Takarazuka Music School

Chapter 2

The Kaiou Family were known to be a family dedicated to music. Basically, all its members were musicians or were connected to the music somehow, sponsoring artists, orchestras, conductors and composers.
The musical studies began at early age. Before the Great War was common for them to learn traditional instruments, like koto, Japan´s national instrument, a 13-string zither, about 2 meters long and made of wood; shamisen, 3-string lute and a biwa, a short-necked lute. But then it became a custom for just women would learn to play any of them. Few Kaiou were interested in dance or the stages and the ones who were interested were more of branch family, not even carrying the Kaiou surname. It was like the whole family had a gene that gave them a perfect ear. The few who preferred not to make as musicians became teachers or composers.

It wasn't rare for any of them to receive an invitation to play at the most prestigious places. Parties, dances, gatherings. The Kaiou were friends of politicians and other high authorities. Some people even said the Emperor himself was among their admirers.
A couple of siblings, Daiki and Saeko, formed the new generation of the family who lived in Osaka, the third largest city in the country. Older than his sister by two years, Daiki was what people called a prodigy. At the age of ten, he performed with the Osaka orchestra, playing his violin. His studies were all focused on enhancing his abilities with the violin . At 12, he already had recorded two albums with his own compositions.

Saeko had slower pace than her brother, but since the Kaiou were a very traditionalist family, they thought a woman's place was by her husband side, providing suport, taking care of the house and the children. But in a family of musicians, women could learn how to play, and they made good teachers at the Kaiou School for Philharmonic Studies, the classical conservatory the family maintained for a couple of generations. But still, it was expected for the Kaiou women to retire after their marriage.
Saeko was a cellist and she became a professional at 16, just after her brother graduated from high school. Her first job was at Osaka Orchestra, the same one where her brother performed 8 years earlier.
Talented and focused, it didn't take too long for other institutions to start paying attention to her. While the brother traveled the country performing, she remained in Osaka, helping her parents running the family business and performing regularly as the first cello in Takarazuka Orchestra, at the Grand Theater.

And sitting in the middle of the orchestra, in the gap between the stage and a catwalk, used by the actreses to be closer to the public, Saeko had become a fan of the theater company. From her privileged seat, she accompanied dress rehearsals and plays, saw new stars starting their careers and got all sentimental about the last performances of the older actresses.

As a musician, being there was something special. The Takarazuka Orchestra existed since the beginning of the Revue, in 1914. The musicians perfomed live in each show at the Grand Theater. Saeko started as a junior cellist, performing at the smaller theater before being promoted to the Grand Theater at the age of 20. Although only women could take the stage, the company was run strictly by men and had a very patriarchal view on everything. The pay wasn't much, but she didn't need a lot of money. She worked that for pure love for her instrument, for the music. That’s what led her to accept the invitation to be part of the Revue. And Saeko couldn't want another life.

Everything was great in the siblings' lives. Until a stroke took away the Kaiou patriarch, forcing a 27 years old Daiki to give up his position as first violinist at New Japan Philharmonic, one of the best orchestra in the whole country. He had to move back to Osaka and take care of his family legacy. To stay focused on music, his great passion, Daiki had divided his time between taking care of the family's school and being a teacher at Osaka College of Music.
It wasn't the ideal solution. He wasn't on stage, recieving standing ovations. But teaching was also extremely rewarding. And a traveling musician's life was extremely lonely. Virtually no social life, Daiki saw in this new phase of his life a chance to socialize more with people. Specially cause he was a little socially awkward.

That's how he met Iwasaki Natsuki, a graceful violinist who had been invited by the university to be the soloist for the season.

She didn't want to get involved with anyone. Despite being only 23 years old; she had already traveled across the country performing, not staying for too long in the cities she visited, looking to make a name for herself. And he was a respected musician, owner of an prestigious conservatory.

*******
Saeko was the one who saw the mutual attraction between the two. They seemed like teenagers who lost the gift of speech in the presence of the other. Of course, Saeko didn't miss the chance to mess with her brother. She always thought he was always too serious. Just like every Kaiou, including herself, he lived only for his music. Nothing else interested him. Until the day he met that graceful girl.
In the last presentation of the university orchestra, pressured by Saeko, Daiki asked Natsuki out and the girl only agreed because she thought she would never see him again.

The following year they were married.

