Chapter Text
As Tsukasa was walk-running back to class, he realized a few things.
Shouldn't Rui go back with him? They aren't in the same class, but...still, why isn't he coming back?
And, "I didn't even apologize to him, not even a simple sorry, ahh Tsukasa, how much more useless can you possibly be?" He punched his chest and thought to himself, "I have to give him a proper apology when we meet."
Tsukasa sighed and reasoned that he is most likely skipping class, for whatever reasons.
He would scold him about it later, but now...
He has to go back; his classmates are probably thinking various things about him now.
Once more, his thoughts begin to stray.
It was genuinely refreshing to feel free of all these negative things, even if It was just for a moment. "Is it really all Rui's doing, though?, Heh, well probaly i won't get rid of this thoughs so soon...old habits die hard."
As he got closer and closer to class he felt more nervous.
His face was still puffy, his eyes swollen, he simply just wiped his eyes and pinchced his face.
He stood in front of classroom frozen.
When he entered, all of his classmates' eyes immediately began to pierce him, and murmurs started being obvious to hear, they weren't even hiding the fact that they were talking about him.
Tsukasa walked past them going to his seat, he clearly heard few things.
"Ah, he is back, where was he? Running away like that with a scared face."
"Heh, he probably got scared of that weirdo Kamishiro, you know the rumor he is testing weird things on him."
"He had always been weird, but he got even weirder since he is all friends with Kamishiro."
"Do you think he is one of his testing subjects?"
"I wonder how long it will take till some accident happens."
"SHH, he might hear us! "
"Who cares? It's just him, and in a few weeks we won't have to see him ever again."
"Yeah, you are right..."
The atmosphere in class became really suffocating, all of the rumors were cutting right through Tsukasa's heart.
Even though Tsukasa disliked hearing all of this about him, he found it even worse that they were making up lies about Rui.
Rui testing strange things on him?!
Being testing subject?!
Just what the hell is this supposed to mean?
Tsukasa tried to stay calm and not to look angry....but this, this just got over him.
"Hey!",he shouted, not quite catching his voice at the moment. "Do you think I can't hear you?"
Everyone became silent and stared at him.
"I would appreciate you all not talking bad things about Rui, when you don't even have the slightest idea who he really is, talk badly about me all you want, at this point im used to it,—he lied.
"J-just I won't have mercy on you if you spread rumors about him ever again. Rui is the sweetest person, and it's really a shame you never get to know him, well, but maybe it's better you don't really deserve him."
But does Tsukasa deserve him?
Tsukasa tried to stay as calm as possible, but really he was losing his temper.
"Oh, so you actually know how to talk back, hmm?" one of the classmates started.
Tsukasa would lie if he said he wasn't scared, but if never, now he has to be strong.
"Isn't it strange that you're acting so defensively about him right now?" He approached Tsukasa while glaring at him.
"What is strange about standing up for my friend? " Tsukasa returned the look.
"Friend?, Come on, everyone here knows you two weirdos are doing these homo things together. Aren't you disgusted with yourself? Maybe I should step back or I end up like Kamishiro, who knows? Maybe it's infect." He laughed at Tsukasa mockingly.
Tsukasa's face turned pale, and his eyes widened.
Huh?
W-what?
Tsukasa's expression was the embodiment of utter disbelief.
His knees were beginning to buckle as he stood still.
What exactly did he just say?
"What Tenma? Cat got your tongue; why are you so quiet now?"
Tsukasa's gaze dipped to the floor...
"No way...I was right about it? Bro, nah" he snickered.
Tsukasa felt as though everything was collapsing around him, his body was trempling.
Just why?
"Don't you plan on saying something?, Maybe I should beat it out of you! HEE?" he started being even more agressive.
There was no attempt to help him, and not a single person spoke. Everyone was just watching and doing nothing in order to stop this.
Perhaps this is what he deserves...
His classmate approached him and grabbed him by the collar, lifting him off the ground slightly. "HEEY??! Say something, or I will really punch you!"
Tsukasa was looking at him aimlessly.
He had really just given up at this point.
"You should know where you belong, dude, you asked for it really." He quickly raised his hand and aimed it at Tsukasa's face, in order to hit him.
Tsukasa closed his eyes expecting pain.
But it never came.
"HEY WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING? Everyone go back to your places! NOW!" teacher interrupted.
"YASHIRO, DON'T MOVE, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING NOW?" the teacher yelled in between sentences, as she drew nearer to them.
Yashiro stepped back still visibly furious.
"I can explain, it was all his doing, this fag talked bullshit about me, everyone here can confirm, right guys?" He looked at everyone, and they were all minding their own business, completely ignoring him.
