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Introduce yourselves.
“Okay, hi I’m Nanami Ryusui!” The blonde smiles brightly at the camera.
“And I’m Shishio Tsukasa and I’m being forced to do this against my will. I heard we’re getting paid though so I guess it’s fine.”
This is all voluntary
“What?!” The brunette shouts before staring down Ryusui.
“Sorry!” Ryusui clasps his hands together. “I knew you wouldn't come if there wasn’t a good reason. I’ll pay you later to make up for it!”
“I don’t want your money.” He dismisses.
“Right, how could I forget. I mean that’s how it was back then too wasn’t it?”
“Um.. should we get started?” An intern from the side said.
“Yes, let’s go! If I have it my way then hopefully Tsukasa gets drunk enough to profess his love for me saying he shouldn’t have let me go.”
“…I think Ryusui is already drunk.”
How long have you been broken up?
Tsukasa glances at Ryusui before answering. “About two years and some months, I don’t know the exact time.”
“Two years, three months, and 17 days,” Ryusui says.
“Yeah… that.” Tsukasa laughs.
“Don’t do that, I only know because I remember the date and can do the math in my head.” Ryusui rolls his eyes at Tsukasa’s lingering smile.
“Quick math seems to run in the family then.”
“Sai would be embarrassed if my math skills were being compared to his right now.” Ryusui chuckles and turns to the camera. “My brother is a mathematician and a professor at uni. He’s like a million times better than me though.”
How long were you two together?
“Well we’ve sort of known each other for five years but not that well. Our best friends had a crush on one another for the longest time and kept dancing around each other. Once they officially got together we hung out more often, so I’d say about three years.” Ryusui taps his chin.
“He’s pretending to not know the exact date because he was embarrassed by the last question.”
“Fine! But it would feel nice if you could remember something important like that for a change.”
“Two years, 11 months, and 14 days.”
Ryusui gapes. “Oh. I guess you do remember.”
“And I guess you don’t because it was actually 15 days. I wanted to see if you’d catch that.”
“Asshole.”
Was the breakup mutual
Tsukasa spoke first. “Yeah, we both agreed it was for the best.”
“Ehhh.”
Tsukasa quickly turns his head. “What?”
“It wasn’t really mutual for me, I just wanted you to be happy.”
“Oh… you should’ve told me that.”
“Why? Would it have changed anything?”
“Uh… next question,” Tsukasa says before pouring himself a shot and drinking it.
What did your family and friends think of him?
“Sai loves you for some reason. He was really mad at me when we broke up.”
“Really? I figured he’d hate me.”
“He asked if we were getting back together almost every week for six months after we broke up.”
“During the boat trips?” Tsukasa asks.
“During the boat trips…” Ryusui repeated.
“God that must have been awful.”
“It was, it made the process of getting over you much harder.” Ryusui cringed.
“At least it’s over now.”
“Mhm… also Gen liked you which is obvious since he was the one who set us up after all. He was a bit disappointed when we broke up though.”
“Understandable.” Tsukasa responds. “Mirai loves you which is not surprising, Senku on the other hand does not.”
“I know he hates me. He makes it very clear when I see him with Gen. Not to air out their business or anything but my best friend Gen is dating his best friend Senku so they basically were the ones who got us together.”
Tsukasa laughs. “Yeah, although I really just think they were tired of us being third wheels and thought it’d be a good idea if we just hung out.”
“I agree, never leave those two alone on your couch by the way, you will be a victim of watching two people use pet names and be hopelessly in love. It’s disgusting.” Ryusui folds his arms
“He’s putting up a front, he loves love.” Tsukasa says to the camera.
“I loved ours.”
“Me too.”
“Oh okay I guess I’m asking the question now.” Ryusui looks down at the stack of cards that the cameraman gestured to. “Out of all the lovers, where do I rank on the list?”
“First.” He replied immediately.
Ryusui’s eyes widened. “You probably shouldn’t say that.”
“Why?”
“Well aren’t you dating H yoga right now?”
“Oh… no but, can we delete this scene?”
“We’ll bleep out their name.”
