Chapter Text
Emu, Airi, and Shizuku sat at the table under a tree, drinking tea. Airi and Shizuku held hands as they waited for Saki to arrive.
The Phoenix and Pegasus kingdoms, the two largest and most powerful in the land, neighbor each other and were close allies. Many bonds were formed between citizens from both kingdoms. Due to the many interactions, Saki, princess of the Pegasus Kingdom, befriended Emu, princess of the Phoenix Kingdom. Airi and Shizuku are from the Momoi and Hinomori families, two names held up to some of the highest regards in the Phoenix Kingdom, just next to Otori.
Shiho, a knight serving the Otoris and Shizuku's sister, entered the gardens.
"Sorry for keeping her, here's Saki," she explained, "I must get going now."
"Won-won-wonderhoy! Saki's here! Saki's here!" Emu cheered and jumped out of her seat.
"Wait, Shiho! Before you go, we're still meeting with Ichika and Honami next week, on your day off, right?" Saki asked.
"Of course! I'm looking forward to that."
"I'm so glad Shii has her friends now," Shizuku said, "Thank you, Saki!"
"Sakisakisaki! Here, have this cake! It tastes sparkly and it's very fluffy and and (insert a few phrases in Emu language here)! It's just wonderhoy!"
The voices faded as Shiho returned to the palace entrance. A flash of pink behind a pillar caught her eye.
"Akiyama, I see you are late again. Well, at least you are here today." Shiho said.
"Ah! You caught me! I um... Wait, you're not in charge of me, Akito is." Mizuki grinned, thinking they just cleverly got out of punishment.
Akito entered and smugly said, "You're right, I am. And I'm going to say that you are definitely cleaning up after the horses tomorrow," causing Mizuki to groan in disapproval.
"But we talked about this!" Mizuki argues, beyond annoyed, "It was going to be Hinomori's turn! And unlike the other times I skipped work, I actually planned on taking tomorrow off! Just check the schedule for proof. I want to help with my sister's clothing shop. She's coming home later today! And it's been years since I've seen her!"
"So, you admit to skipping work?" Akito was very smug.
Mizuki realized their fatal mistake and turned redder than their superior's hair. "NO! OF COURSE NOT!"
"Okay, you're cleaning up for the next three months."
"You can't do that!" they whined.
The day ended and Mizuki and Akito went to grab some food at the Week's End Stables.
"Akiyama! Shinonome! Welcome back!" Kohane greeted, "An and Ken are in the back right now."
Kohane was a regular as well. It did look a bit strange for Mizuki and Akito, knights, and Kohane, who was from the wealthy Azusawa family, to be here, as it was located in one of the poorer areas, right by the border separating them from the Pegasus Kingdom. But, all three were very close to An. An was one of the few who supported Mizuki, so they are returning that favor by funding her family's tiny shop every day. Akito befriended An when they were children and took Ken, An's father, as a role model. Mizuki and Akito also grew up in this area. And everyone knew that Kohane and An's relationship was not platonic.
Yes, everything was well in the Phoenix Kingdom.