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Chapter Text

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Today’s class is about Tango in all of its variety. Whenever someone mentioned that type of dance, her mind instantly thought about the song La cumparsita. Yet today, their teacher decided it was better to show instead of tell.

“If you don’t mind, I’ll like one of you to try every song, in the training room after I give you all the bases here in the classroom.” Sakuragi, their teacher, says from the front.

Some of her classmates whisper amongst themselves, some insecure about their skills and the steps, others worried in finding a suiting partner for the close proximity they have to have during the dance. For Claudine it wasn’t a problem, she was fine with anyone really. Besides she’s quite acquainted with ballroom tango, thanks to her French heritance.

“Parisian tango is considered the most fashionable tango, it was customary for wealthy Argentine families to send their sons to Europe for a proper education. Ballroom tango today is codified with a number of step sequences and chains of these sequences that you will have to learn.” Sakuragi turns her gaze towards the class. “But today, you won’t be practicing ballroom tango, instead we will try the argentine social tango.” A smile comes to their teacher’s face. “Since it’s not formalized and is very varied, I want you all to get ahold of the concept before we dive further into the sequences of steps in a competition of this kind of dance.”

More of her classmates start to speak, Claudine feels half of her classmate’s eyes on her for a bit, knowing full well they would want to be paired together. She crosses her arms and sighs, annoyed.

The thing that infuriated her right now, isn’t the fact that her peers are already deciding their partner, but her rival, Tendou Maya looked unfaced about the bunch of invitations to have her as a partner. She hated how confident, the alpha seemed, as if she didn’t mind at all the scents she is going to be exposed to while dancing. She treats everyone as if they had nothing special to offer, she didn’t care about their secondary sex, she didn’t actually show any sign of being interested in those things. She kept to herself, Maya is soft-spoken, kind, well-mannered and liked to help their friends in small imperceptible ways.  Traits Claudine couldn’t qualify as bad since Maya never treated Omegas or Betas in a bad way, or attempted to reduce their chances of growing in the stage.

She lived her life, not thinking about the temptation and danger she represents for some of their peers. Focused only on stage. Dancing, singing, acting, it all came as if it were natural things she was born with.

Tendou Maya, an Alpha who couldn’t smell scents, an Alpha who didn’t have rut, someone who lived as if her secondary sex didn’t exist.

Someone everyone wanted to be paired with since she couldn’t bother them with the implications of being an Alpha.

Something is fishy about her and Claudine would find it, sooner or later. No one can be that perfect.

Maya often is paired to her. And Claudine doesn’t mind, yes it might be annoying to have to decipher Maya’s criptic schemes, or the way she often acted so nonchalant, but she’s good, so perfectly good at what she does. Saijou Claudine, as an omega, couldn’t fathom the idea of an alpha not experiencing all the difficulties life brings when both are put together. She’s seen their friends struggle even, Nana Daiba for example, as an alpha, she sometimes has to take some time away from her dancing partner, Junna Hoshimi.Even Kaoruko another alpha, whose partner –Futaba-- is a beta, has to take some days off.

But Tendou Maya didn’t have any problem and she never takes days off.

Seisho, had perfect organization whenever girls were experiencing their heats and ruts.  The Alphas are taken out of the room, when someone’s heat or rut began unexpectedly, while the Omegas are instructed to remain in a secure area, away from any possible harm. Betas however, are alerted to help both parties. The classes continue a few minutes later with the rest of the people. There’s no stopping in their education.

Also, they often had a special class about secondary sexes every two weeks. To teach them everything about it, even the harsh reality some people encounter outside of the safe space of Seisho school grounds. Furthermore, Seisho was also known for an unusual tradition of letting their students find their life partners, but that ritual was often held at the end of each year.

“Saijou, you will rest today.” The teacher says, glancing at her. “Since last time you danced the whole sequence of milongas I brought. But if you want to practice, it’s fine by me.”

“What’s a milonga sensei?” Aijou Karen asks, lifting her hand.

“Karen-chan! We already explained it’s the predecessor of Tango.” Mahiru whispered in a high pitch, nervous. “Sakuragi-sensei might give you more homework if you don’t remember…”

The teacher sighed. “Indeed. Well, Argentine social tango can be danced in a very close hold, like an embrace or a slightly open one. Tendo and Saijou, come to the front to show the correct positions.”

Claudine huffs, not surprised. She reaches the front a couple of seconds after Maya, who  only smiles –her usual smug and stupid smile—the blonde thought.  Claudine offered her hand, a normal occurrence she finds quite amusing since Maya is usually in the leading position and she should be the one offering. In a heartbeat, Maya takes her hand and brings her closer.

“As you see, Tendo has taken the role of the lead while Saijou is the follower. Other dancers like to refer to the leader as ‘frame’ and the follower as a ’flower´, it depends on what they want to portray.” The teacher explains. “Now, Tendo let Saijou produce the line she’s comfortable with, and mold around her shape.”

Maya nods, waiting for Claudine to adopt a comfortable posture. The half-french shoots her a devilish smile, and Maya knows she’s been challenged. The blonde lets her weight fall on her left foot and adopts an outside closed position. Facing Maya, she lifts her right leg, locking it around Maya’s waist, bending backwards, it pushes Maya’s torso forward to give her stability.

“Now, you have to remember tango isn’t similar to waltz and foxtrot, since it has no rise and fall, no swaying. It’s known for quick, sharp movements and a catlike walking action. Tango is danced in a closed position, Tendo’s left hand as you can see, is holding high Saijou’s right hand, while her right hand is placed on Saijou’s back, embracing her ribcage. And don’t forget, the follower hand must be on the right shoulder of the leader.” Sakuragi pushes lightly Maya’s lower back with one hand, the other goes around her shoulders. “Line up vertically your spine, preferable on 90 degrees to floor. Don’t lower your body too much, don’t bend forward and don’t stick your butt out.” Then their teacher goes to the other side and puts some pressure in Claudine’s hips. “There’s a natural crease at the hips, don’t lift them, and don’t sit either or you will put too much weigh in your partner. Hip girdle area has to be in line with the torso not with the legs.”

The teacher goes around them, adjusting the angle they are standing and the position of their hands. Claudine notices how the brunette knees shake a little. She knows they are not using the correct attire to practice comfortably, but it was weird. Maya’s grip is one of the steadiest she’s experienced and now it’s kind of wobbly.

 Claudine doesn’t say anything, but Maya’s hands are a bit warmer than usual. Her sandalwood scent mixed with something she didn’t find pleasant.

“Good job girls, now let’s head up to the training room.”

They untangle themselves, Maya’s eyes don’t look as calm as always, there’s something in them today. But Claudine does not know how to approach the matter so she remains quiet and lets Maya walk in front of her.

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Dancing La cumparsita had never been so difficult before. Since Tango requires the dancers to stay as close as possible, she is extra vigilant on her classmates movements today for some reason. Right now, she’s dancing thanks to her muscle memory and by mere stubbornness.

Not to mention her new partner stepping on her feet every now or then, or the way she squeezes Maya’s shoulder as if she’s falling. It adds extra weight on her and it’s tiring her out.

“Woah, Tendo-sama…” Her dancing partner sighs, trying to regain her footing after the last sequence of steps. “You surely are on another level.”

“No… It’s just…” She sounds out of breath. “You’ll feel more confident after practicing a bit more, a routine might be beneficial.” Maya smiles after inhaling.

Claudine’s rose quartz eyes are on her. Something basically common since she’s her default partner in the training room, but today it seems that the half-french is looking at her as if she’s analyzing every little misstep.  As if something is horribly wrong and she’s figuring out what is going on.

“Next song is Tango City.” Sakuragi comes near her, with another dance partner. A familiar face with a smug smile. Maya offers her hand.

“Let’s give our respective partners a good show Tendou-han” The Kyoto Alpha places a red rose between her teeth.

Maya’s smile wavers a bit. She isn’t sure about her relationship with Claudine, there’s only one thing clear between them and that’s their rivalry. Besides, the half-french shows nothing more than animosity whenever they are together. Which it’s kind of confusing, because that’s only when they are not alone.

In a quick movement, Hanayagi Kaoruko brings Maya’s face towards hers. Their lips don’t meet, but from Claudine’s and Futaba’s place it did look as if they shared a kiss. Maya caught Claudine rolling her eyes.

Now, with the rose between her teeth, Maya can only focus on how easy Hanayagi Kaoruko moves with longer strides, her brownish eyes inviting her to relax. Their steps create bigger top and bigger movements, it feels liberating to have her in her arms, the Kyoto alpha knows how to move her hips without putting her own weight onto Maya’s torso. 

Kaoruko smiles, taking large steps, keeping her weight forward, on ball of the back foot, ready to switch in the direction Maya wants to go. But Maya’s mind isn’t paying attention to Kaoruko’s light tapping on her shoulder, instead, Maya feels something burning inside her. And she can’t quite understand why it’s bothering her so much. Every step taken is a spontaneous discovery at the moment. She should be enjoying Kaoruko’s skills instead of thinking how heavy her legs feel.

“Excellent!” The teacher claps. “Next time, try to make an ocho sequence.”

The Kyoto girl, looks at Maya dissatisfied. “I don’t appreciate your automatic movements.” She grumbles, Maya tilts her head as if she didn’t understand. “I mean, you are usually carrying me around, but today you—“

“Hanayagi, please take Aijou Karen to practice.”

With one last menacing glance, she goes away to her next dance partner, and just like that, Sakuragi brings another student to practice with Maya. And without knowing, every student is dancing and rotating their partners except for Claudine who waits patiently an invitation to dance.

Maya knows her stamina can push her to continue dancing, but she’s starting to feel dizzy after many torque’s and swirling, not to mention how she felt her knees trembling at each stride when her partner would let their weight on her. But she can’t stop still, last time Claudine danced all the milongas with everyone and even stayed to practice with her after classes ended. 

Claudine saved one last dance for her, so it’s courtesy for her to do the same.

Silently, and trying to regain her breath through her nose. Maya locks eyes with her rival, and invites her with a single movement of her head. The teacher who saw the cabeceo finally happening, smiles, glad that at least two people payed enough attention during class to know that it’s the perfect way to invite someone to dance without anyone else noticing. Just like Tango required certain intimacy between the couple.

“Next song, Tango Negro.”

Just like before, Claudine offers her hand.

