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"Time to destroy you, evil villain!" Tsukasa points his hand to the sky, laughing heroically. His smile brightens the stage. Rui can't help but swoon from backstage.
Emu quickly yells back, "No you shall not, Sir Pegasus!" Emu pulls out a fake sword and aims at Tsukasa. They stay still for a few seconds as Rui gives a speech about the next show, since they’d spend far too much time adding the ending to tonight’s show. The audience applauded and the lights went out. The three on stage sighed as everyone started leaving. They waved to everyone and went backstage.
Nene was waiting with a smile, the controller for RoboNene in hand. Emu immediately started jumping around and giggling.
“That show was a~amazing!!” Emu says happily. The others nodded as she jumped around. Well, two of the others. Tsukasa, the leader of the troupe, was sitting down, his eyes shimmering. "Tsukasa!!" Emu yelled. Tsukasa flinched at the loud noise, getting snapped back to reality. He stared at Emu a good minute before giggling and making grabby hands to Rui. The two girls were confused but Rui's face went pale with realization. Tsukasa had regressed. In front of the girls. Tsukasa had always been so good at holding back until they got home but maybe this show was too much for him...
"Ah, Tsukasa-kun, " Rui smiled and walked over to Tsukasa. He kneeled beside him and grabbed his hand gently. "Don't you wanna get out of that costume? Let's go to the changing room hm?" Tsukasa nodded and followed his favorite person. The girls were a bit confused but went back to talking.
When they got there, Rui helped Tsukasa get undressed and back into his regular clothes. He sang a soft song for his little to calm him and *hopefully* make him somewhat sleepy. Rui figured if Tsukasa was tired, the girls would have a more difficult time finding out.
"Pa-paaaa!! Wan' go back t' Emu n' Nene!" Tsukasa whined.
"Ah, is that so?" Rui answered. He thought about it. What's the worst that can happen? Tsukasa was already thinking about telling the girls, so what's the harm? No, no! Rui, you must not be persuaded by Tsukasa-kun's sweetness.. "I apologize, my dear. I think we should go home. That way, you can play with your toys, isn't that right?"
Tsukasas eyes watered.
He balled up his fists.
Oh no.
Tsukasa started crying his eyes out, wailing and kicking.
"Ah! Tsukasa!" Rui panicked. This has never happened anywhere but home! Rui took a deep breath, "My sweet starfruit," he caressed the littles back, "why don't we play a game at home!" Rui smiled. Tsukasa brightened up, excited and curious.
He wiped his tears and asked, "W-what kin'a g-game?"
"We can play with stuffies, we can play with toys, we can play castle, anything you want!" Rui tapped Tsukasa's nose with a small, 'boop!'.
Tsukasa’s eyes shined. “Hwaaaa…. ‘Kasa wan’ p’ay castle!” the blonde giggled.
Rui smiled, “Alright, now come on, my little one.” He picked up Tsukasa and prepared himself. This definitely would not be easy, getting a regressed Tsukasa past Emu and Nene. Well, Nene probably would only give a strange look but Emu would be … oh he is not ready for this, is he? .
“TSUKASA-KUN!!!!” Emu immediately yelled. She then looked at how the star was being carried. “Eh? Rui-kun, what’s wrong with Tsukasa-kun?”
“Ah, our dear Tsukasa seems to be sick-“
“Nn nn not sick…” Tsukasa corrected. Rui left out a soft, frustrated sigh. Still, he kept calm. Emu was extremely confused.
“Poor, poor little star…” Rui gently pet Tsukasa’s head, faking a tear. “Doesn’t even know he’s sick.” The petting and name made Tsukasa slip even further into that little mindset of his. He curled against Rui and started sucking on his thumb. “Oh dear,” Rui accidentally said, “I mean, let’s go now!” He chuckled nervously. As soon as they left, Rui let out a sigh. He smiled down at his adorable little star. They made it back to Rui’s house with only getting a few stares. When they got there, Rui put Tsukasa in his room.
“Alright, my dear. Did you say castle?” Rui squatted down next to where Tsukasa sat.
Tsukasa got excited and answered, “Mhm!! Wan’ p’ay castle! I’m gonna be knight!” Tsukasa tried standing up, but failed. He grumbled and sat back down. Rui chuckled at this.
“Alright, let’s start, hm?”
They played for about an hour until Tsukasa was yawning frequently. He was defending the castle quite lazily, as well.
"My dear, I think it's bed time, don't you?" Rui smiled, noticing how Tsukasa was suddenly alert.
"Nn!!" Tsukasa whined, "No, no! Not be' ti'e! Not s'eepy at all!!" Rui chuckled. Tsukasa was very adorable.
"Sweetie, if we go to bed, we can wake up tomorrow suuuper energized and ready to play more!" Rui reasoned. Tsukasa considered. He did want to play lots more and play good…. “Hmph. Alright…” Tsukasa groaned. He succumbed to the sleepiness as Rui picked him up. His eyes felt heavier, like they were being weighed down. His body was tired, and so was he. Rui placed the smaller on the couch and laid down next to him. Rui felt the star snuggle against him. He felt a squeeze to his heart and kissed the boys cheek.
“I love you, my little one.”