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Ten years ago was when they went their separate ways. After graduating, there wasn’t much left for them anymore—not in Phoenix Wonderland, at least. They said their goodbyes and walked on different paths, like a tree growing branches in all directions. Tsukasa is now a world-famous actor, starring in both musicals and movies The darling of performance arts, as people say. Emu began to take over operations in Phoenix Wonderland, managing staff and park events until she eventually joined her brothers in overseeing the brand as a whole after their father retired. Then, Rui…
Rui was doing God-knows-what. He went on to become both a director and a special effects technician. A prodigy. Someone who went the extra mile for his films and shows, building from scratch his own robotics and effects. Every film flashier than the last.
And Nene—Nene was playing everything back in her head like a movie reel. She’s unsure when it all began, but she recalls signing with a top-ranking talent agency and shooting into stardom from there. Through all the parties, events, camera flashes, film shoots, and interviews she’s endured, the journey feels almost a blur.
Granted, she should be proud of herself. At the stardom each of them achieved, drowning in their individual successes. Yet a part of her wished they did it together.
It was almost as if everyone else was too eager to move on—like how you anticipate the pain in removing a Band-Aid, knowing it’s a temporary solution—but the days she spent with them as Wonderlands x Showtime had to be her fondest. Then it was all gone at the snap of a finger, at the passing of a day.
Now she sat in her porcelain bathtub, sparkling champagne in her hand. She drank her sorrows and nostalgia away as she stared out the wall-like and thankfully one-way window. After downing a final sip, she set the glass on the counter and sank into the soapy water.
“This is stupid… I’ve had a decade to rid myself of these feelings, but…”
Nene shook her head, tossing the thought out like litter. “No use clinging.”
After drying herself off, she scrolled through the contacts on her phone and stopped on the WxS group chat. The last message was them all wishing Rui a happy birthday, and his singular response in thanks. This was all they were reduced to—one-sided celebrations as if they were distant relatives. But she couldn’t blame any of them. Life became too busy to celebrate with each other. Tsukasa was travelling wherever, Emu was holding conferences around the world, and Rui was in America. Yet, Nene was still where she began. Tokyo.
Her agency did occasionally hand her roles for films abroad, but her fame was primarily in Japan. So much in hoping to move on.
That didn’t make her less in any way, right? She wasn’t a Globetrotter like Tsukasa, as affluent and charismatic as Emu, or as savvy as Rui. She had her own strengths, it’s just… hard not to compare herself when they all seem happy leaving behind their old lives so easily.
She shut her eyes and submerged fully into the water. As her body went weightless, she felt the thoughts wash away. She told herself to look forward. That these feelings should’ve been shed long ago. But like how Orpheus loved Eurydice so much, she knew she would always turn around and let the past consume her.
♫彡*:･ﾟ✧
After slipping on a pristine bathrobe and fixing her hair with a towel, Nene could finally relax into her plush couch. She poured herself another glass of champagne as she scrolled through the TV—wall-mounted, curved, and practically twice her size. At first, money could buy happiness. The switch from her parents’ dainty house to her expansive high-rise apartment was initially full of wonder and shock. Though as time passed, she became used to the taste of luxury, her tongue now desensitized. At some point, she realized the vanity of it all. How nothing could ever satisfy the ever-expanding hole inside her.
When did she let herself get to this?
Did the answer matter anymore? After all, she was too far gone now.
At least mindless TV provided a distraction from her thoughts. It was easy pretending to be someone else—better, even. She’d rather not be herself currently.
Then, she’d rot until she fell asleep with an aching hangover—
Her phone buzzed with a message. That’s fine. It could wait. Nene pressed on a random reality show and leaned back, waiting for it to start. Another buzz. Probably nothing. The intro came on, flashy colors and obnoxious music. Another damn buzz.
Nene groaned and pulled her phone out, checking the notifications.
Kamishiro Rui
Hey, Nene.
Are we still meeting tomorrow? Just checking :3
You get to choose our spot today.
Nene?
I’ll take your silence as “Oh, yes, Rui. I’ll make sure to send you the address by tomorrow. We’ll have such a great time together. Can’t wait to see you again!”
…
Okay, goodnight~
Nene groaned. She nearly forgot about that, even though it’s one of the only things she looks forward to in her life. Due to everyone’s conflicting schedules and constant excuses, they rarely see each other in person. There’s the occasional video call, and if they’re lucky enough, a single day they all get to meet and catch up, but most days go by without a word. Except… Rui and Nene promised to meet one day every year. July seven, Tanabata.
