"Where is the tree standing? It's supposed to be more to the left!" Sakura turned extremely punctual since the school ended. Everything needed to be perfect, and even if it stood In its place, it had to be moved a millimeter.
"It's going to be okay," Kagetsu ensured her, and the staff around her gave her a nod.
She looked around, and a blush crept on her face. "I'm sorry, everyone. I shouldn't be so pushy."
"Totally," a guy handling the lights said from above the stage. It was obvious, the distance between them gave him the courage, but a wide smile spread across his face. "But whatever! Let's give them the best performance we can!"
"Yeah!" a chorus resonated through the shabby building.
Kagetsu moved to the dressing room where he would get his make-up ready. After a while, when he was checking his face, his co-star and love interest in the story Kosuke entered.
The boy was also all set, only his light brown hair refused to settle down, so they let them be messy a bit.
"Kagetsu-san," he called him with an uncertain voice. "Are you fine with... that scene?"
"What scene?" He turned away from the mirror, so he could see Kosuke with no flipped features. "There are quite a few of them."
The student sighed. "I mean the ending one... where I'm supposed to kiss you." They didn't go through that one that often, and Kosuke avoided going in too deep.
"Yes, so what?"
Kosuke blinked before throwing his arms up. "We are both dudes! We can't kiss!"
Kagetsu arched his eyebrow. "Sheesh. Ever heard of mouth-to-mouth resurrection?"
"But that's... not..." Koseku lost the thread of his thoughts since Kagetsu wasn't technically wrong.
Kagetsu gave him a sympathetic smile. "Don't worry. You can just pretend to kiss me." He rolled his eyes back. "Like moving in front of me or shielding my face with a hand."
Before Kosuke could muster to say anything else, his stomach growled.
Kagetsu smiled. "Better silence that one before we start."
"Good idea." Kosuke left, mentally preparing for a huge challenge, and it wasn't just about the kiss.
A few minutes later, Kagetsu left the dressing room, heading to the stage. The curtain was closed, but he heard people moving from the other side.
"Nervous?" Rigaku asked, coming closer.
"I dunno."
"Are your hands sweaty?"
Kagetsu narrowed his eyes, examining every inch of his palms. "Nope."
"Is your heart beating any faster?"
"Last time I checked, there was no speeding ticket in my mail." He gave his brother a toothy smile. "You sure it's not you?"
Rigaku pushed up his glasses, averting his eyes. "I suppose. There is nothing I can do to help you."
"You are by believing in me." His voice turned as soft as a whisper. "That means a lot."
His dark eyes followed people moving back and forth, checking everything before the curtains open. And as if in a daze, he traveled into the past a few days back.
Outside, Rigaku laid on the grass, wheezing and sprawled frog style. His body would ache for a few days. He gasped for air like a fish on the ground, and his chest billowed, imitating a wild sea.
"Why... you didn't... tell me... that wound..." Rigaku mustered between his pants.
Kagetsu squeezed his fists, bringing his knees closer under his chin. "I kinda forgot."
"Forgot?" He lifted his body onto his elbows, but the support if his strength lasted only for a few moments.
"And I didn't want to freak you out." A few tears rolled down his cheeks. "I didn't want to fail you."
"You aren't—"
"I'm!" Kagetsu barked with panic filling his voice. "I'm not supposed to enjoy a dress! I like embroidery! I really do! I hate flexing my muscles in front of girls!" Hiccups interrupted his speech. "I'm a guy! A male! A man! How can I not feel like a failure when I can't be a guy you expect me to be!"
He cried for a while, before speaking a bit, "Please, let me play this role," he almost whispered. "I promise to be normal after this! I don't want you to be ashamed of having a freak for a brother!"
Rigaku wanted to bark at him that he wasn't. However, he couldn't. Boys didn't wear dresses or skirts. The same went for embroidery. Both were so girly but not in a wrong way, it just wasn't something boys did.
Nihil's words resonated in his head, "It doesn't matter if you realize you are bi, gay, demi, gemi, gumi, or ace. You matter."
Rigaku shook his head a bit, too confused to think or make an opinion. He needed some time to calm down and look at this without any emotions. However, that could be hard. When it came to his youngest brother, he couldn't help but burn with emotions as of late.
Instead of answering, he mustered enough strength to sit up, letting the lukewarm wind touch his face. In a few minutes, it seemed nothing could bother them, but the shadow of Kagetsu's words would follow him for a long time.
"Let's go back. You still have a rehearsal to finish, right?" Rigaku said after minutes of silence.
"Right."
\\_(''>_<'')_//
Rigaku jerked his body as he was pushed away from the podium by Sakura. He gave his youngest brother the last glance, noticing his fingers twitched. Kagetsu wasn't nervous but on the brink of sheer panic. However, performing in front of people might not be the main reason.
"How is he?" Aiyoku asked once Rigaku returned to his seat.
"He seems calm but is freaking out inside."
Freya showed her teeth. She didn't need to write her worry on the paper as it was all over her face. She pressed the jester that she took with herself to witness the play with her.
"Can he manage?" The blond brother leaned forward, and Freya did the same. Their eyes dug into Rigaku as drills into solid rock.
The oldest Kamini left them in a haze for a bit before answering, "He can. You know how stubborn he is."
Aiyoku retracted his eyes, focusing on the curtain that wavered here and there as actors touched it. "But, this isn't a dash into stairs or a fight with punks."
Rigaku looked around the dim-lit room. It was almost full, with only a few places vacant. Most senseis sat in the back, talking about the drama club in hushed voices.
A flash of light broke through the shade. The school reporter took a photo as they covered the biggest events and club activities, giving everybody fresh news. They also advertised the play and had a small interview with Sakura.
Students from all grades had gathered, and Rigaku felt a crushing pressure on his shoulders. He took a few deep breaths, controlling how loud he was.
Meanwhile, Kagetsu realized his side hurt. The wound decided to say hello after the radio silence.
Or I ignored it.' He pressed the place, listening to Sakura's last encouragement.
'Cool it! It's just half of an hour! How long can it be?'
An invisible voice whispered him all eternity. His eyes trailed everybody, finding Kosuke. He gave his co-actor a big grin and thumbs up, giving him positives vibes he faked on outside.