Brilliant Eve of the Goddesses/Story

* Part 1
* Part 2
* Part 3
* Part 4
* Final Part

100th Starlight

 **Karen:**Starlight—the story of the goddesses guided by the light of the stars—"

 **Claudine:**Today is an important day that only comes around once a year. It's the day of the star festival. I...

 **Claudine:****(Flora)**
"Today is the day that I met Claire."

 **Claudine:****(Flora)**
"It's like we've known each other for our whole life!"

 **Claudine:**For...our...whole...life...

 **Maya:**Saijo-san?

 **Claudine:**Y-you!? How long have you been standing there...!?

 **Maya:**I just got here. Anything wrong?

 **Claudine:**N-no... Did you want to ask me something?

 **Maya:**Group B is calling for you. They've finished reworking the costume and would like you to try it on.

 **Claudine:**They sure work fast. I'm glad to hear they're still fired up even though the Performance Festival just ended.

 **Maya:**True. We are constantly given assignments and performances, but the 100th Seisho Festival is coming up too, so we can't relax quite yet.

 **Maya:**Shall we head to the costume room together then, Flora?

 **Claudine:**Ngh!

 **Claudine:**So you were listening! You conniving weasel...!

 **Maya:**Heh heh. You do remember we're both playing the role of—

 **Claudine:**Goddesses, I know. You don't need to remind me.

 **Claudine:**...Well then, I'll be going.

 **Maya:**......

 **Maya:****(Claire)**
"...And who may you be?"

**Group B Student:**Alright, stay still please!

 **Karen:**Eek!

 **Junna:**Karen, you need to stay still otherwise they can't take your measurements.

 **Karen:**But the measuring tape is so cold!

 **Junna:**Argh, stop moving!

 **Claudine:**Student Number 11, Claudine Saijo coming in.

 **Maya:**Student Number 18, Maya Tendo coming in.

**Claudine & Maya:**We're here for the costume fitting.

 **Karen:**Clau-chan, Tendo-san! I didn't know you had your fishing today.

 **Junna:**It's 'fitting', not 'fishing', Karen.

 **Junna:**Ugh, stay still already. I'll give you some snacks Nana made if you behave, okay?

 **Karen:**Banana's snacks!?

 **Junna:**Stop moving!

 **Claudine:**Bonjour, you two. Are they still taking Karen's measurements?

 **Junna:**She said she was swamped with assignments and routine performances, so she couldn't find the time.

 **Claudine:**I'm really grateful to Group B for making time for us...

 **Mahiru:**S-student Number 17, Mahiru Tsuyuzaki... Ready for the fitting!

 **Claudine:**Oh, hello.

 **Karen:**Mahiru-chan!

 **Junna:**I didn't know you had your fitting today too. I thought you had already finished...

 **Karen:**Heh heh! Mahiru-chan's costume is special!

 **Junna:**Special...? What...are you talking about?

 **Mahiru:**Ah, well... Actually...

 **Karen:**Let's just say the size went up a whole lot! Right, Mahiru-chan?

 **Junna:**A...whole...lot...?

 **Mahiru:**K-Karen-chan... Stop it!

 **Karen:**Eek! Did I say too much!?

 **Maya:**...Isn't it lively in here.

 **Claudine:**Yeah, they're making a ruckus...

**Group B Student:**Tendo-san, Saijo-san! Could you come this way for the fitting?

 **Claudine:**Hopefully this won't take long... I heard Nana brought snacks.

**Group B Student:**Heh heh, that she did! Everyone's excited about them♪

**Group B Student:**Well, here you go—the goddess costume!

 **Claudine:**...Thank you...

 **Maya:**...Thank you.

 **Junna:**......

First Step

 **Karen:**—This is a story from a long time ago, about a distant star in the far future.

 **Junna:**In the small village of a small country, there was a traditional summer Star Festival.

 **Mahiru:**Flora and Claire met on this day—

 **Mahiru:**...What is it, Karen-chan?

 **Karen:**Heh heh! Every fiber of my being is so filled with Starlight that I couldn't contain myself!

 **Junna:**Well, so are we all.

 **Junna:**...A fated reunion during the Star Festival, huh.

 **Karen:**They were both looking forward to meeting again, but Claire's accident makes her forget everything about Flora.