“Yeah but I don’t really want the watchers of this video to think I’m in a relationship yet ranking Ryusui first on the list.”
“I don’t think they’ll blame you. I mean, look at me.” Ryusui smiles wickedly causing Tsukasa to roll his eyes.
When did you know it was over?
“You should probably be the one answering this.” Ryusui says, looking up at Tsukasa.
“Why me?”
“Well you’re the one who ended it, if I were to answer it truthfully then I knew it was over when you said it was.”
“We just wanted different things in life.”
“You wanted different things, I just wanted to help you.”
“Leaving to travel the world was you helping me?”
“You know that's not what I meant. Plus I asked you to come with me.”
“I couldn’t risk leaving my sister with all she was going through.”
“I would have paid for every operatio-”
“I didn’t want your money Ryusui I wanted you!”
…
“To be there…” He coughed awkwardly. “ I wanted you to be there for me.”
Ryusui sighs. “I would’ve been if you had just talked to me. You always kept things to yourself.”
“I didn’t want to bother you.”
“You never would have bothered me, Tsukasa. When you’re in love, stuff like that doesn’t really matter.”
“I’ll keep that in mind…”
Ryusui laughed. “You’re future husband better give me props for maturing you all up.”
“Yeah yeah whatever.” Tsukasa scoffed but found himself smiling too. “Can we go to the next question?”
Who was the first person you hooked up with after things were over?
“I’m dying to hear the answer to this one, resident playboy.” Tsukasa laughed wryly which earned him a punch to the arm.
“Hey I lost that title after dating you y’know!” Ryusui yells, sitting upright. “And unfortunately you’re not getting whatever answer you were hoping for.” He says before picking up the shot glass and pouring the alcohol down his throat.
“This means it was someone I know.” Tsukasa says to the camera.
“Believe what you want,” Ryusui says, not looking at Tsukasa. “What about you, who was it?”
“You should know, H yoga .”
“Ah yes, of course. Is he better in bed than me?” Ryusui asks and chuckles at the way the other man reacted. He looks like he is about to fall out of his seat.
“And if I said yes?” Tsukasa quickly regains his composure which doesn’t do anything because Ryusui laughs like he just told him something unbelievable.
“Then I wouldn’t believe you.”
“Why? Jealous?”
“As if,” He sneered. “More like I can easily tell when you’re lying. You were never good at it.”
“Nothing gets past you as always.”
“As always.” He repeats. “But it’s good to know you’ve only been with one person since then.” Ryusui says before leaning back into the couch.
“Why is that good to know?” Tsukasa asks with a smirk and Ryusui takes another shot.
“Was I a better lover than who you are currently with?” Ryusui laughs awkwardly. “These questions are a little…” he trails off.
“Provocative.” Tsukasa finishes for him. “I feel like I’m being set up.”
“You still know how to read my mind.” Ryusui beams. “You don’t have to answer by the way, I won’t make you drink for it either.”
“Is that implying that you think you’re better than my current “boyfriend?”” He asks with figure quotations.
“The opposite actually… I just really don’t wanna hear you say no.”
“Oh.” Tsukasa pours himself a drink.
If you could erase every thought of the other, would you?
“I’d say no.” Ryusui spoke first. “There were definitely more good things than bad.”
“There was barely any bad in my opinion.”
“Just enough for us to break up though.”
“Ryusui…”
“Sorry, sorry. I’m tipsy okay. Blame my lack of filter on the alcohol.”
What are the little things that he’d do that annoyed you.
“Oo! I have the perfect one. So Tsukasa here is such a loud snorer but only when he was really really exhausted so everytime after work or sex I just knew I wasn’t getting any sleep because of his bear snores.”
“Oh my God Ryusui, TMI.”
“What? It’s true, I got used to it after a while though but it was definitely hard the first 6 months of our relationship.”
“For me it was when you would send those huge bouquets to my job. It was more embarrassing than annoying though.”
“Gifts are my love language, what can I say?”
Is there anything you want to apologize for?
“I’m sorry for not being there for you when you needed it most.”
“It’s fine, I forgave you a long time ago.”
“Not long enough to see me off apparently.”
“You left two weeks after we broke up, it was still fresh. Can you really blame me?”
