#natsurei

Reine had a proclivity for falling asleep while standing up sometimes, and even though Noeri doesn’t blame the underclassman for doing so—not when they’ve all been inundated with abundance work coming up to today—she needed her fellow producer awake alongside for the upcoming performance (nevermind the fact that for some reason, Natsume seems to be wary of her⋯⋯ he’s so difficult to work with unless you’re Reine).

“I am awake, Noeri-senpai,” Reine whispered, the volume of their words nearly being deluged by the overzealous gathering around them, and yet she didn’t make any effort to stop Noeri from continuing to guide them along the designated path.

They felt much safer having someone she trusted by her side while navigating amongst the billowing crowd, the quantity of people seeming to only grow and grow every passing hour. She really hated being thrust into giant crowds like this; but, perhaps, a small part of them also wanted to be doted upon by the older girl behind her.

The pair made their way backstage, where they were to split into their divergent groups. “Like the past two days, let me know if you need any help. Not that you aren’t capable, but⋯” Noeri trailed off, feeling contrite thread through her tone as she recognized how her words might’ve sounded.

“I know. Thank you, senpai,” Reine smiled softly, and Noeri beamed brightly in response before they tended to their respective units.

With their clipboard in hand, Reine began to run through the checklist; making sure everything was proceeding accordingly and that nothing was amiss. As they observed their cherished trio, Reine was prepared to cross their raiments off when she discerned a problem on Natsume’s.

“Oh, Natsume-kun, your cape’s measurements are off. Let me fix it,” Reine breathed out whilst ambling forward to do so—their fingers brushing against the fabric of his outfit. 

Natsume’s light-golden eyes widened in surprise at the shrewd observation she made, and he staved off the warmth from clustering in his cheeks by expressing his gratitude with a kittenish simper, “Thanks, little bunny.”

Lithe and smooth, Reine rectified the diminutive mistake in a matter of seconds—though, for Natsume, he wished for a moment that they weren’t so deft; so that he could delight in her touch for a moment longer.

Gyrating on the heel of his boots, Natsume faced Reine and cupped her cheeks into his own without so much as a cue. “You look more tired than usual,” he started, noting the patent exhaustion rimming their eyes as their irises appeared bleary. And he didn’t say anything as he began to squish their cheeks, adding, “Has the festivities begun to take their toll on you? Or is it the crowd?”

“No, I’m okay⋯” Reine answered with a shaky exhale, albeit even they weren’t sure what was plaguing them into execrable fatigue herself. “Anyway, you shouldn’t be worrying about me so close to performing. I don’t want to see anything go wrong.”

“I wouldn’t mess up a performance—not with you watching,” Natsume chortled, obfuscating Reine from spotting how he ephemerally squinted his eyes in dubiety from their claims. Before he said anything else, he leaned down and affixed his lips onto theirs; sensual and slow, yet with enough firmness to allow the feeling to permeate deep down into Reine’s entity. “Make sure you don’t take your eyes off me, okay?♪”

As if Reine could ever do that.

——Switch and Knights put on a dazzling performance, so radiant and befitting their parallel themes. It quintessentially coordinated Switch’s whimsical ambiance with the poise and elegance of Knights; and the entirety of the audience was enraptured with the fairytale unravelling before their eyes.

“Little bunny~” Natsume chimed suavely whilst circling his arms around her, garbing his casual attire now that he and everyone else was done with professional work for the rest of the evening. Bringing his lips down to her ear, he teased, “Let’s spend the rest of the day together. I won’t let you say no♪”

Nodding her head, Reine acquiesced relatively easily with the proposal; allowing Natsume to intertwine their fingers together, holding onto them tightly.

With new purpose, the two of them wandered around the amusement park together—hand-in-hand, as Natsume tenaciously refused to let them part from him for even a second.

Unfortunately, however, there wasn’t a lot of daylight left from how busy the consecutive concerts kept them. They spent the majority of their time daydreaming about going on various rides they wouldn’t actually do, and simply⋯⋯ talking.

It was simple, truly.

“Hm, it seems as if the sun is finally setting~” Natsume commented elliptically, as playful as it always was; and he sanctioned perplexity to seep within Reine’s countenance. “I want to go somewhere. Will you come with me, little bunny?”

