Chapter Text
Change.
The alarm rings at 7:00 am sharp just like every school day, Nana wakes up with a stretch and a yawn, she says “good morning” to Junna before turning the alarm off and changing into her uniform, she packs her lunch along with a few sweets to share with everyone and just like always she walks to school with Junna and Claudine, a normal morning for Nana one she has lived over and over for what feels like forever, behind that radiant smile of hers, she feels like she is nearing her limit, her resolve slowly beginning to waver with each passing cycle.
Nana- “How many times have I had this conversation before 60, maybe 70? I… I don’t know how much more I can take; I feel like I’m starting to lose my sense of self with each passing day… I… Maybe I… should just… call it quits already”
As Nana is thinking to herself, she notices in the near distance Kaoruko walking along with Futaba and Mahiru, Nana's eyes instantly fixate on Kaoruko, almost as if feeling Nana's longing glance piercing into her back she turns around and waves at their group.
Nana- “What am I thinking if I give up now what will happen to them, to her… I will keep them safe all of them, forever, my precious friends and our beloved starlight”
Seeing her friends in the distance gives Nana the boost in determination she needs to get through the day, her group catches up to the rest of them and together they make their way to the practice hall where Karen and Maya have already started practice earlier than normal.
The day goes on like normal, the girls all come in and have a little banter before they divide into groups for morning practice, Claudine and Maya the top of the class and eternal rivals, Mahiru and Futaba the two lovebirds, Junna and Nana the strict but kind class representative and everyone's Banana and last but not least Karen and Kaoruko the lovable airhead and the mischievous princess.
After practice the girls make their way to the classroom where Nana is sitting in her place resting her head in her hand lost in thought staring at Kaoruko.
Today is the day, the day it all begins again, the auditions will start tonight, not that Nana is worried, after all everything is going the way it always does however unbeknownst to her everything is about to change in this moment as the teacher suddenly ask for everyone’s attention, she has an announcement to make, Nana is shocked, so shocked in fact she stops staring at Kaoruko, straightens herself up and looks forward towards the chalkboard in disbelief.
Teacher- Everyone, before we start the class, we got a new student transferring in from London today.
The door opens up and a girl with beautiful long black hair wearing a hair clip depicting a pair of golden stars makes her way into the room holding a blue luggage bag on her left arm, she turns around to face the class and lets the teacher introduce her, Nanas heart is racing as she looks straight at the face of this person who just now has intruded into her “forever”.
Teacher- She is here, everyone this is…
Before the teacher gets the chance to properly introduce the new student Karen stands up hitting the desk down with both her hands and screams in an excited tone:
Karen- Hikari-chan!!
The entire class turns their attention towards Karen, who is staring intensely into the new students’ eyes as if expecting her to respond to her call with the same intensity.
Teacher- Aijo-san! Please sit back down, and if you interrupt the class once more, I’ll have you do 20 laps around school.
Karen- Not again! I’m sorry I got a little too excited.
Karen takes a sit quite flustered by her reaction but still looking at the new student in expectation of their reunion.
Teacher- Anyway as I was saying, this is Kagura Hikari-san she is transferring from the London royal academy of arts, she will be your new classmate from today on, everyone please welcome her.
Hikari- Nice to meet you all.
After her simple and dry greeting Hikari makes her way to an empty seat near the back next to Nana, on her way there she passes by Karen who she completely ignores much to the disappointment of Karen, Hikari takes her sit in silence and shoots a glance at Nana who has been fixated on her since the moment she entered the classroom, Nana plays it off and just smiles and waves at her, Hikari sights and turns to the chalkboard.
Nana- “What is this, what does this mean… I don’t understand but I get a feeling she… she will change things, there is just something about her, some sort of silent determination.”
The rest of the classes go by with Hikari demonstrating her impressive talent when it came to the practical classes, dancing and performing seem to come naturally to her and she also is quite athletic to boot, this lights a fire under Maya and Claudine but they were not the only ones impressed by her, in a way everyone felt the same even if they were not as vocal as those two, although Maya seem to be particularly adamant on not losing to Hikari even going as far as to overexert herself during practice.
