Chapter Text
"Princess. you can't." Sana looks at Tzuyu, her usual stoic face moulding into a soft frown, "It'll be fine Tzu, don't worry too much. And what did I say about calling me princess? We're friends. Right?" She smiles brightly at the younger girl, "Now c'mon help me with this wig."
“Your father will never allow me to visit the palace again." Tzuyu groans, helping the older girl regardless, who mumbles a soft thank you, before adding, "He can't ban the daughter of Taiwan's vice president."
"Maybe," Tzuyu nods in agreement, "but my father will never let me hear the end of it. What if you get recognized and we get swarmed. My security team won't be enough since I only brought Heiwa with me." Tuzyu pouts, making her look even more like a puppy, "Okay okay." Sana taps her cheek affectionately, "Here's what we do..." A mischievous smirk re-appears on Sana's face.
~
"See it worked like a charm." Sana smiles, twirling around, her eyes sparkling as the crowd passes them, no one even giving her a second glance, "Now," she hooks an arm around Tzuyu, who is still anxious about this whole thing, "let's go karaoke? Or maybe ride the train... ooh ooh how about…" Sana was so excited, the most excited Tzuyu's ever seen,
"Why don't we go grab a real meal first before running off? That way we can plan what we can do?"
“Okay yeah, let's do that." Sana nods her head excitedly, "Let’s.. ouch." Someone bumps into Sana, "Gomen-nasai." The person apologises before running off again.
"Wow, did you see that!" Sana points towards the direction the stranger ran off too, "He totally didn't notice!" The princess exclaims excitedly.
"Alright, stop that." Tzuyu, holds Sand, stopping her from jumping up and down, "People are going to start staring at you for being a weirdo instead of being the crown princ… ...mmpphhh." Sana cups Tzuyu's mouth, "And saying it out loud will definitely tip people off." She says with a tight smile on her face.
So this is the famous Shibuya crossing. it seems almost small with all these people walking around. There's so many things that I want to try! I should've made better plans, but then again I didn't think this was going to work.I can't believe a simple wig, glasses, and mask can do so much. it feels like I'm superq..
"Or we can...Sana?" Tzuyy lightly nudges the girl, pulling her out of her own thoughts, "Sorry Tzu, what were you saying?"
"Let's just get some ramen, I feel like if we don't get you out here exploring you might combust." Tzuyu teases, grabbing Sana's hand leading her towards the direction of Ichiran Ramen.
"Oh! Tzutzu what are you doing here?" The two turn their heads and see a short blonde girl in a school uniform waving her hands animatedly over her head.
"I can ask you the same thing, Son Chaeyoung?" Tzuyu raises a brow as said girl runs to them, Sana hiding behind Tzuyu, pulling her cap down lower, "Okay pres, chill out." Chaeyoung chuckles, "Class ended early today.
"Why?"
"Well.." Chaeyoung motions for Tzuyu to come closer, "apparently the princess is gone...so the school's security team's getting called in to help with the search."
"Oh really." Tzuyu acts shocked, but unluckily the younger girl cannot lie too well, "What do you know?” Chaeyoung squints her eyes.
"Nothing.…nothing... I'm just as shocked as you are." Tzuyy puts two hands up, "You're so bad at lying it's sad Trutzu.” The blonde shakes her head, “So, tell me what you know or else I tell everyone that our class president wasn't sick today but playing hooky with.." Chaeyoung finally glances at the girl who was so obviously trying to minimise her presence,
"Uh. I'm sorry but do we know you?" Chaeyoung frowns, looking at Tzuyu.
"Not yet. she's uh.." Tzury stutters.
Oh Tzuyu.. the one time your uprightness bites you would be now. Sana mentally facepalms, "Hi." She speaks up, "I'm Kim Sana.”
"Kim?" Chaeyoung, “From what clan?”
