Ruiemu

"In my opinion, Emu-kun's at her best whenever she's one with her emotions... But at times she'll show hints of absolute brilliance in terms of actively trying to make someone smile or laugh. Some may call that childish, but I believe it's one of her best qualities."

- Rui's thoughts about Emu in "Rainbow☆Cast" first side story

Ruiemu is the het ship between Rui Kamishiro and Emu Ootori from the Project SEKAI fandom.

Canon
Rui and Emu are both members of Wonderlands x Showtime. Often times, Emu tends to visit Kamiyama High to see Rui, Tsukasa and Nene. While Tsukasa and Nene are the two most responsible members of the group, this implies that both Rui and Emu are the least responsible of the unit. The two are able to understand each other, being able to communicate in over-the-top ways while Tsukasa and Nene cannot understand them. The two are very fond of each other, seeing that Rui first thinks Emu is "bizarrely wonderful", while Emu first thinks that he is fun and very cool. In an update to their relationship status, Rui now sees Emu as a "wonderful dreamer", and Emu is excited to see what kind of shows he will have her do in the future.

They tend to encourage each other, as Rui supported Emu's goal of restoring the Wonder Stage to its former glory, while Emu is ready and willing to do any type of stage show that Rui may come up with. Emu is often fascinated by Rui's ideas. Rui often asks Emu for ideas, such as naming things and playing music. Rui is usually the first to offer to do things for Emu that she wants to try, or finds fascinating; such as when, in an area conversation post-Smile of Dreamer event, Emu comes to Rui about a dream she has in which "the Wonder Stage turned into a field of flowers!". Rui then suggests they turn it into a reality, "if you wish". This excites Emu, as Rui is always willing to do the things she asks of him.

Main Story
The two first encounter each other near the end of Chapter 4 of the main story. Emu notices that there were a bunch of robots, with Tsukasa saying that she's saying bizarre things again, then he finally notices the robots. In chapter 5, Emu's amazed by how many little robots were surrounding Rui. Both Tsukasa and Emu are blown away (not literally) by how the drones would work, Emu pointing out that one of the drones had started to fly. Rui continues to act out, stating how the alchemist thought that he wanted to do a performance that also wowed the audience, Emu agreeing with how the alchemist feels. The show suddenly gets interrupted by a security guard yelling, Emu being surprised. The security guard talks about how Rui does shows without permission, Emu being excited and wondering when he's doing a show next time so she can see the rest of the story.

In episode 6, Rui is brought to the Wonder Stage. Emu is amazed how it was the same person who did the same show the previous day, Emu greeting him with a wonderhoy. Rui is impressed by the Wonder Stage, noting how it is old but still well-maintained. Rui notes how Emu was the girl Tsukasa talked about, saying it was a pleasure to meet her. Emu is filled with energy, immediately asking Rui when he was going to do a show and finish off the story from the previous day. He promises Emu that he would resume the show again someday for sure. She asks again to reassure, Rui saying that he definitely will. Emu introduces herself and Rui is surprised that her last name is Ootori. Emu tells Rui that she wanted to use the "whatchamacallit" that flies through the air in their show, Rui agreeing that she may use the drone for the show. She asks if Rui can make the drone fly like "swish swish" to which Rui is fascinated that Emu wants to make it fly like a shooting star and notes that it would be interesting. Emu asks if it would be fun to fly like "flah flah" and Rui brings up how she meant how a blue admiral flies and notes how the movements were quite artistic.

In episode 7, Tsukasa doubts that Nenerobo can do any performance at all. Rui suggests that they show off the dance movements, functions and techniques, asking Emu to turn on some music with her happily agreeing. In episode 8, the group is attempting to come up with a name. Rui asks Emu to come up with a name for the unit since he believes that the name that Tsukasa had come up with was "lame". Emu suggests the name "Sunshine World's Sunny-Sunny Power" and "Flower Garden's World Bloomy-Bloom". Rui suggests that they use the feeling of a wonderland being any kind of world and a show that makes people smile to come up with a name and asks if Emu would like to create a name that reflects that feeling. Nene suggests the name "Wonderlands Showtime", Emu writing down Wonderlands x Showtime. Rui likes the name, stating that intuition was important.

In episode 9, Rui states that he wants to drop a thunderbolt. Emu thinks that the idea is so cool and Rui agrees.

Smile of Dreamer
Emu's first focus event story, featuring Rui and Nene as matching 4☆ cards; this marks the first event in which Rui and Emu are together as featured focuses.

The Smile of Dreamer event story introduces members of Emu's family, who are Phoenix Wonderland park-runners planning to dismantle old rides and attractions in order to use corporate franchise characters to attract more customers. This deeply distresses Emu, as she does not want to lose the park that makes so many people smile, young and old. However, Emu hides this from her fellow troupemates, not wanting to bother them with negativity and assuming she must keep smiling for the sake of others' happiness. The characters begin to take notice of her change in atmosphere, wondering together what they should do, when in Chapter 3, they overhear a group of people yelling not far from the Wonder Stage. Upon arriving at the scene, it is revealed that Emu had gotten into a quarrel with her two older brothers, Keisuke and Shosuke. Shosuke begins to berate Emu in front of her troupemates, explaining that she holds the siblings back with her childish dreams, and that the members of Wonderlands x Showtime should not be involved with her for their own good.

