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The class bell rang during the middle of spring. Rui picked up his bag that was sitting on the side of the table, getting it off the rack before standing up from his seat so he can finally leave another dreadful day.
Just then, someone called out to him. He doesn’t even remember their name, it was not like he really cared. He would assume they’re the class president though.
“Kamishiro-kun, I’m sorry but can you help fill in for clean up duty?” The person asked, clapping both of their hands together. Rui wanted to refuse, why should he? It wasn’t his responsibility. But at the same time, if he does refuse, he would be the ‘bad guy’ here, then rumors would spread, and that would be annoying as fuck.
So with the fakest smile he had ever made all day, “Sure.”
“Uwaa, thank you! The other two people that’s supposed to be here for clean up duty had ignored it and left!” The class president slumped, but Rui didn’t care. Rui just kept his smile on, saying that it was no problem, and that they just head home safely.
At least he can clean by himself, he doesn’t need another person to drag him down, nor does he want to deal with them in any way. Once everyone had already left the classroom, Rui just started on his work. He wanted to finish quickly too so he could go home and work on his inventions, the only things he looked forward to.
By the time Rui had finished, the once blue sky was now turning orange. The sun was going to start setting soon, and since doing all the work with just one person isn’t enough, he had to spend a lot of time here.
‘How irritating.’
Rui grabbed his bag, digging his phone out and looking at the time, it was around 4:56pm now, he should head home soon. He saw a message that had come from Nene, except she had sent it around the time class ended.
Rui opened the message.
‘Rui, I’m going to head home first. Emu came to pick me up, so I’ll see you tomorrow.’
Nene - 3:34pm
Emu was Nene’s girlfriend, they had apparently met under different circumstances. They didn’t even go to the same school, so Rui sometimes wonders how they are able to stay apart from each other during school time.
Rui knew Emu, they were friends, but Nene and Emu would spend most of their time together.
Rui sighed deeply, putting the phone back into his bag. Holding onto his bag over his shoulder, he opens the door to the classroom. Then that’s when a specific instrument had caught his attention.
Rui looked around, it sounded like a piano. Rui hadn’t noticed it earlier because he was in the classroom, but he realized it was coming from the floor above him. Rui wasn’t exactly fond of instruments or such, but he stopped and listened to it.
It was.. a really beautiful sound.
Before Rui could even notice, he was going upstairs, trying to find the source of the player and the instrument. He felt himself coming closer, as the instrument got louder with each step down the hall.
When Rui finally got to where he heard the instrument, he looked inside the classroom, to which the classroom door was opened.
There, against the sunlight, shined a boy with blonde hair, his ends tinted with pink. Rui couldn’t see his eyes since they were closed, it looks like they were concentrating on the piano. They wore a yellow cardigan, white button up collar t-shirt, and the same tie and pants that Rui had. His fingers were gracefully moving along the piano, and to surprise Rui even more, the boy had also begun to sing along.
Rui widened his eyes. He was entranced right away. The way the boy gracefully played the piano, his voice following the notes perfectly, and just then, he slightly opened his eyes, revealing beautiful honey-colored eyes, staring at the piano with such endearment.
Rui felt like he was in another world, listening to the music and the soft voice of the other, he hadn't even noticed it had ended sooner than he thought.
That's why he didn't even notice it either when the boy called out to him. He jumped when he heard the boy scream, "HEY!" Coming back to his senses, Rui looks toward the boy, who has a confused look on his face.
"What're you standing there for?" The boy asked, clearly wondering why another student was wandering around the school at this time. Even though there were after school activities, Rui didn't participate in any of them.
"Oh… I.." Rui didn't know what to say, should he be honest? He would sound like a creep though, if you think hard about it.
"Ah, let me guess! You were absolutely amazed by piano skills that you came here to check out yourself, did you?!" The boy asked, which totally caught Rui off guard.
Well he was surprisingly honest and blunt, but Rui couldn't help but feel a smile creep up to his lips. The boy doesn't even know that he was right, so looking as if he had been defeated, Rui shrugged, "You caught me."
"Hehe, I knew it! Come in here, do you want to hear more?" The boy asked, getting up from his seat and grabbing one of the chairs that were already stacked and placing it next to the piano, patting on the seat so Rui can come over and sit.
