Chapter Text
“Hm? Isn't that…?” An blinks as she sees a familiar tall senior ahead of her, “Kamishiro senpai~!”
Rui turns around, “Oya? Shiraishi-kun.”
The singer looks around, “Where's Tenma senpai?”
“Tsukasa-kun is on duty today, so I was thinking about finding him.” Rui smiles.
An crosses her arms, “Don't tell me, senpai wants to disturb Tenma senpai?”
“Ah no, I forgot I have something to tell him. I just remembered it now.” Rui chuckles softly, “Is there anything you want from me, Shiraishi-kun? Or you want to do another tutoring after class like last semester?”
“Ah, I'm fine with that. I have Kusanagi-san to help me.”
“That's great to hear.”
“How's Tenma senpai lately?”
“He's doing fine.” Rui smiles at her, “All thanks to Shiraishi-kun and your friends.”
“Eh? Why?” The two of them stop as An looks up at Rui. “I thought we're just throwing an after party for Tenma senpai?” Well besides it's to let them express their thanks and tell the blonde that he works hard.
Rui shakes his head. “Maybe to you. But to Tsukasa-kun, it's showing that no matter how many times he falls, he still has people by his side.” He smiles softly, “Tsukasa-kun had gone through so much during last semester…”
First the car crash… Then the bullying… His fight with his little sister… SEKAI… And Tenmama…
“The party is enough for him to push him to move forward.”
“Kamishiro senpai…” An smiles at him, “Then, I'm not sure if I will bump into Tenma senpai later but tell him for me that, even for this semester, if Tenma senpai needs anything, I will definitely help him!”
Deciding to tease the younger a little, Rui smiles playfully at her. “Then, if Tsukasa-kun is asking you for help with our experiments, will you still help him?”
“E-Eh?” An crosses her arms, “I don't think Tenma senpai will ever ask that kind of questions. Unless it's you, Kamishiro senpai.”
“Oya? Tsukasa-kun is now my classmate, he will definitely still get dragged in.”
“Kamishiro senpai.”
Chuckling at the singer, Rui smiles. “I'm just joking, Shiraishi-kun.”
“Hm, joking. And then the next thing I hear is the teachers yelling your names.”
“Ahaha, it's not a guarantee.”
“It is.”
“Shiraishi, there you are.” The two of them turn. “Saya sensei is looking for you. She's at the faculty room.”
“Thanks!” As she watches her classmate walk away, An turns to Rui, “Well, seems like I need to go now. Later, Kamishiro senpai!”
Rui nods as the younger walks away. His smile never left his face and turned to the window, spotting the actor walking around the courtyard. “Tsukasa-kun…” Then a sad smile flashes on his face. “If only they know huh…”
“I'm going to buy juice. Need anything?”
“Tuna sandwich.” Akito hands her the money. “Thanks.”
Nene nods as she stands up and walks out from her class. Heading towards the cafe to buy her grapefruit juice and Akito's sandwich, as she is about to climb down the stairs, she notices Rui looking at someone.
“Rui?” She makes her way towards him. “Who are you looking at…? Oh.”
“Nene…”
“Yeah?”
“Do you think… We can actually help Tsukasa-kun about Tenmama-san?”
“……” She stares at the chairman, “Well, if we don't help… Then who will?” Nene looks at the taller male. “You know yourself how his talk with Tenmama-san went…” She turns to Tsukasa again. “When school started… During the opening ceremony… He hid it so well as if nothing happened…”
Nene isn't going to lie when she remembers the time when Tsukasa came to them, explaining how his talk with his mother went… And then when the school started, Tsukasa was all back to the usual Tenma Tsukasa. The loud and full of energy, Tenma Tsukasa, who is the world's future star.
She was surprised by it. “As expected from an actor…”
“You’re right. Tsukasa-kun is an actor. He manages to make everyone fooled by his acting of his usual self in order to not make anyone worried even more…”
“Last time, we really dragged almost all of our friends to help him huh… Even Shiraishi-san and Shinonome-kun sometimes ask me how Tsukasa's been…” Not to mention, even Toya… And the ones who truly know… “Niigo…”
“They're the only ones that truly know.”
“Then, what about Tsukasa's sister?” Nene gives Rui a side glance, “She's the only one who lived together with him for 17 years. Isn't she supposed to be someone who also knows about Tsukasa's situation with his mom?”
“That…” Rui lowers his head a little, remembering the time when he and Tsukasa paid Kanade and Mafuyu a short visit.
“Please… Don't tell, Saki…”
“That depends on Tsukasa-kun. If he wants to tell her… Let him be. But if he doesn't want to… Then why should we argue with him…? It's his decision.”