They were the typical boring couple, too sweet, too in love and always praising each other. Daiki was extremely serious, focused and deeply devoted to his work; he dealed with music in an almost scientific way.
Being much younger than her husband, Natsuki still bore the freshness of her teenager years. She wanted to see the world, playing at the best opera houses around the globe. Natsuki admired her husband's talent, but she didn't agree with his idea of staying in Japan to take care of his family legacy. So when the opportunity came for her to go play in the United States, as guest soloist at the Boston orchestra, Natsuki didn't think twice.

She left her husband behind, forcing the man to make a choice. He could go with her and return to the stage, to his place like he was meant to be. Or he could continue following the footsteps of his ancestors and live a simple life. Passing on all the musical knowledge accumulated over generations.

Traditionalist, Daiki thought a wife's place was by her husband. And it was Natsuki's duty to stay beside him, supporting him in his decisions.

The family above all.

Saeko, which was still part of Takarazuka orchestra, offered to take the reigns in the Kaiou conservatory, like she had done before, when she helped her father and after his death, before handling it to Daiki. Although supported by his sister, Daiki refused to follow his wife, causing the first fight between the young couple.

Natsuki left him behind; she wanted to believe her husband had other responsibilities and therefore couldn't leave the country other than just being a patriarchal jerk who thought she belonged at home, taking care of him and his children. Natsuki wasn't a woman who abandoned her ideals. Coming from a single-parent family, she had grown to be an independent woman.

Furious, Daiki devoted himself to work. He had never been challenged that way. Saeko tried to help, take the weight off his back, but his male pride was deeply wounded.
But Natsuki didn't stay in the US for too long. She had signed a 6-months contract, but when she found out she was pregnant, she decided to return to Japan and give a new chance to her stubborn husband. Natsuki grew up without a father and she didn't want the same for her child.

Daiki was ecstatic with the news and tried to convince his wife the baby was reason enough for her to retire and dedicated herself to their family. And again, Natsuki decided to not listen to him. She loved Daiki dearly and wanted to make her marriage work. She knew her husband was raised in a very old fashioned family. But she wasn't going to let that influence her choices. Daiki was a gentle and talented man, passionate about music. He was sensitive and quiet who expressed himself better with a violin in his hands. His students could feel the love he had for his instrument.

Natsuki knew Daiki would be a good father. And when the doctor put the little baby in his arms, she saw his eyes filled with tears. That was the moment she knew he had found another passion in his life.

********
Michiru was a carbon copy of her father, with the same deep blue eyes and aquamarine hair. Like all other Kaiou, her contact with music began at a very early age. At the age of 4, she was able to play simple melodies on violin that her father had made especially for her. The girl learned to read music before even learning how to write. Creative, she played different notes from the music sheets, cause she thought music should be free, not just doodles on paper.
Even having a very hectic routine; Daiki always tried to spend time with his daughter. Being an avid student, the girl absorbed everything her father taught her.

Saeko had retired from Takarazuka Orchestra when Michiru was 2 years old. She had married a man named Mizuno Jun, one of the junior conductors at the orchestra and they were expecting their first child. Unlike her sister in law, she had the same train of thought as her brother and even loving her career, it was expected of her to dedicated herself to the family she was building with her new husband. And that way, she could help more in the family conservatory, so Daiki could have more free time.
Life was good for both siblings. They live very close by; so their daughters played together all the time. Since Saeko spent most of her time at home, she took care of her niece whenever was possible. And Michiru treated her cousin Ami as her own little sister.
Michiru was a graceful child. She and her cousin began early practicing traditional dance, a custom for Kaiou women. Unlike Ami, Michiru had fluid movements like a dancer, even being just 5 years old. Ami always copied the older girl's footsteps, but her movements were clumsy and opaque.

Dressed with her flowery kimono, Michiru shone. She quickly learned any choreography, and in the most beautiful way…

******
After starting kindergarten, Ami lost interest in dance and music. She had discovered another world, thanks to reading. She learned to read faster than Michiru and soon started to give priority to her studies. She was always reading something.
The Kaiou valued education, of course. Ami's sudden disinterest in music was seen as something common for her age. Nothing to worry about.

When Daiki was invited to give lectures in an American university, Natsuki did everything for her husband to accept it. She hated lying to her husband, but she had been talking to some people at Broadway, to accompany them in the new musical they were producing. Again, it was a huge opportunity for her and she wanted to take it.