Once class was dismissed for the day Hikari disappears from the classroom in a flash and makes her way to the dorms without saying a word to anyone not even the expecting Karen who totally dumbfounded by Hikari’s attitude crashes and slumps over her desk, she is approached by Mahiru and Futaba who seem to be worried about her.
Mahiru- Karen-chan are you ok? Kagura-san she is your childhood friend no? The one from the photo.
Karen- Yeah, she is, I’m so excited to see her again but… I don’t know I feel like she is avoiding me, maybe she forgot all about me.
Futaba- She seems to be kind of cold, maybe that’s just her normal self now after all you haven’t seen her in years not?
Karen- That can't be it, the Hikari I know is strong, reliable and a little quiet, but she was not cold, I wonder if I did something… but she is wearing her hair that must mean she remembers our promise, I just don’t know what to think.
Mahiru- I’m sure everything will work out if you talk to her.
Futaba- Yeah, maybe she is probably just stuck in a weird mood, Kaoruko does that all the time and she did just come back from a long trip, I say go get her! The best way to face this kind of problem is head on.
Karen- You are right, I will! Thanks, you two.
Karen stands up full of energy, with renewed determination to talk to her best friend and makes her way out of the room in a hurry attempting to catch up to Hikari.
Mahiru- Good luck!
Futaba holds on to Mahiru’s hand and shoots her a reassuring smile, Mahiru blushes slightly and gives Futaba a timid kiss on the cheek before they make their way out themselves.
While this is all playing out Maya is standing by her seat looking kind of annoyed in Karen direction, as Karen makes her way out the room Maya picks up her bag, puts it on her shoulder and whispers something to herself, she seem visible annoyed almost angry, before she can leave she hears Claudine’s voice coming from her side.
Claudine- Jealous, are we?
Maya- I don’t have a clue what you are talking about Saijo-san, now if you excuse me.
Claudine- Yeah right, you know if you don’t say anything to her nothing will happen, for such a strong looking woman you sure are a coward when it comes to your feelings, Tendo Maya.
Maya glances at Claudine with a very annoyed look in her face, she then turns her head to the front, raises her chin up and beginnings to walk away from her as she says:
Maya- I don’t know what you mean, but I’ll say this, just watch me, I won’t lose to anyone, not Kagura-san nor you, I’ll show you all why I belong in the center of the stage.
As she makes her way out, she once again whispers to herself:
Maya- “I’ll show Karen with my actions, that she should be looking at me and no one else”
Claudine- Well there she goes again, as stubborn as ever, seriously why do I even try.
Claudine turns around to the back where Junna’s place is, but all she sees an empty desk
Claudine- Junna? Where is she? Did she already leave… I guess she is busy today, I’ll just go home by myself.
Back in the dorms Hikari is laying in bed phone in hand, Karen is outside her door calling for her in vain, after a few minutes she gives up and says: “Hikari-chan, you must be tired, let's talk when you are feeling better.” Before taking her leave, Hikari lifts her phone and looks at a picture of the two of them together as kids as she reminisces to herself.
Hikari- “Karen, for our promise, so that we can stand on stage together and so that no one else has to suffer as I have, I must do this alone, so please wait a little more, I will make things right.”
Hikari’s phone rings an all too familiar tone for her, the auditions have started once again, she holds her phone tight to her chest with determination and makes her way out to school, not knowing that Karen sees her making her way out the dorms and decides to follow behind.
At the same time at school Nana is by herself looking out the window.
Nana- “What is this, this feeling… I am afraid, Hikari, why is she here, why now… it makes no sense I did things like I always do, this has to be that giraffes work there is no other explanation… but does this change anything? I need to protect them all... but then why do I feel somewhat relieved… I do not want to go on like this anymore I... what I want is…”
Nana sees Hikari running up to school from the window, she takes a deep breath and looks at her phone, the audition symbol spinning on it, she takes a step back from the window and starts heading off towards the underground theater.
Nana- I will protect my friends, If you are not the change I'm looking for I will defeat you too, Hikari-can.
Down in the underground theater the revues rage on over the watchful eye of the giraffe, Maya and Claudine are locked in fierce competition.
Claudine- Is this all you got Tendo Maya!
Maya- Ugh, I’m not done yet! Don’t take me so lightly.
