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"Tsukasa-kun, Emu-kun… how would you confess to someone you love?"
Both of them turned around to see it at the same time, dropping the scripts they were reading.
"Well…" Tsukasa picked up the papers again. "I'd do something big, of course! Telling them directly is not a bad option, but… I think it's better if the confession is memorable! Something fitting for a—"
"Just tell them your heart goes all woooosh! Brrrrrrrrr! woooooohoooo!"
"Woosh, brr, woohoo, huh… that makes sense".
"…Does it really? H-Hey, my suggestion is good too!" He paused. "…Hey, Rui?"
"What is it?"
"Who are you confessing to?"
"Nene-chan, right?"
"Of course, Nene!" Tsukasa blinked. "EH?!"
"Fufu. It may be her, indeed".
"Just tell her! I'm sure she'll feel the same!"
"But, if it's someone we know… we could also aim for something bigger! Let's show your talents, Rui!"
Rui looked at his script, and then at his friends again.
"Could I change some of my lines? I'll make sure it's good, and Nene will be able to follow up anyway".
"Hm!"
As he took a pen and started writing things down, the three of them smiled.
Adding some quotes and changing some names wasn't that difficult, especially for a play where Rui and Nene already had the lead roles. Hiding it from Nene, however, wasn't that easy.
During the weeks left they had to practice, Rui had asked Nene to go back alone way too many days. He was surprised she didn't suspect anything, and worried by how she'd react.
However, by starting before Nene arrived and ending after she left, they somehow managed to succeed with both, only a few weeks away from their first performance.
"Rui-kun! Wonderhoy job! High five!"
"Fufu. Thank you, Emu-kun".
"See? I knew something bigger would be a good idea! And it was as easy as—!"
"Huh? You three are here early".
Tsukasa let out a scream, startling Nene, who was just approaching him from behind.
"Hey, try to lower your voice a bit…"
"Nene-chan! Good morning!"
"Emu, Rui. Morning".
"Morning. Let's work hard today as well. Our performances are getting closer".
"Yeah".
In total, they would interpret it five times. If everything went as they planned, Rui would confess during the very last scene. It was a good plan— Tsukasa wanted something big, Emu said he should be direct, Rui could make use of his skills as a director and Nene… Nene could even run away if she felt overwhelmed.
And so, the day of the last performance arrived. The previous days, everything went well. That was probably the one that could mess everything up.
Thinking twice about it, using their last chance to confess through a play was really a hit or miss. If they failed, they could perfectly ruin the whole show— if it worked out, however, both Rui and Nene would probably be really happy.
Maybe that's the reason why he could possibly chicken out.
—
"Rui!" Tsukasa walked up to him, giving him a thumbs up. "It's almost time. Are you ready".
This was Emu's last scene. Once she went back backstage, Rui would go in again, and it would be time for the grand final.
"Of course. I've always been".
"That's good! You can do it!"
He nodded as he turned around, looking at Tsukasa.
"Thank you for helping me out with my selfish request. I'll make sure this play doesn't end as a failure".
"I'm sure you will! Emu too, she'd say the same thing— ah, she's coming!"
Emu waved, and ran towards the two of them as soon as the people watching the show couldn't see her anymore.
"Rui-kun, do your best! It will go doki doki waku waku wonderhoy!"
He smiled again as he breathed in and walked up to Nene.
"Mere".
"Ah, Fuga! I'm glad you're here. We've been through an adventure together, huh?"
"Right. And I hope we can start many more in the future".
"I'll happily agree. I'm sure all the friends we made along the way are too".
She turned towards the audience, who started cheering. From her side, Rui couldn't help but to admire how radiant she looked.
He took another deep breath. Even if he regretted it, he couldn't go back. He had already forgotten his previous lines by now.
"You know. It's been a while since we met and started this adventure, and I have something to tell you".
Like pushed by a spring, her whole head turned around to see him, surprised. Not even a second later, her expression softened, probably thinking it was some sort of ad-lib.
"Hehe. How silly. It hasn't been that long, right? But it's right, we feel so close anyway".
Rui took a few steps closer to her.
"But you've saved me from danger many times. That dragon? I would be food for their pets if you weren't there. I'm sorry for that knight, though!"
Alongside some kids, Nene let out a giggle.
"He's fine too, dummy! Let's go on another adventure one day, with more dragons and witches!"
"Until then, let's stay together!"
Right then, Nene's eyes slightly widened, probably realizing what he was trying to do.
"Hmm… What a question! I wonder what I should say! What if we let our new friends choose?"
This time, both of them looked at the audience.
"Say no!"
"Drop him!"
"Go on another adventure!"
"No, say yes!"
"No!"
She giggled.
"Maybe our friends are as indecisive as me, after all!"
"That can't be, how mean…!" Stunned and with a gasp Rui turned to see the kids. "Still, it'd be nice to get their approval. I truly love you".
As Nene looked at him— probably even more surprised.
"It's decided, then. If we live together, we can go on adventures anytime. Let's go, Fuga! And next time, don't become a dragon's pet's food!"
Nene reached out to him, and both of them leaned forwards as he held her hand.
On their way backstage, she crouched as soon as she was out of everyone's sight, hiding her face in her hands.
"Rui… what were you even doing there?"
"Ah. We thought it would be interesting. You realized, right?"
"…Of course. But you could've said it normally… it's embarrassing".
"My apologies. I'll repeat myself, then".
"W-Wait, that's—"
"We've known each other for years. And for so long, you have also been a great support to me. Thank you for helping me so much ever since we were kids, Nene."
With a breath, he continued talking.
"I love you. I always have, and I always will. I want to be with you for as long as you can. I want to help you like you helped me".
She didn't say a word.
"…if you're fine with that, of course". Rui smiled, crouching next to her, and using his hand to brush her hair. "Am I bothering you?"
"Uh”. Shyly, Nene shook her head. “It's just, this is even more embarrassing. But I like you too, Rui".
Finally, she looked at him, smiling.
"Thank you for telling me this. Even if the kids don't want us together… I do".
"Rui-kun! Nene-chan!"
"E-Emu?!"
Before any of them could get up, their friend ran towards them, pushing them to the floor as she enveloped them in a big hug.
"That was really wapapa woah wonderhoy!"
"Ah, you're happy for us? That's good to hear".
"Hm! I get her this time! And of course it went well! As expected from my idea! Ha ha ha!"
"Wahaha!"
"Hahaha!!"
"…So the three of you planned this together, huh…"
Rui looked at her. She smiled, as Emu and Tsukasa continued to laugh together.
"Well, I guess it wasn't bad. The kids probably didn't understand, anyway".
"Indeed. I wonder if the adults in the audience will ask for an explanation, though. It is different from the ending we showed the previous times, after all".
"If they do, let's leave our star in charge. If it's his idea, he should take care of it".
"Fufu. I was just thinking the same thing".
Now that both of them were sitting, he looked for her hand.
They would be together now. And if they were together, they could face any adventures ahead— no matter how many dragons with hungry pets were to come after them.