Chapter Text
Rui has started noticing more about Tsukasa— rather, the new habits he created.
Even though he said that he would bully him, he kept calling Rui his friend, which is kind of contradictory, isn't it?
They both love theater, so Tsukasa started using it to try to improve his 'villain' attitude (if you ask Rui, it was criminally cute).
He asked Rui for scripts, followed them so impressively that he felt like a true villain, but at the moment of actually playing it for real life...
He was hopeless.
Tsukasa was... Well, he could get really into character, but he hates the thought of hurting his friends, doesn't he?
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Today, Tsukasa decided to not spend time with Rui, it could ruin his plans! So he decided to let the younger meet other people and be himself.
Even though he was the prince, he didn't like the thought of using his power over others if it isn't necessary... But it might help for his plan: the Tyrant Prince being defeated by the smart sorcerer— . . .
He can't do that, his family would get involved, and it isn't their fault, just his.
Tsukasa sighs, knowing it was a bad plan, even if it sounded fun.
He sat on a place alone, he didn't want to force anyone to eat with him, and today Nene wasn't here, so, what else could do?
"H-humm... Excuse me? Is this seat taken?" A shy voice called from behind. As he turns, there was someone he had never seen before.
She had light brown hair, two ponytails and glasses, she seemed to be trying to make herself smaller.
Tsukasa, despite his initial surprise, just smiled confidently at the girl. "Sure! Take seat, make yourself comfortable!"
The girl let a small but soft smile show.
As she sat down, Tsukasa noticed something about her.
"Hey, don't you have a bento?"
The girl flinched. "U-uhm... About that..."
That was all the answer he needed. "If that's the case... Here!" He grabbed another plate and gave the girl half of his luncheon.
She shrieked and seemed even more nervous. "N-no! There's no way I can accept this... You already did so much..."
Tsukasa starts thinking how to make the girl accept his luncheon. "I insist! I did this myself, so it would make me really happy if you tried it!" Hahahah! Didn't that sound like a true villain? He basically manipulated her!
She looked up and down, unsure, but probably didn't want to came out as ungrateful, since she grabbed the plate. "T-thanks for the food..." And she started eating.
Tsukasa smiled as he watched her eat, her eyes lighting up at the flavor and started eating a bit faster. Seeing someone eat his food with such enthusiasm made his ego grow a bit stronger (or a lot, if you ask his friends).
When she realized Tsukasa was watching, her blush got even worse. "U-uhm! Excuse me... I never got your name... I'm Azusawa Kohane." The girl— Kohane, smiled softly.
She had such a cute and bright smile, he loves this kind of smiles too! Everyone's smile is so unique and beautiful.
"So Azusawa... It's such a pretty name, it has a ring on it!" He replied, not knowing the effect he caused.
Azusawa... It doesn't sound like a noble. Maybe she's a scholarship student? It would make sense of why... That.
"Th-thank you so much, sir. . . ! May I ask for yours?" Her soft but bright smile remaining.
He's never been one to overthink, so he just tells her his full name. "Hum, hum, I'm so glad you asked! My name is written with the kanjis; Tenma as the soaring pegasus! And Tsukasa, the man who was born to govern... That's right, I am Tenma Tsukasa!"
There was a silence for some seconds, and then—
"Th-that was so cool. . . ! Tsukasa-san, you're so cool. . . C-can I call you that, right?!" She suddenly realized calling someone by their first name might be disrespectful.
"Hahah! Don't worry, you're allowed to."
"W-well, in that case... Thanks, Tsukasa-san, I'll be in your care!"
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"So, you're not with your boyfriend today?" A somewhat-deep but girly voice suddenly speaks.
Rui looks up in the three he was sitting close to now. "Mizuki." He would like to say he was surprised, but it would be lying.
"Hehehe, that's right!" She drops herself to the ground from the branch she was on. "Akiyama Mizuki, the cutest girl ever~!"
Rui rolls his eyes fondly, of course she said that. "Sure, sure~ What brings you here?" He asks her.
Mizuki starts looking around. "Well. . . Did your boyfriend ditch you or something? You usually are joined by the hip."
That felt like an attack, since it wasn't exactly that, but it wasn't that far either.
"Nobody got ditched, don't worry." Mizuki had a face that said; 'Me? Worried about this?' Honestly, nobody ever bought Tsukasa's 'villain' role, it didn't fit him.
"Then. . . Wanna go shopping? There's something I saw in a store that I wanna try with someone." And that cat-like smirk that they shared appeared on her face— just like the cat who got the cream. "Besides, there might be something you can gift Tsukasa-senpai. . . His birthday is on May, isn't it?"
Of course she knows where to hit.
"You don't need to do that, you know, right?"
"What thing?"
"The 'trying to convince me by using Tsukasa-kun's name' thing."
"Hah? I don't know what you're talking about."
Rui just laughs, Mizuki has always been such a character. "Well, ignoring that. . . Sure, there's some things I want to buy too, if you don't mind."
"Then, it's decided! Tomorrow we are going buying!" She laughs loudly. "Yay, it has been a while!"
"Indeed, maybe I could try an experiment to make you choose faster, or maybe make you a—"
"Okay, okay, I got it, stop!" All the color left Mizuki's face at Rui's words, she was absolutely terrified.
"Oh? Why is that?" Rui's now the one smirking, stealing Mizuki's. "I thought you wanted this."
"Yes, but not like that! I don't want to become a monster, I just want to buy pretty gifts!"
That got Rui's attention. "Pretty gifts. . . ?"
"Well, my girlfriend's birthday is tomorrow. . ." Oh, now Rui got it. "Hey, stop that smile, it's giving me goosebumps!"
From far away, Tsukasa watched the scene unfold. 'I'm glad Rui has Akiyama, she's such a nice person. . . Well, in that case, I can't be left behind!'
He's already thinking about his next evil plan! . . . If someone doesn't stop him.