Archive of Our Own

Ruby poured a bag of chips into a bowl. After yet another long day of filming, her stomach constantly nagged her, grumbling its demands from set and through the entire ride home. The troublesome little pouch costed them valuable time after interrupting the movie so often. Unfortunately, her previous snack — a chocolate bar — wasn't quite fulfilling enough.

She did a little twirl, grabbed the full bowl, and walked into the living room, popping a chip into her mouth. Sweet with a hint of salt. One of her favourites.

Sensei sat on the couch with his legs crossed, reading intensively into the movie script gripped tightly in the palm of his hands. He wore light blue and white striped pyjamas, its matching fuzzy hat laid forgotten next to him and his matching slippers hanging loosely from his feet, his face scrunched cutely.

Ruby adorned a pair of the same pyjamas, only hers were a sweet piggy pink. She skipped to the couch and set the snack bowl on the cushion beside him, leaning forward to wrap her arms loosely around his neck, pressing her cheek into his.

"Brushing up on your lines?" she asked. She raised a chip toward his mouth.

Sensei accepted it, chewing before humming in acknowledgement. "I want to make sure I play this part right."

"Don't sweat it, Sensei, your acting is great! This movie will be bigger than the Titanic itself."

"I wouldn't reach that high..."

"You're just not thinking big enough. I think you need a little motivation." She grinned. "Maybe we should rehearse again?"

Ruby leaned in — Sensei's hand stopped her lips.

The girl moved back to pout and stomp her feet. In a flash, a smile found her face once again, and she leaned toward his other cheek. He stopped her a second time.

"Sensei's being shy again," she cooed. "You can toy with a maiden's heart, but you can hardly handle a kiss. What a strange old man."

"I'm not that old..."

"If you say so." Her heart full, she wrapped her arms around him once more, resting the side of her head against his and shutting her eyes to bask in the newfound silence filled only by rain hitting the windowpanes. After the film wrapped up, she vowed to continue her idol activities and ensure her Sensei only paid attention to her, like the sun in the dead of night. Everyone knew how much of a player he was, so she had to keep on her toes if she wanted to keep up.

Hah! Let's face it, she thought, nobody on Earth can compare to me.

"Sarina..." Sensei uttered, his voice solemn. He shut the script and stared at the coffee table. "You know we can't keep doing this."

"Mhm?" She opened an eye. "Doing what? Is this about the movie?"

"No, no, this." He gently grabbed her arm.

Both of Ruby's eyes fluttered open and she pulled away, playing with the cuff of her sleeve. "What do you mean?"

"Other people already give us strange looks. If this goes on, it'll be the death of both our social lives."

"Ah, this again? You've said that a million times already! You know I don't mind," she said. "I think that—"

"No." Sensei set the script on the table and looked her dead in the eye, his expression pinched. A horribly tense breath of silence passed between them. "Sarina... No, Ruby... I won't let that happen to either of us."

Ruby quieted. "Hm? But don't you love me?"

"...You already know the answer to that."

"Say it!" She grabbed his shoulders playfully and flashed a smile. "Say that you love me! I want to hear it."

"Sa — Ruby..." He grabbed her hand, slipping it off his shoulder and onto the back of the couch, standing, but facing away from her. "I do love you, but... But not in that way."

"What?"

"Besides," he quickly added. "We're siblings — twins — that sort of thing just wouldn't work out. I thought you knew that."

The world stopped, if only for a moment. Her chest barked a laugh. She leaned onto the couch, gripping the cotton stuffed furniture with the brute of her fingers. "What're you trying to say? I thought... I thought you said—"

"I'm sure you've figured it out by now, right? You're the smartest girl I know." Sensei faced her now, staring at the bowl of chips. "You knew this would never work out. Not in that life, or this one."

Her eyes were warmer than they typically were. She brushed a finger past them, clearing the blurry mess from her eyes to properly take in his expression. Sensei refused to make eye contact with her, as if he were ashamed to look her in the eye — embarrassed to be in her very presence, even after everything they went through together, then and now.

Ruby clenched her fist and fought through a thickness in her throat, her legs breaking their freeze-spell to tremble. "W-What kind of joke is this? This isn't funny!"

"Please, don't be this way," he said.

"Since when have you ever really cared about how others feel, huh? What that script? This entire movie?" She raised her voice. "And now, you won't even look me in the eye?!"

"That's not the same!"

"Some stupid revenge is more important than me, then?" she hissed. "Isn't true love the only thing that matters?"

"You know it's not like that!"

"Then what is it?"

"I'm sorry, but—"

"No," Ruby whimpered. "Don't you dare finish that sentence!"

Sensei winced. "...It's better this way."

Like a dam, she burst into tears, her face red hot and her nails digging painfully into her palms. She fought the urge to shake him senseless and her knees nearly buckled in on themselves, her whole body desperate to collapse on the floor. She shook her head, hair flying side to side. "Sensei, I... I hate you!"

Ruby ran for the nearest exit.

"Wait!"

She threw the door open and ran out into the street, his pleas falling on deaf ears. Rain poured onto her head in buckets and knocked off her sleeping cap, rainwater covering her feet and her ankles, soaking her pyjamas with each splash. Through the blur of her tears and the thick, heavy barrage of rain, she found her way far from home, not caring which path she took, or who stopped to stare. They'd never understand even if she stopped to explain.

She stumbled and her slippers fell from her feet, soaked, the bottoms of them torn and covered in muck.