Considering she was already planning out the rest of her day around spending every possible second with Natsume, something she couldn’t bring herself to vocalise aloud to him, Reine made it sound as if she was agreeing to do him a favour over her own desires.

“Of course, let’s go,” her lips curved into a shy smile as she agreed, a tincture of embarrassment twinkling in her eyes. Reine already knew better than to question Natsume when he was being enigmatic—except, as they found themselves in line for the ferris wheel, she wished they had interrogated him.

Squeezing her hand in a mollifying motion, Natsume gave her an encouraging smile of his own. And it wasn’t long before they were next to get into one of the small, caged-in pods. Although, before they boarded, Reine distinguished Natsume fishing out his phone to show the employee.

Which they couldn’t fathom why he was doing such a thing because the bands attached around their wrists allowed them full-access onto all available rides⋯ as a perk of being part of the staff.

Stepping inside, Reine felt nausea coat the seam of her throat.

“Um, little bunny⋯ why aren’t you sitting next to me?” Natsume queried as beads of sweat slide down the side of his mien, descrying how she sat across from him. He would’ve surmised they’d be clinging onto him given their fears of heights and amusement rides.

“Th-These are already so cramped; won’t me sitting next to you only make it worse?!” Reine cried out, dewy tears converging onto their dainty lashes, “Besides, if I don’t stare at your face, I’m scared I’ll throw up⋯⋯”

“It’s okay. It’s not scary,” Natsume continued his attempts to alleviate their anxieties, soothing words being spoken to envelope them. “I placed a special charm on ours. We’re safe, I promise♪”

Swallowing apprehensively, Reine squeaked as the ride began to gradually ascend—

“Plus, I wouldn’t want something bad to happen to you on your birthday.”

Then Reine blinked—once, twice, and thrice.

Reine’s discombobulation was lucid on their features, they understood that judging from Natsume’s knowing smirk, and she stammered over her words, “H-How did you⋯?”

“That’s a secret,” Natsume began as he brought a finger cheekily up to his lips, the movement returning colour to Reine’s blanched cheeks as it made her heart flutter. “But when I found it managed to land on the final day of the event, I knew you were purposefully omitting from telling us; because you didn’t want any of us to worry, or feel as if we were forced to do anything for you.”

Relinquishing an enervated, quivering sigh once they realised they were caught, Reine found herself apologising when she had no place to. “I-I’m sorry, Natsume-kun⋯”

“I think being a little more selfish would look cute on you, personally♪” Natsume charmingly winked as a hand reached forward to take Reine’s. That debonair action might’ve made him look insincere to most, Reine felt his genuine, heartfelt declaration scorch her very core.

Before Reine could articulate a response, conjure up the strength to explain herself a little more, the ferris wheel ceased with their seats nestled at the apex height. 

“Thank goodness they got it right~ The L¥ would’ve been squandered if they didn’t stop us here,” Natsume hummed, gesticulating for Reine to peer behind her—further clarifying why Natsume had offered her to sit next to him; to give them a perfect view of the sunset.

Scattered, attenuated clouds encapsulated the setting sun as the myriad colours of crepuscular burst across the theme park; the world below them.

Ah. That’s why Natsume was discreetly showing the employee his phone earlier. “This is pretty, but please don’t use our limited budget on trying to woo me⋯” Reine deadpanned, concealing how utterly euphoric she felt staring out at the sunset.

“Aw, no fun,” Natsume didn’t look the least bit affected, “but it was actually the Knights' Producer who gave it to me.”

“Noeri-senpai did?”

“Mhm. As much as I’d like to take credit for this wonderful surprise, I can’t♪” Natsume chortled, before a pensive look etched itself onto his visage. “You’re so loved, my little bunny. Just what kind of spells are you casting?”

“Even if you ask me that, I-I don’t⋯”

“I know, you don’t need to answer that,” Natsume purred, the velvety and husky sound of his voice making Reine’s heart throb, “As I was saying earlier⋯ Why don’t you tell me what your wish for today is? It doesn’t need to be big, just speak from your heart.”

From the start, Reine knew how she wanted today to go; and it was already fulfilled, just by having Natsume by her side.

“Kiss me,” Reine implored, voice meek and soft as she pushed past her inquietude to be ‘greedy’, “And then I want to go eat crepes with you, Sora-kun, Tsumugi-senpai, and Noeri-senpai, too.”

