Chapter Text
" What a day..." Tsukasa mumbled to himself as he fineshed cleaning everything up at Wonderstage, the exhaustion getting to him- a good one tough! The kind you get after getting work good and done. He had offered to stay and clean, his friends looked way more tired than him. Well, they gave their all on todays performance afterall! It was a truly beautiful show, one of his favorites even!
He checked if the door backstage was locked one last time and just as he was about to leave, he heard some comotion near the Wonderstage exit area.
"-I know right? They were all so good, are they really our age?" A voice, seemingly a girl, spoke excitedly.
The blond paused.
Oh? Was this about the show?
" See, you should trust my recomendations more!" A second voice, probably a boy this time, chimed in.
" Alright alright...you were on spot with this one, I'll give you that."
Tsukasa perked up at that, a small smile growing on his face. So it was about the show! With that knowledge, he couldn't help but take a step closer to fully understand the interaction and, of course, take all of the feedback he could! From where he was now, hidden behind the stage pillar, he could put a face to the voices. A girl and a boy his age stood closely to eachother near the benches, friends probably? Tought, the first thing Tsukasa noticed was the smile on their faces. Smiles from his troupe's performance.
" The long haired girl had such a pretty voice, she was my favorite!" the girl said.
Tsukasa became even more proud, she's right! Nene's voice is indeed amazing! He's so glad people awknoledge that!! He couldn't wait to know what else their fans had to say...
Wait.
Tsukasa shook his head, turning away from the scene.
No! Eavesdropping is wrong!! He already heard enough-
" How about you, who was your favorite?"
Oh.
His head immediately shot back to the two.
Alright, just a bit more wouldn't hurt anybody right...
" Uhh.." he watched in antecipation as the boy closed his eyes with a hum " The— uh. The lead, the one who played the knight."
Ha! That would be him, of course! The blond continued to listen closely. Why was he the boy's favorite? Was it his acting? The dancing? He payed extra attention to his movements today! Did all of that hard work paid off? He was expecting to hear more but, for some reson, the girl crossed her arms and lookeed at her friend with unimpressed expression that resembled Nene a bit too much.
" Of course it was him.."
" ...What's that supposed to mean?" the other questioned.
Tsukasa stared at the two– while they stared at eachother– followed by silence. Waiting, long silence, as if some important information was being processed.
" WHA-" the boy chocked like it finally clicked " WHAT?! THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS TOMO!" Even Tsukasa got startled at the sudden change in volume of the seemingly quiet boy as he surged foward, shaking his friends shoulders. The girl, Tomo, only laughed at the unspoken thruth.
The blond on the other hand, was feeling too confused for his liking! Excluded even! But...again, he was the one eavesdropping....
" I mean— it does? A–Anyways! I'm serious, have you heard his voice? And he nailed that crying part too!" the boy's voice died down, like he noticed he got too ahead of himself and let a small cough " They were all amazing...but I couldn't take my eyes off him."
" Couldn't take your eyes off him? So you're finally admiting you find him pretty?"
Huh.
The blond blinked. Pretty? Where did that come from? Weren't they talking about the performance one second ago?! Despite the unknown feeling bubbling up inside his chest, he continue to watch as Tomo laughed at the boy, who smacked her shoulder and— Tsukasa squinted his eyes— was his face red?
" Stop– teasing me..!" he sighed in defeat " Ok, he is pretty,"
So his ears weren't decieving him. He really found him....
Pretty
Tsukasa could feel his smile grow in a shaky manner. He apreciates any compliment. Wait what– why is he feeling so bashfull all of a sudden?! Of course he is pretty, handsome, and all of that! He takes good care of his apperance so it's no surprise!!!...There's no reson to feel so...giddy about this.
" But I'm serious about the performance. It was good, I really did pay attention ok?"
He snapped himself out of it as the boy continues speaking. There! There's a much more familiar compliment – it made him extremaly happy nontheless– he rather focus on this one. The show was a sucess, everyone smiled, they payed attention to his work.
" We should come next time too then."
" Yeah, It would be nice to see they perform again..." and with that, the two left his line of sight.
Tsukasa sighed, leaning back against the pillar he was hiding behind. That was...something. He felt a sense of fufillment, but also a unfamilar throb on his heart. Well, it's nothing, he should probably go home already. The blond cheked one last time if everything was carefully locked up ( yes, triple cheked. Because, long story short: Emu, door left open, summer night, bugs on costumes). He shivered at the memory.
Finally, Tsukasa made his way out the Wonderstage gate, trying to get his mind out of nasty bugs. He would rather focus on the nice things, like having fans who apreciate his work, or being called pretty–
" Where is it...?"
Tsukasa jolted at the voice. On the ground, kneeling near the bushes, was the boy from earlier.
The blond took a step closer " Looking for something?"
" WAH!" the boy jumped in surprise, head shooting up to Tsukasa, eyes becoming even more wide at the sight of his face " O-Oh my god you scared me sorry."
Tsukasa giggled apolagetic " No no, I'm sorry for appering so suddenly."