"W-what? Now you all have become silent, traitors," he cried.
"THIS IS NOT AN APOLOGY, STOP DEFENDING YOURSELF AND SAY SORRY!" teacher yelled.
Tsukasa couldn't hear a thing, despite all the noise and shouting; everything was numb.
"SO?" the teacher urged.
Yashiro annoyingly looked at Tsukasa, rolling his eyes.
"I'm sorry." he said in the most unwilling way possible and turned his back to go back to his desk.
Tsukasa didn't even look at him.
The teacher clicked her tongue and approached Tsukasa.
"You can go sit too now; don't worry." she ressured him.
Tsukasa nodded blankly and got back to his seat.
"Of course teacher's favorite Tenma will get out of every trouble; how surprising!" He couldn't let this statement get away.
"You are still talking? At your position, I would be praying now; I wasn't expecting dealing with something like this with third years a few weeks before graduation; It would be really shame if you get kicked out now, right?" she threatened.
Yashiro became silent, for good.
"So class after this unpleasent interuption, i hope nothing like this will happen ever again."
The teacher started her lecture.
Tsukasa wasn't paying attention in the slightest; his mind was in absolute chaos; his hands were trembling; it was again hard to breathe, he couldn't concentrate.
Not only was everyone thinking absolutely worse about him, but also about Rui as well.
Was this his fault?
And... there are rumors about them like that... about them...being...
Tsukasa felt sick to his stomach; how is he going to explain this to Rui?
He can't run away again; he promised him...
But... why does he bring misery to everyone around him?
Why is everything against him when he has always desired the exact opposite?
Just why he can't feel happy just once for a little longer...
"I want to see Rui, now..." he thought...
If Rui gets to know about it, he will definitely leave him for good.
Tears were pushing their way to the cornes of Tsukasa's eyes.
*BOOM* (lmao)
A sudden loud noise distracted his thoughts.
"What was that just now? " the teacher said.
*BOOM AGAIN* (Help me, I don't know how to make sound effects)
The rumble echoed through the whole school.
Everyone got up from their seats and gathered by the windows to try to figure out what had caused the loud rumbles.
"Hello everyone!, I'm glad everyone is curious about this, but I still can't see a person for whom I prepared all this." Rui was standing outside with a microphone in his hand, canons of confetti around him, and some peculiar machine near him, waiting for someone to show up.
"Rui?" It's Rui's voice for sure, but what is he doing right now?
Tsukasa got to his feet and walked over to the window to take a look. ....He was really there, but...why?
Tsukasa stared at him.
"Oya! Tsukasa-kun, you showed up finally!" Rui smiled and waved at him happily.
HUH? What is this supposed to mean?
"So now that I have everyone's attention, I would like to say something important," he said making a brief pause in between.
Everyone was murmuring something and feeling tense about what he is going to say.
Tsukasa was avoiding looking at Rui, he doesn't understand what's so important that he had to do all this for it.
"Originally I planned to do this at lunch, but something came up so I pushed it to this moment...hehe." Rui grinned.
What? During lunch break? That was....What was Rui planning to do? I ruined it again. Is he going to announce publicly like this that he hated me all along in front of everyone?
Tsukasa started sweating, his hands were cold, and his eyes started falling even more.
"Tsukasa-kun! Look at me! I would like to say something...."
...Oh no
"Tsukasa-kun, ever since we first met, I've had a special feeling about you, and it only gotten stronger. I used to think being alone was the best, but you showed me how amazing it is to work with others and how it feels to be truly happy around people, you saved me from my own misery. To have someone like you in my life is a blessing. You really are the brightest star, and your brighness has completely blinded me."
"I am in love with you!" he annouced.
With his other hand, Rui clicked the button, and firecrackers started flying to the sky.
They were in various colors, forming some text, even though it was the day, they were still bright and readable.
"Tsukasa-kun, will you be my boyfriend?" it said.
In the other class, Nene was giggling uncontrollably about the whole sitation.
"He really did this, there is no way. He certainly has crazy ideas, but I didn't think he would actually pull this of for real."
On the other hand, Tsukasa couldn't believe his eyes, ears, or anything at all; it felt surreal.
Just what the hell?
Rui liking him back? It can't be possible; it feels like a fever dream.
He remained standing still while gazing up at the sky....and then,
"HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUH?!"
Even louder than Ruis' voice coming through the microphone, a loud scream erupted from Tsukasa's mouth.
Rui was laughing.
"Well, this is really a funny reaction," he said and continued laughing.
"KAMISHIRO STAY WHERE YOU ARE, YOU ARE IN TROUBLE!" suddenly teacher showed up running after Rui.