What Nene said is true. Tenma Saki, the youngest daughter in the Tenma residence as well as Tsukasa's little sister… She is someone who truly deserves to know about her own older brother's situation.
But what Rui said is also correct. It's Tsukasa's own decision to tell her or not. “True… But, if things go out of control again… Let's agree to tell Saki-san about this.”
Rui smiles at her and nods. “Of course.”
“……” Mafuyu stares at the flyer that is plastered on the cafe's door.
After she starts living with Kanade, she slowly begins to want to try something sweet or simply look interesting to eat. All thanks to Mizuki, Ena and Mochizuki, the three of them help her to try out something new. She tried parfait that Mizuki recommended to her, and for the first time in forever, she actually liked the taste of it.
And in front of her right now, there's a new cake serving in the cafe where she usually eats the parfait with her friends. “I wonder what it tastes like…”
Living with the composer really brings back the colour in her life… Slowly exploring things that she wasn't really interested in when she was still living with her family… “Maybe I should ask—”
“Asahina-san.”
Hearing the voice calling out for her, she instinctively pulls out her smile and turns to the person. But as soon as she sees who it was, she drops her smile. “Tenma-kun.”
Tsukasa approaches her, “What are you looking at?”
She points at the flyer, “That cake.”
“You want to try it?”
Mafuyu shrugs. Does she even want to try it? Just because she slowly starts to think that some sweets look interesting to eat, it doesn't really mean she really wants to try it. She still doesn't know. “I don't know.” That's why she probably will just tell this to Mizuki and Ena. Those two love eating stuff like this.
Tsukasa hums, “Then, let's go.”
“Eh?”
As the waiter serves them the new cake, Mafuyu stares at it. “Are you sure that this is okay with you?” Especially how the male also offers her that he will pay for it.
“I’m sure.” Tsukasa eats his ice cream. “I actually noticed you staring at the flyer for 10 minutes… That's why I was wondering if you want it or not.”
Mafuyu closes her eyes as her cheeks turn pink from embarrassment. She… She's been staring at the flyer for 10 minutes…? She doesn't even realize she's been staring that long… “My bad… I didn't even realize it…” She eats the cake.
Smiling softly at her, Tsukasa shakes his head. “It’s fine. So, how was it?”
“I'm not so sure…” She commented quietly but loud enough for Tsukasa to hear. She doesn't want to say it out loud or the workers will hear her. “It tasted different than the usual I eat with them.”
“Well, it's a new cake.”
“I guess you're right…” But… It isn't that bad. “Maybe I should buy a slice for Kanade…”
“Then…” Tsukasa stands up from his seat. “I'll be right back.”
“Eh? Sure?” She watches the male go to the counter.
Mafuyu… She isn't so sure how to talk to the male at first. For her, Tsukasa is the loudest person she has ever met. However after the whole incident happened, the male is now quieter than before. The two of them can have their small talk without Tsukasa using his loud voice with her. It wasn't that bad but if someone from Kamikou noticed them talking to each other, all they got was stares.
‘Well, it's probably a bit weird for them to see Tenma-kun being quiet.’ Especially how Kamishiro told her that Tsukasa is ‘going back’ to his usual self at school. ‘If I was his school friend, probably I would be weird out too.’
“Here you go.”
She snaps out of her thoughts as she sees Tsukasa put three boxes of slices of cakes and… Cupcakes…? “Tenma-kun, why did you buy so much?”
“Well… It's for your group and your SEKAI’s KAITO and the rest.”
“E-Eh?” She blinks.
“You know… How it's currently hard for me to go there… Without my mom knowing it… Even outside, she somehow could tell that I went there… So, I think like… Probably it's not wrong to buy it for someone else's SEKAI virtual singers if you can't buy it for your own…”
“Tenma-kun…”
“Besides, probably this also should be a… You know, kinda like a ‘Nice to meet you’ greetings for them. We didn't even have a proper greeting yet.” He rubs the back of his neck, “Just consider this as a gift to them. And the cake… Well, it's thanks for helping me so much back then.”
“Is that so…” She nods. “Thank you.”
“It's nothing.”
“Talking about Tenmama-san… So, she really doesn't…”
“No. Too bad right?” Tsukasa smiles at her.
“Do you have anything in mind that you can probably change her mind?”
“I don't know, Asahina-san. I don't know.”
“….…” Mafuyu lowers her head before looking at the male with a small smile. “I hope you can find your way out of this, Tenma-kun. I'm sure Kamishiro-san and the rest will help.”
“Thank you, Asahina-san.”
“Thanks for walking me back home, Tenma-kun.”
“It's nothing. Besides, I can't leave you carrying all of those sweets.”
Mafuyu nods, “See you later. Have a safe trip.”
“Later.”