Maya knows she’s pushing her limits now, besides Claudine has been saving all her stamina and strength for this exact moment. Maya understands that dancing with Claudine would end in a high possibility of improvising, impulsiveness while challenging each other during each step. There’s also the fact that the half-french likes the milonguero style Tango, she has to dance closer of their partner, in a more intimate way, as two bodies lean forward chest to chest, into each other, with faces and heads often in contact. Maya won’t give in just yet. She’s seen people dancing that song before, it requires a lot of walking, swirls, circular movements, and a lot more.

“I’m not asking this time.” She says. Maya just brings her closer, refusing to acknowledge the blonde’s request.

“Idiot you are barely standing right now, why do you insist on being the leader?” Claudine whispers now that they resume their pose. Ready to start their dance.

Maya notices the concern in those rose eyes but she has to show off right now. As the guitar starts playing Maya does a long stride with her right foot, Claudine follows, and the steps transforms into waves. Waves inspired by surges in tango music. All her senses focused in how Claudine feels pressed against her, how soft her skin is, how well their intertwined hands fit, how they had the perfect connection for this. A sweet, fruity scent filling her nose. So sweet, almost like strawberries. Was it Claudine’s perfume? Was it her scent?

She pushes her away, not letting their intertwined hands go. Her left foot pointing at the blonde. Claudine looks at her startled but knowing well this is just a push, before leading her to perform the circular movement called carousel, in which Maya pivots her around.

Dumbass this will only tire you more. The Omega thinks.

Open step, back step, open step, a half turn. Their noses brush. Claudine groans, trapping Maya’s left leg with her right foot. The way Maya’s dancing so openly will take some points from their performance. Maya exhales, dragging Claudine’s right foot with her left foot. Then she does some pedaling, inducing Claudine’s foot to lift and lower it. The drums in the background only entices both into continue their passionate dance.

“Stop the foot play.” Maya can assume that’s what Claudine wants to say by the look in her eyes.

Claudine leans forward but she’s forced to do a front cross with her legs by Maya’s leading. They start moving together in one direction, Claudine in front of Maya, who cannot get her eyes away from her any second, their lips only an inch apart, they mirror their steps, Claudine bounces, changing their direction once again, both go for a small run. Maya feels her back protesting the sudden movement, but she remains concentrated in Claudine’s body.

The ending of the song is finally coming as the music becomes faster and their steps sound harder on the wooden floor. Claudine notices a faint scent of lavender in the air.

Weird, no one has that scent here. She thinks to herself. Besides Maya’s scent is appointed as Sandalwood, perhaps she’s seeing some omega with that scent?

Claudine steps on her feet on purpose, Maya searches the intention behind it by locking eyes with her partner once more. Claudine can feel Maya’s body starting to get slow, the brunette didn’t want to give up her leading position so this is her punishment for not taking care of herself, for letting someone else leave their scent on her skin. Maya drags her, feeling the pain in her legs, she lifts Claudine with one knee.

“Ahg—“Maya softly protests, narrowing her eyes. Claudine does a kick to embellish their performance before touching the floor again. But squeezes Maya’s shoulders upon feeling her almost letting her go.

She cannot continue dancing like this. She can’t let Maya get hurt by continuing this.

So Claudine wraps her right leg around Maya’s left leg, knowing well how worn out Maya is, she won’t be able to keep her pose for much so she stops moving completely. Holding her in place. The music ends just in the right moment.

Everyone around them start clapping, congratulating them.

But Maya’s weight falls upon Claudine the instant the teacher lets everyone get some rest before art class begins. When an arm hooks around her shoulders, and she feels Maya barely standing on her own, Claudine wraps one arm around the alpha’s waist to give her more support.

“Thank you.” Maya mumbles, cheeks tinted red. Her skin burning against hers. “I thought I was going to faint before the song ended, Saijou-san.”

Saijou-san, uh?

“Here, get some water to cool your dumb brain.” Claudine gives her a cold bottle of water.

Maya takes it, Claudine’s cold hand reaches her forehead. “You are burning up; I’ll take you to the infirmary.”

“But—“

“No buts. You are sick.” Claudine helps her sit up in the wooden floor, before heading towards the teacher. Until Maya holds her wrist, not letting her go. Her usual smug smile gone, the red on her face made Claudine’s heart jump. “What?”

“Can you stay with me for a while? I feel a little dizzy…”

Claudine pounders about Maya’s request. Maya never asks anything, if she’s then it’s because the situation is worse than what Claudine initially thought and something is up. She sits beside the alpha, taking a sip of her own water. Maya rests her head against the wall, scratching the skin near her neck and left arm, her breathing becoming heavier.

Claudine sniffs the air, wondering if Maya may be about to have her rut. But the Sandalwood scent isn’t there, just the soft scent of lavender. Which makes her heart shrink, would it be possible that Maya has already claimed someone as her partner and that’s why she doesn’t have any problem with her heat cycles? Would it be possible that the Alpha had contact recently with this person and that’s why she smells like that?

Maya has never left the dorm, just during the holidays. And when she comes back from her house, her Sandalwood scent is very strong. Claudine thinks. So it might be a chance that this partner is someone inside the school grounds. But who?

Maya’s breathing quickens, the skin she’s been scratching turning red, making evident the presence of rash. She tries to take deep breaths, but the sensation of being drown started to overcome her strong will of remaining quiet about what she’s feeling. Besides, Claudine’s scent made her feel a little bit better after dancing with everyone in her class, the constant sensation of being breathless during each step went away while the blonde was in her arms. Maya thought that maybe, just maybe having Claudine by her side for a while would make all her symptoms go away.

“All right girls, you are all dismissed to go ahead and change clothes. Art class is going to be the last subject of the day, don’t forget to search the foot sequences for next class. Good work today.” The teacher says, taking the music recorder with her. Their classmates start to follow the teacher outside the training room.

“Saijou-san…” Maya’s voice comes out hoarse.

I’ve never seen her with anyone but our friends. She spends most of her time alone or with me, it’s almost impossible. The Omega wants to scream, frustrated. It’s not my problem anyway, good for her. She watches how the training room gets empty, leaving the two of them completely alone.

Claudine notices Maya’s hands shake by the corner of her eye, she turns her gaze towards Maya fully. “Sai…jou…san…” Maya chokes out.

“Merdé.” Claudine mutters, not knowing what to do. “Sensei! Sensei!” She shouts, while gathering Maya in her arms and trying to get Maya to stand up. “Someone! Help!” She holds Maya close to her body, thinking what to do with the shaking brunette in her hands. The Alpha gasps for air, holding herself in each step. “That’s good Maya, take some more steps, you’ll be fine. Shit, someone please help!”

Maya stumbles, falling to her knees, Claudine tries to save her from getting her head hurt, so she throws herself in front of Maya, catching her. “Come here, try to regain your breath…” Claudine brings her closer, unknowingly letting her pheromones act out, afraid. “HELP!”  Maya’s breath hitches, and Claudine doesn’t know what else to do, so she wraps her arms around her shoulders, Maya’s face comes in contact with Claudine’s neck.

Unconsciously, Claudine rubs her head against Maya’s, trying to soothe her pain. The Alpha can barely register Claudine’s voice whisper You’ll be okay. It’s going to be fine.

Maya thinks about how good is the scent surrounding her. Her throat doesn’t hurt that much, and the air is finally getting into her lungs. Everything becomes a blurr around Claudine’s worried face. The last thing she sees is Claudine’s tears falling from her eyes.

You look beautiful even when you cry, Saijou-san…

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Chapter Text

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Claudine has never felt so terrified before this moment. Sakuragi-sensei came back running after one of her classmates fetched her because of Claudine’s screaming. She took Maya from her arms, and rushed towards the infirmary, Claudine followed her close, ignoring her friends worried questions.

She sort of stood there, not moving, or even breathing, her feet felt like stones. She saw how the nurse hurried with a mask of oxygen, adjusting the bed so Maya would be laying flat on the bed, while Sakuragi-sensei took a syringe in her hands while uncovering Maya’s right arm.

“Injecting 0.5 ml of adrenaline!”

Claudine could only stare while the adults moved around Maya, trying to stabilize her. The teacher slided her hand under Maya’s blouse, putting 6 electrodes on her chest while the nurse prepared a bag of liquid to connect it to an IV access. Slowly, Maya’s breathing became rhythmic, alongside her heart rate. The monitor connected to Maya’s finger and chest showing her vital signs stabilizing.

“Don’t worry too much, she’s fine now.” The nurse says, offering Claudine a reassuring smile. “I already called her home, I spoke to her father about taking her to the hospital for observation, but he said he would wait to talk to her first. That was a close one, if it weren’t for you it must have been worse. You did well Saijou Claudine” The nurse ruffles her hair, but Claudine can only stare at Maya’s sleeping face.

“What was the cause of this?” She mumbles, coming closer to her.

“You know about imprinting, right?” The nurse sits near her desk, motioning Claudine to come sit with her. “Your teacher told me, she danced with everyone in the class, my guess is that someone purposely or by accident tried to court her and ended imprinting their scent on her skin.”

Claudine looks down her fists. “I didn’t do it.”

“I know you didn’t” The nurse takes Claudine’s hand in hers. “But you did save her life, somehow you being there with her made her allergic reaction slowed down, it worked for a little while.”

“Quoi? That doesn’t make sense.” She feels tears pooling in her eyes. “Allergic reaction?”

The nurse sighed. “I’m not supposed to say anything about her health condition, but I suppose you knowing will do more good than harm. Maya’s allergic to pheromones, we aren’t sure if she’s like that with other than Omega’s but so far everything has been under control.” The nurse reaches under one of the cabinets. “One of your friends brought your uniform, I’m sure you’ll like to change before going to art class.”

“Wait, if she’s allergic then she shouldn’t be exposed to—“

“She’s taking her medicine. Every day, just like you take yours and we are prepared for this situations.”

“Even though! She might end up in great danger—“

“Would you prefer if she withdrew from school and left the stage both of you love so much?” The older woman says, a bit annoyed by Claudine’s justified concerns. “Because she’ll continue to be like this, it doesn’t matter if her father cages her like some frail bird, this will continue until she gets a partner if ever, since it’s dangerous or she dies.”

Claudine’s cheeks got red. If Maya truly had a partner this wouldn’t have happened, right?

