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It is weird to be alive.
Rui—it both is and isn't his name, just like how he is both is and isn't—blinks at the person in front of him. The funny one with too much talent and a funhouse heart. Sort of like himself, although people generally don't think he's very funny. Maybe it's the way this guy flings his arms around. The way he spins around until even Rui feels dizzy. He keeps his eyes on the guy though, unable to look away because the movements are similar to the ones he saw in the mermaid show.
It's not enough to distract him about his real reason for being here; fragmented as he is, Rui remembers meeting the original version of himself. The middle one doesn't seem to be here though. He also remembers the cat and the two bunnies but they are not here either.
So what changed? Rui is here on a stage, again, because something changed with this guy. Easy enough— Rui and this guy are the only ones here. Process of elimination— Nene and their other friend are not here, and neither are people in the animal costumes. He squints his eyes at the shiny guy. Okay. Now to find out what.
…He should start with a name, shouldn't he? It's the kind of personal thing that means something between people.
Not that he has to think very hard about this. Rui knows this guy's name is Tsukasa— from the memories of the original him. They're distant, but warm. The sort that bleeds into him, like when Nene stands a step behind him and holds his sleeve. Close enough to know—to want—but never close enough to ask for. Too unfamiliar that it never occurred to him to ask in the first place.
"…ui? Rui? Did something happen to your functions? What am I supposed to do about that, Rui? Or this? How did you manage to reverse yourself?"
Tsukasa is asking him that? It's such a funny thought Rui has to laugh a little.
"Well, I'm glad someone finds this amusing," Tsukasa grumbles as he sits down, heedless of what might be on the ground. Not that there would be anything in the place he molds to his liking. When those sunset eyes focus on him, he straightens his back like he's in front of a teacher.
"It was a funny thought." Rui doesn't explain how, no, he doesn't know how this happened. No, he doesn't know the things Tsukasa knows, but he might have an idea about the things that Rui does. No, he doesn't know why that Rui is once again questioning his problems into existence. "But do you know what happened?"
Tsukasa sighs, "Only you would somehow turn the time back on yourself. However did you manage to become a child again?"
So that's what he thinks happened. Rui slots the note into the information he knows. Picks out what he can gain from it. Tsukasa thinks he's the original and that something happened to turn him back into a child. He doesn't ask about the Fragments; presumably because he does not know to ask or thinks they are not related.
Okay. Rui knows enough to play the part of the older him. He can have fun and figure this out.
"Turn back?" Rui asks. "Have we met before?"
Technically, the answer is also no.
"This would be before we met." Tsukasa looks at him, startled, then he relaxes. "Why don't I introduce myself! My name is Tenma Tsukasa! Tenma, written as soaring pegasus! And Tsukasa, for—"
"Ruler of the world." Rui finishes, impishly. Stealing the spotlight is fun.
"Correct!" Tsukasa beams at him, as proud and satisfied as a preened bird. Or horse, Rui corrects with a warm face, caught off guard. The tone reminds him of his parents.
How does the other Rui deal with him all the time? The urge to shuffle his feet is a strong one. And a strange one.
Those distant memories really are nothing when the real person is in front of him. Bright and treasured.
"…there is a delay?" Tsukasa is wondering aloud— Rui should stop getting so distracted. "If you can recall that much, there must be some way for you to restore the rest! Do you know what sort of project you were working on? I won't be able to truly help you with it, but you'll have my support!"
That Rui must ban him away while he works. It is the only option Rui can of. How else would he be able to concentrate only on his work?
"I don't remember working on anything," Rui tells him the truth. For science. …In a world based on a cartoon. "Only waking up here. Did you know about the singing flowers? I tried looking for a voice box to see how they worked, but couldn't find any seams to open them."
Tsukasa only stares at him. He must know, Rui thinks mulishly. He's the one who created this place, so he must know. And Rui so desperately wants to know. Tsukasa should be kind and tell him.
"At least that part of you hasn't changed," Tsukasa's sigh is so very fond. He doesn't blink away once to check if they were tampered with.
Banned, Rui reminds himself. He must be banned.
He clears his throat, "Hasn't changed? Does this mean you know me?"
"Of course I do!" Tsukasa nods firmly. "You are my— wait a minute." He furrows his brows and Rui resists the urge to push. Don't stop now! "Will any of this affect how you might change back? Could you be the fabled protagonist that never gets his memory back when a tragedy strikes your soul? What if I would be the disastrous villain to cause such an event—?"
My what. My what? Rui wants to know what. Friend? He's made his peace with them being friends. That familiar isolation is what is making him burn under the attention. "Would that really change things?" he reasons. "I would still know you, wouldn't I? It is not as though I changed." He can't see a reason why he wouldn't know Tsukasa.
Tsukasa hums deeply. He even places a hand under his chin, similar to the detectives he's seen in shows. "That might be what you think. But I assure you, you have changed much in the hours I have not seen you."
True.