To her surprise, Daiki accepted the invitation. He explained to her since Saeko always did a good work taking good care of their school, would not now that she would miss with the family.
What Natsuki didn't expect was Daiki's idea to leave Michiru behind, under Saeko's care. She knew they would be really busy and barely available to take care of their daughter, but Michiru was just a child, she needed both of her parents. After a few nights deliberating with her husband, she realized it was the best for her girl. And Saeko didn't mind. She loved her niece and liked having her around. Especially to make company to Ami. Unlike her older cousin, Ami was a very shy girl and didn't have many friends. The two girls were best friends; it would be just awful to separate them.

*****
If Michiru missed her parents, she never let it affect her. And never let anyone even think she was missing them. Always with a polite smile on her beautiful face, all the years of dancing gave her a graceful and elegant figure. Educated and talented, she was very loved by everyone in the family conservatory, where she had her violin classes, and in the school she attended.

Like every Kaiou women before her, Michiru attended the prestigious Osaka Girls' Academy, a traditional school for young ladies like her. With classes from kinder garden until college, the Academy was a private and old school, where wealthy girls spend most of their days, learning how to be proper ladies. Among the regular curriculum, the girls had etiquette and home economics classes.

Being 2 years older than Ami, Michiru reigned absolute in her floor. Ami had better grades but Michiru was the young lady who guided the student orchestra to standing ovations in every presentation they made.
At school, Ami and Michiru barely saw each other. Eight year old Ami had no access to the floor of the fifth year. But Michiru was always available to have lunch with her cousin. She knew Ami was shy and loved books. And the aquamarine haired girl always preferred her dear cousin's company, over the young vultures from her class, all of them just wanted a slice of her popularity. Michiru just hated that.

It was Michiru who remembered Ami that sometimes it was necessary that the girl left the books aside and dedicated herself to the cello, even for a little bit. She didn't care if Ami wanted to be a musician just like the rest of the family or not. She just wanted her cousin to be happy. Ami didn't carry the Kaiou surname, since she inherited her father's last name, and she hoped that would be enough for her cousin to follow her own path, build her own destiny.

Destiny

It was a funny word with a meaning so deep and Michiru found herself thinking on her own. Since her early childhood, everything was chosen for her. Which she instrument would play. What kind of music she would enjoy. Which school she would attend.
No one ever asked her for her opinion. Although she knew she would probably be ignored, a child's opinion would never be taken into account, but she still had some insight and maturity to know what was best for her.
Her whole life was determined just like musical notes scrawled in the score. Unchangeable. It was like if she had received a marked tune and it was her obligation to play just like that.

At the age of 10, Michiru felt suffocated by her own surname. She loved her violin; she could see herself being a successful violinist in the future. But the girl felt like she was tied to the instrument.
Did her father ever felt like that when he was her age? When it was expected of her just talented and exciting performances? She was just 10 years old and yet, she felt like she couldn't dream at all. Wasn't she supposed to have all these weird fantasies about wanting to be a princess when she grows up or any other childish thing?

There were a lot of unanswered questions that permeated the young girl's heart. Perhaps these questions were part of growing old. But Michiru wanted to stop playing just because she felt like this was her obligation. Perhaps a challenge was exactly what she needed.
******
In one of the few days that none of the girls had after-school activities, they arrived home early. Ami wanted to spend some time in the library, but Michiru was exhausted and she wanted to go home, specially because she had not been sleeping well. The last time that her parents called her, they informed her she would be moving to New York, cause now things were better for the couple, they had find a good place to live, work was great and in better hours, so it was a perfect time for Michiru to be living again with her parents.

The small family gathered wherever possible, during the school holidays and between seasons. Technology also allowed parents and daughter to communicate better, even being an ocean away. They thought the experience would be important for their little girl, experiencing a new culture. They hoped that language wouldn’t be an issue, according to the school curriculum; Michiru should know how to communicate in English. Of course, it was expected that she overcome this difficulty quickly enough. After all, she was a Kaiou and that meant something.

