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Rui wonders if Tsukasa would believe him if he says he doesn’t know how he got here. It’s the truth.
Rui doesn’t know what possessed him, but he shows up at Tsukasa’s house before school. Objectively speaking, Rui’s house is closer to Kamiyama than Tsukasa’s house. Actually, it takes more time to get to Tsukasa’s house from Rui’s than it takes getting from Rui’s to Kamiyama.
He doesn’t even know how he got himself to get up and get out of bed so early, especially since these last few days, he's been staying up late; giddy and giggling to himself nonstop to the point where his parents were whispering and sending glances to him over the dining table.
How could he not be happy? Especially since Tsukasa, Tsukasa Tenma, had agreed to be his boyfriend.
They made it official on Saturday. The second Tsukasa finished the words, “Rui! You let me become your star actor, so can you extend the same courtesy and call me your boyfriend?” Rui kissed Tsukasa until he was red and out of breath and yet, Tsukasa was grinning just as hard as he was.
It's not like everything changed immediately after that. The only other events of note were Mizuki coming over to play Mario Party with Nene and him, and Rui changing Tsukasa's name in his phone from World's Brightest Star to My Brightest Star. Rui got so embarrassed over it that he stashed his phone under his pillow and didn't look at it for half a day.
Nene called him embarrassing then asked Mizuki to phone Emu so that the three of them could laugh at Rui together.
Ah. Rui short circuits after he pushes on the Tenmas’ doorbell. It's not like they had any plans to meet up or anything. If they did, they'd definitely pick a better location. Rui just woke up and wanted to see Tsukasa as soon as possible.
He's just now realizing he doesn't really know how to interact with Tsukasa anymore. Especially at school since it's one thing for Rui to be clingy out in public, surrounded by strangers, but it's a whole other if he accidentally kisses Tsukasa's cheek in front of their classmates.
“Oh, if it isn't Rui!” Tsukasa's mother answers the door. “Are you here for Tsukasa, dear?”
“If you don't mind me taking away your son, Mrs Tenma.” Rui grins. He can feel himself go pink in the face as Tsukasa's mother grins. She definitely knows.
“Just call me Tsukina, dear.” She squeezes his hand before calling for Tsukasa.
“Rui's here?!” Shrieks Tsukasa and Saki in unison. Rui smiles as their heads come into view.
“Rui, what a surprise!” Tsukasa grins, hastily wiping jam and breadcrumbs from his face. “Uh- What are you doing here so early?”
“I wanted to walk you to school, if that's alright.” Rui suppresses his laugh as Saki and Tsukina both coo, and Tsukasa pushes them both away. “I didn't mean to interrupt.”
“No-! I was just about to leave so it's perfect timing!” Tsukasa says despite that being very much not the case. If Rui had to guess, then he accidentally caught Tsukasa right as he finished breakfast.
Watching Tsukasa dust off his school uniform and scramble to get his bag makes Rui feel a bit… underdressed? Underprepared perhaps. He doesn't look much different from the usual, minus the eyebags from staying up late. Should he have put more of an effort into his appearance?
“Rui-kun, have some toast!” Saki offers. Bread with strawberry jam and butter, a favorite of their father’s, Rui remembers Tsukasa telling him once. “You don't live near here, right? If you walked a lot, then you must be hungry!”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.” Truth is, Rui didn't eat anything at all this morning. He barely greeted his parents before he was out the door; he'd need to send an apology text to them later.
“Okay, okay. I'm ready.” Tsukasa combs his hair one last time before making it out the door to grab Rui's arm. “We're leaving!”
“Have a good day at school, you two.” Tsukina waves. She turns to Saki, “And you should be getting going.”
“I got it.” Saki sighs, waving to them both as well.
Tsukasa doesn't make it a few houses down before he starts nagging Rui. “You're so lucky both Kanade and Toya left before me today!”
“Am I?”
“Yes! If your boyfriend comes to pick you up and your whole family is watching, wouldn't you feel a little embarrassed too?!”
“Hmm.” Rui sticks out his tongue in faux thought, to which Tsukasa elbowed him for. He laughs, placing his head on one of Tsukasa's shoulders. “I'm sorry. Did it really bother you?”
“Not really. A star must be able to take anything thrown at him after all!” Tsukasa proudly points his thumb at his chest. “It's just that… It's a long walk. If you wanna walk to school together then you could've just said so and we could've figured something out…”
“Thank you for believing I put any forethought into this.” Rui kissed Tsukasa's lips, tasting the same homemade jam and bread as his toast.
“You didn't?!”
“No, I just woke up and wanted to see you.” Rui pops the rest of the toast into his mouth. He watches as Tsukasa's face freezes up before recovering, hiding behind his hand.