Rui was hesitant, seemingly surprised that the boy had invited him without being cautious. But Rui would also be lying if he said he didn't want to hear more.
So Rui felt another smile on his lips, before gratefully taking the offer, walking into the classroom and setting his bag on the ground before sitting on the chair.
"Is there a song you would like to hear?" The boy asked, leaning over the piano tiles a bit so he can see Rui.
"Hmm… I think I'm fine with anything you play, I'm sure I would still love it either way," Rui admitted. He hadn't even realized what he had said, but whatever it was, it sure made the boy flustered, immediately looking back down to his piano tiles, trying to hide the embarrassing giddy face he had right now.
"I-I see… Hehe, I see… T-Then I'll play this song!" The boy says, pressing his fingers against the piano keys again. Rui just smiled, listening to the sound of the piano keys, and the sound of the boy humming, and—
Wait… Did he just admit he liked the way the boy plays piano? He doesn't even know this boy and he just went ahead and blurted out whatever he thought!
Rui felt his cheeks warm up a little, so he turned over to look at the blonde to see if he had any reaction. But it seems the blonde was focusing on his piano again, and Rui couldn't help but find it endearing right away.
Rui watched the boy play, and the boy kept his focus on the piano tiles. The boy hummed along, and it was like a whole beautiful concert to Rui.
He wonders what this feeling is called.
Later on, Rui had learned that the boy's name was Tsukasa Tenma. They were both third years, just in different classrooms, so that would explain why Rui didn't know the boy, nor saw him around as much. Although Rui spent most of his time on the school's rooftop when he's not in class…
Next day came by, and Rui stared out the window. He wanted to hear Tsukasa play the piano and sing again, but he doesn't know when Tsukasa plays them. He only knows that he is there after-school.
Tsukasa was just on his mind all day, Rui found it embarrassing to admit. But because he was lost in thought all day, he didn't realize that the bell for school ending had rung again.
He totally forgot he was at school actually.
Rui packed his things, clearly ready to head out again– But then that's when he realized he was on cleaning duty today. What the heck, what's with that timing? He was filling in for someone yesterday, and now he has to clean again today because it was his turn.
Well, at least today he had someone to work with, so he can get this done quickly and just head home. So just like that, Rui and the other person worked their way until 4:10pm. It was a lot faster than yesterday, that's for sure.
"I'll be heading first now, Kamishiro-kun," The other one spoke, grabbing their bag as Rui just gave them a nod, he wasn't really the type to speak to his classmates.
Rui was just wiping the classroom board, getting rid of the chalk, "I wonder if Tenma-kun would be playing the piano again…" Rui said out loud.
"I will, do you want to come listen?" A voice next to him, surprising the taller one, but he didn't jump or any of the sort, just surprised.
"Tenma-kun…? How did you find me here?"
"Just call me Tsukasa! I was about to head up to the piano room after my meeting with my club, then I saw your classmate walk out, so I just told them "Otsukare!" Before noticing you in the classroom. I guess you didn't hear me walk in?"
"I didn't."
"I see, it's okay! I see you're about finished up? Do you want to come listen today?" Tsukasa took a step back, giving a big grin. Rui felt like it was so bright, but it's okay because he felt his heart flutter from that.
Wait what–
"Sure, I would love to."
"Woohoo! I'll wait for you right here then!" Tsukasa says, clearly happy that he would be getting a little audience for himself. Rui smiled back at that, how endearing.
Rui made sure to quickly wrap up whatever he was doing, before telling Tsukasa that he was finished, then the two headed upstairs together to the piano room. Tsukasa and Rui made some small talk on their way there.
Like how was their day, what they ate for lunch, blah blah etc. It was fun, Rui found it fun around Tsukasa. He doesn't remember the last time he had this fun around someone.
When they got to the piano room, Tsukasa quickly embraced his friend, saying that he was back again to play. Rui found it absolutely adorable how Tsukasa treated it.
Then just like yesterday, Rui sat by the piano and watched and listened to Tsukasa play it. He doesn't know anyone that would play as beautiful as Tsukasa does. Once again, Rui wonders, 'What is this fluttering feeling?'
It had been a few months since Rui and Tsukasa exchanged contacts, and they began becoming close friends really quickly. Even Nene had noticed the change in Rui's routine, how he would stay after-school at least 3 times a week. Nene never wondered why though, just watching Rui talk about Tsukasa with a smile on his face was enough for her.