Watching the male walk away, Mafuyu looks at the box of cupcakes in her hands. “I hope Miku, Len and Rin love these.” She closes the door and puts the box on the table.
“Mafuyu? You're back—E-Eh…?” Kanade blinks as she sees the boxes on the table. “M-Mafuyu…?”
“From Tenma-kun.”
“T-Tenma-san…?” She walks towards the table, “Cakes and cupcakes?”
“The cakes are for us…” Mafuyu ended up buying one more slice for herself as she thought about eating it together with her group as well. “Cupcakes are for Miku and the rest, he told me it's a greeting for them, since we both now know each other's SEKAIs.” Mafuyu looks at her, “He said thanks for helping him.”
“Is that so…” Kanade smiles softly, “Probably we should give his Miku and the other virtual singers something too.”
“Mhm.”
“I'm not sure if Ena and Mizuki are free now… Maybe we'll give them tonight.”
“Sure.” She watches the shorter girl put the cakes and cupcakes inside the fridge. “Kanade.”
“What's wrong, Mafuyu?” Kanade puts the cupcakes inside before closing the fridge. “Do you need anything?”
Mafuyu shakes her head slowly. Looking away for a brief moment before looking back at her. “I just want to ask you something.” Kanade tilts her head. “What do you think about the whole situation we're in right now?”
“What do you mean, Mafuyu?”
“I mean…” She pauses. “Right now… Tenmama-san hasn't said anything about us yet…”
“Are you worried that we might be in the same situation as us and your mother?” Mafuyu slowly nods.
“I'm a bit… Scared…? I don't know…” She frowns, “Could it be… That this is what Kanade and the rest feel… When you were facing my mom?”
Kanade smiles softly before reaching out to pat Mafuyu's head. “Everything is going to be fine, Mafuyu.”
“Mhm… I hope so…”
“Tsukasa senpai~!”
Tsukasa turns around and sees Mizuki running towards him. He smiles, “Oh? Akiyama! Good morning!”
“Good morning~!” They jumped in front of him. “Senpai, thank you so much for the cake yesterday! It was so good~”
“Then I'm glad you enjoyed it my dear junior.” He laughs.
“Of course~! Oh and Miku and the rest also enjoyed the cupcakes. And we have a little guest with us right now.” Pulling out their phone, Len appears and shyly looks at Tsukasa.
“H-Hello…”
Tsukasa blinks. “Len?!” This Len looks so different from his. He looks so small and shy… “Your Len is so different from mine…” If Wonderland Len is here, that energetic blonde definitely couldn't stop talking…
Chuckling, Mizuki smiles at Tsukasa. “Well, different SEKAI different virtual singers~”
“U-Um…” Tsukasa looks at him. “About yesterday's cupcakes… Thank you so much.” Len smiles.
“Anytime.” He laughs softly, “I'm glad that you guys enjoy it.”
“Len-kun ask me if it's okay for him to meet you.” Mizuki smiles.
“Of course it's okay!” He grins. Reaching out his hand, Tsukasa uses his finger to pat Len's head even though it's merely a hologram.
Len looks at Tsukasa, surprised by the sudden head pat. “Ehehe…”
Mizuki smiles before looking around, “Ah, Len-kun, we already arrived at school.”
Len nods and he looks at the male, “U-Um… Maybe we can meet again one day?” He smiles. Even if he's at SEKAI, Len could feel the finger that gave him a head pat. ‘Ah, if only Tsukasa-san could give me a real head pat…’
“Sure do. See you later.” Len waves his hand and disappears back into Mizuki's phone. “He's so shy…”
“Right~ Len-kun is too cute~” Mizuki wrap their arm around Tsukasa's. “He gives you the little brother energy~”
“I can see that.” Tsukasa smiles at them.
“What about senpai's Len-kun? What is he like?”
The actor crosses his arms as he hums. “I should say, he still has the little brother energy but more energetic then your Len.”
“More energetic…” Mizuki smiles as they take off their shoes and change it. “Eh~ He sounds fun. Then if senpai's Len-kun wants to see us, I'm sure the others won't mind.”
Tsukasa smiles. “Of course!”
“Morning, Tenma.”
“Good morning!!”
“Tenma! Have you finished yesterday's work?”
“Hm? Of course I have. Why? Don't tell me you want to copy my work.”
“Come on Tenma~ Just for this once.”
“You've been copying my homework since last semester!”
Mizuki smiles to themselves as they watch Tsukasa talk to his classmates. “Tsukasa paisen~” Tsukasa looks at them. “See you at lunch!”
“Later!”
Probably they should let Tsukasa be with his classmates now and head to 2-B class right now. Along the way towards their class, Mizuki slows down, taking their time to head there with a frown on their face.