 **Junna:**...And so Flora decides to reach the stars from the top of the Star Gathering Tower to bring back her memory.

 **Karen:****(Flora)**
"Let's reach the stars...together!"

 **Mahiru:**With nothing but a song to rely on, they manage to reach the tower, but alas...

 **Junna:****(Goddess of Fury)**
"—Who are you?"

 **Mahiru:**In front of them the goddesses stand bearing their weapons.

 **Karen:**Sinful goddesses sealed away 500 years prior, waiting, lying in slumber, awaiting death.

 **Karen:**Their sins long forgotten, the reason for their exile lost in memory—

 **Junna:**Flora successfully escapes them and grabs hold of the stars, but falls from the tower...her eyes burned by their bright light.

 **Junna:**A maddening conclusion to a tale of passion...

 **Karen:**But in the next 100th Seisho Festival—

**Group B Students:**Woah!

**Group B Student A:**Tendo-san, Saijo-san, you look stunning!

 **Claudine:**Merci. It's a simple design that exudes nobility nonetheless.

 **Claudine:**Kaoruko's advice to lose the hood to make the jewelry stand out has proven quite fruitful.

 **Maya:**I agree. It makes the costumes lighter and adds a layer of mystery, which will surely benefit our dance.

 **Karen:**Woooah... Clau-chan, Tendo-san, you look super duper amazing!

 **Junna:**Super...duper...amazing. That's quite the compliment.

 **Mahiru:**Hah hah. I agree with Karen-chan. Your costumes are breathtaking.

**Group B Student A:**How is it moving around? Too tight anywhere?

 **Maya:**Not one bit. It fits like a glove.

 **Claudine:**What kind of stage makeup are we going for this year?

**Group B Student A:**Oh, well, it's similar to the 99th Seisho Festival, but this time you'll both be goddesses, so...

**Group B Student A:**Is it okay if I try a few things?

 **Maya:**Of course. That'll also help me get an early understanding of the role too.

 **Claudine:**Sure.

**Group B Student B:**Could you make your way to the makeup station, Saijo-san?

 **Claudine:**Oui.

 **Mahiru:**Heh heh! Wow, they look more and more like goddesses...!

 **Karen:**They sure do! This is so exciting!

 **Junna:**More and more...like goddesses...

Divine Brilliance

**Group B Student B:**All right then. Let's get the makeup done... I'll start with the foundation, okay?

 **Claudine:**I'm in your hands.

 **Karen:**Mrrgh...

 **Mahiru:**Karen-chan, your eyes look like two slits.

 **Karen:**Gulp! I imagined myself in Clau-chan's place right now...

 **Mahiru:**Hah hah! You always concentrate really hard when they're putting makeup on you.

 **Karen:**I usually close my eyes so I'm also wondering what my face looks like...

 **Karen:**And then when they tell me they're done and I see my face for the first time, I'm so surprised I can hardly believe it's my face in the mirror.

 **Mahiru:**Heh heh. I get what you mean. Depending on the stage and role we perform, our faces change drastically.

 **Karen:**Yeah! A complete transformation...!

 **Karen:**We get covered in so much makeup that our cheeks and forehead can't even breathe, but it's a necessary step in the fitting process♪

 **Junna:**Hmmm, I'm not sure your cheeks and forehead can even breathe.

 **Karen:**I-it was just an example!

**Group B Student B:**And you're done, Saijo-san! What do you think?

**Karen & Mahiru:**Woah...!

 **Karen:**Wait, she hasn't changed much.

 **Mahiru:**She's already naturally glowing.

 **Claudine:**Heh heh. You can't make a diamond shine any more than it already does.

 **Maya:**Hmm...

 **Claudine:**What?

 **Maya:**......

 **Claudine:**Y-your face is so close...!

 **Maya:**This lipstick... I think the color is a bit too bold.

 **Claudine:**Are you trying to say that it doesn't suit me?

 **Maya:**Not at all. What I'm saying is that this pinkish red is what Daiba-san wore last time.

 **Maya:**It suited her given her calm personality. I think something more colorful would suit you, and your role more—something like a coral pink, for example.