“Uhh..” Sana and Tzuyu make eye contact, “Wait..” Chaeyoung looks at Sana closer, “Where have I…” The girl’s eyes suddenly widened, mouth opening, “You..you..you..” Chaeyoung points at Sana and then at Tzuyu, “Okay, come here.” Tzuyu drags the two away from the crowd, in a more secluded area, “You’re the prin…mmmpppphhhh..” Sana and Tzuyu both cup Chaeyoung’s mouth, “Son Chaeyoung I swear if you tell a soul, she’ll be your enemy.” Tzuyu points at Sana, “And I think making an enemy out of her, should be the last thing on your very ambitious to-do list.”
“I wasn’t..” Chaeyoung puts both hands up in surrender, “But how come you never told us your friends with…well you know..also am I going to go to jail or anything for not gre..”
“Chaeyoung.” Sana speaks up, preventing the girl from rambling again, “First, just treat me like you would with Tzu here please.. and second you wanna join us?”
“Me? Join you?”
“Yes..we’re hanging out.” Sana says.
“This makes me an accessory to the crime doesn’t it?” Chaeyoung looks at the two.
“Might as well have fun doing it.” Tzuyu chuckles, slinging an arm over Chaeyoung’s shoulders, “You got roped in too huh.” Chaeyoung looks up at Tzuyu who nods her head softly.
“Oh c’mon it’ll be fun..and I promise you both no harm would come if we get caught.” Sana winks, before walking back towards the ramen place.
~
The palace was in total chaos with Emperor Minatozaki Ryuusei ready to declare the princess as having been kidnapped.
“How have you not found her yet?” Sana’s father asks, slamming a fist on his desk, “What were her guards doing?! How come there’s no CCTV footage?!”
“Your majesty we’re tryin..”
“The princess has returned!” Someone barges into the office and immediately the emperor dashes out of his office, visibly worried, “Sana…what happened? I thought you were with Tzuyu?” He holds his daughter by the shoulder, “I’m okay oto-san..but..I want to go to school.”
“EH? Nani?!” Everyone spoke altogether, surprised by the sudden statement from the princess.
“Sana..” The emperor sighs, “You already go to school.”
“You know that’s not what I meant..” Sana pouts, “I want to go to school with Tzuyu and Chaeyoung.”
“Who’s Chaeyoung?” The emperor asks, brow raised, “Okay let’s talk in my office..it seems you went on quite the adventure young lady.”
“Hai..” Sana pouts, following her father.
“It’s okay princess..it’ll be fine.” Some of the palace staff whisper encouraging words to the lovely princess who offers them a smile in return.
The emperor’s office is a place only few can enter…and usually those who get called inside for a private audience, family or not, meant that a serious matter was to be discussed. Growing up, Sana never understood why people were so intimidated by the long corridor that led to the single room in the east corridor of the imperial palace. But now, as she follows her father, the anxiousness begins. Sana’s palms begin to sweat and her heart starts to beat faster, but as a princess she’s also been taught how to keep her emotions in check.
“Your majesty..princess.” Hiroshi, the emperor’s right hand man, opens the door for the two, “It’ll be okay..” He whispers to Sana before closing the door behind the girl.
Her father’s office changed, Sana notes. Noticing how more modern the space is, windows open to let natural light inside, her father’s desk is now equipped with dual monitors even though he hates sitting and doing desk work. Photos of the imperial family and traditional art decorate the space. As her eyes scan the office, Sana smiles when she’s something on her father’s bookshelf, “You still have this?” Sana walks towards the drawing she remembers making for parents day when she was 8.
“Of course, you drew it for me, it’s the most valuable piece of art in this room.” Her father smiles, taking the frame from his daughter’s hand, his eyes softening while looking at the image of him, his wife, and daughter smiling happily, “You have a knack for art, just like your Obaa-chan.”
