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Nene always cringed at Tsukasa and Rui whenever they were affectionate. She figured it was because she found the annoyingly cute hand holding and pet names cringy, but after reflecting on herself (as she found herself doing a lot) she came to a realization. She was in love with Rui, wasn’t she? What a pain. It made sense too. She wasn’t mad. How could she be angry? She’d let her feelings pass, and that would be okay. She’d be alright. That was what she told herself, despite the tears running down her face.
It was cruel. How could her heart do this to her? She’d never ever be able to have him! She rolled over, pounding her fists into her pillow in a fit of rage. Though tempted to loud out a scream of rage, she didn’t feel like waking the whole house, or Rui for that matter. (Though he was probably awake, tinkering away with a robot or pestering Tsukasa. The thought made her grow angrier.)
The next day Nene decided she’d skip practice. She didn’t want to see Rui. She ended up skipping school too.
“Nene? Rui’s here to see you.” Her mom announced from outside the door.
Fuck.
“Just him?” She asked.
“No, Emu and Tsukasa are here too.”
She let out a sigh, unsure if was reluctant or relieved.
“They can come in.”
“Wonderhoy Nene! Are you alright?! You weren’t at practice!” Emu yelled, causing Nene to hide away while covering her ears.
Too loud.
“Emu, don’t yell. She’s probably sick..” Rui looked like he was going to say something else, probably about something he and Nene had kept between themselves, but he didn’t say it.
“Sorryy..” She replied.
“Are you alright, Nene?” Tsukasa asked, his voice becoming present from behind Rui and Emu, probably in the hallway.
“Yeah, I’m okay. I just didn’t wanna get out of bed today.” Nene said softly.
Rui and Emu walked in more, sitting on the floor and letting Tsukasa walk in. The blond walked around, taking his place beside Rui, before glancing up at Nene.
“I brought you some grapefruit candies we found at the store!” Tsukasa announced, digging them out of a plastic bag Nene had failed to notice.
“Really? What kind? Hard candy, or gummies?” She asked softly.
“They’re gummies, I think.” Rui replied, watching as Tsukasa handed the bag to Nene.
She hesitantly opened it, pulling one of the gummies out and sniffing it. Sure enough, it smelled like grapefruit.
Her audience watched intently as she hesitantly put it in her mouth, chewing on it slowly.
“How is it?” Emu asked.
“It’s fine. Do you want one?” She asked, handing the bag out to Emu.
“Yes!” She said intently, grabbing it and popping one of the candies into her mouth without a second thought.
“Ooo! It’s yummy! Rui, Tsukasa, you should try some too!” Emu cheered, grinning as always.
She was cute, Nene thought.
“Uhm, I don’t know..” Tsukasa said hesitantly, silently glancing up to Nene for her approval.
“It’s okay Tsukasa, you can have one.” She said softly.
“..Okay then, but I’ll only have one! We bought these for our precious diva, after all! A star has to be able to share!” Tsukasa declared, grabbing a gummy and sucking on it thoughtfully.
“Oh.. That’s… Different.” Tsukasa mumbled, earning a little giggle from Rui.
“Not your favorite? Could I have one as well?” Rui asked, attention diverting to Nene.
“Yeah.” She replied.
It was annoying how careful the group was with her.
“Hey, Nene, are you alright? You zoned out there for a second.” Tsukasa commented, tipping his head to the side.
“I’m alright.” Nene lied.
Emu suddenly tackled Nene down into her bed, wrapping her up in a hug.
“Cuddles will make you feel better!” She declared proudly.
Nene sat silently, figuring she might as well let herself enjoy the affection for now.
“Tsukasa! Rui!! You guys too! CUDDLE PARTY!!!” Emu exclaimed.
“..Hm, okay then, if it’s alright with Nene.” Rui asked, glancing up at Nene expectantly.
“It’s alright. You don’t need to ask for permission all the time.” Nene scolded, her sarcastic tone back, however unconfident.
“Okay then! Come along Tsukasa!” Rui declared, dragging Tsukasa up as he stood.
Rui dragged Tsukasa over to Nene’s bed, and paused for a moment, looking deep in thought.
