For unoriginalfail! They asked for a Mayakuro/AkiMeiFan double-date!
Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.
Claudine and Maya have a certain, unspoken schedule of routines that they tend to follow after classes are over for the day. That is, they always head to the rehearsal room for extra practice, of course.
But this afternoon, as Claudine is standing from her desk and slinging her bag over her shoulder in preparation to head to the studio, she freezes when Maya suddenly suggests something entirely different.
"A date?" Claudine parrots her. She gives Maya a truly puzzled look now as Maya approaches her desk, wearing a cool and charming smile.
"Yes," she says. "I think it would be a welcome change of pace for once, don't you?"
Claudine eyes her warily.
"Is this your method of trying to knock me off my game?" she challenges. "Are you afraid I'm finally getting close to surpassing you, so you're taking action to prevent me from training?"
"Not at all," Maya smiles. "I'm not worried about you surpassing me at all, Saijou-san."
"Why, you-" Claudine snarls softly at her, but before she can start chewing Maya's ear off, Maya wraps an arm around her waist smoothly.
"As I said, Saijou-san, it would simply be a nice change of pace. It is Friday, is it not? We have all weekend to practice and to train more. Why not take tonight off and enjoy ourselves for once? After all, breaks are just as essential as the trainings themselves, no?"
Claudine huffs and steps away from her, out of her grasp, annoyed that Maya makes a good argument.
"Fine," she relents. "And what exactly are we going to do on this 'date' of yours?"
Maya puts a finger to her lips in contemplation.
"I hadn't really thought it through all that much," she admits. "I simply thought we could head into town together and see what struck our fancy. What do you say?"
Claudine narrows her eyes.
"For some reason this all just sounds suspicious to me… What are you planning?"
"I'm planning nothing at all," Maya assures her. "I simply want to spend the evening together with you, Saijou-san."
Claudine gives her one more scrupulous look before deciding she seems genuine enough. She heaves a sigh.
"All right. I guess I can't refuse you."
"Do you perhaps mean to imply that I am 'irresistible'?"
"Mechante va- don't ruin it."
"My apologies."
So the two of them head back to Starlight Hall together to change out of their uniforms and get into more comfortable and casual outfits. They meet up together in the hallway, then head to the office at the main entrance to be granted permission to leave campus.
As they travel along the sidewalks, Claudine jolts slightly as she feels Maya subtly take hold of her hand. Claudine turns to glare at her.
"Hey, Tendo Maya! Just what do you think you're-"
"This is a date, is it not?" Maya asks.
Claudine huffs, but says nothing more on the matter.
They walk hand-in-hand into town, and Claudine gives Maya enough leeway to let her lead wherever she might intend to take them. But it seems Maya really doesn't have anything planned, because she only walks beside Claudine and never directs them in any particular direction.
Now that she's convinced this is really just a casual outing, Claudine takes the lead herself and brings them down a different turn, veering away from the usual stores and markets the girls tend to frequent. Maya seems very content to be exploring a different route with her.
"This is nice," she comments.
"I figured we might as well try something different," Claudine reasons. "I can't remember the last time I was down this way."
"Nor can I."
They're quiet for a moment, taking in the sight of the different little shops and stores; jewelry, crafts, toys, and a few for clothing as well. Maya steps a little closer to her partner.
"Would you like to stop by anywhere?"
"Maybe just for a moment…" Claudine looks along the various little buildings, wondering which might be the best fit for the two of them.
But as she's debating it, she catches sight of an area that looks very different from the rest of the quaint little shops lining the streets. Bright colors, flashing lights, and game-like music draw both girls' attention to a small arcade. Claudine blinks.
"I had no idea there was one of those here."
"Nor did I." Maya shakes her head. "Shall we see what it's like?"
"I suppose it can't hurt."
What neither wants to admit is that, of all the stores and places they've seen so far, this one is definitely the most compelling to them.
They make their way to the arcade entrance, where the windows are filled with all kinds of stuffed animals and games and prizes. The automatic doors open up and reveal a world of various games and video screens, flashing lights and all kinds of sounds. Right away, they spot crane games, racing games, and shooting games, as well as games based on luck and chance.
There aren't many other people inside at all.