“Hmm.” Sana hums, “Now, tell me.” The emperor puts the frame back on his shelf, “Where did you go and with who?” He guides Sana to the couch in front of his desk, “Shibuya..with Tzuyu and our friend Chaeyoung.” Sana tells her father everything, from sneaking out to wearing a disguise, running into Chaeyoung, and for once feeling like a normal teenager.
“So that’s why you want to go to school..”
“Yes.”
“You know it’ll be a huge security concern..”
“I know..” Sana interrupts, “But I discussed it with Tzu and Chae…Hirai-san’s daughter is my age and she goes to the same school…I can pose as her relative..who would dare try and make an enemy out of the Hirai family?”
“You really want to do this.” The emperor sighs, knowing that his weakness towards his daughter’s wishes will allow her to go with this crazy plan.
“Yes Oto-san..please. I’ve been studying all my life..you know I will do well and if you want you can have my security team go undercover.” Sana pleads, using her ultimate weapon against her father: puppy dog eyes coupled with an adorable pout.
“If your Kaa-san says yes..then..you can go.”
“AHH ARRIIIGATOOOO!” Sana squeals, hugging her father tightly, “Hai…I can never win against you or your mother.” The emperor smiles.
~ ~ ~ ~
“So how was your class?” Tzuyu and Chaeyoung find Sana with Momo heading to the courtyard with their lunches, “It was good..although…a lot of people have been staring.”
“It’s cause you’re literally the first transfer student ever and you have no social media presence..and you also share the same name as the princess.” Chaeyoung lists out, while Momo nods in agreement, “I mean if you don’t mind me asking pri…I mean Sana..” Momo gulps at the glare Sana gave her when she almost slipped, “Why go to school? It’s so mundane.”
“Exactly..it’s mundane.”
“Eh?”
“Growing up the way I did doesn’t mean I get everything..there’s a lot to it..and sometimes I wish I was just a normal girl…”
“I see…” Momo nods, understanding Sana more.
“Well..if that’s the case.” She smiles, “Don’t worry your “cousin” here will introduce you to my friends.”
“Oh no…” Tzuyu shakes her head, “I forget who you hang out with..”
“Hmm?”
“Well..” Chaeyoung begins, “Oi Chaeyoung-ah! Tzu!” An unfamiliar voice is heard calling after the two youngest, “Where are..oh Momo and uhh..”
“Oh Dahyunnie hello..this is my cousin Sana-chan.” Momo smiles at the girl, “Ah hello.” Dahyun bows politely, “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Kim Dahyun.”
“Nice to meet you.” Sana smiles at the girl, while Dahyun scrutinises the girl, “You know you look like her royal highness, except you have blonde hair.” Dahyun chuckles while the others look at each other, chuckling awkwardly, “I’ve been getting that a lot since moving back home from LA.”
“Yeah you look just like her..the resemblance is uncanny..” Dahyun looks closer, “Ah Dahyunnie..aren’t we supposed to have lunch?” Tzuyu speaks up, before Dahyun puts the pieces together, forgetting how incredibly perceptive the girl is, “We always eat together..” Dahyun frowns, “Ohh I hear they have your favourite chocolate today, let’s go grab some. We’ll go ahead!” Chaeyoung drags Dahyun and Tzuyu away.
“That was close.” Sana and Momo both sigh in relief, “I forget how perceptive Dahyun can be….anyways, nice planning on your father’s part of having the media post photos of ‘us’ the same time you were at a banquet.”
-Flashback: 2 months before classes start-
“I called you all here because the princess will start attending Seishun Academy.” Emperor Minatozaki says brightly, while Hirai Kenji the general of the Japanese Imperial Army and the royal family’s head of security nods, finally understanding why his daughter had to attend this meeting, “With that said, I nor does she want to enter the academy as the princess for social as well as obvious security reasons. Sana will pose as your niece moving back home from the States. She’ll hide her identity and change her na.”
“I don’t want to change my name.” Sana interrupts her dad, “Just my last name..I at least want people to know me as Sana.”