 **Karen:**Woooah...

 **Mahiru:**I-I...

 **Junna:**Sharp as always...

 **Claudine:**Ugh, okay, okay!

***\*pop\****

 **Claudine:**Happy now? This is how it looks with the coral pink lipstick!

**Karen & Mahiru:**Woooah!

 **Mahiru:**It does make your lips pop more!

 **Karen:**Your entire face is framed better and looks brighter!

 **Claudine:**Will you all just stop it already!?

 **Mahiru:**—Your face is so red now that we can't even see it anymore.

 **Junna:**Yeah... Let's wait and check later.

**Group B Student C:**—And you're done too, Tendo-san!

 **Karen:**Woah!

 **Mahiru:**So pretty... Even the air around you is glittering!

 **Claudine:**Not bad. Not on my level, but still.

 **Karen:**You really look like a goddess!

 **Junna:**Hmmm, like a goddess...

 **Mahiru:**Junna-chan?

 **Junna:**Huh...? Oh, you look stunning.

 **Karen:**Right? I can just feel the 100th Starlight getting closer...

 **Karen:**Wait!!!

 **Junna:**Eek! Why did you shout all of a sudden!?

 **Karen:**I just thought of something amazing! Since you two are already in your costumes and makeup...

 **Karen:**Why don't you rehearse a scene from Starlight?

Dazzling Heights

 **Junna:**...Just a little.

 **Mahiru:**Rehearse a scene from Starlight!?

 **Karen:**Yeah! Since they're already dressed up for it. Now's a good chance!

 **Mahiru:**Nice idea! I'd love to see it as well!

 **Karen:**Sinful goddesses sealed away 500 years prior, waiting, lying in slumber, awaiting death.

 **Karen:**Their sins long forgotten, the reason for their exile lost in memory—

 **Karen:**Heh heh... I'm sure we'll feel even closer to Starlight if we see you performing—

 **Junna:**Wait!!!

 **Junna:**Ah...

 **Claudine:**Junna...

 **Junna:**Oh... I mean... This time is meant for the fitting, right?

 **Junna:**I'm sure everyone is already plenty busy. Besides, what about Nana's snacks...and time to rest.

 **Karen:**Oh, right!

 **Karen:**Sorry, you two looked so beautiful that I got carried away...

 **Maya:**......

 **Claudine:**...Fine.

 **Maya:**......!

 **Claudine:**I also want to try a scene with the two goddesses.

 **Maya:**...I'm on the same page.

 **Junna:**But...

 **Claudine:**It's okay. The goddesses don't have many lines anyway... It won't take long.

 **Maya:**Indeed. We'll just exchange a few words...

***\*inhale\****

 **Maya:****(Goddess of Hubris)**
"—I thought that I would be able reach the stars."

 **Maya:****(Goddess of Hubris)**
"But...I was just arrogant."

 **Claudine:****(Goddess of Despair)**
"You are all carefree..."

 **Claudine:****(Goddess of Despair)**
"You know nothing of the sins you've committed, nor the tragedy that awaits you—"

**All:**Woah...!!!

 **Karen:**Wow...!

 **Mahiru:**It was so brief and yet so captivating!

 **Mahiru:**The true essence of Starlight...!

 **Karen:**So much!!!

 **Junna:**......

**Group B Student A:**We're all done for today!

**Group B Student B:**Thank you so much for your patience. Let's take a break!

 **Karen:**Yaaay! Snack time!♪

 **Mahiru:**Banana cupcakes! She made two flavors: Earl Grey and honey...

 **Karen:**What Grey...?

 **Claudine:**Bergamot. It basically tastes like black tea.

 **Karen:**Ooh, tea! Well, I guess I'll go with...

 **Karen:**Honey Grey!

 **Claudine:**That's not even a thing!

 **Karen:**Ugh... Sorry, I tripped on my words!

 **Junna:**......

 **Maya:**Hoshimi-san, are you not going to choose?

 **Junna:**I'm fine. I had a taste while Nana was making them, so I'll go with whatever is left.

 **Maya:**I see.

 **Junna:**So...

 **Junna:**...Your performance earlier was incredible.

 **Maya:**Why do you sound so sad when you say it?

 **Junna:**Well... If I have to be honest, seeing both you and Saijo-san becoming goddesses has made me feel intense emotions.

