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A warm, sunny day…well befitting a star like myself!
A smile plastered on his face, Tsukasa walked into Phoenix Wonderland, eyes set on the Wonder Stage ahead. Although their next show wasn’t until a week, he and the rest of Wonderlands x Showtime were anxious to get everything up and running.
Well, Rui is definitely anxious to find a new way to endanger my life, I bet… he was suddenly glad Nene was with him: she’d find a way to dampen his enthusiasm , for lack of a better term.
As Tsukasa mused, the childhood friend duo came into view. Yet the two weren’t engaged in conversation: rather, they were staring upwards, into the clear, azure sky. Huh? Quickening his pace into a run, Tsukasa followed their line of sight as he jogged towards them.
“Hey! You two! What are you staring ATTTTTTTTTTT-” his voice raised into a scream, as he gazed up in terror at the- the thing sprouting from the Wonder Stage.
It resembled a bean stalk, just like the one in that children’s story. It had a shocking amount of detail, and spanned a somewhat terrifying height. Toya would NOT be happy to see this…
Snapping his gaze away from the green monstrosity, Tsukasa turned back to his friends. “Why is there a beanstalk on the stage-?” His question was directed to Rui, who's expression was devious, per usual.
Instead of the purple ne'er-do-well, Nene answered, exasperation in her voice. “Shocking, right? This crazy guy,” she jabbed a finger in Rui’s direction “says our next show should be based on Jack and the Beanstalk.” Her soft smile was a stark contrast to her blunt words: the two must have conspired together to form the idea, Tsukasa realized with a jolt.
“Heheheheh, and it’s not quite accurate if we don’t include the titular beanstalk, now wouldn’t it?” Rui chimed in, evidently proud of his work. Per usual, his eyes sparkled with mischief, and his mouth was upturned in a catlike smirk. “It’s not entirely to scale, but it’s high enough to impress our viewers.”
Just like Rui to find reasoning for his otherwise dangerous and borderline illegal schemes. Yet his words, as much as Tsukasa hated to admit it, held true: the detail on the leaves, the texture on the stalk itself, and above all else, its height certainly astounded Tsukasa. The viewers will be even more impressed!
His fear receding, Tsukasa guffawed. “This might be the first time I’m actually on board with one of your inane ideas, Rui!” Instantly, he began to imagine the show. Him, as Jack, climbing the beanstalk to recover the gold for his impoverished family. Rui, the menacing giant, and Nene, the well-mannered wife. And Emu-
Wait.
“Where is Emu?” It hadn’t crossed his mind until that moment, but now that he reflected, it felt empty in the theme land. He half expected her to rear up and slam into him at any moment.
“Oh, she’s busy at school today. Something about helping the teachers.” Nene answered, her lavender gaze fixed on what seemed to be a script for the play. “She’ll be here later.”
Ah.
A tinge of disappointment rang through Tsukasa. No matter! She was doing her best, and he would too. Moving away from the stalk, he swept his gaze around the park, looking for something to do. “Is there anything that needs my help?” Nervous energy pulsed through him.
As if waiting for the suggestion, Rui’s cat-like eyes lit up. “Oh ho ho ho…” The playfulness in his tone sent a shiver through Tsukasa. “Since you’re offering, we could use someone to fulfill the role of Jack.” As he spoke, he walked across the stage, over to where a heap of supplies was kept.
“HA! A perfect role for myself, I must say.” Being the main character was what he was made for! “So! Where’s my costume?”
“Not quite finished yet- Mizuki is a capable yet slow worker, I’m afraid.” Rui rummaged through a box of what seemed to be trash. His head emerged from the rubble, his hands carrying what seemed to be a hat. “So for now, you can wear this beautiful piece.” Without waiting for any argument, Rui tossed it into Tsukasa’s hands.