“That’ll be too obvious.” The emperor shakes his head, “It could work.” Kenji says, “We just have to stage it right.”
“What do you have in mind?” The father daughter duo look at the general while Momo is still shocked that she’s actually in the emperor’s office with the emperor and the princess?!
~ ~
“I look nothing like you, princess.” Soramame, one of Sana’s guards, mumbles while getting her hair and makeup done to look like Hirai Sana, Momo’s cousin from the states.
“With a mask you do.” Sana assures the girl, “See.” She leans her face next to Soramame, the round eyes, pointed nose, and infectious smile do give somewhat of resemblance, but the guard was still anxious.
The plan was a success to say the least. Photos of the banquet were circulated like normal and with the Hirai family being well known photos of Momo and Soramame at the airport circulated social media.
-End Flashback-
“How are your classes?” Ryuusei asks his daughter while the two are having a rare walk around the palace garden, “It’s fun.” Sana beams, telling her father everything she experienced as Hirai Sana, “Everyone treats me kindly although I know there are a bunch of rumours of me being an illegitimate child and whatnot..it’s quite entertaining.”
“If the rumours get bad tell me and I’ll…”
“Oto-san…it’s nothing I can’t handle. And besides, I expected something like this to happen..the Hirai family is well known so my appearance will cause people to talk.”
“Okay, but still if it gets too hard you have me and your mother okay?”
“Hai hai.” Sana chuckles at her dad. Minatozaki Ryuusei may be the Emperor, but he is first and foremost a father to his daughter and he will do anything to keep his daughter happy and safe.
~
“Yo Momoring~ Good morning~” A tall girl suddenly jumps on Momo’s back, scaring the girl, “Yah Yoo Jeongyeon, I almost spilled my yoghurt.” Momo glares, while said girl gives her a peace sign, “Sorry sorry..but hey what’s this about you having a cousin? I’ve met all..”
“Yah Hirai Momo!” Another loud voice booms down the hall, interrupting Jeongyeon, “Oh Nayeonnie is back too..great my peaceful week is over.'' Momo playfully sulks.
“Tch always so mean to us..you know when we graduate in a few months you’ll miss us.”
“As if you two aren’t at my place all the time already.”
“And? Your point?”
“Nothing anyways, how was your trip home?”
“Same old same old…nothing new..but what’s this about a cousin?” Nayeon asks the same question Jeongyeon did earlier.
“Well I..” Momo begins, but is interrupted by her phone this time.
I’m here! -Sana
“I’ll tell you guys but I..just wait here.” Momo says, dashing off.
“Yah! Don’t leave us!” Nayeon and Jeongyeon run after Momo.
“Good morning.” Momo smiles as Sana arrives at the main entrance.
“Good morning, you know you don’t have to greet me here..I know where our classroom is.” Sana chuckles, “Hey you’re my younger cousin so I gotta watch out for you.”
“You’re older by like a month, calm down. Nothing won’t happen, I mean have you seen the security here?”
“Yeah well…”
“So this is the cousin.” Nayeon and Jeongyeon pop out from behind Momo, surprising Sana, “Hmmm..there is a resemblance but..we’ve been friends for a very long time Mo and I don’t remember a face as gorgeous as your cousin here.” Jeongyeon winks and Sana feels a blush on her face.
“Stop that Jeong.” Momo pushes Jeongyeon back, “And you guys haven’t met her cause she’s been in the states.”
“But your grandmother has photos of everyone in your family..remember she gave us a whole history of your family tree that one time?” Nayeon frowns, looking at Momo and then at Sana a few times.
“She did that when we were in grade school…how can you remember everyone, you know my extended family is big.”
“True but..” Nayeon tilts her head, “Something isn’t really adding up here…”
“Ayy don’t over think it Nay, you know Momo won’t lie to us.” Jeongyeon slings an arm around Nayeon’s shoulders, “No secrets..right Mo?”