“I understand you are worried, but this isn’t something any of us can control. The only thing you can do for her, is be her friend, like you have been doing.” Once again, Claudine looks at Maya’s peaceful face.

“Are you sure she didn’t get worse because of me?” Claudine asks, fear in her voice.

The nurse hums, entertained. If anything Claudine’s pheromones helped Maya’s allergic reaction to subdue, it worked as if she’s gotten a small dose of Adrenaline instead of what she needed to stop the anaphylactic shock to happen. In this case, it meant Maya wasn’t allergic to Claudine’s omega’s pheromones. Would this be the case of what people called a fated pair? The nurse sighs, they are just two young girls, but if that were the case then, Maya might be out of danger and Claudine’s heat cycles would be less painful. Nonetheless, she cannot infer in their life choices.

“I know she got better because you were there. Now, don’t think you were the cause of this, she’s sleeping as she always does during art class. Hurry or you will miss it.” The nurse goes to Maya’s side to check on her IV bag. It’s almost empty. She reaches for some small bottles and takes out a bit with a syringe, proceeds to inject it in the bag.

“I think I’ll stay… if that’s okay.” Claudine eyes her, concerned. “That’s more medicine?”

“Fine, but you’ll help me change her into her uniform then.” The nurse rolls her eyes smiling, she points at her desk. Claudine flushes bright red. “And yes, this are the pills she usually swallows, but in liquid since you know she’s unconscious.”

Claudine glares at the nurse, not enjoying her remarks nor request. She’s been shaken to her core, she doesn’t need to watch the brunette half naked for all it’s worth it. At least, not like this.

Focus! She chides herself internally. This is not the correct moment to appreciate her physique!

Undressing Maya proved to be embarrassing, Claudine tries with all her might not to stare so much at Maya’s chest, or how soft her skin looked around her breasts—stop that train of thought right there!—Claudine puffs air out of her mouth as if she’s been holding it. The nurse hides her laugh behind a hand. Sliding Maya’s sleeves in her arms, felt like touching a rose’s petals, buttoning up her shirt felt so unfair in many ways, Claudine didn’t understand why. Such porcelain skin should be admired.

“I noticed the scent of lavender in her earlier. Perhaps the owner of that scent caused this?” Claudine voiced her thoughts to the nurse, who was visibly busy putting the skirt on Maya, hiding the lower part of Maya’s body with the white sheets.

“That’s something you’ll have to ask her yourself, I’m not allowed to disclose such sensitive information of the Tendous.”

Claudine wants to make a witty remark, since the nurse opened her mouth to reveal Maya’s health condition before, what difference would it make to let her know whose scent was it?

Maya grumbles in her sleep, something incomprehensible.

“I shall make some calls from Souda’s office. Since you are staying, do you mind to keep an eye on her? I suppose you don’t.” The nurse rises one of her eyebrows, a sly smile on her lips. She changes Maya’s oxygen mask to a nasal cannula, the brunette whines in her sleep. “Make sure she takes it out and closes the valve, when she wakes up.” The older woman points at the cylinder of oxygen nearby. Claudine nods.

Once the nurse is out of the room, Claudine decides it’s better to stay in her leotard since she still wants to practice a little afterwards. Dancing might help clear her troubled mind. She takes a chair and places it near Maya’s bed, sitting as close to her as she can, Claudine reaches for Maya’s hand. Pauses mid-track.

Would it be really okay to hold her hand now?

Afraid of causing more harm than good, she pretends to adjust the sheets around Maya. She can smell her own scent near Maya’s neck, it may be almost faint, but its still there. Something that made her quite worried is the lack of Maya’s Sandalwood scent.

Sandalwood and lavender didn’t mix so well, so it kinda repulsed Claudine to smell it on Maya. She rested her head in one of her hands, watching the sleeping alpha in front of her. Someone tried to claim Maya’s attention by imprinting their pheromones on her skin, Claudine wonders who it might be.

She can understand why; the hunting will happen soon. Surely, they did it to assert some kind of dominance among another possible love rivals. Seisho doesn’t promote teenagers having relationships, yet the school has a weird system to assign a potential partner to its students.

The so called Hunting, a ritual often held during the midnight of a starry night, when there’s high probability of shootings stars. Contrary to common folktales, where Alphas often hunted down Omegas for mating, the school arranged to happen just the opposite in order to secure the safety of the school population. Omegas were the ones who hunt down the Alphas. In order to participate, the students mustn’t be in their estrus nor near it, have the will to participate, they don’t force people to join the hunting and the Omegas and Alphas participating need to be blindfolded. Trusting only their nose to find each other during that night.

They often took the students to a private property of the Headmaster of the school. A small forest behind a mansion, to make it happen. Like a twisted version of hide and seek. Claudine thinks. Students from other schools are invited too.

None of her friends participated on their first year in Seisho, with the exception of Futaba and Kaoruko. Futaba claimed that it was the perfect opportunity for Kaoruko to do some exercise.

“I apologize to have burden you with this, Saijou-san.”  Maya’s voice takes her out of her mind and Claudine’s palm instantly covers Maya’s hand.

“You scared me.” The omega stands up. Closing part of the distance between them “I thought you were going to die and I would be left with no one to surpass anymore!”

Maya chuckles softly, amused by Claudine’s blatant lie. She does remember the fear in her eyes and voice, how desperate she sounded. But Maya’s grateful enough to not tease her about it, instead her heart flutter upon the memory how nice and calming Claudine’s scent was.

“Can I ask you something, Saijou-san?” Maya feels the warmth of Claudine’s palm in her hand, enjoying it secretly.

“Only if it’s not something that makes me want to smack you.” She squeezes Maya’s hand.

Maya smiles, trying not to chuckle anymore. She knows what she’s about to ask might make Claudine self-conscious of what happened, but she needs to know and be sure of what it was. “When you helped me back in the training room, I— “Maya pauses, not knowing how to voice it without sounding so… pleasant about it. “Your scent, I… I— “

“It’s called scent marking.” Claudine mumbles, her cheeks turning red. “My Maman used to do it with me when I had panic attacks when I was little.” She crosses her arms above her chest, the red of her cheeks expanding to her ears and Maya instantly misses the warmth. “I didn’t think okay? I just did it.”

“Well, even if you did it without thinking… it helped me a lot.” Maya smiles. For her, Claudine looks enchanting. Her eyes make the stars look like they are not shining, her blonde hair, falls perfectly without her trying. Her pink leotard accentuating her delicate features.

She’s so beautiful—wait—I shouldn’t be thinking like this. Trying to take her mind of how pretty Claudine looks, Maya decided it was better to turn off the oxygen before she got dizzy again.

“How many times has this happened before?” The Omega questions her, Maya can discern the concern in Claudine’s voice and eyes.

“Enough times to make me know how to take off the oxygen by myself.” Maya tries to joke, but Claudine only narrows her eyes, she grumbles something in french Maya didn’t catch. She comes closer to her face and the brunette gets a taste of Claudine’s scent one more time, she tries with all her might not to close her eyes and inhale as deeply as she can. So instead she locks eyes with her dance partner, trying to understand what’s going through her mind. “The nurse gave you some extra medicine, said it was the same pills you take.”

Maya tilts her head. If she’s under the effects of her medicine, why can she distinguish Claudine’s scent?

“Actually I’m thinking about proposing something to you.” Claudine sits down again, looking at her, the red on the tip of her ears still present. “But you have to be honest with me or you won’t ever be my practice partner anymore.”

“Yes?”

“The pills you take, what are they for?”

“I don’t mean to be rude Saijou-san, I’m most grateful to you, but I don’t see how my medication relates to…?”

“I’m not a doctor Maya but I noticed your heart rate sped up and your body trembling a couple of minutes after she put those in that thing.” She points out the IV bag. “Besides you were warm before we started our last period.”

“Those are the common side effects.” Maya says, not understanding where Claudine is going. “I have to take it twice a day.”

“But why?” Claudine comes closer again, glaring at her. Someone who doesn’t know her might be intimidated by now, but not Tendou Maya, who bit the inside of her cheek trying to not smile at her, sensing her scent getting a stronger than before, she shrinks in the mattress of the bed, while Claudine puts both hands at each side of Maya’s face.

“Does it really matter, Saijou-san?”

Claudine’s getting impatient. She knows she’s letting out her pheromones out of anger but Maya’s being so vexing it’s infuriating to talk to her. “Yes, it does. Since I’m going to become your fake girlfriend.”

Maya locks eyes with her surprised, Claudine can’t help to feel her face grow hot by each passing second. “This happened because some random Omega imprinted on you, if our classmates think we are together this won’t happen again.”

“What?” Maya squeaks, bewildered at such proposal.

“I will scent mark you to avoid you suffering another crisis, and you’ll help me… somehow we are yet to find out. Alright!?” Claudine huffs, getting away. She gives Maya her back and hides her face behind her hands. Her heart going a mile away, this may be the stupidest idea she’s come out with, but it’s the only thing that’s come to her mind in order to help out the brunette.  “I’ll take care of your p-physical needs and you’ll help me with m-mine! I’ll take my leave now!”

“W-wait Saijou-san I—” Maya tried to stop her by holding onto her wrist but she couldn’t reach her, Claudine’s already at the other side of the curtains.

Maya hears the soft click of the door shutting. She throws herself in bed, her face burning up and her heart thundering in her chest. Just why? Claudine barely acknowledges her as a friend, she’s often said Maya is only her rival and nothing more. But Maya knows that isn’t true, there’s no way a mere rival would try to spend as much time as possible with the person they are supposed to defeat. This proposal only comes from a place of utter worry and care; this only proves how selfless and caring the blonde omega actually is. And how could Maya deny her? She can’t actually figure her own feelings any longer, she’s already thought about how pretty and warm Claudine is as a person, if Maya ever dated someone she wished they were like her blonde friend.

Maya enjoys Claudine’s company the most, her friendship and rivalry is the only thing that push her forwards to be her very best on stage. So faking her relationship with Claudine didn’t appeal to her.

What about Claudine? Did she hold Maya in her heart just as dearly?

She had to, Claudine has never offered something like that to anyone else.

I might be an actress but I don’t want to deceive Claudine’s beautiful heart in any way.

❀❀❀❀❀

Chapter Text

❀❀❀❀❀

Still in shock for what transpired between them, Maya Tendou didn’t notice her cellphone vibrating next to her or the way the nurse looked at her expectantly from her seat. She’s too immersed in Claudine’s words to even see one of her few friends coming to see her.

