NOTE: BOOM! two days in a row www. I'm trying to make it up to you all
Besides that, wanna start this off with two random facts?
The first one is, I don't think I ever said it here but do you guys know I'm that Transmasculine Akito Shinonome guy on TikTok?
Second is, I apparently purr when I sleep. I'm on vacation rn and my bestie that I share the bed with told me I do 😭
Anyway, let's start this chapter!!
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~Hidden in the dark, an evil flower blooms, Lovely petals, faintly dripping with doom-~

"hn..? "

Tsukasa slowly blinked awake to a familiar melody- and a familiar voice.

He felt like he was on somebody's lap, his hair being played with gently by whoever was above him.

He almost decided to roll back over and drift back to sleep, until he heard another voice.

"Mrs.Tenma, breakfast is almost ready. " The voice said softly, probably not to wake him.

The humming paused for a second to reply to the voice.

"Thank you, Honami. You are just the sweetest, aren't you? I'll be there with him in a moment, I'm sure everything tastes divine. "

Tsukasa could recognize that voice from anywhere...it had to be-

"~Dancing in a garden full of slowly dying weeds, echoes of their cries become the power-

oh, your awake my star! "

Mother.

Mrs Tenma looked down at him smiling, weaving her fingers through his hair.

Tsukasa let out a content sigh, and nuzzled into his mother's lap even more, feeling the safety of her presence.

Mrs. Tenma let out a giggle and shook him on the shoulder.

"Come now dear, it's time to wake up. You already slept for quite a while, though I guess that's my fault. That lullaby would knock you out like a light when you were a kid! "

He remembers, remembers her voice singing, tucking him in for the night, only to be awoken by the hurried voices of his parents, leaving in the middle of the night because they got a call from the hospital about Saki's condition.

Only a note was left on the table for him for instructions on how to feed and cook himself breakfast.

Tsukasa glanced around the room, it was void of the groups of people that were sleeping over last night.

Mrs. Tenma seemed to recognize his confusion and answered his thoughts.

"Oh, it's rather late you see. Most of the guests woke up and left earlier, but some of them stayed for breakfast. The people staying for breakfast are in the other room, you're the last awake. " she said, pausing her movements.

"You know, it was rather rude to sleep in and not say goodbye to guests, Tsukasa."

Her warm smile turned into a stern frown of disappointment, aimed at Tsukasa.

"Making sure your guests are happy always comes before your own well-being, you know this.

I expected better manners from you, love."

Just like that, The warm feeling Tsukasa had from his mother's presence washed away, replaced by almost terror at her disappointment in him.

He quickly sat up and maneuvered off her lap, not wanting to upset her by being tired still, after he rudely slept in.

Did something go wrong in my parenting while you were growing up? Am I a bad influence? "

Mrs.Tenma's stern expression, turned into a distressed one as she moved her hands down to her lap. She looked like she could cry, looking down at her feet.

Tsukasa was quick to rush to her side, crawling across the couch to get to her. He grabbed her hand to reassure her and quickly started speaking.

"No, no mother! You are perfect, the best mother and influence ever! I am the one at fault here, I was being awfully selfish."

Tsukasa bowed his head down, ashamed. What a disgrace he was.

"Please forgive me Mother, it will never happen again, I swear it! "

Mrs. Tenma slowly looked up, the tears in her eyes gone without a trance. The familiar, comforting smile that Tsukasa has seen all his life returned to her face.

"That's my good boy, now go get dressed and ready. You wouldn't want to look like a complete disgrace, now would you? "

She pat him on the head and stood up, quickly walking out of the room to the dining area.

As soon as she was gone, Tsukasa bolted up from the couch and started ascending the stairs as fast as he could manage.

Disgrace

Selfishselfishuglydigusting

Youhurther

Youmademothersad

You disappointed her.

Would you shut up?

You only care cause I'm right.

I never said you are wrong. Your voice is just annoying to my ears.

With that, he finally reached his bedroom. Lying on his bed, was clothing for the day.

Hm, Mother must have gone out of her way to choose it earlier.

He spread the outfit out on the bed, looking at it. It was the same old plain shirt and blue jacket, with black pants.