Her parents deciding she should join them wasn´t the problem. In fact, she was really happy, the idea of moving was new and exciting. Even if this meant leaving her aunt, uncle and cousin behind. When her parents left her behind, Michiru adopted Saeko, Ami and Jun as her family. Saeko was the one who made her lunch and took her to concerts. Jun was the loving uncle who practiced with her. Ami was more than a cousin, she was her sister.
Saeko even took her and Ami to watch some plays at the Takarazuka Grand Theater, since it was just a short train ride away and where her husband was still working as a conductor. Saeko truly missed working there, but she knew all the work she was doing at the family music conservatory was also very important.

She was sitting on the couch, talking animatedly with another woman when the girls arrived.

"Oh, they are here! You will love them, Mayuko, I'm sure!" Saeko got up and went to the door to greet Ami and Michiru. It wasn´t hard to see Saeko smiling, but it was rare for her to had guests over. Since she was really busy with her work and her family, her crazy hours didn’t not help her maintain a good social life.

"Mayuko, this is my daughter, Ami. And my niece, Kaiou Michiru."
On cue, the girls made a short bow, like they were taught to do. The woman named Mayuko, looked older in her dark blue dress, just a hint of makeup and her hair tied in a tight bun. She smiled, such well-behaved girls.
"I am very pleased to meet both of you. Saeko-san does not stop talking about you. I am Watsuki Mayuko." she said, in a very polite way. Michiru couldn´t take her eyes off the woman. She noticed that Mayuko had black hair in a beautiful bun on top of her head. She was dressed in a sober and elegant way and her manners were so polite and contained.

As expected of a lady.

"Mayuko recently graduated from the Revue and she´s planning to start teaching a preparatory class for Music School and we´re talking about her using one of our classrooms." Saeko explained, "We met a few years ago when I still worked there."
While drinking tea and eating cookies made by Michiru in her Home Economics class, Mayuko and Saeko were telling stories about the time they worked together in the Revue, and Michiru was paying attention to every details. To her, the Revue was an extremely serious and professional place, in every possible level. Listening to her aunt talking so excitedly about her days as a musician, feeling nostalgia in her tone was something that bothered the girl.
She knew Saeko had ended her career in order to marry. It was a choice she made, because only Revue actresses were forbidden to get married while they were on active duty. The musician’s didn´t have this restriction, but Saeko preferred to devote herself to home and family. Michiru never voiced her worries, but she knew the same thing was expected of her and Ami.

Her mother didn´t suffer this pressure because she was a Kaiou by marriage. But she had witnessed countless discussions among parents about it. Daiki wanting Natsuki to retire and she refusing to in an almost provocative way.
"Michiru is an excellent violinist; she has a bright future ahead of her," Michiru heard Saeko say. She was so lost in her own thoughts and paid no attention in the conversation that was happening before her.

The girl just smiled politely and excused herself to go to her bedroom. She had a lot to think before her trip to the United States.
******
A few months passed since Michiru had left Japan. Now she lived in a comfortable apartment in the Upper West Side, close to Central Park. She had her own room and since Michiru always shared with Ami, she was having a hard time to get used to sleeping alone.

Her parents were still working a lot, but now with their daughter around, they always made an effort to have dinner together every night. It was a valid effort, the girl was still adapting to the new school, new home and most importantly, to a new country. The adults needed to pay more attention and help her with this transition.

Daiki was happy to have his girl back. He made his personal mission to take his daughter to museums, opera houses, theaters and of course, to know the university where he was teaching.

Several times father and daughter watched Natsuki performing and for the first time in her life, Michiru understood why her mother was so adamant to not give up on her career. Natsuki was so talented; she treated her violin like it was an extension of her arms.

Daiki never suspected that Michiru was more interested in seeing the actors than musicians. She was already thinking about not pursuing a career as a violinist and the girl was starting to take this idea a little too seriously. She wanted to do something different with her life. Break all the rules and be free to choose her own future.

Like becoming an actress. Maybe even a Takarazuka star. She knew living in the United States could complicate things a little, but this was something she could see herself doing. At least for a while. Takarazuka Revue offered a safe space for a girl like her. So it was indeed a place to consider.

Michiru knew she was only a child, but she could now see her future with a bright hope, so different from before. And it was so different from what was expected of her.
*******
Because they were living in different time zones, Michiru was only able to talk to her relatives back in Japan on weekends. She knew how family was important and she wanted to be close to them, even living an ocean away. She missed her cousin, her aunt and uncle and even her old school and friends. She thought the American school she attended was so different from what she was used to. Japanese schools operate for more days in a year compared to American schools. She missed her Saturday’s classes. And American schools made use of better technology than Japanese schools. Michiru never felt the need to learn how to properly use a computer, and her old academy didn´t help with that.

