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Rui always found a way to surprise her, even after all these years. Her son was the kindest and most creative child, but sometimes his ideas would be too much, apparently — they scared other kids and made them stay away from him. It wasn't a nice surprise to find out her son was basically alone and it hurt, it hurt so much to know your sweet baby was passing through the same trials as her before she met her husband.
Yes, Rui had Nene and this Mizuki he sometimes talked about, but still she could see the loneliness and envy in his eyes when he looked at a group of friends having fun at the other side of the street. The only thing she could do was pray to any god willing to listen to give Rui someone who shared his passion and accepted him as he was.
So it was a nice surprise when one day at dinner Rui told them a boy had invited him to join a theater group. It seemed like they needed his direction skills for the troupe plays. After hearing the news, she felt incredibly relieved and happy, but didn't have the heart to pester him because, under the excitement, she noticed the doubt and insecurity in his eyes. She could only hope for this group to be good to him and, maybe, give him the place he always longed for.
☆
It seemed that the gods listened to her prayers. After officially joining the theater group, Rui looked so happy and complete when talking about them. How proud he was of Nene for fighting her fears and finally singing with joy. How Emu-kun never failed to make everyone smile and how it was so fun to talk with her about show ideas. But mostly he would talk about Tsukasa-kun, how he would make the future star shine as he deserved, how the star's reactions were so funny and cute, how Tsukasa-kun was so talented at almost everything, how the boy was the most selfless person he ever met, how his smile was the brightest after seeing the audience smile at their shows.
She sometimes may be a little clueless but she wasn't stupid nor blind. It was obvious Rui was down bad, head over heels, crushing on this Tsukasa-kun, and she wanted to meet so bad the boy who put that dreamy expression on his son’s face, with the softest smile she had ever seen on his face. That’s why, it was a really nice surprise when one day, after coming back home early from work, she saw Tsukasa at their living room having snacks and talking with Rui.
They noticed her presence and immediately made introductions.
"Oh! So you have to be Rui's mother. Greetings! I am Tsukasa Tenma, Rui's friend and troupemate!" Oh, wow, the boy was energetic. But she agreed with her son, he was cute and amusing.
"Fufufu, indeed I am. It's nice to finally meet you, Tsukasa-kun. Rui talks about you all the time and I want to thank you for taking care of him." She was indeed delighted to finally meet the boy who made Rui a lovestruck mess.
"Oh… he does?" Was that a blush? Cute. "Of course he does! After all, he promised to make me the brightest star to ever exist! And don't worry! I will always take care of him!" Ah… now she understood why her son was so infatuated, Tsukasa-kun was just so cute!
"Oya, what a charming boy you are. Rui is so lucky to have you at his side."
And, as she wanted, they heard a little cough.
"Apologies for the interruption, but mom, aren't you tired after a long day at work?" Rui said with his cheeks a little pink. Rui was so cute too!
She took the cue to leave them alone, though.
"Ah, that's right! Sorry, I was having lots of fun talking with Tsukasa-kun and I forgot how tired I am. Anyways, I will leave you guys. And Rui, please don't burn anything nor put Tsukasa-kun in danger."
His son gasped in fake offense. "Mom! Of course I won't burn anything, and I could never put my future star in any danger! To think you could say that to your own son." Ah, he was pouting now.
"Hahahaha! Don't worry Mrs. Kamishiro, I will make sure everything is in order."
"Fufufu. Then I'm taking my leave to my room. Bye boys, call me if you need anything or if you are hungry!"
"Thank you!"
"Thanks mom."
As she headed to her room, she smiled. Ah… It's like when I met his father. Now, let's wait and see if they make progress. After all, it looks like Tsukasa-kun shares Rui's feelings.
☆
Rui loved his parents' story — how they were two lonely people who met each other, became friends, fell in love and finally got married. It was just like a fairytale, since the beginning they were supposed to be .
Rui wanted that. He wanted the same thing to happen to him, to one day meet that person who would accept everything in him and never leave him alone. He wanted to live that silly fairytale and have his happy ending.
The closest thing he had to that dream was Wonderlands×Showtime, his dear friends and troupemates who always gave their best at executing his ideas and making them reality. They accepted him as he was and proved that they would never leave him behind.
Rui felt happy with this, with their friendship, so that is why he found it weird when he called Tsukasa just a friend . Don't get him wrong, he considered Tsukasa his best friend but just being friends left him with a bitter taste in his mouth, as if he wanted something more but he couldn't point out what exactly he wanted.
Of course, he didn't know until Nene and Mizuki helped him realize his feelings for the other boy. First, it was Nene — she made a comment about Rui looking like a maiden awaiting for his beloved to come back when he was waiting for Tsukasa after school to walk home together. The comment was something really innocent but, in reality, it felt… right? And he had to suppress a blush at the idea of Tsukasa being his beloved. Huh… weird.
Second, it was Mizuki who said something similar, something about him and Tsukasa acting like an old and weird married couple and ah… I think I would like that…
But ultimately, the one to put the last nail on the coffin was the one and only source of his weird feelings: Tsukasa Tenma.
It was a normal day, they were hanging out at the school's rooftop after their classes and activities ended. They didn't have practice that day so they were simply relaxing while discussing ideas for the next show. Everything was so normal, until one thing led to another and suddenly their conversation was more personal, more about themselves.
Tsukasa told him about his childhood and how lonely he felt knowing Saki was staying another night at the hospital and their parents needed to keep her company. Rui talked about the loneliness he felt not so long ago, about how he was too much for anyone and they would leave him sooner or later.
