Chapter 88 Rise and Fight
Tsukasa's POV

I arrived in Sekai after Kaito had asked me to…but it did not look as it did before.

It wasn't as colorful; it wasn't as lively; and…the tent had completely collapsed on top of the stage.

As I was looking around in dismay…I heard a familiar voice call out my name.

"Tsukasa-Kun!"

After this, Miku suddenly tackled me into a hug.

"I'm so glad that you're here, Tsukasa-Kun", she exclaimed.

"Miku, what happened to Sekai", I asked.

Then, Kaito walked up to us.

"This Sekai was created from your true feelings, Tsukasa", Kaito reminded me. "The reason why it is in this state, is because your feelings are currently in great turmoil."

After Kaito did this, I looked down sadly.

When I did…I noticed that the plushies had gathered around something.

I walked up to them to see what it was…my heart stopped in my chest when I did.

Saki's bunny plushie surrounded by flowers as she laid on the ground, lifeless.

I got on my knees besides her. Then, I slowly picked her up…but she didn't move at all.

"Hey", I started. "Wake up. Wake up. Please wake up!"

With this, I shook the bunny plushie in frustration, but she still didn't move.

Kaito then ran up to me before putting his hands on my shoulders.

"That's enough", he exclaimed. "Please stop, Tsukasa!"

With this, I stopped shaking the bunny plushie. Then…tears started falling from my eyes, and I held it close to me.

A moment later…I felt Miku wrap her arms around me from behind.

"I'm so sorry, Tsukasa", she said.

We then stayed like that for a moment, before suddenly…my phone started ringing.

I took it out of my pocket, looked at the caller ID, and then answered the call.

"Sakurako", I said weakly.

"Tsukasa", Sakurako started in concern, having picked up that I was crying. "Are you okay?"

"No", I replied. "Why did you call?"

"I…", Sakurako started. "I wanted to ask you to meet me at the Phoenix Stage, but if now isn't a good time…"

"I'll come", I interrupted.

"You…will", Sakurako asked in shock. "Are you sure?"

"I'll see you in a bit."

…

I had arrived at the Phoenix Stage, where I found Sakurako waiting for me.

"Tsukasa", she said when she saw me.

Then, she ran up to me before giving me a hug.

"How are you feeling", she asked as she pulled away from me slightly.

"I…", I started. "Not okay."

After I said this, Sakurako looked at me worryingly.

"Why did you ask me to come here", I asked.

"I…", Sakurako started. "I don't think I should ask you anymore."

"Please tell me what it is, Sakurako", I pleaded.

"Okay", Sakurako said. "Your understudy for Oni Warriors isn't feeling well, and there isn't anybody else to play your part. I was going to ask you to perform in the show tonight, but it seems like you're still in a bad place right now."

After Sakurako said this, I began thinking.

(Because I was in that show…I wasn't able to be with Saki in her final moments. But…)

As I was thinking…I looked up at Sakurako.

(Sakurako has put so much work into this show. She wouldn't have asked me this unless there really wasn't any other option."

"Okay", I said suddenly. "I'll perform in the show tonight."

"What", Sakurako exclaimed in shock. "Tsukasa, are you sure?"

"No", I replied. "But…"

Before I continued to speak, I grabbed onto Sakurako's hands.

"You are my dear friend, Sakurako", I said. "And I know how much work you have put into this show. So, let me do this for you."

After I said this, Sakurako looked at me in shock…before smiling at me.

"Thank you so much, Tsukasa."

That Night

I was getting ready for the show backstage.

When I told Emu and Nene that I would be performing in the show, they decided to perform with me.

"Tsukasa", Nene started. "Are you sure about this?"

"No", I replied. "But even so, I'll try my best for Sakurako's sake."

After I said this, Emu and Nene looked at each other…because nodding.

"Then we'll do our best too", Emu exclaimed.

"Right", Nene agreed. "We're here for you, Tsukasa."

"Thank you", I said, before standing up. "Lets hope this goes well."

…

The show was now its climax, which was the big final battle between the blue and red oni factions.

Currently, my character laid on the ground badly injured, and Sakurako's character rushed to his side.

"Aoi", she cried out she shook me. "Aoi! Stand up! Please stand up!"

After Sakurako yelled this…one of the red oni come rushing towards us.

After giving me one last look, she suddenly stood up, and was struck instead.

She then began falling to the ground, but I quickly caught her before she did.

"Ren", I yelled. "Wake up! Wake up! Please wake up!"

As I yelled this while shaking Sakurako…memories of the bunny plushie began flooding my mind.

My character was now supposed to block the attack of the red oni who struck down Ren, but instead…I was frozen.

"Um…", the actor started, trying in improvise. "Look at that! Is the mighty blue oni Aoi unable to fight?"

Despite The actor trying to move the scene along, but I still couldn't move.

Then, I heard the voice I was longing to hear so much.

"You can do this, Onii-Chan!"

After I heard this…I looked into the audience.

When I did…I saw Saki. Her eyes were lit up with excitement, and she was smiling widely. Seeing reminded me of that fateful night when we were children.

(After I saw that show, I decided to become a star so I could make people smile, just like Saki was smiling that night.)

After I thought this, I looked at Saki once more. She gave me one last smile…before vanishing completely.

When she did, I felt as I was about to completely break down. But then…I noticed other familiar faces in the audience.

Rui, Toya, and Ichika were all looking at me, and they had looks of encouragement on their faces.

After I saw them, I felt Sakurako put her hand on my cheek, so I turned my head to look down at her.

"Rise and fight, Aoi", she said. "You can do it."

This line wasn't scripted, which meant that Sakurako was actually saying this to me.

After she did, things went even more off script when Emu and Nene walked up to me, which they were not supposed to.

"Aoi", Nene started. "Are you going to stay there and let the red oni win?"

"Yeah", Emu agreed. "I've waited years to fight you, so don't you dare give up now!"

After Emu said this, she pulled out her sword.

"Come on", she said as she got into a fighting stance. "Rise and fight!"

When I saw all the encouragement of my loved ones…I could feel newfound determination growing within me.

Slowly…I stood up, took out my sword, and pointed it at Emu.

"I am Aoi, the protector of Ren, and I shall fight to obtain the peace she has fought so hard to obtain!"

After I said this…Emu smiled as tears stared forming in her eyes.

"There's the Aoi I know", she said. "Let's do this!"

With this, Emu and I began acting out an improvised fight sequence. As we did…thoughts raced through my mind.

(I am Tenma Tsukasa, the world's future number one star! I will continue to make people smile! In fact, I will shine so bright…Saki will be able to see me in heaven!)