But in only seconds, both Maya's and Claudine's gazes are directed toward two other girls standing not too far away. And though they aren't in-uniform, their height, figures, and hair alone tell exactly who they are.
"Oh, you can't be serious…" Claudine mumbles.
"Oh my. What a surprise," Maya says.
Just as they recognize the other girls, the pair turns around and notices them at the same time. None other than Akira and Mei Fan stare back at them.
"Huh." Akira looks them both over with mild interest. "Tendo. Saijou. This is a coincidence."
"Tendo-san! Saijou-san!" Mei Fan blurts out. "Are you two on a date as well?"
"I wouldn't exactly call this a date," Akira grunts.
Maya shoots Claudine an amused look.
"Why do I feel that's something similar to what you might say, Saijou-san?"
"And why is it that every new thing out of your mouth is even more annoying than the one before?"
At the very least, now that they've all seen each other, the four girls come together to greet each other properly.
"So," Akira begins. "What brings you two to a place like this?"
"We were merely taking a break from practicing," Maya replies. "We decided to take a different path than usual into town, and we stumbled upon this arcade."
"I see. Mei Fan was telling us this place just opened up recently. I told her if we have time to waste playing games we should be training-"
"But!" Mei Fan interjects with a grin. "I told her it's just as important to take breaks as it is to practice, and she agreed with me!"
"Oh?" Claudine chuckles. "That's exactly how Tendo Maya roped me into this."
Akira crosses her arms and heaves a sigh.
"Well, we're all here now, so we might as well participate in something, or else it really will have just been a waste of time."
"Oh!" Mei Fan claps. "Why don't the four of us do some games together?"
"Eh?"
"Quoi?"
"Yes!" she continues. "An arcade experience would be twice as enriching with twice as many people, don't you think?"
Akira puts a hand to her chin and contemplates.
"I fail to see how such a place could provide an enriching experience…" She looks Maya and Claudine over with intrigue. "But I suppose I wouldn't mind seeing Seishou's top students put their skills to the test in something other than theatre."
Maya and Claudine share another glance with one another. There is already a mutual spark in their eyes, ignited by the implications of a challenge. Maya turns back to face the Siegfeld girls cooly.
"Very well," she says. "Saijou-san and I will gladly demonstrate our skills."
"I'm no amateur," Claudine proclaims. "I've played my fair share in France as well as a child."
"Oh!" Mei Fan grins. "I've played some in China, too!"
"Hmph." Akira smirks as she looks to each girl in turn. "Then it seems we're all in agreement."
"Very well," Maya dips her head. "Where shall we begin?"
"Hmm…" Mei Fan surveys the arcade until something in particular catches her eye. "Oh! Why not try air hockey?" In her glee, she doesn't even have time to be embarrassed about grabbing Akira by the arm and leading her over, while Maya and Claudine follow.
The large air hockey table allows up to four players, with a slot for a goal on each side. Everyone seems to be fine with this game as their first, and the four of them move to take one side each.
"Since this was my suggestion, I'll pay!" Mei Fan dutifully brings out her wallet to begin putting coins into the game. The lights for each scoreboard come on, and the tabletop itself comes to life as the pieces begin floating about.
Claudine has taken a moment to read the little sticker of instructions, and shares some information with the others.
"It seems this works in that your number will go up as you're scored on, since the game won't know which of the other three players made the point. So, essentially, you don't want a high number on your board. You want to stay at zero or as low as possible."
"I see," Akira says. "Good job finding the instructions, Saijou. That makes sense." She retrieves the puck from her cubby and hands it to Maya next to her. "Seishou can start," she decides.
Maya eyes her with both respect and suspicion.
"We do not need any handicaps."
"This isn't one. It's just as Mei Fan said; this was our idea, so you two should get to start things off."
"Hold on." Claudine raises her hand, and the other three look to her. "Are we playing in pairs?"
"Ah, good question." Akira puts a hand to her chin again. "Why don't we save the team competitions for the next game? As for this one, it'll be every man for himself."
"I don't see any men here, though," Mei Fan giggles.
Maya places the puck down in front of herself and checks all around her to ensure everyone is ready.
"I believe this game is first to ten points is the loser," she says. "Since the points are displaying your negatives in this case."
"That's right," Akira nods. "Don't hold back."
"Oh, don't worry," Claudine smirks. "I won't."
