Connected by the Stage | One-Shot Collection |

Calm Down, Please (Rui x Fumi)

Synopsis: Fumi gets told to go backstage to the dressing room before a play because apparently Rui needs her

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"Fumi, I think Rui might need you."

Fumi wasn't expecting to be approached and told that. Why did Rui need her? She was supposed to be getting ready for her performance. Why would she need anyone that wasn't a part of the performance?

Fumi was a bit concerned as she made her way down the hall and into the dressing room. She got some looks from the students as she passed. No one said anything or dared to stop her. Were they just too intimidated by their senpai or did they also think she needed to be back here right now?

She entered the dressing room and very easily found Rui. She was sitting in front of a mirror, halfway done her makeup if Fumi had to guess. She looked tense. Was she having a panic attack now of all times?

"Rui?" Fumi spoke softly, not wanting to startle the younger girl if possible.

Rui still jumped at her voice. She didn't turn to look at her, just looked down at the vanity below. Fumi walked closer.

"Are you alright?" She asked, hoping to get some response out of Rui. Even just a head nod or shake would suffice for now.

"I'm scared..." Rui whispered.

"Don't be." Fumi cautiously wrapped her arms around Rui from behind. "You've prepared for this. You'll be fine. I know you will."

"But... what if I'm not? What if I mess up?"

"Then you improv. You've done it plenty of times before. You'll be fine, Rui. You're getting yourself all worked up over nothing."

Rui took in a few deep breaths. She was still quite tense. Fumi pondered if there was anything she could do to calm her down. There wasn't that much time until the play began. Rui couldn't go on stage in this state. She needed to calm down.

"Do you want me to finish your makeup?" Fumi asked.

Rui startled at the question, her face turning red. Now she had made her embarrassed. That was probably better than her being nervous, at least.

"S-sure." Rui finally agreed.

She turned her chair around to face Fumi. Fumi looked over at the vanity. There was a picture detailing the makeup that was meant to go on. She did her best to eyeball it as she went. She wasn't used to putting makeup on other people.

Rui seemed to be calming down as Fumi did her makeup. That was good. Fumi was glad her plan was working. She didn't have many other ideas on what to do in the short amount of time that they had.

Other students walked by them, also getting ready for the play. None paid her much mind. They all just seemed to accept her presence here for now. Fumi was glad Yuyuko wasn't a part of this production or else she would probably not have any peace while doing so. Though, if Yuyuko had been here maybe she could've helped Rui.

"I think I did okay." Fumi said as she applied the finishing touches.

Rui looked at herself in the mirror. "It looks better than my attempts."

"Do you want help with your hair too?"

"Sure. Just be gentle."

Fumi nodded. She found the picture detailing the hair and then began slowly working on trying to get Rui's hair to look somewhat like it. She went slow, not wanting to hurt Rui by being rough on her hair.

Rui sat still. She kept her gaze focused on the mirror and was watching Fumi. Fumi was trying her best to make this painless, but she was struggling. Rui had too much hair. It was hard to get it into the right place and keep it there.

"How do you manage this hair...?" Fumi grumbled to herself.

"You get used to it." Rui replied quietly.

"I guess having to deal with it every day does make it easier to handle." Fumi agreed.

After a long battle, she finished. It didn't look that bad. It looked close enough to picture. Besides, the audience wouldn't know if that wasn't the right design. It would work.

"There we go." Fumi said.

"Thank you." Rui got up. "Um... sorry I... bothered you."

"Don't be. I'm glad to help." Fumi replied. "As if I wouldn't drop everything to help my girlfriend."

Rui blushed at the term. They had only been dating for a few months. She was still always jittery when she was referred to as such. Fumi found it cute that she still got so flustered by it.

"You feel ready to go out there?" Fumi asked.

"I... I guess so." Rui replied. "Are there... a lot of people out there?"

"It's a decent amount."

"Where are you sitting?"

"Front row with Tamao and Ichie."

"Where's Yukko?"

"I think she's up higher. I don't know. Didn't get to talk much before she was drug away from us."

"Well... I guess I... better get dressed."

"Good idea." Fumi kissed her on the cheek. "Best of luck. I'm sure you're going to do amazing out there."

"T-thank you. I'll do my best." Rui stammered in reply.

"I look forward to it." Fumi said.

Not long after, Fumi made her way back to her seat. Ichie and Tamao looked at her expectantly.

"It's all good. Just some nerves." Fumi whispered to them.

There were quite a few people around. They didn't need to hear anything they were saying.

"That's good. I'm sure she's gonna do amazing out there." Ichie replied with a smile.

"She's worked really hard for this. She'll do well." Tamao agreed.

"I told her as much. But you know how she gets." Fumi said.

"At least her girlfriend is good at calming her nerves." Ichie replied with a smug smile.

"Ichie." Fumi flashed her a glare.

Ichie just kept smiling at her. Fumi rolled her eyes and focused on the stage. The show should be starting shortly. Hopefully Rui was going to be fine. She normally calmed once she got on the stage.

The lights in the theater dimmed and everyone got quiet. Looks like it was time for it to start.