It was after finishing that he noticed Tsukasa was too quiet and, when he looked in his direction, he didn't found pity — instead he found the softest expression he ever saw in the other boy. Then, suddenly, Tsukasa took both of his hands and looked him straight in the eye with the same softness, but now accompanied with determination.
"Rui, I swear to you I will never leave you behind. After all, you are not just the director who will make me shine the brightest, but my friend too, and one of the people I care the most in the world. If I ever forget about this moment, I give you the right to shoot me out from a cannon."
"Tsukasa-kun…"
"But anyways, the point is I will always try to stay by your side so you won't ever be alone again. Not anymore."
Rui felt many things at that same moment. His heart started beating like crazy, he felt his face going hot and his hands becoming sweaty, his chest was aching and the only thought in his head was how the boy in front of him looked so pretty in the sunset lights, making him shine more than any star and ah… Tsukasa-kun is just like the sun, so shiny and warm…
"Rui, uh… are you okay?"
And the spell was broken by the person who put it in the first place.
"Fufu, of course I am. It's just… your words had a great impact on me… That's all, so don't worry, Tsukasa-kun," He said while looking away in embarrassment, trying to hide his blush.
"W-well you better don't forget them! I am talking from the heart!" The star gave him the prettiest smile he has ever seen in his life, and that was it.
Oh… I like Tsukasa-kun.
After the thought appeared in his head, he felt like imploding. Oh my god.
He cut short their meeting making some silly excuse. He hated leaving the other boy just like that but he needed time alone to get a hold on himself because oh my god, I have romantic feelings for Tsukasa-kun. I like Tsukasa-kun. Maybe I'm a little in love with Tsukasa-kun.
Since then, he started pining for the boy and damn… Tsukasa made it so hard not to show his feelings. With the way he smiled and looked so charming on stage, Rui wanted nothing more than to tell him everything and, being delusional, maybe kiss him silly and never let him go.
The worst thing was that he wasn't doing a good job at hiding his feelings, because most of their friends already noticed and wished him good luck… How embarrassing. Maybe if he was braver, without fear of ruining their relationship, just maybe he would tell Tsukasa… but, sadly, he was a coward who would try to stay satisfied with just their friendship.
☆
This afternoon was really special because it was one of those weird days where Tsukasa decided to go to Rui's home, and he was more than happy to receive him. But to make things even more special, his mother came home early and finally met Tsukasa. She will annoy me later with a lot of questions.
After finishing the snacks, they decided to spend the rest of the day in his room and help Tsukasa study for his history exam. Obviously, Tsukasa was the one doing most of the work while Rui sometimes pointed out some dates or names the other one needed to learn, but mostly he was spending his time just looking at Tsukasa reading, admiring him.
"Hey, if you are planning to make me do something crazy I won't do it today." Oops, he was caught staring.
"Fufu, do not worry. I'm just… looking at you."
That made Tsukasa look up from his book. "Do I have something on my face to make you look at me so much?"
Rui knew that if the conversation kept going it would end in a dangerous place, so he did what he knew best to avoid showing his feelings: mess with Tsukasa.
"Hm… not exactly your face, it is more… here!" Just like that, his hands were at Tsukasa's sides tickling him, and Tsukasa couldn't do more than laugh and try to tickle Rui too. Like that, a tickling war started.
They might look like a laughing mess, but they were a happy mess, having fun with each other.
The war kept going, but when Rui saw the opportunity, he took both of Tsukasa's hands and pinned him down on his couch. "It's my win, Tsukasa-kun!"
"Hey! It's not fair!" he said but did nothing to get out of the grip.
Both stayed like that, getting their breath back and just… looking at each other. Neither moved from their positions and simply kept like that even after their breathing were back to normal.
A strange atmosphere was created, but Rui didn't have the heart to break it. After all, Tsukasa just looked so peaceful, with a weird expression on his face. It wasn't a bad expression, but it was… different, as if he was looking at something precious to him.
Then, feeling brave, Rui released one of Tsukasa's hands to caress his face. His skin was so soft and ah… it was getting warmer after his touch. Tsukasa didn't look away from him, though. He kept looking at him in the eye and his eyes were shining with… hope? But he didn't think too much about it, because he was just so entranced in the moment.
Unfortunately, he was so in the moment that he couldn't stop his tongue from saying what he was thinking. "Tsukasa-kun… did I ever tell you you are the prettiest being I have ever laid my eyes on?"
After hearing that, Tsukasa blushed a beautiful shade of red which only served to make him look more ethereal.
"You never said it with that much sentiment…" he responded with a soft voice, strange considering how loud and energetic he was. "...But the same can be said to you, Rui."
He didn't know when or how, but the distance grew shorter and shorter. Then, their noses were brushing. Rui looked up at Tsukasa's eyes for permission and he got a small nod and his eyes closed as confirmation. And finally , their lips met.
He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He felt so relieved, so happy, and all of this felt so right , like it was planned from the beginning, like it was supposed to be.
The kiss was short but it was the sweetest. When they separated, the both of them were smiling like idiots but utterly happy. Rui never saw Tsukasa's eyes shine that much and it made his heart beat so fast and so loud.
"I’ve wanted to do that for so long. " he said, and Tsukasa responded with a happy giggle.
"That makes two of us, my dear director."
"Is that so…?"
"Yeah."
Just like a moment ago, they kept simply looking at each other, content with their company.
"So… what will this make us, my dear star?"
"U-uh well, we like each other so I think the next step it's us becoming a couple, which is something I would like very much and—"
He didn't let him finish before kissing him again, and again, and again, now that he has the benefit.
I'm living the same fairytale as mom and dad, I'm the luckiest. That was his last thought before falling asleep while cuddling the boy he loved.