded her life to fit their needs, mixed with a fondness for Maya herself that's so overpowering that it becomes somehow soft.

Maya weeps in her arms for a while, mumbling apologies for how pretentious she'd acted today in trying to impress Claudine's family. For every apology she gives, Claudine kisses her twice.

Eventually, when Maya has calmed down enough to hear her again, Claudine spends a while stroking through her hair, drying her tears, and peppering kisses all over her face.

"Listen to me, Tendo Maya," she murmurs, holding her lips to her forehead. "Maybe that's how your family is. And maybe they'll always be a part of you. But what you should understand is that now you have more families that you're a part of. You're a part of Kaoruko's family, and Karen's, and Nana's and Futaba's… everyone you've met, you're a part of their family now. And that includes mine, of course. And here in my family, we don't care about your wealth or your knowledge of plays or your ability to impress a crowd. We care about that boring idiot who eats too much and gives herself a stomachache because she doesn't know how much chocolate is too much."

Maya actually manages a small laugh now. She hugs Claudine's waist, tucking herself into her warmth.


"I understand that now, Claudine. Truly, I do. Had I been in your parents' position, I would not have approved of someone who acted as I did today, either."


"They'll understand," Claudine assures her, kissing the top of her head. "Anyone would be nervous to meet someone's parents for the first time. Anyone would put on airs and try to be as extravagant as possible. But I know for a fact that they will absolutely love the real Tendo Maya, once you show her to them."

"Yes…" Maya smiles, dipping her head, then lifts her gaze back to Claudine's. "Your parents love you very much. I can tell they only disapproved of me because I was being... quite excessive and very superficial. I was trying to impress my parents today, not yours."

"Exactly." Claudine kisses her nose. "But you don't have to worry about being a Tendo anymore. Not with us. Not with me. When you're with me, you'll always be Ma Maya."

Claudine pulls her in once more, desperate to convey just how deeply she means it.

And Maya knows. She understands her perfectly.

With all the warmth that radiates from Claudine, the cold, lonely girl Maya once was dissipates bit by bit. She can hear Claudine's love in every breath she takes, feel it in every beat of her heart, see it in every smile and every glance.

Maya wants to return it all to her, and then some. She pours herself into that embrace, and murmurs the only thing she can think to say to her.

"Thank you…"

Claudine doesn't let her go for a long time, and Maya doesn't let go either. She doesn't intend to be her parents' daughter anymore; for the remainder of her trip with Claudine, and for their shared days to come, Maya intends to be who she is.

Because that person - whom she always considered to be rather quiet and unimpressive - is the person Claudine and all of her other friends had come to love.

At last, she feels ready. Maya eases herself back and draws in a deep breath.

Claudine waits patiently for her.

"Well?" she prompts. "What do you say to starting over? I'll reintroduce you to my parents."

Maya dips her head.

"Yes. I would very much like that, Claudine."

Claudine gets up from her bed, keeping hold of Maya's hand to help her up too.

Together, they make their way back down the hallway to the room where Claudine's parents are waiting.

And right away, they both seem to understand that the girl Claudine has with her now is very different from the one she'd brought to them that morning. They smile.

Clearing her throat, Claudine leads Maya over to the couch to take a seat beside her.

"Maman, Papa. This is my girlfriend, Maya."

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A/N: Ahhh, nadie told me this would be a 'funny' idea, and yet somehow it ended up as angst and hurt/comfort. I really have a problem...

But I loved this idea of Maya trying to be a 'Tendo' in order to impress Claudine's parents. I feel it's definitely something she would do, thinking it was just natural in order to prove herself. And of course Claudine would have none of it. I always enjoy writing her going off about Maya's parents as a means of expressing her love for Maya herself. I also wanted to make it a point that the first time Claudine introduces Maya to her parents she says "Tendo Maya," but the second time at the end she leaves the 'Tendo' out.

Hope you enjoyed!