“That’s a beautiful wish,” Natsume whispered as his gaze went half-lidded in pure, unbridled adoration; as he lifted himself up to bring his face in close propinquity with theirs, lips brushing hers, “Happy Birthday, little bunny♡”

It was truly cozy and plush, alleviating her anxiety when secured within it.

Reine could sense her mind reeling, thoughts rambling along divergences and confusticating her all at once. Was she still sleepy?

So consumed in her thoughts, she hadn’t heard the clubroom door creaking open—not until a disembodied voice called out to her, velvety like the chocolates still idly settled in the palm of her hands.

“What are you eating, little bunny?” Natsume inquired whilst padding into the room and observing her delicate frame cuddled up in the corner of the couch. His mien illuminated with temptation to know, peeking into the box.

“Oh, just some chocolates my parents brought home,” Reine divulged, the tone of their voice brimming with an aberrant giddiness and delight. Although they weren’t sure whether she was allowed to have of claimed them for herself or not; but it was too late for that now.

“Do you want some?”

Watching as she cutely propped the box up in her dainty little hands, Natsume reached forward to pluck one out for himself—but stopped as a surge of perplexity cascaded through him. “Did you already have some?” he abruptly asked.

Tilting her head, a cloudiness encompassing their blue eyes, Reine answered, “Yeah, why?”

“⋯ These chocolates have some aphrodisiacs in them,” Natsume began whilst confiscating the box from her and placing it down onto the table before them, recognizing the special spell cast upon the decadent chocolates. “You do know what that is, right?”

“O-Of course I do,” Reine chortled airily, hearts emerging from the depths of their irises as her gaze fixated onto Natsume. The wizard sat next so closely to her, this propinquity making their mind spin even more than it already was—thoughts revolving around him, enthralling her like a tasty, succulent carrot meant to entice the rabbit to pop out of the magician’s hat.

“But isn’t it fine?”

Before Natsume could conjure up a response to Reine’s innocent indifference, he felt her arms twine around him. “Little bunny,” he coiled an arm around her in a swift reaction; wanting to keep her at a safe distance, yet still appease.

However, just Natsume’s touch on Reine alone made her fuzzy attention exacerbate and she squeezed him tightly. Her lips found his neck, luscious lips affixing a burst of quick, yet firm kisses along the curve.

A frisson of pleasure suffused down the column of his spine, converging at the base and permeating throughout the rest of his body in such an intense rush, he gasped. “Calm down,” Natsume started, wincing as Reine gave him a suckle below his ear, “it’s the chocolates bewitching you.”

Puffing out her cheeks in a querulous pout, Reine’s glazed over eyes were only after one thing⋯ to see Natsume writhing from her bold advances. “Does it matter?” Reine sounded almost sultry, which only magnified Natsume’s plight. “You like it when I kiss you; and I want to. Does the reason have to stop me?”

Reine was delirious, Natsume knew this, the additive and illusionary effects of the chocolates charming her into being even more needy. And he didn’t want to take advantage of her in any manner—just the mere notion of hurting them made a gut-wrenching dread pound against his stomach.

As long as it doesn’t get out of hand, Natsume could surely help placate this wicked curse plaguing his beloved bunny?

Taking Natsume’s moment of silence as permission to continue, Reine lifted her mouth up to his ear and began to press her teeth down onto the sensitive flesh. It was more akin to nibbles, truly, yet the feeling of her mouth sliding against his ear made Natsume flush hotly.

“Nngh, you know I love it when I feel your lips on me,” Natsume found himself finally acknowledging, her lips now following along his jawline, before his arms squeezed around her protectively; although it was more greedy of him, he thought. “And you’re too cute when you’re needy like this.”

Hearing those words caused salvos of delight to skate over her nerves feverishly, body sweeping with heat, and she nuzzled into him—cheek-to-cheek. Reine cupped a hand around his countenance, both of their complexions glowing with rosy hues, and pressed their lips together.

The sensation made Reine melt into Natsume, bodies slotting together so perfectly, and she was rapturous he didn’t put up much of a fight—she coveted Natsume’s affection and love, the aphrodisiacs making her ravenous.

As the taste of the sumptuous, full-bodied chocolates made Natsume shiver, he clasped the fabric of her blazer.