Now my pyjamas are ruined! She sobbed. The rhythmic splashing from her feet echoed down the desolate road. She'd get lost at this rate, but what's the point? She only stayed here — agreed to all of this — to gain sensei's love. In a few words, her dreams shattered like glass at her feet, and he didn't even care.

Ruby stopped at the foot of a shrine, gasping and hiccupping, fighting to breathe through her exhaustion, mental, and physical. She stumbled upstairs and collapsed by a pillar, burying her face in her hands and squeezing out a choked whine. He toyed with Akane, Kana, and now her, his so called "favourite person." Why did she ever think he'd treat her any differently from anybody else?

"Is there something wrong?"

A man showed up behind her with a black umbrella in hand, appearing like a blur in between Ruby's slew of tears. "We can share, if you'd like. I don't mind."

"Sensei?" Ruby's heart skipped, like hearing her favourite song. "Don't tell me you're trying to make up for what you said to me! I won't hear it!"

"Sensei?"

Ruby's heart sunk for the second time that afternoon. Her fingers parted and she slid her hands down her face. The man — who looked strikingly similar to Sensei — no, Aqua — wore a knitted pale green sweater and simple black pants, a black hat shielding his shaggy blond hair, long enough to touch the back of his neck, and his features gentle in an almost familiar way. His eyes were shut tight — how did he see anything?

"Who are you?"

"Nobody special." He folded the umbrella and held it like one would a cane, fixing his hat with the other hand. "That's not the rain, it is?"

Ruby jolted. She wiped her eyes, but they burned horribly at her touch.

"Would you like to talk about it?" He sat down, distant, yet still close enough to talk at normal volume. "I know I'm a stranger... But I'd hate to see you cry."

Ruby fidgeted. "You wouldn't get it."

"I can try," he said.

She swallowed. Shaking her head lightly, she got rid of the jitters crawling up her spine and sniffed to clear her stuffy nose.

"There's this guy... I thought we were soulmates. He even told me he liked me. But he changed his mind last second, and now he says he never really loved me, even though he said it himself!" Ruby gripped her pyjama clothes, shaking with rage. "But what's it matter? He's snivelling womaniser anyway! In fact, he always has been. He's even leading to other girls on as we speak! I don't know why I ever trusted him."

A laugh.

"What's so funny, old man?" Ruby glared from the corner of her eye.

The man smiled, something Sensei never did for her anymore, and yet here sat a complete stranger — someone she didn't even know the name of — smiling at her with enough light to cure an illness.

"You're very energetic, young lady." His shoulders quivered with leftover laughter. He leaned into the palm of his hand, shaggy hair bouncing, reframing his face perfectly.

Ruby's face heated up, from embarrassment or something else, she didn't know. He really did resemble him...

A chord of pain struck her chest. She leaned away and narrowed her eyes, tense.

"Hey, old man..."

"Hmm?"

"What's your name?"

No why he'd be walking around in broad daylight, right? He was supposed to be sleek and cunning. That'd be stupid.

"Ah, just call me whatever you'd like."

Ruby huffed. It couldn't be... No. Not someone like this. She wouldn't accept it.

"This sounds like a troublesome fellow. Nobody appreciates a liar." His eyes opened, just barely, revealing a dazzling pair of blue. So bright, she could see the sky in them.

Ruby forced herself to look the other way. She nodded sharply. "Exactly! Men are so selfish!"

"Is that so?"

"A-Ah, I mean—" She cleared her throat. "You're different, right? You seem nice."

His smile widened. "I dislike this guy as much as you. Nobody deserves their heart broken like that."

She managed a smile and nodded again. "Yes, yes, my thoughts exactly."

"That's certainly no attire for this sort of weather. You'll catch a cold." He gestured to her pyjamas. "Won't your family worry about you?"

Ruby's pants and shirt were soaked, clinging to her skin, her feet still bare. She watched the light grey clouds pass, the rain forming puddles around her, and wiggled her toes.

"Yeah, I guess you have a point." She squeezed water from her shirt and stood at last, clearing her throat. "Thanks. I needed that."

"You're sure you're alright?" he asked. "You can talk more, if you need it."

"You probably have better things to do."

"I wouldn't mind taking some time out of office."

"Eh? For someone you just met?"

"I'll be here tomorrow afternoon, if you're up to talk again," he said.

Ruby pursed her lips. "What's the catch?"

"No catch."

She grumbled, "You're strange..."

The man hummed.

Ruby shifted on her legs, acutely aware of the stone scratching the bottom of her feet. Running on the pavement scratched up her souls and heel, blisters starting to form. Any longer out here and walking anywhere would turn into a chore.

She glanced at the man. "I'm leaving, now."

"One moment." The man stood — at least a head taller than her — and handed her the umbrella. "Take this with you."

She accepted it with both hands. "How will you get home?"

"I'll be fine."

She blinked. Opening the umbrella, she waved goodbye and looked into the far-off distance, scaling downstairs to shuffle up the street. Where'd her slippers float off to? They were still her favourite pair, even though they were completely ruined, now. She'd have to get them fixed. Or worse, buy entirely new ones. Even though she'd saved for that new phone...

A black van slowed down a few paces away. Ruby squawked, gripping the umbrella like a sword, when the driver rolled the window down.

"Ruby! What're you doing out here? You'll freeze!"

"Miyako?" Ruby asked.

The woman gestured frantically, her hair frazzled as if she'd rushed into the car last minute. "Hurry up and get in!"