"Neither will I!" Mei Fan agrees.
The four of them get ready as Maya releases the puck and swipes her handle piece. With a clattering sound, the puck goes bouncing off Mei Fan's side across from her, then ricochets sideways to hit Akira's. Akira manages to graze it and keep it away from her goal for the moment. She sends it straight across at Claudine, but she manages to deflect it as well.
It zig-zags back and forth between them, bouncing off each wall with incredible speed, almost faster than their eyes can follow. With the air being blasted out from the table, the puck travels even more quickly.
They all protect their goals several more times, until the puck finally slips past Claudine's handle piece by a hair, and falls into her goal. Her score board changes to display the number 1. Claudine growls to herself as she retrieves the puck.
"To lose the first point…" She glares at Maya in particular now. "I'm not losing to you, Tendo Maya!"
"I never said you were, Saijou-san."
"Oh-ho!" Mei Fan smiles. "Now we're getting fired up!"
"That was a good first round," Akira says. "Let's keep it up. This is interesting."
Claudine starts off the next match for the second point. She has her own strategy for this. She lifts her right hand to the left side of the puck, clearly making it seem she's aiming for Mei Fan's goal on her right. But rather, what she's aiming for is the wall. With a small grunt she hits, and the puck bounces off the wall as intended and it's sent soaring straight back across and into Maya's goal now. Maya blinks in surprise.
"My, how cunning. I'd best not let my guard down."
Claudine tosses her hair over her shoulder with a smirk.
They continue playing, each girl now becoming more and more invested. Mei Fan gets a point scored on her next, followed by Claudine again, and then Akira.
All in all it's very even throughout the entirety of the game.
As they near the end, all four of them have become a little flustered. Mei Fan is confidently maintaining her lead with only 7 points, while Akira is at 8 and both Maya and Claudine are at the decisive 9.
Claudine has fire in her eyes and in her soul as she follows the puck with her gaze, refusing to let it slip by her. Maya is equally on-guard, holding her piece at the center of her goal. Akira does the same, as she knows that's the best position to keep it in to prevent the puck from slipping by on either side, and so she can flash her hand out quickly to the left or the right to block. However, the one with the most lead, Mei Fan, is using the technique of constantly moving her piece back and forth across the goal slot to never allow longer than a second of any part of it being left open.
Akira had the most-recent point scored on her, so she picks up the puck and places it down in front of her. Everyone else nods, and she starts off the round.
Just like every other round, it bounces all around the table top, making that loud clacking sound. All four girls follow it with their eyes, deflecting when necessary. They put force into their hits, which only makes the puck move even more quickly. But this is a matter of pride, and they all refuse to give in.
It's a very intense round, but in the end, the misfortune falls on Claudine. She can't fight off the sneeze that's been tickling her nose for a few seconds now, and just as she's forced to turn her face into her shoulder to let it out, the puck flies directly into her goal. Her scoreboard moves up to 10, the lights and air go off, and the game is over.
Everyone puts down their pieces with a sigh and shakes out their wrists.
"That was an excellent game!" Mei Fan says.
"I agree," Akira says. "You all kept me on my toes, that's for sure."
Maya has gone to stand beside her date now, rubbing Claudine's back gently as a second sneeze jolts through her now.
"Damn it…" Claudine sniffles. "I could've won…"
"That was rather unfortunate," Maya says sympathetically.
"Don't worry about it, Saijou," Akira says. "You couldn't help it. You put up a good fight."
"Yes! A very good fight!"
If there's anything Claudine despises, it's pity, but the three of them are being genuine with her. She sighs, but ultimately smiles back.
"I guess so. But next time you'd all better be ready to lose to me."
The next game they decide to move onto is a racing game. They take up four motorcycles in a row and select their preferred styles. Maya chooses all white, while Akira just goes with the default green. But of course Claudine and Mei Fan decorate theirs with their native countries' colors.
"Oh?" Maya says. "It seems you can choose to race with a partner for this game."
"You're right." Akira turns to glance at her classmate. "What do you say, Mei Fan? Care to join me?"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Claudine heaves a dramatic sigh.
"I guess that leaves me with you, Tendo Maya."
"It's my honor."
