Chapter Text
3rd Person POV
Ah, what a wonderful day in the Tenma Household. The birds are chirping, and the atmosphere outside is just right. Today will be a productive day for Tsukasa Tenma, at least that's what he hopes for.
Wearing his pajamas and his sleeping mask, Tsukasa wakes up from the sun rays hitting his face, as well as from the sound of his phone alarm. His body feels weak, he clearly wants more rest.
He gently put up his sleeping mask over his head to greet the morning sun.
Despite his blurry senses, he attempted to check the time on his phone that has been constantly alarming with his eyes barely open. It's only 8:30 AM. Wait... 8:30 AM? Isn't he already late for school?
Tsukasa's eyes suddenly opened wide open in shock, His eyes must be deceiving him.
He scratched his eyes and looked at the time again. It's now 8:31 AM.
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.
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"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!"
Tsukasa screams in agony as he gets up from bed.
"I'M LATEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!"
His voice is so loud that the entire subdivision can hear him loud and clear. Seriously, how does this man still have his voice box functioning?
"Onii-san! It's a Saturday!! Get yourself together!" Saki reminded him as she busted through his room, wearing her peach-scented beauty facemask.
"You must've had a stressful night studying yesterday that you forgot about weekends existing." Saki continued.
"O-Oh... right, he-he.." Tsukasa muttered in embarrassment. "Sorry about that, Saki. I won't freak out like that again."
"It's alright! It happens, so I'm fine with reminding you every Saturday. Hehe," Saki said jokingly yet so cheerfully. At this point, Tsukasa couldn't tell if she was mocking him or being genuine. Either way, he's happy that her sister is recovering.
"Honestly, you should fix your sleeping schedule... You sleep at different times, and sometimes you forget about eating dinner..." Saki told him worriedly.
Tsukasa doesn't want to make Saki worried about him, he would never. He will definitely try to get himself together, for the sake of making her sister happy, as well as his body.
"Don't worry, Saki. I'll make sure to fix my sleeping and eating schedule once exams are over!" I said proudly to her.
"He-He! I'll be looking forward to that!" Saki replied to him as she happily skipped back to her room.
Tsukasa's senses went back to being sleepy when he heard from her sister that it was the weekend. No, He mustn't be! Every single day must be a productive day!
Tsukasa began to roll over whilst holding his comfy blanket, trying to get up from his bed despite his wobbly condition. When he was finally able to get up from bed, he stood up and slowly waddled to his bathroom looking like a burrito to wash his face.
He looked in the mirror and stared at his groggy, tired condition. His hair is messy, his eyes are droopy and sunken. He still needs more rest, at least 10 hours. He only got 3 hours of sleep. Poor soul, give this man a break.
Before he got to open the faucet, he heard his sister shout all the way from her room.
"Oh, by the way, Rui-san was in the living room just a couple of minutes ago. I think he's waiting for you!"
The half-awoken, sleepy, blurry-eyed Tsukasa Tenma processed what his sister just said, "What...
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTT???
RUI IS HERE???
WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME SOONER???"
Tsukasa yells in panic once again as he rushes to the living Room, leaving his burrito state. He's definitely awake this time.
"AH- ONII-SAN! AT LEAST BRUSH YOUR TEETH BEFORE MEETING HIM!!! Your breath stinks... you just woke up...!" Saki yells at him as he's rushing down the stairs.
Tsukasa's POV:
I still can't believe that I thought I was late for school... and the fact that Rui was here... Ahh, I'm so embarrassed right now... Thank heavens Saki busted to my room earlier, otherwise, I might have made Rui uncomfortable with me being TOO loud.
Alas, I guess he's used to it by now. It's been three years since I met Rui, yet I still don't know much about him.
As I was walking towards the living room, I saw Rui, who was just sitting patiently on one of the sofas. "Ah, Tsukasa-Kun! I was expecting you to leave your room wearing your school uniform, fu-fu," he tells me jokingly. So he DID hear me screaming, what a surprise...
"Ahaha... sorry about that," I said to him as I was scratching my nape from embarrassment. "I was busy with school last night, and I slept late, so I thought-"
Before I could finish my sentence, Rui stopped me, "It's alright, It also happens to me sometimes when I prepare props for our shows, so I don't blame you." Somehow, even though Saki said the same, his words are more comforting and reassuring. It makes my chest warm.
Argh... what am I thinking?? He's just a friend and my show buddy. I can't be thinking of him this way! He's probably here to ask for something about his idea for a script and he needs to consult me about it, a normal conversation between the Director and the Chairman of Wonderlands x Showtime.
Focus, Tsukasa. Focus.
