Work Text:
- - -
Saijo Claudine had always known how her suggestion to make a group chat for their friend group would turn into a massive mistake. But in her defence, initially, it felt like the pros well outweighed the cons. It had been a harmless suggestion at the time, not to mention that she hadn’t expected it to be used as much seeing as they all lived under the same roof and were practically in touch with each other for the most part. She’d presented the idea as a means to share resources, for them to remind each other of important deadlines and peaks in their schedules, and occasionally to request the whereabouts of a missing or tardy classmate (usually Karen).
Even Hoshimi Junna approved of the idea, and being Class President, she was the one to collect everyone’s contact information for the purpose of adding them into their class group chat. By extension, they ended up having another one with just the 8 of them as well - now 9, after Kagura Hikari came to join them.
What they didn't foresee however, was how Hanayagi Kaoruko would use every opportunity she received to drop suggestive comments amongst every single pairing she could try to push together. Claudine couldn't for the life of her recall a moment when she hadn't been a victim of them, having been paired up in a made up 'romantic scenario' by the wretched devil with most everyone in class. To make matters worse there would be times when the group chat would be spammed by unnecessary things such as Aijo Karen dumping memes, sometimes the same ones over and over, into the group chat for no surmountable reason. Then there would be a talk of food, usually among Daiba Nana and Tsuyuzaki Mahiru and occasionally participated by Maya Tendo who, despite not having a drop of cooking ability in her (she would always burn eggs no matter how hard she tried) was well permitted to join their conversation. Not that Claudine minded them having a discussion of what to make that night for their group, but couldn't it be done without spamming her phone with notifications…? A private chat perhaps?
Then there were those unpleasant timings where her friends would text each other late at night to discuss their homework. (Again, private chats exist. Why do they absolutely insist on making her phone vibrate so much.) It was annoying, irritating, unpleasant, to open up to a wall of maths calculations or history rambles by her friends as they talked about their assignment even though their rooms were right next to each others'. Do they just don't know how private chats work?
What Claudine didn't expect most of all was how her phone simply started flooding in with notifications once her flight landed and she had a stable internet connection again. She'd turned her phone off, knowing she wouldn't be using it on the flight anyways as she had planned on how to spend the long agonising hours on her journey to France by going through a musical marathon and sleeping. She'd left the dorm quite early that morning - her friends were barely awake when they saw her off, they were to head out to the train station later in the morning. Having an early flight meant she'd arrive home at night, and Claudine could immediately crash to sleep the jetlag off.
Though once she arrived, with her parents picking her up and thus began another lengthy journey of the car ride home, she'd turned on her phone to pass the time. The amount of pings that went through her phone was unbelievable, she wondered what her friends could possibly have to talk about seeing as they were all leaving that day anyway.
She contemplated checking her phone, only half-listening to her parents' conversation after it became a talk about work and she all but spaced out.
Finally, she turned on her phone, and the app instantly directed to the top of her unreads. There was the beginning of a conversation starting only three hours or so after her initial early morning departure.
- - -
[Bakaren]
MAYA-CHANNNN
PLEASE DONT DIEEEE
(ಥ﹏ಥ)
[Zoom]
Holy shit I can’t believe that just happened
@WarCriminal Again I am still so sorry
- - -
At the sight of Tendo Maya being the subject of attention, Claudine found herself sitting up hastily. But then again, Karen was always excessive in displaying her emotions, so there was perhaps no reason to worry. Isurigi Futaba on the other hand…
- - -
[Prez]
I have her phone rn
She won’t be seeing that but I’ll be sure to tell her
[HellGremlin]
Hey Kuro-san
@BlondeBaguette
Your gf is cheating on you
- - -
She rolled her eyes, already feeling irritation bubble up her throat. Leave it to Kaoruko to say such things. Tendo Maya was her partner and friend first and foremost, as it always had been. Their revues from the past year had gotten her closer to Maya, dropping most of her pride and a deep need for rivalry. It was healthier, in a way - when she found herself content with everything she’d earned so far, not allowing jealousy to take root in her heart so frequently.
- - -
[Zoom]
How was?? What happened?? Considered cheating??
[HellGremlin]
Tendo-san allowed someone else to touch her
[BaKagura]
…
[Prez]
Why, pray tell, did you have to word it in such a way?
[Bakaren]
They’re dating???