Rui will give him this one considering he didn't exist an hour ago. Re-existed? Isn't there some sort of philosophy book about thinking and being? Rui hasn't read any philosophy books. Which means he should look into it when he gets the chance— or somehow leave a message for that Rui.
"My name persisted even through these troubling times. Do you, perhaps, remember what the last project you were working on was?"
"The singing flowers."
"…Other than anything relating to this place?"
"What counts as this place?" Rui counters with an impatient foot. The acoustics here amplify every sound he produces. "Hey," he says brightly, as if just realizing something, "what were you about to say before? I'm your what?"
"Well," Tsukasa considers him, "I suppose not much would change if I were to tell you too many things now. And something might change for the better if I were to part with important information. Okay! As my newly discovered frog," frog? From the fairy tale? "I shall tell you what I know."
"Yes?" Rui leans forward eagerly.
"Absolutely nothing!"
Rui slumps in the face of his outstanding confidence. "That doesn't really help me with anything…"
"No, I suppose it does not!" Tsukasa laughs uproariously. But he places a soft hand on his head and ruffles his hair. Leans closer for emphasis. "But as my precious director, I know you can solve anything you put your mind to. So you tell me what you think you need to solve the problem of how you got here. I shall provide you with my utmost care!"
…
Banned, Rui reminds himself, not knowing how his face can feel like it's on fire. Absolutely banned.
He waves Tsukasa's hand away from his head. Tries to recollect his wits as they fly away from him and to Tsukasa like moths.
"You said director… is that all?"
"Absolutely not," Tsukasa grins. Even sitting he is a large presence. "You're all that and more! But the most important title is director, so that is what you are. Is there something else you would like to be called?"
"From you? No, there isn't anything else I can think of."
"Good! Because that is what you are to me!"
Rui furrows his brows. If he takes Tsukasa's word as they are… that means nothing has changed. How strange. While he might need the occasional reminder, he can't see that Rui spinning in continuous circles. But no— that doesn't make any sense. He's still here. So how to find out what makes this time different? Or, how to solve a problem when the person who started it isn't here?
Is this even a problem?
…Is this a problem? This isn't like the time where he had been seeing through a haze of red. Or through the fogginess as the haze cleared when his fears had been put to rest. He's a tingly kind of anxious—his heart is racing—and there's an airiness he typically feels when elbow deep into some complex wires.
He looks at Tsukasa with his most scrupulous look.
Then he realizes.
Duh— he can just ask like he has been. That Rui doesn't make a habit of it when it clearly would solve a lot of things. Process of elimination. When there are no more questions to ask yourself— ask for help.
Rui asks for help.
"What does me being your director mean to you?"
"Mean to me?" Tsukasa leans back on his hands. It's a wonder how he hasn't looked away from Rui all this time. It's makes him fuzzy if he thinks about it for too long. "I suppose I never needed to put it into words before… you always kind of knew. I'll have to make a note to repeat this more often."
"Hm, hmm, hm. Well, as my director, you bring out the best actor I can be! Only someone of your uniqueness can truly work with a star like me! And though I hate to admit it, being your test subject isn't entirely terrible I suppose— you had better not remember that part later. Why— I am the only one who can truly test the limits of your inventions! Truly, the anticipation of when I get to experience the next scene leaves me absolutely breathless!"
"Why, just the other day we were practicing a scene where you wanted to try out these floating platforms you built. Straight into the wall— I hope you didn't get into any trouble for that! When we danced on them, it was meant to look like we were floating. I think I have the video saved on my phone somewhere… inspiration might strike if you take a look yourself. I quite enjoyed how spectacular we looked. All because we have our own roles and support each other."
Oh.
The missing piece.
Something straight out of a princess movie. And here Tsukasa is being all rosy about it, using my and your like they truly belong with each other.
Rui bursts into giggles. That's what his problem was? He had a gross crush on a weird guy and didn't know what to do with it? Adults are supposed to know more things than kids, shouldn't they? Maybe he should add more romance shows to his list to watch. As a director, he should know about the different types of genres. But fine, he'll accept this new evolution of his.
Is this really really what that Rui was so worried about? That's so funny!
"And why are you laughing?" Tsukasa does and doesn't demand. Patiently exasperated and used to this.
And well— Rui isn't much for hugs. He's seen them before. He's accepted them from his parents. Sometimes being next to Nene is like a hug. He really doesn't know much about them, but if that Rui can accept them and offer more, then he should be able to do the same.
So he leans forward and wraps his arms around Tsukasa's neck. It's a clambering effort even with Tsukasa sitting down, more feet than hands, but he thinks he manages a complete one by the time he stops moving. Tsukasa even wraps his own arms around his back, and maybe Rui can rethink about banishment. He's so jealous of himself if this is what that Rui gets to feel whenever he wants.
"Hey, Tsukasa-kun? I think you might be my favorite actor. Make sure you remind yourself of this later, okay? Don't you forget it."