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“Good job, guys!” Tsukasa exclaimed energetically, placing his hands on his hips. The sun was already setting, and soon it would be closing time at the amusement park where they were rehearsing, so their meeting was coming to an end. Emu and Nene nodded at the leader's words, and Rui chuckled as usual. “Tomorrow we will give it our all! Good night, everyone!”
“Tsukasa-kun, Rui-kun, Nene-chan!” Emu jumped up and down, clapping her hands. “Let's make this performance unforgettable and give lots and lots of smiles! Wonderhoy!!”
Tsukasa laughed loudly as he replied,
“Ha-ha! Of course, our performance will be perfect!” Despite feigned confidence, his voice trembled slightly. The boy didn’t focus his gaze on one thing, instead he nervously looked around the stage. “Our first time on a big stage, ha-ha... Where there will be a lot of people... And reporters... And advertisers... HA-HA, we will definitely be fine!!”
Rui raised his eyebrows, noticing the star's strange behavior. The girls didn't pay much attention to it: Tsukasa was always loud and talkative, and he acted like this all the time.
“Mm. Good night, guys,” Nene smiled slightly and turned to Emu, “Emu, will you go with me?”
“Of cooourse! Hehe, good night, Tsukasa-kun, Rui-kun!” the pink girl winked at them, taking her friend by the arm and leaving the Wonder Stage with her.
“Good night,” Rui grinned back and turned to Tsukasa, who suddenly appeared near their decorations, with his back to him. He was fixing something and shaking off non-existent specks of dust, frowning slightly. “Tsukasa-kun? It's already late, you should go home too,” Kamishiro called, coming closer to him.
The leader flinched and turned around, stopping what he was doing, but didn't look at Rui.
“Huh? Oh, yeah... I just... wanted to do something else…” he muttered, looking around the audience hall. His palms were sweaty, and he unconsciously began to crumple the hem of his shirt.
Rui narrowed his eyes and, placing his hand on the other’s shoulder, asked with an encouraging smile, “Tsukasa-kun, are you, by chance, nervous?”
Tenma flinched at these words, blushing with shame.
“Me!? Ha-ha, no way! Why would I, Tsukasa Tenma, a future star, be nervous..!” He faltered when Rui suddenly put his hand on his hair and lightly stroked it.
Eeeeeeeeh?!
“Even for you this may be a new experience. There is no need to be ashamed of this, Tsukasa-kun,” Rui meanwhile smiled softly, ruffling his hair. “If anything, I'm always here to support you.”
Tsukasa felt his heart beat faster and quickly looked away. He was only slightly disappointed when Kamishiro removed his hand.
“Agh, Rui!.. I'm not worried! Everything is fine!” He seemed to be trying to convince himself rather than Rui. But after a pause, he quietly said, “...However, thank you.”
The director just smiled at this.
“Well, now let's go home! Our star needs to be well-rested to shine on stage tomorrow, right?" he suggested, heading towards the exit of the Wonder Stage.
“Of course! And you too, Rui!” Tsukasa agreed ardently, catching up with him.
They walked together to the crossroads where they had to go separate ways and, after saying goodbye, each went to his own house.
Although Tsukasa — though he wouldn't admit it out loud — wanted to go with Rui and stay with him, since it seemed like only the director could calm his racing heart.
It's just a performance. No need to worry so much.
Now he will come home, go to bed at his appointed time, wake up, perform, and tomorrow will be over.
It's nothing.
...
Tsukasa couldn't sleep.
He was wide awake. He had been tossing and turning, changing positions, trying to turn off his brain, and even using breathing techniques to fall asleep. He had counted all the sheep, repeated his lines ten times, and spent about half the night thinking about how perfect Rui was before he tore himself away from these shameful thoughts and realized that he was still awake.
He turned on his side and picked up his phone to check the time. The harsh light from the screen blinded him for a few seconds, and as he adjusted to the brightness, he could see the undeniable:
One o'clock in the morning. Wonderful.
Aghhh, what's wrong with him?! He just wanted to sleep! To get rid of these disturbing thoughts, the fear in his chest, and just rest in his sleep!