[Zoom]
No
Kaoruko is just being Kaoruko
- - -
If she wasn't in such close proximity with her parents at that moment, Claudine was certain she would've screamed. However, the next text she scrolled down to had her breath taken away.
- - -
[HellGremlin]
I have proof
[HellGremlin]
- - -
Claudine felt an odd twinge in her chest at the sight of the picture of Nana carrying Tendo Maya in a bridal-carry. Knowing Kaoruko, the she-devil would purposefully choose a specific angle to exaggerate the situation, so Claudine remained undeterred by that fact. What bothered her was the sight of Maya willingly allowing herself to be held - in someone’s arms, no less - and knowing how prideful the girl was, she would not accept assistance so easily. Despite the neutral expression she tried to maintain in the image, the blonde knew that it had to be bad if Maya of all people needed such help.
- - -
[WatashiwaPotat]
You took a picture… (⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)
[BaKagura]
That is taken way out of context
…
I ship it
[Zoom]
Lmao???
[Prez]
Girls, our friend is injured. This is no joking matter
[Bakaren]
That’s right!!
:((( Please let us know once you’re back from the hospital!
[Prez]
Will do
- - -
The text ended there for around two hours until it was interrupted once again. Claudine eagerly scrolled further down, needing to know what on heavens’ earth happened the moment she left those 8 humans she called friends to their own devices. She wasn’t the most functional of any of them by any means, no - but Claudine liked to think she was one of the most rational of them all. She knows how to be appropriate, unlike Kaoruko. She knows when memes are overused, unlike Karen. She understood social situations, unlike Maya. She can cook, unlike Maya. She is capable of remembering to take care of herself, unlike Maya. She can talk like a normal person, unlike Maya. She knew how to use private messages, unlike basically everyone else.
As it turned out, there were multiple things she can do far better than Maya.
Including not getting hurt, apparently.
From what she’d read, she could assume that Junna and Nana had been the one to take Maya for medical assistance - whatever it was that appeared to be ailing her. She made a mental note to thank them later.
- - -
[Babenana]
Are you guys leaving for home yet?
[WatashiwaPotat]
We’re all going to wait until you’re all back
- - -
Another hour of break in text. Claudine felt the tiniest bit of guilt, as she’d left so much sooner before this entire ordeal happened. She was the only one that wasn’t at the dorms with her friends that morning, anticipating Nana, Junna and Maya’s return.
Even worse; she didn’t even know until so many hours later.
- - -
[WatashiwaPotat]
Updates?
[Babenana]
We’re on our way back
[Prez]
It’s a fractured bone, but nothing major
[WatashiwaPotat]
Thank goodness
[Bakaren]
They’re back!!! Everyone come to the common room!!
- - -
They must’ve been conversing with each other in person after that, because there wasn’t a single text for many more hours. Of all the times for them to not use the chatroom… Claudine found herself grumbling internally, causing her mother in the front seat to glance at her questioningly. She reassured her with a smile before going back to her phone, heart heavy as she found that she absolutely needed to know what happened to have caused her partner to obtain such an injury.
The next text, in what had to be about four hours later, finally showed Maya’s existence.
- - -
[WarCriminal]
Hello.
[Bakaren]
She’s awake!
Good morning Maya-chan!!
[BaKagura]
It’s 6pm
[Bakaren]
How are you feeling, Maya-chan?
[WatashiwaPotat]
Sorry Tendo-san, most of us left for home right after you got back to the dorms
[Zoom]
You were high and passed out almost immediately
[HellGremlin]
So you can say it but I can’t???
[Zoom]
I never said you can’t say high!
[WarCriminal]
That’s alright, Daiba-san and Hoshimi-san are still here until my ride arrives.
I feel like I had the displeasure of having been run over by a car.
[Zoom]
Actually, it was a motorcycle
And it was mine
[WarCriminal]
Ah.
- - -
Her breath stuck in her throat.
How on earth did Futaba manage such a thing…?
- - -
[Bakaren]
[Bakaren]
Maya-chan ^
[Prez]
Motorcycle*
[BaKagura]
Mood
[WatashiwaPotat]
NO
[Bakaren]
NO
[Zoom]
Tendo I am so so sorry
[WarCriminal]
I forgive you, don’t fret.
It was an accident, after all.
[Zoom]
o(TﾍTo)
I’ll make it up to you!