“I don’t, I just really wanted to see you.” Ryusui admits, eyes piercing straight through Tsukasa’s.
“I wanted to see you too, but I didn’t want to say goodbye.”
“I get it.” Ryusui shrugs. “You probably saved me a lot of embarrassment by asking you to take me back anyway.” He says. “But uh— forget about that, how about you? Is there anything you’d like to apologize for? I don’t know what for though, you never did anything wrong in our relationship.”
“Neither did you.”
“Well that can’t be right, since we’re not together anymore.”
“Right.” Silence chills through the air once more. “But I’m sorry.”
“For?”
“For not telling you goodbye, that’s the one thing I would’ve changed.”
“That’s reassuring.”
“And I would’ve by the way.” Tsukasa mumbles.
“Would’ve what?”
“Took you back if you asked.”
“Oh... Would you do it if I asked now?”
“Do you really wanna know the answer?”
“...No.”
They both take a shot.
“Okay this question is for you.” Finally. Tsukasa says as he flips over the card. “Do you think I’d make a good husband?”
“Absolutely.” Ryusui answers right away. “I thought you’d be mine after all, and I don’t have bad taste.”
“Pfft.” Tsukasa stifles a laugh.
“What are you trying to say?” Ryusui quickly turns his head to glare at him.
“Gen used to tell me before I came along that your taste in partners was awful.”
“I never had a serious partner before you, so his statement is empty anyway. What’s the next question?”
“It’s a continuation of the last. Why would I make a good husband?”
“They seriously want me to stroke your ego today huh? He may not look like it but he’s insanely prideful, this is definitely going to his head.” Ryusui tells the man from behind the camera while Tsukasa shrugs and smiles at him, not denying anything of what he said.
“I guess they do.” His grin grows.
“You’d make a good husband because you care so, so much about others. When you love, you love big which will make any partner of yours feel like they’re on cloud nine. You’re also a good cook which is always a plus. Francois loved that. You’re very caring of others and put them before yourself and it’s sweet.”
How in-depth
“Shut up! Y’all were the ones who asked me this question.” Ryusui’s face went red. “What about me?” He turns from the camera to Tsukasa. “Would I make a good husband?”
“I’m pretty sure only you were supposed to answer that question.” Tsukasa scratched his head.
“Well I wanna know anyway, so drink up or tell me pretty boy.” Ryusui smirked.
“Ugh fine. Then yes, I think so. You’ve matured a lot since we’ve met, in a good way of course. I think anyone would be lucky to marry you.”
“Awww Tsukasa you’re gonna make me blush.”
“Do you still love me?” Jesus Christ, what a question Ryusui thought.
“Of course. I never stopped loving you.” Tsukasa says, which shocks the other man. “Do you love me?”
Ryusui gives him a quick, sad smile. “You already know the answer.”
Would you take him back right now?
“Ugh I thought we avoided this question.” Ryusui whined.
“I guess the audience wants an answer.”
“The audience is nonexistent other than the staff. This video isn’t even posted yet!”
“We can answer at the same time if it makes you more comfortable.” Tsukasa reassures.
“Listen buddy I know what my answer is, I’m just trying to stall this question for you.”
“Let’s answer on three.” Tsukasa prompts, ignoring the other man’s hesitation.
“Kasa I swear to God.”
“One…” He starts.
“I don’t like this.”
“Two…”
“Maybe we should just back out now? I really don’t wanna be rejected in front of all these people.”
“Three.”
“Yes.” Ryusui answers
“In a heartbeat.” Tsukasa says at the same time.
Ryusui doesn’t say anything but looks up to see Tsukasa’s stare, silently observing him.
“Are you serio—”
And that’s all folks!
“Is that seriously how you’re gonna wrap it up? What is this, looney tunes?” Tsukasa says boredly.
“Wait! That question?” Ryusui looked at the producers. “And your answer?” He looked and pointed to Tsukasa. “We can’t just stop here, I have more questions.”
I don’t know if you’ve noticed but you have the right to free speech, maybe just not during my lunch break.