Ruby eyed the raindrops sliding along the car. She pulled open the door and closed the umbrella, settling into the backseat. Warmth from the air conditioning greeted her and Miyako tossed a pile of blankets her way, shouting about something or another, driving off from the place and toward the route she'd apparently taken.

"What one Earth happened?" Miyako asked, looking at the rearview mirror with a scowl. "Why would you run out here in the rain like that?"

She sunk into her chair and focused on the view outside. It was pointless to argue back. How would she ever explain something so complicated? For now, heading back home sounded good for her.

Even if it meant facing Sensei.

She wrapped a pair of blankets around her, gaze drifting to the steps of the shrine as they passed by.

He was... Gone?

She leaned forward in her seat. "Miyako? Did you see anyone by that shrine?"

"What? No."

Gone like the wind — like a ghost. She wasn't just talking to a ghost, was she?! Her heart pounded.

Maybe she was catching a cold after all...

"Cut!"

Ruby sighed a breath of relief and dropped the smile on her face. She wandered off the set, leaving the chorus of exhausted cheers and yawning directors for the dressing room, wasting no time to change into her normal attire.

"Where are you running off to?" Tsukuyomi spun in her chair to face her.

"Just for a walk." She grabbed her phone. "I need to clear my head."

"Be careful out there," the small girl called behind Ruby's shoulder, a grin present in her voice. "There's something dangerous lingering nearby..."

"Whatever. Don't you have homework, or something?" Ruby scoffed.

The girl growled. "Hey!"

Ignoring her usual spiel, Ruby found the exit of their filming location and stepped foot into the city streets, finding her footing quickly. She stuffed her hands in her hoodie and played with a piece of lint in her fingertips. Her arms and legs were weary, practically dragging behind the rest of her.

Acting took a toll on her wellbeing, as it did with many actors, especially considering the contents of their movie — but the atmosphere weighed heaviest of all. Her scenes with Sensei were uncomfortable to the very skin of her teeth, every line strained and hiding back another unwanted bout of tears. Everyone's concerned, piercing stares burrowing into her the entire time didn't lighten the mood, either.

This is all his fault. Puddles rippled at her feet, stray leaves floating aimlessly along their surface. He never should've said such cruel words to me. He promised...

She stopped in her tracks.

The old man, she recalled, glancing around as if he'd appear in front of her any second. It was about this time he said he'd be there, right? At the shrine. Where is that old place, anyway?

She'd encountered it by chance last time. She'd have to retrace her steps. She found a familiar street, following the flow of leftover rain, her legs taking her wherever her heart directed. Eventually, as if by fate, she met the sight of chipped stone steps, covered in moss, vines, and birds, all of them picking at bugs fresh out of the dirt after a night of stormy weather. On the top of the stairs sat the man from yesterday, just as he'd promised. He wore a long jacket, a hat, and some boots with fur on the rims, his attire all black as if attending a funeral, focused acutely on a book in hand, his face scrunched cutely.

Ruby put her hands together, the jitters returning full force. What reason did she have to be nervous?

"You came after all." He raised his head, the book partially hiding his smile.

Ruby swayed her on feet. "How do you even read with your eyes closed?"

Slowly, she trotted upstairs to sit beside him and glanced at the open page of his book. He glanced at her — she looked away, watching the small leaves move in the wind.

"No need to be nervous," he said.

"Why wouldn't I be? I don't know you."

"If that were true, you never would've sat back down here."

"Y-Yeah, well... You might change your mind and kidnap me, or something."

"If I wanted to do that, wouldn't I have done so already?"

Ruby flinched. "W-What?"

He laughed, taking her hand into his, turning up her palm. His hands were larger than her own, gentle with a hint of roughness to them. Just the right amount. He handed her the small novel. "Here. I think you'd like this."

She glanced at the title. Book of Fairytales.

Ruby flipped through the pages and skimmed its contents. "What sort of fairytales?"

"You'll have to read it to find out."

"I don't exactly like normal books," she said. "I'm more into manga."

He tsked. "There's no such thing as disliking books. You've merely yet to find the right one."

"Agh, but there's so many words... It better be good." Ruby tucked the book into her hoodie. "Thanks, I guess, but I can't stay much longer. My friends might find me and rat me out. I can't let them know I'm here."

"Do you want to go back?" the man asked.

"Of course not! Today was horrible."

"Then why don't we escape elsewhere?"

Her spine prickled. "Do you ask this to every girl you meet?"

"No worries. We'll go somewhere public, if it comforts you. Consider it a friend outing, hm?"

"I don't..." Ruby examined his face. With every passing second, he resembled Aqua more and more. She squeezed her knees. "Hm, alright, I guess. But don't you dare try anything!"

Standing, the man walked down the steps of the shrine, and Ruby diligently followed, keeping a fair distance. If he tried to grab her, she'd have a chance to run away. It was totally full proof.

The pair walked further and further from the shrine, crossing a few roads and entering a park. People walked up and down the main stone path, kids played on the playground, and people stood underneath the shade of the trees, one place in particular standing out — an ice cream stand.

The older man walked toward it, holding up two fingers. "Strawberry, please."

"Coming right up!" the worker said. She whipped up two fair shares of strawberry ice cream and handed them to him. He handed one to Ruby, paying the lady and saying thank you as they walked away.

"How'd you know I liked strawberry?" Ruby asked, following him.

He smiled. "You remind me of someone else who quite liked it... I suppose it's a lucky guess."

