Chapter Text
CUT CONTENT:
Originally, my idea for this fic was much darker, leaning more into the consequences of TM Opera O's unpopularity but I eventually scrapped that idea because i kept having cute ideas for them rather than angsty ones.
“Could you come by my office, later tonight? I have something I would like to speak about with you privately.”
“Um, sure…” Doto said. She couldn’t fathom what Opera’s trainer might want with her. Maybe something to do with Opera’s recovery? Although why would she want to speak with Doto about it, instead of Opera herself? Her mind raced with possibilities, most of them bad.
“Such a grim look doesn’t suit you, dear Doto,” Opera said, ending her spiral.
“You’re Meisho Doto, right?” TM Opera O’s trainer was a rather short woman. “Please, come in.”
“Y-yes…” Doto trailed inside her office after her.
“I apologize for the late hour. But I was hoping to speak with you about Opera O with no prying ears. TM Opera O’s accident has been at the forefront of everyone’s mind, I’m sure.” Opera’s trainer cleared her throat before continuing. “We’ve come to discover a piece of information that I believed should be shared with you. However, I do ask that you do not spread this information any further.”
A pause.
“There’s reason to believe that TM Opera O’s accident was intentional.
Doto’s heart might’ve stopped there. “What..?” she managed to say.
Opera’s trained nodded. “The police and the school are taking this very seriously and have opened an investigation. In the meantime, please keep a careful eye on her until we can confirm her future safety.”
“O-of course!” Doto stammered. Her heart was racing. She had just left Opera back at their new room. Was she safe there? Doto’s mind filled with scenarios of strangers infiltrating their dorm while Opera O’s body still lay broken, unable to defend herself.
“If you’ll excuse me!” Doto ran out of the office much to Opera’s trainer’s alarm. She instantly shifted gears, running full sprint back to their dorm.
“H-hello!” she panted at Fuji Kiseki as she ran by.
“Doto?” Kiseki exclaimed. “What’s—"
Doto was already gone before she could hear the end of Fuji Kiseki’s question. Doto could explain it all later! As long as Opera was—
—safe. Doto sighed a long breath of relief. Opera was fine! Doto didn’t need to run like she was racing back to their room and alarm Fuji, who she could hear thundering up the stairs after her.
“Mm?” Opera opened one eye. Doto might’ve slammed the door open rather loudly. “Doto? You’re back. Is something the matter? You have quite the grim visage.”
“Doto!” Kiseki called. “What’s wrong? You look—“
“EEEK! Everything’s fine!” Doto shrieked, thoroughly embarrassed. Although who wouldn’t be so panicked, after learning that Opera O still might be in danger??
Best not to think about that right now. Doto squished all her worries in a box where she could dump them out later, when Opera and Kiseki weren’t staring at her like she was about to pass out. Although she really might if she kept thinking about the implication of Opera’s trainer’s statement…
Revised scene where Opera O's leg stumbled:
Opera seemed just as caught off guard as Doto was by this. She took a moment before responding. “… I am fine, dear Doto.” Opera said. “If you would, please help me stand.”
“Of course…” Doto carefully leveraged one arm underneath Opera O’s shoulder and lifted her. Opera gingerly tested her weight on her left leg a few times.
“It seems… It seems my leg has decided to retire for the night,” Opera O said, clearly attempting at a joke, although it fell flat and was void of her usual lightheartedness. “I find myself unable to make the walk back unaided.”
Doto’s ears drooped. Opera had been so excited to go on her first walk without the crutches or a wheelchair. And now she looked absolutely crestfallen. “I-it’s okay!” Doto said. “I don’t mind helping you…”
Opera said nothing.
The walk back to their room was silent.