Chapter Text
Another day, another peaceful lunch on the rooftop with Tsukasa. Rui can't even begin to describe the love he feels for this boy- how Tsukasa's enthusiasm makes Rui's heart flutter, how bright Tsukasa's eyes are with unbridled joy whenever he looks at Rui, how Tsukasa still manages to be so, so gentle despite being so very energetic.
And yet, it's so, so, so, so, so unfair. Rui knows his love will never be reciprocated- he's had his fair share of people asking him out and then making fun of him whenever he actually believes them.
Yes, that was in middle school, but the thought of being joked with again still remains. Rui's never going to have the courage to tell Tsukasa, and he'll bring that to the grave-
"Rui, are you listening??!! Or are you just staring at me?! Wait- YOU AREN'T STEALING ANY OF MY LUNCH!!! DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!!"
"Ahh, but Tsukasa-kun-"
"NO!! EAT YOUR FOOD!!!"
"But Tsukasa-kun~... There's vegetables in mine.. You know I c- mmf-!" Rui's abruptly interrupted by a bite of Tsukasa's food being shoved into his mouth- not that he'd protest, but he can't help but feel a little flustered.
"HAH!!" Tsukasa's lips quirk up into such a bright yet smug grin, "So the great director, Rui Kamishiro, DOES get flustered!" he beams. God, Rui might as well be blind from how bright and happy Tsukasa looks-
"Now, CHEW!! I'll switch lunches with you BUT YOU HAVE TO EAT EVERY LAST BITE!! Last time, you refused to eat anything and couldn't even rehearse!!"
Rui knows better than to not eat it all- Tsukasa's going to scold him, and while yes, it'd be nice to feel that nice care from Tsukasa again, he'd rather not get in trouble by his dearest star.
"Mm, Tsukasa-kun, did you make this? It tastes good- mmph-" Another bite of food, shoved into Rui's mouth.
"Less talking, MORE EATING!!!"
Ahh, how Rui will gladly succumb to Tsukasa's overwhelming care and concern- he's well aware of the blush on his cheeks, and how he definitely hasn't pushed Tsukasa away yet- not that he would.
He'd stay like this forever, if he could. Though, eventually, the bell rings. Rui looks down at where Tsukasa had swapped their lunches- Did he really eat everything? Usually, he's too busy rambling about his ideas. It's definitely because of the fact Tsukasa was force feeding him.
"Come on, Rui!! You can't skip class!!!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming~"
Ah, the cool, autumn breeze over the small clearing, where WonderShow decided to have a picnic after school... It's so therapeutic, and it allows Rui to remember that these absolutely are his true friends..
"Oh- OH!! Rui-kun, maybe you can make Tsukasa-kun flutter-flutter putter-putter!!! It'd look so WONDERHOY!!"
"Wait- EMU, I'M NOT FLYING LIKE A BUTTERFLY-"
"Ahh, not a bad idea, Emu-kun~... I bet Tsukasa-kun would look absolutely elegant while doing that, no~?"
The playful banter between the three with Nene occasionally speaking up continues, and Rui wishes it could never end.
"Tsukasa, it wouldn't be that bad. You got shot out of a cannon once and you're still right in front of us. And I agree with Rui, it'd probably be visually appealing."
"NENE, STOP ENABLING HIM!!" Tsukasa is quick to protest, being as he always in with every insane idea Rui and Emu come up with.
"Tsukasa-kun doesn't trust me... Oh, woe is me.." Rui dramatically rests a hand over his head, leaning back as if he'll faint from heartbreak. It's not like he's intentionally guilt tripping Tsukasa, it's just him deflecting the fact he is a little hurt Tsukasa might not trust him..
"WAIT, RUI- I didn't- Uurrghhh, fine!!"
"YAY, YAY!! TSUKASA-KUN'S GOING TO FLY UP IN THE SKY LIKE A BUTTERFLY!!!"