“You can't just say things like that, jeez…”
Rui giggles, resting his chin on Tsukasa’s shoulder to sneak a kiss aimed behind his ear. Tsukasa squeaks, clapping a hand over the spot.
Tsuka huffs, rubbing his neck. “Listen, Rui, I'm happy about us too but… at school maybe we should tone it down with the PDA.”
That makes Rui freeze. Letting go of Tsukasa like he was hot coal, he’s suddenly very hyper aware of how touchy, almost desperate, he's been acting. He tries to recover and okay it off but Tsukasa had already jumped back in his arms before he could even blink.
“It's not what you think! I promise, I'm not ashamed of you or anything, it's just-!” Tsukasa's arms are wrapped around Rui’s neck, anchoring him close to Tsukasa. “Some people… they won't take kindly to us.”
Tsukasa squeezes Rui tighter. “I don't mind if it was just me facing the rumors that might pop up, but I don't want you to hear any of that. Our classmates… and your old school are still sensitive topics for you, right? I don't want you to experience things that take you back to that time. I don't mind it when you touch me at all, I really like it when you do– just…”
“I understand, Tsukasa-kun.” Rui wraps his arms around Tsukasa's waist. “Thank you for trying to protect me. If you're by my side, I have nothing to worry about.”
“Of course. Not only am I the world's future star… I am also your boyfriend.”
Rui's heart squeezes. That's right, Tsukasa was his boyfriend. Tsukasa is just as much his as he was Tsukasa's. “Ah, please stay with me forever then, future star.”
“I'm not planning to leave any time soon.” Tsukasa gingerly kisses Rui's lips. Rui hums when Tsukasa presses closer, wanting to taste more. He truly doesn't know what he's done to deserve him, but he wasn't complaining at all. “Ah, speaking of school, do you have any plans for lunch?”
Rui doesn't say anything when he feels Tsukasa's hand slip into his own. “Hayashi-kun invited me to have lunch with the others today. Apparently, Taniyama-kun got into a new RPG style game recently and wanted to ramble about the story. Hayashi-kun said that maybe I could get inspiration out of Taniyama’s ramblings if the story was as good as he's saying.”
Rui giggles to himself. Sometimes, Ibuki’s enthusiasm could rival Tsukasa's. “Would you like to join us? I'm sure Taniyama and the others wouldn't mind.”
Tsukasa shakes his head. “Not this time, though it does sound interesting! I have disciplinary committee duties so I won't be able to spend it with you like usual, I just wanted to make sure you wouldn't be alone.”
“Oh dear, I don't know how I'll manage. I suppose I'll just need to try.” Rui sighs, overly dramatic.
“You better try your goddamn best! I don't want you causing trouble, you hear?” Tsukasa pinches Rui's cheek.
“Only because I love you.”
Tsukasa huffs and grumbles a quiet, “I love you too…”
Rui can't help but laugh, even as they approach the school and Rui drops Tsukasa's hand.
If Tsukasa still sticks needlessly close to Rui even though they aren't holding hands anymore, Rui won't say anything. If Tsukasa lingers after he changes his shoes, waiting for Rui to do the same, Rui will pretend not to notice. And if Tsukasa grabs the hem of Rui's cardigan so they could still walk together, not letting go until they absolutely had to separate and go to their own seats, then that will abe a secret Rui will keep, only for him and Tsukasa to know.
-
“So, you can choose to play as a female official or as a male royal physician, but being a doctor seems boring, so I picked the official. As the official you get to run around and solve mysteries. The first one you are tasked to solve is one involving your childhood friend–” Ibuki starts.
“Being a doctor is boring to you, Taniyama-kun?” Hibiki Miyake interrupts.
“Okay, well, I'm sorry I don't find sorting things to be as interesting as you do, Miya-chan.” Ibuki sticks his tongue out, yelping when Shuuta tosses a dirty napkin in his direction. A few people around the courtyard turn to look at the commotion. “Besides, I heard the female mc’s story moves a lot faster. Makes sense, a lot of the marketing features her instead of the male mc.”
“An RPG style game set in ancient China… I've seen ads popping up here and there but I don't know if the ones I saw are the same as the game you're playing.” Shuuta Hayashi says. He's helping Rui pick out the string beans in his lunch to give them to Hibiki.
“Probably not the same. All in all, the game I'm playing isn't as popular as others but I like it just fine!” Ibuki tilts his head at Rui and Shuuta’s actions. “Say… Kamishiro, are you really going to give all your beans to Miya-chan?”
“Hibiki likes string beans.” Shuuta says, at the same time, Rui also says, “Miyake-kun says he doesn't mind.”
“Why would your mom even pack vegetables for you when she knows you don't like them?”
