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It was a beautiful day in the Astral Plains. The sky was a bold blue, and there were a few, sparse clouds that covered the sun at times. A small amount of the joint Nohrian and Hoshidan army were awake, tending to the crops and beginning their shifts at their respective facilities.
The smell of breakfast wafted in the air, traveling to the soldiers’ tents. The sweet smell of bean bread woke up a sore Takumi. When his eyes opened, he looked at the tent ceiling, not wanting to move out of bed. Begrudgingly, he staggered out of it, feeling the weight in his legs, arms, and back. He rubbed his eyes, and turned to the dresser on the bed’s right side in search of clothes.
Maybe I’ll try something new this time… The prince thought as he pulled out a tunic he had been meaning to wear. Once he changed into it, he took a look at the mirror just beside the tent’s exit. Checking himself in different angles, he felt dissatisfied in it. It was just like every other time he had tried the tunic on, but he had hoped that it would be different this time.
Sighing, he folded it and put it away. He tried on a few other tops, and none of them worked for him. Eventually, he decided to put on his go-to outfit. It had three layers to it, but it was the only way he felt comfortable in his own skin.
His stomach rumbled as he put the last layer on.
Promptly, he made his way to the mess hall, got food from Peri, and met up with his siblings. Corrin sat in the center, Ryoma to their left, Hinoka to their right, and Sakura sat across from the three of them. With a plate of bean bread, Takumi took a chair next to Sakura.
Naturally, Ryoma and Hinoka talked up a storm. Sakura listened, and added the occasional comment. Usually, Corrin would try to include others in conversation because they do not want anyone feeling let out.
“Hey, Takumi, how are you feeling this morning?” They asked. “You haven’t said a word so far.”
Takumi, with bean bread on his face, lifted his face away from his plate. He straightened his posture. “I’m okay. I’m just so sore. And hungry.”
Corrin giggled. “I can tell! You ate your meal so quickly,” they got up out of their chair. “I’ll go ahead and get some more for you.”
Takumi’s eyes shot towards the chef’s counter, and he let out an arm, stopping the walking Corrin. “No, no. I’ll get it myself, thanks.”
“Alright then. If that’s how you feel,” they smiled. Corrin headed back to their seat.
Takumi sighed, getting up and making his way to Peri. At the counter, there was someone in front of him getting a meal too. Someone with dark hair, gloomy eyes, and a mysterious demeanor grabbed a plate. They turned their head, looking for the tables. Their eyes flicked at Takumi briefly before the soldier found a small table in a corner.
Who is that? I’ve never seen her before…
Getting up to the counter, Takumi tried to ignore his curiosity, asking for more food. Peri did not hesitate to serve him, and he returned to his seat beside Sakura.
“It’s so hard to believe the Nohrians royal family do not get up this early,” Hinoka sneered. “What do they do all night? Fireworks shows with their tomes!?”
“Yeah, I do not understand it either,” Ryoma shook his head. “Rajinto may glow, but at night, I cannot see my target or get any training done.”
“Exactly!” Hinoka threw her hands up.
Takumi turned his head to see if the only other customer was still in the corner. Indeed they were, just staring at the wall. They hadn’t touched their bread either.
“I-if I may, Hinoka,” Sakura butted in. “Elise told me that because it is always dark where they live, it is easier to be productive at night.”
“I understand it,” Corrin added. “It’s because I’ve lived it for a part of my life. We’re used to not having a sun.”
Ryoma nodded sympathetically. “That’s right, how foolish of me to question it. We need to be more considerate of their lifestyle.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Hinoka replied in shame, turning her eyes away from her siblings. “I’m sorry for being intolerant, Corrin.”
They nodded and placed a hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay, Hinoka. Sometimes it takes time to accept differences. You are certainly considerate in other cases. For example, when your brother came—”
In an instant, Takumi’s eyes jumped to their face in panic. Compulsively, he wanted to yell at Corrin, but Ryoma placed a hand up before he could. “It is not customary to talk about private royal business in public.”
Letting out a sigh of relief, Takumi relaxed his muscles. “Thank you, brother.”
“Mm,” he nodded. “Your privacy is important.” The oldest picked up his plate, leaving his chair. “Alright, I have some matters to tend to. When I am finished, Takumi, I will meet up with you to spar, as you asked.” Ryoma placed his plate on the counter and left the building.
