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“You don’t have what it takes to become a star.” Rui spat out harshly at the blonde boy who stood there in shock. Although the words he let out were rather cruel, Rui couldn’t take it anymore.
He scoffed at Tsukasa before he left him and Emu, abandoning the Wonder Stage, thinking to himself how he even got into this situation in the first place. And God, poor Nene… It was his idea to bring her into this. He knew what she had been through, on that faithful day she had forgotten her lines… even though that was so long ago already, Rui still knew how Nene still remembers that day as clear as day.
It was his fault. Nene had to go through all of that all over again. And for what?
He knew that Nene was probably already blaming herself for everything. Telling herself it was all her fault that she forgot to charge Nene-Robo and that she was too shy to perform on stage, so she had to hide behind some pieces of bolts and metal. But, no. It was Rui’s fault.
He was the sole person to blame.
He never should have asked her to join.
He should’ve checked the battery. He should’ve helped Nene overcome her fear of acting on stage.
As he left Phoenix Wonderland, leaving behind Tsukasa, Emu, and the entirety of Wonderlands x Showtime, Rui made a promise to both himself and Nene.
He was never going to allow her to get hurt ever again.
He finally caught up to Nene, somehow, intercepting her at Kamiyama Street. Rui called out to her and she stopped in her tracks, the sun beginning to set, an orange glow illuminating the pastel-green girl.
“Rui?” She looked at the purple boy questioningly. Her cheeks were still a little wet with her tears, still sniffling a little, the sight breaking Rui’s heart a little more.
“Are you going home now?” He asked her, standing right in front of her.
“Yeah… I just… I just want to sleep already…”
“Mind if I walk you home?” He gave her a smile, making her blush a little.
Nene nodded and took his hand in hers.
This… This was normal, right? They used to do this all the time when they were younger! It shouldn’t be any different from now…
But… it very much felt different. From what was such an innocent act before, something that felt normal to do, now felt… right. As if their hands were always meant to be connected like this.
Rui’s heart fluttered a tiny bit as he walked with Nene down Kamiyama Street, none of them looking at each other as they kept walking forwards, their fingers interlocked, the sun shining upon the two.
Wanting to break the silence between them, Nene spoke up. “…I’m sorry. For ruining the show…”
He squeezed her hand in reply. “Nene…” He sighed, looking down at the shorter girl. “It’s my fault… for making you join that troupe in the first place. I should’ve known… I just wanted you to get over your fear… and here I am making you relive it all over again… I’m terrible.”
Suddenly, Nene stopped walking, causing Rui to stop as well. Nene looked up at Rui, now taking his other hand with hers. Rui felt his heart begin to race, a blush quickly developing on his face as he looked back at Nene.
“I know… I know you’re just trying to help… But…” Nene paused and looked away, only realizing how close they were. “…If only I was stronger… Hiding behind a robot… Forgetting to charge it…”
“Stop.” Rui released his hand from hers and put his thumb on her cheek, wiping away the tears that were starting to flow yet again. “None of it was your fault. I should’ve checked the battery… It was my creation after all… And… I shouldn’t have made it in the first place. But, we won’t be needing it anymore. We’re never going back there nor will I force you to perform ever again, okay? I’m here with you… all the way.”
She choked in a sob and looked back up at Rui. “Promise…?”
“Promise.” He brought the girl closer to him, hugging her gently.
Nene buried her face in his chest, finding comfort in him.
He promised her. He was never going to let her get hurt ever again. Nothing else was important anymore, not Robo-Nene, Tsukasa, Emu, nor saving the Wonder Stage.
He felt like a monster having made Nene perform a show again. All he wanted was the best for her, he wanted her to overcome what happened, to become the talented actress he knew she was. But all he did was make it worse yet again.
Never was he going to make her do something out of her comfort zone. He was going to protect her from people like Tsukasa. There were more theatre troupes out there, right? There were a million more chances for both him and her.
He knew her talent and potential, if people knew of her ability, troupes from all over the place would be begging her to join. He understood her, ever since they were children. She was strong. He wanted only the best for her. And he was going to be with her, every single step until she would see just how amazing she was. He wanted to see her on a stage, hundreds watching her in awe. He wanted everyone else to see how amazing he knew she could be.
“C’mon, let’s go home.” He ends the hug with Nene and extended his hand toward her.
She takes his hand yet again, smiling at him. He smiles back at her and the two continue their walk.
The orange glow of the setting sun shined upon them as they walked, their hands connected. As much as the heat bothered them, they were too focused on each other.
Rui made a promise that day, to both himself and Nene.
Never again was he going to let her hurt.
He was going to make sure she would shine, like the star he knew she could be.