“I think it's because she knows Tsukasa-kun often eats them for me.” Rui laughs. It's more for Tsukasa-kun than it is for me, at this rate.
“Where was I before? Right, so the first mystery you need to solve is one involving your childhood friend; she gets accused of murdering her husband and then after that incident you get impeached by your asshole dad and brother, but it's okay because you get employed by the third prince instead–”
Shuuta raises an eyebrow. “Third prince?”
“Thirteen children in total.” Ibuki supplies.
“Thirteen?” Both Rui and Hibiki ask.
“Yeah. But only seven of them are actually playable. The other six aren't mentioned at all.”
“Goodness.” Rui laughs. Tsukasa had Kanade, Toya and Saki at home and his hands were already full trying to look out for just three of them. Rui can't imagine what it’d be like to have not one but twelve other siblings.
“Thirteen kids aren't that surprising, considering how the Emperor has multiple consorts and such.” Ibuki shrugs. “I mean, you've seen C-dramas set in ancient China, right, Shuu-tan? Kamishiro? Shut your trap Miya-chan, I know for a fact you watch them religiously!”
Hibiki’s mouth immediately clamps shut.
Rui giggles. “Taniyama-kun really reminds me of Tsukasa-kun at times.”
“Kamishiro, not you too!!” Taniyama groans. While both Shuuta and Hibiki burst out laughing.
“That's what I've been saying since the Kyoto trip last year!” Hibiki giggles, laughing when Ibuki pinches and stretches his cheeks. “The way both Tenma-kun and Taniyama-kun are loud but endearing is kind of funny, isn't it?”
“Even more so that they seem to just stick together whenever we all meet up. Birds of a feather and all that.” Shuuta laughs when Ibuki turns to attack him as well.
“Ah,” Hibiki turns to Rui. “Speaking of Tenma-kun, where is he today, Kamishiro-kun?”
“He has disciplinary committee duties today. I’d bring him along otherwise.”
“You two are always attached at the hip, aren't you? Like Shuu-tan and Miya-chan.” Ibuki laughs, making his way to the other end of the courtyard with Shuuta's stolen glasses.
“Shuu-kun and I have known each other forever–”
“Since elementary.” Shuuta supplies as he trips trying to get his glasses back.
Hibiki continues, “–I don't think it's fair to equate Kamishiro-kun and Tenma-kun’s relationship to that of childhood friends anyway. They're much closer than Shuu-kun and I.”
Hm? Rui tilts his head. “What do you mean by that, Miyake-kun?”
“Oh no, please don't take this the wrong way!” Hibiki starts panicking, waving his arms around. “I’m just saying that being childhood friends can't be compared to dating!”
That makes Rui freeze. “D- dating?”
“Are you and Tenma-kun not dating?”
“I… We… Where did you even hear that?”
Hibiki glances around before lowering his voice. Not like he needs to; anyone who could be eavesdropping was busy looking at Shuuta and Ibuki fighting over glasses at the other end of the courtyard. “Everyone thinks that you two are dating. Since our second year. Tenma-kun always looked out for you and you only ever bothered him so we all thought…”
Oh. Rui tries his best to stamp down his flush. It's true Rui only ever bothered Tsukasa with things like his inventions. Even though Rui liked to bother a lot of people, Nene and Akito especially, Tsukasa had always been an exception. He didn't realize that his favoritism was noticeable to their classmates.
Hibiki studies Rui's expression. “Sorry, are you not dating? I shouldn't have assumed…”
“No… we are. It's recent. This past weekend we made it official.” Rui confesses in a quiet voice. “I didn't realize that…”
“Oh- I'm sorry.” Hibiki apologizes again. “Oh god- I didn't mean to accidentally out you or– made you tell me if you weren’t ready or anything like that. Your business with Tenma-kun is strictly your business!”
“There's nothing to apologize for, Miyake-kun. You did nothing wrong. I was just taken aback.” Rui laughs. So… their classmates knew. Or at least thought they knew and no one really bothered Tsukasa or Rui about it; to the point where the two of them weren't even aware that there were rumors that they were dating.
That… was a relief. Just like Tsukasa didn't want Rui to experience any rude comments or harassment due to their relationship, Rui didn't want Tsukasa to go through the same. Not only did their classmates not mind but they figured out how they felt about one another long before Tsukasa or Rui even knew themselves.
“I'm dating Tsukasa-kun.” Rui breathes out in a rushed whisper, unable to control the turn that spreads across his face. It felt good to say those words out loud.
Hibiki smiles. “Congratulations, Kamishiro-kun. I'm so happy for you two.”
Shuuta and Ibuki interrupt them, both disheveled but Shuuta's glasses are back on his face.