They select their partners on their screens, and then the four of them are shown the same starting scene. Everyone grabs a little tighter onto their handle bars.
"Good luck, everyone!" Mei Fan says.
"May the best team win," Maya says.
"Don't worry," Akira smirks. "We will."
"Gosh, she's just like you," Claudine mutters to her partner.
The in-game whistle blows, and they all take off with their respective bikes. The course is set out in the middle of a desert with all kinds of random crazy things happening to try and throw them off-course. They find out right away that whenever their partner's bike gets hindered, their own speed gets delayed as well.
"Oh?" Akira hums. "Interesting. It really is a team effort."
"Akira-san, please be careful of this part of the course! There's a giant sand worm!"
"H-Hey!" Claudine cries. "I was doing so well! Tendo Maya, quit slowing me down!"
"My apologies. A sink hole suddenly appeared somehow…"
There's a bit of panicked, excited chatter as they continue on, lapping the course while trying not to get crushed or eaten in the process.
In the end, it's a very close finish, but Maya and Claudine manage to pull ahead by a few seconds. As their screens explode with confetti, Claudine slumps back in her seat.
"Gosh… that was close…"
"Well done, Saijou-san."
"Indeed," Akira nods. "That was a good fight, you two."
"Your partnership is excellent as always! But Akira-san and I won't lose the next game!"
"Actually," Akira ponders. "Why don't we switch things up a bit? And by that, I mean mix up the pairs." She gets off her motorcycle and makes her way over to offer her hand to Claudine. Maya stiffens a bit as she watches, and her fingers curl more tightly around her handlebars.
Claudine blinks curiously up at Akira's outstretched hand.
"Pardon?"
"You heard me," Akira smirks. "I want you to be my partner this time around, Saijou. I think it would be a good experience for everyone to switch things up a bit. Plus, it would be much more interesting this way, don't you think? Being we are all rivals to some degree."
Claudine isn't sure how to react, but she does instinctively steal a glance at Maya. Her expression is unreadable though, and when she meets Claudine's eyes, she gives a nod. Claudine pouts just a little bit, slightly miffed that Maya would give her up so easily. So she accepts Akira's hand with a firm grip.
"Very well. I like the sound of that."
"Excellent."
Akira helps her off her bike, and they share an equally-determined smirk. Mei Fan hops off her bike and goes to Maya as well.
"Oh, this will be my first time pairing with you, Tendo-san! I'm excited!"
Maya gives her a kind smile.
"Yes. I look forward to it, Liu-san."
"Me too!"
They take one another's hands as well, looking to their 'former' partners.
"You two make quite the pair," Akira says.
"Don't we?" Mei Fan smiles back. "I won't lose to you, Akira-san!"
"We'll see about that. Now then, what should our next game be?"
Maya had been debating the same question and looking around the arcade for a suitable one. She smiles when she spots it.
"What about that?"
Everyone follows her gaze to a dance simulation game.
"How fitting," Claudine says. "I'm in."
"Agreed."
"Yes!"
So they all head to the dancing game, where two platforms with colorful patterns and arrows are set up to follow the instructions given on-screen. Mei Fan goes to read the instructions aloud.
"It seems you can dance against someone or with someone. Since we have two teams of two, why don't we set it up so that we dance with our partners instead of our opponents?"
"That's fine by me," Akira says. "I'm very interested to see how well you and I match, Saijou."
Claudine refuses to admit she's slightly intimidated. She keeps her cool with a smirk.
"It would be a good change of pace for me to dance with someone other than Tendo Maya from time to time."
"Gosh…" Mei Fan mumbles. "I'm disadvantaged no matter what, huh? Either way I'm against one or both of the best students from either school…"
Once again, Maya offers her a kind smile.
"Not at all, Liu-san. Don't lose your confidence before we even begin."
"She's right, Mei Fan," Akira says. "You're an exceptional dancer. Don't sell yourself short."
"Oui," Claudine agrees. "You'll do wonderfully."
Mei Fan looks around to all of them in turn, and her eyes get a little teary.
"Tendo-san… Akira-san… Saijou-san…" She draws in a deep breath and straightens up. "You're right! Thank you all very much!"
"Besides," Claudine adds. "We're here to have fun."
"Ho...?" Akira chuckles. "But with the four of us, a little competition is inevitable, right?"
