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The night time date was Tsukasa’s idea, and boy was it an amazing idea. Even though he had been out in the city multiple times at night, it looked ten times more beautiful when the light was reflecting on his three partners. Tsukasa felt as if he was falling in love all over again, his heart leaping into his throat and his cheeks flooding with heat.
“You’re staring.” Rui commented with a smile on his face. Tsukasa jumped, but didn’t take his eyes off of Nene and Emu, who were stopping to admire some flowers that were growing in between the cracks of the pavement.
“S-so are you!” Tsukasa sputtered, crossing his arms over his chest. “Is it wrong to admire my partners in this spectacular light?”
“Of course not.” Rui wrapped an arm around Tsukasa’s shoulders, and Tsukasa all but melted into his side. “You have every right to.”
“...I wanted to do more than just. Stand around on the sidewalk. I wanted to take you guys to some romantic restaurant that has everyone’s favorite foods. I checked!” Tsukasa sulked. “They should’ve had a table for the most popular theater troupe in all of Japan!”
“It is a popular restaurant, after all. A reservation would’ve been a good idea.” Rui teased, poking Tsukasa’s cheek. “But don’t be upset. There are other things we can do at night.”
“Like what?”
“Like this.” Rui tilted his head towards where Nene and Emu were sitting. Emu had plucked one of the flowers growing and put it in Nene’s hair with a giggle, and Nene was averting her gaze with a blush. “Just… being us.”
Tsukasa stood up straighter. “You’re right. I have no time to sulk! We’re going to have an amazing night, dinner or not!”
“We still have to eat, you know.” Nene said, walking back with Emu in tow. “Where are we gonna go?”
“...Wendys?”
Tsukasa never thought he’d end up in Wendys of all places at 8 pm, munching on a french fry while Emu and Rui chattered happily. Even though they were indoors, the light of the billboards outside were surrounding them, making them seem as if they were glowing, and they were because they were the light of Tsukasa’s light, and he wanted to give them everything he had in return for everything they gave him-
A comfortable weight settled at his side, and he didn’t have to look to confirm who it was. Nene popped a chicken nugget in her mouth, tilting her head up to look at Tsukasa. “You’re… awfully quiet. Too quiet. ‘S weird.”
“Are you worried about me?” Tsukasa teased, taking great pleasure in the way Nene turned bright red and squirmed.
“No! It’s weird, that's all.” She looked away. “...quiet doesn’t suit you.”
“Sorry, my songstress.” Tsukasa leaned down and pecked Nene on the forehead. “I was just thinking. About… you guys.”
“Us?”
“And how much I love you.”
Nene grabbed onto his sleeve tightly and squeezed , refusing to make eye contact. “You’re such a sap and I hate you.”
“Wh-! I didn’t even say anything weird!”
“Everything you say is weird!”
Their little “argument” was interrupted by the sound of Emu and Rui laughing. They weren’t laughing at the conversation they were having, though - they were laughing at Tsukasa and Nene.
“What’s so funny?” Tsukasa cried incredulously.
“You guys!” Emu giggled. “You pretend to butt heads all the time but you reaaaaaally like each other. It’s silly!” She chomped on a french fry as if she didn’t just say the most horribly embarrassing thing ever and looked up at Rui. “Right, Rui?”
“She’s right. You two are adorable.”
Tsukasa and Nene groaned in unison, covering their faces with their hands.
They left shortly after, Tsukasa managing to herd his partners into a nearby park. They sat on the grass together, speaking about everything and nothing at the same time. Emu curled up against Tsukasa’s side and held onto his arm, tracing various shapes on it. She fell quiet, probably choosing to listen to Rui and Nene’s conversation like Tsukasa had ended up doing. He wrapped his other arm around Emu’s waist and pulled her closer, eliciting a giggle from her.
“...I’ve never had anyone to spend Valentine’s Day with.” Emu said quietly - uncharacteristic of her. “And then… bam! You guys came. Like a burst of light. Like… like one of Rui’s cannons that shoots you out.”
“Har Har.” Tsukasa laughed sarcastically.
“No, really!” Emu looked at Tsukasa like he hung the stars in the sky. “You… you’re amazing! And Nene! And Rui! And… I’m so happy. My chest is all ‘wub-wub-wub’ and it feels like it’ll explode any minute! That’s how it always feels when I’m with you guys!”
“Me too.” Tsukasa admitted. “I… I wanted tonight to be special. With the restaurant and everything. And they had cool desserts too. Like crumb cake and rainbow cake.” He grumbled in frustration. “Tonight wasn’t very romantic, was it?”
“What are you talking about?!” Emu exclaimed, drawing the attention of the other two. “Tonight was perfect! Tonight was super-duper wonderhoy! Tonight was so much fun!”
“Our little dreamer is right.” Rui flopped onto his back, staring at the sky. “I know you want things to be big and grand. That’s just how you are.” He reached out his hand to Tsukasa, who took it. “But this was more than I could ever ask for.” Rui kissed the back of Tsukasa’s hand, causing him to flush.
“He’s right.” Nene shrugged and flopped onto her back as well. “Things didn’t go perfect, which is always hard for you since you’re so straight-minded.”
“Hey!”
“But all we really need… is to be together. I guess.” She shrugged, definitely feeling embarrassed. “It’s whatever, though.”
Emu pushed Tsukasa down and trapped him between her arms. “Tsukasa! Thank you for bringing us out tonight! You’re the best! And we love you!”
Tsukasa’s heart was going to burst.
Instead, he grinned brightly, feeling all kinds of giddy and all kinds of happy. He loved his partners so, so much.
“If you say so! I will plan more dates like this! We will do everything that you guys want to do! As long as you are happy, I’m happy!” He declared into the sky. His partners laughed besides him.
Tsukasa didn’t know how much time passed. They laid there for what felt like hours, just staring at the sky. Emu was curled up, fast asleep at his side. Rui was on his other side, carding his hand through Tsukasa’s hair absentmindedly, and holding Nene’s hand with his other. Nene was reaching over Rui to hold Tsukasa’s hand. They were in a big dogpile on the ground at who-knows-what-time, just… enjoying each other’s company.
…they looked radiant in this light, Tsukasa thought with a smile.
“Happy Valentine’s Day.”