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"Tsukasa I insist. Pleasepleasepleaseplease..??"
"Mizuki, no. I won't do it."
"You're afraid I'll win."
He gasped, offended. "I'll have you know I'm the best Mario Kart player around!! However, we've played 24 matches already. I'm very tired."
"I thought you said stars don't get tired??"
"When acting! Not when playing non-stop Mario Kart for an hour!!"
"You know that's a lie!! Emu and Rui have you running in circles. I've seen you gasping for air everytime you get a chance. You're exasperated when it's time to leave— don't deny it!!" They crossed their arms and turned away, fake pouting like a child.
"Ehh.. Mizuki!! I can't go on. My thumbs are jello, my back is aching, my head is starting to hurt from looking at this screen.. I cannot believe you're putting me through this pain—!!" He wiped fake tears and threw himself on Mizuki. "You hate me so.."
"Ah— Tsukasa. If you wanted a hug you should've asked for one!!"
"That wasn't my goal— ack—!! You're choking me..!!"
Mizuki wrapped their arms tighter around his stomach. "Perhaps murder is really the solution.. it can't be helped."
"Mizuki wait!! I'm sorry!!" They both started giggling as they started tickling the poor boy, with him clutching his stomach and covering his mouth to try and muffle the laughs knowing that resistance was futile. "M-mercy please..!! I can't breath—."
"Only if you say please!"
"But I did!!"
"Did you??" Tsukasa attempted to glare at them before doubling forward with laughter.
"M'sorry. P-please stop tickling me!"
"What was that??" There was that smug look that was no different to Rui's.
"I said please stop!!"
"Well you could've said so. Was that so hard??"
Tsukasa distanced himself before speaking, "You have to make it up to me. That was mean.."
"I didn't mean it.. ehe." They blinked a few times, feigning innocence and holding their hands together in a pleading position.
Tsukasa gave a small conflicted glance before turning away huffing childishly. "Apologize."
With no hesitation, "I'm sorry my knight and shining armor, my prince, my beloved star~.", They winked before continuing, "My birds to my bees, my blueberry to my muffi—!!"
"Ok ok ok—!!", he frantically shook his hands in front of himself in a stop position, "I— get the idea.." He turned away blushing, putting a hand over his mouth in attempt to hide it. "As much as this is doing to my ego, I forgive you! However, you have to make me lunch."
"Lunch??" They deadpanned.
"Yes!!"
"Oh ok I'm good at that." They turned and headed to the kitchen.
"Ah— wait for me!!" He quickly got up from his spot on the couch in the living room and made his way to follow Mizuki. "So.. what are you gonna make??"
"Penut butter and jelly sandwich made with toast!! I'm very lazy!! You better not be allergic to anything I'm giving you. I was only half joking about the murder." They paused. "Speaking of murder, where's the rest of your family??"
Taken aback, he yelled, "What do you mean 'speaking of murder'!!??"
"I'm just teasing."
"I don't find it funny. However, Touya's at the arcade with the rest of his group!! Oh!! Saki's at a café with her girlfriends. She said she wants to go shopping with them after and have a sleepover at Ichika's."
"And your parents??"
"Ah. Yes.", he shifted uncomfortably, "There on their anniversary. They most likely won't be home until tomorrow at noon as they normally go to a hotel for a night. You know how parents get exhausted after having to pay attention to more than one kid for a long time haha." A silence fell over them. "Why??"
"That means we have the house to ourselves??"
"Uhh yeah? It's normally empty anyway!!"
"Great. I'm going to ask if I can stay over!"
"Shoot your shot!!" Tsukasa cheered them on loudly as Mizuki sent a text to their parents asking if they can have a sleepover. "For now.. cough it up."
"Cough wha— ohhh, right. I burnt the bread by the way."
"That's— fine. It shouldn't be that ba—!!" The food silenced him,, tears pricked his eyes as he bit in, the crunch echoing through the big house. "There's a— there's a lot of penut butter. Wow."
"I thought it would outweigh the bitter of the bread."
"It's— so nice." He had to force himself to take another bite. "So great—.."
"Ah— Tsukasa!! You don't have to eat it!!"
"No no— it's fine. Maybe some milk might help.."
"Coming right up!!" Mizuki quickly opened the fridge and poured him a glass. "I hope this suffices my superstar~"
"Flattery won't work on me!!" It always works, obvious by the red tinting the top of his ears. "However, thank you for the effort— no matter how.. disturbing it was..!!"
"Always my love."
"Kyaaa stop it." He buried his head in his arms, slouching on the table. "How about we do something you're actually good at. Like.. uhh.." He trailed off, not wanting to do the likely solution.
Mizuki cut in for him, "How about I dress you up!!"
"Oh god no."
"But I'm good at it—."
"No way, I don't want to become a test subject to another person!!"
"Don't worry— you're fine!! I'm worse than Rui~!"
"How is that supposed to make me feel better?!"
"Because it was from me?? No??" They awaited a response to which they only received a blank stare. "Aw come on, it won't be that bad.. please..??"
"For goodness sake.. fine.. I'm gonna regret this aren't I..—?"
Before he could finish speaking, he was dragged away to his room.
"Now, it's a good thing I planned ahead!!"
"What?!"
"Ah— Calm down.. you also said that a star looks good in everything!"
"I did say that, didn't I.."
"So it must be true! I want you to try this blouse on!" They held up a ornate black blouse with flowers embroidered. "Me and Enanan worked on this together."
"Ah Ena! Please send my hellos to her and her girlfriend!!"