"Indeed." Maya now steps onto the second platform beside Mei Fan. "Well then, Liu-san, shall we take the first round for ourselves?"
Mei Fan beams up at her.
"Yes! Let's win this, Tendo-san!"
So Claudine and Akira stand back to observe while Mei Fan selects a song and difficulty level.
"We're going for the most difficult setting, aren't we?" she asks.
"But of course," Maya says. "I'd accept nothing less."
"All right then. It says our individual scores will be combined as our final number. I'm excited!"
As the two of them get into position at the centers of their mats, Claudine and Akira talk to one another privately.
"That Tendo Maya… she's really getting serious now."
"Mei Fan is fired-up as well. She becomes a different person when she's like this."
"Though, these aren't the sort of dances we're used to doing. I'm curious to see what it's like."
"Yes. I suppose we have a slight advantage to be able to watch them go first."
They cross their arms and observe quietly now as Maya and Mei Fan begin.
It starts off slowly, and Maya finds it painfully easy to follow the steps and patterns. Mei Fan is given the same steps as she is, and they follow the beat of the music perfectly.
But then, the tempo picks up, and all the commands begin coming much more quickly. The lights beneath their shoes light up two at a time now, and their patterns begin to differ. Maya can only trust Mei Fan is maintaining a good score, because she can only focus on herself right now.
Mei Fan is understandably nervous to be working with Seishou's top student, so she makes absolutely certain not to get distracted by anything or miss a single step. Not only does she want to impress Maya and Claudine, but she wants Akira to be proud of her, too.
Both of them are moving nonstop by the end of the song, and the finale is a mirage of flashing lights all around. At last, when the final note strikes, the lights go off, and confetti rains down on their screens. Both Maya and Mei Fan are left breathless for a moment, while Claudine and Akira clap from behind.
"Bon travail! Not bad, you two!"
"I don't think you missed a single step, Mei Fan."
"Really…?" Mei Fan looks up to her screen now where it says 'PERFECT' in big green letters. She glances to Maya's screen to see it's exactly the same. "Wow! Tendo-san, I think we got a great score!"
"Indeed." Maya taps the forward arrow with her shoe to prompt the game to show them their combined score. The final result reads: 10,000. Mei Fan is overjoyed.
"Wow! 10,000 points? That's pretty good!" She takes both of Maya's hands in her excitement. "We make a good team, Tendo-san!"
Maya blushes faintly. "Yes."
But she doesn't miss that Claudine has become a little frazzled to see Mei Fan touching her so exuberantly. And even Akira gives a grunt and steps forward now to break them apart.
"All right, you two. Good job." She puts a hand to Mei Fan's back and ushers her off, sending Maya a small warning glare before looking back for Claudine. "Come, Saijou. Let's show them how it's done."
"Oui." Claudine walks up to the platform and offers her hand to Maya to help her down and trade places with her.
Akira seems a bit confused about how to work the technology, so Claudine politely steps in to set up the game as Mei Fan had done. As they get ready and eventually begin, Mei Fan and Maya hold their own brief commentary as well.
"Akira-san moves just as elegantly even in this sort of dance!"
"I must admit," Maya says. "I've never seen Yukishiro-san perform this sort of dancing before. It almost seems a little odd to see her moving to such a haphazard rhythm."
"I agree. Ah, but Saijou-san seems to be in her element, don't you think?"
"Indeed. She is very quick to react and very accurate. I could never ask for a better dance partner."
They both smile as they watch their partners, even though they're competing against them this time around.
Claudine doesn't tear her eyes from her screen for a second. She'll never live it down if she gets anything less than a perfect score, because not only will she feel she'd let down Maya, but also Siegfeld's Frau Platin as well.
And though Akira doesn't show it in her stoic exterior, she's a bit nervous about mis-stepping, since this is a rather unconventional style of dance she isn't very used to.
As the lights begin to flash more quickly, both Claudine and Akira follow the steps with sharpness and conviction. Before they know it, the fast-paced finale is upon them, and then the music ends. Claudine hunches forward, holding onto her knees as she catches her breath. Akira wipes her brow, patting Claudine's shoulder.
"Nicely done, Saijou."