Hearing this, Tsukasa and Nene begin to step in to defend Emu; Rui stops them at first, warning them that they may lose their jobs if they were to talk back to their employers. It is not until Shosuke tells Emu to leave them alone and stop interfering with their work with her childish dreams, and that if she wants to dream, she should do so alone, that Rui finally steps in to defend her, immediately going against what he had told Tsukasa and Nene. Rui tells Shosuke that he can see that he is not the type to have dreams himself, perhaps even long abandoning them; and that he could never hope to compare to someone like Emu, who has many ambitions and dreams in comparison. Rui explains that she is the type of person to continue chasing a dream, even if it is long thought hopeless and futile by everyone else around her. He demands the brothers to stop berating Emu, to which Emu begins to worriedly reassure him that she is fine and that he shouldn't worry about her.

This altercation causes Rui to switch his Japanese pronoun of choice, from a basic, neutral boku, to a much more defiant and confident ore.

Later within the story, after the members of Wonderlands x Showtime discuss how they could possibly get through to Emu, it is Rui who suggests they lure her to the ferris wheel with one of his drones. Thinking she is alone, Emu begins to lament to herself, saying out loud, "Everyone, forever, I wish for them to be smiling..." Rui then uses the speaker to reassure her worries, telling her, "Worry not. For as long as Emu-kun is with us, everyone will be full of smiles."

Within the ferris wheel, the group finally confronts Emu about her worries. Rui explains that they've received so much from her, and that, "sometimes, it would be nice if we could return the favor, as well."

Rui's Smile of Dreamer 4☆ card The Fire Within story is set immediately after the altercation within Chapter 3 of the event. The troupe members each return home, however Rui lies to the rest of them, saying that he has forgotten something at the Wonder Stage and must retrieve it himself. Upon arriving, it is there that he confronts Emu's mascot bodyguard (Kigurumi-san), demanding he tell him why Emu was in such a heated quarrel with her brothers. Rui explains to him that Emu is the one who gave him his family, and the Wonder Stage, and that he must know what has caused her to lose her smile. Kigurumi-san rejects his request for information, stating that if he goes against his employers, he will be fired, and Emu will lose yet another person by her side that supports her. Rui is forced to accept it, and agrees, but asks Kigurumi-san to give him any information he may have in the future, so long as it does not go against Emu's wishes.

Quotes
"I was only speaking my mind as someone who has also been chasing dreams. Indeed, believing in a dream can be a rather perilous endeavor. But worry not, your younger sister is excellent in that respect. She is able to believe in something that all others have long since given up on... Which is why... You will stop insulting my friends like this."

- Rui in Smile of a Dreamer Chapter 3 - Even If Thats "Ideal"

"Rui-kun, Happy Birthday~! I've had some sweets prepared for your birthday party, so look forward to them, okay!"

- Emu's Line for Rui's Birthday (2022)

"Emu-kun, Happy Birthday! As requested, I've prepared a celebratory cannon for your birthday. Fufufu, do look forward to everything we've prepared today."

- Rui's Line for Emu's Birthday (2022)

Fanon
EmuRui is normally shipped alongisde Nenekasa. However, some fans like to ship all of the ships in one polyamorous relationship, Polyshow. While Ruiemu is often overshadowed by RuiKasa, Emukasa, Ruinene and Emunene, Rui and Emu's most popular ships respectively, the ship has a fair amount of dedicated fans in both the Japanese-speaking, and English-speaking fanbases. EmuRui is currently both Emu's 2nd most written and Rui's 3rd most written ship on AO3.

The two are often depicted to be doing something over the top or chaotic in fan content, due to how they are portrayed in canon; alternatively, they can also often be seen depicted with more romantic clichés, with Rui acting very princely or knightly towards Emu (and in some instances, Emu can be seen acting as the prince or knight), or even protective of her due to how he canonically reacts to Emu being in distress in their respective event stories. Using fairytale-like tropes in fan content is common among fans of the ship. Some fans like to imagine the two as simply platonic friends, or even as siblings.

An Emurui Week was held from February 28-March 7, 2022 under the. The prompts were "hydrangeas, promises, dreams" for the first day, "asters, candy, chaotic duo" for the second day, "tulips, balloons, firsts" for the third day, "roses, dancing, clothes" for the fourth day, "peonies, protection, tears" for the fifth day, "sunflowers, sunsets, handholding" for the sixth day, and "free day, AU slot" for the seventh and final day.

The second consecutive EmuRui Week was held from February 28-March 7, 2023. The prompts were "fireworks, circus" for the first day, "space, together" for the second day, "summer, pining" for the third day, "clouds, confessions" for the fourth day, "time, love" for the fifth day, "stars, precious" for the fifth day, and "free day, AU slot" for the sixth and final day.

Fandom
FAN FICTION

FAN ART

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Trivia

 * Their ship is referred to with the "🍬🎈" emojis.
 * Their Kizuna Rank titles are: "Brimming with Curiosity", "Neutral About Taiyaki" and "Fantastical Ideas".
 * Emu is the shortest character in the game (152 cm) while Rui is the tallest character in the game (180 cm).
 * They currently have one duet Alt Vocal together for "88☆彡".
 * Emu's first focus event, "Smile of a Dreamer," marks the first and currently only instance in which Rui has switched his personal pronouns from "boku" to "ore." He does so when defending Emu and her dreams when her brothers insult her in Chapter 3.
 * While "boku" is typically seen as a neutral pronoun, commonly used by boys, "ore" is seen as arrogant and overly-confident. It is typically seen as incredibly disrespectful to use when talking to people above you in status, such as a boss/employer or principal.