Chapter Text
Saturday morning, Rui was looking at his ceiling with an unshakeable grin on his face.
He kissed Tsukasa.
Tsukasa kissed him.
Tsukasa wanted to be with him...
Forever <3
He hid his face in a nearby pillow, hugging it tightly, putting all of his energy into the squeeze.
He could barely believe it. And yet, the soft lips of his star had truly touched his.
The feeling had been... divine. He had imagined it before (despite feeling bad about fantasizing about kissing his best friend), and it had felt exactly how he expected it and yet entirely different at the same time.
It was wonderful as expected.
But there was something so surreal and amazing about the kiss that Rui had failed to imagine. It wasn’t anything logical really...
It was just that, as usual, Tsukasa was able to blow his expectations away and make things so much better.
Under his mother’s surprised gaze, Rui got out of bed early on a Sunday, when he didn’t even have a practice with his troupe. Moreover, not only did he look more sleep deprived than usual, but he also had that silly grin he had when he usually planned some big creation.
He had the same face through the stages of building Robo-Nene.
The mother sighed and made a mental note to scowl her son during the evening. She already knew that she’d have troubles to get his attention when he was distracted in such a way.
After all, Rui barely took the time to properly greet them, too busy to think about Tsukasa-kun<3 to even notice that he was taking a bowl of food as his body merely moved due to motor reflexes.
His mother was, however, slightly concerned when she noticed that he forgot to remove a vegetable from his plate. She kept quiet however, as she was currently losing the unending war going on to make Rui eat those greens.
To Rui, it was a wonderful day. He probably kissed Tsukasa about 10 times yesterday, and maybe 50 times in his head again amid the night. Truly one of most sleepless nights he ever had, and yet he didn’t even mind.
His heart soared as he now knew that Tsukasa desired him as well. He wasn’t the only one yearning for the other’s touch and-
And everything will be fine... Because Tsukasa will be with him...
Forever <3
He couldn’t wait to see him again, to kiss him again, to just spend some quality time with his star. He saw him but yesterday, he had the chance to have been able to kiss the boy he loved...
And yet, greedy as he was, he already wanted more.
His mind spiralled, was Tsukasa awake? Did he have troubles sleeping as well? Or is he perhaps still sleeping, tucked under his covers, sleeping without a care. Either way, in his mind, Tsukasa couldn’t be anything but adorable.
Yearning for the blonde’s presence, Rui texted him quickly.
Good morning my star, I hope you slept well.
I had a wonderful night, though I didn’t get much sleep...
I already miss you Tsukasa, I can’t wait to hold you in my arms again.
If you’re not too busy, maybe we could take a walk today if you want to :)
Oh, to see Tsukasa again! Rui grinned happily and took another bite of his meal, before spitting it out soon after.
He made the most disgusted face.
“H-How did this broccoli find itself on my plate???”
His mother couldn’t help but laugh a little at his “pain”.
“If you already took a bite, you might as well finish it Rui~”
Rui looked at his mom with an expression of betrayal.
“Do you enjoy seeing you son suffer, mother? Taking advantage of my distraction to slip veggies in my food? Such a heartless parent!” Rui playfully answered.
And it seemed that his mother was used to such antics from her son.
“I’d have you know that it was you who forgot to remove it when you served yourself. I wonder, what had you so distracted Rui?”
Rui smiled as he saw this as an opportunity to talk about the previous day.
“Well, yesterday, Tsukasa and I had a blast, and then...”
‘We became boyfriends’ the words couldn’t leave Rui’s mouth. Technically, they hadn’t confirmed their relationship yet.
Rui furrowed his eyebrows as anxiety took over him.
What if-
What if Tsukasa wanted him to just be his friend and director. What if, he was delusional, and that Tsukasa meant that he didn’t wish for their relationship to change.
What if he was merely kissed due to playful curiosity, due to the mood of the party, and not because Tsukasa was truly interested in him?
“Well, it was great. Really fun.” Rui forced a smile and suddenly didn’t feel like eating anymore. He stood up with his half-empty plate and went to clean it in the kitchen.
“... Rui, what happened? Why are you turning so sour now, is something wrong?”
Rui’s lips quivered. “I- I don’t know. I just hadn’t considered all the possibilities. I don’t want to talk about this, not yet. I need more information.”
His mother looked at him as he left the room in a hurry, still concerned. But she knew her boy, and she knew that he would come to her once he was ready.
She knew that she had to respect his boundaries, but it hurt to see him so suddenly distraught.
Rui ran to his room, trying to control his breathing as anxious thoughts swarmed through his mind.
Tsukasa shared his feelings. Did he?
Tsukasa wanted to be with him. Why would he?
This wasn’t a one-time thing. How could he be sure?
Tsukasa cares about him. Tsukasa’s aspirations are too big to leave space for a relationship.
Rui fell on his bed and covered his face with a pillow, the same pillow as earlier.