“Tendou-han.”

Maya looks up to her. “Your grandma called mine, said she was worried about you and they sent me to check up on you, but you seem fine now.” Kaoruko comes closer to her, taking Maya’s phone in her hands. “Do me a favor and give your father a call, yes?”

“I’ll do.” She whispers, mind elsewhere.

“How do you feel? Any idea who might have tried to claim your attention?” A devilish smirk shows up in Kaoruko’s face, Maya sighs, lifting both of her shoulders. “Your scent… is mixed. I might remind you it gives the impression that you are fooling around with someone.”

“Ah, my apologies, you know very well I’m incapable of such thing.” Maya smiles reassuring her.

“Even if it’s Kuro-han we are talking about?” Kaoruko mumbles closer to Maya’s ear. The brunette Alpha stares at her, the smile on her lips turning in a straight line, a spark on her eyes Kaoruko knows too well. She shouldn’t cross this line, she can read a warning in those blazing purple eyes, it wasn’t her fault to be nearby when Claudine got out of the infirmary. She might like to prank her friends, make them fall in her naughty tricks. She liked teasing them to no end, make them blush and become a mess. But this… She knows there’s a high possibility of it ending pretty bad. “This isn’t a good idea, Tendou-han.”

“I know.” Maya wants to say, instead she gives her the most determined look she can muster. Kaoruko crosses her arms above her chest.

Maya’s cellphone starts vibrating again, Kaoruko handles it to her. “See you soon Tendou-han.” She mouths, Maya makes a small reverence. She slides her finger in the screen quickly.

“Hello?”

“Hello father.”

There’s some silence in the line, she waits. Maya can distinguish the sound of the papers falling down. “How are you? Do you need me to take you to the hospital?” This time, her father sighs. “The nurse called and said it was for the best, but since this isn’t our first time, I want to know if you think it’s necessary.”

“No father, it’s not necessary. I’m fine now.” Maya lays down on the bed, feeling sleepy all of a sudden. “I’ll go to the dorms and rest there, if I feel bad, I’ll reach out to you first.”

“I can always send someone to go fetch you and you can rest here at home.”

Maya doesn’t answer right away. Her father changed, after what happened in their family, in a good and a bad way. She doesn’t understand very well the impact of losing someone who you are bonded with yet, in her mind the term mate doesn’t mean anything but someone to share achievements with.

Because that’s what she learned, her parents often went out to bring trophies home, joint or separately, they always shone brighter wherever they went. She sometimes found herself alone in her own home for long periods of time, wishing for them to return more often than not. She never cried about it though, she understood the importance of the stage for them more than anything. She sometimes wished to accompany them in their journey to greatness. To be there clapping for them in the front row of the audience instead of watching them on TV.

“Maya?”

“Do not fret Father. I’ll be fine at the dorm.” She tries to sound reassuring, not wanting to trigger her father’s worrisome facet.

After losing her mother, the care-free part of him died alongside his wife. Before her mother passing, he wouldn’t worry about Maya’s health or education. It was her mother who took her to the doctor appointments, the one who controlled her practicing schedule, the one who organized her numerous classes. Maya was homeschooled her first years, until her mother started to get weaker. Her father was the one in charge of taking her to the auditions, to watch kid performances, to buy her exclusive DVD’s. He was the one to bribe her mother to let her eat sweets during their movie nights.

At first Maya didn’t recognize the grief and absence of her mother, since her family reached out to her and her father, her grandmother by her mother’s side, refused to return home in Okinawa, claiming that Maya needed someone to take care of her because her father was always so busy.

“Fine.” He sounds defeated. “I’ll try to call you later, to check up on you. Don’t forget to send a letter to your grandmother, she’s eager to hear from you.” He pauses. “Keep up with your treatment.”

“Yes father.” She replies, knowing well her father won’t call her again. He’s after all, a busy and successful man. He may be a widower; life may have taken the person he most cherished in his life but his love for the stage didn’t stop. It almost looked as if he took refuge in it. “Take care.” Maya mumbles, wishing to see her grandmother again. “Goodbye.”

The nurse kept quiet during the phone call, crossing her arms above her chest, she watches Maya’s shoulders tense up. “I suppose there’s no trip to the Hospital.” She walks to her, a towel in her hands. “Use this and when you get to the dorm, wash it and use it again. There’s no need for you to take your pills today since I already gave you the dosage the doctor prescribed on your IV.”

She takes some cotton with alcohol. “Deep breath now.” Maya does what’s asked. The needle goes out of her skin. “I can only recommend a visit to your doctor, those pills are losing their efficacy.”

“I’ll try to. Thank you very much for always taking care of me.” Maya dips her head, doing a small reverence out of gratitude. The nurse puts one of her hands on Maya’s shoulders.

“I wouldn’t suggest this normally. But I think it’s time you consider to participate in the hunting. Your parents met there, I know your father won’t oppose if you so decide.” She smiles at Maya.

“I—“

“Think about it.” The nurse says before taking the remaining medical waste to the trash can. She leaves Maya to her own devices.

❀❀❀❀❀

As Maya walks by the seisho hall, she remembers she should stop by the training room. Not because she wants to practice some more, her throat still hurts and the unwellness hasn’t vanished but she knows someone must be waiting for her.

Maybe she just left, we agreed to help each other in a physical regard after all.  Maya thinks as she drags her feet towards the training room. Not that I could say anything, anyways.

The itching on her skin and the redness is almost gone, the warmth she was feeling has subdued too. Her heartrate has finally gone to normal too. Maya rubs her cheek with a part of the cold towel the nurse put around her shoulders, to help her fever go down faster. And to keep a cool head, she said. Maya knows her fever wasn’t caused by someone imprinting on her.

Since it was the first time her medicine didn’t work as usual, Maya didn’t know how bad things could get, or how bad she could feel. She isn’t a fan of needles, but she preferred them over becoming a burden to her peers.

She’s taken out of her mind the second she hears music coming from the training room. Coming closer to the door she realizes the lights are off and the last sun rays are filtrating inside. It’s the same song playing over and over again, she goes inside, curious.

And there she is.

Dancing alone, in her pink leotard, Claudine seems to be following the beat of the music. She steps backwards with her right foot, swinging her hips, she moves her left foot to her right foot, her arms moving in the opposite direction of her legs, she moves her right foot to her left, shifting her weight from one foot to the other on the beat.

Maya walks inside, attracted by Claudine’s dancing. The scent of freesias filled the whole room and the brunette breathed it in. The Alpha feels her body want to dance alongside the music, but she doesn’t want to interrupt Claudine, since she looked really focused on her dancing routine. And she’s not in her blue leotard so it might be uncomfortable to join her… nonetheless she’s already moving closer.

Claudine recognized the faint smell of lavender and sandalwood nearby, reacting to the music and her tingling feet, Maya engages in her urges as soon as their eyes meet. She joins the Omega dancing from behind, her body barely touching her so Claudine would acknowledge her presence, and change her solo dancing style.

Soon their hands are intertwined together and Maya can feel once again, Claudine’s hot breath near her mouth.

“You shouldn’t be dancing.” Claudine says, bringing her closer. “Go home.”

“Were you waiting for me?” Maya asks instead, amazement in her purple eyes.

“Of course, but samba was made to be danced solo and here you are.” Claudine’s brow furrowed, the half-french presses their foreheads together, checking if Maya still has a fever.

Maya closes her eyes and waits for her skin to start itching or her throat to close and not let her breath, unsure if her friend’s scent might be the cause of her last reaction. But Claudine jumps a couple of steps backwards, their dance ending. “S-Sorry, I was not going to do anything! I- “Her cheeks become flushed red. “I was just checking y-your temperature, don’t think anything weird.”

The brunette chuckles. “Understood Saijou-san.”

“A-anyway, what did the nurse say?” She turns around, giving Maya her back. Yet the Alpha can see clearly the tip of Claudine’s ears completely red.

“That I should stop taking my pills, see my doctor to change them.” She whispers, still unsure of the possible implications. Claudine brings both ends of the towel and cups Maya’s face with it. “And that I… should participate this year in the hunting.”

“I’ll help you out and you will help me later, so stop making that puzzled expression and come home with me.” Claudine gives a determined smile. “B-besides we agreed to take care of each other’s needs, s-so… Maybe you won’t need to participate in that stupid ritual.”

Maya’s cheeks heat up. How could Claudine say it like that? As if pretending to be in a relationship didn’t convey devoting part of themselves to the other?

“About that Saijou-san…” She wants to ask why did she offer such thing. Surely there could be other ways Claudine might be able to help her without compromising herself like this.

Before Maya could finish her sentence, Claudine throws at Maya, her gray blazer. “Please use it, I can barely stand your scent right now.” Maya stares at the blonde without knowing what to say. She didn’t feel offended but watching Claudine looking away while scratching the bridge of her nose is enough prove that right now, Maya’s scent isn’t nice enough. The Alpha lifts her arms, taking off her own blazer, she tries to hide the fact that she’s smelling herself but she senses nothing.

“Do I smell that bad?” She questions softly, Claudine growls.

“It’s not that… I—It um…” Claudine turns around; Maya looks quite rattled as if it’s the first time in all her life that someone says something alike. Claudine tugs Maya’s shirt, she steps closer. “You smell as if you’ve… you know.”

Maya stares at her blankly, not understanding what Claudine’s saying. The nurse didn’t say anything and Kaoruko mentioned something similar, yet she can’t grasp exactly why it bothers Claudine so much.

“Here.” Claudine takes her blazer from Maya’s hands and brushes lightly the cloth around Maya’s face. “Can you smell the difference now?”

The truth is Tendou Maya can’t. She smiles, politely agreeing when in reality she can barely sense Claudine’s faint scent. The omega sees through her facade but instead of asking more questions, she decides this isn’t the right time, as much as Maya does look as if anything has happened to her, she can’t erase the image of her collapsing without being able to breath. “Wait for me near the locker room. I’ll take a shower in the dorms.”

“There’s no need—“

Claudine came closer to her, trying to be intimidating and not wanting to leave room for discussion. “That’s not up to you. Give me five minutes.”

Maya’s left alone with her thoughts once again. She wonders, why she can’t smell Claudine’s scent on the blazer, it didn’t make sense since she could feel the aroma in the room when she entered. Could it be that her nose got used to it quickly? Is the medicine kicking in now?

