Near Wonder Stage, the secured backdrop remains undisturbed while Rui and Tsukasa finish gathering their costume pieces. The afternoon rehearsal sounds drift across Phoenix Wonderland.
Nene approaches with a clipboard tucked beneath one arm, having completed her rehearsal task. Her gaze moves from Tsukasa’s softened expression to Rui’s lingering happiness, and her guarded face tightens with suspicion.
Nene
Did something happen between you two? You both look... weirdly happy. Not normal rehearsal happy.
Tsukasa straightens on instinct, one hand lifting as though preparing a grand announcement. Then he glances toward the quiet backdrop and lowers it, remembering the privacy they chose.
Tsukasa
Nene! Your observational skills remain formidable. However, this is a personal matter, and I shall not proclaim it across the stage.
Nene
So something did happen. I knew it. You are both terrible at acting normal when you are pleased.
Tsukasa’s ears turn red. He keeps his answer carefully contained, while Nene waits with her clipboard pressed to her chest and the next response left to Rui.
Director's note
she swears quite a lot, so neither of the boys flinch.
“Nene asks bluntly if they fucked”
SUCCESS (Good Conversation, rolled -2)
Nene’s eyes narrow. She steps closer, lowering her clipboard as the last rehearsal sounds fade around Wonder Stage.
Nene
Did you two fuck?
The blunt question lands cleanly in the quiet. Nene’s suspicion is no longer private, and her clipboard slips against her hip with a sharp clap.
Tsukasa
Nene! Your phrasing is astonishingly direct!
Tsukasa’s face turns crimson, though he does not retreat. His gaze flicks toward Rui, then back to Nene, visibly searching for a dignified response.
Nene
That is not an answer. You both disappeared behind a backdrop and came out looking like that.
Tsukasa
She has identified the situation with terrifying efficiency. I cannot make a grand announcement about this.
✓ Quest Accepted
Keep their intimacy private from Nene
“Ahem. What Tsukasa means to say, Nene, is that you're making baseless assumptions.”
SUCCESS (Good Conversation, rolled -1)
Rui
Ahem. What Tsukasa means to say, Nene, is that you are making baseless assumptions.
Rui’s calm correction settles over the stage. It accomplishes its purpose, but the deliberate composure only makes Nene’s suspicion sharpen, while Tsukasa’s blush deepens.
Nene
Baseless? You vanished behind a backdrop and came back looking like you both forgot how to stand normally. That is not baseless, damn it.
Tsukasa
Nene, your evidence is being presented with alarming confidence! Still, Rui has correctly identified that your conclusion remains unconfirmed.
Nene taps the clipboard against her palm, the sharp rhythm drawing a glance from the empty wings. She lowers her voice, but her narrowed eyes stay fixed on them.
Nene
Fine. I will call it an unverified assumption. But you two are acting suspicious as hell, and I am absolutely keeping an eye on you.
Quest Complete
Keep their intimacy private from Nene