"Ah, Tsukasa-kun!"

Tsukasa looked up from his script to find a mop of unkempt purple hair and sparkling amber eyes gazing at him.

He frowned. "Is it already time for practice? I could've sworn I still had 15 minutes..."

"My, my, is Tsukasa-kun losing track of time? Who knew a star had such weaknesses!" Rui dramatically rested a hand over his heart, looking over at the other boy amusedly.

"Wh- Well, I-" Tsukasa sputtered. "I was just looking over my script, is all. I came early to review a bit before practice officially started. A star must be prepared!" He grinned and struck a pose.

Rui smiled at the actor before him. Just months ago, he had been sulking, alone, waiting for someone, anyone, to stay and not treat him like an outcast. Sure, there had been Mizuki and Nene, though they weren't that close; although when this bright beam of pure happiness came shining through, by the name of Tenma Tsukasa, all doubts were eradicated. And in its place came happiness, equivalent to the kind that Tsukasa held and spread to all around him.

Tsukasa had introduced him to Emu, who seemed to brighten Nene as much as Tsukasa had brightened Rui. Wonderlands x Showtime didn't just make the audience happy. Being in it brought a smile to its members, too.

"Rui, are you alright? You're staring." Tsukasa put a hand on the director's shoulder, concerned.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're beautiful, Tsukasa-kun?"

"E-eh?!" Tsukasa snapped his hand back, face turning multiple shades of red. "Well... well of course they have, Rui! Everyone appreciates a star such as I!"

"That may be true, Tsukasa-kun. And I believe many people would agree when I say that I love you with all my heart."

Tsukasa laughed. "Ha ha ha! I love you, too, Rui!"

Rui stopped, unsure of what to say next. He hadn't expected this response from the star beside him.

"Oh? Shall we go on a date, then?"

The blonde blinked, confused. "A date?"

"Yes. Don't tell me that my star is losing his hearing now..." Rui teased.

Tsukasa looked down, trying to hide his still growing blush. "I'm not! I was just surprised, is all... I didn't realize you meant that kind of love."

Though I think I wouldn't mind that, he thought.

Rui took a step back. "Oh. I apologize, Tsukasa-kun, this was a misunderstanding. I must get backstage now!"

The director turned to leave, but Tsukasa grabbed his arm before he could disappear.

"Wait, Rui!" He took a deep breath. "What kind of date? As in, where?"

"...Oh, I... I had been hoping to go to a café, though if you want to go somewhere else, we could-"

"A café? Like cake and tea??"

There was a hopeful glint in Tsukasa's already dazzling eyes.

Rui smiled. "Precisely."

Tsukasa nodded slowly. "I think I'll take you up on that offer! After rehearsal, yes?"

Rui looked behind him, and to the side, before swiftly leaning forward and planting a soft kiss on Tsukasa's cheek.

"Don't be late," Rui told him, already starting to briskly walk toward the stage.

Tsukasa couldn't help but stare at Rui's rapidly receding figure with a hand hovering over the spot that had been kissed.

"I love you, Rui, in a romantic way as well," he whispered.