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Rui placed his little ball drone on the ground, standing up and taking a few steps back. His dad helped him make this one, so he really, really hoped it worked..!
The boy took the remote, holding it in his hands as he trembled from the sheer excitement. He flicked the on button, watching in awe as his drone whirred to life, the blades turning around and round like a helicopter as it slowly rose into the air.
With a pump of his fist, Rui cried out excitedly, "Yes!!!"
Using his remote, Rui controlled the drone and let it fly around the park, watching in excitement as it circled around the structures, other kids pointing it out and some even trying to touch it. Rui quickly maneuvered around that, though.
"I wonder how far I can go.."
Rui grinned to himself, looking closely at the camera on his remote as he let the drone fly off into the distance. The camera displayed the whereabouts of the drone, flying over some bushes and treetops and..
Hold on, what was that?
Rui paused, controlling the drone to fly a bit lower so he could take a closer look at what he spotted on the screen. It displayed a small figure, a boy.
A boy.. with a bleeding knee!
The inventor gasped. There was someone hurt here, he had to go help him!
Rui looked up from the screen, looking around to remember the direction that his drone had gone. It was somewhere..
There!
Rui sprinted in the direction, weaving through the bushes to find the boy that he had discovered through the drone. Eventually, he found him, looking up at the drone in confusion. His hand was on his knee, carefully avoiding the scratch, while his other was on the ground. "Hello?"
With a surprised squeak, the boy jolted upwards, whipping his head towards Rui. "Huh..?!"
Rui trotted over to the boy, lowering the drone and taking it into his hands. "That's my drone, sorry," He piped up, turning it off with his remote. "Are you okay?"
The boy looked up at Rui with wide eyes. "I-.. well, of course I'm fine..!" He exclaimed, slowly standing up. He struck a pose, before hissing in pain at the scratch on his knee. "Ow.."
"Do you want me to help?" Rui asked, setting his drone and remote on the ground. He duck into his pocket, taking out a small teal Band-Aid with Perry the Platypus on it. "I have a band aid, if you want it!"
The boy laughed loudly, shaking his head. His hair was pretty, Rui noticed. "No, I'm fine..! It's gonna take a lot more than that for a star like me to fall down!"
Rui blinked, tilting his head to the side. "A star?" He repeated curiously, "Is that what you are?"
"Well- not yet," The boy admitted, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish grin. "But I will be soon! One day, you're gonna see me on the stage, as Tsukasa Tenma, a world-famous star!"
"Is that your name?" Rui asked, looking down at Tsukasa's bleeding knee. He still couldn't help but be worried.
Tsukasa nodded, holding his hand out for him to shake. "Yup? About about you, Mr. Drone Guy?"
Rui let a smile spread onto his face, taking Tsukasa's hand and shaking it firmly. "Rui Kamishiro, nice to meet you!"
"Likewise, Rui!!"
Rui hummed, "You said you wanted to be a star on stage, right?" He asked, "Like, an actor?"
"Precisely, Rui!" Tsukasa nodded vigorously, "I'm gonna be on stage and make everyone smile! What about you, what do you want to do?"
Rui grinned, "Me too!" He chirped, "But I wanna help make them- like a.. what did Mom call it- a director!"
"Can you be my director?" Tsukasa asked almost immediately, grabbing Rui's shoulders and leaning closer with a wide grin and bright, sparkling eyes. Rui gasped softly, pleasantly surprised with just how eager this boy was to make a show with him. Nobody had ever been this excited to be in a play with him before, the only other person was Nene.
...
Rui paused, inhaling sharply. But if they made a show together, what if Tsukasa didn't want to do any of the things he suggested? What if he left, just like all the other kids?
Even if Tsukasa himself was asking.. he didn't know about the stuff he liked to do. Rui didn't want to lose a friend he just made to that.
But despite all that, Rui couldn't help but have hope that maybe Tsukasa would stay. He said he was a star, after all, maybe he would go through with his idea!
"So, so?" Tsukasa asked, shaking the inventor's shoulders, "Can you?! Can we put on shows together?"
"..Okay," Rui replied meekly, nodding. "We can."
"YOU WILL??!!" Tsukasa practically screamed out, his voice louder than Rui expected.