"Oh, I don't have much time now, I should probably get going. I'll be waiting for your answer today, just as we promised to meet after school, okay? Bye for now, everyone!" Rui said and threw the mic God knows where and started running from the teacher.
Tsukasa didnt hesitate, he fled out of classroom immediately.
"Tenma where do you think you are going?!" the teacher yelled after him, but without an answer.
Tsukasa just sped up running down the stairs.
How ironic, that he was now chasing after Rui, huh?
He didn't even change his school slippers; he just ran straight after Rui.
"RUUUUUUUI, SLOW DOWN, IT'S ME!" He was screaming at Rui, but he wasn't slowing down, not even by a bit.
"CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, TSUKASA-KUUN! BUT YOU SHOULD SPED UP TEACHER IS RIGHT BEHIND YOU, HAHAHHAHAHH!!" Rui was running and laughing wholeheartedly.
Tsukasa looked behind him, and the teacher was right behind him.
"KAMISHIRO, TENMA! IF YOU TWO DON'T STOP RUNNING, YOU WILL GET IN BIGGER TROUBLE THEN YOU ARE ALREADY!" teacher yelled, they began to slow down as they became incredibly breathy.
Tsukasa increased his speed to the fullest, getting closer to Rui.
Rui continues to move quickly as he sprints toward the school's gates until he leaves completely.
"SAKURAS ARE STILL BLOOMING AND FALLING DOWN, TSUKASA-KUN, DON'T YOU THINK THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL?" Ruis's eyes glimmered.
Sakura petals were falling, fleeing in the air, dancing, and creating performance.
"Yeah, they are beautiful." Tsukasa managed to catch up with Rui, running right near him. Rui turned his head toward him and smiled, then he grabbed Tsukasa's hand and started running even faster.
"COME ON TSUKASA-KUN, WE CAN GO EVEN FASTER!"
Tsukasa blushed at the sudden contact but still sped up regardless.
Eventually, the teacher stopped chasing after them, completely giving up.
As they reached a safe distance, they stopped as well, catching their breaths.
Huff....
Tsukasa was breathing heavily, slightly crouched over, and touching his knees.
Rui was stretching his arms. "Today, we are just running from each other, fufu."
"I didn't expect you to start running after me, dear Tsukasa." Rui didn't use honorifics for Tsukasa, causing him to blush slightly.
Tsukasa caught his breath and calmed down, standing up properly to see Rui.
With his eyes closed, Rui simply giggled, clearly expecting something.
Tsukasa's heartbeat increased a little.
".... Firstly, I would like to apologize to you for today.... He started uncertain, well, not only for today, but for everything. I have been feeling really weird lately, and today everything got to me completely, and I panicked. Im truly sorry I ran from you without any explanation; it had to feel horrible..."
Tsukasa's voice began to tremble a little, Rui came closer and took Tsukasa's hand. Tsukasa breathed and continued talking. "It is still unbelievably strange to me that you like me this way. You know, if it's an early April Fool's joke, you can say it now." Tsukasa tried to laughed it off.
"I wouldn't jokingly say something like that, Tsukasa-kun, I feel exactly as I said already. If you don't believe me yet, I can tell you again and again how much I love you."
Rui had a very hurt face as he gazed at Tsukasa.
Something ached inside Tsukasa's chest.
Oh, I see... this is how it has always been. Tsukasa felt incredibly foolish. Rui just expressed his feelings to him, and he said he doesn't even believe him, just how stupid he could be....
Tsukasa's face began to heat up, and his ears and face began to burn at realization.
If not now, then when? He needs to tell him that he feels the same way about him, forget about all stupid things and just confess sincerely.
He gulped.
"Um...so..., " looking directly into Ruis's eyes, he took hiy otherhand in his own, holding both of them tightly.
"Rui...I-I love you too, "
His face turned red.
"You have no idea how long I've been keeping these feelings hidden because I didn't think it was possible for you to feel the same way. I now feel incredibly foolish because I never considered telling you about it; instead, I just thought it would be best to let everything go and let these feelings fade away. But as time went on, I realized that's not what I want, so I panicked. My heart hurt just thinking about how you might leave me behind, but I couldn't stand in your way. It was painful..."
"But my feeling just grew stronger and it hurt more and more,eventually it led to what happened today, but I'm still anxious about the future."
"What will happen to us once we graduate?"
"What will happen to WonderlandsxShowtime?"
"But for the time being, I just want to be with you."
"I can't guarantee that being me by your side will make you happy, but I want to make an effort to improve. I want to treat you right and not put on some fake facade I almost always do; I want to be sincere with you."
