Stellar Evolution/credits to "orphan_account?" on ao3

part 3

Tsukasa.

Tsukasa's eyes open almost immediately. It's bright here. This is clearly SEKAI, but—it looks different. More dream-like than usual. It looked inviting and comforting, but something disturbed him about it. He didn't know what it was. He had heard someone call out his name, and it was a familiar voice. Reluctantly, Tsukasa got to his feet and looked around. In front of him, there was a long carpet laid out which lead to a throne. He didn't think anything wrong could come of exploring, and he didn't see anywhere else to go. He slowly and cautiously steps towards the throne. The same bunny plushie who he'd seen multiple times in SEKAI was laid on the throne's seat. Tsukasa picks it up and looks at it. It looks the same as before, just without the balloons. And it didn't seem to be conscious anymore. He lowered the plushie and looked back at the throne in front of him. Again, there wasn't really anywhere else to go. Tsukasa sits down, waiting anxiously for whatever could possibly happen.

Nothing really happens at all. He sits there in silence.

Are you sure this is what you want?

The voice is right next to Tsukasa now. He realizes who it belongs to right away. It's KAITO's, and he's standing directly over the throne, looking into Tsukasa's eyes. He's waiting for an answer.

"...No," Tsukasa replies. "What is this place, KAITO?"

KAITO steps out from behind the throne and stands next to him. "Well, this is the ideal world you wanted, was it not? No one to criticize you for messing up, and somewhere you don't have to worry. You can put on shows forever here, and not once again have a care about your world. Isn't that what you wanted?" KAITO responds.

Tsukasa doesn't know what to say to him. Surely none of this is actually happening. It's just something in his imagination. He's unconscious right now, this isn't real. He'll wake up in 3...2...1...

It doesn't happen. He's still sitting there.

"You seem disturbed, Tsukasa. Is there anything I can do?" KAITO asks. Tsukasa thinks about it for a moment. He desperately wants to leave, but a part of him wants to stay here. This place seems...nice.

"Can you show me the others?" Tsukasa responds. "Miku, the twins, Luka, MEIKO...where are they? Where are my—"

KAITO nods. "I'll show you. Come on."

Tsukasa stands up and follows KAITO through what seems like an endless area of clouds and empty space. He can recognize various things from his childhood here—sheet music, stuffed animals, photos. It seems to never end, until KAITO pushes aside a few clouds in the empty area to reveal an auditorium. Tsukasa steps inside. It's gigantic. The stage is covered in lights, there are endless seats filled with people, and Miku, Luka, the Kagamine twins, and MEIKO all stand on the large stage, waiting for him. He can't see his friends anywhere.

Miku turns to her left and sees Tsukasa entering. She gasps and smiles. "Tsukasa!" She yells. The crowd's cheers are deafening. It hurts Tsukasa's head so much. Nevertheless, he follows Miku onstage to join the rest of the Virtual Singers. KAITO, however, does not. Miku holds Tsukasa's hand up, and calls out to the crowd.

"Everyone, please welcome our shining star, Tsukasa Tenma!" She yells, smiling. The crowd cheers again, all with perfect smiles on their faces. Tsukasa doesn't like this place at all. It feels so wrong to him. Yet, he stays.

"Oh, please Tsukasa, will you sing a song with us?" Rin begs, clasping her hands together.

"Yeah! Just one, it'll be quick!" Len adds.

Tsukasa feels an obligation to agree. There are so many people watching, staring at him, smiling. He doesn't want to ruin that, or to disappoint them. He can't. He clears his throat before responding, trying to put on the same act he does every show—the courageous, spectacular Tsukasa.

"Of course! For I'm Tsukasa Tenma, the shining star of the Wonderland SEKAI!" He shouts, placing one hand on his hip and another on his chest. The crowd cheers even louder. Why were they so happy to see him? He didn't understand. He hadn't even done anything yet to deserve it.

Is this what it would feel like to be a star?

He didn't even know what song he was supposed to be performing. But the music began. It seemed to be The World Hasn't Even Started Yet. Again. This song was going to mock him until he died. He inhaled hesitantly and started singing with the rest of them.

He could feel tears streaming down his face. He was most definitely crying now. Why was he upset? This is what he asked for. He should have everything he's ever wanted or needed right here. Millions of people watching him perform like this. All smiling. All enjoying every minute and second of this endless suffering.

Hey! Let's cross the end of all of this, partying forever

Please just shut up. Stop saying that.

Hey! Spinning on a never-ending merry-go-round

Stop, please. I don't want to be here anymore.

Hey! This world hasn't even started yet

Shut up...shut up with those lies from that filthy mouth of yours.

Hey! A birthday lasting every second and minute

Shut up. Shut up, shut up, shut up—

Hey! In the depths of Hell, a happy ending plays out

Please just cease. I can't—

Hey! This world hasn't even started yet.

Please, just stop!

Tsukasa heard himself yell those words. He had placed his hands over his face so no one would see him crying. He didn't know what the hell was happening, or what to do. This wasn't what he wanted at all. He just wanted to disappear. Right now. Right then. Disappear and let everyone forget him. Please.

The audience fell silent. He moved one of his hands from his face, to see them. Their smiles were still there, they were just in complete silence.

And then there was laughter. All around the auditorium. Everywhere. Like it was some stupid joke. Like his statement didn't even matter.

Like he didn't even matter.

To the audience, maybe this was just some act. They only knew Tsukasa as this empty facade. The real Tsukasa didn't exist here.

Apparently, this is what happens when you become a star.