He watched as the boy opened his mouth to say something, then closed again, gaze that was so fixated on Tsukasa's face now falling to the ground.
" My...my keys– I think they fell around here."
He spoke in such a smaller tone compared to the one he used earlier. He must be shy, Tsukasa noted– another reson why he had to help him!
" Hm, that's no good! I'll help you out!" determined to fufill his duty, Tsukasa kneeled down besides the boy with no warning and began searching for the keys.
" You don't have to..!" he objected nervously, Tsukasa didn't listen and continued proding around the bushes. He sighed in defeat, joining the blond " Ok, thank you."
Well, such a nice opportunity to interact with a fan shouldn't go waste, Tsukasa thought.
" I heard you liked the show?" he said, wanting to make some small talk but his question made the boy choke instead.
" You heard that...?" to his luck Tsukasa was too focus on his task to notice how his ears redden, but the wavering in his voice still gave it away.
" Don't be embarassed! I'm quite flattered!"
There was a small pause " I did like it."
" I'm glad! Me and my troupe worked really hard"
" The choreography was smooth, and the story was well thought. I could really feel the passion behind it..." Tsukasa tilted his head to properly look at the boy who keept talking so highly of his shows, only to realise he was already looking at him with a small smile on his face. The blond smiled back, making the other quickly avert his gaze again " Ah, sorry, what I mean is— I had fun."
Tsukasa giggled at his behavior, deciding to focus back on his task instead. Wow! He really must be shy! It reminds him a little of Nene on her early days "What are you apologising for? Any feedback is well recieved! I'm always looking for ways to be better..." suddenly, his hand brushed against something, making a caclking noise "Oh! I think I found it."
" Really?"
The blond huffed in triumph, clenching his hands around the object and dramaticaly pulling the keys from in-between the bushes.
" Is this your key?" he lifted himself in one knee and showed it off with excitment like it was some trophe.
It would look too dramatic if it weren't from the way the other boy's eyes sparkled like it really was a trophe, making a full body turn to him.
" Yes, that's it! Thank you!!" he exclaimed, surprisingly matching his energy.
Tsukasa was proud of himself at his great doing. But before he gave the boy his key, something cought his attention. His keychain was...very intresting! It was quite huge for just a single key, a bunch of blue charms and...a dog? Yes, a tiny shiba! He smiled to himself, it was rather cute, something Saki would like.
Tsukasa looked at the other, jingling the object in his hands " This keychain, where did you buy it?"
The boy before him tensed for a second, he looked almost scared? No. It seemed he was nervous again, shifting his weight on his knees, still on the ground " I actually got this as a gift, so I'm not sure where to found one..."
" A gift?" Tsukasa tilted his head with intrest. It was a shame he wouldn't be able to find a similar charm for his sister though..
The other nodded " Yeah, my friend thought it looked like me. But I don't see the resemblence."
Tsukasa didn't even think before he raised the object, placing it a way he could compare the little dog charm to the boy before him. He just had to satisfy his curiosity!
" Hmmn.."
" W-What're you doing?"
Tsukasa squinted his eyes. He's not one to pay too much attention on other's apperance so it's the first time he really looks at the other. For someone who had praised Tsukasa's apperance so much earlier the blond found him, objectivaly, pretty aswell.
His small, round brown eyes stared back at Tsukasa apprehensively, the spiky hair that matched the color of his eyes framed his face quite nicely. The moles on his face were what made him stand out the most though, Tsukasa thought. He noticed how he fidget with his pale hands, it seemed the same size as his, he couldn't be more than a inch or two shorter than the blond. And as if matching the keychain, he wore a lot of blue.
Ah! Yes, the keychain!...he got distracted there for a moment.
It did look like him! Well, except for the smug smile the little shiba had. That would match the expression he had earlier, the big and spontaneous smile while talking to his friend.
Tsukasa wondered if he could make him smile like that for him too.
" Haha! It does look just like you" the blond smiled, his delicate fingers brushing against the other's for a moment as he retrived the object. If the brunet stirred at the small touch, Tsukasa assumed it was the cold.
He buried the keys in his pocket and got up hurriedly, bowing at the blond " Thank you!!"
Tsukasa followed, dusting off his clothes " I told you it's nothing! I'm glad I was able to help..." he trailed off. That's right! He didn't even ask his fan's name!! How could he?!
" Ah, I'm Saidai Yuu. But just Yuu is fine..." Yuu introduced himself after noticing his silence– either that, or Tsukasa had made a face.
In return, the blond placed both hands on his hips. Yes! The ' it's time to shine' pose! " Tenma as in a pegasus racing through the sky! Tsukasa as in ruling the world! Tenma Tsukasa, the man destined to be a star!" he beamed brightly.
Yuu hummed, tilting his head just slightly " Wow, that was an eccentric way of introducing yourself Tenma-kun!" he looked a bit taken aback for a moment but the small giggle he let out made Tsukasa proud. He's making progress here!
" Please, if I'm allowed to call you Yuu then you can call me Tsukasa. I insist" he pressed and the brunet didn't seem against it " and well, unique introductions are a good to show confidence. You should try it too. Let me–" suddenly, he cut himself off to take a deep breath.