"Eh? Who?" she asked. "Are they pretty, at least?"

"The most beautiful girl I've ever met."

Ruby tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, eating a mouthful of ice cream to cool her face. In an instant, she forgot about her code of distance, walking side by side with the man throughout the park.

"Your job must be really nice if they let you take off so much," Ruby said, breaking the oddly comfortable silence.

"Nice isn't how I'd put it." He sighed. "I work in the entertainment industry."

"What do you do?"

"Nothing important. Even then... It's tough, watching things unfold so carelessly around you. It's an interesting business, where my heart lies, yet I wish for nothing more than for it to change."

"Mm," Ruby agreed. "I always wanted to be an idol, but..."

"Too tough?"

"No." She shook her head. "I wanted to do it to impress that nobody I told you about. I do still like the idea, getting to sing songs and cheer everyone up just by wearing cute dresses and all, but it's hard to go on without that extra push, you know?"

"Really..." The man quieted, just for a beat. "Maybe that's for the best."

"Is it?"

"Neither of us would want for something bad to happen, right?"

Ruby winced. She bristled, nodding. "I guess it was stupid to think I'd be immune to that sort of thing, huh?"

"Don't say that. I think your naivety is rather charming."

"Hmph. That sounds like a thinly veiled insult..."

He laughed.

Their walk continued in pure silence. Neither of them cared to break it, enjoying the scenery of the nature and of people enjoying their lives. Envy bubbled in Ruby's heart. Would her life ever be that carefree? She never seemed to catch a break, these days.

Ruby stopped and checked her phone. 6 PM.

"I should really head home, now. It's getting a bit late."

"One thing, before you go?" The man gestured for her phone. "I'm sure leaving the house so frequently is what'll worry all of your friends. We can chat over the phone."

Ruby's mouth opened. She shut it quickly, handing him her phone nonetheless. "Asking for a girl's number like that so abruptly? How bold."

He typed in his number before handing it back.

"Let me know when you get home," he said.

"Yes, yes, I will. If I remember." She turned away. He grabbed her arm.

His eyes were open again, an almost nostalgic glint gleaming in their deep colour. His gentle smile softened even further, and he examined her face. "You really do look like her..."

The man leaned forward. He placed his lips tenderly on her forehead. A short, simple peck — yet Ruby's entire body burned hot. His hair tickled her face like eyelashes, her body freezing in response.

After what felt like hours, he leaned away, his blue eyes crinkled to compliment his trademark grin.

"H-hey..." Ruby found her voice. She held her phone tighter to her chest, breath hitching in her throat. "What's that all about?!"

"My apologies. I didn't mean to be so touchy."

"Well, I'm going home!" She whipped around and stomped along the path. She glanced over her shoulder. He waved, his chuckle quiet from where she stood, but evident in his sincere expression.

All the way home, her gaze fixated on the ground and her stomach turned into knots — would her intestines ever function the same after something like that? That man knew no shame! Such a womaniser. Her heart fluttered.

Ruby arrived at her front door and used her spare key to get into the house, closing it quietly behind her. She waited. She relaxed her shoulders, turning around.

"Ruby?" Sensei — Aqua — peeked around the corner.

Ruby bristled anew and stomped past him. "I don't want to talk right now!"

"Please—"

She slammed the door and locked it shut. At that very moment, her phone buzzed in her hand.

         I hope you got home safe. ^w^

—the man texted.

Ruby covered her mouth, hiding a smile despite being alone in her bedroom. He didn't seem like the type to use emoticons. She put a finger to her lips. Then, enthusiasm set aflame once more, replied—

         I'm alright. hbu?

         "Hbu?"

Ruby giggled.

         'how about you'

         you rlly are an old man

         Oh.

         I'm just fine, thank you.

Ruby eyed the jumble of numbers current set as his contact-name. Leaving it like that wasn't wise. If she saw him text her again with a name like that, she'd write it off as spam and probably block him. But what fit? "Man at the shrine" would raise suspicion if someone snooped and, frankly, painted her as an insane person. She needed something ambiguous...

For starters, he didn't have any social awareness. He said strange things and asked strange questions, and even kissed her on the forehead a mere day after meeting her. What kind of weirdo took time off of work to help a girl with relationship troubles? She flopped onto her bed, laying on her back and glaring at the strange spots on her ceiling.

What on Earth am I getting into?

She pat her pocket. She sat on the edge of her bed, pulling out the small book he gifted her. "Ah, right."

Ruby set the book on her bedside table. Right next to her family portrait.

Secondly... He looked exactly like Sensei. Or, rather, Aqua. If it weren't for his shaggy hair, slightly grander height, and constantly closed eyes, she'd mistake him for her twin in an instant. Outside of looks though, they were completely different. The man didn't sulk, or brood, and listened to her problems, helping distract her after a long day of work without pestering her with nonsense. He even gifted her things and knew how to smile.

If only he was who Sensei reincarnated into...

Something clicked in Ruby's brain.

That isn't a good idea... Her brain fought with her hands. Instantly, it lost, allowing them to work on their own accord. She smiled at the name, her ears burning at the mere thought.

Sensei...

Ruby flew through the pages of her new fairytale book at the dinner table, biting her lip with the cusp of her K9 teeth to fight a smile. Sensei knew her so well to lend her this book. Fairy Tales were a special brand of story. Always harbouring a happy ending, with princesses and knights, and mighty dragons to slay, every story was epic enough to retain her attention, an utter delight to read. She'd have to ask him for another one soon.