"So, why did you visit me today?" I said in confusion. I don't recall any particular events or upcoming shows going on at the moment, so I don't know why he's here.
"You could've just messaged or called me you know, I got scared when Saki told me that you were here the entire time!" I added.
"Ah, well... about that..." Rui muttered his words as he scratched his head. He doesn't usually act like this. He's a very straightforward kind of guy.
I raised a brow with even more confusion. Finally, He found the words he was looking for,
"Ah... I just wanted to see you, that's all..." he said as he scratched his head.
M-Me...? I can feel my face burning and my heart racing even faster than it was a few seconds ago. What is he saying?
"E-Eh? What does that supposed to mean?" I stuttered as I looked down, trying to hide my burning face.
"Fu-fu, you look cute when you're flustered like that" He chuckled.
"C-Cute..? What are you saying..." I stuttered as I continued gazing at the carpet, avoiding eye contact with Rui. Why is my face getting redder? I can feel my chest beating faster. I can feel it about to explode.
ARGH! CALM DOWN TSUKASA, CALM DOWN! Breathe.
Once I've calmed myself down, I looked back up and returned my gaze to Rui, who was holding a smirk on his face. He let out a little chuckle. "I was joking of course! I just want to see you smile."
"Besides, It's been a while since we last had a breather from school, that's why I'm taking you out today outside for a little trip" he continued.
A breather... from school? Ah yes, I've always been so focused on my academics and our upcoming performances that I have forgotten about taking care of myself. He's such a thoughtful person.
I smiled to him, "Thank you, Rui-kun. I'll make sure to take care of myself."
He smiled back at me. His smile always made my chest warm and fuzzy. I don't know why it does that, but it feels nice. I wish he smiled more.
"So, are we leaving looking like that?" He asked me jokingly.
"Of course not! After all, I just woke up!"
"Fu-fu, then I guess I'll be waiting here even longer... How dare you make me wait this long, Tsukasa-kun?" He pouted. He's definitely doing this act on purpose!
"Ah, Onii-san! Why are you being rude to Rui-san! Get ready already!" Saki yelled as she got down the staircase.
"Not you too, Saki..." I said. Are these two really doing this now??
I turned back to Rui, he was giving me the puppy eyes. I turned back to Saki and she was also giving me the same look. Honestly, these two are ganging up on me!
"ARGH... YES, YES! I WILL GO! I WASN'T EVEN GOING TO SAY NO ANYWAY!" I yelled as I left the sofa and bolted up through my room to get ready.
Rui's POV
I smiled as I watched him leave the living room in a rush and go up the staircase. He looks funny running like that.
"Ah... I just wanted to see you, that's all..."
That... wasn't a joke at all. I do want to see him. We rarely get the chance to talk to each other ever since schoolwork began to start piling up on us.
School has been really tough for everyone in Wonderlands x Showtime for the past months. Emu-kun and Nene are busy studying for their exams, and Tsukasa-kun and I are also busy studying for our exams, while also looking for universities to apply to. Planning for your future can be really difficult and tiring.
I hope this small trip can at least help him calm his nerves down, even for just a little bit. I can't help but let out a small chuckle. I wish he smiled more.
I opened my phone and scrolled through my schedule. As I was scrolling through my calendar, I heard a familiar voice coming from the kitchen.
"You and Onii-san have been really close lately."
"Say, are you, perhaps.."
" interested in him?"
The atmosphere of the room suddenly became tense. I look over the kitchen counter, It's Saki-san, Tsukasa's younger sister, who is looking at me with a smile.
I looked down on the floor, avoiding eye contact. I'm too afraid to tell her. What if she's against it? Saki's condition might get worse if I tell her. But she already brought it up, so I might as well tell her the truth.
"Ah... so you do know about it..." I muttered while still avoiding eye contact.
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.
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" KYAAA! SO I WAS RIGHT!?" she yelled in excitement.
Her response made the atmosphere feel lighter. I wasn't expecting her response to be like that, but I'm confused about how she noticed. "Ehh? But how did you know, Saki-san? I was trying my best not to be too obvious." I said as I turned my gaze back to Saki-san.
"Oh come on! You're way too obvious, Rui-san! Way too obvious that our friends thought that something was already going on between you two!" Saki told him as she walked to the sofa while holding a glass of water.
Her words made my face warm and my chest beat really fast. I feel like my heart is about to explode. "Ahaha... You have a keen eye, huh?" I told her.
She simply smiled at me, then she was stuck with another question, "Hmm... but based on your response, do you mean to say that Tsukasa still doesn't know about it? Have you not told Onii-san yet?"
