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Rui sat still, their hands were folded neatly in their lap. The place felt cramped with people, especially for its size. Rui could already feel beads of sweat roll down their face from the claustrophobic and gross atmosphere.
Maybe wearing so many layers of clothing wasn’t a good idea… Rui thought helplessly.
Rui’s eyes wandered around the stage in which Tsukasa’s sister was meant to perform in. It was a decently big, but littered with all sorts of instruments and cables that surely made it hard to walk around in. For example, a red worn out drum set in the far back, alongside a pair of matching drumsticks set in the stool. Or the pristine Persian green guitar by the left.
Wait- no, nevermind that’s a base. Rui corrected themselves.
Rui checked their watch, two more minutes till the concert begins. He look to their side, where Tsukasa was, as happy as ever.
“Are you excited, Tsukasa?” Rui asked, pointing towards the stage.
“OF COURSE!!” Tsukasa declared proudly, hitting his chest in emphasis. “I’m always ecstatic to see Saki shine like a star up on stage! However, I feel even more enlightened that I get to share this experience with you, my dear director!”
Rui smiled, pleased.
“I’m glad to watch this performance with my fellow actor.”
Tsukasa grinned at them.
Before Rui could say anything more, the crowd went into a crazy mix of whistling and shouting.
“Hello, Shibuya!!” A girl with dark blue hair greeted. Again, the crowd went ballistic “We areee…Leo/Need!” The girl at the far right continued on, it’s the girl he was here for.
Tsukasa’s younger sister.
so she’s a keyboardist? Very impressive, indeed. Rui noted.
The crowd, once again, went crazy at Ms.Saki’s confirmation.
The girls talked a little more, even thought it was mainly the guitarist and Ms.Saki.
Until suddenly it was-
“time for introductions!!” Ms.Saki exclaimed.
Rui looked to their were Tsukasa seemed like a kid about to get a Christmas present a day early. It’s just shocking how he’s still excited even after the hundredth time of watching this.
“Firstly we have…Ichika Hoshino playing guitar!” The dark blue haired girl- supposedly Ichika, started to strum her guitar in a small, sweet tune.
not bad… Rui thought to themselves, their hands clasping together.
The audience definitely took a liking to this. They were all waving a pair of blue light sticks that the staff were selling by the entrance like lunatics.
After Ms.Ichika’s bit, she spoke up, “Everybody, welcome Saki Tenma on keyboards!” As to where Ms.Saki started to click on the keys-
”SAKIIIIIIII!!!!!!! I LOVE YOUU!!!!!!! YOURE DOING AMAZIIIIINNNG!!!!!!!” Tsukasa screeched, jumping up and down and waving his hands around.
Ms.Saki very clearly heard him, because she waved over at him while doing her bit. How could she not?
Rui just sat quietly next to him whilst people bore holes at the pair- mainly Tsukasa.
Ms.Saki was done in a matter of seconds, at which point they shifted on to another person he didn’t know. A dude with soft, short gray hair and prominent green eyes. Supposedly his name was-
“Shiho Hinomori on bass!” One of the girls exclaimed, he lost track of which.
This dude- he played with a noticeably higher skill set than the other three girls. It was a short segment, but he could see tell how precise the slaps and strums on his bass were, and the intricate patterns he effortlessly did which would’ve taken the average player months to learn.
He couldn’t take their eyes off of him, he was so good and yet- it was done quicker then he would’ve wanted it to.
it’s fine, you have the whole concert to watch him play. he reassured themselves.
And play, he did. It was amazing- Rui couldn’t stray their eyes from him, that boy seemed to dominate the stage. His playing style was complex, and skilled, yet seemed to come so naturally to him.
Their singing was extravagant too. They know what good singing sounds like from Nene, but Mr.Shiho’s singing complimented the group so well- he’s sure that Mr.Shiho’s group was glad to have him.
The concert ended a few hours, much to their demise. The ringing in their ear was prominent, and their lips hurt from the smile he unconsciously held throughout the whole concert.
Just about he was about to get up, Tsukasa pulled him back down. Rui quirked their eyebrow at his direction.
“Don’t you want to congratulate Saki?” Tsukasa asked, but didn’t urge for them to comply.
“No, not at all. I just didn’t expect to see her today I suppose, or for her to come here.” Rui explained as he shook their head.
Maybe I get to see Mr.Shiho too… he caught themselves thinking, practically swatting the thought away.
Tsukasa looked ahead, the corner of his eye crinkled and the whites of his teeth were on full display at Rui’s confirmation. Tsukasa settled into his seat satisfactorily as crowds of people shimmied over to the exit.
“Yeah, I suppose you’re right as always.” Tsukasa cleared his throat. “How’d you enjoy the performance?”
where do I even begin… Rui mused to themselves.
“Well, I really enjoyed Ms.Saki’s performance. She definitely has stage presence, despite being so far away.” Rui pointed out, glancing over at Tsukasa.
Tsukasa huffed, a wide, proud smile on his face.
He really acts like an older brother when it’s about Ms.Saki. Rui chuckled to themself.
“Shes just like her brother, dazzling each stage she sets foot in and wowing the audience!” Tsukasa retold, his eyes shining like gold stars in the night.