"Since when did you like reading?" Sen — Aqua asked through a spoonful of food.

"I've always liked reading. I just haven't found the right story until now." She shovelled food into her mouth with her other hand, eyes never once leaving the page. "You really don't know me, do you?"

"Where'd you get that book?"

"Did you always ask so many questions?"

Aqua frowned. "Ruby—"

"No." She set her spoon on the plate and glared across the table, wiping her mouth with her pyjama sleeve. "I won't listen. You said what you said, so don't try and take it back now."

"You hardly even know what I meant!"

"As if it'd really change anything." Ruby grabbed the last of her food, placing it in the fridge. "I'll be in my room."

She stormed away, book in hand, bristling at his distant sigh. What a nuisance. He couldn't simply leave her be, could he? Always making a fuss. She shut the door closed, locking it for safe measure. She'd ignored the signs, like when he ruined her chances at becoming an idol for the first time, or his overbearing, controlling behaviour, and now she paid the price for it.

She rolled into her bed, leaned onto her pillow, and grabbed her phone from underneath it. Her hands moved as if it were second nature, clicking on Sensei's contact.

         I need some time out of the house. can we meet?

She set the phone on her bed and glared at her headboard. Her phone buzzed — she jolted. That was fast.

         Really? Why's that?

Ruby pressed her tongue into her inner cheek.

         my brother's being annoying again

         I see...

         Of course. Does the park sound good?

         yeah

         See you there, then. (｡･ω･｡)ﾉ♡

Ruby giggled at the little character. She needed some time out of the house before an argument started up again. Dealing with his insistence drained her of the energy needed to film the movie. She hopped to her feet and opened her closet, running her hands through her wardrobe. Dozens of different outfits stared back at her, ranging from vibrant hot pink dresses laced in glitter, to black crop tops and shorts with simple sneakers. Would he prefer a simple look? What if she looked too... Try hard?

Agh, stop thinking so hard about it! She grabbed a white sweater, blue jean-shorts, and a thin grey coat, putting her hair into a bun and slipping on a pair of light grey tennis shoes. She spun in a mirror, pleased. Perfect.

She grabbed her face mask and reached for the doorknob.

Aqua would never let me leave so late...

She eyed her window.

With a long, exasperated sigh, Ruby unlocked the window, leaning out into the open air. Never once had she appreciated a tree growing so close to her window before. She grabbed a branch, holding it tight, nudging another with her foot, and hopped onto the tree, climbing down branch by branch.

Ruby dropped onto solid ground and relief filled her body. She picked leaves and sticks from her hair and clothes, continuing her journey to the park. Cold air brushed her legs, and she held her thin coat tighter to her body, shivering.

So this is why they don't let me make my own clothing decisions... It all makes sense, now.

Unlike the shrine, the park was easier to find, and she both arrived and found the man within no time at all.

He leaned against a pole, watching people go about their night in the distance. He wore a casual fit this time, his clothes simple and bright.

Ruby quickened her pace and lowered her mask, calling out to him. "Sensei!"

"Sensei? Again?" he asked. Ruby stood in front of him, and they met each other's gaze. Or, rather, she met his eyelids.

"Mm. That's what I decided to call you." She gripped her coat once more. "You should feel really lucky, you know. I'm taking a big risk meeting a stranger out at night."

"Do really you think that little of me?"

"No, but..."

"No matter," he said. "Tell me — how is your brother troubling you?"

Ruby's mouth opened. It instantly closed. She glanced away and played with the cloth of her mask, her eyebrows weighing heavy.

"That's alright. Take some time to think about it." Sensei beckoned her with a hand. They walked further into the cluster of trees, moonlight peeking through the patches of leaves, shining light on the various statues and large, beautiful plants where people posed and took pictures, all of them beaming with joy.

Her mind veered back to the topic at hand. The reason she'd risked a night walk to begin with.

What was she supposed to say? She loved her brother's soul-identity, yet it didn't work out in the end? She'd sound crazy.

"My brother and I... We fought recently, too." She fidgeted with her hands. "He keeps trying to apologise, but I'd rather move on. I don't really want to talk about it anymore. I don't like thinking about it."

"A fight with your lover, and your brother, hm? I see you're having quite the rough patch."

"Yeah... Men are so troublesome." She smiled a little. "Except for you, obviously."

"I thought I was a stranger?"

"You are, but I so happen to be a great judge of character."

"Really now..." Sensei smiled. He held up a hand and Ruby stopped. He walked off to a small food stand, requesting and buying something, and returned with a bag of chips in hand, handing them to her.

"Is this kind good?" he asked.

Pizza na Ko chips — so delicious, it'd make you go insane.

Ruby opened them with a nod, smiling back at him. Sensei walked ahead and she quickened her pace to keep up, reaching for his hand. Their pinkies linked together, arms touching. The cold night air dissipated in an instant.

They walked until they stopped by a pond full of ducks. Ruby grabbed a handful of chips, crushing them into crumbs and tossing them at the large birds. They pecked at the crumbs eagerly, fluffing their feathers in gratitude.

"If you ask me," Sensei said. "I think you should take a moment to listen to what your brother has to say. Arguments almost always stem from misunderstandings."

Ruby made a noise in her throat.

"Are you and your brother close?"

"We used to be, but... He's more focused on other things, now."

"Wouldn't you like for things to be how they were before he changed?"

"I guess I would, yeah."