And once more.
"Rui, you have my undivided love. You are the one who kept me alive this whole time."
"I will be your boyfriend..." he whispered.
"Tsukasa... I've always known that you try your hardest to present the best version of yourself to everyone and hide your true emotions, when you're around me, you often lose your cool, which always makes me smile. No matter how you are feeling—happy, sad, angry, anxious, or annoyed—I love you.
You are always so expressive about everything."
"You don't have to worry about me ever leaving you."
"Fufu, I have accomplished my goal now, and I am not letting you ever again; you are mine now, completely."
Rui smiled with his typical grin.
"And I would like to apologize as well, that I didn't act sooner, if I did, all of this wouldn't have had to happen." He frowned a bit.
"Rui, don't blame yourself for this; it's not your fault that I'm like this; it's just everything in my own head that caused it." Tsukasa urged and cupped Rui's cheeks, turning his head to look at him.
Rui's eyes grew softer as his face flushed red.
He adjusted his posture and drew nearer to Tsukasa's face.
They were only a few inches away and could already sense their hot breaths.
Their noses brushed lightly.
With a red face, Tsukasa was gazing at Ruis' lips.
Is it really going to happen?!
Tsukasa's heart was racing and wondered whether Rui could hear it.
Rui started hesitantly,
"Tsukasa-kun, may I kiss you?"
"U-Um-"
"!"
Tsukasa was not given a chance to respond before Rui closed the tiny gap between them.
Tsukasa blinked a few times, trying to process if it was really happening.
He felt Rui's lips on his, his lips were slightly chapped, but it still felt delightful to kiss him.
His first kiss, and it is with someone he loves the most?
Is he allowed to feel this happy?
Tsukasa closed his eyes, enjoying the moment.
The kiss was intoxicating; Tsukasa's head was burning at all these new feelings he was experiencing now.
Rui lets go of Tsukasa's hands and places his hands on Tsukasa's neck instead, holding him gently.
Without pausing, they continued to chase after each other's lips.
Tsukasa pulled away after a minutes of eager kissing, feeling emberrassed about his actions just now.
"UM! Now, I..." he failed to create a proper sentence.
"Fufu, what Tsukasa-kun? Do you regret kissing me?"
"Oh woe is me, being rejected like that by my own boyfriend!"
"You truly are cruel." Rui whined and sobbed fakingly.
"B-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-boyfriend...?" he stuttered.
Yeah, they just started dating a moment ago, and Rui is not even giving him space to proceed everything, teasing him already.
"Hehe, we are lovers now. Doesn't it sound lovely?"
"Finally, you are mine and mine only." Rui took Tsukasa's hand and kissed his knuckles lovingly.
Tsukasa's knees started to give way, but for completely different reasons now!
"Rui, can we sit for a moment? I feel dizzy." Tsukasa said trying to hide his red face.
"Well, of course, my dear, anythingfor your well-being!"
Another strike to his weak heart.
They managed to find a bench and sat down together.
Rui imidiately placed his head on Tsukasa's shoulder, relaxing.
"Mhmm, Tsukasa-kun, I'm incredibly happy right now."
"I'm happy too, Rui."
They stayed in a comforting silence, just enjoying each other's presence, observing falling sakura petals as they flew in the air.
"I hate to ruin this moment, but I left all my things at school; I should probably go back for them." Tsukasa said.
"Hmmm, don't worry about it. I'll text Nene and she will get them for you, okay? she wouldn't mind doing it, fufu." (she would)
"Okay then." Tsukasa relaxed and placed his hand on Rui's interlocking their fingers.
"But still there is one thing that is bugging me." Rui idled.
"What is it?" Tsukasa asked curious.
"Well, after I stopped chasing you earlier, I noticed KAITO-san was listening to us almost the whole time... I kind of wonder why he didn't tell me you were in the SEKAI hiding..."
"HUH? KAITO knew about all this?" Tsukasa jumped, a bit shocked.
"He didn't tell you about me?"
"NO?, HE DID NOT?"
"So he was playing dumb while knowing everything." Tsukasa felt a shame welling up in him.
But...maybe it was for their sake.
KAITO....
"Rui, do you have your phone with you right now?"
"I do..." Rui understood what Tsukasa was implying and searched for his phone in pockets.
When he found it, both of them stared blankly at KAITO.
HE WAS LISTENING AGAIN.
"Well, it's nice to see you two again, and I'm glad that everything is fine now." Kaito laughed awkwardly, scratching his neck.
Tsukasa and Rui looked at each other.
They started laughing, feeling stupid.
So, in the end, it was KAITO who saved both of them.