“Senpai… Really acting all fine huh…” The acting is so real that even Mizuki can't help it to think that Tsukasa really returned to the self that Mizuki is well-known for. “As expected from an actor…” They chuckled sadly before stopping walking and frowning. “Senpai…”
If only… Mizuki could do something for Tsukasa… They know… How the talk went worse than they all thought… Lowering their head a little, Mizuki sighs. “I wonder what I can do to help Tsukasa senpai…”
“Ah, Akiyama-san.”
Mizuki looks up and sees Nene walking towards them. “Nene-chan~” They smile, “Good morning!”
“Good morning.” Nene smiles back before tilting her head, “Is everything okay? You look down just now.”
“Ah…” Mizuki frowns a little before shaking their head. “Nothing really… Just a bit worried about Tsukasa senpai.”
“Oh…”
“Ne, Nene-chan.” She looks at them. “Do you have anything in mind that you can help senpai?”
Nene blinks as she rubs her arm. “Not really… But, I'm sure we'll figure out something soon. Right now, Tsukasa is still Tsukasa. Though he's now acting to make sure no one sees him like that… We'll figure out something…”
“……” Mizuki smiles softly, “Why don't we walk to class together?” They wrap their arm around Nene's.
“E-Eh?”
“You know how our classes are next to each other… Please, Nene-chan~!” Looking at the diva with pleading eyes, Nene sighs softly before she smiles and nods. “Yeay~!”
Saki stares at the black board as she's trying to balance her pencil between her mouth and nose. Resting her elbows on the table as she put her chin on her hands, “Hm…”
“Saki, everything's fine?”
Saki looks at Shiho before she lets the pencil fall and sighs. “Something's wrong with onii-chan… I can feel it… Like he's hiding something from me.” She frowns.
Leaning to the table next to Saki's, Shiho crosses her arms. “Hiding something? Like what?”
“Onii-chan has been acting so weird lately… I can tell something is up but I can't really tell what it is…”
“Have you tried talking to Tsukasa-san?”
“Already, but onii-chan said nothing's wrong… Onii-chan and his lie… He thinks I can't tell something's definitely up with him…” She puffs her cheeks in anger.
“Good morning-wonderhoy~!!” Emu opens the door of the class happily. With her classmates greeting her back, Emu puts down her stuff and smiles devilishly as she sees Shiho is back facing her. However, as she's about to jump onto Shiho…
“Well, I'm sure you'll figure out what happened to Tsukasa-san soon. I mean, you know him better than any of us, so it wouldn't be weird if you can immediately tell if he's acting weird for once.”
“But onii-chan is acting weird!” Saki pouts.
Emu froze and backed up from the two. They're talking about Tsukasa's weird behaviour… But she was told by her friends at Kamikou that Tsukasa's acting well to hide everything… So of course Tsukasa's acting well too in his house. But… Saki is his sister… The person who lives under the same rooftop… Someone who grew up together with Tsukasa…
“Hm, oh Ootori-san. Good morning.” Emu jumps as Shiho suddenly greets her.
“G-Good morning!!” She smiles.
“Emu-chan? Is everything okay?”
Shaking her head, Emu laughs. “Of course everything is okay~!” She throws herself at Shiho… Probably should try to change the topic as well. “Do you guys have any plans for today?”
Saki and Shiho look at each other, “Well, we don't have any practice for today.”
“Great! Why don't we go to a cafe and eat something sweet after school?” Emu smiles at them.
“Oh! I heard there's a new cake at the cake shop! Why don't we go there?” Saki's eyes sparkled. “And onii-chan told me it's good too!”
“Really? Then we definitely need to try it!”
Saki nods, turning to Shiho. “Can we Shiho-chan? All three of us?” Emu and Saki give Shiho puppy eyes, to make the other agree with them.
“Urgh… Fine… We'll go to that cafe.”
“Yeay~!” The two of them high five as Shiho smiles at them.
Emu smiles. Seems like they both stop talking about Tsukasa's ‘weird’ behaviour for now. That's good… It's a decision that the male made for all of them… Do not tell Saki about his current situation, unless it's a desire to do so. This time, both WonderShow and Niigo will be extra careful to not make people know what they're facing now.
“Luka! Where are you!” MEIKO looks around, before finding the pink haired virtual singer sitting at the bench… Staring into spaces. “Luka! There you are, I've been searching all over for you.”
Luka turns to her with a smile. “Mei-chan~” Luka chuckles softly as MEIKO sits next to her. “Did I make you worried?”
“I'm just making sure you don't sleep in weird places anymore.”
“Hm~? For now, I'm not sleepy at all.” She looks at the sky, “I’m still waiting…”
“For what?”
“Rui-kun and the rest to realize about KAITO and Miku-chan… And save all three of them.”