Their lips rounded with each other’s, sensual and slow as Reine moaned sweetly into the kiss; mouth parting as her tongue poked out, licking at his moist lips; her body naturally seeking more.

“Natsume-kun,” a shaky breath, gripping him tauter, “please⋯ open your mouth.”

Reine implored so beguilingly, saccharine vocals oozing with an excitement and desperation he couldn’t possibly resist any longer. Sliding a hand underneath their skirt, fingers holding onto her thigh, Natsume did as he was told. For her, he'll do anything.

“Be gentle, little bunny,” Natsume sounded almost pleading for him, reciting a miraculous spell to make her follow his words.

Hot and wet, Reine’s tongue swirled against his—following the shape of his mouth as she traced little love patterns within, hopelessly mewling as ecstasy imbued itself into the cleft of her entity. “Mmh—!”

Natsume let out his own soft, deluded noise as he suddenly felt Reine’s aggression increase, pace upscaling in which she devoured him; kissing him so helplessly, as if there was only him in this world.

And for her, in this very moment, that was entirely true.

Every cell in Reine’s body clamored in desire, solely riveted onto the weird wizard clinging onto her with as much neediness as her.

Fingers danced along Reine’s thigh as the rough kiss consumed them, feeling the warmth emanating from her skin as it seeped into his fingertips, and Natsume scrutinized drool congregating in the corner of Reine’s mouth before it spilled over down her chin.

Reine was so cute like this—visage flushed and utterly dazed—it wasn’t fair for Natsume, either.

Finally retracting away, Reine’s eyes were glazed over with a mist of familiar sleepiness; and Natsume recognized this immediately. However, Reine still wished to kiss Natsume more—and she faltered in her movements, chasing after his mouth.

Natsume shook his head lightly as his thumb cleaned her chin, hastily seizing the pillow laying next to them on the couch and placing it onto his lap before coaxing Reine into collapsing on it.

Watching as she plopped onto it, curling up into a small ball as she endearingly always does, he exhaled quiveringly. Thank god Sora bought that for her—it was perfect for her, and unfortunately, concealing the conspicuous impact Reine’s little heated session had on him.

“All satisfied now, my little bunny?” Natsume’s voice was quiet and hushed, an intimacy only reserved for her exuding from his tone as he brushed the loose strands of hair from her face.

“Mhm,” Reine hummed wearily, fluttering lashes brushing against her cheeks that begun to cool down ever so slightly, “Mm⋯ maybe not. When I wake up, I want⋯⋯ more and more of you, Natsume-kun.”

Covertly praying the effects dissipate by the time she wakes up from her nap, Natsume wasn’t sure if he could hold back next time.

“Ah, Rei-chan!  Over here!”

As he entered the cafe, Reiji heard his name being called from one side of the room.  He recognized the tall, blond man waving from a booth and bounded over to him.

“Hey, Nattsun-- oh!” Natsuki got up from his seat and embraced Reiji tightly as he came near, leaning to rest his cheek on the top of his head.  Natsuki’s well-known affectionate nature made the hug not unusual here, a cafe where many staff members and idols of Shining Agency frequented due to its proximity, the high quality of its pastries and coffee, and the reasonably low prices.  But only Reiji noticed how the hug lingered just a bit longer than what would be typical for friends.

Natsuki’s cheeks were a faint pink as they sat back down.  “Sorry,” he said sheepishly, adjusting his glasses a bit. “I know we have to be careful, but I couldn’t help myself.”

Reiji laughed, still marveling at how adorable his boyfriend often was.  “It’s alright Nattsun, I missed you too.” He reached over the table and squeezed Natsuki’s hand.  At a place like this, where both the staff and typical clientele were discrete, neither of them felt the need to disguise their appearance.  But, they were mindful of their status as idols and knew better than to risk their careers for public displays of affection.

Still, a little bit couldn’t hurt.

Reiji took Natsuki’s hand and pressed a soft kiss to his knuckles. Natsuki’s face flushed deeper as he smiled, and Reiji laughed again, warm and loving, before letting go.  “Have you ordered anything yet?” He asked.

Natsuki nodded.  “A pot of black tea and some castella cakes.  The waitress suggested it since it’s a new recipe and it’s been popular.”

