Chapter Text
“Ah, Rui! What brings you here?” Tsukasa asked, tilting his head slightly with the front door ajar.
The sky was battling orange and purple, the clouds greying as the sky darkened. The moon rose from the east, casting a soft glow on everything beneath. It's a calm and tranquil moment before the evening transitions into a gloomy, yet beauty of night. The front yard of Tsukasa’s quite large home–the luxury of having a father being an executive at a company–had a small rack with two bikes, one a peach orange while the other resembled the color of the cherry blossom petals Rui and Tsukasa had watched together in March.
“Tsukasa, you need to come with me. It’s… serious.” Rui’s purple eyebrows furrowed, a sight Tsukasa has only seen when Rui worked on a machine or was quite pissed.
Tsukasa nodded, he got his shoes on briskly, he understood that the situation may be dire. Lucky for him, Saki was having a sleepover with her girlfriends–specifically at Honami’s house. He stepped out, Rui snatching his hand and hurrying him somewhere.
“Rui, what exactly has happened?” Tsukasa asked, tripping on small pebbles that adorn the road as Rui pulled him down the street.
No response.
The trip felt like ages, but it didn’t seem he was being led somewhere secretive. Actually, they were moving around 3 neighborhoods from Tsukasa’s. They halt to a stop in front of a house, flowers adorning each window in boxes, seems as if a seasoned gardener lives here. Tsukasa doesn’t know any gardeners, though. Rui and Tsukasa walk on the path of flat stones that are strategically placed down on the perfectly trimmed grass. Tsukasa glanced at the mailbox at the small, impressively crafted gate.
Akiyama Residence
1011 Kareru Rd.
Akiyama? That’s the surname of only one person Tsukasa has grown to know. Akiyama Mizuki. What could have happened? The last time he saw Mizuki was at the festival Kamiyama High hosts each year. She seemed to be having fun with her friends. Ena, Mafuyu and Kanade… At least that’s what he thinks their names are, based on listening to Mizuki and Rui’s conversations together.
As they went up the intricately built stairs, Rui let go of Tsukasa's hand and dug something out of his sweatshirt pocket. A key.
“Rui, what is going on?” Tsukasa asked once more, his voice firm.
Rui unlocked the front door with a click, finally having it swing open with a force of urgency.
CREAK…
Tsukasa watched as Rui briskly marched in and up the carpeted stairs. Tsukasa gulped and walked in behind Rui, making glances around. Magazines were stacked neatly on the coffee table that was surrounded by plush, black couches and seating. A stone fireplace, and a pile of firewood for the incoming winter nearby. The house’s stairs were at a subtle curve, a nice design choice. A crystal chandelier was the only light currently, the light bulb making small reflections on the grey-chocolate color of the walls.
As Tsukasa reached the end of the stairs, Rui was already at a door on the second floor, presumably Mizuki’s. Rui slowly looked over at Tsukasa, his yellow eyes radiating with worry and hesitance.
Rui mouthed the words, “Come over.” Tsukasa furrowed his eyebrows as he complied. Rui jerked his head towards the door, the door only opened around an inch or two. The inside was completely dark, except for a small laminated reflection of a monitor screen.
Tsukasa gently pushed open the door…
As Rui flicked on the room light, the warm light illuminating the small pink bedroom with warm lighting, his and Tsukasa’s focus snapped to a horrific sight. A sight they both never knew they dreaded.
“No, no, no…” Rui rushed over to Mizuki, who was on the plush bed. The sheets were tousled, and pictures of Mizuki and her friends were astray on the floor. They were harshly ripped apart, like the claws of an angry predator. Mizuki was sobbing harshly as she held tight to her once side-ponytail. The pair of black scissors were thrown into the wall, stabbed into the careful work of construction, as if the wall was Mizuki’s withering heart. Her signature ribbon was ripped from its designated place and now trashed away into the bedside table’s drawer halfway, the fabric ripped from the harsh movement that caused its current placement. Tears stained Mizuki’s clothing, still the same yellow shirt from the Kamiyama Festival, and staining her cheeks. Mascara mixed with her tears, causing black streams down her eyes, as if they were depictions of her pain and despair.
“Mizuki… Are you alright?” Tsukasa slowly approached her, allowing himself to sit beside her on the bed. Rui stroked her short, soft pink hair gently as she bawled aggressively into his grey sweatshirt.
Mizuki’s eyes widened as she was hugged tightly from both sides. The comforting action caused more tears to spill, liquid despair burning her gentle skin. Her hair slipped from her hands, sprawling out as if you dropped string connected to a needle while sewing. “R-Rui-kun…? Tenma-kun...? What…” Mizuki asked between her sobs.
