Chapter Text
Hatsune Miku, the supposed creator of endless dimensions, was truly a cruel individual.
Despite his distaste for her lack of consideration, Tsukasa did not resent the blue-haired girl, of course; he was not entirely certain he could even form a tiny grudge against her. Miku had rescued him from an eternity of tribulations, and due to that, he was greatly indebted to her generosity for the rest of eternity - however lengthy that may be, anyway. The most comical constituent of the situation was that he could not recall his origins, only permitted with whirling visions of his past whenever the opportunity was granted, but unfortunately reduced to incoherent snippets and shielded from his memory. Nevertheless, he recalled he had a sister, named Saki, who shared a couple of similarities such as blonde hair and unwavering optimism. He was also accompanied by three other individuals who he presumed were his most cherished friends: Rui, Emu, and Nene. Tsukasa had met a handful of alternative versions, but never the ones he desired to see - the true companions that rotted his headspace with sickening hope. Prior to that, he was trapped inside an abandoned amusement park, unable to claw himself free from the metallic bars of solitude; for it being a place of wonder, he could not search for a reason to be jubilated by the rickety rides nor the isolated pathways. He felt pathetic, tantalized by the recurring fantasies he assumed to be fabricated from his mind, until Miku encountered the desperate boy. She blessed him with the privilege of visiting distinct worlds, promising to return him to his designated dimension as long as he returned a stolen artifact to her.
As dedicated as he was to witnessing his companions’ glory in the flesh, Tenma Tsukasa’s abilities were woefully limited when it came to apprehending the culprit. He had not even viewed the face of the one who blocked him from utter bliss, openly making a mockery of his promise. With every fruitless endeavor, Miku would threaten to send him back to that horrid amusement park, and as efficiently it served as a motive to try harder, it was undeniably inhumane.
Not that his words mattered to the ears of those who listened; he was nothing but a foolish wanderer who happened to run his mouth whenever he had the chance.
“How many times are you going to allow that scoundrel to waltz around with my treasured book?” Miku scurried around the vast hallway of her palace, occasionally glancing out of the gigantic windows that provided absolutely no privacy for their conversation, and returned her gaze to her empty palms. “I should be holding it right now , Tsukasa! Do you want to go back to that awful dimension I found you in?”
The aforementioned boy only sealed his lips tightly together, swallowing down the pitiful defenses of his incompetence. He lowered his head in shame, detesting the disgruntled tone that came along with the pronunciation of his name. He attempted to complete his goal assigned by the blue-haired girl, but no matter the amount of consideration he exerted in observing his surroundings, the result was only failure. He fiddled with the gleaming star that encircled around his neck, sensing the cool temperature of the gemstones, and perceived the golden chain as a noose.
“Next time I won’t let them slip away, I promise,” he muttered between gritted teeth, ruthlessly clenching his jaw until it nearly popped out of place. He could not go back to that torturous location of solitude, especially not when he had the opportunity to reunite with the ones plaguing his headspace, to undergo the joy he only experienced in those strange memories.
“You’ve said that exact declaration for the past eleven times!” she faintly hissed, too engrossed in her own anguish to properly scold the blond-haired boy.
Miku halted her frantic footsteps, attempting to moderate her jittery behavior; she deeply inhaled an enormous portion of oxygen, empowering the steady movement of her chest to pacify the exasperation rooted inside her heart. She shifted her body to directly face an oval window, biting her lower lip as she worried for the fate of her utopia; the absence of her ancient book greatly soured her attitude, how wonderful.
From what Tsukasa recalled, this bizarre kingdom was referred to as a 'Palace SEKAI' to prevent further confusion of being considered as another alternative universe. The palace, dreadfully adorned with too much white decor, had been miraculously constructed atop a floating cloud. Underneath the modern castle was an extensive village, filled to the brim with peculiar individuals and opulent carriages; apparently, the entire kingdom had not been struck with poverty judging by the elegant attire and luxurious jewelry that beautifully blended into their daily appearances. Miku was a victim to the favor of sophisticated garments, although it was probable she was the one who implemented the trend. The circumference of her milky skirt was practically at an arm’s length, embellished with glittery, teal frills that dazzled underneath the silver chandeliers’ beam of light. She proceeded to squeeze a gloved palm against the unblemished glass, twisting her lissome fingers into a fist - if it were not for the silk that enveloped her hands, she certainly would have left faint scratches.