"Emu, you're in charge of thinking of a script for that... There's no way any of us are going to think of a sane storyline that involves Tsukasa flying.." Nene deadpans, giving Emu a chance to express her thoughts for a show on that.
Emu excitedly finishes chewing her taiyaki, immediately starting to ramble-
"OOH, OOH, WHAT IF- Nene-chan's a knight, Rui-kun's the prince, and Tsukasa-kun's an angel sent down to save Rui-kun??!! And I'm the big scary monster after the prince's crown??!! And then, at the end of the play, when Tsukasa-kun saves Rui-kun, there's a scene where Tsukasa-kun's character confesses his love fo-"
"AHEM!!! I THINK WE UNDERSTAND, EMU!!! SOUNDS GREAT!!!" Tsukasa interrupts as quickly as he can manage, and Rui can't help but wonder what Emu was going to say.
Rui wasn't exactly paying attention by the end, so he didn't hear the last sentence..
"Hm? Emu-kun, what were you saying?"
Tsukasa has his hand sealed over Emu's mouth, and Rui knows for a fact that Tsukasa's trying to keep her from saying something embarrassing.. "HAHA!! No need to worry, Rui, you'll find out during the performance!!! Now, I think that concludes the picnic, YEAH?? We should all just go home and get rest so we can start working on that script!!!"
"Eh..? Wouldn't I be finding out during practice-"
"IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT SURPRISE!!" both Tsukasa and Nene say simultaneously.
"I'm sure Tsukasa can find a way to wing it, or he'll practice on his own time."
"Alright then... Whatever you say, Nene~.."
The rehearsals have been going excellent! Rui's been looking forward to the performance, clearly eager to find out what the surprise is.
"Mmh, Tsukasa-kun~ Only three more rehearsals until I get to find out the surprise, correct~?" Rui has that teasing lilt to his voice, just like everytime he so clearly wants something from the star.
"Yes, of course!! You have to be PATIENT, THOUGH!! No listening in when me and the girls whisper to each other!!" Tsukasa's quick to scold Rui for trying to pry the words out of him. He's always so quick to scold Rui.
Oh, how Rui wishes he could wake up next to his star and get scolded each morning for not letting go of him. Ah, but that's an impossible goal.
"Mmh, Tsukasa-kun~ I'm sure-sure I don-don't have the pa-patience-" Rui's stuttering gets shut off by a sudden cough- he doesn't feel nervous, why is he stuttering? Why does he feel like he's going to puke up an entire Sequoia? Oh god, Rui hasn't felt this awful since- Fuck, he can't breathe.
"Rui-? Rui?! RUI!! Breathe!! I'm right here-"
There's something stuck in Rui's throat, and that is most definitely not a metaphor.
"Tsu-tsukasa-kun, I feel like I'm going to puke-"
A trashcan is smoothly slid over by Emu, which allows Rui to get whatever is in his throat out.
Rui feels light headed by the time his throat is clear. There's two hands holding his hair, and another pair of hands on his cheeks- Tsukasa's in front of him, and Rui can only assume it's Nene behind him, as Emu's voice rings out from another room.
"HERE!! Rui-kun, I brought you water!! Drink it, it'll help!!"
Rui gently takes the water from Emu without a word, chugging it like it's his last day on earth. Tsukasa's hands on his cheeks don't move, and Nene doesn't put his hair back down yet.
Rui sets the water back in Emu's hand, his head lolling to the side.
"Rui?! Rui, stay with us-!!"
Rui doesn't process whoever says that before he passes out.
By the time Rui wakes up, he's in his bed. Theres a note?
"Tsukasa and I brought you back to your place. Call one of us if you need anything, Rui. And please, for the love of God, take care of yourself."
Nene and Tsukasa took him to his house? The thought of being in Tsukasa's arms sends a warmth through Rui- which doesn't last long before he coughs violently into his hand- he looks down.
"What... the hell...?"
A yellow tulip petal. Yellow tulips....? And why was that in his throat...?