Chapter Text
"Have you reached a decision?"
The question seemed uncanny
"Yes..." Rui said with a fake certainty
"After we spoke that day I thoroughly weighed my options... To stay at Phoenix Wonderland as a member of Wonderlands×Showtime or to work alongside you ,Asahi at Arcland."
"And I thought quite a lot about each option in terms of making my dreams come true." Rui continued
"I see..." Asahi locked eyes with Rui crossing his fingers behind his back.
"To be completely frank if I want to make my dream come true I should accept your offer Asahi."
Rui noticed that Asahi's eyes had a hopeful glint in them.
"The practices we held together for our performance showed me just how skilled and passionate the members of Arcland are. It's a simple fact that no other place in Japan has such a group at its disposal. Not only that but Arcland provides the perfect working environment for directors, I wouldn't have to make any of my own props..."
"So..." He took a deep breath "as a director, moving to Arcland is what I want to do."
"Does that mean you'll join us?" Asahi gasped a little louder than Rui would have liked.
Rui nodded. His expression was melancholic like the one he once wore a long time ago, he felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes but Rui was an actor he reigned his expression back to a smile much like the one he always had after shows with Wonderlands×Showtime except this smile was eerily empty. Like the jewel of happiness meant to be displayed had been stolen, and all that was left was the case it was once been displayed in.
"Are you ok Rui-kun your eyes seem a little watery." Asahi remarked, pulling Rui from his daze.
"Ah it must be my allergies." Rui replied blinking a couple of times to clear the not yet formed tears.
"I didn't know you had allergies." Asahi said surprised.
Rui did not have allergies.
"Ah,I do have a request Asahi-kun."
"What is it?" Asahi turned to face him with a smile.
" If you wouldn't mind I'd like to tell my friends myself." He ventured looking into the distance.
"Of course my lips are sealed." Asahi made a zipper movement across his mouth.
Rui let out a hum of amusement as they walked back to the group.
"Hey guys!" Asahi shouted, waving to the other performers.
"Nene-chan, Rui-kun still looks sad." Emu whispered in her ear. "I know Emu will have to talk as a group later."
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"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAT" Emu and Tsukasa yelled in unison. Nene was just as shocked but she didn't like yelling.
"Oh my gosh Rui that's amazing!" Tsukasa's smile shone with its usual brightness yet it still sent a chill down Emu's spine. Only she noticed the slight emptiness behind those words, no one else would though not even Tsukasa. Instead she continued like nothing had happened.
"Yeah that's super wonderhoy Rui-kun."
"Mm I agree with these two." Nene added in a much quieter voice "that's an amazing opportunity Rui, you must be pleased."
"I am." He smiled
"Ah but if Rui-kun leaves he won't be able to do shows with us anymore." Emu voiced the words no one wanted to hear.
Rui dipped his head, staring at his coffee as if looking for an answer. "Yes that is true between school and my part-time job at Arcland, I would no longer be able to be the director for Wonderlands×Showtime..."
Tsukasa interrupted the newly formed silence "That's okay Rui". In that moment Tsukasa's (almost) tearful smile shone brighter than all the stars in the sky. Oh how Rui would miss making that star shine. " We knew it wouldn't last forever, I'm glad you get to chase your dream Rui."
"Me too" Nene added "You're going to do great things Rui".
Emu was chilled to the bone by the ghostliness of the two voices. She got it now, she knew the two were exceptional actors but this was a different level ,Emu doubted either knew they were acting. She knew why though. If they told Rui how they really felt then there's a good chance he would turn down the offer and miss the opportunity to chase his dreams, that's the kind of person Rui was. They couldn't do that to him. Deep down Emu felt the same, so she joined them in the act.
" Me too me too you're going to have such a Wonderhoy time" she said smile spread across her face.
If lying would help Rui achieve his dreams, then Emu was all in.
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Rui let out a sigh of relief as he left the cafe. He was so glad his friends supported his decision, though the faint uneasiness he had felt from that day was not gone it had subsided. He started to whistle a tune as he made his way home.