#dancingdivashipping

   When she got older, she tried other stages. Other audiences. She learned to sing properly, whether it was for a school play or a similar community production, Yuzu put in her all and did her best. She was beloved by mentors for her work ethic and often the ire of those who thought they deserved the top spot more.

   Lately, ever since being accepted into the most prestigious studio for musicals and other stage productions, Yuzu felt her critics knew better than her fans. That the latter were just being nice to her, that she didn’t truly deserve her place amongst the cast. 

   She had never been more aware of her inexperience than until now. What was the old saying? Big fish in a small pond? That was exactly what Yuzu thought she was. 

   Yet, somehow, she had been made the lead role.

   Yuzu had sung her little heart out at auditions. She danced and she followed orders. She never invited any slack, she did her best and there was something more to it, as well. A sparkle, a shine, a certain je ne se quois that her fellow recruits simply lacked and yet by some miracle, she had in spades.

   It was harrowing and yet, when Yuzu got the call and saw her name on the list, her whole world changed. Completely and utterly topsy-turvy and it was all because of her mentor, she was sure.

   Enter, stage left: Tenjoin Asuka.

   Tenjoin Asuka, wow, what a woman. She who would not get on stage but instead created darlings of the stage. She was all practicality and no-nonsense, hard work all the way and yet, there was a warmth. She didn’t want to break her pupils, merely fix them. She, like all the other peer leaders, were assigned their proteges in a process of matchmaking at the beginning of the recruitment arc.

   The best got the best, or so it went allegedly. Favouritsim? Nepotism? The whole system was corrupt but when fortune favoured you, it's hard not to love.

   Thus, it all too little surprise, that Yuzu was put under Asuka’s mentorship but there was something about Asuka which had Yuzu enamoured even beyond learning Asuka’s reputation. There was just something about her aura, her helpful advice and her kind smile, her bright eyes. Everything about her amazed Yuzu and she learned so much from Asuka.

   Though Asuka was a tough love mistress.

   She put Yuzu through all the drills from the ground up. Forced her to scrap everything that she thought she knew and started over. It was literally the worst thing in the world for a girl like Yuzu who was more pizazz and talent than hard work but it was worth it in the end.

   The night before the audition, Yuzu sang once more for Asuka and it was far more special than any other barking match they had ever had. She sang until she feared she couldn’t sing at all tomorrow. Her notes carried heart and soul, her pitch was clear and perfect, her lyrics memorised and executed with admiration.

   Yuzu panted when she finished and she felt… Empty. Satisfied and full and yet empty. Devoid of breath and energy but she had done so well, it caused her shoulders to slump forward loose as all she could muster was:

   “I did it. I really did it.”

   Asuka bounded to her feet and applauded her, “I love it! I love it so much!”

   Yuzu blushed, “Aw, gee, thanks…” She couldn’t help but to be humble as she had the praise of such a wonderful woman. She felt as though she could faint.

   That was the one thing Yuzu was sure would never change about her. Wouldn’t matter how big or small the role, how fancy the crowd and how big her cheque would be, all she wanted was to sing on stage for a crowd.

   There was no crowd she wanted to please more than the ones she loved and Asuka embodied a unique niche in Yuzu’s heart. More than friends, more than a mentor and mentee. It was oddly natural despite how unnatural it was to blur such lines between colleagues but at the end of Asuka’s training of her, they were more like equals.

   At least on the inside they were equals. The outside wasn’t ready to know that their mutual fondness and requited passions weren’t strictly professional. 

   Which led to moments like this.

   Small moments where it was just them. Halcyon, redolent. Sequestered away from gossip and prying eyes.

   Backstage was quiet. Especially this far into the bowels of it and when Yuzu, leading lady, was given a changing room all to herself. She was told it wasn’t that big but it was bigger than all the changing rooms combined in the community theatres that Yuzu had performed in previously.

   The walls were cream yellow with white lattice. The desk in front of her had the cliche mirror stickered with platitudes and light bulbs which were lit up softly. More makeup than Yuzu knew what to do with was set out in front of her but luckily, she didn’t need to know what to do with it.

   That was Asuka’s job.

   Yuzu did her best to stay still as Asuka swiped and swabbed, dabbed and stabbed. Makeup was a messy process but it wasn’t one which Yuzu hated. By the end of it, she felt like a princess but those spoils came with a wracking nausea, too.

   The more she transformed into the leading lady, the more Yuzu wanted off this ride. All that was left to do was her hair and for now, Asuka was running her fingers through Yuzu’s pastel pink locks and then again with her brush. She was under strict orders from the makeup department on how yuzu was to look and Yuzu had faith that Asuka would deliver but even so.

   She was nervous and Asuka could tell.

   “You’ll do great, I promise.” Asuka whispered.

   She leaned down and lifted her hand simultaneously. She kissed the strands of Yuzu’s pink hair through her fingers, through her knuckles and closed her eyes. Yuzu was perfumed with the scents of citrus and roses, it made Asuka smile as she held this token of affection for quite some time.

   More than enough time to make Yuzu even more nervous than before but giddy, too.

   Asuka sighed then pulled back, satisfied, she smacked her lips together and emanated the confidence only a veteran star could.