Corrin felt guilt surge through their veins. “Takumi…I’m sorry. I almost brought up something super sensitive. I wasn’t thinking.”
Takumi didn’t give them eye contact. “I thought you of all people would know better. You know, I found it hard to trust you, and this isn’t helping your case.”
Corrin nodded, their face upset. “I am very sorry. I promise to be more careful from now on.”
Takumi remained motionless at first, but he eventually looked at Corrin and gave a nod. “This is hard for me to do, but I forgive you. You’re my sibling, after all. Please don’t embarrass me again.”
They shook their head. “I won’t. I care about you so deeply. Just like everyone else.”
Hinoka exchanged glances between the two, pushed her plate away from her, and got up. “Great, I’m glad this was taken care of. I need to get some training in before Azama cries to me about Setsuna falling into a trap. Again.”
Done with their meals, Sakura and Corrin followed behind her towards the exit. Takumi slowly got out of his chair, and looked at the corner again. The person was gone.
Corrin noticed his hesitancy and turned around. “Are you coming, Takumi?”
Still looking at the corner in confusion, he replied with “Yeah, I’m coming.”
...
The sun was high in the sky when Ryoma and Takumi met up for their sparring session. They already had a few reps in, and the younger brother was already trying his hardest to not show his fatigue. He could feel his muscles burn, the warmth of his face, and all of the sweat around his body. As he huffed for air, Ryoma put his sword down. His expression was stern yet gentle. “Takumi, I believe that is enough for one day. You fought hard.”
Takumi couldn’t speak. After a few more breaths, he shook his head and cleared his throat. “I didn’t fight hard enough. We have had longer sparring sessions where I’ve done better. Please, one more rep.”
Ryoma planted his sparring sword into the dirt. “I’m afraid I won’t comply. I have noticed that you have been working and training nonstop for the past few days. You need to rest, Takumi.”
The archer ignored his screaming muscles when he lifted up his sparring sword. “I’m not done, brother. I want to spare more.”
Ryoma clicked his tongue. “Ever the stubborn one. If you and Hinoka didn’t butt heads, you two would make great sparring partners.” He then crossed his arms. “I will not spar with you more until you have rested and have taken care of yourself.”
Takumi was upset with what he said. There were many things could have responded with, but he knew it would make things worse. He plastered a fake smile and spirit. “Alright, brother. I will beat you next time we meet!”
Ryoma smiled down at him. “There’s the fiery Takumi I know and love. But save that energy,” he chuckled lightly. “Trust me, you’ll need it. Take care, brother.” With that, he made his way towards the center of camp, presumably running another errand.
Takumi’s sadness lingered after Ryoma had left. Exhaling, he no longer felt like doing his other daily chores. Feeling both tired mentally and physically, he decided to leave the area and to find a place to cool off.
Because it was a breezy, warm day, there were few spots that Takumi could pick from, but he settled for the peach tree by the coral spring. He took a peach from the tree, washed it off with water from the spring, and took a bite. He also took some of the spring’s water, and splashed it onto his face. Feeling water cool him off, he sat back into the shade of the tree. His thoughts followed him.
It’s upsetting that Ryoma compared me to Hinoka yet again. He knows better. It’s happened since childhood, and it confuses me that it’s still happening. I’m a man now. I want to spar with him. I know Hinoka has strength, but…it just doesn’t feel the same.
He was snapped out of his mind when he heard a peach fall out of the tree from behind. Someone picked it up, and took a bite of it without washing it. Hearing the crunch come from the peach, he turned around and saw the person holding it.
It’s that mysterious person…
“Why do you keep following me?” Takumi asked, accidentally sounding angry in tone. He got up, taking a few steps back.
“I haven’t been following you,” they replied.
“Then why were you at the mess hall this morning?”
Their eyes looked off to the side. “I get hungry, just like everyone else. Right now, I was making my way to my tent, but I saw a peach fall from the ground and I wanted it.” They took one more bite out of it. “And I saw you. I wanted to talk.”
Takumi raised an eyebrow, his tone curious. “About what? We don’t even know each other.”
“Precisely. I wanted to get to know you. You seem…interesting.”
“Oh…I see…” Takumi felt his stomach churn, his fear turning into sadness. “You must think so because I’m royalty, right? That’s why everyone talks to me. I think.”