A laugh bubbled into the air. “What the heck?” Nene chuckled as Tsukasa worked the hat onto his head. “That’s hideous…”
To put it plainly, it was ugly. The colour was sickly green, akin to the beanstalk itself, and the design did not pass the fashion check… BUT IT’S FOR THE SHOW! “A real star makes sacrifices!” Tsukasa exclaimed, ignoring the prickle of self-consciousness that sparked in him as he worked it over his scalp.
Shortly after, the three got into the flow of things: Nene and Rui busied themselves with the script, occasionally asking Tsukasa to give input (of which was often ignored), and Tsukasa himself practiced his lines, doing his best to ignore the ridiculous hat on his head.
Between these moments did he message Saki, of whom was set to perform alongside Leo/need that day.
Message Log:
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SIS: we just got to the venue!! i’m kinda nervous now 😟
Me: YOU! GOT! THIS! SAKI!!!
SIS: YOU’RE TOO LOUD! and we aren’t starting for a few hours yet~
SIS: but watching is fun enough already! we’ve got snacks too ✨
Me: Careful! Make sure you don’t ruin your appetite!
SIS: I won’ttttttt
SIS: ok, I’m muting my phone now~ 👋
Me: HAVE FUN!!!
Me: Oh, sorry
Me: Have fun!!!
-------------------
He turned his phone off. Saki…she’s amazing! He couldn’t fall behind her! He would excel today, and SHINE like a great star!
“Oh, Tsukasa.” Nene’s words broke into his internal monologue: she strolled towards him, the wind buffeting her hair and the script in her hands. “The plan is to have you climb the beanstalk during the show. Do you think you can do that?”
“OF CO-”
He stopped himself, eyeing the beanstalk which was in view. Of course…not without breaking a bone or two… Even he might struggle with such a feat, he had to confess.
Nene seemed to sense his hesitation, her expression softening. “Look, if you can’t, you can just say so- just having it as a prop is good enough-”
“NO!” The World Future Star leapt up, fire burning in his eyes. “There’s little I can’t do! Although this does seem a bit difficult…it’s for the sake of the show!”
“I mean not really but ok you do you…” Nene didn’t really care. "Just don't do anything dangerous, ok?"
Much to Nene's sorrow, she had already been tuned out. Haphazardly, Tsukasa flung his cream cardigan onto one of the Wonder Stage’s many benches. Rolling up his sleeves, he sauntered over to the beanstalk. He sized his opponent up.
A voice called from behind him. “Hey, you don’t need to try it now! We need to set the safety mechanics up first!” It was Nene, vexation (and a hint of concern) clear in her voice.
“IT’LL BE SAFE!” Tsukasa hollered back, and proceeded to continue on his very unsafe decision: he grabbed one of the beanstalk’s many arms, one leg firmly placed on the base. With some effort, he propelled himself higher, and he repeated the process with considerable speed.
It would later be reported by Nene that “he looked like some sorta mutant monkey…”
“Tsukasa? I think that’s dangerous.” The statement ironically came from Rui, who was now far below, a mere purple speck on the horizon.
“IT’S FINE! I’M FINE!-” Huffing with fatigue, Tsukasa turned his head towards the two, who now looked like tiny ants on the ground.
And that was his biggest mistake.
Oh. OH. This IS high up-
His grip faltered, and he knew he had lost his nerve. His hand flailed. Scrambled to find purchase. Didn’t. The wind rushed around him as his body plummeted below.
—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“You’re LUCKY, you know that?”
Nene’s eyes were red around the edges as she glared at the now hospitalized Tsukasa. Luckily, nothing was broken, but it was a pretty terrible fall. If not for the tarp Rui had placed around the stalk beforehand, he wouldn’t have been as lucky.
Regardless, the shock had been terrible, to say the least, but within a day or so, he’d be back to gleaming like the star he was.
Or at least, that’s what Tsukasa hoped…”I’m sorry…I’ll say it over and over.” He dipped his head towards the two, who had checked him into the clinic with slightly murderous expressions.