He sighed heavily, turning on his phone again. He went into the social network and stared at the list of chats. His gaze caught on the purple icon.
Rui… He definitely wasn’t sleeping. Come to think of it, when did he ever find time to sleep? No wonder he walked around with bags under his eyes every day, and yet he somehow managed to function perfectly.
His finger hovered over the contact as the boy struggled with doubt.
Finally, he closed his eyes and pressed the call button.
Beeps. Tsukasa opened one eye, looking at the contact's name: Rui♛ and his profile picture, where he was smiling softly.
Tenma was already thinking about hanging up, when suddenly the call was answered and he almost dropped his smartphone in surprise.
“Tsukasa-kun?” A worried question came from the other end. Rui's gentle voice immediately spread warmth into Tsukasa's chest, and he held the phone closer. “It's already so late. Did something happen?”
“Are you awake, Rui?” Tsukasa asked in a whisper.
“Fufu, of course I am. But why aren’t you sleeping? That’s what’s worrying me.”
His voice was soft and soothing, and Tsukasa immediately felt the tension ease from his shoulders.
The actor sighed and, gathering his strength, admitted, “I can't sleep. I'm... a little nervous, Rui.”
Silence. A few heavy seconds later he heard rustling on the other side and Rui's serious voice, “I'm coming to you right now, Tsukasa-kun.”
Tsukasa choked on air at this statement.
“WHAT?! Rui, wait, no!” he shouted in a panic whisper into the phone, afraid to wake up Saki in the next room. “First of all, it’s cold there! Secondly, it’s nighttime! Thirdly, how are you even going to get to my room?!” Having said everything in one breath, he couldn’t help but smile. Rui’s concern warmed his heart.
Rui on the other end of the line went silent, apparently unable to find anything to say. The rustling stopped as well. Tsukasa sighed and said, “We can... meet in the sekai.”
He heard Rui chuckle lightly before he replied, “Fufu, that's right. I'll be waiting for you there in a minute, Tsukasa-kun.”
And he hung up.
Tsukasa stared blankly at his phone, shocked to the core. He shook his head and went into the music app, searching for the song he needed.
Finding 'The Tetrad that Illuminates the World', he pressed it and closed his eyes before a bright white light engulfed him.
Once in the sekai, he lost his balance from the sudden change in position and almost fell, if not for the hand that held him in place. He turned around abruptly and saw Rui smiling, his hand on the other's back.
Tsukasa blushed and pulled away, muttering, “Hello, Rui... Long time no see,” he glanced at him furtively, meeting other's gaze.
Oh. He was examining him.
Tsukasa was wearing blue pajamas with stars on them, and only socks; he hadn't really thought about changing. But Rui just smiled at him and joked,
“It's really been a while since we've seen each other. Shall we sit down?” he suggested, pointing to a bench nearby. Tsukasa nodded and rubbed his eyes, feeling them hurt from the light and fatigue.
Rui was watching him closely, so when Tsukasa lowered his hand, he suddenly took it in his own and led them to the bench. Tenma looked at him in surprise, butterflies fluttered in his stomach.
They sat down, leaning back on the bench, and raised their heads to the night sky above. After admiring the stars in silence, Rui was the first to turn to his friend, asking softly, “So, is something bothering you, Tsukasa-kun?”
Tsukasa, still looking at the sky, sighed heavily again. He looked down, saying uncertainly , “It's just... I can't stop thinking... What if I can't become a star, Rui?” Doubt crept into his eyes, he nervously fidgeted with his fingers, seeming genuinely worried.
‘You are already the brightest star of all to me,’ flashed through Rui’s mind, but he said out loud,
“What makes you think that, Tsukasa-kun? You always put your all into performances,” Kamishiro began, causing Tsukasa to look up at him, “you never give up until you've perfected a role. And every time, you perform perfectly. Every time, you surpass yourself,” he smiled and raised his hand to stroke the boy's cheek. Tsukasa blinked, slightly embarrassed.
“Ahem, my faithful director, when you say that, for some reason I feel calmer,” Tenma gave him a smile as well, and suddenly dropped his head onto his shoulder, causing Rui to freeze. He closed his eyes, quietly continuing, “But, Rui... what if I fail? Make a mistake?”