 **Junna:**I don't know how much despair I would experience if I became a sinful goddess...

 **Junna:**I would probably be completely overwhelmed by it.

 **Maya:**......

 **Junna:**That said, I understand now it was an unfounded worry. You two performed beautifully.

 **Junna:**So beautifully that I raised my voice... I feel so ashamed.

 **Maya:**...Almost like the Goddess of Fury.

 **Junna:**Touché...

 **Maya:**Hehe...!

 **Maya:**It's only natural to feel that way. I couldn't ignore the turmoil in my heart either.

 **Junna:**Huh? Y-you!?

 **Maya:**No matter how much I understand it, I just can't agree with it... I can't arrogantly give up on the idea that I couldn't be the one to save them rather than the one to be saved.

 **Maya:**We are Stage Girls, after all.

 **Junna:**Yeah...

 **Maya:**But even so, I could become a goddess because—

 **Mahiru:**Junna-chan, Tendo-san! If you don't choose a flavor, all the cupcakes will be gone!

 **Junna:**Ah...

 **Maya:**They're calling us. Shall we?

 **Junna:**...Yeah.

 **Karen:**Oh, there you are, you two♪

 **Mahiru:**Tendo-san, which flavor would you like?

 **Maya:**I guess I'll go with...Honey Grey too.

 **Karen:**Don't make fun of me!

**All:**Ahahaha!

Curtain Call

**Group B Student:**That's it for today... See you tomorrow at rehearsal!

**All:**See you!

 **Mahiru:**Karen-chan, about later...

 **Karen:**Rehearsal room, of course♪ My body is all jittery!

 **Junna:**May I join you?

 **Karen:**Of course!

 **Mahiru:**Clau-chan, Tendo-san, and you two?

 **Claudine:**I'll join as well.

 **Maya:**I'll go back to the classroom to pick up my things first.

 **Karen:**Okay! See you later then!

 **Maya:**See you in a bit.

 **Claudine:**......

 **Maya:**...If you've grabbed a small star, you've obtained a little happiness. If you've grabbed a big star, you've obtained a great fortune.

 **Maya:**If you've grabbed both—

 **Claudine:**You've obtained your eternal wish.

 **Claudine:**Hmmm, "I just got here".

 **Maya:**It would seem so.

 **Claudine:**About our performance as goddesses earlier...

 **Maya:**It was dreadful.

 **Claudine:**I thought so too.

 **Claudine:**Your Goddess of Hubris was nothing but intimidating... What happened to her arrogance!?

 **Maya:**Oh my... That's rich coming from you, considering your Goddess of Despair was lukewarm.

 **Maya:**I felt nothing but misery from her.

 **Claudine:**Do you think I'm satisfied with my own performance!? With a performance like that—

**Claudine & Maya:**I can't play the lead in the 101st Seisho Festival!

 **Maya:**...Heh.

 **Claudine:**Ahaha...!

 **Claudine:**You're right, Maya Tendo. We have to become goddesses if we want to become Flora and Claire again.

 **Claudine:**Cleansed by Hikari and Karen, hubris transforms into pride, and despair into hope...

 **Maya:**...But we must again remember our sins and let free a mad wail that stirs our chests.

 **Maya:**You surprised me. To think that you could become a goddess before I could catch my breath.

 **Claudine:**Hmph... I didn't do it on purpose. My body just acted on its own.

 **Claudine:**As much as it pains me to say it, the only reason I was able to become a goddess—to remember my sins—was because I stood next to you.

 **Claudine:**You've always been the one to bring me to despair—

 **Maya:**And you to make me arrogant.

 **Claudine:**But it's all good.

 **Maya:**Indeed. If we are to become Flora and Claire, it's only natural.

 **Claudine:**Sigh... To think that we even shared our resolution!

 **Maya:**Does it pain you?

 **Claudine:**No...surprisingly, it doesn't. Perhaps that's why it bugs me.

 **Maya:**Heh heh... Classic you.

 **Maya:**That said, I feel the same, Claudine Saijo.

 **Claudine:**If you do, then let's do this...my Goddess of Pride.

 **Maya:**Yes, let's do it...my Goddess of Hope.