And that was the last thing they heard before having to leave. Ryusui rushed out the building first, not turning around to Tsukasa yelling for him.
Ryusui finally arrived to his car.
Deep breath in… deep breath out.
He never should have dragged Tsukasa to do this stupid video. He thought it’d be fun. He thought he was ready, but all sense of control left his head as soon as he saw him walk through the door.
It wasn’t like he and Tsukasa ended on awful terms or anything. He got the closure he needed years ago, and he even got to the point where he could text him on birthdays and holidays, or be in the same room with him when Senku and Gen had plans that involved all of them.
So why did it all have to go to shit now?
Out of nowhere, a hand grabbed his wrist.
“Can we talk?” Tsukasa says, hand still holding on to Ryusui’s arm before he yanks it away.
“Last time you told me that the conversation ended very badly, so no, we really can’t.”
“Please.” Tsukasa says and Ryusui stops jangling his keys in the car door.
“Three shots, you took three whole shots back there.”
Tsukasa frowns. “So? You took two.”
“For very valid reasons.”
“How do you know mine weren't?”
“I know they were for good reasons, that’s what makes it scarier.”
“If you reveal one answer then I’ll tell you all three of mine. How’s that?”
Ryusui squints his eyes with suspicion. “It’s almost too good of a deal, but I’ll take it, so go.”
“Who did you hook up with after we broke up?”
“I knew it was gonna be this one.” Ryusui shakes his head. “Truthfully?” He looks up at Tsukasa’s curious eyes.
“Truthfully.” Tsukasa repeats.
“Alright then…” He takes a deep breath. “I never slept with anyone after you. I didn’t really want to sleep with anybody else.”
“You— really?” Tsukasa asks in awe.
“Yeah… um, and I thought the reason for not doing it would be pretty obvious but the cats out the bag now so…”
“It’s been more than two years.”
“Okay well you wanted to know!” Ryusui flailed his arms up defensively. “This is exactly why I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Sorry.” Tsukasa chuckles.
“It’s fine.” Ryusui’s face softens and Tsukasa can’t think of the last time he saw him make that expression. “Time for you to tell me your answers.”
“The first one was because if you told me you didn’t want to break up, I probably wouldn’t have done it.” He says, staring straight at Ryusui.
“I doubt that’s true.” He replies, matching his gaze.
“It is, the second one was even though I'm not dating anyone, you would still be better than any current boyfriend.”
“Shit—” Ryusui says painfully. He tries to take a step back but he’s trapped in between Tsukasa and his car. “Fuck.”
“And the last reason was one that you now already know, but it was yes I would take you back at any given moment if you asked, because I’m still in love with you.”
Ryusui gapes at him and slowly shakes his head. “You… the show is over, you don’t have to keep pretending.”
“What makes you think I am?”
“I… I don’t know. I just don’t want to get hurt. I can’t… no I won’t go through that again.”
“I won’t let it happen.” Tsukasa says, searching Ryusui’s face. “I won’t do that to you ever again. I’m better now. And this time I won’t leave, or let you leave, or I won’t leave first let's just say tha—”
He was cut off by the sound of laughter. “You’re such a dork.” Ryusui says with a fond expression and Tsukasa relaxes.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, a huge one.” He finds himself grinning.
“So Nanami Ryusui.” Tsukasa says as he gets on one knee.
There’s a beat of silence, and Ryusui’s gaze flickers down to the man in front of him. “What the fuck?” Ryusui blurts.
“Will you do me the honor and… take me back?” He asks as he pretends to open a box with a wedding ring.
“Aw fuck you! You almost gave me a heart attack!” He giggles and pushes Tsukasa over.
“Is that a yes?” Tsukasa smirks.
“I fucking hate you.”
“I think it’s the opposite.”
“It is.” He rolls his eyes. “And my answer is yes.”
Tsukasa exhales with relief. “That’s great cause I think you ruined any future partners for me. The only one I ever wanted was you and I’m glad I realized before it was too late.”
“That’s probably the most you’ve ever opened up to me at once.”
“Well we’re starting on a brand new slate aren’t we?”
“Yeah.” Ryusui grabs Tsukasa’s face and kisses him. “We are.”