“Whatever. Just…don’t try that again until the real thing.” Was Nene’s final statement, said with a slight pout. “We’re gonna make it safer, right, Rui?”
Rui nodded, his expression calmer. “Yep, we'll start with that once we get back. But,” his eyes narrowed, and his mouth morphed into a not-quite-happy smile, “if you try that again prematurely, Tsukasa, we make no promises for your safety a second time!”
A droplet of sweat rolled down Tsukasa’s face. “Geeeeeh…I can’t argue against that-” He muttered forlornly. “Sorry again, you two…”
The two waved in acknowledgement, and perhaps forgiveness, as they headed out the way they came.
Tsukasa sat there, waving at the door for some time, until he knew they wouldn’t dart back in as a surprise, or anything.
Not like they would’ve…they’re busy!
Pulling out his phone, he scrolled to the Messages app, yet powered it off as quickly as he had opened it. He agonized as to whether he should message Saki, yet decided against it. What would he say, anyways?
Sorry Saki, I hospitalized myself by falling off a beanstalk!!!
SO NOT COOL! He leaned back into his pillow, letting his head sink into the fluffy down, cloud-like in nature. He envisioned her, smiling and snacking alongside Ichika, Shiho and Honami.
She’s having fun…and I don’t want to distract her from her performance!
His perpetual smile was melting. He shook his head violently, regretting it when it ached in response.
NO! Anyways, ‘tis but a scratch- if it was a big deal, that’s a whole other story.
‘If it was a big deal…’
He got stuck on that phrase. With nothing else to do, his mind drifted across the sea of his memories.
Saki, alone in a bed not unlike his own at the moment. She must have been staring out the window, watching the people move along with their lives, as hers stood still. Sat still. She endured it, even though she didn’t have a choice.
It hurt. Hurt to think about. Hurt to imagine. But what hurt most of all was how pitiful he felt in comparison.
Ah…
Crimson rays spilled into the room, the sun dipping below the horizon. The visage of the world blurred, his eyes wet. As he drowned in the ocean of his past, a thought glowed in his brain.
Emu…doesn’t like the sunset, does she?
Suddenly, much like a flash of lightning in the night, the door slammed open.
“TSUKASAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!”
Instinctively, his arms shielded his face. Yet even without seeing well, he recognized that cutesy, high-pitched voice.
“Emu?-” the voice that came out of his mouth was DEFINITELY not his, it was far too shaky- “I- thought you were busy…”
“Nene said you got hurt!”
Within seconds, she had bolted from the door to his side. “Is it bad? Does it hurt?” The flow of questions was nonstop, until her voice finally fell to a murmur.
“Tsukasa…” there was a pause, as she shuffled around to peer into his face. “Are you crying?”
“AH-”
He rubbed at his eyes with his forearm. “Not really…” he conjured up a fairly passable laugh. “What’s there to be sad about?”
Ugh…so lame...So-
A sharp tug jerked his arm away from his eyes, breaking him away from his thoughts. Emu held his hands in her surprisingly strong grip, her candy-coloured eyes glistening.
All the right words to say were dry on Tsukasa’s tongue. “Um-”
“Tsukasa…you and the others told me it was ok to not smile when I didn’t feel like it.” Her voice hardly conveyed the fury on her face. “So why are you?!”
Oh.
Amidst the embarrassment, appreciation, and awkwardness he felt, Tsukasa’s brain could only register the warmth radiating from Emu’s grip for a moment. Then, he forced himself to articulate.
“I…” The syllable slipped out, and, as if unclogging a drain, more poured out with it. “I’m sorry. I got myself into a stupid mess for a stupid reason, made people worry, and then had the audacity to well, feel lonely...”
He gripped the blankets which were layered over him. “Or at least- I was thinking it was audacious.”
Silence followed, which made his skin prickle. Emu showed no resistance when he peeled his gaze away, and onto the ceiling. “SO YEAH! I FEEL DUMB!” He shouted, punctuating his explanation.