Rui decided because it was the day between their birthdays, but Nene suspects it was an excuse just to visit. But regardless, for ten years, they committed to it.
Guess she should start looking for good locations.
♫彡*:･ﾟ✧
Nene sat on a bench, the sun blaring at her and spreading across the seaside. She listened to the waves crash calmly against the rocks, tapping her foot in impatience. It was nearly lunch.
Rui was supposed to be here half an hour ago. She sent him a flurry of texts, asking him where he was, but received no response. Looking at all the couples and families strolling through the park was starting to get on her nerves. More so than Rui—
“Guess who~” A sing-song voice chirped behind her, hands suddenly blocking her vision.
She yelped and nearly dropkicked the man (a move she learned from her self-defense classes), but stopped when he began to plead. “H-Hey, wait, wait! Nene, it’s me!”
“Rui?” Nene turned and was hit by his cheeky smile as if she were blasted directly by a ray of sun. “Took you long enough.”
He sighed, offended. “I was running late, I hope you know. It’s been a while. I got lost.”
She rolled her eyes as he took a seat beside her. “As if you weren’t always chastising me for being late for practice.”
At that, his smile faltered. Nene blinked. Did she just imagine that? He picked it back up so quickly, it could’ve been a trick of the eye… but she swore his expression broke .
Nene couldn’t pinpoint it exactly, but something was undeniably wrong.
For now, though, she ignored it. “Um. So, I guess we should get going?”
“Oh, sure.” Rui stood, gaze still focused on the sea. “Any particular reason why you chose this spot as our meeting point?”
“I don’t think there really is. I just thought the sea looked beautiful this time of the year.”
He hummed in confirmation. “Hm. Yeah. You’re right.” He returned to facing her. “Anyway… Shall we?”
“Oh, sure. You arrived pretty late, so it’ll be afternoon once we get there.”
“That’s fine. Did you have lunch?”
One sandwich, if that counted. “Mhm.”
“Then let’s get going!”
♫彡*:･ﾟ✧
The two walked a stone path to a nearby temple, surrounded by wish trees full of colorful paper. After walking for so long, the daylight began to wear down alongside Nene’s legs. Nene couldn’t help but glance at Rui during the whole walk. And although he was holding himself well currently, she wondered about what she had seen earlier. Maybe she’s imagining. Maybe she’s reaching conclusions. But things haven’t been the same between them for a long time. She used to read him like an open book, but now the pages have blurred. She wonders if they’re strangers now, or on the road to quickly becoming so.
Do you feel the same ache in your stomach, or is it just me? She thought. Do you miss me the same way I do you or have you long moved on already?
Then why would he force himself to visit once a year without fail? Guilt? Obligation? Or something more? How she wished she could just pull him close and beg him to stay, to stop growing just a little more different every time she sees him. How his warmth is a spirit to her now. But the distance seems so immeasurable.
Things have changed. And maybe she should let things run their natural course. She didn’t want to ruin their relationship any more than she already had.
All good things have an ending, just like a play. You can’t force a set story to go past its ending. The words have already been written. So, in that sense, it feels like her efforts will be in vain anyway. Maybe she’s prolonging a story that should’ve ended long ago. But… if that still meant more time, holding onto something that gives her comfort… Was it even worth it?
“I think this is a good place to put our wishes.”
Nene snapped out of her head, a few steps behind Rui. He stopped beside a wish tree, one with fewer papers than the rest. “Come on. Let’s do it together,” He called, the same smile on his face he’s been wearing all day.
She joined him, both of them on opposite sides. Which was strange, since Rui was always adamant that their papers should be next to each other. Another pang in her heart. It felt like he was pulling away, ever so slightly. As she hung her paper on a bamboo branch, she read the words she had written again.
I hope we stay together. Even if it’s forced. Even if you’re no longer recognizable.
She doubts her wish will come true this time.
Unlike last year, she didn’t want to be selfish. She wished for everyone’s happiness.
“Can I see?” Rui asked, sparkling with mischief.
Nene, suspicious of his intentions, pushed him away lightly. “No. You’ll laugh.”
He gasped as if offended. “Me? I would never.”
“Sure…”
“C’mon, I’ll let you see mine if you’ll let me see yours.”