They continued on in this fashion, discussing some future and current projects with their respective groups, comparing schedules, and chatting about nothing in particular.  The airy, friendly conversation put them at ease, and the stress of whatever may have been on their minds melted away. When the waitress brought them their order, Natsuki poured each of them a cup of tea, followed by a splash of milk and two cubes of sugar in his own cup, and one in Reiji’s.

As he watched Natsuki prepare their tea, Reiji felt a familiar tightening in his chest.  It was the feeling he got whenever he was reminded of how precious Natsuki was to him, that even the smallest gestures, like remembering how he took his tea, made him fall in love with him all over again.

“I’m going to miss this,” Natsuki sighed, eyes pensive, absently stirring his teaspoon around.  “I don’t want you to leave.”

His comment shook Reiji out of his reverie.  “Don’t say it like that Nattsun, I’m only going to be on tour for a few weeks!  I’ll be back home in no time.” Reiji smiled at his boyfriend. He always found Natsuki’s somewhat possessive nature, something he usually kept hidden and when it did manifest it was accompanied by blushing and stuttering, extremely endearing.  The mention of the impending Quartet Night tour reminded Reiji of something.

“I have a surprise for you!”  He rooted around in his bag until he found what he was looking for.  Natsuki observed him curiously, eyes widening when Reiji presented him with the gift.

“Are you… giving me Super Reiji-kun?  Isn’t he the mascot of your family’s shop?”  Natsuki’s voice, though already usually soft, held a reverential tone as he took the plush and held it delicately.

“Well, yes and no,” Reiji explained.  “I’m giving you  a Super Reiji-kun, but it’s not the one from the shop.  I know you like plushies a lot, so I asked my sister if she could make another that I could give to you.”  He grinned and winked. “He can keep you company when I’m not around.”

Natsuki was silent for a minute, his eyes shining with unshed tears. Then, he said, “Rei-chan… thank you!” In a flash Natsuki moved to Reiji’s side of the booth and hugged him.  Reiji wheezed as he was crushed in Natsuki’s arms, his hands coming up to pat Natsuki’s back.

“I’m glad… you like it…” he managed to breathe.  “Nattsun, could you let go just a little? You’re hurting my ribs.”

Natsuki’s hold noticeably loosened but he still kept his arms around Reiji.  He nuzzled his cheek against Reiji’s soft brown hair and kissed his forehead.  “It’s perfect,” he said softly, voice thick with emotion. “I love it, Rei-chan, and I love you.”

“I love you too, Natsuki,” Reiji murmured, leaning forward to kiss the tender spot under Natsuki’s ear.  He chuckled when he heard Natsuki squeak, before they moved apart to avoid any more suspicion.

Natsuki held the plush close to him even after he returned to his spot.  He admired the carefully sewn clothes and the ability of the plush to sit upright when set on the table.  Reiji observed Natsuki with a wide smile. He really was just too cute.

They finished the rest of their tea and pastries in a companionable, peaceful silence.  When they left the cafe, Natsuki kept the plush close to his chest as they walked back to the agency.

Reiji collapsed, groaning, on the hotel bed when he entered the room.  The mattress sunk under his weight as his muscles cried out their aches.  After the adrenaline of performing wore off, Reiji truly felt his age, and the only things he wanted to do were to shower and sleep.

Well, he had one more thing to do besides that.  He got up, ignoring the protests of his body, and forced himself to take a quick shower. Once finished, wrapped in the fluffy robe the hotel provided, Reiji grabbed his phone from the nightstand and dialed a number to make a video call.  The dark screened flashed into life as he settled back into bed, and Natsuki’s eager expression was on his screen.

“Hi, Rei-chan!” He said, waving.  Natsuki’s voice came in slightly static, and Reiji turned up the volume on his phone so he could hear him.  “How was your concert?”

“It went well!  The crowd got really fired up and had a good time. We got back to the hotel about an hour ago.” Seeing his boyfriend again for the first time in a few days made Reiji’s chest tighten.  Their careers didn’t allow them much time together, so moments like this were precious. “How was your day?”

“Good!  Practice went well, even though Syo-chan and Otoya-kun almost sprained their ankles trying to see who could pirouette the fastest, and Tokiya-kun got mad at them.  We also started going over the plans for our new single, which was fun, too!”

Reiji hummed his acknowledgement, imagining what must have gone on at rehearsal amongst his juniors.  “That’s Tokki for you, but I’m sure he was just worried.”

