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This day was the absolute worse for Claudine. It was as if a deity of bad luck suddenly struck her so she’s this misfortunate for almost half of her day. First, she overslept and arrived 25 minutes late to class which was such an unexpected turn of events for her classmates, teacher, and Claudine herself. Next, she left her leotard back in her room so she had to go back and fetch it and was 15 minutes late to dance practice. And as if that’s not bad enough, a classmate suddenly bumped into Maya and her when they were dancing and made them trip. Maya was able to protect most of herself and Claudine from the fall but Claudine’s ankle certainly didn’t take that much protection.
Great, can this day get any worse?
“Excuse us Miss, my partner seems to be injured. I will tend to her immediately” Maya’s words echoed throughout the silent room to which all eyes are on them and that one classmate who kept on apologizing and bowing even after Claudine said she was fine and that she can keep going. Though their teacher nodded her approval, Claudine insists that they continue.
“I am perfectly fine. Let us continue practice” She made a move to stand up but when she did, a sharp pain suddenly hit her ankle but not painful enough for Claudine to not be able to conceal it with a fake smile so perfectly practiced that everyone in the room thought she really is fine. All except one.
Although Maya had noticed Claudine’s discomfort, she also had seen how the bruised ankle did not hinder her nor lowered the French’s skill and ability to do their daily routine. Albeit, it took almost everything Claudine had to keep a straight face on with that painful ankle of hers so when dance practice was finally over, Maya immediately dragged her out of the room and into the infirmary.
Claudine was given no choice but to sit down despite her previous protests but at this point, she just resulted to being quiet and let Maya do her work. Maya took off Claudine’s dancing shoes and folded the lower part of her leotard and saw just how in bad of a condition her foot is.
“Is it really that bad?” Claudine asked to which Maya just shrugged at before answering.
“Nothing a good rest won’t heal. Though, this would’ve been not that worse if you didn’t do such a good job in concealing it” Maya then made a move to apply some cream on the swollen foot of Claudine.
“This will hurt a bit” And it did. It was more of a painful sting that Claudine couldn’t help but wince in pain and Maya noticed this.
“Sorry” She muttered but Claudine didn’t mind her so long as they get this over with.
Once it is done, Claudine slowly got up from her chair. Her soft blonde curls bouncing to and fro on her shoulder as she did so.
“And where would you be going?” Maya stood up as well, her form ever so ready to catch the blonde if she ever can’t take the pain and shatters her balance but Claudine proved Maya otherwise, despite the pain, the French blonde still maintained perfect equilibrium.
“To change into my uniform. As far I know, we’re done for the day. I’ll be in the garden sipping tea if you need me” Claudine was about to leave when a sudden hand gripped her wrist.
“Are you sure you should be walking around with your foot in that condition?” Genuine worry was emphasized in Maya’s eyes and tone of voice, too genuine that Claudine would have shivered but instead she sent a smile towards Maya’s way
“Nothing that you should be worried about Maya.” Although she saw Maya’s eyebrows furrowed, she turned her heel and was about to leave but then she stopped on her tracks
“Thank you” It was nothing more than a murmur and she didn’t even turn around when she said it but it was definitely not silent enough for Maya not to hear and make the brunette smile. And with that, Claudine’s long walk to their lockers continues.
Although the walk from the lockers to the garden was no longer than 5 minutes, it took Claudine half an hour to get there. Slow and steady was her pace and it took every ounce of her deteriorating self esteem left not to slap herself for making such bad decision. And as if her pride wasn’t shattered enough when she inelegantly sat down on her usual chair in the lawn set. A frustrated sigh escaped the French blonde’s perfect lips.
She has had a lot of bad days but of all, she absolutely despises this one the most. What did she do to get herself in this kind of predicament?
Another sigh.
“You’ve been sighing an awful lot today Kuroko” a short figure then appeared in front of Claudine
“Oh, Futaba. It’s nothing, just had a lot of things going on today and I have never felt so exhausted” and it was true, this day has become quite a handful and Claudine could use a breather.
“Im on my way to the cafeteria to get Kaoruko something to eat. Want me to get something for you? So ya know, you can pair it up with your tea?” Claudine couldn’t help the twitch on the corners of her mouth and though she very much appreciates the offer, she’s not really in the mood to eat anything.
“Im fine. But hey, if you see Maya on the way, could you tell her where I am?” It’s not like she needed Maya’s presence to be at ease, at times, she just really could use the company. And as if Futaba understood she smiled at Claudine
“Yeah sure. See ya later Kuroko” the shorter girl then waved Claudine goodbye and she proceeded to sip her tea that was displayed on a very elegant dish.
This was Claudine’s favorite time. Just a sip of lukewarm Ceylon tea was enough to make her forget at least, most of the things that she’s been into the past few hours.
But apparently that happiness is short lived. Her usual Ceylon tea was now cold, too cold than Claudine would’ve liked. She didn’t even know how it was possible for tea to cool down so fast, this wasn’t like her usual routine at all!
“c'est tellement énervant!” A frustrated growl, nothing like a woman’s unexpectedly got out of Claudine’s mouth of all mouths. But she didn’t care, she just needed this day to be over it, a goodnight’s rest would be enough to just simply reset so she just made a move to get stand up not when two firm hands whom Claudine knows all too well who the owner is pushes her own shoulders down which caught her off guard.
“Hey! What gives!” Before Claudine could even look at the person in the eye, she was suddenly shifted by the same hands and before she knew it, sweet and soft lips met her own.
“Mmmhh!” Eyes widen at the sudden sensation but her gaze suddenly soften when she saw the angelic face of the one who did it. It took her a while to finally reciprocate but she did. Embarrassing as it is, Claudine couldn’t find it in herself to push Maya away, those staring eyes be damned.
“Mmm...Maya...” When they finally part, Claudine could see Maya’s smile and soft gaze on her and she couldn’t look away even if she wanted to.
“What....what...was that for?” A small laugh rang across Claudine’s ears and it was absolutely music to her ears before the owner of the voice decided to hug her.
“Maya?” Perplexed as she is, Claudine couldn’t help but melt into the hug, her own arms wrapped around Maya in a soft hug. They didn’t even care of their position right now, Maya leaning over just to hug the seated Claudine.
“Is everything alright?” Maya asks in between their hug
“Everything has been utter bullcrap but you just made it better” Maya couldn’t help the smile that grew on her face and though she broke the hug earlier than either of them would have liked, a smile full of contentment and relief can be seen on Claudine’s face.
“Tu vas mieux maintenant?? Ma Claudine?” French never sounded so perfect in Maya’s voice but with an annoyed yet sweet smile, Claudine answered with her own French
“Méchante va! Je le suis grâce à vous, fille ennuyeuse!” Maya mirrored Claudine’s smile and pressed a quick peck on Claudine’s forehead before both of them headed back to their dorms together, hand in hand.
With what happened in mind, Claudine won’t even mind having bad days, not when she’s reassured that Maya would always bring her up back and she’d do likewise for her Maya.
The audacity of Little Miss Perfect, the nerve of Tendou Maya to make Saijou Claudine fall in love with her each day. It certainly vexed Claudine to no end.