In New York, the young girl still had a busy life. Between school and violin practice, she made time to attend acting classes, offered to the students at her school. Without her parents´ knowledge, Michiru spent two hours every week pretending to be someone else. She was the youngest student in the group and luckily, language wasn´t a problem. The years of dancing had given her total control over her body; her body language helped her a lot with communication.
The acting classes were the highlight of her week. In that room, she found herself free of obligations, away from the weight of her traditional last name. She was free of her violin and didn´t even feel any guilty. With each class, she was more and surer her place was on stage and not in the orchestra.

Homesickness was also part of her daily routine. She tried not to think about it, but she was in an age that familiarity, consistency was important. Her parents made a lot of effort to make her feel at home, but New York was a huge living organism. Maybe too alive for her at the moment. She was born and raised in Osaka, one of Japan´s greatest cities, but it was so not the same.

With the little time to spare that the girl had, Michiru spent watching some of Revue´s old plays, especially Mayuko´s, who was a former musumeyaku at Tsukigumi. Actresses who specialized in female roles always caught Michiru´s attention, she didn´t understand why otokoyaku, the actresses who played male roles, were so much more famous.

Michiru was truly fascinated in how those women behaved on stage. Always very delicate, with fluid movements, they shone like the stars they were. The chemistry between the main couples, the top combination as they were called, was something so beautiful to see.

The girl had no doubt. She would return to Japan and become a musumeyaku. And she would do anything to turn this into her reality.
*******
The Kaiou returned to Tokyo just before Michiru´s 15th birthday. Natsuki had received an invitation to join Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra and Daiki decided to apply for a spot at the Osaka College of Music. This way he could go back to the family conservatory, releasing Saeko from her obligations. His obligations. He couldn´t just leave his family, his legacy behind. And Daiki found a passion in teaching and doing presentations wasn´t something he felt like doing anymore. And he was fine with it.
The three of them moved to a house near the family school. And at that house was the only place where the family of musicians had the freedom they needed. Except Michiru. When her parents wanted her to play with them, she did with a smile on her face. But she tried to tell Daiki and Natsuki of her decision. She spent all her time in New York learning how to be a good actress, learning to sing, waiting to be able to go back to Japan before her 18th birthday, the limit age for applying for the Music School.

Michiru was happy to return to her home country. And Ami had also been happy to have her cousin back. Without Michiru, it became impossible for her to hide her lack of interest in music. She still had weekly classes, but like Michiru, she didn’t want her future tied to an instrument. Of course she thought music was important and she read several books on that subject. But she didn´t want to dedicate her entire life to music, like her parents.

She wanted to be a doctor. And Ami never voiced that desire, because she feared her parents´ reactions. And she had no idea Michiru was having the very same ideas.
********
Even in the 21st century, Japan was a strongly male-dominated country. Among the traditional families, women were supposed to get married and have little independence even within the family. And the Kaiou weren´t different. The two cousins, who were supposed to be representing the next generation of musicians, wanted to give everything up and be whoever they wanted to be. For Ami, that was almost possible. But for Michiru were practically impossible.

When she confided with Ami about her desire to join the Takarazuka Revue, Ami not only supported but also revealed her thoughts about going to medical school. She also encouraged the aquamarine haired girl to speak to Saeko about it. After all, she knew the Revue and still had great friends there. Including one who was renting one of the studios in the adjacent building of the family school to teach dance and singing classes.

Mayuko.

So Michiru decided, she would go first to talk to the women she admired since she was 10 years old, who helped her make the decision to become a Takarasienne. After that, she would go to Saeko and then, her parents. She couldn´t delay this any longer.
Before becoming a member of the Revue, she would need to train for two years in the Takarazuka Music School. The entrance exam would be in March and since Michiru would turn 15 just a few weeks before the test, she would be able to apply for one spot at the school. Each year, thousands from all over Japan audition, but only 40 to 50 were accepted. So they were trained in music, dance and acting.

