Chapter 3 - Different

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(Tsukasa's POV)

(A few weeks later)

Rui got discharged from the hospital a few days ago

But everything felt so different...

It's as if he's not there anymore

The usual shenanigans are gone, and he's more focused on school than pranking or teasing me

He doesn't get in trouble with Shiraishi anymore

And more importantly...

His stage directions aren't like how it used to be anymore

Instead of rambling about his inventions, he started being like the Rui after the Halloween show incident

Safety procedures this, safety procedures that

This is annoying me, I could never get used to this

He doesn't even come to the rooftop to eat lunch with me anymore

I have to confront him, I can't have this go on forever

(A few days later)

"Rui"

Rui
Yes Tsukasa-kun?

"You're different now..."

Rui
I thought you would say something like this
Is there something else you want to tell me?

"Is this unintentional, or do have a reason behind this"

Rui
When I woke up that day, you thought I was pranking you
I don't want you to live in my lies and jokes and always be cautious and weary of my words and actions
And I already lost that identity

"I will help you find that lost identity"

Rui
But why?

"Because that was the Rui I knew"

"That was the Rui I prefer"

"And..."

"That was the stage director that made everyone smile"

Rui
So when you said I'm the best stage director you knew...
You meant that...
But... how do I find my true self again

"I'll take you to the world where you might find at least one fragment of your old self"

I say as I take out my phone and starts untitled

Rui
Did your phone just flash?

"Here we go"

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