Rui nodded again. It was almost if Tsukasa was sharing his own energy with Rui. After all, how could he not?! He finally found a friend to make a show with! Maybe they could find more people, and then they could put on a super duper cool show for everyone, and they would all be smiling!
And even more so.. Tsukasa wouldn't have to be alone anymore. He could go to the park more, he could meet with Rui, he didn't have to stay at home alone planning shows by himself. One day, he could introduce Rui to Saki and Toya, and they would make a show for them, and they would be smiling, too, just like everyone else.
It was perfect, it was perfect!
"Hold on," Rui held his hand up, kneeling down to check Tsukasa's knee. "Let me help you first, I don't want it to get infected or anything.."
Tsukasa pouted, tilting his head to the side. "But it's just a scratch, nothing much..!"
Lie. It did kind of hurt- but Tsukasa could deal with it! He could treat it himself when he got home!
"Can I at least put on a bandaid?" Rui asked, looking up at Tsukasa with big, pleading eyes.
"I.."
Oh, god. It was that expression. He could never refuse Saki when she put on that face, and he knew he couldn't refuse Rui now that he had that look, too.. it just looked so sad...!!!
Tsukasa huffed, looking over to the side and crossing his arms, an embarrassed blush spreading onto his face. "Geh, finneee.."
"Thank you, Tsukasa-kun!" Rui chirped happily, taking out his Perry the Platypus bandage and carefully sticking it onto the boy's knee. "There we go!"
Tsukasa giggled, looking at the funny little animal on the band-aid. "Who is this?" He asked curiously.
Rui let out a gasp, jumping to his feet. "You DON'T KNOW Perry the Platypus??!!!" He practically yelled out, grabbing his hands and cupping them.
Tsukasa shook his head, surprised at Rui's sudden exclamation. "Should I?"
"YES!!" Rui nodded rapidly, pretty much dragging Tsukasa back to the park as he began to launch into an entire spiel about Perry the Platypus, with Tsukasa occasionally nodding and humming to himself in agreement.
He thought the two of them would be very good friends from now on!
————
And indeed they were. The two would meet at the park every few days after school, talking about their day and shows that they wanted to put on together. Rui had also invited Nene to join them a few weeks later. She was a shy girl, but a really, super duper good singer and actress in Tsukasa's eyes! He could tell that she was gonna grow up and be an amazing diva actress songstress stage musical actress!!!
The three of them had been friends for a couple of months already. Rui and Tsukasa were specifically close to one another, and they had already done a handful of shows at the park. To Rui's excitement and surprise, not only Nene, but Tsukasa too, were both willing to go along with Rui's stunt ideas and directions. He was partially worried and maybe even a little convinced that Tsukasa wouldn't like his ideas and leave him just like everyone else who tried to participate in his shows, but instead, Tsukasa would openly take on each one of Rui's tricks, even performing them just how Rui imagined it.
But now...
"What should we do now..?" Tsukasa mumbled, sitting on the bench beside Nene. To the girl's right was Rui, all three kids resting on the bench. They had performed their last show a few days ago, and the park had been more lively than ever. There was already news spreading around the neighborhood about an eccentric group of three kids who kept performing shows for everyone to watch. But if the three didn't know what show they were gonna do next, how would thy make everyone in the neighborhood smile..?
Even more so, Saki was scheduled to come home in around a week or two! When she came home, Tsukasa wanted her to watch their next show and meet his friends. And even better if he could invite Toya, too! And maybe Saki's friends and Shizuku and then everyone would watch, so this show HAD to be a big one!
"Oh yeah, by the way," Rui sat up a bit straighter, exiting his slouching position. "My parents want to know if you guys can come to Phoenix Wonderland with us tomorrow on Saturday!"
Immediately, Nene and Tsukasa both gasped, looking at Rui in excitement.
"Pheonix Wonderland...?!"
————
The next thing the trio knew, they were at PxL, accompanied by Tsukasa's mother, and both of Rui's parents. They had already gone on a few rides already, from the carousel to the fish coaster, to many more. Nene had won quite the number of prizes as well, leaving Mr. Kamishiro with a large bag of plushies, candy, and more souvenirs that would only grow later on. For now, it was around sunset, and the six were all crammed inside a passenger car on a ferris wheel. Nene, Rui, and Tsukasa were all on one side while the parents were on another.