"Then give him a chance." He grabbed a chip from her bag. "Even if you don't end up exactly like you used to be, you'll know how he feels, and you can work something out."

"Wise... I guess asking an old man for advice was a good idea."

"I'm not that old..."

"If you say so," Ruby purred. She parted from him and walked over to a lonesome bench, sweeping dried leaves from the surface to sit down. Sensei sat beside her, closer, this time, their shoulders bumping and their knees right beside each other. The ducks pecked at the crumbs, others re-entering the small pond, hardly making a splash. They glided smoothly across its surface. Cicadas and crickets buzzed and chirped. It's like they sat in the middle of the woods, far away from the night life and bustling city.

"I recall a night similar to this," Sensei said.

"With that girl?" She watched her feet pass over the green grass.

He nodded. "It was nearly identical to this one. We visited a restaurant and walked through the city hand in hand, stopping to feed the ducks before we went home. I was a lot younger, then — younger than you."

"Where is she now?"

He paused. "...Things didn't quite work out for us."

"Oh."

"But I don't regret it. She's somewhere better now. Forever immortalised, and free from the corruption of the world around her." Sensei stared into the abyss of stars. Every white dot twinkling overhead reflected back in his deep blue eyes, the moonlight tracing his profile and highlighting his white skin with the beauty of a painter's brush. The perfect picture.

Ruby rested her head on his broad shoulders and shut her eyes, unable to help a smile. "Sensei?"

"Mhm?"

"Someday, when I become a famous idol, I'll make you my number one fan."

"You don't have to do that," he said. "I'm already your number one fan."

"Leaving on your own again?" Akane dropped her wig onto the dressing room table, brushing her blue hair into a brilliant shine.

After yet another long day of filming, they'd finished with a bang, the mood high due to how few retakes they required — as if the stars aligned for everyone that morning. Ruby knew they felt it too, the way all of the negative will washed away from her body. Or maybe, though the eyes of an optimist, she simply saw things differently.

Ruby set her water on the table and hopped to her feet. "Tell everyone I'll be back."

"Where is it that you go?" Kana cleaned her face with a make-up wipe, frowning.

"It must be special if you go there every time you get the chance," Mem-Cho said.

"It is special," Ruby said. "And that's why I can't tell you, because then it wouldn't be special anymore."

"I suppose that's true." Mem-Cho laughed quietly. "Stay safe, then."

"Thanks!" Ruby waved. She bowed to the make-up artists and directors on the way out, putting her face mask on and heading to the road. The girls checked up on her every once in a while, but they didn't pry, and that's exactly how she liked it.

She pulled out her phone and pressed the call button, putting it to her ear.

Ring...

Ring...

It clicked, and her heart jumped with joy.

"Good morning, sweetheart."

Ruby pressed her phone further against her ear, vibrating with a loud, feline-like purr. "Sensei, we should turn on our cameras. I want to see your face."

"Are you certain that's a good idea?"

She pouted. "Eh? Are you hiding from me?"

"You mentioned that your friends were getting a bit worried about you, right? It's better you play it safe."

"That's true, but I doubt any of them have the courage to follow me." Ruby put a hand on her hip. She spun in a circle mid step. "I have eyes like a haw—"

A dark figure lurked in the distance. He wore a black hoodie that covered his face, his hands in his pockets, and his face turned straight towards her. She kept walking and held her phone in front of her, squinting at its dim reflection to make out the strange figure in the blobs of shadows. He kept following her.

"Is something the matter, dear?"

"A-Ah, nothing, Sensei. I just thought I saw something." She turned the corner, continuing down the street. "Anyway, I'm way too attentive to be followed. I'm pretty slick, you know?"

He laughed through the phone. "Is that so?"

"Obviously! You're not underestimating me, are you?"

"I wouldn't dream of it."

Ruby looked over her shoulder. The man in black was still behind her. She snapped her gaze to the sidewalk, her other hand gripping the hem of her skirt.

"S-Sensei?" She breathed in a shaky breath, keeping her voice to a whisper. "I take it back — I think... I think someone is following me."

"One of your friends?" he asked.

Ruby shook her head, then replied, "No. I don't think so... I can't see his face."

There was a pause. "Where are you?"

Ruby looked at the buildings around her. "U-Uhm, I see a few stores. A shoe store, a small pastry shop — I don't see any street signs. There's not any people around, either."

"You'll be safer if you come to where I am."

"Where are you?"

"At home."

"W-What?" Ruby clenched her fist. She'd risked enough sneaking around to meet him already, but going to his house was a whole different story. She looked behind her again — the figure rushed closer. She flinched, picking up her speed, a warmth spreading through her eyes and tears lining her bottom eyelid. "O-Okay, okay, I'll come! Tell me where!"

Her phone pinged. He'd sent her an address. She entered its address into her mobile map, her phone buffering — she cursed. Could the stupid thing get any slower?!

It loaded at last. 10 minutes away? She squeezed her phone, practically her only lifeline. She couldn't run for that long! But what choice did she have?

She walked as quick as her legs managed to, in and out of streets and alleyways, trying desperately to avoid peeking over her shoulder. The stranger didn't give up, his steps wide and purposeful on the pavement. Strangely, he kept distance, merely following her, as if waiting to see where she'd stop. What was up with this guy?

Her legs and chest ached. She shot a glance at her phone again.

3 minutes left. I'm almost there. She inhaled deeply. Just a little longer.

A house entered her sights. No, a neighbourhood. That was it!