[WarCriminal]
There’s no need. :)
On another note, I must thank everyone for your kindness. It truly warmed my heart to see all of you worry so much, though I must apologise for causing such a fuss.
- - -
“Of course she’d revert the attention from herself.” Claudine grumbled, ignoring the worry growing in the pit of her stomach. The mental image of Maya being ‘high’ humoured her momentarily, though afterwards all she could think about was how she’d placed miles between them before she could do anything.
Her mother’s voice peeled her away from her phone. “Ma chéri? Est-ce que ça va?”
“Oui.” She responded hurriedly. “Juste mes amis étant des idiots.”
On a normal day, she would be thrilled to be able to use her maternal language in most of her conversations again, and start chattering to her parents about everything and anything. But at that moment, all her attention was glued to the friends she left behind, and all she could think about was how the universe seemed to be so cruel that it gave Claudine something to keep her mind to when she was just handed a blessing.
Her mother simply laughed at her answer, not sensing anything amiss.
- - -
[WatashiwaPotat]
Don’t apologise! We’re glad you’re ok!
[Bakaren]
Yeah!! Please take care of yourself Maya-chan!! xoxo
[BaKagura]
Do you like our little gift?
[WarCriminal]
Gift?
[BaKagura]
The cast
- - -
There was a considerably large gap of time - this time in minutes - until someone sent something to the chat again, clearly waiting for an answer that wasn't coming.
- - -
[Bakaren]
Maya-chan?
[HellGremlin]
Did she get high again?
[Babenana]
[Babenana]
She hasn’t stopped staring at it ^u^
- - -
Even at the sight of Maya’s foot in a cast, Claudine couldn’t help scoffing. Of course she’d look good in anything.
She felt her face suddenly warming up at that, immediately shaking her head at that thought process. Maya was just naturally beautiful…! She wasn't finding her attractive, she was just acknowledging it!
Realising that she was just talking to herself - Who was she trying to prove herself to? She wasn’t in Japan. - Claudine bent her head into her knees and held back a scream.
- - -
[WatashiwaPotat]
Awwww
Should she be leaning forward so much like that?
[Babenana]
Oh, right. I’ve gotten her to lean back now
[WatashiwaPotat]
Thank you
[Bakaren]
Where’s Kuro-chan? She doesn’t know about this yet, right?
[WarCriminal]
Her plane should still be on its designated course.
[HellGremlin]
Of course you’d know that… ;)
- - -
At this point, Claudine didn’t even care if she’d get jailed for murder.
- - -
[WarCriminal]
Of course. She and I are partners, and dare I say close friends.
I know quite a number of things in relation to her.
- - -
….Perhaps she can allow Kaoruko to live for another day.
- - -
[HellGremlin]
It’s not fun teasing you
[WarCriminal]
That was a tease?
[Zoom]
Shots fired
When’s Maya going home anyway
[Prez]
She can’t go on the train now so her parents are sending a ride to get her
- - -
The texts ended there, and upon closer inspection, Claudine noticed that it was less than a mere hour ago. She sucked in a deep breath, tapping the chat bar with her thumb as she allowed her fingers to type out what she had been meaning to say from the beginning.
- - -
[BlondeBaguette]
I just read up
@WarCriminal
What
I leave you for not even 24 hours and the first thing you did was get hit by a car?
[Zoom]
Motorcycle
It was mine
[Babenana]
Kuro-chan! Welcome back!
I hope you had a safe flight
[BlondeBaguette]
Oui, it was decent
Except for the food
I'm with my parents now
[Bakaren]
[Zoom]
Seriously why does everyone keep saying car
I wish I had a car
[HellGremlin]
Futaba-han, I hope you won’t always be willing to confess so fast if we ever commit any crimes
[Zoom]
I am not breaking the law with you!
[BlondeBaguette]
How did that happen?
Maya??
[WarCriminal]
I apologise for letting this happen, Claudine.
I promise it will not happen again.
[BlondeBaguette]
Wait
You got hurt???
And you’re apologising???
[WarCriminal]
Yes, it appears you might be upset. For it is my fault, I consented to Nana carrying me to safety. I do apologise if it did indeed offended you in such a way. In the event if my getting injured was to ever happen again, I shall make sure I am able to stand on my own and walk towards medical assistance.