Natsuki nodded in agreement.  His eyes lit up as he seemed to remember something.  He reached behind him on his bed and, amid the nest of Piyo-chan plushies, he grabbed Super Reiji-kun.  He waved the plush’s arm to Reiji.

“Reiji-kun says hi, too!  He’s been great company lately.”  Natsuki kissed the plush’s cheek and giggled.  “It’s almost like you’re still here.”

“Hey now, don’t forget about me!”  Reiji laughed. “You’re making me a bit jealous, Nattsun.  I wish you were here to give me some love, too.”

Natsuki blushed.  “Sorry, Rei-chan,” he said.  His smile fluttered into something tinged with sadness.  “I really do miss you, though. Reiji-kun’s nice but he could never replace you.”

“I know, but I’ll be home soon enough, you’ll see.  In the meantime, let me send you my love!” Reiji blew a kiss to the phone, and on the screen Natsuki pretended to grab it from the air and press his hand to his cheek.  They both laughed and continued to talk until neither could stop their eyes from drooping. Natsuki looked at Reiji with a warm, drowsy smile spreading across his face.

“I love you, Rei-chan, I can’t wait for you to come home,” he whispered.

“Me too, Nattsun, I love you so much.”  Reiji blew one last kiss to Natsuki. “Good night.”

“Good night,” Natsuki yawned.  “Take care tomorrow.”

“You too.”  Reiji hung up and put his phone on its charger.  Shutting off the lamp on the nightstand, he curled up under the covers and closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep with the thought of seeing Natsuki again on his mind.

“Rei-chan!”

Reiji hardly had time to set his bags down when he entered his apartment before he was practically tackled by Natsuki.  Luckily, Natsuki seemed to be aware of his own strength this time, as the hug was tight but not bone-crushing. Reiji returned it with equal fervor, and they pulled away slightly to meet in a tender kiss.

“I’m so, so,  so  glad you’re home,” Natsuki said as they parted.  “It feels like forever since I last saw you.” He led Reiji to the couch so they could be more comfortable as they caught up.

“Me too, I’m happy to be back.”  Reiji reached up to ruffle Natsuki’s fluffy hair and laughed.  “Tours are fun and all, but it’s nice to be back home with you.”

Natsuki nodded in agreement.  He seemed to ready to add something to Reiji’s comment before his eyes lit up and his mouth formed a perfect little ‘o’.  “Ah, hold on! I got you something to welcome you home!” He disappeared into their bedroom and returned with a small bag.  Reiji noticed how his eyes sparkled when he sat back down and handed him the bag. Reiji couldn’t contain the gasp that escaped his lips when he held up the present.

It was a plush, and looked very similar to Super Reiji-kun, but instead of being him it was of Natsuki.  The expression was the same, but the felt for the eyes was the same shade of chartreuse as Natsuki’s, and a little pair of wire glasses was sewn in-between its eyes.  The doll wore a sweater and a pair of pants that looked like miniature versions of some of Natsuki’s clothes, and the hair was a simplified version of the way Natsuki styled his own hair.  Reiji gaped as he held the toy loosely in his hands, unable to process the gesture.

The silence unsettled Natsuki.  His joyful smile dropped in confusion and concern as he said, “Do you not like it, Rei-chan?  I wanted to give you something like Super Reiji-kun so you wouldn’t be lonely when either of us were away, and-- oh!”

Reiji threw himself into Natsuki’s lap, laughing as tears sprung in the corners of his eyes.  “It’s wonderful! I love him!” He snuggled into the embrace, the plush getting squeezed between them.  He looked up at Natsuki, his brown eyes sparkling with joy. “How’d you even get this, anyway?”

Natsuki rubbed at the back of his head, a faint blush painting his cheeks.  “I got the idea after we talked that night, when you said you were jealous that I gave Reiji-kun a kiss.  I know you were joking, but I went to Masato-kun the next day and asked him if he could help me sew a plush to give to you, and he did.”  His blushed deepened. “Though I think he did most of the work, I just offered some suggestions on the design.”

Reiji sat back, still cuddled against Natsuki’s side, and looked at the plush.  The seams were almost invisible to the naked eye, indicating a very skilled hand behind the needlework.