The Palace SEKAI was considered a haven, nurturing weary residents using the vow of tranquility. Disregarding the positive comments of the peculiar kingdom, Tsukasa considered the beatific world to be lifeless, deprived of the importance of distinctive coloring. The most customization an individual could wear would be pastel colors; even so, the limited options only delivered gloom. It was as if the utopia was filtered by the human eye to appear more angelic, but miserably failed.
Tsukasa would never declare his internal complaints, for Miku was quite defensive toward her paradise; the mere belief itself was more than enough to be executed, or worse, returned to the dreadful amusement park and its isolation he was once familiar with.
“I’m aware of that, but this time I mean it! That criminal will regret the day they even touched your beloved possession!” Tsukasa dauntlessly claimed, firing a positive grin as he finished speaking. Even if he did not know how to enact his statement, and possibly soared too close to the sun, he earnestly supported his own cause. Tsukasa held many characteristics, but abandoning a challenging issue was simply out of the question. Despite the inevitable problems he would encounter, the possibility of reentering his original dimension outweighed the laborious journey. All he needed to do at the moment was to persuade Miku to not determine his existence as worthless and then discard him.
Miku released a groan, evidently exhausted from their interaction. “Hmph, fine, I’ll give you one last chance. At least identify the disgrace who is wreaking havoc, that means to figure out their name!” She flapped a dismissive hand, indirectly requesting the boy to leave before commanding, “Go, head off to your sleeping chamber. I have an unbelievable amount of repairing that needs to be done. I ordered Kaito to accompany you on your walk. It’s not that I don’t trust you, but I refuse to risk another possession of mine to be stolen.”
Despite the urgency intertwined in her tone, Miku continued to be glued against the transparent openings, observing the twinkling stars that formed countless constellations. Tsukasa remained by her side until Kaito arrived, awkwardly shifting his weight onto one foot.
Kaito was the only knight inside the building, not that a palace an innumerable amount of yards elevated into the air needed as much protection as a regular castle. Unless simple nods of recognition counted, Tsukasa hadn’t had a proper conversation with the mentioned man due to his own journeys between unique universes and the mixture of Kaito’s attentive, hasty meanders through the vacant corridors. For as long as he remembered, Kaito was not once spotted in the same location for more than a short period of time and often exhibited a wearied grin on his countenance.
The intolerable silence brewed alongside the occasional suspires rooted from Miku’s disappointment nearly suffocated his lungs. The guilt seeped deeper into his body.
Kaito’s footsteps trudged closer down the hallway, the stillness between both Tsukasa and Miku amplified the soft stomps to appear more intimidating than usual. He considered Kaito an acquaintance, yet he dreaded the sight of the knight’s honed blade prepared to battle at all times. Once observing the melancholic expression painted onto Tsukasa, Kaito bowed at Miku’s dissociated presence to display his respect. “Lady Miku, I have arrived.”
“I can see that,” she curtly responded, tugging at her blue ponytails that nearly grazed the marble floor. “Please ensure Tsukasa does not take any detours on his way to bed. None at all. He needs all the rest he can get to improve.”
Tsukasa bit back a grimace, acknowledging the anxious undertone that dripped from every syllable. His stomach furiously growled, clearly displeased with the command of heading straight to bed, and craved a scrumptious dish to restore his spent energy; and yet, he sealed his lips tight, ignoring the overwhelming fatigue. Anytime he voyaged to an unfamiliar dimension, the shift in reality guaranteed a powerful maelstrom of enervation to thrust in his direction.
Kaito bobbed his head vertically, agreeing to the order bestowed upon him. “Shall we go, Tsukasa?”
“Oh, yes, of course!” the aforementioned boy beamed brightly, reciprocating the brief bow before scurrying to follow Kaito.
Tsukasa would not dare consider himself a coward, yet a simple glimpse of the hollow smile Kaito maintained only dispatched dread to whirl in his veins. Kaito noticeably attempted to appear more cheerful than he originally was, possibly out of fear of permitting others to view his drained state of mind. Up close, Tsukasa observed the evident circles underneath his eyes, unveiling the countless nights of deprived rest. The dark splotches of vigilance increased as the days slipped by from their fingers, but at the moment, the sign of exhaustion dragged itself downward until it reached half the length of his nose’s bridge; Kaito’s eyelashes shielded most of the dim candlelight from illuminating parts of his countenance, emphasizing the misery he masked away by gracing his lips with an imitation of contentment.
