Chapter Text
[☆]
Tsukasa was a lonely child.
The secluded rooms of his house could confirm this, for they were the only ones present in the early stages of the boy's life.
But the little Tsukasa Tenma for one wasn't a sad kid at all.
There were times when the boy's giggly laughter echoed through the corridors, and sunlight illuminated every surface of the house. He ran with his short legs everywhere, and was always heard squealing with joy, beaming such smiles capable of lightning up any room.
He was a happy boy, but somehow his heart felt that something was missing.
His little heart squeezed at the sight of his classmates playing with their siblings, and every night he would not go to sleep without wishing to the stars he had someone to share all his days with.
He was a happy little boy, and he didn't want to keep all that happiness just to himself.
So when Saki Tenma came into the world, Tsukasa cried.
He felt like the luckiest child on earth. His parents were the best, he lived comfortably, and on top of that, he had just had a baby sister.
As soon as he saw her, he knew that he was devoting his whole life, body and soul, to making her happy, for she had completed his life; filling his heart with pure love.
And after Saki came Toya, whom Tsukasa considered a brother even though they shared no kinship.
But this happiness did not last long.
Saki's illness was a stone in the road that the Tenma's failed to prevent, and had such a devastating effect on them that everything changed.
Tsuaksa witnessed how, little by little, Saki spent more and more time in hospital, and, therefore, how his parents left him alone for several days at a time.
At first, it began with just a few hours, but then it became days, and in the end, weeks.
There were months when he spent more time with his classmates than with his family, and that was a hard blow for the little boy.
He, who had been able to live so peacefully and happily, surrounded by everyone he loved, suddenly found himself alone.
He was no longer smiling as before, for his house, once full of light and laughter, became dull; full of darkness and silence.
The shadows became his best friends, yet he was only five years old.
At times, they frightened him sleepless at night, but little by little he got to know them, and it was thanks to them that the boy did not feel so lonely.
In any case, he longed for his family, and not a night went by that he didn't go to sleep without wishing the stars with tears in his eyes for Saki's return.
But the stars seemed to ignore him, as Saki got worse.
The days grew longer and longer, and the boy began to grow up. The melodies played on the old piano in his house managed to distract him from time to time, but as time went by he learned to hate the instrument.
The walls of that house witnessed how the boy lost the sparkle in his eyes, but also when he began to regain it.
It was initially Saki's recovery, but as time went on, Wonderlands x Showtime grew to be so important to the now young teenager that he was able to regain his trademark sparkle.
Or so it seemed.
Because Tsukasa Tenma was five years old when he was forced to become a useful child and prayed to the stars every night for a better future. But he never changed, because he's twenty now, and still hoping for the same thing fifteen years later.
The isolation and fright whom he grew up made him unable to become a normal person, and he was just too fucked up to become something worthy.
Or that’s what he said.
[☆]
“So, here are some ideas that I have for our next show,” Tsukasa began speaking to the troupe with excitement and a sense of determination. “Firstly, I think it’ll be super fun if we explore deeper themes in our story this time. I want to tackle complex issues in a compelling way, and create a show that truly resonates with the audience.” He shifted from one side of the room to the other in excitement as his friends watched him sitting there, expressionless. “I also want us to challenge ourselves with difficult and exciting choreographies.” He stopped walking with a jerk, to point at Emu and speak loudly. “So let's create a show that is fast-paced and eye-catching, filled with drama and energy.” He formed a fist with one of his hands and then struck a flamboyant pose. “And finally, but not least important, I think we sh-”
He was about to finish speaking, but his discourse was interrupted by the sound of an alarm.
“Oh, sorry.” Rui's voice was the first to be heard since the meeting began. “It's time for me to go, we have a rehearsal with the company this week, and I've been asked to check the materials.” It didn't sound like an apology, but more like a farewell, for as he spoke he ran off to collect his things. “We don't have much time,” As he finished picking up his jacket, he turned to look at Nene. “Shall we go?”
