Chapter Text
Wake up. Eat. Take a shower. Audition. Perform. Sleep.
Repeat.
That have been the last six months for Tendou Maya. With no break in between, she passed the majority of time memorizing the script of her new coming play. Sometimes she even had to take two roles at the same time, leaving almost no time to herself.
But she was unstoppable. Her fame was increasing with each play, she was being recognized as someone worthy, someone who delighted people. A skillful and talented actress. And Claudine was just the same, the only difference was that her girlfriend often traveled to France, since she often auditioned there too.
In terms of publicity, both were the target of many theaters and film makers, they often encountered each other in an audition. When that happens, Maya instead of getting all competitive just decides to observe Claudine, and she is rather pleased when she finds out, Claudine indeed was only getting better each day.
Then, with that settled. Why was she feeling so miserable?
Some days she would wake up with a heaviness in her body and mind, that the only thing she wants is to stay in bed the whole day. Without having to interact with people, she needed to stop and breathe at least four times a day or she will lose it. Claudine calls and text messages were always constant, they talked everyday, but their chaotic schedule didn’t allow them to meet often.
Besides, the charts sometimes made her feel uneasy. At first, it was kind of fun, Claudine would roll her eyes and curse in French at people’s assumptions of them. The newspaper often featured their relationship like “Are they rivals? Or lovers?” Maya always laughed it off, reassuring Claudine that it didn’t matter what people thought of them. The only thing that mattered for Maya was what Claudine thought of their relationship.
That was the way it was until rumors start to spread on social media. The thing escalated so quickly that both of their managers decided it was better to not be seen together in public, in order to keep their privacy. Maya has been warned specifically of paparazzies following her since she´s the one living in Tokyo.
Maya stared at her reflection in the mirror. She looked exactly the same, as always. The difference was in her eyes. By each passing day of her routine, she felt the exhaustion eating away her will to perform. Was it normal? Maybe not.
She dragged her own feet, deciding to not pay attention again. She could rest when all the plays ended. Yeah, she will feel better later. She let herself fall into the mattress.
“So soft…” Maya mumbled, closing her eyes. Her mind didn’t let her alone either, her memories came in the worst moments. Things she has forgotten, she remembered them in the loneliness of her apartment.
A single tear fell from her royal purple eyes before falling asleep again.
A very young Maya sat down in her spot, waiting her turn to go on stage. It was almost time and she was starting to feel nervous, she tried in vain to have a small talk with some of her classmates before standing on stage, but they deliberately ignored her.
She didn't understand why, they won't answer her questions. Eventually she gave up that option. Instead she decided to check up her costume, she was supposed to be the prince in the little mermaid. Her t-shirt was okay, her pants and belt too. And that's when she realized something.
Her sword.
She was supposed to carry a sword on her hips, there was a scene that required her to fight the villain.
"Have you seen my sword?" Maya asked one of the girls backstage.
But they laughed it off.
The time came, and Maya's sword was still missing. She looked around the places she was before, even her seat and didn't find anything. Her heart was pounding in her chest.
Before heading out, to the stage, a girl came running to push her, the sword was now in her hands, but her costume was ruined. The girl, ripped off some of the buttons, making a hole near her stomach.
The lead role, little mermaid started calling her from the stage. Maya stared down the girls laughing until they locked eyes with her. Maya confident on her skills and abilities, headed out of the curtain.
She played off a wounded prince, a version of Erick that wasn't strong enough to have fought on his own the thunder storm that sunk his boat. A gentleman who stayed behind with its people.
People gasped at her, they cheered for her. Some even cried for her.
When the curtain fell. Maya headed out of the stage, with applauses at her back and envious stares.
She learned that day, when she saw the audience to find two seats empty, that she needed to be the Top Star. No matter what.
Her phone ringed, from calls and texts.
[Ma Claudine 7:00 AM]: Good morning vixen, love you.
[Ma Claudine 8:25 AM]: Should we meet up at the usual cafe? I miss seeing your chubby face
[Ma Claudine 9:30 AM]: Are you there Maya? Your Manager called me a couple of times, she says you don’t answer her calls
[Ma Claudine 9:45 AM]: I´m worried Maya, answer please
*5 missed calls from Ma Claudine*
*7 missed calls from Manager*
*2 missed calls from Daiba Nana*
[Hanayagi Kaoruko 10:12 AM] Tendou-han! Answer, Kuro-han is pestering everyone. Should I call the police on her?
[Daiba Nana 10:15 AM] I´m going to your apartment Maya-chan
Maya opened her eyes confused, the ringing hasn’t stopped at all. She grabbed her phone to mute it. She felt so tired today…
Maya's father was standing near her in the table, watching her attentively. She was doing her homework quietly, a little bit nervous about her next performance.
Why? Well, she didn't get the main role.
"Are you going to see me, father?" Maya asked apprehensive. "My next performance will be on Friday."
Her father stopped smoking for a little while. "Did you get the lead role?"
Of course, that's always the first question her father asks.
"No, father."
"Then I'm not." With that, he always left the room.
Maya woke up again, her chest hurt. She rolled over to see the ceiling. What time is it? She didn’t care, she just wanted to feel at peace. Sleeping always helped her, but lately she was dreaming about the past. The sad part is, that her dreams were real.
[Mother 10:32 AM] Keep it like that, and you will even surpass us. We will go see your next play on Sunday.
*Incoming call from Mother*
Maya stared at her mother´s stern face in the photo. She didn’t feel like answering this time. She actually didn’t feel like existing at all. “Right.” She mumbled before turning it off.
Knock knock knock
Maya groaned in her slumber.
Knock knock
Annoyed at the noise, Maya rose from the bed too fast, she felt dizzy. But it didn’t stop her from going to her door to politely ask the person knocking to go away.
“Excuse me, could you stop-?”
Claudine stared at her with worry in her eyes. “I thought something happened to you.” She wrapped her arms around her shoulders, bringing Maya closer. “Stupid, answer your freaking phone.” She said breathless.
“Claudine, I apologize, I wasn’t feeling good-“
“If you don’t feel good just say so and I will come to you.” Claudine kissed her cheek, a soft blush on her cheeks. “We are a team. You don’t have to push yourself so much, infuriating woman.”
Maya´s eyes filled with tears. The only thing in her mind was to hold Claudine in her arms and never letting her go.