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In the empty Sekai sat Toya. On a desolate staircase he found while walking around the Sekai.
He pulls out the picture book that Miku had given him
‘I found this book earlier. It’s a children’s book so it must be from Tsukasa’s earlier memories.’
‘May I borrow it please?’
That’s how he ended up here, mindlessly flipping through the book.
The pages were bursting with color contrasting everything (and partially everyone if not for their vibrant hair).
His calloused fingers touch the smooth pages, getting lost in the unfamiliar feeling
The smoothness he rarely felt besides the school textbooks. The past was filled with rough sheets of paper that were overwhelming with notes. Notes on top of notes. Black and white. Nothing less. Nothing more.
The past had a wooden instrument with strings that were smooth but felt wrong. Wrong wrong wrong.
The piano with the white and black glistening keys brought fear into Toya when he was younger.
Now he couldn’t feel the slightest afraid of getting hurt ever again.
He’s snapped out of his thoughts when a hand is placed on his shoulder. The figure sits down next to him.
“Fufufu, Toya-kun reading something with colors for once? My, how surprising!” Rui commented while giggling
“It’s a children’s book Miku found.”
Rui has always thought his friend’s voice was smooth and unshakable. Always the same tone unless he was singing.
(That or talking to Akito but that doesn’t count! Rui thinks. Akito is his closest friend. Besides, it goes only a tone softer.)
But this time, Toya’s voice sounds strangely…bitter.
Fantasista 25:00 had seen the ups and downs of all 4 members. The first time that the members saw Toya’s tone change is when he drew a line between his father and his team.
That’s when the team saw anger in Toya.
Then Toya’s breakdown…
No Rui can’t think about that. That broke everyone’s hearts.
The rest of the times, his voice has kept the same tone. Tsukasa hopes that his songs will trigger other emotions for him but it seems like his presence along with the Akito and his are helping very well.
Toya’s tone changed. Rui knows that’s a statement itself.
“Oh? Toya-kun? What’s wrong with the book?”
Toya’s words rub against his throat until they make it out
“It’s very…colorful and…cheery.”
Colorful and cheery…that’s an understatement. There were so many colors. So many emotions painted throughout the pages.
Rui feels bad for Toya but the truth is, he knows exactly why he says it so bitterly.
“I know. It’s very popular isn’t it?”
He’s going to let Toya explain it though
He won’t force him to say it out loud. He’ll let the boy do what makes him happy even if that means staying silent until he’s ready.
Toya looks at the book in front of him then back at Rui. His gaze softens at the blue haired boy.
“I didn’t know that…” Toya quietly whispers
Rui traces his fingers along the jagged edges of the stairs humming one of their songs.
“What are you thinking of Toya~?”
Toya stays silent for a bit more
“My childhood.”
He knew it.
“Ah then, don’t pressure yourself to talk about it.”
“…Thank you.” Toya quietly whispers
Rui moves closer to Toya and looks at the book as well
“Rui…”
“Yes Toya~?”
“Will…will you read…this book to me please?”
Rui was surprised at the juvenile tone of voice that Toya had but quickly smiled and nodded
“Of course! This will help me with aiding Nene with her shows!”
Rui takes the book from his hands and flips to the beginning
Toya looks at the pictures as Rui reads
As Rui reads on, Toya thinks
‘This feels….nice.’