Emu said nothing, yet didn’t let go either. “I see…” Was all she said, and there was a hint of relief to her voice. She giggled a little, and cleared her throat.
“Tsukasa.”
Something about the way she uttered his name made his stomach do a backflip. Gradually, he eased his eyes away from the ceiling fan, and back to her.
“It's normal to feel lonely!” Her words were almost as warm as her hands. “Why beat yourself up over something normal?”
"Well, because I mean-"
"NO BUTS!" The words slammed into him. "Relax!!! Sometimes all we need is rest."
It was a simple argument. Yet perhaps that’s exactly what Tsukasa needed - he sat there silently, not bothering to wipe the tears that rolled out of his eyes.
A minute passed until he felt soothed. Almost as though she sensed it, she spoke.
“Feeling better?” Emu loosened her grip slowly, yet stopped when Tsukasa held on tighter. The action made a tint of pink colour her cheeks.
A peculiar warmth was spreading to his face. He let go. “Yeah.” The tears had vanished, and so had the need to cry, replaced instead by a fluttering in his stomach. “Thanks, Emu…GAHHHHHHHHHHH!”
“Huh? What? WHAT?” She yelled. Her hands now free, she had procured an apple and a knife from a pink cloth bag. The downside to having your face covered in shame is that you can’t tell if visitors are bringing you snacks or not.
“No…nothing. JUST FORGET THIS CONVERSATION EVER OCCURED!!!” He screamed, already willing his memory to do away with this moment.
“NO CAN DO!” Laughing cheerfully, she began to shave the apple off its skin. “Because this is a different Tsukasa from usual! I can’t just forget him.”
“HMPH! Well, it isn’t every day you get to see such an elusive side of me, I suppose…” He muttered sheepishly.
She was a shockingly adept apple-peeler: the spiral of peel was almost hypnotizing to watch, to the point where Tsukasa was dazed when Emu presented him with the cut apple.
He hadn’t realized how hungry he was. “Your apple peeling talent is shocking to see…” he remarked after gulping down a slice.
“Hehe, you think? A girl in my school is even better! She taught me how to do it!” Emu boasted, a smug smile on her face.
“Oh? Do tell!”
The two chatted, sometimes yelling, other times laughing. By the time night had fallen, the glimmer of sadness within Tsukasa had faded. Although, it did flare up when Emu announced her departure, just as the moon began to rise.
She paused at the doorway, staring back at him. “Are you sure you’ll be ok..?”
“Mhm!” It was no lie- at least, not a full one. “I already messaged my parents. They panicked, as expected, but they know it’s not serious. I’ll be back tomorrow.” Despite his desire for her to stay, he waved her off enthusiastically. “Go forth!! A star just needs rest before it can truly shine!”
It must have worked, as Emu’s grin re-emerged. “Ok then!” She rushed out, turning into a blur of pink.
Seconds later, she dashed back. “But PROMISE to call me if you don’t feel very wonderhoi, ok?? I’ll come rushing back!”
“I promise wholeheartedly!!”
She disappeared then, a shining smile on her face.
The door shut, yet the sunshine she brought in seemed to remain, even during the night Tsukasa spent alone.
Well, not really alone.
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Next Day:
“Tsukasa. The beanstalk is off limits. Ok. Don’t you even THINK of touching it.”
“Ok, Ms. Kusanagi…”
“Oh, Tsukasa? Perfect timing! You have 10 pages of script to look over!”
“Geh-”
Then came the thunder. It slammed into Tsukasa, setting him off balance. He craned his neck, watching the gremlin who had latched onto him.
“EMU- are you trying to make my injuries flare up?!!-”
A peal of laughter was his answer. She leapt away, her characteristic smile greeting him.
Sighing, Tsukasa overlooked his friends with appreciation…before heading to the mountain of work which awaited.
- End