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Ritsu always did think Ruko was admirable.
It isn't something he would ever dare to say out loud, but the feeling is always there, nagging, taunting. How Ruko's voice would trump all others when they sang together, how much he could say with the softest of breaths, how in tune he always seemed to be with both of the halves that created the complete him. Perhaps that's what it is. Take away one, and Ritsu wouldn't feel so envious. Take away one, and Ritsu would have an easier time looking away.
"The Princess mourns today again?" the cocky bastard breaches his personal space, offering a hand. An invitation to a dance.
"Tch. Ask Teto."
"We harmonize better," Ruko shrugs, so simply, like the words don't immediately burn themselves into Ritsu's mind.
"I– A-As if–" Ritsu sputters, unable to think of a comeback in time before Ruko whisks him up and away from camp. Hand in hand. Hand on back. So close, dotting circles with their bare feet in the dew-covered grass.
There it is again. The feeling he calls admiration for ease of conscience.
"Our human isn't even here…" Ritsu mutters.
"So? All the more reason to, it's fun. Who knows when she'll come back."
A turn, a spin. A momentary pause before he pulls Ritsu into the intoxicating hold again. Just a second of being forced to take in his view. The bright eyes and smile, all the more magical when only lit by the surrounding fireflies.
"Mhm, very nice," Ruko hums.
"What is?"
"How I make you shine."
Surely saying things so flustering counts as psychological warfare.
"Defoko is staring."
"She should." He sends Ritsu away to an arm's length, and back closer in a spin. "The skirt adds a lot."
"Wear one yourself, then!"
"Mm, maybe later."
"For real??"
"Why not? In some world, I probably already have, and… Aha, someone's eyes are sparkling."
The audacity. "No they're not!!"
"Now, now. Teto is the tsundere, don't breach her territory."
"I'm not, you just won't stop saying dumb shit–"
The dance ends in a hug, their chests touching. A gasp gets stuck in Ritsu's throat. Never once before did he feel another synthetic heart beat in time with his. Racing, and yet not a beat off time. Only an imitation of a real person, but feeling nonetheless. The two of them, somehow perfectly in sync.
…Ruko, this untouchable idol Ritsu has built up in his head, was anxious too.
"It wouldn't hurt to be honest once in a while, you know? With yourself, at least." His fingers brush over the nape of Ritsu's neck, and then it's over. Ruko steps back, and gives a graceful bow. "'Til next time."
…Cruel. He's the most cruel of all of them.
Ritsu is left on the sidelines as Ruko returns to camp, already laughing off some remark Teto has made. Impossibly far away again.
…'Til next time. The warm feeling lingers in Ritsu's chest despite the touch long being gone. But would that time be any different? Spending an eternity by his side sounds so good on the surface, but makes it all the harder to tackle the status quo. Looking up to him from far away, the plausible deniability of it, it would be so simple to just keep it as is…
'Til next time, when the walls Ritsu has built up will be challenged again, and when Ruko will maybe wear a skirt, giving Ritsu yet another thing about him to admire.
How terrifying it is to acknowledge that he's looking forward to it.