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The music softly played in as Pure Vanilla stood stock still, not even quite knowing where his opponent was right now.
Well, he should be on the stage soon.
Pure Vanilla knew essentially nothing about who his competitor was other than the fact that he’d been competing here for longer than he had. And he was certainly one of the fan favorites if not the fan favorite.
His gaze flicked back up to the screen that displayed who was through the competition, eyes locking on the displayed spot of a faded image of White Lily’s next to his own bright one.
They’d been stuck in the first round together, and he’d won by a single point when they’d planned for a tie.
He knew White Lily had planned her loss, but he’d simply ignored it. She’d given him an extra line.
Apparently he’d tricked himself into thinking that nothing could happen to the two of them if he didn’t acknowledge a thing.
His eyes flicked up the scoreboard until they found his opponent.
Wait. He was going up against Shadow Milk?
…Well, at least he did know his opponent now.
A manipulative one that he couldn’t bear to think of.
The crowd cheered as he stepped onto stage.
They cheered louder for Shadow Milk.
As he’d remembered, Shadow Milk was quite the fan favorite for…whatever reason.
As he approached with a confident grin, and whistled like some kind of catcaller, Pure Vanilla could only do his best to keep his expression blank for the audience.
The song started out with Shadow Milk’s solo part, as planned in the sheet music.
You can turn away from the light. You even outburn the sun, my star.
He inched too close to Pure Vanilla, who stayed in the same standing.
He pushed Shadow Milk away.
You’re the perfect subject with the whole world in your sad eyes.
Shadow Milk didn’t even give a blink to the action, continuing on without a bit of hesitation as he circled where Pure Vanilla stood. He stopped right in front of Pure Vanilla’s face, meeting his gaze with another small smile that seemed more like a wolfish grin than something that was typically used in a reassuring manner.
My savior, beautiful soul.
And then Shadow Vanilla was too close to his own face, yet he didn’t push him back this time. It was bad enough he’d done it once, it would only result in actual repercussions if it happened again.
Time to join in, Pure Vanilla reminded himself.
I don’t believe, you are a liar. When our darknesses overlap—
Pure Vanilla knew it was practically a hallucination, but the image of Shadow Milk with his outstretched arms flickered to White Lily for a good second in his eyes. He snapped out of it quickly.
Let me take it all away.
Shadow Milk got close enough to cup Pure Vanilla’s face in his hands, and once again, Pure Vanilla couldn’t push him away when he did it.
His hands were cold, unlike White Lily’s. Yet it still reminded him of her gentle touch. He flickered into an image of White Lily in Pure Vanilla’s gaze once more.
Ruler of my heart, ruler of my heart, ruler of my heart—
Shadow Milk moved in flowing movements, practically twirling around while Pure Vanilla had barely moved over the entire course of the time there, and probably wouldn’t move much from.
You are forever beautiful.
Shadow Milk’s line from the song felt like it was whispered in Pure Vanilla’s ear even if it was sung at a normal volume.
Ruler of my heart, ruler of my heart, ruler of my heart.
Pure Vanilla crumpled to his knees on the ground. Shadow Milk only went along with it, tilting Pure Vanilla’s face up to look at him.
The audience seemed to like it, at least.
The endless walls, a fall with no ground.
Pure Vanilla’s turn.
In a single moment, breaking down.
He just needed to harmonize with him like Pure Vanilla would with White Lily. As long as it didn’t end up with him thinking of her again. Singing with Shadow Milk felt sickeningly like it did with White Lily, and if he wanted to, he could almost pretend it was.
He knew he shouldn’t.
So he didn’t.
I go blind and deaf, my world collapsing.
Back to Shadow Milk.
My savior, beautiful lady. Make me your god, I can give you everything. When our darknesses overlap—
The memory of White Lily’s body falling to the ground crossed Pure Vanilla’s mind once again.
Let me take it all away. Ruler of my heart, ruler of my heart, ruler of my heart.
The memories flashed through his mind.
Ruler of my heart, ruler of my heart, ruler of my heart.
Sitting out with White Lily in the garden, singing beside her, running along a river stream. Just her happily smiling face.
Shadow Milk imitating White Lily.
He couldn’t take it.
Before he could even think about what he was doing, knowing the repercussions of any actions on this stage, his hands fell to Shadow Milk’s throat, pushing him down.
The first punch landed with some blood, staining Shadow Milk’s otherwise pretty much perfect face.
The second landed with more blood, an action of simplicity to Pure Vanilla’s mind.
Shadow Milk’s manipulation was too provoking, and it was knowingly intentional.
More, as the sound of light music playing as the scene carried on, to the shock of all the audience.
The haunting echo of White Lily crossed his mind, her hums a background noise in the back of his mind.
And a little smile crossed Shadow Milk’s face as Pure Vanilla was dragged back by the guards, trying to resist it without success.
Ruler of my heart, ruler of my heart, ruler of my heart.
Shadow Milk repeated the last of the song’s words, even though the song was technically a duet.
Ruler of my heart, ruler of my heart, rule my heart.
The sound of his smooth voice grew fainter as Pure Vanilla was dragged farther and farther back by the guards.