The actress sighed, but obliged. Certainly there’s no harm in that, right? Plus, his stupid cheeky smirk was pushing her to do so. “Fine.”
He clasped his hands together. “Great!”
Nene’s eyes roamed to his paper, written in his formal and smooth handwriting.
I hope things never change between us.
To this day, Nene was unsure if ‘us’ meant WxS, or…
No.
It couldn’t be.
But wasn’t he the one pulling away? Nene glanced at him, and he stared back, having just finished hanging his wish. She can’t read him the same way anymore. Soon, he might become a stranger.
Nene didn’t want to imagine that possibility.
♫彡*:･ﾟ✧
Night came fast yet tortuously slow. They were heading back to the seaside park to spot Orihime and Hikoboshi after hanging their wishes. Throughout the day, the pair spoke in small, awkward bouts of conversation until the hues of sky washed dark.
Today was rather uneventful. Usually, they’d go all out—travel everywhere, buy a bunch of street food, and make the most of their limited time. Yet today, there was hardly any fanfare. It felt more like small talk and a lot more walking.
Nene couldn’t handle it anymore. She hated how the knife in her gut wouldn’t stop twisting, how her heart kept dipping as if drowning, thrashing against the water. The wind began to flow, threatening to strangle her. She put a jacket on, but it still felt unbearably cold.
“Rui,” she began, stopping both of them in their tracks. She wasn’t sure if she could do this, but she pushed through. “Is there something wrong?”
He blinked. “No…? No, no. Nothing’s wrong.” He smiled. It felt wrong. Forced. “Why do you ask?”
Rui paused. His eyes went sharp and tight, and his smile straightened. “Look, Nene. I… I’m just a tad bit tired, alright? Nothing you should worry about.”
“What? No—No, don’t act like you’re not…” She stopped herself before she admitted more than she needed to. “L-Like you’re not acting weird. You’re free to tell me anything, you know this.”
“I do! It’s only… things are complicated now.”
“Complicated how? Haven’t we been friends for over half our lives now? You can’t just…” Nene grabbed his hand.
Rui stopped, exhausted. “Nene, I… I’m sorry.” Without another word, he slipped away like Nene knew he always would.
“I-Is that really all you have to say?”
Silence.
The door was always open for him, Nene thought. But she was tired, always waiting for him at the entrance, waiting for him to open up.
She wished she could bridge this gap with magpies and embrace him. And she hoped he felt the same. Yet the coldness when he escaped her grasp… it told her otherwise.
But she couldn’t let go of this—of them. Not just yet.
She grabbed his arm and pulled him close. Tight. Enough to lock him in place if he decided to run off. “Tell me, please.”
His eyes widened, face burning red. “Nene, I…”
“Rui. Please. ”
He cracked and gave in to her. Turning to face her, Rui sighed. “I… I thought I could leave it all behind.”
“All of it?”
“Tsukasa, Emu, you … Everyone. The past,” he admitted, gaze downcast. “For a few years now, it’s been getting harder to face it. I know we ended things on a good note, but… It’s as if there’s this hole in my stomach. As time goes by, it gets harder to remember your faces, and the hole expands until it becomes a void. So, I buried myself in my work. Yet I don’t think I can keep running anymore, Nene.”
Oh. Nene realized. He felt the same as me… “Then stay.”
“Is it really that easy?”
Nene knew the feeling—and though running is easy at first, the longer you keep going, the more you tire yourself out. You keep running until you no longer can. “It’s not… but you just have to keep your feet down and take it on.”
Without warning, Rui leaned in and hugged her close. He held her tight, not letting her slip away again. Nene reciprocated. Here they were, under the same stars, sharing the same atmosphere. Behind Rui, she could spot them in the sky—Orihime and Hikoboshi. It looks like they found each other too.
“Nene?”
“Hm?”
“If I decided to stay for one more day, do you know a good place I can stay for the night?”
She sighed. What a cheeky bastard. “You can take the spare bedroom.”
“I think that works.” He smiled, but this time it reached the corners of his eyes. The same one that shone brighter than her memories of him.
From this close, Nene could read the new wrinkles on his face, how he still maintained the same boyishness all these years. Yet still fundamentally the same Rui.
Outwardly, they’ve all changed significantly. Some parts for the better. Even if they were older now, Nene could bet they all still had the same warmth.