Work Text:
Once again, Rui found himself in a dark, not-so-empty room. Drafts for WxS previous shows scattered on the floor, together with scripts and storybooks. His trustworthy pen floating near him. Cold filled the room in gloomy silence. He glanced to his side, only to find a tilted giant hourglass, twice his size.
This familiar room … he remembered, this was not his first time in that place. Was it a dream? Or a fragment sekai? No one was ever there to give him an answer. Yet, he was sure of one thing.
“I can never understand how a sekai works ….” He let out a dry chuckle to distract himself as he sat down. Even so, his mind wandered to the same thing over and over, refusing to let go.
It’s been a year since WxS formed. Lots of memories—joyful or heartsick—had engraved deep inside their tiny, youthful hearts. When they first encounter each other, their first show, the halloween event, the night show, their promotional shows as PXL ambassadors; those really are none other than unforgettable memories. But…
Shaaa …
The sand in the hourglass kept pouring down as he lost in his own thoughts.
He and Tsukasa would need to prepare for university soon. Nene would soon leave to pursue her dream to become a world-class diva. Emu would probably stay at PXL. Her family runs that park, so it should be plausible for her to take part in the management like her brothers. And Tsukasa ….
Rui clenched at nothing. His time is running out. The sand in the hourglass has almost run out. Their time together is almost over.
We will have to say goodbye, sooner or later.
He knew that. But, when he noticed the sparkling colors amongst the gray sand, bitterness hit him hard like Nenerobo’s fist.
Aah, so this world truly reflects me.
Yellow, pink, green, and purple gems. Wonderlands x Showtime colors. Memories of him and his friends, pouring down to end up being buried beneath the sand, lost as the time goes on.
No. He didn’t want that. He refused to admit that.
Oh, how he wished to stop time. How he wished to live in this moment with everyone forever. How he wished to relive those memories over and over. But …
“Haa ….”
He let out a shaky breath. One knee was held in front of his chest ro rest his head on it. He closed his eyes for a bit, then glanced towards that hourglass.
No matter how much he wished, time cannot be stopped. Even if that hourglass was tilted, the sand inside wouldn’t stop pouring down. Even if he turned his back from reality, he couldn’t escape the parting that would happen sooner or later. He was well aware of those facts, and yet … why?
Why does my chest hurt so much?
He clawed at his knee, eyes still locked onto that hourglass.
Why do partings exist? Can’t we just stay together like always? Even with different dreams, can’t we just ….
“... Haha, I really am pathetic, aren’t I?”
He felt like a child upon noticing his vision started to blur. Tears welled on the corner of his eyes, threatening to pour down anytime.
It would be a lie if he said he’s ready to give his goodbye. He was scared of what he will have to face when he gets back. If that was how it was, then wouldn’t staying here be better? He wouldn’t have to face that reality. He wouldn’t have to give and receive goodbyes. Everyone will forget him, abandon him, and he will be alone, like before.
And yet, he opted to choose the latter. Rather than having to witness your friends parted ways, it was better to stay here alone, forever reminiscing those bittersweet memories.
But, is that what I really want?
In the end, under the dim, cold light that framed his fragile self, he whispered one last sentence before drifting into slumber.
“What kind of ending do I want …?”