“You must really be proud of her, Tsukasa.” Rui commented, their voice turning from smooth as silk to as warm as a lambs coat.
“Who wouldn’t be? With how far she’s gone and how successful she is…not just her, but her entire group.”
“Awww! You really think that Tsukasa?” Both boys flinched, Tsukasa even shrieked. They whipped their heads around, to find the whole band laughing. Except Mr.Shiho, who was containing an obvious smile.
God, it’s Mr.Shiho! Rui’s eyes widened, alongside their smile.
Rui was too caught up with Mr.Shiho’s playing to notice, but his hair and face glistened with droplets of sweat. It made him look…oddly handsome? Especially pared with his smile. He could probably play the role of a charming prince if he was ever in theater.
Rui blinked those thoughts away, focusing back to the conversation.
“Tsukasaaaa, you were so loud I could hear you from the stage!” Saki pouted, but the corners of her mouth were turned upright.
“It’s alright, though. Your cheers really fueled me to play at my best today Tsukasa.” Ms.Ichika smiled with sincerity.
“I could tell, you played extremely well Ms.Ichika.” Rui returned his own polite smile, whilst Ms.Ichika’s cheeks reddened.
“Not just her, though. You all did exceptionally. You especially, Mr.Shiho.”
Mr.Shiho was practically burning a hole through Rui before he blinked into awareness.
“Oh, are you talking about me?” Mr.Shiho questioned, his ears and face turning red from being caught.
“Yes, unless there’s another ‘Shiho’ here?” Rui teased, their smug smile returning.
Mr.Shiho’s face screamed that he wanted Rui to shut up from the scrunching of his brows to his somehow reddening face. Rui smile only widened at the sight.
“Yes, I’m the only Shiho here if you have to know.” Mr.Shiho snapped out.
…
“Thank you, I guess.” Mr.Shiho mumbled. Rui smiled, he reminded them of Nene, with the way she can’t take a compliment. It made their heart swell.
“May I get your autograph?” Rui asked.
Mr.Shiho quirked their eyebrow, and tilted their head to the side.
“An autograph after your first show with us? You sure?” Mr.Shiho questioned, his thumb pressing his chin.
“Why of course, you were so amazing up there I can’t help myself.” Rui showered through his pockets, finding a pen he usually uses for scripts when anybody forgets to bring one, and their notepad used for reminders for the field crew and what-not.
Rui hands the notepad and pen to Mr.Shiho, who flips around to find a clean page.
Mr.Shiho scribbles something down, before handing it back to Rui.
Rui thanks him, before- “heyyy, lucky! You got to shine out an autograph?? I practiced mine so much too.” Saki said.
“I mean, you really did amazing Shiho! I see why you got to sign an autograph.” Ichika reassured.
Rui tore their eyes away from Mr.Shiho, looking over at the other girls.
“Can I have yours too?” Rui could see Saki start to shake slightly. If it was from nerves or excitement, Ruin wouldn’t know.
“Can we??” Saki asked.
Rui nodded, handing the two girls the notepad and pen.
The two girls quickly scribbled something down. Both of them giggling to each other like they were telling to each other funny secrets. Hopefully, they didn’t put anything weird. But knowing this is Tsukasa’s sister….
The girls diligently handed the notepad and pen back to them. Rui took a quick glance at the notepad.
What he found was truly underwhelming to him. It was simply their signature, and just a little doodle of them both in an inherently shoujo manga style similar to Sailor Moons.
However, what caught their attention made his mouth part.
It was a small drawing of Rui. Of themself.
You could argue that it was too simplistic, that he should’ve picked a better place to draw for the lines were awkward.
It was a terrible drawing, in short. But for how many excuses he threw at themself, the silly drawing made their chest tighten and their hands clammy.
Rui distracted themself from the sensation by pocketed his supplies, their thumb brushing on the notepad gently.
“Thank you, you too are quite good at drawing.” The girls faces quirked up.
“ ‘Course! Hope to see you next time, Rui!”
The three girls waved the two boys off, carrying big bags on each others shoulders with their arms interlocked.
Rui couldn’t help but stare. Stare at the short, uneven grey hair as it bounced up and down Mr.Shiho’s framed face.
Rui hoped he could’ve stared for longer, but he came to a realization.
He looked over at Tsukasa, raising their hand up and pointing at the girls.
“You’re not going with them?” Rui questioned, placing the same hand to their chin.
Tsukasa comically froze.
“Shoot.”
Tsukasa whipped his head over to the girls now a distance away.
“ThanksforcomingRuimeandSakiappreciateyoucoming,okaybye!” Tsukasa sprinted off, his arms waving up mighty in the sky.
“SAKIIIII!!!!WAIT FOR MEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!” Rui chuckled lightly to themself.
As much as Rui tried to banish the thoughts about that boy, he couldn’t. He thought about him to the walk home, at home, and as he went to bed.
Rui snuggled under their thin sheets, curling themself up in a ball as he snoozes to sleep.
“I hope I get to see him again…” Rui muttered, an uncontrollable smile rising up their lips as he finally fell asleep.