Rui even showed some of his inventions to Tsukasa, which the blond had the biggest reactions that anyone else could ever give Rui. Tsukasa was way too amazed. Rui even offered to try it on Tsukasa, to which Tsukasa accepted.
Rui had fun everyday at school, and it was because of Tsukasa. But sometimes he wonders, what is this feeling in his chest? His heart always beats loudly around Tsukasa, Rui would make the most out of his time to be with Tsukasa, whether that's inside of school or outside. Rui sometimes find this little possessiveness inside of him when Tsukasa talks to others. It was a completely new feeling.
Then one horrible incident happened one day. Tsukasa was in the theater club, which would explain why he stayed after-school a lot. Tsukasa invited Rui to come watch one of their practices, practicing for their plays that they are going to present to the school before winter break.
Rui happily accepted the invite.
But during the play, Tsukasa was playing as one of the main characters, Tsukasa was climbing up a ladder as an attempt to escape the ones that were chasing him, but he had been grabbed by the foot.
The plan was that they try to grab him, but one of them had actually managed a grab on Tsukasa when they were about to fall off the ladder, dragging Tsukasa down with them.
In desperation that he doesn't crack his head instead, Tsukasa had turned to his side, but he didn't calculate how high the fall would be before he hurt his entire arm, spraining it.
Before everyone knew it, Tsukasa was on the floor, holding his arm in pain, tears streaking at the corners of his eyes. No one even noticed how Rui immediately jumped on stage, pulling the blonde into his arms and looking at his hand.
"D…Doctor! I mean, infirmary! Or an ambulance?!" One of them screamed in panic, but Rui didn't pay attention to any of them before swiftly picking up Tsukasa in his arms, jumping off the stage and yelling that he was bringing Tsukasa to the infirmary, since he knew the nurse didn't leave until 6pm.
Rui had never run or panicked so much in his life before, he just kept running and running until he saw a sign that said "infirmary", kicking the door open and yelling that Tsukasa was badly hurt.
The nurse was really surprised, but she took no time and told Rui to put Tsukasa on the bed, putting on her gloves and getting off her desk.
The nurse walked over to Tsukasa, looking around the arm to see if anything was out of place, aside from the fact that his hand was really red, and he was holding his arm.
"I'm gonna call the ambulance, this may be more serious than I thought," The nurse says, rushing to her phone to dial the ambulance.
Rui stuck by Tsukasa's side, watching as the blonde was still crying, his arm in extreme pain. It hurt Rui to see him like that, so all he could do was just pull Tsukasa's head closer to the crook of his neck, hoping that pain Tsukasa feels goes away soon.
Soon after, the ambulance came, taking away the blonde, who desperately held onto the sleeve of Rui's shirt, wanting him to go with him. The ambulance employees said that Rui couldn't go through, especially since he is not a relative, and told Rui to just come visit the hospital right away.
Tsukasa went back to crying when learning that Rui couldn't come with him, before the ambulance soon drove off.
Rui was upset too, he wanted to be by his friend's side. Shaking his head, he looks behind him, seeing Tsukasa's theater friends holding both of Rui and Tsukasa's bags. Rui was surprised to see them there, but he approached them.
"We are sorry about what happened before, but I'm sure that Tenma-kun needs you by his side right now, so please…" The director says, handing over both Tsukasa and Rui's bags to him.
"Please get there, stay safe, and well… Please tell Tenma-kun that we wish him better health soon."
Rui just stood his ground for a moment, clearly shaken up by what they've done, but they were right. Tsukasa needed him, he needed to be there for Tsukasa. So he gratefully took both bags, before he turns and starts dashing off, yelling out a thank you to them before he starts turning around the corner to the hospital.
"...They are sure super friendly with each other," One of them commented.
"Friendly? I doubt that! Have you seen the look in both of their eyes?" Another one spoke.
"What do you mean?" The first one asked.
"Hehe! It's super cute when you realize it!"
When Rui made his way to the hospital, he took a few heavy deep breaths, before entering the hospital and asking the front desk where Tsukasa was. They told him that Tsukasa was still being checked up on, and that they're free to go ahead and wait next to the room that they're in.
Rui just nodded and went to where he was told.