Tsukasa was going to be with him... forever?
As if.
Stars aren’t made to be grasped by mortals.
But he kissed him...
Rui spiralled in a cycle of self-doubt and hope, where neither won. He only snapped out of it at the sound of a familiar ping.
Tsukasa:
A walk with my dear director? I’d love to! :)
Replied to your message ->
Hahaha, so do I! I miss having your arms around me... so make sure to hug me lots, ok?
Rui read those messages and felt his cheeks turn red. Damnit. Why did Tsukasa have to be so...
So cute? So nice? So... Tsukasa?
Did he have a chance after all?
Or was he forgetting how naturally affectionate Tsukasa was? He did give Emu and Saki frequent hugs. Even Toya.
But one is his sister and the others are like family to him.
Rui’s internal war was put on pause as he replied to Tsukasa, setting the hour of their... date (?).
“Rui!!!!” The blonde ran towards him and tackled him, similarly to how Emu often acted.
Rui caught him in his arms and held the hug for a little longer.
“Good morning my star~”
Tsukasa looked at him, unimpressed. A beautiful blush adorned his cheeks and stars shone in his eyes.
“It’s 11 o’clock! That hardly qualifies as the morning!”
“By definition, morning is before noon... So, I think it counts.”
Tsukasa rolled his eyes. “You once told me good morning at 1 pm, I don’t think you are helping yourself here.”
“Oh?~ If you remembered that, then why complain just now?”
“Hey! I complained back then too! Hopefully, you’ll learn how time works soon.”
“Hmm? I personally think ‘morning’ should be the few hours after someone wakes up.”
“The concept of morning has a definition! Don’t act like it’s something related to opinions!”
Tsukasa stared at Rui with a slightly disturbed face.
“You... You’re the type who thinks cereal bowls are soups, aren’t you?”
Rui chuckled a bit.
“Of course not.~ If cereal bowls were soup, then the cereals would be soggy and that’s disgusting. Hmm, obviously cereal bowls are stew.”
Tsukasa looked at Rui with disgust.
“You did not just say that??? God, that’s disturbing.”
Rui chuckled. Tsukasa seemed to act as usual (except for the fact he clung far more to Rui). Last night was... most likely a fluke. An experiment. A one-time incident. Disappointment blossomed in Rui’s gut.
Tsukasa chattered happily. Rui couldn’t find it in himself to enjoy it as much as Tsukasa. He had to ask.
“Tsukasa... about our relationship... are you happy with where we are now?”
Tsukasa beamed with his happiest smile yet.
“Of course! I couldn’t be happier! I’m so glad to have you in my life Rui!”
Rui faked a smile.
“I’m happy you think so.”
His heart shattered in silence. The rest of the day was difficult for Rui. He watched his star’s happiness from afar.
How he smiled at the slightest thing. How he constantly looked for inspiration for their shows. How cute he was while eating messily his slice of cake. Rui had to force himself to eat his own.
This... was enough, right?
No. This couldn’t be enough anymore. He crossed the line; he let himself hope too much. Hope to be able to reach his star yet the wax keeping together his wings melted under the heat.
He fell back to the ground, facing the cold reality.
From now on, touching Tsukasa set him ablaze with pain, yet he kept it together, not to hurt Tsukasa.
“Rui? Why don’t you come eat at my house tonight? My parents are very excited to have you with us!”
Tsukasa’s eyes shone with excitement, but Rui couldn’t bear to spend more time with him. His heart was weeping.
“Maybe another time Tsukasa. I’m fairly exhausted.”
“Rui? Are you... ok?”
Tsukasa looked at him with concern. Rui’s heart winced.
“I’m fine. Just didn’t sleep enough.”
Tsukasa nodded slightly.
“Alright. What about tomorrow?”
Tsukasa looked at him with such cute pleading eyes that Rui couldn’t help but accept.
“Tomorrow, that’s… I- I guess tomorrow should work fine.”
Tsukasa beamed with happiness and tightly hugged Rui. When they parted, he held the director’s hand.
The soothing feeling calmed Rui’s nerves a bit.
They soon reached the bus station. The taller teen thought it was finally goodbye, but before Tsukasa left, he planted a soft kiss on his cheeks.
“Take care of yourself Rui! I’ll see you tomorrow!”
Rui turned bright red.
He didn’t know what to make of today.
Sunday morning, Saki came out of her room to witness her brother happily cooking breakfast. Tsukasa acted about the same. Except he seemed... happier? And somehow more energetic. Giddy. Her brother was giddy. She spoke up and announced her presence.
“Good morning, dear brother! How are you doing?”
Tsukasa smiled at his sister.
“I’m good. I slept well. I hope you did too.”
“I did, thanks.”
There was a small pause, she wasn’t sure if she should ask why Tsukasa seemed... happier than usual. Yes, he had that date with Rui on Friday. However, surely her brother would’ve told her if something had happened, right?