Rui squeezed her tightly before releasing just a bit, he smiled softly, “We’re here because we’re worried. I saw you run from the festival at school while crying. What happened?”
Tsukasa nodded, “Are you able to explain what exactly happened? I’m sure we can help, maybe even just a small amount.”
Mizuki sniffled, wiping her tears, which stained her forearm. Her head hung low, contemplating if she should even tell them. Her body trembled from the constant memory of the rooftop and the vibrant orange of the early evening sky. Ena… No… NO! She shouldn’t ever think of her again! She shouldn’t ever face her again! Tsukasa, noticing her inner turmoil, rubbed her back soothingly.
“Hey, hey…” He spoke softly, “Don’t rush yourself. Take deep breaths, in and out.”
Mizuki replicated as Tsukasa took a deep breath himself. She felt slightly better, maybe she could trust Tsukasa with her secret? Rui already knew, of course. Mizuki and Rui have known each other for long, even before she transitioned. She trusts Rui with her secret. And by Tsukasa not showing any signs of knowing her secret, she can continue to trust Rui much more.
Mizuki took a deep breath once more, wiping her tears once more before she spoke. “I told.. Ena to meet me on the rooftop after Kanade and Mafuyu left the festival…”
Tsukasa nodded calmly, “For what exactly?”
Mizuki hesitated for a bit more before looking at Rui, seeing as he gave her a small nod to continue.
“My secret.” Mizuki quickly said under her breath. “I’m… Transgender. Male to Female, to be exact.”
Tsukasa’s eyes widened at this information, he truly didn’t see this coming. Tsukasa sighed, the sound causing Mizuki’s heart to race as she hoped he wouldn’t react in the way she thought he would. Tsukasa smiled softly, full of understanding.
“I see.” Tsukasa started, his voice calm. “I understand how you feel. I mean, with telling people about being trans.”
Mizuki looked up at Tsukasa, her baby-pink eyes filled with confusion. “You do?”
How could Tsukasa understand?
Tsukasa chuckled lightly at Mizuki’s reaction, “Yes. I’m trans as well, Mizuki. Female to Male. I understand how hard it is to come out about things as such. It wasn’t easy telling Rui and the others. It took time to see if I could trust them.” Tsukasa sighed softly, “Now, why are you crying?”
Mizuki’s breath hitched, the memories of the moment coming back like a sharp bullet from a sniper. Tsukasa couldn’t help but notice the lack of sparkle in Mizuki’s eyes, he swore she had sparkles in her eyes from previous interactions. Could this lack of spark be connected to why she’s crying?
“When I got up to the rooftop, Ena was already there. But, two of my classmates were there as well. I overheard them talking to Ena about… me. They asked her if she knew me, and she answered yes. Then they said… they said… ‘So you’re a boy as well?’” Mizuki could feel the tears burning in her eyes once more, but Rui’s comforting patting of her head calmed the tears. “Ena finally noticed me. The… look… she gave me. It was of pure confusion like she didn’t know what to do with the information. I couldn’t breathe, what if things weren’t going to be the same as they were before? I feel as if I shouldn’t be what I am… As if, maybe I am and always will be a boy, no matter how hard I try. My classmates will always see me as a boy.”
Tsukasa’s eyes widened, and he felt a pang in his heart. “Mizuki, hey, hey, hey… Don’t say that about yourself. You ARE a girl, you always will be.” Tsukasa sighed, “What I’m trying to say is… you're beautiful, Mizuki, whether or not you see it. Me and Rui see it. Everyone can see it. Ena can see it.”
Rui nodded, “Me and Tsukasa have your back whenever you doubt yourself.”
Mizuki couldn’t help but smile at the warmth she felt from Rui and Tsukasa’s words. She felt… safe. She felt as if a blindfold covering her eyes from what she had slipped off. She is, and always will be, a girl. No matter any words thrown at her, she is what she is. Mizuki giggled as she felt Rui and Tsukasa hug her tightly from both sides once more. “Thank you, guys. I don’t know what I’d do without either of you.”
Rui chuckled, flashing his cat-like smile. “That’s what friends are for. Now, why don’t we clean you up? Tears mixed with mascara don’t suit you.”
“How about you and Rui go get ice cream from your freezer instead? I’ll clean up your room.” Tsukasa said, his voice light. Tsukasa was quite a neat freak, it was understandable he would want to do so himself. “Just, don’t forget to leave me some.”