Maybe it only took a few minutes, before Rui sees the doctor walking out of the room Tsukasa was in, the doctor was surprised that Rui was there before he said, "You must be Rui-kun. Tsukasa-kun was asking for you."
Rui's heart skipped a beat, but ignoring the feeling, he nodded to the doctor and walked inside the room that Tsukasa was in.
Rui felt like his heart just shattered to pieces in the next second, seeing that there was a cast around Tsukasa's arm, wrapped around his neck. Tsukasa noticed that Rui was in the room with him now before brightening up, "Rui!"
But Rui lost against that smile, he just felt like his heart did a reverse and went back to their places, "Sorry, they didn't let me in the ambulance with you."
Tsukasa shook his head as Rui found himself a seat and brought it next to Tsukasa's bed, "It's okay, they said I would be departed tomorrow, I sprained my arm pretty badly, but as long as I don't use this side of the arm then…" Tsukasa's face dropped slightly when the realization played upon him.
"I can't play the piano for you then…"
Rui widened his eyes, how could the blonde be thinking that right now? Sure, he absolutely loved it when Tsukasa played the piano, but… He preferred Tsukasa's health over the piano.
"Tsukasa-kun, please don't worry about that right now…" Rui says as he places a hand on the cast on Tsukasa's arm, leaning over and giving it a small peck, surprising the blonde and immediately blushing right after, "Please worry about your health first, do you know how scared I was when you had hurt your arm?"
Tsukasa's eyebrows furrowed, he wished he didn't have to worry about the taller one so much, "Yeah…"
"And then I picked you up just like a princess who had been injured in the forest before taking you back to the castle," Rui says, grinning at Tsukasa, it was so out of nowhere that Tsukasa just flushed, remembering how close Rui was when he got carried.
"That's why, please… For now, worry about your health," Rui says, his hand still on the smaller one's arm. Tsukasa stared at Rui for a moment before giving a small smile, along with a nod, which reassured Rui.
It probably took at least like, a month or two for Tsukasa's arm to start feeling better again, he really is a healthy boy. But then that also meant that winter break was coming. Which means Tsukasa's school play was coming.
Rui went to go watch it that day, and thank god nothing dangerous happened ever again. Winter break was right after that, but that didn't stop Rui and Tsukasa from hanging out. They went snowboarding, ice skating, watching movies and having sleepovers.
Once that week ended, they went back to school.
Winter passed quickly, and so was their upcoming date for their graduation. Tsukasa went back to playing the piano, and Rui would listen again. So this was one of their after-school activities again.
"What major will you be going for, Tsukasa-kun?" Rui asked. They were planning to go to the same university, so thank god they wouldn't have to separate.
"Acting."
"Oh? I thought it would be piano," Rui says as he turns around from his chair to look at Tsukasa. Tsukasa smiled at him, "I love acting more than anything, but I love playing the piano for you the most."
Rui was a bit taken aback by that, but he also couldn't help but feel really really happy from that, 'For you.'
"Oh right! I wanted to tell you this first, Rui. But the school picked me to play them a song on this very piano, when we graduate."
Rui looked up at Tsukasa, seeing how Tsukasa's eyes sparkled, he couldn't help but also feel happy for the older one, "Is that so? I wish you luck then, Tsukasa-kun, I would love to hear it."
Tsukasa smiled at him. Just like that, exams came over. The two were too busy with exams to even meet up during after school activities again. But Rui still looked forward to seeing Tsukasa, so wishing that time comes faster, it comes.
Graduation day came, the student council was on stage crying, expressing their love for this school and how they were going to separate, but that they will always remember everyone. Everyone received their diploma, getting called up on stage and taking their well deserved diploma, before shaking hands with the principal and other representatives of the school.
Once that was all finished, Tsukasa was finally called up on stage to tell them goodbye with a final song, "Before I start playing, there is something I would like to confess…" Tsukasa says, before clearing his throat.
"I've played piano for a long time now, but I will be honest. I didn't particularly enjoy it."
What? This was news to Rui. Tsukasa played the piano with such endearment, but he didn't enjoy it?
"But it was around a few weeks into the start of our third year, I met someone… who watched me play the piano. I-It was completely by chance! I invited them to watch me play the piano, since they looked super intrigued… A-And before I knew it, I loved the way they looked at me when I played the piano…" Tsukasa's face began to heat up, avoiding eye contact as much as possible.