Ruby broke into a run, wind whipping her hair into her face. The strange man shouted something, but she didn't bother listening. If he wanted to speak, he'd have said something already.

If not for her idol training, she would've collapsed a long, long time ago.

She entered the neighbourhood and pressed her phone to her ear, her hands clammy. "W-Where — which house is yours?"

The rows of houses all looked the same in her hurried state. At his word, her eyes flickered to the addresses, skidding to a halt and running to the door of her destination. She knocked feverishly.

"Sensei!" she pleaded. "I'm here! Open the door!"

The door clicked open.

Ruby rushed into the house, relaxing only when the door shut and clicked closed behind her. She hung up the phone and pressed her hand to her chest, struggling to steady herself through the heavy panting and her trembling legs. "Goodness... I thought I was a goner out there!"

Stumbling with a goofy laugh, she turned around — bright, flashing crimson filled her vision, her brain blanking, a startling jolt kicking through her churning stomach.

Her eyes widened.

...Roses?

Sensei held a bundle of roses at chest level, that graceful, gentle smile on his face, a welcoming sight to warm her cold feet. Clear plastic wrapped around the bouquet's outside, all of it held together with a large silk white bow. The flowers were perfectly sorted, each and every petal taken into consideration, their colours vibrant and their stems thick and healthy with life as if never plucked from their roots. They were all shed free of thorns.

"Eh?" Ruby froze, her hands clasped in front of her chest, her heart full like a brick of gold. "Flowers? For me?"

Sensei nodded. She pocketed her phone in her skirt and reached out, tracing the wrapping, and the flowers, taking it into her hands to better examine the ribbon. 

"I did it myself," he said. "I wanted to tell you over the phone, but—"

Ruby threw her arms around him and buried her face into his shirt. His warmth resonated in her, and a pleasant, homely scent filled her nostrils, like baked goods mixed with soap. In hindsight it sounded odd, yet she couldn't get enough of it. Sensei ran a hand through the length of her hair, a hefty chuckle brewing in his chest.

Ruby pulled back and wiped her nose. "A-Ah, sorry. I got snot all over your shirt."

"That's quite alright." Sensei's hand remained on her head, petting her sweetly. "Would you like to stay the night?"

She fought back a smile. "You're much too bold, you know."

"I don't mean it like that..."

"Even then..." she said. "I shouldn't. Nobody knows where I am, and the others wouldn't accept 'I stayed the night over at a guy's house' for an answer. They'd know if I lied about staying with a friend, too."

"Shall I walk you home, then?"

She imagined, briefly, a flash of outrage on Aqua's face, and the concern on Miyako's. She shook her head. "I'll catch a taxi. It'll be okay."

"You're sure?"

"Yup." Ruby hugged the flowers, giggling and turning to the side. "Wow, Sensei's so overprotective of me!"

"You're quite the strange one yourself," he mumbled. "At least allow me to walk you to a taxi?"

"Hm... Alright. That's fine."

Sensei grabbed some cash from another room, rejoining her and leading her back outside. Ruby walked side by side with him, bouncing on the tips of her toes — a sharp contrast to a mere few minutes ago — with an unbreakable smile plastered on her face. That weird guy wouldn't dare approach her now! Not with Sensei by her side.

"Sensei!" She grabbed his arm and held him close, pressing her cheek into his forearm. "Why'd you decide to hang out with me that day?"

"I told you, didn't I? I'd hate to see you cry."

Ruby giggled.

They continued down the street until, inevitably, a taxi rolled by. Ruby twirled on her toes to face him, beaming. "I guess I'll be heading home now, Sensei."

"Yes, I suppose so." He leaned forward and pecked her forehead again. "Get home safe."

Ruby exploded into a giggle fit, nodding several times over like a bobble-head toy. Sensei handed her the cash, and she waved goodbye. He waved back. She told the driver her address, settling into the seat, allowing her whole body to buzz. He went out of his way to make a whole bouquet of roses just for her... Sensei really knew how to treat a girl right, didn't he?

Upon reaching her home, she paid the taxi driver, thanking him before exiting the car and walking the final path home, opening the door with her key.

"I'm home!" she announced, kicking off her shoes and prancing down the hall.

Miyako sat at the table, looking up from something. Probably the script.

"Where'd you get those?" Miyako asked.

"I bought them," Ruby said.

She went to her room, pulling old flowers out of her vase and placing the new flowers inside, wrapping the silk ribbon around the neck of the vase. She sat on her bed and watched them settle into their new home, practically glowing under the artificial yellow glow of her lightbulb. A smile tugged at her lips, and she leaned into both her hands, humming and giggling — she sounded like an idiot, even to her own ears... She swayed her legs and kicked, bursts of energy splashing through her body.

Her phone buzzed.

         Did you get home safe?

Ruby purred, answering—

         yup! just like I said I would

         you worry too much, sensei

        Can you blame me?

        no :)

        :)

The door chirped and Aqua peeked in. He looked tired.

Ruby turned off her phone and dropped it on the bed, gripping the bedsheets, and looked out the window.

Her brother slipped into the room and shut the door behind him.

"Ruby, where did you get those?" Aqua's voice strained, gesturing to the flowers.

"I bought them," she said quickly. "Who said you could come into my room? And don't you know how to knock?"

"Ruby."

"I told you I bought them."

"I know that's not what happened."

"Oh? Now you pretend to care, only when I'm happy?" Ruby scoffed and turned her head, hissing under her breath, "Go away."