A familiar soft chuckle was heard.
“I can’t imagine it,” Rui looked at him, who was leaning on his shoulder, tenderly. “You're perfect, Tsukasa-kun.”
These words made Tsukasa's heart first stop, and then start beating so fast that he was afraid Rui would hear.
And why does he always have to say such embarrassing things?
“T-that’s… not true,” Tsukasa objected, still keeping his eyes closed. On the Rui’s shoulder was so comfortable that he was slowly drifting off to sleep.
“Oya? This is the first time I've seen our star not accept compliments. Don't you like being praised?” Rui asked in his usual tone. He gently placed his hand on Tsukasa's shoulder to pull him closer.
Just don't do anything unnecessary.
Tsukasa blushed and snorted, “Even stars can be insecure!”
“Okay,” Rui nodded understandingly. Tsukasa was so warm. He wanted to hug him. “With me you can be whatever you want.”
And here are those words again!
Tsukasa couldn't find anything to say, so he opened his eyes and began to look around. There was no one else in the sekai except for the two of them, and the world was enveloped in a pleasant silence, only their breathing could be heard.
He broke off his contemplation when Rui spoke again,
“Tsukasa-kun, I'll always be there to support you. And Emu-kun, and Nene too. So, you don't have to worry about tomorrow's performance. Because,” he turned his head, his warm breath touched the top of Tsukasa's head, causing goosebumps. “You're not alone.”
I will always be with you.
Tsukasa smiled, his heart pounding in his ears, and he closed his eyes again, relaxing.
“Thank you, Rui.”
Rui chuckled softly and turned his head to look at the stars again. After a while, he felt Tsukasa leaning more heavily on him, and turning around, heard a soft, rhythmic breathing.
The quiet breathing turned into a snore, and Kamishiro giggled again. He put his arm around Tsukasa and leaned down, saying quietly,
“Love you.”
Pulling away, Rui took the phone out of Tsukasa's pocket and stopped the song playing, allowing him to return to his room, to the embrace of his bed. The director himself sat alone in the sekai for a while, contemplating the starry sky.
Although his thoughts revolved around only one star.
──⟨ ⟡ ⟩──
There was thunderous applause and the actors took a final bow before the curtain fell.
“Guys!” Tsukasa exclaimed enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling just like him.
Emu screamed, “Waaaah!! That was very-sparkly-cool-wonderhoy!!!” She grabbed Tsukasa by the hands, shaking them as she jumped in place. “Everyone was smiling and we did soooo great!!”
“Yes!” the leader agreed with a smile as wide as hers.
Nene smiled, “We really did well. Everyone played their roles perfectly.”
“You're right, Nene!” Tsukasa nodded excitedly at her, and then turned to Rui, who was standing a little further away from them. “Rui!”
Kamishiro smiled at him and began,
“Ah, Tsukasa-kun-” but then Tsukasa suddenly ran up and hugged him tightly, wrapping his arms around his neck. Rui was so surprised that he barely stood on his feet, reflexively placing his hands on the boy's back and looked at his friend in surprise.
“Thank you, Rui,” he whispered joyfully: for this happiness Rui was ready to move mountaints.
Tsukasa turned his head slightly towards him, and Rui felt soft lips touch his cheeks, leaving a gentle kiss. Tsukasa immediately pulled away and turned to Emu and Nene, leaving a confused Rui blushing in the same place.
Nene, who had not missed what had happened, cast an eloquent glance towards her childhood friend. The latter only continued to stare in disbelief at Tsukasa, who was laughing loudly along with Emu. The tips of the leader's ears turned red, revealing his poorly concealed embarrassment.
“You… were outstanding, Tsukasa-kun…” Rui finished what he had planned to say initially, only his voice became unnaturally quiet. He touched his cheek with his palm, where the trace of a tender touch still burned, and flushed.
Ah... Is that even allowed, Tsukasa-kun?
Tsukasa, as if he sensed the other's gaze and thoughts, looked back at Rui, giving him a dazzling yet timid smile. It took all of Rui's strength not to walk up and kiss him right there.
Tsukasa still didn't take his eyes off him, and his lips moved in a silent whisper:
“Love you too.”