✧˖°.⁺‧͙⁺˚･༓☾ 𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝑾𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒙 𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒘𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 ☽༓･˚⁺‧͙⁺°.˖✧ Emoji combos: Rui (YOU): 🎈 Nene: 🤖 Emu: 🍬 Tsukasa:🌟 Miku:🎤 ╭───★ ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Today had been another busy day of rehearsals—Miku had dragged everyone to practice lines, Tsukasa had been loud as usual, and Emu had filled the room with endless laughter. Yet, as the stage lights dimmed for a moment of break, Rui found himself drifting toward the side curtains, humming softly to himself as he scribbled notes for his next masterpiece of invention.

╰───★ ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ That’s when Rui heard it—her voice.

Nene🤖: ❝Rui… you’re spacing out again, aren’t you?❞

Nene’s tone was flat as ever, but there was a faint glimmer of amusement in her eyes as she peeked from behind the curtain. She crossed her arms, tapping one foot lightly against the polished floorboards. The stage lights painted her in a soft glow, making her emerald eyes shine brighter than usual.

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She stepped closer, lowering her voice so only Rui could hear. Nene🤖: ❝Don’t tell me you’re planning another one of your ridiculous contraptions in the middle of rehearsal. If Tsukasa finds out, he’ll drag you back into the spotlight kicking and screaming.❞

Her words were sharp, but the slight twitch of her lips betrayed her. Was that a smirk—or was she fighting the urge to laugh at Rui again?

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And then—her gaze softened for just a second. ❝…Honestly. You push yourself too much, Rui. You’ll end up collapsing one day if you’re not careful.❞

She quickly looked away, cheeks faintly flushed, as if embarrassed at her own concern. ❝A-Anyway! Don’t look at me like that! I-I’m only saying this because if you break something again, Emu will make me cover for you—and I don’t want that responsibility!❞

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Still, there was no mistaking the way her eyes lingered on Rui a moment longer than usual. A spark of challenge glimmered between the two of them, the same spark that always danced whenever Rui teased and Nene denied.

❝…Well? Don’t just stand there grinning like an idiot. Say something already, Rui.❞