The person in front of him shook their head. “No. All I saw was someone with his family, and he was….sad. I wanted to know why. I first thought it was because you weren’t being noticed by them. You know, being the middle sibling and all.”
“Well, I suppose that’s part of it. What about it?”
“...I grew curious. I did a divination spell to learn more. I found that your pain was beyond your familial issues. I sensed it’s super personal, but it did not reveal anything else to me.”
Takumi tensed up just as he did at breakfast, but this time he tried his best to be gentle about it. “And I would like for that pain to not be discussed here. I cannot tell someone I had just met today something so…complicated. It’s hard enough within the family. Wouldn’t you understand?”
The diviner had just finished their peach and threw its seed into the ground. Fingers coated in peach puree were wiped onto the grass below. Then, with their face covered in shadow, the person said, “I…don’t really have a family. I may have parents, but they were not really there for me. Everyone else in the outrealm feared me. I had no choice but to endure my own thoughts, pains, and joys all alone.”
Takumi’s muscles relaxed. “Oh…I’m sorry to hear that. I cannot imagine living like that, even if being alone for a while sounds amazing right now.”
The diviner’s eyes went from the ground, to Takumi’s gaze. “When I learned that your pain ran skin deep, I wanted to help him so that he didn’t have to endure it alone anymore. Nobody deserves to live as I did.”
All of a sudden, something clicked within the prince. He did not understand why, but his instincts told him that he could trust this stranger. He learned towards them, whispering, “Okay, I believe you. We can talk, but it cannot be here.”
The person nodded their head slowly. “Alright. We can head to my spell tent. Nobody will be there,” they replied.
“Sure. We can do that,” Takumi said finally, facing away from the tree. “By the way, I don’t believe I got your name.”
“It’s Rhajat. I’m new.” She paused for a moment. “What is yours?”
“Takumi,” the prince said simply.
In silence, the two of them made their way to the tent.
...
Getting to Rhajat’s part of the camp, there were two tents. One was her living space, and the other was where she kept all of her spell items. She lifted the flap of the second tent, welcoming Takumi into it.
As he stepped in, he noticed the numerous books, miscellaneous spell parts, and scrolls on the ground. On the right side towards the back of the tent, there was a shelf full of various beakers, boxes of spell materials, and other diviner memorabilia. To its left was a table with many papers with notes scattered on it, a half eaten lunch, and a well-used cauldron. The back wall had reminders and to-do lists.
“Wow, for having two tents, you practically live in this one,” Takumi started.
“Well, it's the place where I feel most at home. The other tent is just for naps,” Rhajat replied as she sat down in her chair beside her table. There was a stool to its left. She invited Takumi to sit there. “So, what is it that you wanted to tell me?”
He sat down in it, taking a moment to get comfortable. He took in his sights one last time, and then looked at Rhajat more directly. “What I am about to say is something that you cannot repeat. You promise not to tell a soul?”
“I won’t tell a soul. Dead or alive,” Rhajat gave a non-evil smile.
Takumi laid his arms in his lap, looking up at the tent’s ceiling. He let out a sigh and began. “It's no secret that I’m royalty in Hoshido, but I wasn’t always considered a prince. As a child, I…wore a dress, played dolls with my sisters, and did other ‘girly’ things. There was only one boy in the family, and he…wasn’t me.”
He repositioned his body on the stool. “Growing up, I never thought too much about what I wore, what I played with, or about my role as a princess. I never enjoyed formalities, because I always thought they were a waste of time, but I never thought about why they were to me.
“I realized that why the moment my body started to change. These people wanted to kiss her hand, compliment her dress, comment on the woman she was becoming. It became so hard to talk to people I didn’t know, because all they saw was a third princess. All of it was…painful.”
Rhajat’s face wore empathy on it as Takumi finished his talk. “At the same time, I was wondering why I didn’t look like my brother more. Princely duties forbid, something about his lifestyle…seemed right to me. It clicked to me then that I was and am a man. So, I got a new name, new clothes, and I was treated differently. Things were getting better for me, mostly. My family accepted me as I was, and it was so endearing that my mother had chosen my new name too. However….” He looked down to the ground. His arms crossed around his belly. “Not everything about me is complete yet.”
Rhajat took a moment to take in what they had just heard. They nodded, humming. “I understand. You are telling me that your soul and body are still in conflict.” Takumi nodded his head, and they were both silent for a moment. “Well then, that is something I can change, if you want it.”