"Not bad yourself…"
Both Maya and Mei Fan scurry forward now to get in between them. Maya guides Claudine down from the platform and away from Akira's touch, while Mei Fan takes Akira's hand for herself instead.
"You were incredible, Akira-san!"
"Of course I was."
Beside them, Maya slowly helps Claudine straighten up, keeping her voice low.
"Am I truly that arrogant?"
"Oh, yes you are," Claudine huffs. "You and her are two peas in a pod."
When they're all ready, Akira presses on the arrow to show their final score. Somehow, it's also 10,000.
"Eh?" Mei Fan blurts. "We tied?!"
"Impossible," Claudine mutters. "We definitely won. This machine must be broken."
"It does seem unlikely both teams would get the same exact score," Akira mumbles.
"Then perhaps it's a rounding system?" Maya presumes. "If we surpass a certain level or score, it simply rounds up to 10,000 every time?"
"That could be it."
"I suppose."
They all look to one another for a moment, then smile all at once.
"Well," Claudine says. "A tie is a tie."
"Somehow, that makes a lot of sense," Mei Fan agrees.
"Yes. Considering it was the four of us," Akira says.
"If 10,000 is truly the highest possible score," Maya says. "Then I would expect nothing less."
Now that they've all finally caught their breath and straightened up from the exerting dancing game, Mei Fan suggests something a bit tamer.
"Why don't we wind down with a simple shooting game? Look! This one seats up to four people, and we can play in pairs!"
"I could do with a sitting game," Claudine admits.
"Besides," Akira points out. "There's one combination of pairs we've yet to try." She looks directly at Maya now with a challenging smirk. "Tendo, you're with me this time."
Maya meets her gaze levelly.
"Very well. I should very much like to see what the two of us can accomplish together, Yukishiro-san."
"Uh-oh!" Mei Fan says, gripping Claudine's arm. "It would seem we're up against the top students from our schools, Saijou-san!"
"So what?" Claudine huffs. "I'm not scared of them. They've never even left Japan, right?"
"Oh, you've got a point! We can be the foreign country girls' team! France and China unite against Japan!"
"Right. We can declare war, but only in-game."
With their pairs decided, the four of them walk to the large seat that's set up in front of a huge screen. Four plastic guns of different colors are set up and attached to low stands so each person can sit while firing.
Maya bows and invites Akira to sit on the far side, then takes the spot beside her. Claudine sits on her other side, and Mei Fan on the other end.
"Now then," Mei Fan says, controlling the screen's options with her gun. "It looks like we can choose what we want to fight! Spiders? Zombies?"
"It doesn't matter," Akira says dismissively. "Just choose anything."
"Oh! Then how about ghosts?"
"…Eh?" Maya's soft, lifeless breath only catches Claudine's attention. And it takes her a second to remember that Maya is absolutely petrified of ghosts.
"Ah, Mei Fan-?" Claudine tries to speak up quickly on Maya's behalf, but it's too late. Mei Fan has already selected that their opponents in this game will be ghosts and ghouls. Claudine bites her lip, trying not to laugh and be too cruel as she notices Maya has gone stiff as a board and pale as a ghost herself now.
"Oh well," she mumbles. "Guess this is an easy win for us. Sorry, Tendo Maya."
As the screen opens up, it reveals a dark misty forest. And little by little, ghosts begin appearing and rushing toward them out of nowhere. Mei Fan and Claudine begin firing right away, and Akira annihilates several at once to bring her score up immediately. But Maya is frozen in place, unable to move. Akira gives her a glare.
"Oy, Tendo. The game's started. Don't lose focus. We have to win this."
Claudine steals a quick glance at her classmate again, but it's clear that Maya is completely out-of-commission. She sighs and subtly offers a bit of help.
"Oh? Could it be your gun isn't working, Tendo Maya?"
Maya blinks, snapping her gaze away from the screen of ghosts for a second to look at her. Claudine gives her a compelling stare and urges her to play along with the excuse.
"A-Ah… yes it would seem none of my shots are registering on the screen…"
"Damn," Akira scoffs. "Well, if that's the case, there's no helping it. I'll carry the both of us on this game, Tendo."
So the three of them continue shooting ghosts, while Maya has slowly inched her way over on the seat to cling onto Claudine's blouse, trembling softly as she tries to look anywhere but at the screen.