She gets out of the training room, walking to the lockers, Claudine took her blazer so she guesses it’s okay to hold onto the one Claudine gave –rather throw—at her. Mahiru stands near Karen’s locker, waiting for the Alpha girl to show up. Maya sits near the entrance, this new situation where Claudine is the one in charge is challenging to her. She’s not used to following orders or let people had their way.

“Karen-chan!” Mahiru greets the brown-haired girl smiling. “Where’s Hikari-chan?”

“Duty! I thought about helping her but she insisted we should practice our lines…” Karen hops, reaching for her shoes in the locker. “She didn’t say anything about waiting for her, so it’s alright if we wait Mahiru-chan?”

Mahiru chuckles, Maya listens to the pair, both sound content to be around the other. Speaking of how well they are going to do in their next performance with Hikari, or how beautiful the flowers look in the garden they often have lunch in. Maya kicks her feet in the air, enjoying the gentle breeze. She rests her head in the wall, closes her eyes. It might be faint, but Claudine’s scent relaxes her.

“Mahiru-chan you have never told me which flower you have! It’s not fair since you have seen mine!” Karen whines, tugging at Mahiru’s shirt. The Hokkaido girl laughs nervous, looking around.

“Shh! Karen-chan people don’t need to know that…” She blushes reaching for Karen’s hand. “Besides Hikari-chan might get mad if you keep insisting.”

“She wants to see it bloom too!”

“Karen-chan people might get the wrong idea if you keep saying those things…” Mahiru sounds frantic, while Karen remains the same curious.

“There’s nothing wrong with watching our flowers bloom! The other day Hikari’s flowers bloomed just by the touch of your hand?”

Mahiru covers her face, embarrassed. Wishing the earth to swallow her alive before someone could her Karen’s statement. How could she defend herself when this innocent girl says those things sounding so suggestive at the same time?

“Karen-chan please!”

“I’m just saying that—“ A hand covered Karen’s mouth before she could finish her rambling. Mahiru looks relieved.

“It’s a Chrysanthemum, Karen.”

Claudine’s voice makes Maya open her eyes, grogginess washing away slowly. “You should check your surroundings before talking about that, it almost sounds as if you three have done stuff to each other during your heat.” Claudine hits with her finger Karen’s forehead.

“But I’m not lying!”

Claudine glances at Mahiru with a lifted eyebrow and the Hokkaido girl can’t help herself but burst out a squeak. “That’s not! Kuro-chan, this isn’t--!” Claudine smiles at her, and waves her hand at them, turning at the other row of lockers.

“Did you sleep well?” Claudine asks, this time more gently. Offering a hand for Maya to take.

Maya watches silently Claudine’s palm. This has happened since the very beginning of their relationship. Since their first meeting til this very moment, Maya feels her heart skip a beat, it feels like everything around her is touched by Claudine’s presence, even when she’s not there. She takes it, once more. “I did, thanks to you.” She shoots her a disarming smile and Claudine rolls her eyes, the color pink turning to red on her cheeks, she doesn’t let go of Maya’s hand.

The Alpha can feel the tingling sensation of wanting to interlock their fingers, but she doesn’t. Claudine covers her hand fully. “We have to look the part, Tendou Maya.” Maya nods, letting Claudine mark their pace.

Maya understands this much, she knows what Claudine is communicating for once. Perhaps being allergic to pheromones worked this time in her favor, maybe life will get easier with Claudine at her side, in whatever role she wants. They head home, hand in hand, curious glances behind them, she hears some gasps and whispers, but she doesn’t mind. Claudine looks beautiful with determination in her rose eyes.

And out of the blue, everything is about her, as if every living and dead thing is possessed by Claudine, her existence fills Maya’s thoughts. Maybe she’s just hallucinating, making everything about Claudine or perhaps something else is growing in the deepest part of her heart. Knowing how lovable, caring and soft Claudine is, Maya finds herself wishing to be pressed flowers on the same page with her, where the world is a book and there’s nothing to care about besides being close to each other. The warmth spreading on her chest caused by Claudine’s tender gaze and gentle hold, is the only thing anchoring her to this world. She wishes they stayed forever like dried roses in a book, savoring this quiet moment, as flowers, just staring at each other, being in the other’s warmth. She feels Claudine’s thumb caressing her wrist, and Maya wonders if she’s doing it on purpose, to imprint her scent on Maya’s skin or unconsciously like before.

Maybe it’s the way Claudine says her name, or the way she plays her game. Maya ends up craving a little bit more of what Claudine’s offering. She has always wanted to make Claudine look at her and anyone else, she wishes secretly to steal not only Claudine’s attention but her heart as well.

No. I shouldn’t. Maya scolds herself for letting her emotions take the best of her. But instead of feeling ashamed of her own feelings, she feels so good now that Claudine’s smile is directed at her.

The lavender bud in her skin, tickling, hidden under the layers of clothes. Right near her left hip bone. 

What a be-witching and beautiful smile you have, Saijou Claudine.

❀❀❀❀❀

Chapter Text

❀❀❀❀❀

The following day Maya wakes up with the same sensation of heaviness. She feels burning up again, blurry vision, she uncovers herself, a chill runs down her spine and she sighs, turning in her bed once again, hiding between her sheets. Her clock marks 4:05 AM, her usual morning routine starts right at four. But today she’s not in the mood to go for her early jog, nor is willing to stretch or to get out of her warm bed. She closes her eyes, ready to let Morpheus take her wherever he wants to.

Now she’s seriously thinking about paying a visit to her doctor, this couldn’t keep happening, she will slack on her studies and preparation if her body isn’t well enough. Maya’s mind start slipping away, floating towards a nice dream. The softness of her pillows enveloping her in a cozy refugee just for her.

Knock, knock, knock

She growls against her pillow. She rolls on her bed, waiting for this early bird to fly away and leave her alone.

 “Maya?”

She jumps out of bed, rushes to the bathroom and sees herself in the mirror. She looks straight out of a horror movie, not to mention there’s an evident blush on her face due to the fever that she won’t be able to hide from Claudine.  The Alpha tries her best to accommodate her hair, splashing some water in her face. She looks up the mirror again. Defeated, she reaches for the doorknob, the door opens slowly and there’s Claudine, already dressed for the day, her hair impeccable and luscious, not a single wrinkle on her uniform.

“Mon Dieu...” The half-french whispers, a little embarrassed to invade Maya’s room at this hour, she enters the room and soon enough the Sandalwood scent welcomes her in. “I can tell you are still feeling sick, so stay here I’ll notify our teacher and Junna.”

“That won’t be necessary.” Maya avoids meeting Claudine’s eyes. “The nurse gave me some pills in case I continued with symptoms so I’ll be fine.”

The blonde sees her return to her bed, Maya does seem to be better than yesterday but one could never know what could happen. And yet she can’t help her heart to constrict at the sight of Maya being in that shape.

“Listen I came here to stablish some rules… I did a lot of thinking during the night.” Claudine bites the inside of her cheek. I couldn’t sleep at all. “But first of all I want to know what you think about this.”

Maya sighs, it’s too early for this kind of conversation. She’s willing to try this fake relationship, but at the same time she doesn’t want to. If anyone else had come with this idea to her, she wouldn’t have indulged in it. And yet… it’s Claudine who came up with this by her own volition. “I’m fine with this, as long as you are.”

“That’s it?”

The brunette Alpha instantly regrets those words, it sounded insensitive, almost as if she didn’t care at all what Claudine wanted to talk about. And the blonde may not have shown her true emotions in her face, but she couldn’t hide the disappointment from dripping in her voice.

“What I meant is… I…” Maya searches for the correct words this time. “I’m not against the idea of being with you.” She pauses, looking at Claudine, trying not to sound so earnest. “But I’m not comfortable with the idea of deceiving you in any way or the possibility of… hurting you.”

Claudine blinks at her, confused. “You won’t be deceiving me silly, we will be deceiving the rest of the world.” A triumphant smile adorns her lips. “We.” She points the two of them, Maya gets blindsided by Claudine’s bright smile.

The Omega comes closer to the bed, places both hands on Maya’s shoulders and closes the distance to whisper on her ear. “I’ll show you a brilliance you have never seen before.”

Maya knows Claudine isn’t viewing the whole picture yet. This is some kind of challenge for her, something to surpass and show off as a rival. And to help her, as her friend. Claudine is not looking for something in return, she’s just trying in her own way to push forward and reach out to anyone who might be in a dire situation. Maya may have hidden intentions with this, and she knows it well. I’m too greedy, that’s all. She thinks.

“Please go ahead with the rules.” She whispers and Claudine laughs.

“First of all, we must adapt to our roles perfectly. So we might do what’s in our hands to prevent people to finding out our real situation.” Maya nods. “I won’t say something stupid like kissing is not allowed.” She does air quotes. “Since we are stage girls, I know we will both commit to our roles, so the only thing I want you to promise me is that if anything is bothering you or we might cross a line you think we shouldn’t, you must talk it out with me.”

Just talk it out? Maya wonders what kind of rule that is.

“You do know I might entertain not so innocent ideas since you are allowing me to indulge in whatever I deem correct in order to sustain my role as your girlfriend?” Maya wants to make it clear that perhaps going by the flow isn’t something beneficial to their current status and that they actually need some rules. Maya needs them.

“That rule also applies to me.” Claudine replies, the corner of her eyes softening. “I trust you enough to know that you won’t take advantage of me.” She notices the way Maya’s lips curl up. “And thus, this is the only time I will say something like that! Stop looking at me like that infuriating woman!”

Maya chuckles, reaching out to Claudine’s hands. “I’m grateful, thank you for carrying this burden with me.” She locks eyes with her now official fake girlfriend. “But I have one question.”

“Fair enough.” She huffs, taking some curls out of her face, to her side.

“What about our flowers?”

Claudine blinks twice, she did a lot of thinking and research for this to work out for the both of them. She visualized the small freesia flower bud that looked like a tiny tattoo inked in her skin, just under the left side of her collarbone, hidden under her white T-shirt. Claudine knows their flowers need to bloom once in a while, just a simple touch is enough to make them open and blossom. The trick to make them bloom is to hold genuine feelings towards the owner of the flower. Be it friendship, companionship, or a romantic relationship, it can also include the “bad” side of feelings, like hatred, envy, unrequired-love etc.