“Then we’ll have to find a way to thank Hijirin for his hard work, too.”  Reiji leaned up to kiss Natsuki’s jawline. “But I really do love this, thank you so much.”

Natsuki wrapped his arms around Reiji’s waist and buried his face in his hair, pressing gentle kisses.  “I’m just glad to have you back home. I love you a lot, Rei-chan.”

The genuine tenderness in Natsuki’s voice was almost too much for Reiji.  To be loved so frankly, without any expectations except to be loved in return, made him want to cry again, but he swallowed the feeling back.  “I love you too, Nattsun.”

Shaking her head in disappointment, Reine’s vexation towards herself bypassed the way the tips of her ears brightened up from the propinquity between her and Natsume. “I can’t seem to figure out the timing between the third set and the chorus⋯ No matter how many times I adjust it, it’s always off somehow⋯”

The noise of the booth’s door creaking open resonated within the compact space, galvanizing the pair into leering over at Anzu who had just timorously stepped inside, her voice meek yet filled with benignity as she asked, “Do you two need some help?”

“Ah, Kitten♪” Natsume’s eyes appeared to twinkle as soon as Anzu padded in, those elusive and charming sparkles making Reine’s heart ache. “Little bunny and I are trying to rearrange the lights for Switch’s upcoming Live.”

“I don’t mind taking a look at it,” Anzu proffered her expertise, glancing between Reine and Natsume as they made way for her to examine the panel, “Switch always has elaborate light shows during their performances. It can be pretty tricky.”

The way Natsume and Anzu talked to each other⋯ it was cordial, familiar.

“Thank you; you’re already familiar with how we like them to be. And I want the lights to be perfect, because 「I want my special someone to look at me and fall for me」,” Natsume sent a wink towards Anzu as he beamed.

Reine didn’t like it. She didn’t like it at all; and yet, she still wanted to see that twinkle in Natsume’s eyes forever.

“Um⋯ I-I’ll leave you two to it here,” Reine stammered out before she could even make sense of the entanglement of harrow and pain twisting in the pit of her stomach, “I should go check on Sora-kun⋯!”

And before Natsume or Anzu could even bid her goodbye, Reine rushed from the booth—all while ignoring the pair of eyes that followed her figure.

✧.

In the palm of her hands, Reine gaped at the stars scintillating there—wanting to stop them from slipping through her fingers, yet slowly cleaving her hands apart in order to fulfill their true potential.

Ever since she bound herself to a personal contract, Reine had been making subtle (or at least in her eyes) efforts to garner opportunities for Natsume and Anzu to be alone together; or to have them think of the other.

Unfortunately, each attempt, no matter how little, exacerbated the queasiness coating the seams of Reine’s body.

Why did she have to feel so sick all the time? So tired? So exhausted in a way that only leaves her feeling worse?

Asleep in the sunshine, with her silhouette still standing, Reine was incognizant to the boisterous and spirited presence approaching from behind her.

“Ta-da!☆” Copious doves went flying around Reine as Wataru popped up next to her head, cheek almost pressing against hers. He only ascertained she was startled awake when she relinquished a panicked squeak. “Oya? You were asleep, Usagi-chan?”

“Y-Yeah⋯” Reine heaved an anxious exhale as a yawn soon followed, her glossy lips parting cutely.

“No wonder my birdies were reluctant to pop out! My apologies,” Wataru expressed his contrite with a sigh of his own, his hands promptly gripping her waist as he guided her to the nearby benches, “Still, it’s dangerous to sleep in the middle of the walkways!”

That’s when Reine realized her location outside Yumenosaki, small body being nestled down by the ever-eccentric senpai. Even she knew she never would’ve done that normally—falling asleep in the open? Without hiding?—and she had no choice but to blame it on the pulsating pain searing her core.

Was she allowed to feel jealous when she’s the one trying to pair two people up? When she’s the one stabbing herself over and over again?

“I know, I’m sorry,” Reine apologized to Wataru, albeit she could tell her own tone was disheartened and gloomy when she hadn’t meant to sound so execrable.