“I’ve been meaning to ask, has Lady Miku been treating you kindly?” Kaito queried, bursting the quietude both men shared.
Tsukasa halted his galloping thoughts, shifting his attention to gingerly calculate his response. The question was a contradiction in itself; the words 'Miku' and 'kind' were inverses, certainly incapable of complimenting each other. He parted his lips, struggling to discover a positive characteristic to editorialize on, merely to liberate a bitter exhale.
A mellow chuckle erupted from Kaito’s vocal cords, instantly softening his stern features. “Judging by the look on your face, I assume not.”
Tsukasa immediately shook his head to counter Kaito’s precise hunch, unwilling to give the impression that he was discourteous. In hopes to scuffle against his unspoken thoughts, he blurted out, “She is very kind!—“ the pitch sounded meek, totally convincing. “—Miku has her moments of.. tyrannical tendencies, but I’m utterly grateful she presented me with the opportunity to return home. I’m in no position to request more.”
“You don’t have to lie, it’s understandable. Lady Miku used to be exceedingly cordial, although based on past experiences, she constructed an icy barrier around her heart out of paranoia. Trust me when I say her impolite behavior isn’t only targeted toward you, it’s nothing personal,” Kaito faintly spoke, authorizing the corners of his lips to tug downward as his eyebrows arched in concern. “All of us had been victims of her wrath. I could only beg you not to return the same rancorous attitude; Lady Miku is only stressed.”
“I can keep my emotions in check, don’t worry,” he responded, intending his words to be reassuring rather than to be identified as defensive.
Strangely, for a split second, his counterargument tasted acidic on his tongue. Had it been a lie? He was unable to remind himself of a moment where he berated an individual out of vexation; yet again, Tsukasa’s recollection of his memories was brutally limited.
“Ah, that’s not what I’m implying at all! I am certain that you are capable of swallowing down your indignation,” Kaito swiftly clarified, lowering his gaze onto the polished floor.
Tsukasa scowled at his own accidental, brash tone. He was frightened by the idea that Kaito perceived him as egotistical. “No, don’t apologize. Forgive my arrogance. I only ended up proving myself wrong. How unbecoming of a star!”
“A star..?” the knight murmured underneath his breath, flummoxed by the specific label.
Out of instinct, Tsukasa clutched the necklace that swayed from his movement, delicately trailing his index to tickle the pad of his finger against the rough exterior of the jewels. His desire to gleam as dazzling as the stars seemed illogical once blurted out loud; apart from that, his ridiculous mentality sprouted his motivation to embrace each second of the day.
“In the past, I was engrossed by the concept of shining radiantly, striving to invoke inspiration by a simple glimpse of my presence. It’s comical, but I would love nothing more than to nurture the entire world with my greatness.” Tsukasa tightly flattened his lips together, forming a curved line. “I try to return to my roots, my old personality, but the person in my dreams is unreachable. I lost the reason why I even conjured the wish for stardom; however, I fully believe I’ll figure it out.”
The hazy fragments of his life were scattered across his headspace, though with meticulous assortment of the events, Tsukasa vowed to himself that he would understand every aspect of his existence. His heart swelled with yearning; every beat was a reminder of the melancholy that coursed through his veins. He became a cracked, hollow shell of his previous self, and it pained him greatly. The vulnerability he expressed only sprinkled salt to the aching wound. He used to emit rays of valiance, irrefutably resilient, all while fending off the doubts from ravaging his image. If only his memories were not locked away - if only he found the key, then he would be a step closer to the finish line.
As if to prevent Tsukasa from pursuing his conflicted thoughts, Kaito adjusted his vision to rest on the other as he gloomily stated, “It must be terrifying to not understand your own identity.”
Tsukasa shrugged, not daring to witness the pitiful expression that tainted the knight’s usual cheerful face. He was terrified to acknowledge the truth behind Kaito’s words, cowardly disagreeing by producing a bland laugh. Most times, he felt like a stranger in his own body, unfamiliar with the bizarre simile. When it came to his negative emotions, Tsukasa preferred to reside in ignorance.