Claudine- Then show me that your words are no mere boast.
Claudine’s and Mayas swords clash fiercely as they display the heights of their skill and determination, however Maya quickly begins to falter to Claudine’s relentless assault and seemingly unwavering resolve to win.
Claudine- Your moves are sloppy, your timing is all off and your offence lacks any impact, is this really what you wanted me to see?
Maya- I’m not done yet, the one that belongs on the center of the stage is me, I will be the top star!
Claudine- Hmph, with that fake determination of yours you will never reach it.
Maya launches at Claudine with all she has got but is easily overwhelmed by her rival, her sword flies off her hand as Maya falls to the floor Claudine’s Sword pointed straight at the button of her coat as she looks down on her from the position of the victor, Maya frustrated looks down in defeat.
Claudine- Pathetic, this is not the Tendo Maya I know.
Claudine raises her left arm and rips off the button of her own coat making it hit the ground, the curtain falls over the two rivals and the giraffe calls the end of the revue declaring Maya the winner, Maya looks up to see Claudine’s hand extended towards her.
Maya- Why? Why did you give up?
Claudine- There is no point in beating you now, I know you are much better than this, as your rival I only want to beat you at your best.
Maya- I don’t understand.
Claudine- Of course you don’t you annoying woman, here just take my hand.
Maya- …
Maya takes Claudine's hand and she helps her up.
Claudine- Look, I don’t care about being “top star” or whatever all I want to do is to stand on stage and give my all to an expecting audience, those are my true feelings, now is your turn what are your feelings what do you want, why do you try so hard?
Maya- What do you mean, I am determined to be top star…
Claudine- Why?
Maya- Why wouldn’t I…
Claudine- You are so annoying; I will spell it out for you, you got your pride hurt because Aijo-san is all over Kagura-san and to top it all off she is as skilled as you if not even better.
Maya- What? no! I would never… I don’t have feelings for Kare… Aijo-san, I don’t want her to look at me and only me… and is not like I want to hold her tight in my arms or anything.
Claudine- You are totally in love with her...
Maya- Maybe…
Claudine- Anyway just, be sincere to yourself for once, I’m sure that will help you get your head back in the game, so go patch up that pride of yours and just tell that airhead how you feel.
Maya- Thanks, hey, if you don’t care about being top star why are you going through these auditions?
Claudine- For Junna’s sake.
Meanwhile in the other side of the underground theater there is a revue still going on between Junna and Hikari, Nana is sitting on the grades spectating the fierce battle unfold, after a while it all points at Junna taking this revue, and so before it's over Nana stands up and prepares to leave.
Nana- So she took Karen’s place, looks like I was wrong about her, If she can’t even take on Junna, things will go on like always, nothing will change.
As Nana is about to reach the exit with her back turned to the stage, she hears a crashing noise and decides to turn around, what she sees defies her wildest expectations, Karen is forcing her way onto the stage.
Nana- Karen-chan… what is going on...
Nana is perplexed, not only has Karen crashed her way into the auditions she is far more brilliant than she has ever been is like a fire in her heart has been lit up and she is now burning with passion, she quickly finishes the revue by taking Junna’s button off in a swift and elegant motion, claiming position zero for herself for the first time in all the loops, the giraffe calmly declares the revue over, Karen is the winner, Nanas heart skips a beat as she watches on in disbelief.
Nana- impossible this is… I see, everything has changed already.
Nana goes out to a bench near the school garden, she takes a sit by herself and takes out her old beat-up script full of post-its and notes with a damaged sicker of a smiling frog decorating the front of it, there is something else inside of it peeking out the middle, Nana opens up the script and takes out what looks like an old instant photo out, something illegible is written on the back of it, Nana looks at it for a moment with a melancholic expression on her face before turning her gaze on the night sky.
Nana- Hey, what do you think I should do now? Could this be the change we've been waiting for so long.
Nana puts down the photograph on top of her script, is a picture of her and Kaoruko at the aquarium, both of them are wearing frog hats, they are hugging each other and Kaoruko is kissing her in the cheek, Nana has a surprised but genuinely happy expression on her face, the photo is quite beat up same as the script she keeps it on.
The end.