Chapter Text
It wasn’t that Tsukasa doesn’t consider Rui a good friend. No. Kamishiro Rui is a great friend. His best friends. They are the inseparable duo. There’s not a single day where you won’t find the two of them together.
As their partnership grew, so does their bond. He knew that Rui wouldn’t stop testing his dangerous contraptions for their plays, but Tsukasa always made up his mind to do whatever it takes to make these performances a success every time. Thus, he and Rui started to meet outside of school and on stage. At first, it was mostly for discussion between the director and the main star or sharing workspace, but slowly it changed into a simple hang-out. Whether Rui came to his house for more discussion, Tsukasa would always make some homemade food. Can’t think with an empty stomach, am I right? And, if Rui requested some background songs for the play, Tsukasa would play the piano for him.
It was only recently that Tsukasa realized how out of character he was. He would often only play piano in his lowest moment, creating a safe space for himself. But now, he wasn’t afraid to play it. Well, Rui requested it, so he couldn’t technically refuse it. He vaguely remembered that Rui asked the first time, “are you sure? You don’t have to if you want.” But Tsukasa just shook his head in reassurance and play.
Now that he thought about it…It was rather strange.
Honestly, Rui made him feel strange.
There was one time they went go around Phoenix Wonderland when they weren’t working and Rui would let himself be pulled around by Tsukasa around. The Ferris wheel was the last ride they rode and Tsukasa remembered how strange it was.
He remembered himself letting out a sigh as he looked down at the small Wonder Stage. “Somethings never change huh?”
“What do you mean?” Rui asked.
Tsukasa shrugged, eyes still looking at the park below. “I guess our stage will forever be small.”
At this, Rui also looked down, humming in agreement. “I see no problem with that. But if you want, we can make it bigger.”
“Nah.” Tsukasa shrugged again. “I like it small.” It was nothing compared to Phoenix Stage or even the Sekai's circus tent, but it was their stage that they won with their own hard work. There was nothing from it that Tsukasa would change. It was like a second home for him. “It’s our special place after all.”
“Yeah…” Rui sighed. “A special place indeed.” There was a pause before he spoke again. “I’m glad you take me there in the first place.”
Tsukasa looked toward him. Rui wasn’t looking below again, instead, he was looking at him. He had his head and elbow leaning against the glass window. His whole body relaxed a rare peaceful gesture from him. His yellow eyes were soft like the sunset that shone at him, giving him almost a beautiful view. It was…strange. Especially coming from Rui.
“O-Of course,” Tsukasa answered. He tried to grin. “We wouldn’t have done it without our best director.”
Rui chuckled softly. “Well, we have to thank you for that, our star.”
The weird feeling was getting stronger.
And one particular afternoon, it reached its peak and left Tsukasa feeling…just…really, really curious.
Today was sunny and there was no rain that afternoon after school. Tomorrow was their day off and they had to cancel practice because Emu “didn’t feel so wonderhoi” (Tsukasa got a message from Saki who was told by Honami that Emu had a sudden stomach ache and had to go home earlier that day). Tsukasa was so ready to go home and relaxed for a bit, maybe watching some play for future reference. He met Rui in the hallway and they decided to walk out of the building together.
When they passed the gate though, an idea popped up in Tsukasa’s head. “Hey, Rui. Are you free tomorrow?”
Rui hummed at glanced up to the sky before answering. “Yes, I think so. Any problem?”
Tsukasa took out his phone and typed a name of a location in mind. “Well, Touya said there’s this café that served some tasty breakfast pancake. Do you want to go there tomorrow and grab some?”
Rui was silent which made Tsukasa look up to him. If he was paying attention more, he would see a very light blush on Rui’s cheek. But, he didn’t see how Rui smiled at him. “That would be wonderful.”
“Great! I’ll meet you at your house?”
“No. I’ll go to your house then we’ll go together.”
Tsukasa grinned. “Alright! I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Rui chuckled. “Certainly.”
And then, he did it.
Rui leaned down and pressed a light peck on Tsukasa’s cheek before whispering “See you for our date.”
Maybe Tsukasa’s brain wasn’t working well because he stopped for nearly an hour on the exact spot, blinking like a Windows XP processor, not even realizing that Rui had taken off without any further word.
That…That was really strange.
Okay. Here’s the thing.
Sharing popcorn was not strange. They’re friends. They can share food. And it wasn’t the first time, especially considering the various moments Tsukasa had to force-feed Rui to eat his vegetables (and failed many times).
Sleeping on the couch together wasn’t strange. Sleepover at a friend’s house wasn’t uncommon. There were times that Tsukasa would fall asleep on Rui’s couch in an attempt to finish some costumes and woke up with his work that had been tidied with Rui sleeping next to him.