Tsukasa had his face almost pressed against the window, "Look, we're so high up now!"
"Don't touch the glass with your face, honey," Tenmama warned, "There's lots of germs on there."
"Sorry!" Tsukasa quickly pulled back, but still craned his head to look out the window as the Ferris wheel slowly moved, leading them up higher and higher. Nene was clutching onto Rui's arm nervously, but she was still looking out the window in awe, just like Tsukasa. Rui was focusing on something else, looking forward, but not at any of the parents.
"What're you looking at?" Tsukasa asked, turning to face the director with a confused look.
Rui shook his head, pointing a bit upwards to the car in front of them. A man and a woman were inside, the man getting down on his knees as the lady gasped and took a step back in shock. "What are they doing?"
Rui's father turned around to follow his son's gaze, his eyes widening pleasantly at the sight when the man took out a small box from his pocket and flipped it open, revealing a shiny ring. "Oh, we probably shouldn't intrude on that."
"Why?" Nene asked curiously, tilting her head to the side.
"It's a proposal," Mr. Kamishiro explained, "He's asking to marry her."
"Oh, like you and mom?"
"Exactly."
Rui scrunched his eyes up, seemingly deep in thought. The parents exchanged confused glances, while Nene and Tsukasa did the same.
But Rui.. oh, little Rui had an idea. A marvelous one at that.
————
"Tsukasa-kun!!"
Rui ran up to the blond, waving frantically. "I have something to tell you!" He called out, grinning as he slowed down. "Give me a moment.."
Tsukasa nodded, letting Rui catch his breath for a moment before he turned around, taking something out of his pocket. "What are you doing?"
"I have an idea for what we should do next," Rui muttered to himself, Tsukasa waiting patiently as Rui ripped open a small wrapper. "And I asked my mom about it, too-"
Suddenly, in one swift movement, Rui turned around and kneeled down in front of Tsukasa (Almost losing his balance and falling to the side in the process), holding out a ring pop to the blond as he grinned widely. "What if we get married?!"
Tsukasa gasped loudly, his eyes widening in pure shock as he stared at the ring. "Wh- like our parents?!" He cried out, waving his arms around. "Like actually actually??!!!"
"Yeah!" Rui nodded, "I watched videos on how to do it, we can do it at the park and invite all our friends!"
Tsukasa's jaw was hung wide open, silent as he thought about the proposal Rui had offered. It was big, it was special, it was perfect.
"YES!!!" He screamed out, taking the ring pop and throwing it into his mouth and wrapping his arms around Rui, jumping up and down excitedly. "LET'S DO IT, LET'S DO IT!!!"
Rui cheered, pumping his fist. "Okay, okay- woah, too tight, too tight..!"
"Whoops, sorry!" Tsukasa stepped back, giggling as he rolled the ring pop around his mouth. "Anyway, does that mean we're getting married now?"
Rui nodded excitedly, "Yeah! Hold on, let me tell you what we have to do.."
And so, for the next two weeks, they two (and Nene) did nothing but plan their wedding. They had to get lots of other people to help them, and they also had to invite tons of more. So, Rui and Tsukasa had made flyers for all three of them to hand out to their friends and classmates, and even post around the neighborhood. This wedding was going to be public, and this wedding was going to be perfect!
The news spread around quickly, and soon enough, it wasn't just Rui, Tsukasa, and Nene at the park practicing. Tsukasa's friends had also came to help! Saki, unfortunately wasn't there, but Tsukasa still asked her to walk him down the imaginary aisle.
With the help of Shizuku, Toya, Ichika, Shiho, and Honami, all eight of them had perfectly planned out the two boy's marriage.
And then, the day came.
A day before the wedding, Saki had came home, and Tsukasa had explained to her what her job was. And now, that it was the day, the fated day of the wedding...
"...Oh wow."
Tsukasa's eyes widened as he stared at the crowd of people in the park. From classmates to neighbors to even some adults and random kids who had came to the park (and not expecting there to be a marriage), the park was surprisingly filled. Tsukasa was wearing his favourite outfit, Saki and Toya at his side as they waited for their cue.