“Our flowers are out of this deal.” Claudine’s voice dropped the usual melodic tune.

Maya lowers her gaze, the way Claudine said it made her realize that she shouldn’t harbor hope into this becoming a real relationship between the two. That she must stay grounded and not let her recent thoughts become the norm in her mind. Whatever feelings she just recently noticed had to be buried in the deepest part of her brain and heart. “Understood, Saijou-san.”

“Any rules of your own?” The half-french asks, crossing her arms above her chest.

Maya takes her hair brush, and decides it’s better to focus on starting her day activities instead of letting the unwellness of her body consume her. She remains quiet for a couple of minutes, Claudine waits patiently knowing the Alpha is indeed thinking of something important. “Actually… I have a couple.”

“If one of us ever desires to start a serious relationship or pursue someone else romantically speaking, this arrangement is off immediately. That means we don’t need to mark each other.” Maya knows that probably it would hurt to some degree if this ever happens, yet it’s essential for her to stablish a boundary. It’s a possibility and she doesn’t want to be the reason Claudine loses the chance to find real happiness. The Omega nods, she also thought about the chance of Maya marking her by whatever reason, but she never imagined her Alpha friend would seriously point it out bluntly. Part of her was sure they would never need a rule like that because they would need to be emotionally invested in one another, and the thought of them being sexually involved… well she wasn’t totally against it. Tendou Maya certainly is attractive but they didn’t need to go that far just to fool some teenagers. Right? Going that far... I want to do those kind of things with someone I like and love without a doubt. Claudine thinks. “There’s another thing you should know before we continue with this. I’m not planning in suspending my medication, Saijou-san.”

“Why though? The nurse said those helped with your allergy to pheromones, if my help makes you stop needing them, won’t it be better to stop?” Claudine clenches her hands into fists.

“Those pills aren’t only to treat my special condition. They make my own pheromones almost non-existent.” Once Maya’s finished with her hair, she goes to her closet, looking for her perfectly tailored uniform. “Meaning I have the perk of not experimenting the effects of having rut, or being influenced by other’s pheromones since I cannot smell them.”

“It’s like they…make you a beta? But your scent is present everyday, I can recognize the sandalwood scent wherever you go.”

“That’s not…” Maya stops talking, Claudine notices the way her eyes narrow and her lips become a thin line. “One of the requirements to be enrolled in Seisho Music Academy as an Alpha, is to have been tested and proven by a certificate from a Care Center to be safe around before, during and after a heat cycle.”

“I don’t really get where are you going with this Maya. It was the same for me as an Omega, I had to be tested so the Alpha’s in here wouldn’t lose their shit.” Claudine looks almost annoyed to be discussing this. “If you are going to say you passed with a perfect score due to those pills then—“

“I was tested and failed.” Maya claims, turning to look directly into Claudine’s eyes. “My mother… She was the one to tell the doctor my pheromones were too strong for my own body. I suspended my treatment to get tested before coming here and my father took me to the doctor, he explained that my hormones would stabilize by themselves someday... but that day has yet to come.”

“What?” There’s nothing but surprise in Claudine’s expression.

“The Headmaster, Souda-sensei accepted me knowing well, I’m nothing but a treacherous Alpha.” Maya walks towards Claudine, she places her uniform on the bed. “And I won’t bear to lose my chance to shine on stage… and to become a danger to myself, you or anyone here.”

Claudine couldn’t refute her argument. It all made sense now, the way Maya constantly ignored people’s advances with her, the lack of reaction every time someone’s pheromones skied rocketed inducing them in heat, how she didn’t mind being paired most with Omegas, how indifferent Maya is about the hunting and everything else related to their secondary gender. And yet… She’s burning up, slightly trembling, looking exhausted and the day is barely beginning, is Maya too used to this?

“Tell me why someone imprinting on you made you have that big reaction since you are under that medicine, just tell me why and I won’t question your treatment anymore. If it’s so effective and you basically need it.” Maya knows Claudine isn’t budging, after her explanation and exposing one of her secrets, Claudine still remains stubborn. “You look like a wreck, yet you claim it’s a normal occurrence, ‘side effects’” She makes air quotes. “Not even my heat suppressants make me feel or look like you now. So tell me Tendou Maya.”

“I… I truly don’t know.” The Alpha feels a threatening aura coming from the blonde, she can’t understand why Claudine is so adamant about this or why she is pushing for answers the brunette hasn’t even thought about.

Claudine isn’t satisfied with this, she starts undoing her red ribbon, Maya doesn’t comment on it. “Then allow me to take action in your stead.” She proceeds to take Maya’s red lace from the uniform next to her. “I’ll wait until you are ready for school today. But if you stumble or continue shaking I’ll tell Sakuragi-sensei and drag your ass back to the nurse.”

Maya stares at her dumbfounded. Claudine takes the uniform and shoves it into Maya’s hands. “Hurry or we will be late.”

It takes her around five minutes to change into her uniform. Maya decides to not wear her blazer yet since she’s used to tying the red ribbon before putting it on. She notices Claudine’s ribbon is still undone around her neck.  Trying her best to not let her eyes wonder over Claudine’s neck and collarbone, Maya reaches for a small bottle in the cabinet of her nightstand, she spreads the liquid on her hands softly, before applying it on her skin and uniform. The Omega sniffs the air and she can’t say for sure that’s Maya’s natural scent.

“Uh, Saijou-san?”

Claudine takes some steps towards her, rose eyes filled with determination. Her blonde hair cascading behind her like sand waves, attracting Maya’s eyes. The way she’s coming closer to her makes the Alpha swallow, Claudine turns off the light. Not even in her wildest dream, has Maya lose her composure like now. She’s so fit, gorgeous, red lips and rosy cheeks zooming into her pupils. “I forgot one rule.” Claudine whispers in her ear.

Her hands tangle around Maya’s hair, pulling her closer, gently coaxing her face to meet hers. Hot breath grazing her lips, rose eyes dyed a dark shade. “No one has to know what we do.” The Omega doesn’t wait for an answer, Maya closes her eyes as Claudine’s cheek comes in contact with hers, she remains standing still, not daring to move or breathe. Her heart hammering in her chest.

The Omega caresses Maya’s wrists with her fingertips. “Easy Maya, I’m just scent marking you.”

“R-right.”

Something about the way Maya reacted makes her feel like a dangerous woman, makes her want to do things she shouldn’t. Perhaps is the unusual blush adorning her cheeks, her eyes shut tightly or how Maya just let her do whatever she wants whenever she’s so close to her. Maya’s trembling has stopped and she holds her blazer as if her life depends on it. This isn’t new knowledge; the alpha often lets herself loose in certain occasions when Claudine decides to drag her to do something together. Claudine can almost say she likes when Maya relaxes around her.

Maya tastes the sweetness of strawberries in her tongue. And she chokes on her own saliva.

Claudine wraps her arms around her. “Oh La La, we gotta work in our morning routines.”

Maya’s embarrassment washes through her face and Claudine can only savor it for a couple of seconds. She takes the red lace around her neck and places it on Maya. “I’ll wear yours and you’ll wear mine.” Claudine may not say it, she may act like a confident girl who knows what she’s doing but her heart is certainly about to burst by its erratic beats, having Maya so close always makes her nervous, besides she has caught the lingering scent of lavender in Maya’s neck. And she admits that she prefers it over Sandalwood, still the owner remains unclear.

Claudine will try her best not to push Maya with answers, but she knows there’s more going on with her. For now, even if the Alpha doesn’t know about her true intentions, she will enjoy the small things between them, Maya may not be aware of Claudine’s pheromones outbursts, but somehow, the brunette’s calming presence and her pheromones had a soothing effect on Claudine’s body even if they lacked a proper aroma. Hence, why she offered this kind of deal to the Alpha.

She didn’t want to give Maya credit since she hasn’t done it consciously, but for the last two years they have spent time together, Maya’s contribution into shaping Claudine as a stage girl is rather big, and being around her has made all the other Alphas back down, there’s no more imprinting their scent on her or trying to claim her as property.

A million years may have passed since Japan created a penal code for Alphas abusing their “power position” over omegas but Claudine still experienced the grip, say hierarchy has over them. She knows her Alpha friends are different, she knows her generation has a different perspective on this matter, and yet forcefully claiming Omegas still happen day by day. She still remembers how her Papa lost his temper in France, when a producer tried to set up his Alpha son with her.

People often taught Omegas to shrink themselves, to be submissive, to adapt to the stereotype of an obedient role for the Alphas. Because who is going to hire an omega for an important high ranking position? Who will prefer an omega since they are sick for weeks every other month? Who will choose an Omega to stand on stage over a Beta or Alpha since they’ll find an Alpha get pregnant and leave theater, rehearsals, performances, fame for it? That producer said something she still thinks about.

“You can have ambition, but not too much. You should aim to be successful, but not too successful. No Alpha will take you if you threaten their status.”

This kind of things have all been said before, to other Omegas, even to her own Maman, who isn’t even an Omega but an Alpha.

She isn’t an object, she isn’t only a stage girl, an image to admire, she’s not a quitter, she knows she has value and is worth of love and an equal relationship. That’s why she hates so much people who have the audacity to come near her only to offer ownership. Being born of two Alphas often made people think she’s one too, but when they find out she isn’t somehow they want to become in possession of her.

No one will ever be the owner of Saijou Claudine.

Maya’s looking at her through half-lidded eyes, finally relaxed her shoulders, her grip on her blazer is lacking the strength she saw before, she’s no longer trembling, her blush is almost imperceptible and she might even say Maya’s fever has gone down. Claudine smirks, happy with this result.

“I’ll come to scent mark you every morning, so get used to this.” She plays with Maya’s ribbon, the brunette is dead silent, there’s nothing but tenderness and gratitude in her violet gaze. “I-I will wait outside for you.”

She storms out of the Alpha’s room, she runs to her own room. Breathing heavily, she closes the door, her back resting on it. She places one hand above her heart and the other in her mouth, the way Maya was looking at her didn’t help with her thundering heart, who wouldn’t get excited after being looked at with such devotion? Who wouldn’t have a heart attack after being so close to a pretty girl?