“Hey, Nene, could you lift your head for a bit?” Tsukasa asked, catching Rui off guard.
Nene did as asked, lifting her head, only for Tsukasa to settle in above her, letting her rest her head on Tsukasa’s stomach. Nene flushed, the act being embarrassing, and more affectionate than Nene had expected.
“Ah, you’re so smart Tsukasa!” Rui praised, earning a flustered noise from Tsukasa.
Rui himself settled in on the other side of Nene, holding the small of her back and smiling softly at her.
“We love you, Nene.” The three said together.
Nene’s brain blanked. What?
“H-Huh..?”
“Nothing~!” Rui replied teasingly. “Let’s go to sleep now.” He added, and with that, not another word was spoken.
When Nene reawoke the other three were already (or still, in Tsukasa’s case) awake. Tsukasa’s hand carded through her hair, softly humming a tune. One of their songs, Nene recognised. She also recognised Rui humming along. And Emu too. God, how did Nene get so lucky? She had such a great troupe that were ready to take care of her whenever she needed it.
“Ah- Nene? Are you alright?”
How did Rui know she was awake?
“I’m fi- *sniff* fine..” Oh. She was crying.
“Are you sure?!” Tsukasa yelped, noticing her tears for himself.
He cupped Nene’s head, and wiped her face with his thumb.
“There’s no need to cry, you’ll be okay, you have us.” He said softly.
“Yeah!” Emu and Rui agreed.
“It’s just.. I- I don’t deserve you guys! I’m so selfish and- and I can’t even tell … Ugh!! I can’t even tell you guys how much I love you and how much you matter to me!! ..Oh, God. I love you guys. I love you guys so much! It wasn’t just Rui after all, it was all of you! How could I be so stupid- How didn’t I realise this sooner?! I can’t love all three of you! That’s too much!!” Nene let out a loud sniffle, and Rui looked stunned, from what she could see of him.
“We said we loved you too Nene.. I don’t see the problem if you love all of us! I love Tsukasa, and Rui, and you too! You guys are my best friends! I want to spend forever with you guys!” Emu declared, sounding quite proud in her accidental confession.
Rui nodded in agreement. “Yes, I love you all as well! Tsukasa and I have discussed this already-”
“Rui! You weren’t supposed to tell them!!”
“But Tsukasa.. I wanna give Nene a kiss.. I know you do too!” Rui teased.
Tsukasa was bright red.
“Rui!!” He whined.
“Please…” Rui pleaded, and Tsukasa sighed.
“It’s their choice, not ours.”
“I’d be okay with that..” Nene whispered, face buried into Rui’s chest.
Rui looked triumphant, as he coaxed Nene out of his chest, leaning down a little to press a soft kiss to her tears.
“Isn’t that better?” Rui asked softly, and Nene nodded.
“I want a kiss too!!” Emu exclaimed, sounding almost genuinely offended.
“Come here then..” Tsukasa said, and Emu practically shot up to tackle Tsukasa down, peppering his face with light kisses.
“Be careful, you might give him more freckles..” Rui mumbled.
“Huh?” Emu asked, sitting up to look at Rui.
“Y’know? Freckles are angel kisses?” Rui explained.
“I think Tsukasa's freckles are cute!” Emu exclaimed.
“You do?!” Tsukasa yelped.
“I do too.” Nene agreed, and Rui nodded his head.
“Your freckles are very cute indeed, my star.”
The three settled down, ready to discuss what their relationship was now.
“So uh. Does this make us all partners..?” Nene asked softly.
“If that’s what you want.” Rui said. “Tsukasa and I have both discussed that we’d be okay with dating both of you, but Tsukasa was nervous that you wouldn’t feel the same way, so we decided that- if either of you said something, we’d discuss this as a group.”
Tsukasa huffed. Clearly he wasn’t getting out of that one.
“Yes, that is what I said.”
“So then can we all date?! OooHH! That’d be SUPER WONDERHOY!!” Emu cheered.
“I’d be okay with it.” Nene said softly.
“Me too!” Tsukasa stated.
“Me as well.”
“YAYAYAY!! Now we’re ALL dating!! WONDERHOY!!” Nene let out a soft giggle.
“Thank you guys.”