As Nene cleared her throat, beginning to speak while Rui stood to her left, the crowd slowly went quiet. Tsukasa's and Rui's parents all exchanged knowingly awkward looks as they stood on either side of Nene.
"We.. gather here today to celebrate the marriage of Rui Kamishiro and Tsukasa Tenma," Nene read from a book she was holding. "Uhh.. come!"
Rui's father had to stifle a laugh while Toya and Shizuku walked down the imaginary aisle, the latter happily throwing grass and dandelions everywhere in front of her and onto the nearby crowd. Then, Tsukasa walked behind them, Saki at his side. The blond was careful to make sure that Saki wasn't taking too much out of herself as she walked him towards Rui.
When Tsukasa arrived at Rui's side, they shot each other goofy little grins as Nene recited her script.
"Rui Kamishiro, do you take Tsukasa as your husband and promise to love and.. chhhaiir-ish him for the rest of your life?" Nene asked, looking over to Rui, who was holding Tsukasa's hands in his own.
Rui nodded firmly, a wide grin on his face. "I do."
"And Tsukasa Tenma," Nene turned to face Tsukasa, "Do you take Rui as your hasbund and promise to love him and take care of him forever?"
Tsukasa nodded, returning Rui's expression. "I do!"
"Okay!" Nene nodded, "Uhh.. what's next.. blah blah blah.. oh, rings!"
A quiet squeak came from the side, and Honami scurried over to the front, two ring pops held tightly in her hands. "Here!"
Tsukasa took the blue ring pop, slowly sliding it onto Rui's finger. The director did the same, taking the red ring pop and putting it on Tsukasa's. They playfully clinked their candies together, before Nene spoke up again.
"With this ring I.. thee wed!?" She exclaimed, raising her hands. "I now pronouns you... husband and wi-hussbanndd!!!!!!"
Everyone in the crowd clapped, before Nene raised her hands to quiet them down.
"You may now kiss the husband." She blurted out with a mischievous smirk.
And everyone screamed. Even Rui and Tsukasa.
"Y-you said we didn't have to do this part!!" Rui exclaimed, looking at Nene with a panicked expression.
Nene shook her head, still grinning. "Nuh uh!" She waved her finger, "You guys are married, so you have to kiss now!"
"Nene.." Kamishiro's mother whispered quietly, smiling awkwardly, "I don't think-"
"Okay!"
"—WHAT?"
Tsukasa pulled Rui closer, grinning widely. "Can I kiss you?" He asked, his amber eyes staring right back at Rui's own.
Rui stammered awkwardly, looking to the crowd, then to his parents, then Tsukasa's family, and then Nene, then finally, back to Tsukasa.
He had made up his mind quite quickly, really.
"Okay."
"YAY!"
Tsukasa cheered, leaning closer and pecking Rui's cheek. "There! Now you do me!"
Rui let out a little squeak, nodding as his face went beet red. "Okay!!" Then, he leaned over to Tsukasa, giving him his own little kiss on the cheek.
"THEY GOT MARRIEDDDD!!!!!" Nene exclaimed, raising her hands in the air. "Thank you for coming!!"
The crowd (mostly the kids) cheered once again, while all the adults looked astonished at the sight they just witnessed. It wasn't like they didn't support gay marriage but DAMN was this planned out you know???
Especially the parents of the two boys.
"Does this mean we get to kiss more?" Tsukasa asked, putting his ring pop in his mouth and sucking on it.
Rui shrugged, "I think so!"
"Yay!" The blond cheered. He looked over at Saki, "Saki, look! I'm married now!"
Saki nodded, bobbing up and down excitedly. "I wanna get married too, big bro!" She exclaimed, "That was so cool, I want a ring pop too!"
She looked around, then pointed at Shiho, Ichika, and Honami. "Guys! Can we all get married!"
Tenmama almost choked on air while Tsukasa yelled out, saying she had to propose properly with a ring first.
"To all three of them?"
"Yeah!"
"So do I get three rings?"
"Yup!"
"Okay, then! Mom, can we go get ring pops from the house..?!"
Oh... god.