Chapter Text
10:30PM.
Tsukasa was exhausted. Emu was, too. But neither wanted to part yet. To unlink their hands, to walk away again. They had gone around the park - the rollercoaster, the carousel, the snack stalls - finally ending up at the ferris wheel. It always went in that order.
“… So… how are things..?”
Her voice broke their painful silence, knowing damn well that time was up. Tsukasa glanced up at her in warmth. Whatever warmth there is amongst the cold.
“Things? Ah! They’re well. Nene has found herself really improving vocally, and Rui is getting a lot of praise for his inventions. I have improved as an actor - of course!…” he paused, his showy tone halting instantly. “But… it’s not the same without you. We… we miss you. It’s really hard to come back as frequently, our schedules are packed..”
“I understand.” Emu nodded, smiling. But it never reached her eyes anymore. “So.. you’re making people smile! That’s all that matters - I hope Nene-chan and Rui-kun can come through next time! We can all head to the Wonder Stage, and we can…”
“Emu…”
“W-We.. we can.. go have lots of fun for a while..” her eyes began to fill with tears. “Before… you leave me again…” Tsukasa slid his hand over hers, eyes full of determination and hurt. He shook his head firmly.
“Emu.. listen.”
“… Hm..?”
“We don’t leave you because we want to. W-We love you, we all do! And I promise you that we’re going to be together again, performing in Phoenix Wonderland, in no time!-”
“How many years?”
“…”
“…”
Emu chuckled dryly.
“You don’t have to try making me smile. It’s okay, Tsukasa-kun! I.. I just want you three to be happy.”
… Then, as if the atmosphere couldn’t get worse, her tears began to grow heavier. Tsukasa instantly felt awful.
“But.. I’m allowed to be a l-little bit sad, r-right..?!”
“Emu..!” Tsukasa didn’t even wait another moment, wrapping his arms around her tightly. Emu flinched.
“… T-Tsukasa-kuuun…!” she sobbed, clinging to him like a lifeline. “Please… don’t leave me again! I-I feel so lonely!”
“Emu, I-I’m-“ even his eyes began to glaze over. “I can’t stay, but… I’ll stay until you’re smiling again!”
“I can’t find the strength to smile anymore! Y-You’ll be here forever!”
“Then I’ll wait forever!”
The way his words had just sounded… so confident. Like a yell of determination. A light within the dark. Something that made Emu… feel like Emu again. However, it was gone as soon as it came. Like a birthday candle blown out. Like a broken stage light. Her eyes widened.
“… Forever…?”
“Emu - the love of my life - I will never let your smile fade away again! I swear on the stars!”
It was so easy to tell he didn’t have any sort of belief in his words - he could tell she was suffering, of course. Emu wasn’t stupid, she knew what he really thought. And so, he was only trying to make her smile instead of feel. But Emu smiled anyway.
“You.. you promise..?”
A very strange feeling had filled his heart at the moment. Something was off with those eyes. But her smile was what really set him off. Tsukasa nodded, the ferris wheel slowly moving down to the ground and stopping with a clank.
“… Ah- well… I still have to go. But… I want you to be happy, Emu. If there’s anything at all I can do, tell me. I’ll fulfil it!” Tsukasa stepped out, offering a hand so she could follow. She took it tightly, steps almost light. Her eyes glowed slightly in the darkness of the park.
Sure - he can’t stay. She knows that. But what would be better than him staying?
A life where nobody ever left.
Emu looked at him with an unwavering smile.
“I love you, Tsukasa.” Emu put a hand on her heart, eyes sparkling. He stared slightly in shock yet amazement.
“Your eyes… they shine like pink crystals! Your beauty, Emu - eternally unmatched.”
“Don’t say that - how can I do this if you’re making me feel so important…?”
“Hm…?”
“I’m sorry…” she whispers, a slight tremble in her voice. Then…
“Metamorphosis! ☆”
Emu had began to glow fully now, sparkles and confetti pieces floating around the air. Tsukasa’s jaw dropped. She was spinning… glittering… transforming. Her hair became two long pigtails. Her outfit changed. She gained a big wand of sorts. And when her eyes opened again? It was like staring at a goddess. Someone with enough power to… do something. It was oddly unsettling to watch his girlfriend - especially when she was just crying a few minutes ago - become some sort of pretty anime hero. A magical girl, maybe? Like the ones in Saki’s animes?
“Wha- WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT?! Emu… is that you..?!” Tsukasa called out in disbelief. Emu laughed and nodded sweetly.
“I never got to tell you, huh? My grandpa… he gave me some sort of magic power when he passed away. The power to do all kinds of amazing things!” She looked at Tsukasa deeply, like she was aware of every thought he’d ever had.
“… I… I don’t want to hurt you, so just.. be still and smile!”
“… What?”
Emu slowly began to walk towards him, wand swinging over her shoulder like a baseball bat. It was cute… but also extremely scary. “I haven’t tried a rewrite before, okay?! Just… stay calm! I don’t want this to be painful, just a quick BAM! Then you go night-night!”
Tsukasa opened his mouth to protest, blinking from the shock. But the second he did?
She was right in front of him. Before he could even move.
“… Bye-bye!~”
SMASH.
Tsukasa didn’t have a chance to survive the hit - it took all her strength, and she was already very strong. He would have hit the ground with a thud if not for her catching him and placing him down safely on a chair nearby.
Emu’s eyes watered slightly, and she was trying not to look at that uncomfortable splatter on the park’s floor.
“… I’m sorry, grandpa. I used your gift to hurt the boy I love,” she mumbled, smile dropping. “Please don’t be upset with me.”
Emu shakily held her wand, pointing it to the sky. She looked at him one last time - then smiled, though it was absolutely devoid of joy. All that was left was a painful sense of guilt and an undeniable worry that this would completely fail.
“… See you soon, Tsukasa. Nene. Rui. Whatever world we end up in next… let it be one where we could all stay together.”
Emu swung the wand down instantly after, then back up. A circle illuminated from thin air, forming into a smiley face. Then, she drew a singular cross through it.
“Whoosh.”
Everything flashed white. And as the world’s atmosphere felt too heavy to withstand, Emu eventually collapsed. Then everything was destroyed.
Maybe the next life will go differently.