- - -
Claudine pulled her phone back and found herself staring at the message, disbelief at what she was witnessing. Out of all the things to apologise for, Maya was apologising to Claudine for something that was her every right to do.
What goes on in that brain of hers?
- - -
[BlondeBaguette]
NO
That’s not what- you-
I don’t care about someone else carrying you!!
[HellGremlin]
She’s flustered even in texts oho
- - -
Nevermind. She’d plotting a murder, right now. And then she’ll change her name and flee Japan. She always liked the sound of Maya’s last name-
Has her parents’ car always felt so warm?!
- - -
[BlondeBaguette]
Shut the hell up
[Babenana]
Can confirm Maya did try to walk on her own
[WatashiwaPotat]
Mmhm
[Prez]
Considering it turned out to be a bone fracture, witnessing the entire ordeal was quite concerning
- - -
Realising that she still hadn’t gotten the full story, the blonde began furiously typing before more of her friends joined in and caused the subject to derail.
- - -
[BlondeBaguette]
FORGET THAT
Someone tell me what happened!
Maya are you ok????
[WarCriminal]
I am doing well. I have received the care required and my ankle is resting nicely. It should heal up well by the time we return to school.
- - -
That was… a relief, at least. Claudine leaned back and let out a long exhale. She could feel both her parents’ gazes fall to her this time as they peered from the rear view mirror, though they refrained from commenting.
- - -
[BlondeBaguette]
Ok good
[WarCriminal]
Though I believe I have not been able to make it clear how deeply remorseful I am for allowing such a feat to happen. You are my loyal partner, and I deeply apologise for accepting assistance from someone other than your radiant self.
- - -
Does Maya think she’s jealous? Or had Claudine ever been so possessive of her to make her think that the only person that could ever help Maya and be by her side was the blonde herself?
That was… well, Claudine wasn’t sure what to make of it, but she certainly wasn’t happy with the idea. They may be close, but she would not always be by Maya’s side to always be there for her through everything. If anything, she was extremely glad that they had many friends to assist and look out for Maya when she wasn’t able to do so.
It’s not like they were dating. Even if they were, Maya was allowed to maintain other friendships.
She was typing that before she could stop herself.
- - -
[BlondeBaguette]
We’re not?? Dating??
[HellGremlin]
Yet
[BlondeBaguette]
SHUT UP
[WatashiwaPotat]
👀☕
- - -
A more precise explanation would surely work better.
- - -
[BlondeBaguette]
Look here Tendo Maya
Point is
You can let other people help you
It’s none of my business who else is around for you
Even when we practice it doesn’t have to always be with me
It’s not like we’re dating
[Zoom]
Yeah I practise with Kuro-ko sometimes
[BlondeBaguette]
See?
[WarCriminal]
I see. I understand, thank you for clarifying.
- - -
A strange ache filled her chest. How she wished she wasn’t thousands of miles away.
Needing to know the full story, she asked again.
- - -
[BlondeBaguette]
So what happened?
[Zoom]
Funny story…
- - -
It wasn’t funny.
Well, perhaps Claudine could laugh about it someday, along with the others by extent, but at that moment it came off rather horrific, in a sense, as the ordeal was still fresh within their minds.
Maya, once a trained equestrian, had asked if riding a motorcycle was similar to a horse.
Kaoruko had helpfully provided sound effects, making unbecoming neighing noises in the driver’s ear as Futaba tried to explain how horses don’t have engines. They were both on the motorcycle at the time, ready to go on one last drive around the city and pick up snacks before leaving on their trip home. Maya had gone on a whole factual commentary about the similarities of motorcycles and horses - which was, a ridiculous notion in itself, horses are actual living creatures - and yet somehow the brunette had managed to make several sensical points.
At some point during her tangent, Futaba had started the engine. She’d apparently forgotten doing so, as when Maya asked if bumping the side of her motorcycle with her heel would do anything - as it would certainly get a horse moving - she attempted as such simply to humour the brunette. Unfortunately, as she did so, her hand squeezed the clutch as an instinctual reaction to maintain her balance, and her motorcycle skidded forward just the slightest bit.
Maya was standing right in front of the motorcycle.
Her scream was loud enough to alarm the entire dormitory, causing everyone else - the ones that hadn’t left for home yet - to file out. She’d tried to stand up on her own and assure everyone of her own wellbeing, though that didn’t work out very well for her when her leg gave way underneath her almost immediately, which prompted Nana to pick her up off the ground - not without her consent - so she could stay off the injury. Apparently a teacher was called during the entire commotion and had accompanied Nana, Junna and Maya at the hospital.