“Hmm, not exactly. I would be more worried if I couldn’t remember anything at all,” he announced his sliver of optimism. “I know who I’m supposed to be. The people I immensely care for are awaiting the arrival of their dearest star. I can’t disappoint them! It serves as an excellent motive to return Miku’s book.”
“I see. I could only pray your predicament lessens.” Kaito calmly tittered; he abruptly cleared his throat, gently halting his blithe vibrations as he advised, “Despite my best wishes, drowning in the past can result in disappointment. Be careful, Tsukasa; you’ll hold yourself back if you’re not cautious.”
“There’s no need to worry, I’ll be considerate of my health.”
As the two men swiftly maneuvered around the corner of the hallway, they inched closer to their objective. In the vicinity of their current location, a willowy figure scoured the grime from a window’s surface, muttering inaudible sarcasm to herself. The drenched, coral rag scrunched beneath her furious fist; rivulets of cool water glided down her forearm until it hid underneath her rolled-up sleeve, eliciting a groan of repugnance from the displeased woman. The unkempt strands of her chocolate-colored hair were irresponsibly left to remain tangled, barely tickling the stand of her collar.
“Meiko! It’s lovely to see you again,” Kaito called out eagerly, signaling an unspoken welcome with the motion of his hand. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
Meiko snapped out of her bubble of concentration, shifting her attention to glance at the duo. Tsukasa had not noticed before, but the brown locks were adorned with tiny, pink flowers, delicately positioned in specific areas of her hairstyle. The color scheme of her outfit excellently differed from the rest of the palace; Meiko, able to be spotted a mile away, was the only individual who wore a raven-colored dress, though it was the assigned uniform of a maid. An apron, smeared by undetermined stains, embraced her torso, tying securely around the circumference of her waist. The bottom of her dress ended midway through her calves, the remaining skin covered by formal, laced-up boots. Beside her legs had been a wooden bucket, containing murky water as a result of her labor.
“And whose fault is that? This ridiculous curse of mine! I have cleaned five hundred windows, five hundred windows ! No matter how much my body pleads for a moment of rest, it can’t stop until Lady Miku’s request is finished!” Meiko growled, readjusting her bonnet to sit on the center of her head with her free hand.
Tsukasa raised an eyebrow at her ramble, perplexed by the mention of a curse. Throughout his stay at the palace, there had been multiple occasions where he had heard the word escape someone’s mouth; whenever he attempted to glean information, the interrogations only concluded in disaster. Luka managed to circumvent the question by dozing away; the Kagamines simply frightened him with their lifeless eyes and abnormal personalities, and he was neither close with Kaito nor Meiko - despite her daily routine of preparing meals to ensure he would not perish from starvation.
Although Tsukasa was quite oblivious to certain details, it was effortless to comprehend that out of all who resided in the palace, Kaito persistently displayed unwavering fidelity to Miku. It meant Kaito would decline the opportunity to divulge his own punishment, disregarding Tsukasa’s greed for context as part of his duty.
“Now, now. We have an audience, Meiko.”
“Your point being? I have every right to complain— we all do!”
Hastily, Meiko clutched the bucket’s metallic handle with her left hand, tilting the object until water nearly spilled from the top. She marched closer to the two men, passing them as she trudged in the opposite direction.
“And until you realize how unfair it is, I refuse to be grateful that I can’t even control my own legs!” she shouted, her voice appearing distant by each step. “Breakfast will be served at eight o’clock, Tsukasa. Hopefully, you will be on time.”
Tsukasa, who had not had the chance to interject in their conversation, silently observed the tension that persisted in the atmosphere. Kaito’s shoulders became rigid and developed noticeable stiffness.
The remaining portion of their professional walk fell silent, mainly due to Tsukasa’s fruitless endeavors to assemble the most effective question that would guarantee an answer. Eventually, he resolved to simply mention the blunt complaints announced by Meiko, praying the knight would elaborate.
“Meiko mentioned a curse, is that true?” he spoke cautiously, uncertain of the reaction it would provoke. There was no use in beating around the bush; Tsukasa was exhausted by the secrecy roaming inside the palace.