Tsukasa didn't really want to wear the Boring clothing again, he much preferred dressing up in flashy colors and sparkles if he was being honest.

But Mother loves the outfit on him, and she even went out of her way to choose it for me. I wouldn't want to disappoint her again today, would I?

Tsukasa shook his head and brought the clothes over for him to get changed. Once he finished, he walked over to the mirror to see how he looked.

Tsukasa always hated this part, staring at his ugly, boring figure in the mirror. But he had to, he had to make sure he didn't look disgraceful walking out to guests.

He looked up from the floor slowly, bracing himself. And he was right, God's he looked awful.

His eyes had heavy bags under them, and his arms had all sorts of scars and bruises on them from..performance issues.

He looked scaringly thin, and his clothes were baggy on his frame. He sighed and banged his head against the mirror... Once... Twice... Maybe repetitively...

"why am I such a disgrace... "

"You could use some makeup, and maybe cover up those scratch marks..oh! And maybe try having some light in those eyes, eh? But other than that you look okay. "

Tsukasa whipped his head around at the sound, immediately getting his perfect act together until-

"Ew, never mind. That fake smile and light in your eyes are disgusting... Back to the dull around me unless that smile and lights are real, eh? "

He looked down, seeing his phone glowing blindingly on his floor. And protected in it, was Kaito. Not his Kaito however.

Kaito looked very dull and dark. He had some sort of black eye shadow on with red eyeliner, and he had a half ponytail in his hair.

His outfit was all ripped- and Tsukasa couldn't tell if he had alternating black and red nail polish, or if the sticky black guck all along his arms and hands flooded onto his nails.

"Kaito...? " He asked, dropping his act as requested by the blunt Vocaloid.

"Wow! Your not blind, that's good! " he said, his voice lacing with sarcasm.

"Anyway, if you wanna cover those eye bags and scratch marks from Mother dearest, I suggest makeup as I said earlier. "

"Mother wouldn't like that."

"Why? Is she against guys and makeup or something? "

Tsukasa sighed again and walked across the room to grab his makeup bag anyway. He opened it and took out what was necessary, then walked back over to the mirror.

"No, she just would be disappointed I have to put makeup on myself to look good. She wants me to look perfect and healthy without it. "

"And does she wear makeup? " Kaito questioned him as Tsukasa started applying the makeup.

"Yes, she does."

"And does she look perfect without it? "

"... "

Silence filled the room, for the first time since the conversation started, Tsukasa and Kaito finally met eyes for a moment.

".. Of course, Mother looks perfect no matter what in my eyes. "

"Do you look perfect no matter what in her eyes?"

"I'd rather not have this conversation thank you." Tsukasa snapped at him, whipping his head back towards the mirror.

"Fine, be like that I guess..."

"I'd also like you to shut up."

"..Cranky much... " Kaito muttered to himself. He continued to stare at Tsukasa as he brushed his hair out, not saying a word.

Tsukasa glared at him out of the corner of his eye. "Can I help you? " he asked, fed up with the staring.

"... You should really tie that shirt in the back so it doesn't look baggy. "

Tsukasa scoffed and looked away from him. "As if I'd take advice from you... " Tsukasa said, despite taking a hair tie and following his advice anyway a moment later.

"You know Kanade has that person to introduce to you later... I recommend you visit after breakfast." Kaito told him, breaking the moment's silence.

How could Tsukasa ever forget? He had been awaiting meeting the person since he had heard the words come out of that Kanade girl's mouth.

He first thought that her words had to have been an empty promise just to get him out of there, I mean someone who felt like him? Tsukasa could never believe that to be possible.

hEs AlOnE

" wait, how did you even find that out? Did you spy on us that day? "

"I have a surprise for you too, ya know. I think you'll actually enjoy it for once too! " Kaito said, avoiding the previous question.

"Don't dodge the question-"

" I felt an unfamiliar presence, and something calling me to it. I simply followed the feeling of you and Kanade. I wondered why I in particular was called for this problem at first. "

Kaito and he locked eyes again before he looked Tsukasa up and down and continued speaking.

