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Tenma Tsukasa was a flashy sort of guy— the epitome of stardom to the point where even fanfictions began with the harolding of his very name (or this one, at least).
Likewise, Kamishiro Rui embodied flashiness, albeit in a more literal sense of the word. Zombie robots, flying rockets, exploding contraptions and worst of all… bugs.
Even if they weren't nasty surprises, Tsukasa had always found himself caught off-guard in some way or another. Sneaky arms around his neck in a warm backhug, small chaste kisses littering every single one of his fingertips, random bouts of compliments or "i love you"s that left his loud mouth reduced to stuttering and stammering, all red in the face.
Be it friends or more, pranks and surprises had always been a one way street between the two. Aside from rare flashes of anger or indignation, Rui was rarely spotted with any expression other than that characteristic cat-like smile. Things like jumping in shock, getting all clammy, turning all red, or any of those embarrassing little displays that Tsukasa often found himself at the mercy of showing were completely foreign on Rui's face.
But that, Tsukasa decided, would all end today.
"Operation: Rui Frazzle☆Dazzle" was its title, the lovechild born from an entire sekai full of horrible name-givers (and yes, that star is wholly necessary). "Frazzle☆Dazzle" for short, the operation consisted of weeks worth of planning, blueprints and youtube tutorials— the amalgamation of which gave birth to a whole day's plan detailing a vegetable bazooka gun, peekaboo wind up dolls, and enough whoopie cushions to entertain an academy's worth of hippy 90s kids.
Go big or go home was the motto that kept Tsukasa burning the midnight oil for countless days before Frazzle☆Dazzle's showtime debut, and by the time he'd clocked in a whole month's worth of youtube watch hours in less than a week, Tsukasa was left with newfound admiration for the director.
It wasn't that he hadn't noticed it before, of course. The shadow of eyebags testament to days of sleepless nights, plasters and ink smudges adorning work-rough hands like badges of honour, and despite it all those brilliant eyes glimmering with eagerness to create even more contraptions that would no doubt bring joy to the audiences.
But boy, if the creation process wasn't hard enough, executing the surprises and pranks had the difficulty jump of tackling a level 90 boss after barely surviving level 1 slimes.
While Rui had furrowed his brows at the vegetables, it wasn't a shocked expression or anything Tsukasa hadn't seen before. In fact, the realisation that "Tsukasa-kun is capable of making a bazooka from modified party cannons? As expected of a star!" led to a three hour ted talk on the physics of projectiles and the potential these "fascinating contraptions" would have on the big stage, effectively leading to Tsukasa being a solid two and a half hours behind schedule for his next prank.
Unfortunately the second one didn't go too well either, nor did any of the ones following, really. The wind-up dolls became unconsenting subjects to a torturously detailed dissection, the whoopie cushions joined a million others in Rui's under-stage mancave (Tsukasa wondered why he even bothered ordering that bulk on Amazon when he could've very well just stole them from that storage box), and any last ditch-attempts in cheap jumpscares were met with that same old shit-eating grin followed by a "Tsukasa-kun's even livelier than usual today, hm?".
By the time the sun began to set, Tsukasa found himself deflated against the benches, speedrunning through the five stages of grief.
Rui, sharp as he is, had long since realised what Tsukasa had been setting out to accomplish. He sat down on the seat across the slumped star like added salt to the wound of defeat, whether intentional or not.
Even so, the silence was comfortable, and lasted a far bit longer than their usual chatter before Tsukasa's sigh had punctuated the break.
"You know," he started, voice muffled by the arm he rested his head on, "I never knew until now how hard it was to accomplish all the things you do. I'm going to work harder to become the world future star"
Rui hadn't said anything yet and Tsukasa was prone to monologuing anyway so he continued, gaze remaining idly at the grass beneath their feet.
"I mean, I knew it was hard work but you're honestly amazing. The things you create, born from your mind and bringing laughter to everyone who watches our shows. It takes skill to bring even pranks to life, too, and you've always done it so effortlessl…" thank god did Tsukasa look up, "...y— wait Rui, you…"
A slight dusting of pink tinting his cheeks, Rui's gaze shifted away from Tsukasa's the moment their eyes had made contact.
Mission failed successfully…?
"Rui, you—" Tsukasa couldn't help the gloating smile that creeped up the edges of his lips, standing up to lean forward for a better look at the unexpected fruit of all his efforts, and as if to milk the situation, "—you've been working so hard, our esteemed director"
Rui's blush now reached the very tips of his ears, burning so bright not even the orange tint of the setting sun could serve as a believable alibi.
"So much thought and effort goes into every project, and you're always so passionate about making our shows the very best," Tsukasa noted with blooming pride the way Rui had turned away, chewing at the top of his lips, "And you always bring them to fruition, you always help us to grow as actors".
Tsukasa watched as Rui's hand moved sharply to cover his mouth, shielding the incomprehensible muddle of seemingly foreign emotion that bubbled up from within him.
This speechless spluttering mess that was left beet red, a sight just for him to see— Better than any standing ovations, far more satisfying than any awards or first-places, the best "show" he could ever be an audience to.
With a gentle pat on the head and a sincere, heartfelt "thank you", the final blow had been dealt.
And oh boy, the taste of success had never been this sweet.