“She can call it whatever she pleases, but a 'curse' is an incorrect term. Ignore her; she has been blabbing absolute nonsense recently.”
“I wouldn’t describe it as nonsense .. it sounded genuine—”
“We’re here,” Kaito declared, discourteously interrupting the other’s sentence, “Although our time was limited, I enjoyed chatting with you. May you rest wonderfully and have lovely dreams.”
Tsukasa sharply inhaled, preventing his disappointment from expressing itself. The minute they reached the entryway of Tsukasa’s sleeping chamber went undetected by the owner, leaving him baffled by the swiftness of their stroll. Before he could register the paucity of information he obtained out of their talk, the knight began to depart from the scene.
“Thank you for accompanying me! A future star such as myself needs all the protection he can get!”
Tsukasa clutched the golden handle’s lever, twisting the key until he heard the faint click of the lock release. With an impatient hunger, it was a tremendous effort to swing the door open, nearly humorous to the boy. Usually, he exerted excessive stamina to any task bestowed upon him, unanimously deciding to give 12,000% to everything. However, it stung to accept he was still human and able to possess flaws like lassitude - unlike one of his dearest companions, Emu, who generated an infinite load of energy despite any condition.
Grinning to himself, he quietly shut the door, securing his privacy as he rotated the lock. He tossed the key atop the dresser, neglecting the possibility of losing the invaluable object.
At last, nighttime, the favorite part of his day, had arrived.
It taxed the leftover willpower he owned to not collapse on his mattress, but Tsukasa managed to attend his appearance by slipping into his nightwear. Of course, the star ensured he properly folded his uniform, reluctant to ask Meiko to smoothen the crinkles and creases once the sun arose. Satisfied by the effort, his body clung to one of the featherlike pillows, then caved into the temptation of rest.
~˚. ⭒ ☾ ⭒ .˚~
“Look, this one forms a dragon. Do you see it too, Tsukasa-kun?” Rui fervently declared, astonished by the dark canvas of the twinkling sky.
Tsukasa stared at the referred constellation, shifting comfortably on the cozy, plaid blanket shielding their bodies from the grass. In truth, he did not perceive the line of luminous stars as a mythical animal; no amount of squishing his eyelids together could achieve such imagery to enter his head. Saki was the one most obsessed with astrology out of the two, constantly commenting on the calculated arrays of the celestial beauties, frequently and unintentionally puzzling her brother with the profound information; she would have tagged along on their rendezvous, but respected their privacy.
To the blond-haired boy, it appeared as a cluster of countless stars, creating geometrical shapes if one strived to make sense out of the disorganization. “..not exactly. How do you see a dragon? It’s all arched lines for me.”
“My, my, it seems I overestimated your imagination. Well, yes, it’s quite literally 'arched lines', but the magic of creativity transforms anything minor into something extraordinary,” Rui whispered, keeping their atmosphere of tranquility intact by speaking lowly. His lips tugged upward, producing his signature feline grin. “Surely my most precious star is only jesting, right? Unless what Nene told me was true, then your heart must be becoming monotonous. What a tragedy, to think I’d witness the downfall of your glory.”
“Oh, shut it, you! Try making a script based on three random ideas: sparkles, mermaids, and genetically modified platypuses! Not only was building a solid plot a hassle, but managing to portray a lesson was surprisingly difficult!” Tsukasa grumpily huffed, concealing his satisfaction by the tease with feigned annoyance. “Emu and Nene’s words were doable, easily able to complement one another, but yours was plainly the outlier of the bunch. I have no creativity in my soul at the moment!”
“The cruel complaint only aches my heart. Forgive me, I thought someone as brilliant as you loved a challenge.”
“I do, but at least try to sound sorry!”
Unable to suppress his laughter, Rui pressed the back of his palm to his lips and dispensed a faint giggle. Tsukasa luxuriated in the sugary vibrations of glee, cracking a smile and slipping out a chuckle of his own. He adored their innocuous badinages, the mischievous twinkle in Rui’s lemon-painted eyes, and the unwavering dedication the boy possessed toward his meticulous inventions. It seemed hilarious, though out of the blue, he marveled at the magnificence of the one beside him.