Akira and Mei Fan are so focused on their task that neither notice her plight, so at the very least, Maya's fear isn't made clear to either of them.
But of course, Akira can't match or surpass Claudine's and Mei Fan's combined score all on her own, so the two of them end with the victory.
"We did it, Saijou-san!"
"Right, though we did have a slight advantage."
Maya sits up straight again now and bows her head to Akira.
"My apologies, Yukishiro-san."
"Don't worry about it. Lift your head, Tendo. You couldn't help it that your shooter wasn't working."
"Right…"
"Either way, it was satisfying to help those ghosts pass over to the other side!" Mei Fan says. "Even though, realistically-speaking, bullets wouldn't even affect a ghost..."
With the game finished now, the four of them get up one by one, though Claudine is certain to keep Maya close to her until she's stopped trembling.
"Well?" Mei Fan says. "Would everyone like to play anything else?"
"Actually," Akira says. "We'll probably have to head back soon. Though I do regret that I'm the only one who hasn't had a single victory."
"But we all tied at the dancing game," Claudine reasons.
"True. But in all technicalities that doesn't count as a win. You and Mei Fan won this last game, you and Tendo won the races, and Mei Fan had the best score at air hockey as well."
"But you placed higher than I did," Maya reminds her.
"Even so, I refuse to believe I can't win at at least one of these games."
"Hmm…" Mei Fan looks around the arcade, trying to find something they could do that won't take too much time. "Oh! Then why don't we try crane games?"
"Oh, good idea," Claudine smiles. "We'll all choose a different crane, and the first person to actually get a prize wins!"
"Hm. I like the sound of that," Akira nods.
"So it's every man for himself again, is it?" Maya asks. "Very well."
They all head to the entrance where they'd initially met up, where dozens of crane games stand. They get in line at four consecutive machines, all of which offer an array of small stuffed animals. Akira looks to the girls on either side of her.
"Don't go easy on me," she grunts. "If I'm to win, I'll do it fair and square."
"Right!"
"Of course."
"Understood."
They all put in their quarters at the same time, and their cranes come to life.
Akira, Maya, and Claudine all take it very seriously, trying to measure out the alignment of the crane and where it will fall in accordance to which prize they're aiming for. But by the time they all decide to let their cranes drop, Mei Fan is holding up a little blue dog plush in triumph.
"Ta-da!"
"Well then," Maya says. "I suppose we have our indisputable victor of the day."
"Tres bien, Mei Fan."
"Impressive," Akira nods. "You must have a good eye for this sort of thing."
"Hm, not really! I just let it drop randomly! That's my technique! Letting it go whenever feels right."
Likewise, the other threes' cranes all brush against prizes, but drop them in seconds and come back empty. Akira sighs.
"I lost today for sure. Mei Fan, let's come back sometime so I can practice more."
"Of course! But please don't worry, Akira-san! You're always the winner in my eyes! Here!" She holds out her prize of the blue dog plush. "I want you to have this little one!"
"Huh? Nonsense. You won it."
"I insist! As today's winner, this is my only request, Akira-san!"
Akira's cheeks turn very faintly pink, so lightly it's barely noticeable with all the other lights in the building. But with Maya and Claudine both watching, she can't refuse even if she wanted to.
"All right." She takes the plush from her classmate. "Thank you, Mei Fan. I'll consider this my only win today."
"Yes! Doesn't it remind you of Belle?"
"I suppose, if she'd been blue."
"Oh, the chihuahua?" Claudine muses. "I remember hearing about that."
"Congratulations, both of you," Maya says. "I had a wonderful time. Liu-san, your skills are unmatched when it comes to these things. Yukishiro-san, I learned a lot from watching you as well."
"The feeling is mutual, Tendo," Akira nods. "And Saijou, I admit I was struggling a bit to match your pace in those dances."
"I did too," Claudine confesses. "But it was a lot of fun. You were a great partner, Akira. And Mei Fan, you had impeccable aim on those ghosts."
"Thank you! It was so fun to be able to dance with you Tendo-san, and to fight ghosts with you, Saijou-san! Plus your chemistry was unmatched during that racing game!"
They all shake hands around their little circle of friends before breaking off into the pairs they'd come in, and wishing each other a good weekend.
