Across Space and Time: Ruikasa Week 2024!!!

DAY 6: Serenade

PROMPTS: Invention/ Rooftop/ Confession
PROMPTS CHOSEN: Rooftop + Confession
SUMMARY: It's about time Rui confesses.
It's about time Rui confesses, he says to himself, but then he gets a note in his locker with familiar handwriting.
'Meet me at the rooftop at 7 tonight :)'

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Rui stared blankly at the note he had discovered in his locker.

'Meet me at the rooftop at 7 tonight :)'

That's what it said.

Rui had gotten letters similar to this before, more specifically, from other girls wishing to confess their love to him. He had all politely turned them down, explaining kindly how he didn't feel the same way. Thankfully, they all had taken it well, and seemed to get over it sooner or later.

But this note, it was special. It was special because Rui immediately recognized the handwriting. Of course he recognized the handwriting, how could he not?

It was Tsukasa's writing. Tsukasa Tenma's. Rui would know that handwriting from anywhere. But the question was, why would he write a letter to him like this? Couldn't he have just told him?

Rui stared down at the small piece of paper in his hand, feeling his lips tug upwards into a shaky, wavering smile. He wasn't even sure if it was a smile. He could feel his heart beating in his chest, he could feel his cheeks growing warm with blush. He didn't know what this letter meant, but the conclusion he jumped to..

No, no, Rui shouldn't get so ahead of himself! It could be anything else, he shouldn't just believe it was going to be... THAT right away!

Man, was having a crush difficult. Somehow, every little thing felt like a sign to Rui, but at the same time, it didn't. Every time Tsukasa would pull him aside, telling him he wanted to talk, Rui's heart would begin to beat out of his chest, a light blush spreading onto his cheeks, only for him to tell him something else.

Rui always expected a confession. He never got one.

But sitting around and waiting wouldn't do anything. And so wouldn't wallowing in despair about the fear of his love being unrequited. So, after a lot of planning and gathering his courage, Rui made the decision to confess.

And then this letter came.

And now Rui was panicking. Because it was 2:30 in the afternoon, and he couldn't wait four and a half hours. He needed to know why the time was so specific, what that smiley face was supposed to mean, why Tsukasa didn't think to tell him in person instead of sending a letter-

"What's that?"

"WAH-!! Oh-!"

Rui yelped in surprise at the sudden voice, whipping his head to face the source. It was Mizuki Akiyama, his dear friend in solitude. "What'cha reading?"

Rui quickly stuffed the note into his pocket, shaking his head quickly. "Oh, it's nothing-"

"Is it another confession note?" Mizuki asked, raising an eyebrow. "Damn, I thought these ladies already knew you were born straight out of a fruit basket."

Rui's lips thinned out into a straight line. "Well.. I'm not so sure," He admitted, taking the note out again. He was sure Mizuki could provide some input on this- they were an expert, right?

Mizuki quickly snatched the note from Rui's hands, reading it with narrowed eyes and a stern expression. They hummed to themselves, nodding as they read the note over and over. "Do you know who this is from?" They inquired, nodding to themselves as if the letter had a secret code they were internally cracking.