Nene nodded, and Emu, seeing this, began to pick up her backpack from the floor.
Tsukasa, meanwhile, simply watched his friends' actions carefully, not believing what he was seeing.
'We haven't seen each other for two weeks, and we've only been talking for half an hour'.
He didn't understand what was going on, and confused, he tried to stop his friends before leaving without saying goodbye.
“Rui, wait-” He managed to grab one of his sleeves, and sensing that, Rui turned around. “You're leaving already?” The question was obvious, but Tsukasa was still confused.
“Yes, Tsukasa-kun, they are waiting for me at work.” Rui's apologetic smile only made Tsukasa feel gloomy, who, understanding the situation, let them go.
“Oh, don't worry, Rui, I understand.” He tried to smile, but it was clear from the grimace how awful it had made him feel.
But Nene and Rui didn't take long to leave after that, leaving only Emu with him.
“Sorry Tsukasa, my brothers were going to explain to me the workings of the administration this afternoon…” Emu sounded genuinely saddened as she explained herself, with her things already packed up. “I should probably get going too.” The last was said in a whisper, in fear of making her friend feel worse.
But Tsukasa noticed the tone in his friend's voice, and faking another smile, nodded.
“Don't worry, Emu, in order to get to be a good boss you have to learn.” He struck an exaggerated pose to distract her from the tears in his own eyes, and with one arm he pointed to the door. “Go and learn, little future boss.”
Emu just watched him, but noticing the hour, she simply let it pass; leaving Tsukasa alone at the backstage of the small stage they had shared for so many years.
A few minutes passed, and Tsukasa, who stood staring blankly at a fixed point, decided it was time to leave.
Things were much different since their graduation.
Wonderlands x Showtime gained some fame thanks to everyone's hard work, and that was reflected by the end of high school. Many people were interested in the members of the troupe, and among them, the most sought after was Rui.
Not surprisingly, he was recruited into a famous theatre company. His skills as a director were excellent, and the quality of his inventions brought incredible results to the shows.
Next was Nene, who thanks to her singing skills was able to work on some important projects even though she was a senior student.
And then Emu, who, seeing the success of the park, wanted to learn how to be part of the family business.
Everyone was busy.
Except Tsukasa.
No one approached him, and even on his own, he was unable to get into castings.
He felt useless, and as the registration date for college approached, he didn't think much of it and followed his mother's words.
'You should apply to the music conservatory of the city,' she said.
And so he did.
He was doing well, but the frustration and sadness he felt at seeing his friends drift away from him for reasons he couldn't even control was tearing him up inside.
Between memories and thoughts, Tsukasa failed to notice when he came to a stop in front of the door of his house.
'Oh'
From outside, it was obvious that the lights were completely off, and Tsukasa's shoulders slumped at the thought of being alone another night.
When he opened the door, however, he knew it was going to be like that.
Nothing could be heard, and if that wasn't proof enough, Saki's note on top of the piano confirmed his suspicions.
'Dad and mum are on a trip, and
I'm going to Ichika's place this weekend!
Don't worry, and take care <3.’
And at seeing the note, Tsukasa did nothing.
Nothing else than sit at the piano, his fingers drifting over the keys, playing a haunting melody.
As notes tumbled out, so did his tears.
He could bear no more of the loneliness that surrounded him, and the piano was his only comfort. Its music gave him solace and peace, and he found a refuge in the dark notes of his heart.
“There’s a hole in my heart,
nothing can fill it up.”
Author note!
Hi (～o￣3￣)～
here it is the second part of the series (well, there's no order to read this tbh (•ˋ _ ˊ•) ).
I'm very happy to start this new ff AND IM SUPER EXCITED JAFBJEF W (Sorry tsukasa, but i'll be good, and you're not going to suffer as much as Akito (づ￣ 3￣)づ)
Hope you liked this first chapter! And get ready for some emotional angst (* ￣3)(ε￣ *).
Love u, and comments and kudos are appreaciated ♡