By the time the story ended, Claudine was already home and seated cross-legged in her family living room. Her mother and father had gone off to prepare dinner together, a feat they enjoyed doing together. Usually Claudine would join them and they’d prepare a meal as a family, but she’d only just arrived home and it was getting rather late, so they insisted she relax for the rest of the night.
Once dinner was ready, she excused herself and had her phone tucked away. It was rude to look at her phone during dinner, after all. Everyone retired to their beds right after, and Claudine didn’t look at her phone again until she was comfortably tucked underneath the covers of her France bedroom.
Maya was home by the time she checked her phone again.
- - -
[Babenana]
How did the talk with your parents go?
[WarCriminal]
They are understandably disappointed, but they agreed that I won’t be participating in any extra classes and taking part in any performances on their behalf for a while.
- - -
Claudine heaved a sigh. Good.
- - -
[Babenana]
On the bright side, at least you won’t be forced to practice on your break
[Bakaren]
Yeah you can actually relax!
[Zoom]
So Kuro is the only one that didn’t sign your cast right?
[BlondeBaguette]
Oh?
[WarCriminal]
That is true.
[WatashiwaPotat]
We all decided to stick around until everything was okay before going home so Kuro-san is the only one that hasn’t written anything on it
- - -
There was that pang of guilt again. Claudine hushed it away instantly.
- - -
[BlondeBaguette]
Sorry I couldn’t be there Maya
[WarCriminal]
That is alright, Claudine. Just the thought that you cared so deeply for me even at such an exponential distance warms my heart.
- - -
Claudine smacked her face into her bedside table.
- - -
[Bakaren]
You can sign it when you come back Kuro-chan!
[HellGremlin]
Tendo-san will have to consent to that first ;)
[BaKagura]
(o-_-o)
[WatashiwaPotat]
(*ﾟｪﾟ*)
[Zoom]
You’re something else, you know that, Kaoruko
[WatashiwaPotat]
Well… consent is important…
[Prez]
It’s a minor fracture, Tendo-san will probably have it off by the time the new school year starts
[Babenana]
Well unless she decides to keep it, Kuro-chan can still sign it
[WarCriminal]
As it holds sentimental value, I will most definitely preserve it.
[HellGremlin]
Ew
- - -
Claudine sighed deeper into her blanket, ready to call it a night. She was getting too tired for any more of her friends’ shenanigans. She’ll text them tomorrow, and hopefully by then Kaoruko would be too occupied with her family to dare showcase her presence in the group chat.
She'd text Maya tomorrow too, in private , and make sure she was doing well. Hopefully, with her not being able to do much during the break, she would actually be allowed to have the time to relax. Perhaps Claudine would have more time to talk to her as well, and they can do little activities together like watch movies and play online board games. Usually, when it came to breaks, Maya's presence instantly became scarce due to the amount of extracurriculars her parents had her commit her time to. It irritated Claudine, to an extent.
This may just be a blessing in disguise.
Suddenly realising how she was so keen on spending time with Maya despite them being in completely different parts of the world dawned on Claudine, and she found herself blushing intensely. For once, she was glad that she was far away, at a place where none of her friends could witness her little dilemma.
Her phone buzzed again, and she reached out to it, mind thinking of one person and one person only.
- - -
[HellGremlin]
Kuro-san, it’s after midnight right?
Are you doing anything… ‘French’?
;)
[BlondeBaguette]
…
[Zoom]
Kaoruko
[HellGremlin]
What? It was a valid question!
[WarCriminal]
I must admit I am curious as well.
[Bakaren]
Me too!!!
[BaKagura]
Karen, no
[Bakaren]
Aw (´•̥ ᵔ •̥`)*ᶜʳᶦᵉˢ*
[HellGremlin]
AHA
[WatashiwaPotat]
Maya, don’t you…
Get it…
(ノ*°▽°*)
[Prez]
I understand Karen not knowing but you-
[WarCriminal]
Yes? Claudine is French, I wish to know more of her late night customs.
[Bakaren]
Do we need to ask for consent first before asking about customs?
- - -
Yes, she was going to murder Kaoruko.
- - -