Maya loops her arm through Claudine's and walks a little closer to her than usual now as they take their leave of the arcade and head off in the opposite direction from the other two. Claudine doesn't chide her for once, and actually steps in closer to her as well.
"Well, that was certainly something," she comments. "I guess you really didn't have all that planned out, did you?"
"Not at all. I was as surprised to see them as you were."
"Though nothing was more surprising today than the look on your face when Mei Fan chose ghosts, of all things." Once again, Claudine has to put in a good amount of effort not to laugh, and instead runs her hand up and down Maya's back. "Are you all right? You're not still shaken from that, are you?"
Maya exhales slowly.
"No…"
"You poor thing. Sleep in my room tonight so you don't get any nightmares."
"I will gladly take you up on that offer…"
"But that little mishap aside, I really did have a lot of fun," Claudine admits. "And it was interesting to change up the partnerships a little. That Akira is really something."
"Is she now…"
"Oh? Goodness, don't tell me you're jealous…?"
"Of course not." Maya looks down, but clings more tightly to Claudine's arm. Claudine smiles.
"She was a bit forward, wasn't she? But there's no need for you to worry. I could never picture myself being hers, or anyone else's, partner but yours, Tendo Maya."
Maya lifts her head slowly.
"Are you certain?"
"Of course! And… if I'm being honest…" It's her turn to blush a bit now. "Mei Fan grabbed your hands once or twice, and I know she didn't mean anything by it… but it made my chest ache…"
"Oh…?" Maya is rejuvenated now to hear this. "So you were jealous as well, Saijou-san?"
"N-Never mind! I shouldn't have said anything!"
"Oh, but I do enjoy to know you felt protective of me," Maya smiles. "What would you think to imagine Yukishiro-san and I as a pair?"
"I'd really rather not even think about it," Claudine grunts. "You're both so full of yourselves that if you were put together, the world might end from how much arrogance you'd radiate."
"You don't think we'd look good together?"
Claudine glares at her.
"Why are you trying to get me to envision you with other people? What if Mei Fan and I were an item, then?"
"Eh?" Maya frowns. "I mean… I suppose I would be happy for you then…"
"Oh, come now. It was a joke! Don't get depressed!"
They take turns teasing one another and blushing all the way back to Seishou where they both finally come to a stop in the courtyard. They take a moment to rest on a bench, still holding hands and leaning close.
"All in all," Claudine sighs. "It was a very fun date."
"I agree. Thank you for accompanying me, Saijou-san."
"Of course."
A moment pass by as the wind blows over them. Maya gives her hand a little squeeze.
"Say, Claudine…?"
"Oh? First names now? What is it?"
Maya swallows, flashing her a nervous glance now.
"You… Just to be certain... you don't actually have feelings for either of them… do you?"
This time, Claudine can't stop herself from grinning.
"Tendo Maya."
"Eh-?"
As Maya turns her face, Claudine kisses her, draping an arm around her shoulders. She kisses her fully enough that there's no room for misunderstandings.
"You're really an idiot, you know that?"
"I see…" Maya sighs in relief, wrapping an arm around Claudine's waist. "I'm not sure I understood, though. Perhaps another kiss might clear things up?"
"You're really pushing it."
"Ma Claudine, you're blushing again."
"D-Don't use that pet name so casually when we're out here!"
"Whatever do you mean, Ma Claudine?"
"You're doing it on purpose now-"
"Doing what, Ma Claudine?"
"Are you going to kiss me or not?!"
Maya chuckles, ending her teases by finally leaning in to kiss her now. She cups Claudine's cheek to deepen the contact, tracing her other thumb in little circles over her hip. Claudine twirls a lock of Maya's hair between her fingers, biting her lip very softly to chide her.
When they finally ease apart from the kiss, they content themselves with a long, soft hug. They enjoy that for a moment, until Maya's stomach growls.
Claudine heaves a sigh.
"What am I going to do with you?"
"My apologies."
"Come on, then. Let's go eat."
"Yes."
They stand together and make their way inside now, never letting go of each other's hands.
A/N: Oh boy, writing Akira and Mei Fan together was a first for me! I'm not sure if I characterized them properly, but I feel at least Mei Fan would probably win at arcade games overall between the four of them for some reason...
I hope you enjoyed!
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