“I’m sorry, Tsukasa-kun,” he artificially apologized through inhales, recovering the lost oxygen as his lungs nearly collapsed .
Tsukasa hummed in response, rubbing the edge of his chin to contemplate his upcoming choice of words. After deliberately prolonging what felt like eons of silence, he announced, “Hmph, negative two out of ten! Not a single syllable sounded remorseful. Next time, I expect an enormous bouquet of lilies to accompany your apology.”
“I believe that’s the lowest rating I’ve received. Frankly disheartening, if you ask me. Hehe, I suppose I need to boost my credibility, or else my salary would be wholly devoted to you— as I already am.”
Indeed, as humiliating as it may sound, devotion played a crucial part in their relationship. Tsukasa was not one who openly pursued romance, discovering it to be unnecessary toward his ambitions; yes, he did aim for cordial connections throughout his adolescence, even so it was nothing more than a typical friendship.
Eventually, regardless of his avoidance of sappy intimacy, he found himself harboring a fuzzy fondness that had not eroded; the revelation petrified him at first. Tenma Tsukasa: an impeccably outstanding individual, recognized by his audience as a proficient actor, and unmistakably generous to his companions - was enamored by Rui, who happened to be a boy. Naturally, he feared that the adoration toward his presence would be replaced with abhorrence once the secret was revealed.
In the end, he managed to quell the mortifying thoughts and dwell on the possibility of reciprocated love. He was not sure what merciful deity favored him at the time, but the desperate yearning had not been fruitless; Rui held mutual affections.
He had tread into unknown territory, both apprehensive and optimistic - yet, he could not be happier.
“Tsukasa-kun?”
The aforementioned boy returned to reality at the utterance of his name, detecting the undertone of concern. He had not noticed the shift in Rui’s position; the other was lying on his side and facing him. Tsukasa mirrored the action. The tender smile, beautifully highlighting the chapped surface, was an indication for Tsukasa to scoop out his thoughts and present them. However, they were embarrassing, leading him to blurt out a random question.
“Do you believe in different universes?”
Rui sucked in his lower lip, scraping his teeth against the rough exterior as he pondered the unforeseen question. “In middle school, I used to.”
“'Used to'?” Tsukasa repeated, sensing the dejecting backstory.
“I treated the idea of distant worlds as a way to handle my disappointment; a coping mechanism. If something went catastrophically wrong, I would comfort myself by stating 'in another lifetime, it would be alright, just not in the one I lived in,’” he paused, producing a rueful chuckle at the ridiculous consolation. “It made it easier to accept that nothing would get better, that I was destined to suffer. The belief was more of a crutch than a tool.”
Tsukasa hardened his gaze, furrowing his eyebrows until they creased his forehead. It concerned him that despite all the ruthless treatment he had received over simple interests, Rui continued to speak as if he were some mere actor providing entertainment.
He gently gripped Rui’s hand, leisurely massaging the callused knuckles with his thumb. It baffled him: how could someone so wonderful be treated so cruelly? The topic of the other’s past was not new, but it never faltered in upsetting the blond-haired boy.
“You weren’t destined to suffer; no amount of justification could persuade me. Those classmates of yours were doubtlessly impertinent, and I’m heartbroken that they caused you to believe you were at fault,” Tsukasa firmly proclaimed, leaving no room for misinterpretation or doubt in Rui’s mind.
“Thank you.” He smiled, appreciating the concern. “Don’t worry, those notions stopped once I joined Wonderlands × Showtime.”
Rui shifted closer, concealing his countenance into the crook of Tsukasa’s neck. “Besides, I have you, my star. I wouldn’t dare adopt that mindset again.” He exhaled softly, his warm breath tickling the area of skin underneath his lips. He cautiously encircled Tsukasa’s waist with his arm, delicate in movement to ensure he had not overstepped any boundaries. It was another thing he adored about Rui; he treated the star’s existence as if it were the most invaluable treasure to set foot on Earth - as if the angels themselves precisely constructed him to upmost perfection. Quietly murmuring, he asked, “Do I have permission to be this close?”
“Of course! There’s no need to ask every time,” the star reassured him, planting his palm on the back of the other’s head to soothe him.