Before she could decide, Tsukasa turned to face her and asked:
“Are you going to be home for supper?”
Saki hummed, trying to recall her schedule.
“Yeah, my practice ends at 4 and I don’t have much homework to do. Why?”
Tsukasa’s eyes shone.
“Good. Rui’s coming for supper.”
“Oh, I can always make plans you know-”
“No! No. I want you to be here. I... you know. I don’t think I ever formally introduced Rui to mom and dad.”
Saki was stunned as she saw Tsukasa’s blushing expression. Oh.
O h.
She laughed and hugged her brother.
“I’m so happy for you!”
Tsukasa silently reciprocated the hug. Saki hadn’t seen him so bashful in ages.
“Still, brother, we’ll have to set some rules because-”
Tsukasa grumbled.
“We’ll behave.”
...
“I don’t believe you.”
Rui knocked at the door to Tsukasa’s house. He was dressed casually, because hey, this was just hanging out with a friend, right? There was no reason for him to be nervous, except that he kissed said friend just a few nights ago and he was crazily in love with him.
His hands were clammy.
He had to keep his head straight, after all, there was no label.
They are just friends.
Tsukasa opened the door, he wore his usual favorite fish brand of clothes, yet his hair seemed better styled than usual. He was blushing softly.
That was so cute. Did Rui perhaps had some hope?
Tsukasa took a deep breath and spoke shyly. It was so unlike him, yet it was so cute.
“Aren’t you nervous?”
Rui blinked.
“Nervous? Not really. I’ve seen your parents a few times. I think it’ll go fine. Why? Are your parents unusually strict?”
Tsukasa seemed to relax a bit at Rui’s words.
“Right, it’ll go fine. Thank you, my director. You always know what to say.”
Rui blushed as Tsukasa said those sweet words and took his hand, leading him outside. His brain shut down at the contact.
All he could think was that Tsukasa’s hand was so warm and firm. He never wanted to let it go.
Automatically, he removed his shoes and entered the dining room. He greeted Tsukasa’s parents and said ‘Hi’ to Saki.
Once they sat at the table and Tsukasa let go of his hand, Rui was suddenly aware of where he was.
Tsukasa looked at him as if to ask for permission. Rui nodded hesitantly.
He didn’t quite understand what was going on, but he nodded, trusting his star.
Tsukasa spoke up, loudly as he usually did.
“Mom, dad! Meet my boyfriend!”
Rui’s brain crashed. Boyfriend? Him?
“Huhhhhh!?”
Tsukasa looked at him, frowning a bit.
“What ‘Huhh?’ That’s what we are, no?”
Saki facepalmed. Of course, things wouldn’t be easy with the both of them.
Rui gulped and hesitated before speaking.
“I mean, we never put a label on it-”
Tsukasa was startled and spoke anxiously.
“It was implied! I’m sorry, did you not want to?”
“Of course I want to. Sorry, it seems I misunderstood-”
Someone coughed, which attracted Rui’s and Tsukasa’s attention. It was Mrs Tenma.
Tsukasa stiffened anxiously. His whole family watched that.
“It seemed that the details haven’t been figured out yet, and I’m sure you’d rather do that in private. However... Kamishiro, was it? Thank you for being there for my son whenever he needed it. I'm sure you two make a fine pair... we might see each other often, so let’s make sure to get to know each other. I do hear a lot about you from Tsukasa, but it’s different from speaking with you directly.”
Tsukasa was embarrassed that he was outed by his mom, while Rui stiffened.
“T-Thank you Mrs Tenma.”
What was Rui supposed to do? He was unprepared to meet the parents of the boyfriend that he wasn’t even really aware he even had!
Underneath the table, Tsukasa’s hand gently squeezed Rui’s hand. The director took a deep head.
It’s okay, he could improvise a bit. He used his signature smile.
It’s showtime.
While Rui was awaiting an interrogation of sort, the dinner was rather relaxed. Tsukasa’s parents knew who he was after all.
So, the subjects revolved around their next shows, Saki’s music group and Tsukasa’s parents’ jobs.
And as everyone finished their plates, Tsukasa and Rui slowly headed upstairs…
What followed was something that regarded the two of them.
Saki stared at a blank page. She knew she had a text to write a text about the ten most popular bands that incorporated Vocaloids to their music, she had done her research, she just couldn’t concentrate.
How the hell did they even miscommunicate on whether they are dating or not?
She truly hoped that they wouldn’t break up, at least not so fast, because she didn’t want to see her brother heartbroken.
The pianist decided to step out to get a drink, maybe some tea would help her concentrate?
However, her eyes caught something that she shouldn’t have.
Upstairs, Tsukasa and Rui were kissing.
She softened, maybe it’ll be fine-
But then she heard a soft sound.
Her face showed disgust.
GROSS! THAT WAS SO GROSS!
Her room truly was the only place where Saki was safe.
Main story end