" Wait don't..!"
" Saidai as in the greatest! Yuu as in tenderness!!" Tsukasa exclaimed loudly, ignoring the boy's protests. Instead of continuing, the blond hummed for a second, pondering.
You see, Tsukasa was the type to pay attention to things like meaning of names, he knew the meaning of every one of his friend's! So of course he couldn't help but think about it now too.
" What a lovely name, It matches you well" he concluded with a smile.
Yuu paused at that, eyes widen slighty before turning his gaze away again " Thank you.." he rubbed the back of his neck.
Tsukasa tilted his head with confusion, it looked like Yuu had something to say– with the way he keep trying to make eye contact again– but was struggling so much his face was a little red!
" Y-You also have a lov–"
" Yuu!!" just when he gathered the courage, they were interrupted by the girl from earlier. The boy stirred as she aproached them " Did you find your key yet? I–" she stopped, smile falling with surprise as she looked between the two " Oh?"
Tsukasa put both hands on his hips, ready to intrduce himself again, but before he could open his mouth Yuu turned to his friend.
" Yes!" he exclaimed, for some reson even more nervous now that the girl arrived " Yes I did! Tsukasa here helped me out..haha..ha.."
Tomo's gaze lingered on Yuu's sweating face, then Tsukasa, and Yuu again " Ooh, I see what's going on here~" a sly smile began to form on her face.
Yuu's eyes widen in panic and he quickly wrapped a arm around the girl's shoulder, trying to drag her away " HAHA! Well, thank you again Tsukasa but we really have to go now–"
" So soon? Don't you have anything else to say to him?" Tomo's smile grew even more while Yuu squinted at her with desperation, noticing her intentions.
Tsukasa pondered the strange interaction, trying to decipher the way they seemed to argue in silence like earlier, communicating only with their gaze. He feels left out again! And this time he's not even eavesdropping!
In the end, it seemed like Yuu lost the fight, judging by the way he sighed and looked away from his friend. He then unwraped the hold he had on Tomo in defeat and took an unsure step towards Tsukasa.
Yuu opened his mouth, only to close it right after, like he was trying to find the right words. The blond perked up, invested on what the boy had to say– he almost felt nervous himself, for some reson– his nervousness must have rubbed off on him!
" I was wondering–" the brunet began, scratching the back of his neck and doing his best to not stumble on his own words " If I could, uhm," Yuu finally managed to look Tsukasa in the eye with a small, shaky smile, that made the blond invested " If I could get your number?"
Tsukasa paused " My number?" No way! Was he really that nervous because of something like that?!
" Y-You know..!" The small surge of confidence Yuu showed crumbled and he began to studder again, waving his hands around while Tomo held her laughter behind him " So you can tell me when the next show is and stuff! I mean, only if you..." he continued rambling.
Oh!
Yeah, that makes sense!
The blond found almost comical how nervous he got, the way Yuu's ears were still red made him crack a smile. Tsukasa had no problem with such things, he likes to think of everyone as a potential friend!
"...else really, I think we–"
" Well of course, It would be a pleasure" Tsukasa cut him off, making Yuu's mouth slip shut. Even Tomo who was, at this point, cackling at the brunet's behavior, fell silent.
" Really..?!"
Yuu stared wide eyed at Tsukasa's outstreached hand, like he was still processing it.
" Uhum!"
" Ok– yeah, wait I—"
He fumbled around his pockets and clumsly handled his phone to Tsukasa, who was quick to type his number and save his contact ( adorened with a star at the end of course!)
" Here we go! You can message me anytime, I'll help if you ever lose your keys again"
The boy let a small sigh in shame as he retrived his phone " Thank you again for that. I'll try to be more carefull.."
Yuu still looked nervous, but the way the corner of his lips seemed to be stuck upwards was all Tsukasa needed to know he did a good job. His own face lit up in a warm smile.
" Now, I hate to interrupt but we really do have to go" Tomo said suddenly, that teasing expression back to her face. Yuu then shook his head, as if he was snapping himself out of some trance before looking up at the sky above.
Tsukasa followed the movement. The sun had set down almost completly, painting the sky in a soft indigo. He let his eyes linger a bit on the stars that were slowly appearing on the night sky.
" She's right It's getting pretty late. We should all get going" he turns at them, sending a final, confident smile " And thank you again for coming to our show! We'll be glad to have you again!"
" Thank you, we had a great time" Tomo giggled and wraped her arm around Yuu's to drag him with her since it looked like he had no intentions of moving anytime soon.
She waved goodbye at Tsukasa " Bye bye!"
" Have a safe walk home..!" the brunet managed to shout as they walked further away.
" You too!" Tsukasa stayed there, watching until the two vanished on the distance, mixing with the colorful lights of the Phoenix Wonderland atractions.
He let a small sigh of satisfaction, the buzz of the cicadas and distant sounds of laughter making up for the silence. He looked up at the sky once more, it was a deep blue now, almost black, the stars shining brightly and he couldn't help but smile a little.
It had been a really good day.