"Mhm, I'm too scared to tell him... I might risk losing our current friendship." I bitterly smiled.
"It's very complicated to think about... Liking someone who has been your friend for so long. What if he isn't interested in guys? What will happen to our friendship?"
"Besides, I don't think he feels the same way..." I continued.
"Rui-san..."
"I'll be rooting for you. You are a good person, Rui-san. I believe that you are the one who can make Onii-san feel genuinely smile, laugh, and loved." She smiled.
I simply gazed at the carpet in silence. The atmosphere went silent. Then, I heard someone walking down the staircase.
"Ah, that must be Tsukasa-kun." I muttered. I looked at Saki-san and gave her a smile,
"Please don't tell Tsukasa-kun about this."
I can sense that Saki-san doesn't want me to keep my emotions to myself. I understand where she is going, but I just can't risk losing our friendship over a one-sided emotion.
Tsukasa's POV
Argh, I rushed too much on my skincare routine- my skin feels dry. I might have skipped a few steps on my routine, but I need to get ready quickly so Rui doesn't wait for me too long. I only did the important steps like my cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen, and serum, though I still think that I could've done at least a few more steps.
I wore my usual casual clothes, tied my shoes, sprayed my body with my favorite peach-rose perfume, combed my hair, and walked down the stairs to head towards the living room. I hope he's still there...
I looked at myself in the mirror. What are we going to do? Where will he take me? Ahhhh! These thoughts are getting too deep! We'll probably just go around shopping for things that will be used for our school project, or perhaps props for the upcoming show!
"Not everything has to be about you, Tsukasa!" I said to myself in the mirror. "This is just a normal trip between friends!"
As I walked down, hoping to see that the purple-haired man was still waiting for me, I heard a familiar voice that was talking to Rui. I walked closer to the staircase and peeked at the living room to see what was going on.
"Please don't tell Tsukasa-kun about this."
I saw his face, he looked upset....no, guilty. I looked over to the side, It's Saki, she's talking to Rui about something.
"About... what?" I silently murmured to myself. My mind started to wander off somewhere.
Don't tell me what... exactly?
Is he... hiding something from me?
Does he... secretly hate me?
Do our conversations mean nothing to him?
Do our shows even matter to him?
Is our friendship just a facade of lies?
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No, maybe I am just overthinking this. Maybe it's just a small misunderstanding.
I got up from the staircase and continued walking down, pretending that I didn't hear anything.
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.
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Rui stood up from the sofa, "Ah, Tsukasa-kun! You're finally here!" he said.
Do you not trust me?
I simply smiled at him.
I immediately turned my gaze away from the man and turned to Saki, who looked more excited than usual.
"Ah! You look fancy today Onii-san!" Saki said cheerfully as she put her hands together.
"Saki, are you alright being alone in the house?" I asked her worriedly. I usually leave the house with no one inside because no one would be taking care of the house, but leaving Saki inside makes me feel sad.
It reminds me of when I was left alone by my parents inside the house.
I hated everything about it.
Being alone, no one there to look after you.
...
Just thinking about it makes me hurt.
"I'll be fine Onii-san! Besides, Ichika and my other bandmates are visiting for a sleepover!" Saki replied with glee.
"Ah! Then I can prepare your meal toda-"
"Ahh, Onii-sannn! You have a dat- I mean a trip with Rui-san! Please enjoy yourself!"
"Ah... Well if you insist, then I'll leave the house to you, Saki. Please don't overwork yourself!" I told her. I'm still worried about her safety, but I trust Saki and her friends.
I'm glad Saki gets to meet all of her friends.
They all seem to be reliable people.
I'm sure I can put my trust in protecting Saki to them.
"Don't stress out about it too much! I will take care of this house and myself!"
I finally turned my gaze to Rui.
"Are you ready to go?" Rui asked me.
"Mhm." I simply hummed. I immediately turned my gaze away from him.
"You two have fun okay?" Saki cheerfully said to us.
"Yeah, Goodbye Saki! Take care!" I said to her as I hugged her. I closed the door and locked the gate as we left.
And with that, it's just Rui and me here, outside.
We both walked in silence, I felt awkward around him. I'm usually the one who opens up a conversation at times like this, but I can't bring myself to open up a conversation with Rui after what I just overheard by the staircase.
What could he possibly mean by it?
I continued to stare at the concrete ground as we walked towards our destination. Suddenly, Rui's stopped walking. I looked up and saw Rui turn his gaze to me. Finally, he broke the unsettling silence.
"Ah, Tsukasa-kun... "
"...Hm?"
"You heard everything, didn't you?"
. . .
End of Chapter 1