"I just started playing the piano more often because they would listen to it, and I loved it when they listened to it. They were here for me a few months back when I badly hurt my arm. I was so sad that I couldn't play the piano for a while for them… Then I realized, I…" Tsukasa placed a hand over his face, but clapped both of his cheeks.
Oh.
Oh.
Was Tsukasa talking about…
Rui felt his cheeks warm up.
"A-Anyways! You know who you are! That's why I want to say, uhm– Right after this, I would… I want to properly confess to you, behind the school…" Tsukasa muttered the last part, his face completely heated up.
The people around the gym were already crying for him, before some started shouting. "Good luck, Tenma-kun!" Which made Tsukasa more embarrassed, so he immediately panicked.
"Ah! Ahhh! The piano! Let me play this for you guys and let's all go home while crying! Yes! Perfect idea!" Tsukasa says, rushing his way over to the piano and sitting down, clearing his throat.
It wasn't long before Tsukasa placed his fingers on the piano, then started playing. It was… a beautiful melody. Rui remembers Tsukasa telling him that it was going to be a melody that Tsukasa composed himself, and that he wants the message to be reached by someone he knows well. Rui didn't understand at first, but now he does.
Tsukasa was trying to tell him on the piano tiles that he was in love with him.
Rui looked down to his diploma, he felt the need to cry, but it seemed so out of character for him to. Rui noticed that some other students started crying already, and when he looked on stage, he felt like he had a flashback on the stage.
That one time when Rui met Tsukasa when he first heard him playing the piano. Rui remembers how entranced before, how beautifully the blonde boy played.
When the piano stopped playing, Rui noticed that it had finally ended, and Tsukasa took a deep breath, as if he had held in his breath the entire time. Then at least half of the gym started bawling.
Tsukasa was shaken up by it, but he took it as a sign that he loved it before he gets up from his seat, walked over to the microphone, and with the biggest smile yet, "Thank you for this year!"
Everyone was allowed to leave right afterwards. Rui walked out of the school, seeing his parents waiting for him with open arms. Rui smiled and walked over to them before giving them a big hug.
"I have to be right back though, I have to meet up with someone," Rui says, watching as his parents were confused before Rui walks away.
His parents even noticed how a lot of people were trying to sneakily follow Rui.
When Rui made his way over to the back of the school, his heart beating louder with every step. Now he knows what this feeling was everytime he was with Tsukasa.
It was love.
When Rui saw that Tsukasa was looking up at the Sakura trees, clearly trying to wait for him. Rui approaches him, "Tsukasa." With no honorifics. Tsukasa jumped a bit, before turning to look at Rui with flushed cheeks.
"Y-You're finally here!" Tsukasa says, turning to face the taller boy before him. There was this awkward silence for a while, before Tsukasa opened his lips to say something, but Rui beat him to it.
"It was… love at first sight, I'll be honest."
Tsukasa's cheeks heated up more, even though he wanted to make the first move, Rui didn't allow him.
"I didn't know what the feeling was called at first, but now I know, Tsukasa," Rui approached Tsukasa closer, and Tsukasa looked down in embarrassment, clearly having no words to say.
"I love you, will you…" Rui gently grabbed Tsukasa's chin and made him look up to face him, "Will you stay by my side for the rest of our life?" Tsukasa didn't miss the blush that Rui had on his face.
"I… would love to, but…" Tsukasa glanced to the side, trying to tell Rui something. Rui was confused before looking over to the side to see some people were peeking. So much for privacy at least.
But you know what, give them a little show.
"Is it a no?" Rui looked back at Tsukasa, little puppy eyes in Rui. Tsukasa panicked, "N-No! I do! I want to be with you forever! I-I…"
"I love you too…" And just like that, they sealed it by pressing their lips together.
There were cheers coming from the crowd next to them, and Tsukasa was quick to pull away because it was starting to get him really embarrassed. But Rui clearly enjoyed his reaction, not caring about the crowd before pulling Tsukasa back in again and locking their lips again.
A week went by, and Rui was over at Tsukasa's house, the both of them were on the couch watching some movies together, before Tsukasa mentions, "You know… When you confessed last week, you… you said it as if you were proposing instead, you know?"
This time Rui was the one who was extremely embarrassed.