“Yeah..no secrets.” Momo looks at Sana, who looks at the girl apologetically.
“I guess, but look at us talking when we haven’t even introduced ourselves.” Nayeon chuckles, “I’m Im Nayeon and this idiot is Yoo Jeongyeon.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Sana.”
“Oh you have the same name as the princess.” Jeongyeon points out, “Actually you kinda look like her too.”
“Ah yeah..I get that a lot.” Sana chuckles awkwardly.
“You could practically call her your twin.” Nayeon jokes.
“Haha yeah..” Sana awkwardly laughs, while making eye contact with Momo, “Anyways, why don’t we all hea..”
“Myoui Mina is here!” A random student shouts, interrupting Momo.
“Who?”
“You don’t have to know.” Momo shuts down Sana’s curiosity, “Let’s go to class before it gets too crowded.”
“Eh? Wait, why?” Sana questions as Momo drags her away from the corridors towards their classroom.
~
“You look like you went through hell and back.” Jihyo chuckles looking at Mina who just looks blankly at the girl, “Thanks.” She replies monotonously, “Anytime.” Jihyo winks at her best friend who rolls her eyes.
They walk through the corridors, Mina wearing her leather jacket instead of the required uniform, her white shirt slightly wrinkled because she didn’t have time to grab one of the ones Jihyo insisted on getting dry cleaned, while Jihyo was dressed exactly as described in the student handbook: tie perfectly secured, shirt pressed, blazer perfectly sized with the cuffs falling right at the end of her wrist.
“How can they be friends?”
“Jihyo’s perfect and Mina just screams trouble…”
“Hey be quiet, you never know what Myoui Mina might do.”
“Ayy have those rumours ever been confirmed though?”
“She’s a Myoui, who doesn’t know the Myouis? They’re ruthless.”
“But we all agree that she’s hot right?”
“Hell yeah.”
“Also, what did I say about driving your motorcycle without a helmet?” Jihyo begins to nag, the two ignoring the whispers of the other students, already used to it, “I wore it.” Mina defends.
“No you didn’t..I can tell your hair is all tousled.” Jihyo fixes Mina’s hair, “Who even uses the word tousled?” Mina frowns, moving her head back and out of Jihyo’s reach.
“I do..I’m trying to increase my English vocabulary.” Jihyo clicks her tongue, grabbing Mina’s collar so she stays still, “Now stay still..jeez.”
“We’re literally at an international school..everything is done in english here.” Mina deadpans, still letting Jihyo do as she pleases, “I know, but I scored second on our english exam.”
“Wow, that must suck for you.”
“I’m not gonna even go there…” Jihyo shakes her head, knowing how smart Mina actually is and just doesn’t care enough to bother trying.
“Oh did you know we got a new student?” Jihyo suddenly begins, “Dahyun told me about her. I didn’t know Hirai Momo had a cousin our age.”
“Well the Hirais are very secretive too.” Mina shrugs.
“Right, well she’s in your class.”
“Okay.” Mina shrugs, not really caring, “And..” Jihyo begins, “No.” Mina shuts down whatever it is Jihyo wanted to say before she could even say it.
“You don’t even know what I was going to say.” Jihyo whines.
“She’s in my class, which means you..being the class president is probably tasked with taking care of her until she gets the hang of things here..which means you’ll ask me to keep an eye out on her. But Ji, Momo, her cousin, is also in my class.”
“You’re right, but I’m not close with her..and as my best friend can’t you help me out here? Please.” Jihyo pouts, giving Mina her puppy dog eyes.
“Stop that.” Mina turns away, “Please Minari..please please.” Jihyo pleads, knowing that Mina could never deny her of anything.
“Ugh fine fine.” Mina agrees, pinching the bridge of her nose, “But don’t expect me to be friendly with her outside the classroom too.”
“Ah, thank you!” Jihyo squeals, hugging Mina, “You’re the best!”