But a kiss on the cheek was certainly strange. Rui had never kissed him on the cheek. On the hand, yes. It was part of the play. But never on the cheek.
This was really strange.
And Tsukasa actually wanted to know. He’s curious, to say the least.
But, of course, he won’t ask Rui himself. That’ll be rude to ask from his point of view. He’ll just ask the internet for the solution.
So, that was what he did after he got home. Opening his laptop and browsing through the internet, Tsukasa pushed through some academic papers because this wasn’t a big deal and didn’t need intense research. Maybe some small forum might give him some insight.
Like the r/relationshipadvice on Reddit.
That might be a good place to start.
Everyone agrees that Reddit is a good place to find advice, right?
After making a new account, naming it as u/NUMBER1BESTAMAZINGSTAR because it was the truth, and joining the subreddit, he posted his dilemma:
u/NUMBER1BESTAMAZINGSTAR: how do I let my best friend down without hurting his feelings too badly?
So my best friend (also a guy) and I have a really close friendship for two boys. Like, we’re in a theater troupe together but we’ll hang out with each other outside of rehearsals and play video games or watch movies or talk about the kinds of plays we want to do. He’s a really great guy- kind of weird, but smart and kind and I feel like we really understand each other in a way no one else does. I feel like he’s the first person I’ve really ever been able to talk to as myself. We’re both rather in touch with our feminine sides (I like sewing, he wears makeup) so I just assumed that when we were cuddling it was no big deal, just guys being bros you know? But then today after school when we agreed on plans to get breakfast tomorrow he kissed me on the cheek and said “certainly see you for our date then” and that made me realize that he and I have had completely different ideas about our friendship. How do I let him down gently? (I’m not gay)
The last was mostly a reassurance for himself because he wasn’t sure just yet. Besides, these were just typical things that friends do. He didn’t know how long would it take to get some answers, so he left to do some things. Some costumes needed to be fixed and homework to be done.
Saki had come home after some time and said hello before going back to her room until dinner is served (which was Tsukasa’s turn to cook this time). Their parents weren’t joining again because of work, unfortunately. Stretching his arms after a long homework, Tsukasa was about to get up from his seat, but curiosity piqued up again. Wonder if his Reddit dilemma had some answer for him. So, he opened his browser again and went to his earlier post.
And he was quite surprised by the few comments.
|> u/glumannoyance9: sorry OP, you two CUDDLE?
Raising an eyebrow at this, Tsukasa typed for a comment:
|> u/glumannoyance9: sorry OP, you two CUDDLE?
| |> u/NUMBER1BESTAMAZINGSTAR: yeah but it’s not a big thing really, my sister and her best friend cuddle all the time too
|> u/YouthfullyRoomy: OP it sounds like you might be gay and into your best friend
Tsukasa looked at the ceiling. Is he though? Maybe? Maybe not? He just really like hanging out with Rui, but that’s what friends do right? It was always the time when he was with Rui. But that doesn’t mean he’s gay for him, right? So, he answered:
|> u/YouthfullyRoomy: OP it sounds like you might be gay and into your best friend
| |> u/NUMBER1BESTAMAZINGSTAR: I admit the idea of dating him isn’t unappealing… but I’m not gay, I’m sure of it
He should get started with the dinner. A healthy meal for Saki wouldn’t make itself.
Saki talked a lot during dinner, mostly about her childhood friends. Tsukasa caught some moments where Saki would blush and squeal from all the sweet moments she recalled. Honestly, Tsukasa was so happy that Saki can have fun with her friends.
“Oh, and tomorrow we’re going to go to the movie, so we’ll be coming home late,” Saki added once she finished her meal, “no need to make dinner for me.”
“As long as you don’t actually skip dinner,” Tsukasa said without any heat, “and make sure you have fun!”
“I will!” Saki sounded really happy. Ah, it’s so wonderful!
After doing the dishes, Tsukasa went back to his room and opened his post again. Oh, somebody commented on his comment with the dating mention.
| |> u/NUMBER1BESTAMAZINGSTAR: I admit the idea of dating him isn’t unappealing… but I’m not gay, I’m sure of it
| | |> u/RaspySalvation: are you sure about it OP?
He already knew what the commenter was referring to.
| | |> u/RaspySalvation: are you sure about it OP?
| | | |> u/NUMBER1BESTAMAZINGSTAR: Absolutely.
Tsukasa sighed. So, apparently, Reddit didn’t answer his question. Maybe next time. Right now, he had to pick clothes suited for tomorrow’s breakfast with Rui.