“Okay, back to what I was saying.” Ibuki flops back down, next to his half-eaten melonpan. “The tenth prince though? My favorite. He's a general and he looks and acts all scary and such but he's such a sweetheart. He's just the goofiest character and it's even better since he's a romance option!”
“He sends you gifts and such whenever he's away guarding the border and he's such a dork.” Ibuki is almost kicking his feet as he relays the details.
“That sounds kind of familiar…” Mutters Hibiki. Ibuki almost breaks his neck with how fast he spun to look at him. “In middle school, didn't you play an otome game with four guys with a guy kinda like that?”
Ibuki sputters. “Maybe-! I want to be taken care of! Is that such a crime to you, Miya-chan?”
“I'm just saying, in both of these games you picked the soldier who's away months at a time and acts tough but is actually a huge dork.”
“First of all, otome game was was police officer with a military background and also, the hell are you implying?!”
“That you have a type.” Shuuta supplies, so matter-of-factly Rui almost chokes on his tea.
“You guys suck.” Ibuki sticks out his tongue. “Nothing wrong with having a type.”
Rui just laughs. He doesn't really have a type, but if he did, Tsukasa would probably fill all of the boxes. There was nothing not to like about him, how could Rui not fall for him when, whenever Tsukasa smiles, the whole world seems to light up with him?
He feels himself relax as Ibuki continues explaining the plot of the game. If their classmates were already under the assumption that they were dating, doesn't that mean Rui and Tsukasa don't need to hide their relationship at school anymore?
He'd need to ask Tsukasa about it, but for now, he just lets Ibuki ramble as he, Shuuta and Hibiki listen.
-
Both Rui and Tsukasa were busy after school. Rui with the greening committee and Tsukasa with the disciplinary committee. Even though Tsukasa messaged Rui that he likely wouldn’t be finished until late and he should just go home, Rui still found himself dozing off on a bench outside as he waited.
Soft touches to his hair are what wakes him up. Rui already knows who it is by the way his scalp is scratched.
“Tsukasa-kun…”
“Rui. I thought I told you not to wait for me.” Tsukasa murmurs. Still, he doesn’t complain when Rui pulls him to stand in between his knees, chin resting on Tsukasa’s stomach.
“And yet, you still knew I was here.”
Tsukasa sighs, pressing a kiss to the top of Rui’s head. Rui clutches the back of Tsukasa’s blazer, heart swelling at the affection Tsukasa shows just for him.
Rui shuffles, pressing his cheek into Tsukasa’s stomach instead. “I was talking with Miyake-kun today. Everybody thinks we're together already.”
“Oh…” Tsukasa’s hands stutter a bit.
“Why do you look disappointed, Tsukasa-kun?”
Tsukasa grumbles, keeping Rui’s face in place when he tries to pull away. “It’s stupid and selfish…”
“I think Tsukasa-kun is allowed to be stupid and selfish. Especially with me.”
“Hrn…” Rui can feel it as Tsukasa sighs. “I… The way you look at me… it makes me feel… special. More than anything I’ve ever felt. I just… I wanted the look on your face all to myself.” Tsukasa’s voice got quieter and more embarrassed the more he talked.
Rui giggles, nuzzling his face into Tsukasa. He doesn’t need to lift his head to know that Tsukasa’s face was definitely a burning red.
“Don’t laugh, I know it’s silly…”
“It is silly but it’s also sweet.” Rui laughs. Tsukasa finally lets Rui pull away from him and he wastes no time in pulling Tsukasa to sit on his lap and pepper him with kisses. “My gaze is reserved for Tsukasa-kun and Tsukasa-kun only, so he doesn’t need to worry.”
Tsukasa puffs out his cheeks as he pouts, letting Rui kiss it away. “Well… do you want to be open about us…?”
“Not if you don’t want to.” Rui places his head in the crook of Tsukasa’s neck. “Besides, if we act like this in front of others I doubt anyone would bat an eye.”
“So you don’t want to tell others?”
“I think we should let them figure it out on their own.” Rui traces shapes onto Tsukasa’s back. “Miyake-kun already knows anyway. He’s not one to gossip though.”
“Guess not.” Tsukasa sighs, hugging Rui tighter. “Hey… Rui?”
“Hmm?”
“Let’s set up a spot for us to meet up tomorrow, I don’t want you to go all the way to my house just to walk to school with me.”
Rui smothers his grin on Tsukasa’s shoulder. It’s not like he wouldn’t willingly walk the whole way to Tsukasa’s house, but the fact that Tsukasa is offering to set up a meetup spot means that Tsukasa wants to walk with Rui to school just as much as Rui does. “Okay.”
How lucky he is, to get to hold Tsukasa like this, every day.