"..Though I think I understand now...

take me with you to breakfast, would you? You look decent by the way. "

"As long as you stay silent I guess... And Thanks. " Tsukasa didn't even bother to look back in the mirror, grabbing his phone and swinging open his door to head down the stairs.

He shoved Kaito along with his phone in his pocket and paused for a moment outside of the door of the dining room.

He took a deep breath and gathered the energy for his facade. Turning the corner into the room, he loudly made his presence known.

"Good morning, everyone! It's rather beautiful outside, isn't it? Fit for a star and his comrades! " He exclaimed rather loudly, walking up to the dining table.

The people sitting inside were the normal dinner group, but for breakfast time he guessed.

Rui, Nene, Emu, Toya, Honami, Shiho, Saki, Ichika, and finally, mother and father.

Mrs. Tenma was speaking rather enthusiastically towards Emu, about show ideas he presumed.

Mr. Tenma was speaking with Toya, probably about how his life had been since they last spoke. Mr. Tenma and Toya sadly do not get to see each other as often as Mrs. Tenma and Toya do, despite being rather close.

Tsukasa kissed Emu's head, hugging his arms around her neck for a moment. She stopped talking for a moment and smiled up at him, clearly in a good mood.

Tsukasa then came up behind Nene, hugging her waist from behind. He leaned his head down onto her shoulder and placed a kiss there softly.

Nene let out a bit of a yelp sound, not expecting Tsukasa to be behind her. She laughed a little, before meeting his eyes.

"Morning, idiot. How did you sleep? " She asked, setting her utensils down.

"Excellent, just like a star should! I hope the same of you, my queen." He spoke, letting go of her now to sit down beside her at the table.

"I assumed so, you looked rather comfortable there on Rui's lap when I and your mother walked in" Mr. Tenma budded in, teasing the two.

"Father.. " he said, flushed. Tsukasa looked down at his hands, fidgeting with them.

" Takashi! Stop teasing! " Mrs. Tenma said, hitting Mr. Tenma with a newspaper on the shoulder playfully.

Rui laughed, laughed at the comment Mr. Tenma made, nudging Tsukasa.

"I must agree, you did look rather comfortable all night~"

"Rui! "

The majority of the table started laughing, having fun with the banter.

"Anyway... You're just on time, Tsukasa! Honami just stopped cooking, and Saki and Ichika just set the plates out. I have to say, everything looks excellent. " Mrs. Tenma said, picking up her fork to eat.

"I agree, you are very talented Honami!" Tsukasa said, looking at her. But for whatever reason, she seemed to be avoiding eye contact with him at all costs.

The others nodded along with him, eating their food. Saki leaned over and gave Honami a thank-you hug, before almost devouring her meal.

why does she not get reprimanded by her mother for poor table manners?

Why only h I m...

"Ah, you are all too nice! It's just a regular breakfast dish.. " she replied, turning her eyes to Mrs. Tenma instead.

"Don't be humble, Hona! This cooking almost beats my sisters!! " Emu said, much like Saki she was devouring the meal in front of her.

"Yes, what Emu said- besides the sister part for me I suppose," Mrs. Tenma said, giggling at Emu's antics.

"Besides that, however, I and Sadako planned to take Tsukasa and Saki out to the market for a family outing. Would any of you care to join? " Mr. Tenma asked, looking around the table.

"Sorry, I'm planning to practice later, I have an event I really need to focus on. " Shiho said, almost unhappily.

"I have a similar thing, I got a gig somewhere to perform later, so I have to decline. " Ichika also replied.

"Awh, Ichi, Shi... " Saki whined, giving them puppy dog eyes.

"Saki, if they say they can't make it, they can't make it. Don't guilt trip them.. " Mrs. Tenma said sternly, giving her warning eyes.

"Fine... " Saki said unhappily, going back to eating her breakfast.

"I'm assuming everyone else can make it then? Thats great! We plan to leave around five, five-thirty, so you might want to go home to your houses in the meantime if you'd prefer. " Mr. Tenma said, looking around the table again.

That leaves enough time to visit Sekai...

