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"Doesn't it get boring always being on the sidelines? Don't you ever want to be in the spotlight?"
Up until that day, Michiru had never questioned her choices. She had been content as being the one on the side, helping Akira reach the top. But after hearing that... she started to question what she really wanted to do.
It was causing a lot of internal drama. She had always been the support. That was her job. To make sure she kept her promise to Akira. And yet... now she was starting to want to change that.
Michiru did her best to hide her inner turmoil. She didn't want anyone to catch on to her. That would be bad. She didn't want anyone to know until she at least figured this out for herself.
Though, she didn't know what there was to figure out. She knew already. She wanted to be in the spotlight herself. She just didn't want to tell anyone yet, if ever.
"The roles for the next play are up for audition."
That made everything worse for Michiru. She wanted the lead. She never wanted that before. Every time she got the lead, she always insisted Akira would be better. But... but she wanted the lead. And they had already decided on that role at least. It was supposed to go to Akira.
Michiru didn't protest. She couldn't make a scene. Not in front of everyone. So, she was starting to accept her fate. But still, a gnawing feeling was clawing at her stomach. No matter what she tried, it wouldn't go away.
"Michiru? You seem lost in thought."
Michiru jumped at the sudden noise. She reassessed her surroundings. Right. She was in the student council room. She had been signing documents. Akira was with her. The others must have left without her realizing it.
"I'm just thinking about the play." Michiru replied.
"What about it?" Akira questioned.
"Just what roles I think would suit everyone else." Michiru lied, "I'm curious to see what everyone goes for."
"What role do you want?"
That question made Michiru's heart start racing. She had to lie. But... what role would she say?
"I don't know yet."
"You don't?" Akira didn't seem to believe her.
"Yeah. I'm having a hard time deciding which role I think suits me the best."
Michiru couldn't tell her the truth. It could cause a rift in their relationship. She couldn't risk it. She couldn't lose Akira. Not after everything they've been through together. Especially now that they started dating too.
"Okay."
Michiru was silently grateful Akira wasn't good at reading people. She might've caught on to the lie. Michiru really didn't know what she would say about it anyway.
But... she still wanted the lead. That wasn't going to happen though. Michiru couldn't bring herself to.
But fate just had to intervene. Their phones rang with a familiar tone. It seemed Kirin had other ideas for Michiru's plan.
...
The next thing the two girls knew, they were on the stage. They were facing each other.
"Why are we here?" Akira asked, searching for where Kirin was hiding at.
"There is a disagreement for the lead. The victor shall take the role." Whilst neither girl could see him, Kirin answered the question.
"What?" Akira looked back at Michiru, "You want the lead?"
Michiru took a deep breath, "Yes. I want the lead. I don't want to be in the shadows anymore."
She hadn't wanted this. But, it seemed she had to admit it. Could she surrender? Just let Akira win?
She hesitated. She... she didn't want that. She wanted to be the one in the spotlight. She would give a fight. Even if she lost, she would have tried her best.
She readied her weapon, "I know I've always supported you as the leads, but I want the spotlight. I want to shine too!"
Akira got into a fighting stance as well, "Well, I'm not going down easily."
"I wouldn't expect anything less from you."
The revue began. Both fought hard. Neither was giving in. Neither was outpacing the other either. The stage didn't shift. Neither shone brighter yet. They were at a standstill.
Michiru had an idea, but it would be playing dirty. Then again, that was fair game in a revue. So, she did it.
She pretended to be out of breath. As Akira neared her, she swung low with her leg and knocked her off balance. Michiru stood over her. Despite having her down, she hesitated tearing off her cape.
A hesitation like that would normally have cost her everything. But Akira didn't retaliate when she very much could have. She could have easily taken her lance and jabbed up, taking off Michiru's cape. She didn't. She had lost. It didn't matter if the cape was on her still, she was down.
"Are you going to end this?"
Michiru jumped. She had been lost in her head. Michiru still hesitated. It felt wrong. But she wanted it too. She was so conflicted.
Akira sighed and grabbed Michiru's weapon. She positioned it on her rope. Michiru slowly cut it. As it fell, she dropped to her knees.
"I... did it..."
"You could have spared us a fight if you had spoken up sooner."
"You wouldn't have given me the role."
"No... but next play you could've had it."
Michiru let out a shaky breath, "Are you mad at me?"
"Mad at you? For what?"
"For suddenly changing how I feel about acting."
"Everyone changes at some point."
"So, no hard feelings?"
"No." Akira shook her head.
"Good..." Michiru let out a sigh of relief, "I was worried you would... hate me for this."
"Why would I hate you for wanting to play the lead?"
"Because I'm normally not trying to get the lead."
"It doesn't matter to me. You've supported me a lot, so I'll do the same for you."
"Even though it'll conflict now? If we both want the lead... won't that cause problems?"
"We'll just choose plays that star two main roles more often."
"Okay." Michiru smiled.
She hadn't needed to be so worried. She really could have just talked to Akira about her feelings. She felt embarrassed that it had to come to this when they could have reached a conclusion quite easily.
"So, are we switching roles for the play?" Michiru questioned, "If you don't want to... it's fine."
"That was the condition of the revue. You've earned it."
"You sure?"
"Yes. I don't mind."
"You're the best, Akira." Michiru threw her arms around Akira and hugged her.
"I want you to feel happy. It was stressing you out, so I don't mind stepping back."
...
The next thing they knew, they were back in the student council room. That was over.
"I think we're done here for the day." Akira said.
"Just let me... switch the roles on the sheet. You can pick your new role now if you want."
"The bad guy. I was considering that role when we first looked at the play."
"You think it'll be a challenge?"
"Not really. More just a fun role to try."
"Alright. We'll tell the others the change tomorrow then."
"What do you want to do now?"
"Just relax."
"Alone?"
"You want to join me?"
Akira nodded, "Yes. I want to be with you."
"Then we can go to my room." Michiru said.
They cleaned up what they needed to and then headed out. Michiru grabbed Akira's hand as they walked. That wasn't unusual for them to do.
The other students were aware they were dating. Neither had made it a deal to hide it. They didn't care if people knew. Most were too intimidated by Akira to say anything bad even if they wanted to. And Akira hadn't even done anything bad to get that reputation. It was just from her demeanor.
They went to Michiru's room. Somehow they didn't run into any of the other edels. That was surprising. Someone was normally out and about somewhere. But it didn't really matter either way.
"Anything in particular you're interested in doing?" Michiru asked as they sat on the bed.
"No. Just being with you is enough for me."
"Then... can I ask for something?"
"Sure."
"I want to kiss you."
"Alright."
Akira leaned down and waited for Michiru to close the gap. The kiss started off as a brief one, but Michiru pulled her back into another one, this one being deeper.
"Akira... I love you." Michiru whispered as she pulled back.
Akira pulled her into a hug, "I love you too."
"Thank you for understanding me..."
"I'm not cruel, am I? Why would I ever deny you that?"
"Yeah... you aren't cruel..." Michiru agreed, "A bit dense, but you're reasonable. I was just really worked up over it for no reason."
"You tell me to communicate my feelings instead of hide them. Why aren't you following that advice?" Akira questioned.
Michiru chuckled, "Guess I'm a bit of a hypocrite, aren't I?"
Akira kissed her on the head, "We both have been."
"Well, anyway, you better not be planning to leave anytime soon."
"I'm not. I have nothing else I have to do today."
"Good. I want to cuddle."
"Sure."