Tendou Maya may be obnoxious at times, infuriating at most, ridiculously talented and with a crazy obsession about the stage, but there’s no way Claudine would deny her beauty. Because Tendou Maya may be a vixen to her, but even Hanayagi Kaoruko has appreciated Maya’s face, so there’s no way Saijou Claudine wouldn’t be smitten by such eyes from time to time. Not to mention her calm demeanor, how polite and well-mannered the Alpha actually is.

Scent marking a pretty girl, an Alpha, the fucking Top Star she wants to de-throne, is everyone’s dream in Seisho Music Academy. She slides down until she’s sitting on the ground, she tries to calm down and fails miserably upon remembering how smooth Tendou Maya’s skin is.

Perhaps she should cover Maya’s eyes from now on, because she’s sure she will fall in love if Maya continues to gaze at her in such way. Perhaps she shouldn’t because she liked it. And still wants to be the only one Maya looks at that way, which confuses her, because Maya's just a friend and her rival. 

She hugs her knees, wishing to still be pressed against the Alpha’s body. The worst thing -best thing- is, that the day is just barely starting and there's a lot of time ahead to spend it with the brunette. 

I can see forever in your beautiful eyes, Tendou Maya.

❀❀❀❀❀

Chapter Text

❀❀❀❀❀

A few days passed and they settled into a very convenient routine. Saijou Claudine would go to Tendou Maya’s room, scent mark her and once Maya’s covered in the sweet scent of freesias she would take her medicine and start her day, hand in hand, with the blonde Omega. Sometimes, she would take the initiative and reach Claudine’s door before she woke up, the Omega would let her in, and sometimes –most of the time-- she would enjoy Maya’s warm body in bed.

Maya never let herself fall asleep again after Claudine’s appearance in the early morning for the past week. By 4 am, Maya now has brushed her teeth, fixed her hair, changed into her uniform and tries to take everything she needs into her bag. That’s when Claudine appears, with a gentle knock, followed by the doorknob turning to one side. Maya finishes with her bag and sits con the chair next to her bed, it’s Monday and Claudine isn’t nowhere to be found. She waits.

And waits and waits and waits.

Nothing.

She checks the clock on her desk, it’s been an hour. She tries to reason why the Omega hasn’t come yet, there’s nothing. Claudine’s not in her heat, she isn’t sick, then the only possibility left in Maya’s brain is that she slept in. Confident, she takes her bag and gets out of her room. She reaches Claudine’s door in a few strides, all too eager to be in close proximity with her friend slash crush. It may be childish to think of Claudine that way, but Maya knows herself too well and those dormant feelings bubbling inside her chest once in a while let her know that yes, she’s becoming infatuated with the half-french. She still devotes herself into burying deep inside her those feelings, where light won’t ever reach in her heart, thinking how this just a convenient agreement that helps both of them in different ways. And that soon, it will all end.

She hears Claudine mumbling ‘Come inside’.

When she goes in, her body tenses up. The strong scent of freesias filling her lungs, creeping in her clothes, burning in her nose. Maya inhales deeply and closes her eyes, trying her best to remain calm and composed. The Omega looks at her from the bed, intrigued, yet doesn’t move from under the covers.

“I thought you wouldn’t come after the first 20 minutes.”

Maya focuses on Claudine’s figure on the bed, she’s still in her nightgown, her hair a bit messy, she looks sleepy. “Was this, some kind of test?” Maya asks, from her place, not daring to step forward.

“Yeah, more like a little challenge to know if you would ever come to me like I do with you.” Claudine stretches her legs and arms, lazily. “And since you have shown your bravery, let me reward you with a different way to scent mark you from now on.”

“Mmm…” Maya glances at the clock on Claudine’s wall.

“Quoi? There’s still time, this way is much faster too. So come here.”

The Alpha sighs but complies with her request. She steps closer until she’s right next to her, carefully she leaves her school bag in the floor, Claudine pulls herself up, only to hook her arms around Maya’s shoulders and bring her down with her, until the upper half of Maya’s body is resting on top of her. “On Friday, they taught us Alpha’s have more scent glands than us, but we are more sensitive to the pheromones around us, so I thought, instead of caressing the ones you have in your face, shoulders and neck I should try with the rest of them too.”

“Sounds like an excuse to lure me in your bed, Saijou-san.” Maya teases her, the blonde instantly lets her go, her face burning bright red. She hasn’t thought about the implications of her idea, she just wanted her scent to linger on Maya’s body, since it often wore off during the day.

“I didn’t—That’s not--!!”

Maya chuckles and the next thing she notices is one of Claudine’s pillows coming full speed towards her. She hears the words ‘infuriating woman, mechante va, merde’ and a couple more curses in Claudine’s mother language while she receives the hits. Claudine may not know she is learning French but someday Maya will let her now, when the right time arrives.

“I was trying to find different ways, so you and I won’t get bored of doing the same thing everyday. But I swear if you’ll be this insufferable I’ll stick to one thing and nothing more.” Claudine crosses her arms and turns around in the bed, her lips pursed. Maya kneels down, takes some curls in her hand, she twists them, stretches and rolls her fingers in her beautiful blonde hair.

“I apologize; I wasn’t trying to antagonize you. I appreciate what you do for me.” Claudine doesn’t answer, she only bites the inside of her cheek. Maya places one of her hands in Claudine’s waist, as gently as she could, she turns Claudine’s body towards her. Rose meet amethyst. “Please, continue with your idea.”

“Just get in here already.”

And Maya does, Claudine hears Maya’s shoes falling, followed by the Alpha’s weight sinking at her side. Unwavering and expecting Amethyst eyes find her. “This is embarrassing for me so…” She undoes the violet ribbon behind Maya’s head. “I will fix your hair later.” She covers the Alpha’s eyes, slides the fabric behind Maya’s head and ties it in a simple knot. Claudine closes the distance between them, embraces Maya while entangling their legs together, heat creeps in her cheeks. Maya smells like lavender today.

She can feel Maya’s heart start to beat faster, the tip of her ears a nice red. “Saijou-san?” She calls her name as if she’s praying, low, with a mellow voice. Claudine starts caressing Maya’s arms, up to her elbow, softly pressing her fingers under Maya’s sleeve, the Alpha’s breath hitches. And Claudine can almost swear Maya’s purring under her touch.

They may have differences in their bodies as Alpha and Omega, but one there’s one thing they share. This growing intimacy between the two lets her be brave and enjoy their skinship, this kind of relationship has made them closer. She has gotten to know her better, they dance as if they are one person, taking steps like one mind. There’s no more hesitation to spend time together in school grounds, they even look forward to be with each other. Mahiru often glances at her and then at Maya with a small smile, Hikari nods her way, even Nana winks at her whenever Maya reaches for her hand or unconsciously invades her personal space. Junna flushes bright red and cites Shakespeare, Karen likes to say she “steals” Maya away from her and Futaba likes to tease her about Maya.

The only one who stopped joking around about her relationship with Maya is Kaoruko. Who opted to fan herself and storm out of the room, taking Futaba with her. Which is weird, she was the first to pester her about how head over heels Claudine was with Maya.

Claudine squeezes Maya softly, she didn’t like the way Kaoruko is acting around them. She doesn’t like the void look in her eyes when she sees them together. Or how she looks so displeased, as if she doesn’t approve of their relationship.

“Do you know why Kaoruko has been a pain in the ass?” Claudine asks, stopping her ministrations, rubbing her cheek against the Alpha’s cheek and jawline made said girl often get in a good mood. Maya sighs.

“Not really.” Maya hums, reaching for Claudine’s hand to finish scent marking her.

“Whatever.” Claudine says, more to herself than to Maya, who obviously wasn’t paying attention to her words but rather her scent. Maya buries her face in Claudine’s neck, inhaling deeply.

Because she knows, even if Maya doesn’t tell her these things. She knows Maya has started to notice Claudine’s scent more and more. Even after taking her medicine, she has seen how the brunette closes her eyes or sniffs the air when she walks by. Deep inside her, this makes her smile, not only because Maya has improved in her health, but because it means that the Alpha might feel they share something special like she does, even if they are fake dating. This is special and unique in its own way.

She glances at the clock.

“Hey, don’t fall asleep Tendou Maya! We need to get ready for school.”

Maya blows air against her skin from her hiding spot in Claudine’s neck. “You need to get ready, I just need two seconds.” Claudine rolls her eyes, they were on their sides, entangled together, trapped in each other’s arms.

The Omega never imagined how nice it was to sleep next to someone, let alone how good she often felt whenever she drifted off to the dream realm while being wrapped in a tight embrace. After all, there’s many ways to scent mark the other, letting Maya inside her room proved to help scent mark her in a more efficient way since everything inside had her scent.

“Saijou-san… I know your beauty sleep is essential for you.” Maya whispers, Claudine can feel Maya’s throat rumble by each word. “But it’s almost 6 am and we have to get up. You need to get ready.”

“I don’t need anything. It’s our free day today, so let’s sleep a little more.”

Maya hums but doesn’t move. Instead she squeezes the sleepy Omega in her arms. She wonders if it would be okay for them to spend the day like that, in bed, holding the other as if the outside world didn’t exist. She wishes she could freeze time so Claudine could remain with that beautiful smile while holding her tight.  Seeing Claudine’s cheeks so rosy, turning red, knowing it’s because of her, makes her heart combust, as if it couldn’t handle the impact of Claudine’s beauty anymore. The way she laughs, sends a jolt of lighting throw her spine, and she ends up craving to taste Claudine’s appealing lips.

Her mind starts to drift away. Away from Claudine’s slender figure in her arms, away from her sweet scent, away from the comfort her embrace gives her. Claudine looks up at her from the side, her head resting above Maya’s arm.

The Alpha feels tired and all those days waking up so early are finally catching up to her.

Knock, knock, knock

“Kuro-han! Both of your breakfast will get cold, it’s been hours since Banana-han served you.” Claudine growls, just when Maya has finally closed her eyes, Kaoruko decides to bang on her door.

The Omega untangled herself from the sleeping Alpha, trying her best to not wake her up in the process. “Shut up!”

“Tendoooouuu-haaaaaan~!”

Claudine jumps and silences her with a hand in the Kyoto’s Alpha lips. “S-shut up, how do you know she’s here?” Panic creeps inside the Omega.

“Oh please Kuro-han, she sneaks out of her room in the early morning, we all have seen you do it too. It’s not rocket science.” Kaoruko is all smiles while Claudine’s face is burning up. She comes closer and draws a heart above Claudine’s chest. “She’s been smelling like you lately, no wonder why she’s lost part of her fanbase now.”

