Chapter Text
It was another usual day of rustle and bustle between classes and mixed chatter at non other than Kamiyama High.
Ding, ding, ding
It was finally lunchtime!
The sliding of classroom doors all erupted simultaneously as the corridors filled with pupils making their way towards the cafeteria. The corridors were filled to almost two times the recommended capacity! It didn’t help that certain students from different schools *cough, Emu* mingled illegally amongst the bunch to meet with friends too. This daily occurrence made having lunch a high risk mission as people rushed from class to get their favourite meal on the menu that day and you tried hard not to get trampled on.
Not that it quite mattered to the famous pairing everyone in Kamiyama knew anyways. They happily enjoyed peace and quiet on the rooftop.
* * * * * * * * *
“So, I’d like to see if it’ll work in our show. What do you think?”
“O-okay…? Limbo in a bamboo forest…? Yes, I agree that it goes with this particular scene, but it’s also starting to turn into some sort of comedic skit…”
While Tsukasa was seriously considering Rui’s words, a pair of chopsticks casually edged itself towards his bento box. Before you knew it, it seemed like the piece of suspicious green veggie teleported itself from the teal colored box to the star decorated one. Rui was smiling extra hard at Tsukasa hoping he miraculously wouldn’t notice.
Tsukasa noticed.
However, he just silently picked up the despised broccoli and popped it into his mouth.
Tsukasa sighs at his crazy best friend.
He’s fun. He’s a brilliant director. He’s incredible. He’s the reason for 12,000% satisfaction guarantee. He is undeniably a GENIUS but there was definitely some messed up wiring in his brain!!!
Another lunch break has successfully slipped away with Rui babbling about his newest fantasies and ideas. Tsukasa, as much as he wants to support these baffling proposals and let them run wild, reminds Rui that they should definitely head back before he ends up acting upon one of his theories! Don’t blow up the school again, please! As a class representative, that is not optimal activity!
“Yes, I suppose we should head back. If I remember correctly.. the next class is…” Rui stops to think about it for a second.
“A long homeroom. All classes will be having a discussion about the school trip”
Nothing could have hidden the glint of excitement in Tsukasa’s eyes as he mentioned the trip. What an amazing opportunity it was!
“Oya~ you already know what’s going to happen?”
A light chuckle escaped the boy’s lips as Tsukasa proudly points out the fact that he got the information early as a class representative. Being able to see this reaction out of Tsukasa must mean the trip isn’t going to be as bad as the past ones right? Well, he wasn’t so sure. After all, people didn’t really like it when Rui tried putting on a show or worked on props at the hotel. He never really understood. It’s not like they were dangerous…
Meeting Tsukasa’s curious gaze, he became aware that the weariness probably showed on his face.
“Well, Tsukasa-kun, I’m still quite interested in the sense that we get to go somewhere we normally wouldn’t.”
“Hm, I thought you’d be more excited about this?”
My, my Tsukasa how was Rui supposed to explain this…
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“Rui, I had a feeling on the back of my mind, but you really are a creature of habit… I appreciate the fact that you love putting on shows whenever and wherever, but why not try doing something else for a change? You only get one chance in life as a high schooler to go on this trip! It’s like a one-night-only performance!”
That was interesting.
A one-night-only performance? This sparked a chord in Rui’s mind but before Tsukasa could go on with the encouragement, the crisp school bell interrupted him mid-sentence. The next thing Rui knew was being dragged downstairs at the speed of light by the hem of his grey cardigan. He looked down.
Cardigan.
Tsukasa’s hand.
Slowly, Rui sheepishly clasps his hand comfortably over the one pulling him. Now, he wonders how the trip might turn out.
* * * * * * * After school * * * * * * *
“Ah! RUI!” Shouted Tsukasa as he spotted the purple hair who was still atleast ten meters away from him.
The wind brushed through that purple hair as Rui jogged towards him. It looked so soft…
“Hey Tsukasa! Thanks for waiting. Now, let’s head over to the Wonder Stage and… oh, where’s Nene?”
Tsukasa snapped out of his random daydream. What was he staring at? Rui’s hair?!
“Oh, she just sent me a message saying that we should go on ahead without her because her teacher asked for her help with something but more importantly, how did that discussion go with your class? We’ve decided our groups already.”
“So have we. To my surprise, a classmate asked me to join his group. He said he wanted to take this opportunity to get to know me better. I think his name was Miyake? Hehe.”
Suddenly, Rui’s face cracked and his genuine smile came shining down upon Tsukasa. He always loved seeing that. The smile so shiny to the point that the light nearly outshined the already bright star of a Tsukasa in comparison! It felt warm and fuzzy like a cat finally trusting on its owner. He felt happy for Rui! If Rui was happy, he was happy, although the news did come crashing like a truck in surprise. It felt slightly embarrassing now that he was worrying whether or not Rui would have trouble finding a group.
“Well, you are apparently known as the “Explosive Mad Scientist” to some people”
“Oh, that’s not a very nice nickname… I’m just a humble director” replied Rui as his hand theatrically placed on his chest way too dramatically for things to be serious.
This action rightfully earned itself an unimpressed Tsukasa. Do “humble directors” run experiments at school that end in explosions?! He is truly hopeless…
But what other choice does Tsukasa have? I don’t think his heart would allow him to hurt Rui, if anything he’d be the last person to do so. For that reason, he shall congratulate Rui and hope he has fun with his new friends!!
He plans to make this trip the most amazing one Rui has experienced yet!
Rui says he doesn’t want to get his hopes up. No matter! Tsukasa will just arrange more and more activities till Rui can’t help but kick his feet in excitement!
“Since you haven’t decided what you’re wanting to do on the second day. Why don’t we do some sightseeing together? There’s something I’d like to see with you as we are free to roam around.”
“With me?”
Yes with you Rui. Who else could it be? Seriously, what’s going through his brain sometimes?
“Yes, it’s called the “Hyakki Yako Parade”, as in “Night of One Hundred Spirits”. It takes place somewhere a little away from downtown…Oh, this website has a good explanation”
The two boys both squish into each other to see the information on the screen of Tsukasa’s phone, shoulders touching as they discussed the parade. It was a really great opportunity where Rui can even find some inspiration from all the professionally made costumes. Two birds with one stone! Tsukasa tried to think more about it however he couldn’t help but notice everyone walking past them had the strangest fondly smile plastered on their faces. It was giving the creeps.
“Hehe…It’s usually me that people have pegged as the show enthusiast, but your fanaticism for shows also seem to know no bounds”
“Of course, after all as the duty of biggest star I have to stand on all the biggest stages in the world! Hah, hah, hah!!!”
They ended up deciding to go to Kiyomizu Stage too.
Tsukasa’s determination is admirable, Rui wonders if he should try something out of the comfort zone too. After all, getting to sightsee with classmates he wouldn’t normally interact with and going to the parade with Tsukasa…
hehe what a strange feeling.
This school trip is looking to be more fun than he was initially expecting.