Tsukasa thought, finishing his food rather quickly

"Mother, Father, may I be excused? I'd like to go get ready now. " Tsukasa said suddenly, looking at them with a huge smile.

"Eh, but you have a good five hours, my boy... " Mr. Tenma questioned, looking at Tsukasa with a confused expression.

"Aha! You see father, I plan to look the best out of all of us tonight! So I must have all the time to prepare if you'd allow it! "

"Haha, I'm excited to see how you look later, dear! You are excused from the table, make sure you do indeed look the best! " Mrs. Tenma said, laughing along with Mr. Tenma.

"So am I! I bet you'll look so pretty, Kasa! See you later! " Emu stood up and hugged him, and Tsukasa kissed her on the forehead again.

"Thank you for your words, Emu! I will not disappoint! " Tsukasa said to her, then walking over to Rui.

Tsukasa kissed Rui quickly, squeezing his hand as if to say "Good luck heading home" and did the same to Nene, ruffling her hair as well.

"I'll clean the dishes, you all go get ready. " Shiho said, standing and taking some of the plates.

"Allow me to help you, Shi," Ichika said, going around and collecting the other plates.

"You girls are too kind, really! I'll be there in a moment to help. " Mrs. Tenma said, standing up as well.

As soon as the room cleared out and he said his goodbyes, Tsukasa almost ran up the staircase into his room. He took his phone out of his pocket and placed it on the dresser, waiting for the hologram of the virtual singer to appear.

As if on queue, Kaito appeared before him in his hologram form.

"What an amazing excuse. Ready to go? They are waiting. " He said, looking towards Tsukasa.

"I guess. What song do I hit? " He asked, his facade falling back when he left the room.

"Composing the future. Could you hurry, she's getting impatient. " Kaito replied, clearly bored.

"You act as if I care about how she feels. " Tsukasa said back, before hitting the button to start.

Tsukasa opened his eyes, to a broken-down building. There was a curtain for entrance, and there was a sort of black guck dripping out of the entrance.

Standing in front of the building, was Kanade and another girl with purple hair speaking to her.

He approached them slowly and quietly until Kanade noticed him.

"Ah, Tsukasa. You came. " she started, smiling at him.

She must have noticed him looking at the girl because she quickly introduced them to him.

"Oh! This is Mafuyu, the person I wanted you to meet. Mafuyu, this is Tsukasa. They guy from yesterday."

Mafuyu and Tsukasa both just stared at each other for a long while, almost like inspecting each other.

Tsukasa took note of her eyes, and his they did indeed look much like his own brightness-wise. Her hair was in a tight ponytail, which must have been uncomfortable.

She was wearing a school uniform, which was rather odd for it being a Saturday. She was also rather pretty, he thought. Wondering if she had a partner of her own like Tsukasa had his.

No one spoke a word for a good minute before Kanade took it upon herself to break the silence.

"... Well! Would you like to go in to chat with Tsukasa, and may we follow you? " she asked, motioning at the building.

"Sure... But why are you asking my permission.? " he asked, confused.

"Well, fragments are a rather private place I suppose. They belong to someone's feelings like this one belongs to yours. I'd feel rude walking into your privacy without permission. "

".... My fragment? " would Tsukasa have a place of his own in this Empty Sekai? A place made out of feelings.. but what feelings would that be?

Tsukasa thought for a moment about what could be inside before a voice from above sounded.

"Ugh, finally you're here! Things can finally get interesting.. " they said, walking into the light atop the building.

".. Kaito? " Mafuyu questioned, moving closer to the building. Kanade looked so but was shocked, looking back and forth between Kaito and Tsukasa.

"That's my name. So, are you gonna stand there gaping at my presence for hours or would you finally like to see the inside? " he questioned, hoping down off the roof gracefully.

"Let's go. " Tsukasa said, swiftly walking towards the entrance. Mafuyu followed behind, grabbing  Kanade's hand to bring her along.

Kaito grabbed the edge of the curtains, ready to open them.

He opened the curtains and stepped aside, smiling a devious smile.

Tsukasa walked in confidently, Mafuyu and Kanade following.

He stepped inside last, letting the curtain close slowly.

"Well then, let the fun begin~"