Saving Me: Ruinene

A New Stage (19)

Rui

The smile stays on my face as I leave the park, but my thoughts run wild. Joining them... it almost sounds too simple. But there's a part of me, buried under the self-assured mask I wear, that wonders. Can I really help them? Can I really help Nene? Can I really help... myself? What if it ends with me hurting one of them with my 'crazy' inventions? What if the rejection, the judgement—

"HEYYY!!! STOP RIGHT THERE!!!"

I look up, surprised to see Tsukasa, panting and running towards me.

Tsukasa: "I've been looking... everywhere... for you..." he says, stopping to catch his breath.

"Looking for me, you say?" I raise an eyebrow, crossing my arms.

Tsukasa: "Yeah, you're the famous Rui Kamishiro, right?"

He grins, not phased by the seriousness on my face.

Tsukasa: "I want you to join our troupe! We need someone with your skills— someone who thinks outside of the box."

For a second, I hesitate. It seems so easy when he says it like that. But then again... maybe this is the opportunity I've been waiting for. A chance to show people what I can really do,
"you'll show them what you can really do!"
to work with people who won't back down from my ideas.

And maybe, just maybe...
I can try to reconnect with Nene again.

"Alright," I smirk, glancing at Tsukasa. "I'm in."

Tsukasa: "Great!!!! Follow meee!!"

~~~

When we arrive, I'm greeted by that colorful, whimsical stage, to which Tsukasa calls the 'wonder stage.' I take a step forward to get a closer look, but a high-pitched voice calls out.

"Tsukasa! You found him!"

She must be Emu Otori, I thought. Pink hair, the bundle of energy, seems about right. She zeroes in on me.

Emu: "Ooh, ooh! You must be Rui!"

She's practically bouncing as she stands in front of me, trying to reach about my height.

Emu: "The one that makes the ooga-boogey inventions and blows stuff up? Tell me, do you really explode things? How many inventions have you made? Have you ever made one with... lasers? How about cupcakes? Or—"

"Whoa,"
I raise my hand, chuckling. "Slow down."

Tsukasa: "That's the one who created this troupe, Emu. She's quite... enthusiastic," He adds, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly.

'Enthusiastic' doesn't even cover it. Her energy is infectious, and even though I'm used to chaos, this level of intensity throws me off for a moment.

Emu: "But, but, I need to know everything!"

She leans in, her fists raised next to her chest.

"What's the biggest explosion you've made? Can you— blah blah idk what else to add"

I blink, trying to keep up from the rapid-fire questions flying from her mouth. Her energy is contagious, though I can't help but smirk at how over-the-top she is.

"The biggest explosion?..."

I scratch my chin, playing along.

"Well, there was one time where the entire school had to be evacuated because of what I did in the science lab..."

Her eyes widen, sparkling even more.

Emu: "Really? That's so wonderhoy!! Can—"

Tsukasa: "Emu!"

He sighs, running a hand through his hair.

Tsukasa: "We haven't even explained what we want our shows to be like. Let the guy breathe."

I laugh, not in a mocking way, but genuinely amused. These two are something else.

"I think I can manage that,
but what exactly do you do in these shows?"

Tsukasa steps forward, straightening up like he's about to give a grand speech.

"I, Tsukasa Tenma, am the future star of our Wonder Stage! Our shows blend theatrics, wonders, and dreams to create performances unlike anything else! Shows that make people smile! And you," he points at me dramatically. "could be the key to making them even greater!"

"So... you think I could help you take your shows to the next level?"

Tsukasa: "Exactly!" he beams. "You're an inventor, right? Your imaginations, your skills... we could create something truly unique together."

Emu bounces in front of me again.

Emu: "And it'll be so much fun! Think of all the boom—"

I cut her off with a smile.

"Alright, alright, I get it." Then I glance at the stage again. It's strange, but it stirs memories from when Nene and I were kids. It feels... right. Like something I could actually enjoy.

And maybe, just maybe, this could be an opportunity.

"Alright, let's do it."