“Whatever, now c’mon I’ll take you to your class.”
~ ~
The door to class 2-B opened with a soft thud, as Mina entered the chatter died down, everyone turned to look at the ever elusive Myoui Mina.
“Who’s that?” Sana asks in a soft whisper, as everyone carefully watches Mina walk towards her desk, which just so happened to be next to Sana’s, “I’ll tell you later.” Momo replies, moving to take her seat.
“Hi!” Sana turns to Mina, and a collective gasp is heard from everyone in the class and Mina just stares at the girl, giving her a short nod before turning her attention to her phone.
Rude. Sana thinks with a frown, but she’s not one to give up, “I’m Sana.” She tried again and everyone was expecting Mina to give Sana the cold shoulder, because after all..she is a Hirai.
“Mina.”
“Nice to meet you Mina.” Sana smiles brightly at the girl, “I hope we get along.”
“Sure.” Mina nods.
The whole exchange was a shock to everyone in the classroom, including Momo. Because Myoui Mina, was not only the heir to one of Japan’s biggest conglomerate but those at this school know that the Myouis not only deal with tech, but they also control the biggest Yakuza in the country. And it’s well known that the Hirais who are the imperial family’s sword and shield do not get along with the Myouis.
~ ~ ~ ~
“Sana are you okay?” Tzuyu approaches her friend with a worried look during lunch.
“Eh? I’m fine..why?” Sana looks up at the girl, who takes a seat next to her at the table, “I heard Mina is your deskmate.”
“She is.” Sana nods, her mind going back to Myoui Mina who spent the entire class time reading her book, not even bothering to take notes or listen to any of the teachers.
“You need to be careful.. I know Momo is there but..” Tzuyu sighs, “She’s a Myoui.”
“I know.”
“And yet you tried to speak to her? Are you mad?” Tzuyu asks in a harsh whisper, “You of all people know how dangerous the Myouis are.”
“Tzu.” Sana places a hand on the younger girl’s shoulder, “I’m not going to start judging her based solely on her last name. Mina’s been amicable.”
“Just..be careful okay? And if Mina ever tries anything go find Park Jihyo.”
“Park Jihyo…” Sana mulls the name, trying to remember where she heard it, “There you are!” An unfamiliar voice interrupts Sana’s musing, “I was lookimg for you. I’m the second year’s class president, Park Jihyo.”
That’s right! Park Jihyo was supposed to help me. Sana remembers when the Dean mentioned the girl.
“Hi..I’m Hirai Sana.”
“I know.” Jihyo chuckles, “I’m sorry that I couldn’t reach out to you earlier, there were things that needed my attention.”
“That’s okay, Momo’s been a good help.”
“Great great..well I was supposed to give you a campus tour on your first day…but I’m..”
“Actually I haven’t had that yet, Momo’s only shown me to my classes.” Sana interrupts, taking the opportunity to explore the massive campus before Momo can stop her. Thankful that the girl was currently grabbing them some dessert.
“Oh okay, well I can show you around after classes end. I’ll come find you in your classroom.”
“Sure okay.” Sana agrees.
“Perfect, well I’ll see you later Sana and it was nice seeing you Tzuyu.” Jihyo smiles at the younger girl before walking off.
“She’s so nice.” Sana gushes after the bob haired girl was out of earshot, “Yeah Park Jihyo’s an angel..and she’s also the only one that can control Myoui Mina.”
“Hmm?” The princess tilts her head, confused by Tzuyu’s words, “What do you mean control?”
“They’re best friends. Mina only ever listens to Jihyo.”
“Ahh.” Sana nods her head, finding Myoui Mina even more intriguing, “Well don’t the people you keep close to you give a good idea of the kind of person you are? I think you all are judging Mina too quickly.” Sana replies, defending Mina.
“You should talk to Momo. She’ll tell you everything.”
~ ~ ~ ~