He stroked the unkempt strands of purple hair, acknowledging that physical contact never faltered in calming him down. Tsukasa stifled a mirthful laugh at the mellow purrs that arose, deciding to pamper the top of Rui’s head in gentle kisses. The celestial portrait above them was long forgotten, discarded into the corners of his mind to focus on the present. The steady deposits of air collided against the star’s collarbone, ensuing his heart’s palpitation to increase and thump violently against his chest. He wanted Rui to understand that every exuberant beat, the jovial dance of his heart, belonged solely to him. Of course, he was inexperienced with the overwhelming endearment, believing no word could ever describe it flawlessly, so he kept quiet.
“It’s impossible to describe how much I love you, Tsukasa-kun. You’ve melted my heart, enchanted my senses to the point of no salvation,” he murmured, fluttering his eyelids shut to thoroughly indulge in the pleasure blindly. “To answer your previous question in a more positive light, I would prefer that in each universe you grace me with your affection. No matter the situation, no matter the troubles, I hope to hold you closely; in every single dimension, and in this one.”
His vocabulary scattered in his head, unable to be mushed together to form a proper response. Tsukasa’s cheeks burned from the earnest declaration, displaying a rosy hue to adorn his astonished expression. Subconsciously, he tightened the embrace to replace the missing words, creating a cocoon of security.
He was a failure whenever it came to communicating his internal sentiments, yet he vehemently propelled a reply to depart from his mouth. “Is that so? I love you too, Rui,” he merrily mumbled, clearing his throat to appear confident. “Then, in every universe, I vow to cradle your heart and embrace all that is encased inside. Whether it may seem to be out of reach, it doesn’t bother me. I’ll only strive more diligently.”
Rui was satisfied by the sincere statement, whisperingly tenderly:
“I know you will, my star. My heart is yours, so please take care of it.”
~˚. ⭒ ☾ ⭒ .˚~
A ray of light seized Tsukasa’s attention, disrupting his pleasant slumber.
He slightly cracked open an eye, mumbling incoherent sentences as his head circled in a daze. Initially, he assumed Saki had barged into his room, as she did whenever he unknowingly overslept.
“Hmh.. ten more minutes, Saki.. the sun hasn’t risen.. yet.”
Instead of the playful remark she would fire toward his sprawled limbs and tousled hair, he only received the ticking of the antique grandfather clock across his bed. The silence disoriented him; after all, hadn’t he already made his way home? He just came back from another lovely outing with Rui! To further mystify the situation, a persistent golden flicker of glimmer originated atop his desk. It irked him; was Saki taking pictures of him using her phone? Not that the idea was troublesome, but because he was lacking his usual neatness!
“..Saki?” he repeated once more, struggling to flutter his eyelids open.
Utilizing his sleeve of extravagant cotton, he dried the saliva that escaped the acute angle of his lips, presuming it was a result of his blissful memory. With squinted eyes, too exhausted to return to their regular size, he scanned the components of his room, deceived by the missing presence of his sister.
Ah, so Tsukasa hadn’t returned to his original dimension.
Confusing the past with the present was a regular occurrence, quite disheartening yet expected.
He yanked the covers over his sensitive eyes, nearly watering due to the bright flashes invading his bedroom. Now, his one desire was to continue resting; it was the highlight of his time wasted away in the palace walls. His drawer was a couple of steps away, though it seemed equivalent to walking a mile. The gears in his brain rotated together, trying to comprehend the hazy snippet he was blessed to view. Something about stargazing and..
..!
He sprung out of bed, the fatigue rinsing away immediately. Just what in the world happened!? Before he could register the explanation behind the selected evocation, the continuous eruptions of luminescent sparkles snatched his attention. His trinket, a beautiful necklace decorated with a star charm, was alerting him of a current breach through dimensions. Strangely unusual. If there was anything Tsukasa knew about the individual he was supposed to apprehend, they abided by a schedule; one that did not include the middle of the night!
Tsukasa lumbered to the location of Miku’s gift, scrupulously elevating the object. He glanced at his expression reflected by the mirror of his room, suppressing a scoff at the regression from glory to an insignificant zero.
Hooking the clasp to wear the necklace, Tsukasa grasped onto the charm using both palms. He held the invaluable trinket near his heart, allowing the specks of materialized light to envelop his body.
At some point during the process, he worried about the horrid predicament he was entangled in.