"Don't try and change the subject. You can't escape this. However, I will."
"Aha.. yeah."
"Well then," Tsukasa was pushed out of his room, blouse shoved against his chest, "Come back soon! I want to take pictures."
"Ah— wait." However, Mizuki already covered their ears and turned away, as if to symbolizing they closed the door, even though he doesn't own one. Future stars make due though!!
He sighed and went down the stairs, heading to the bathroom. Looking at himself through the medicine cabinet, he opened it as to not see himself undress. Changing his uniform for the blouse, he was starting to regret wearing such baggy pants as he looks down at himself. Before leaving, he made sure to close the mirror before heading back.
Upon hearing footsteps, Mizuki called out, "Are you wearing it?" They tried not to let excitement seep from their voice.
"Uh yeah. He peered from outside the door. "However, I don't think these pants really match.. and it's kind of embarrassing.."
"Awh, don't say that! I have just the plan." They rummaged through their bag in hopes of finding something. "There it is! Don't worry, I won't look.."
He grabbed the clothes hesitantly and paused. "Mizuki.. this is a skirt and knee long socks."
"Trust me! You'll like it."
Will I?? He finds himself thinking before brushing the thought quickly off because of course Mizuki knows best.
——————————
Ok, he'll admit.. it does feel nice. "I like this.." He blurted aloud, burying his hands in his face. "Oh no.. I can't like this.." He closed the cabinet and saw his face was tinted pink in embarrassment. He didn't dare look down at the rest of his body as to not come to reality of the situation.
Quickly making his way to his room again, he knocked on his wall to get Mizuki's attention. "I'm back.."
"Ah— hello! So how is it?"
Embarrassed at himself, he didn't respond.
"Mizuki.."
"Yes? Are you okay out there??" Tsukasa's quiet tone worried them.
"I'm fine.. it's just..", he paused, "I think I like this skirt too much."
"Oh." They paused. "Ohh. I see."
"What?!" He was frantic to know what realization Mizuki just had.
"Tsukasa.. there's nothing wrong with that." They shook their head and leaned against the wall to the other side of him, sitting down.
"But.. I shouldn—"
"And that's where I'll stop you."
"Huh?"
"I used to think like that too."
Tsukasa stopped speaking and crouched against the wall, as if implying he's listening.
"When I was in middle school.. my peers didn't really.. like who I was. And if they didn't, why should i??" They turned to face the wall, putting their hand to it. "Tsukasa, I need you to know that what you're feeling is valid and ok. Even if it feels wrong, know that it isn't. Do you believe me??"
"I don't know..", he put his hand to the wall as well, "I don't know yet.."
"And that's ok. Just know that I'll always be there for you, even when you doubt yourself. Ok?"
He took a deep breath. "Ok."
"Mkay. Now let me see you!" They froze, "That is if you're comfortable. I don't wanna push your boundaries."
"I'm ok, just.. give me a moment." Standing up, he readied himself. Telling himself that it's ok. He made his way in, standing awkwardly at the door frame before Mizuki jumped up from their spot and gave him a hug.
"You look beautiful."
"Really..?"
"Really. I want you to see yourself. Is that ok?"
He nodded in confrontation and made his way to his long mirror. Standing behind, Mizuki looked proudly at Tsukasa, filling him with non-fleeting joy. As he stared at himself, he noticed how much he likes his outfit and also realizing how much he dislikes looking at himself. His hair was getting a bit longer and he planning on cutting it off, but looking at it now, he wants to keep it long.
"Do you think my parents would mind if I grew out my hair?"
"I wouldn't know, but you'll look super cute with long hair! I bet my left pinky toe."
"I don't want your left pinky toe!! That's gross." He stuck his tongue out.
"Then you better look cute!"
I can't just be cute."
"Yes you can! Like right now. Aren't you just adorable?"
"That's no way to talk to your senior..!"
"Hehe.." They grab him from behind and burrows their chin in his neck. "Are you ok with using he/him still?"
"Huh? I'm confused.."
"Sorry sorry.. I mean, are you ok with being referred to with masculine pronouns still? Or would you prefer more feminine ones? Neither? Something else??"
"Uhh— um I guess feminine??"
"Of course my lady~!"
"Ahh, you're so cringe.."
"You're still blushing.." They looked at her teasingly.
"Stop stop.." Tsukasa quickly maneuvers to his bead to mush a pillow to her face. "You probably got your pick up lines from Rui.."
"I did! How'd you know!"
"Instinct." She turned her head to face Mizuki with a glare, who took it as an invitation.
"Oh, you're inviting me to your basically bear bed? Well, it's a good thing I packed a extra blanket!"
"How'd you even fit all your stuff in that one bag??!!"
"Organization skills." They replied seriously.
"I think magic. You're a witch and must be burned."
"But my family.."
"Unimportant. Your while bloodline will burn. Starting with you."
"How cruel.. I'd invite you to look in my bag but I'm afraid you'll see it as an excuse." They layed on the bed upon Tsukasa's implications.
"Of course..!" He yawned. "Is this another one of your very
witchcraft-y tricks??"
They yawned in response as well. "I'd never.."
They wrapped their arms around each other, cuddling underneath their blankets. (Mizuki pretends to not hear the snoring.)
They were happy.
——————————
As Rui attempted to clean up an area suitable for Nene to walk through, he was met with a sneezing fit.
"Ah— Rui!"
"I'm quite alright Nene.. it must be", another sneeze, "the dust."
"Right.. dust."
"Maybe someone's talking about me—!"
Nene deadpanned. "Well ask them to stop."