"First that book, and now this? And you're nearly always texting someone," he spat. "Who is it?"

"Why does it matter to you?"

"Of course it matters, you're important to me!"

"You certainly could've fooled me!"

"Sarina." Aqua gripped her shoulders, a troubled expression on his face. The name stopped Ruby before she could rant. "I know what I said before, but that doesn't mean I don't care about you. You mean everything to me. If it weren't for you... I'd probably never live this life knowing what peace was ever again."

"Then..."

"I may not be in love with you, but I love you. I know you understand that."

Ruby bit her lip. She spotted the Book of Fairytales sitting on her bedside table, placed beside the picture of her, Aqua, and Ai, its pages waving at her.

Just give him a chance...

"Alright," she said.

"...Alright?"

"Alright," she said again. "But just because you care about me doesn't mean I have to tell you everything. I'm happy. That's all that matters, right?"

Her brother's thumbs rubbed her shoulders. His touch and his open stare ripped a hole in her heart where there once was a flutter, but this time, she only looked away.

"Right." Aqua stepped back. "But if something happens to you—"

"Stop worrying." She waved her hand. "I already have everything that I need."

They were nearly done.

The movie shooting for the past few weeks went by perfectly. Every scene shot to perfection, every line delivered with brilliance, and every actor happy and maintained. They were days away from finalising the last few scenes they were set to record.

Ruby flopped onto a two-seater sofa in the back room during break time and hugged her knees to her chest with one arm, the other opening her phone.

Sensei bombarded her with message after message today. She had to silence her phone after getting so many confused looks from the rest of the cast. She clicked on his name and fought back a small laugh — Sensei was so clingy.

         I'm sorry.

—the first message read.

Ruby's smile dropped. Sorry?

         Despite what I wish, I figured it's best to cut contact with you. Permanently.

         I wish you nothing but good fortune in your life, and for all of your future endeavours. But I'm afraid I won't be there to experience that joy alongside you.

         For your safety, it's best we don't speak anymore, but maybe someday that won't be the case, and we can meet again properly.

         I am very delighted to have met you. <3

Ruby scrambled in her seat—

         sorry?

         wdym?

         what happened?

Nothing. Her chest tightened.

         did I do smth wrong?

         Not once.

—came the quick reply.

         then why?

Silence.

Ruby dropped her phone on the floor and covered her mouth, eyes squeezing shut. The tears broke free regardless.

A clothing stylist wandered over, reaching for the girls shoulder. "Ruby? What's the matter?"

I can't end like this... It can't!

She snatched her phone back up, running for the emergency exit. She took the path she took so many times before, running, and running, and running, all the way to the park. Nowhere. Not by the statues, the ice cream shop, the snack bar, or the duck pond. She continued anyway, and by the time she reached her next destination, her lungs heaved with effort.

The shrine. They visited this place together at least once a week. It was where they first met. He had to be there.

Ruby ran up the steps, calling out, "Sensei! Sensei, I know you're here! Please... Answer me!"

Nothing.

I know he's somewhere! He probably hiding, laughing at me!

"Sensei..." She pulled up her phone, scrolling up through their conversations. Every good morning, goodnight, and consulting word. Her hands trembled, pressing on the screen to steady herself. His address was still there...

Surely, he'd be at home, right? She went to the map-app, typing in the address she'd visited once before. 12 minutes away.

Tears dripped onto her screen. Her phone shook. Her whole body shook.

She slid down the face of a pillar, hiding her face behind her arms, her throat closing in on itself and turning her breaths into puffs.

"I... I can't do it..." she choked.

Yet again, Sensei had broken her heart.

She didn't bother returning to the film set. She'd throw the entire movie off schedule, ruining their streak of perfection... But what's it matter?

Ruby picked herself up and dusted off her clothes, wiping her eyes clean with the top of her shirt, lip quivering like a child. What did he mean? What changed? Why did leaving her keep her safe? He said she didn't do anything wrong, not once, in his words, but...

She walked away from the shrine, past the park, and returned home, a trickle of joy returning at the sound of silence greeting her. Her bed embraced her like an old friend and she held a pillow in front of her face, pressing her knees together as if the action stopped the constant flow of tears wetting her blankets. Did all of their time together mean so little to him? So little, he'd simply ghost her when he felt like it? Gone like the wind. Like a ghost...

"Why go through the trouble of cheering me up just for this?" she whispered, talking to the book on her bedside table. She grabbed it and brought it close. She'd read it so many times, now. She really did just need the right book, didn't she? She flipped through the pages, staring at them blankly. "What would Sensei say, seeing me like this?"

This must've been what he wanted! she argued. But... He tried so hard to make me happy. It couldn't be.

Sensei took time off of work for her, met her nearly every day, helped hide her secrets, texted her late into the night — he was probably so tired of seeing her rants and strange words so early in the morning, and yet he always gave her a smile, and a laugh, and a peck on the forehead to cheer her up. He got her a book, and ice cream, and chips, and flowers...

She looked — the flowers. They were still bright red, as gorgeous as the day she got them. Still full of life. He always said he'd hate to see her cry, didn't he?

He'd hate to see me cry, so maybe... Maybe I shouldn't. For Sensei.

Ruby rolled over and slipped a rose from the vase, holding its soft petals close and allowing the homely aroma of baked goods and soap to fill her nose, the scent lessoning the shivering that wracked her body like a magic spell.

She let out a long, fulfilled sigh.

"Sensei..."