2 days of tests, including Interview, singing, dancing, and medical examination. After that, Michiru would be a Takarasienne. That was a good plan indeed.
*******
Mayuko was in the small office located in the back, making some notes. Absently humming an old song. The studio was doing fine, especially with the entrance test coming, she was busier than ever. She looked up when Michiru knocked on her door.
The woman smiled, recognizing that adolescent as the child she had met years earlier. Michiru was happy to see that Mayuko still remembered her.

"Mayuko-san, I would like to know if we can talk..." She began, in atypical shyness. She had always been articulated, argumentative. But she was nervous because she was in front of Mayuko, who she always admired.
The woman still acted in the same polite way she remembered. Her long black hair was tied in a high ponytail. Michiru liked how delicate Mayuko was. The former actress was a small woman with a slender dancer's body. Dressed in a light pink jump suit with a lilac jacket, Mayuko got up and walked around the table, curious about what Michiru could want from her.

"It's so good to see you again." The woman started, taking the violinist's hands on hers. "You grew up into a fine young lady, you know that?"
Michiru smiled, feeling her nerves calming down by Mayuko's small talk.

"So, sit, sit. What can I do to help you?"
The teenager looked up to the older woman, who sat back in her comfy chair, behind her table. Mayuko worked with a lot of girls in Michiru's age and she had to learn how to deal with teenagers. Always patient, she waited for the girl to finds her words.
"I'll be 15 in March. I want to know what I have to do, what I need to learn to become a Takarasienne."

*******
Daiki was pacing around in his living room, with his wife and sister on the couch, trying to understand what just happened.
Michiru called them for a meeting, as she called it and said she would be applying for Takarazuka Music School. She informed them about the entrance exam and she would 'retire' her violin so she could have more time to prepare herself for the exam.
Mayuko offered to talk to her parents for her, she had done that for her students a few times, but Michiru felt like this was her task. She needed go do this alone, deal with her family, making them understand her feelings and fears.
"So you don't want to be a musician. Like myself or your mother? Or like Saeko?" The man was having a hard time with the information his daughter, his pride and joy, just dropped on him. "You are a Kaiou! We are musicians! It’s in our blood. You know that!"
Natsuki looked at Michiru. The poor girl was just listening to her father, not really knowing how to answer him. She was brave enough to talk to them about it, and in a way, Natsuki was proud of her. She felt bad, because it was obvious her daughter was going through this for a long time and she never noticed.

Saeko was clearly upset with her niece's choices. And with her bravery for standing up for herself, going against everything to do what she really wanted in her life. Maybe this was her fault? Michiru was the heir of the family conservatory. When her brother was away, it was her duty to raise her to take over the family business.
Not rebel and go against everything they wanted for her.

"Father, I...”
"No! You can't be selfish like this. We've been doing this for 200 years! Do you think you're the first Kaiou to have doubts? Do you?" His face was red, but his eyes were so sad. Who was this girl who he believed it was his daughter? That tiny baby who made him cry the first time she was on his arms? "This is unacceptable! You're not going to that school, do you hear me? I forbid you to even talk about this ever again. "

Michiru raised her eyes, he couldn't be serious! This was her life; she was tired of being tossed around like a stupid doll, just doing what everyone wanted her to do. This was it? She would need to choose between her family and her future?
"Father, you don't understand. I need to do this."

Michiru knew if she said no, if she refused to take over the conservatory, her father's younger cousin, Kaiou Tooru, who lived in Sendai, would become responsible for the job. He was the only son of her great uncle, and just turned 30. A talented flautist, he was a soloist at Sendai Orchestra.

Daiki looked at the girl, he would do anything for her, his precious baby daughter. And he wasn't asking for much. He knew his cousin was a capable man, but this was his legacy as the first son.
"You can't forbid me." Michiru was surprisingly calm now. Her father was acting like a spoiled child! "I finally found myself and you won't stop me from trying. I love my violin. I do. But I can't dedicate myself with my heart like this, so full of doubt. I can't be any good if I'm torn."

It was the first time any of the adults present in that room heard Michiru say anything like this before. She was the perfect daughter, student and violinist. Never went against any of their decisions, like the good girl she was.
"Just let me try it."

Daiki sighed. He never said no to Michiru. "OK. You will apply and try for that school. You will have one shot and that's it. If you don't pass, you will go back to your violin, and will take care of our business. Deal?"
The girl looked around, seeing all those hard faces looking back at her. She could do this.

"Deal."