“You seem trouble, Usagi-chan,” Wataru observed smoothly as he sat himself down beside her, silvery locks descending over his shoulders as his head tilted towards her, “I’m a pretty good listener; I’ll hear what’s plaguing your heart with sadness♪”

Wataru talked even funnier than Natsume, but Reine supposed that’s because he is the one who taught Natsume a lot of his magical tricks. Could she even trust Wataru with her own feelings like this? They hadn’t really interacted much before⋯

“I-I’m not sad,” Reine corrected, strained voice and half-lidded gaze betraying her want to stay calm-and-collected, “I’m disappointed all my efforts aren’t being seen.”

“Your efforts? You aren’t talking about your work as a producer, are you?” Wataru hummed, his shrewdness once again bursting forth like confetti from a true magic show.

“No⋯ I’m talking about Natsume-kun and Anzu-chan,” Reine elucidated, trembling fingers playing with the hem of her skirt as she gathered her hands in her lap, “I’ve been trying to help them get closer, but it just hasn’t been working.”

Reine wanted them to hurry up and realize their feelings so that she can start to stitch together her broken heart; start to pick up the shattered pieces and heal. Because she was in love with Natsume.

“Oh, Usagi-chan, you’re trying to play cupid?” Wataru suspired with sympathy in his words, reaching his hand forward to tilt her head up with his fingers, “It’s not working because you’re pulling the arrow from your own body.”

Perplexity suffused through the aperture leading to her thoughts, and Reine couldn’t fathom the unorthodox articulation. “What do you mean, Wataru-senpai?”

“You’re trying to make the vestiges reach somewhere they were never supposed to be,” Wataru further said, only magnifying her confusion as his finger pokes over her chest, “the magic you’re looking for is already long gone.”

Wataru was definitely an even weirder wizard than Natsume.

✧.

Reine couldn’t understand what Wataru was talking about, the equivocations behind his remarks feeling more akin to a curse than a spell, and she continued to be left alone with her thoughts as she rested her head upon an abundance of towels whilst curling herself into a ball.

Images of Natsume’s enthralling visage coruscated in her head as her eyes fluttered shut, the way he looked at Anzu—the way they talked and laughed together. It hurt.

Natsume was the one who pulled her from burying herself completely, who’s dazzling smile and spells saved her time and time again. And here she was again, trying to conceal herself after all the protests she’s lived through.

Squeezing her eyes shut with more force, as if her negative thoughts impelled her to do so, Reine bawled as the door to her nesting spot was ripped open.

“Found you~♪ You were in here, little bunny,” it was Natsume’s countenance that enveloped her vision as her blue irises blinked rapidly, lashes flitting, “You sure love this broom closet.”

“H-How⋯?” Reine faltered in her words as his appearance before her obfuscated her mind, nearly causing her to blank out, “No, what are you doing⋯ Were you looking for me?”

Crouching down onto his knees, Natsume bowed himself down to her diminutive height as she remained laying on the closet flooring; cleaning towels and rags cushioning her body. “Why did you run away earlier?” he questioned, squinting his eyes to evince an iota of tetchiness.

“Run away?” Reine swallowed thickly, perceiving that faint annoyance in Natsume and wanting to cringe away from it. She knew what he was alluding to, yet she was too bewildered to properly talk with him.

“As if you have any business with Noeri-senpai. You’re so obvious,” Natsume in spite of the festering defeatism felt his lips curving into a unbridled half-grin, “You always have the same excuse when leaving. Are you trying to be subtle?”

“What.”

This conversation was happening too fast for Reine to unravel and register—and yet, Natsume continued.

“So, tell me⋯ what are you doing here instead of by my side?” Natsume asked softly, the melodic power his voice retains gripping her as another frown overturns his mouth. “I have fun playing with Kitten, but I miss you too much to enjoy myself to the fullest.”

They say rabbits can die of loneliness.

Dewy tears coalesced in Reine’s eyes as she fixated on Natsume, the pain that’s been besetting her spilling over in the form of a choked sob, “I’m trying to help you find happiness.”

The stress of losing a beloved companion or partner can be all too much to bear.

“Haah, I already found my happiness,” Natsume reassured her, bringing his hand forward, “I found it in this closet a long time ago.”

It’s time to stop hiding—the brightness she yearned to belong to her is right in front of her. Sliding her hand into Natsume’s, Reine felt herself being pulled from the darkness once again.

Not able to squander another moment, Natsume pressed Reine’s body up against his and brought his lips to her cheeks; kissing away each and every glistening tear.

It’s been inside her all along.