“Mind your business!” Claudine almost yells, but holds her voice down for Maya’s sake. “I’ll go down and bring her food here, so stop calling her out.”

 “But I do wonder Kuro-han, why she smells so much like you but I can’t feel her pheromones in you at all…” A devilish smile dancing in her lips. Claudine grits her teeth, with a blush adorning her features. “Not the right scent, at least.” She mumbles, no emotion in her usual taunting voice.

“Quoi?” Claudine whispers, confused. Not the right scent? Is she referring to Maya’s mixed scent in the mornings? How does she know about it? Claudine thinks.

“Are you sure she’s not playing with you?” Kaoruko’s serious voice echoes in her head. The Omega bites her tongue, and holds her curses inside her mouth. That’s a low blow if she considers both Alphas are allegedly friends. Why would Kaoruko say something like that?

“I’m most certainly not, Hanayagi-san.” Maya’s melodious voice comes from behind her, Claudine feels Maya’s hand snaking around her, pulling her closer to her body. “I’m very much in love with Saijou-san, I wouldn’t dare to consider playing with someone like her in a million years.” Amethyst eyes find gray ones. A warning. “She also couldn’t resist my charm. Right, Saijou-san?”

“Oh yeah?” Kaoruko crosses her arms, an implicit Show me in her eyes. Claudine can feel the tension building up around the two Alphas. Their pheromones weren’t hostile towards the other but something about this conversation felt heavy in her heart, besides the Alpha in front of her has information Maya is withholding from her. She’s not a fool, if Kaoruko is tricking Maya into something is because Kaoruko wants her to realize or notice something Claudine hasn’t already.

“If you aren’t sleepy we should both go to the dinning room.” Claudine turns and reaches out to Maya’s hand. That’s when she smells the scent of burning lavender coming from her. The Omega freezes in place while the Kyoto alpha smiles triumphant.

“See you downstairs, turtledoves~” 

Claudine pushes Maya inside once more, staring at her as if she’s discovered the most horrifying secret about her. The brunette returns to the bed, not wanting to engage further in whatever nonsense Kaoruko has tried to pull outside, she opens her bag, takes a couple of pills from the usual container and swallows. Claudine watches her dumbfounded, Maya has already explained the effects of her medicine, and she has also noticed the Alpha applying some kind of cologne on her skin. Cologne that smells like Sandalwood.

She follows Maya under the covers, asking herself how she couldn’t notice before. The Alpha doesn’t hide it or even tries to hide it, however if she hasn’t said anything yet it’s because she’s not ready or willingly to open up about that matter, it didn’t mean she’s playing games. Saijou Claudine is 100% sure that the girl in front of her barely knows how her own body works when it’s about pheromones. Any other Alpha might have a physical reaction down there when in close proximity with an Omega’s body and for the moment, Maya hasn’t shown any sign of it.

“Am I not attractive enough?”

Maya coughs, while bringing her closer. “I um… I think you are…” Beautiful. Gorgeous. Pretty. Handsome. Lovely. Charming. Delightful. “Cute and good-looking.”  

“Ah?”

Maya chuckles, feeling the butterflies in her stomach rioting upon this opportunity of letting her friend know what she truly thinks. Claudine’s blush burns in Maya’s pupils upon realizing she’s said it aloud.

“Fool.” Claudine claims covering her face behind her hands. “You are such a fool.” She chides herself for voicing her thoughts, for daring to even think she’s not enough, for caring about Maya’s lack of physical reaction.  They are friends, friends don’t feel the way she does, friends don’t wish to be sleeping together in the same bed, friends don’t crave to kiss each other when in close proximity. Friends don’t have the thoughts she’s been having about the other. No, she’s furious. At Maya for making her feel that way. Rose eyes glance up, finding loving amethyst eyes staring back.

She can’t say anything to Maya’s face, because just look at her face! She’s so gorgeous it makes Claudine so mad.

Tendou Maya has honestly ruined Claudine’s life, by not being hers. And there’s nothing Claudine hates more than what she can’t have. “Stop staring fool…” The Omega places one hand above Maya’s eyes, restricting her sight.

The Alpha smiles at her, wanting to take those gentle hands away to continue looking at such poem that’s in Claudine features. Yes, she’s a fool.

“For you.” Maya muses her, smugly. “Only, for you.” The heat on Claudine’s face increases, making her hit the Alpha softly in her shoulders, she mumbles a couples of Shut up infuriating woman while Maya can contain her bubbling feelings inside her.

A fool for Saijou Claudine. A fool for that smile Claudine’s lips only curl into when she does things to make her smile, to make the omega chase her around. Pissing Claudine off it’s the quickest way to make her blush, the easiest way to get her hands on the Alpha. Maya tries to hide the growing smile on her lips. I’ll be yours if you’ll be mine. She bites the inside of her cheek.

“Oi, it’s Sunday but I’m in charge of washing the dishes today. And your food is still at the table!” Futaba yells from outside Claudine’s room. “There’s no one else left in the dorm but us, so hurry you two!”

Claudine rolls her eyes, trying her best to remain calm even if Maya’s flirting makes her nervous every time. Surely this woman knows how to push her to her limits, being a constant tease will give her some kind of heart disease. It’s not only how Maya’s so nonchalant about complimenting her, it’s the way she talks. Claudine hates her. She hates her face, how annoying is that Tendou Maya doesn’t think about the consequence of her magnetic field being a little too strong.

“Coming Futaba!”

❀❀❀❀❀

Having Maya around, has proven to be quite easy for her. But not for her heart. Right now, they are the only ones in the dorm, the rest of their friends and classmates went out. Promising to buy dinner and souvenirs. Claudine couldn’t care less, this way she gets to enjoy Maya’s presence without to be constantly bombarded with stares and questions about their supposed romantic relationship. Maya insisted they watched some movies or theater plays in order to learn from the actors, so she brought her collection from her room, Claudine insisted they watch Les Miserables with Higashimatsu Musical, since she was in the mood to sing along and because Maya had a limited edition of the performance.

And she was singing on the couch happily, until she noticed her rival, nodding off from her spot at the other side of the sofa. Claudine looks at her, the same exhausted expression in Maya’s face.

An idea strucks her mind, perhaps, they should stop sneaking around in the early morning and do what Futaba and Kaoruko do. Sneak after the roll call and sleep in the bigger room. It makes her want to ask Futaba how she manages to get rid off Kaoruko’s scent. She tries to focus again on the screen, the woman playing Fantine looks a little bit like her sleeping friend, she stops singing and stares at the screen.

Maya sighs in her sleep, unconsciously seeking a more comfortable position to sleep. Claudine doesn’t have the heart to let her stay like that so she brings the sleepy Alpha to rest on her lap. At first Maya refuses, trying to dismiss her tiredness, playing the cool card, wanting to continue watching, her friend on the other hand just shushes her. Claudine isn’t in the mood to fight her, she wants to focus on the play, the little girl on the screen… she looks back and forth between Maya and the TV.

By the moment Fantine dies, Maya’s sleeping, she turns her face away from the TV, burying her face near Claudine’s stomach. She remembers now, this is when she lost the role of Cossete in the auditions of 2014, some parents wanted to sue the casting director for nepotism.

Favoring one of the main actresses in order to have her child in the same performance. The rest of the children who auditioned that day said horrible things to the winner and even the parents questioned her skills and abilities. The small girl starts singing Castle on a Cloud, Claudine’s eyes glued to the play.

There’s a lady all in white, holds me and sings a lullaby…

She’s nice to see, and she’s soft to touch…

Claudine remembers now. How could she forget? Her Mamman had congratulated the child that won in the auditions, she bought a bouquet of purple tulips for her. She even met the actress who would be playing Fantine. She smelled like Sandalwood and her daughter like lavender, which is unusual. That’s what her Papa said after meeting the winner that day. The winner girl didn’t cry, the smile she wore was genuine, as if she held the world in the palm of her hand.

She was just a young girl, smiling, hand in hand with her mother at her side.

It was Tendou Maya. The name written next to the role Cosette.

A couple of months after the successful performance, terrible news circled around in the theaters she often visited with her family. The actress, a successful Omega, had been attacked by an unknown Alpha when she left the Higashimatsu theater alongside her daughter. News spread saying the mate of the actress, another Alpha, an actor of the same theater troupe had taken into his own hands, finding the culprit of his wife's crime. 

She feels a lump in her throat growing, pain filling her up with unstoppable force.

Green eyes stare not from afar, knowing the play on the screen is somewhat sacred to the sleeping Alpha in the couch. She walks towards them, ready to turn off the play until she hears Claudine’s voice singing softly.

“She says, Cosette, I love you very much.” Claudine has tears in her eyes, taking some strands of chocolate hair away from Maya’s face. “I know a place where no one’s lost… I know a place where no one cries…”

“Crying at all is not allowed… …” The Omega inhales, trying to suppress her tears but they fall down with ease.” Not in my castle on a cloud.”

In the quiet of Maya’s mind, her thoughts often drift to the vast ocean of differences between her and Claudine. She finds it so intriguing how amidst those differences, her heart beats perfectly to the rhythm of Claudine’s name. To the rhythm of Claudine’s voice. She has so many thoughts swirling in her head about everything that captivates her, which is why she finds herself lost in a peaceful dream. Resting near a small pond, under some trees a couple of meters away from her home. Her mind is always full of these thoughts, including thoughts about Saijou Claudine, who coincidentally is sleeping right at her side, looking like an angel, it doesn’t matter if others don’t understand it, Tendou Maya does. She knows she’s grown very fond of the half-french, that’s why she chooses to remain silent the whole time despite yearning very loudly inside. One of the swans on the pond, flickers its wings. Sending droplets of water everywhere. Upon feeling those on her skin, Maya wonders if its real.

Because it feels real.

In a state of feeling dizzy and confused, she opens her eyes slowly, finding two pools of rose overflowing with tears like a cascade. She gets up, wrapping her arms around the crying girl in front of her. Maya does not question the reason behind those tears, she just wants Claudine to stop, because even if she looks beautiful while crying, Maya prefers her smile.

Nana’s lips curl up at such view.

Such a beautiful pair, I wish you the best Kuro-chan and Maya-chan.

❀❀❀❀❀