Takumi’s brown eyes jumped back to the diviner faster than a ninja could slice fruit. “Really? …You can do that?” He asked softly.
“Yes, although spellology in transforming one’s body is still relatively new,” Rhajat said as she picked a book up off of the floor. She blew the dust off of it, and opened it to a specific page. Placing it on the table, she pointed at the page it was on. Takumi jumped away from the stool and hunched behind Rhajat. She placed a finger on the text.
“This is a spell that can change the contour of a person’s chest. So far, I have read the procedure on changing a female-shaped chest to a male’s. However, I’ve never tried it on anyone yet.”
Takumi, in awe, took in what the pages said. He may not have known anything about spellology, but to him, it did not look too complicated. “Can we try it?” He asked curiously.
Rhajat turned around, giving Takumi eye contact. “Certainly. I’ve been meaning to try this one out.” She got out of her chair and went to her shelf to grab her needed ingredients. While she was doing so, Takumi asked “We had only met today, and you are doing something that I thought wouldn’t be possible. Why do something so kind for me?”
Getting a box filled with various mysterious doodads and gizmos, Rhajat looked down at them. “As I told you before, I know what it’s like to suffer a heavy burden alone. To be different from what people expect of you. It’s…lonely. People like you and I need to stick together.”
Takumi watched as they placed the box onto the table beside a cauldron they also pulled from under the table. “Well, I sense there’s something else underneath the surface, and this is no divination. Just a gut feeling,” Takumi said plainly, getting back onto the stool.
Rhajat let out a chuckle while reading over the recipe again. “Oh, so that’s how you feel? Okay, you got me.” Then, they sprinkled something into the cauldron. “Let’s just say that I’m not quite a woman either. Sort of? It’s hard to explain, but I feel like there are two parts to me.”
“Go on,” Takumi replied, leaning forward on the stool.
“I feel like I am partly feminine, but not a girl, so to speak. But part of me also feels like…I’m nothing. Does that make sense? It’s like the concept of gender just doesn’t exist.”
Takumi crossed his arms. “Hmm…I can see how that could happen, but that is definitely not my experience.” He trailed off, adding quietly. “Then…how would I address you to others?”
“Come again?” Rhajat turned to Takumi as they dropped another ingredient into the pot.
“Like, when others talk about me they use ‘he’. When we talk about Hinoka we use ‘she’. And when we refer to Corrin we use ‘they’. What would work for you?”
“You know…no one has ever asked me that. Interesting…” Rhajat paused, double checking the spell instructions. “I think ‘she’ and ‘they’ would both work for me.”
Another pause. The two of them were silent for a few moments as Rhajat put in the last few ingredients into the pot. Finally, a woosh sounded out of it, a small blue puff of smoke came out of it.
“Alright, the spell is almost complete. I just need to pour it into a potion bottle, and it is yours to drink.” Rhajat said cheerily as a gray cloud could.
“Alright!” Takumi said excitedly, jumping out of the stool.
“...However, once you drink the spell, it will take a few days for the chest to be completely transformed. I’m afraid we can’t get it fixed sooner.”
Takumi’s excitement turned into peaceful happiness, even if he was a little disappointed. “That’s okay, I get it. At least I am guaranteed the change very soon. And Rhajat,” Takumi looked at them with a very wide smile. “Thank you for listening to my story, for everything. It was refreshing to be able to talk to someone without fear of others listening and without judgment. You both made my day as well as the rest of my life. Thank you. Is there…anything I could do for you in return?”
Rhajat showed a small grin. “I like you. All I’d like to have in return is that we get to meet up every now and then and just talk about our feelings. About gender, about our struggles, whatever. That’s something I struggle to do with most people. You are…different.” She paused. “And thank you for asking about what pronouns I use. I thought that was very thoughtful.”
“Yeah, I think it’s something people should ask more often. Anyway,” Takumi waved a hand. “Would you like to eat at the mess hall with me some time?”
“I’d love to,” Rhajat replied.
Getting up from the bar stool, Takumi waved to Rhajat, and they waved back. “I gotta go take care of some things. I’ll see you tomorrow!”
“Goodbye, Takumi.”
...
For the rest of the day, Takumi could hardly focus on his chores. Even with his retainers, he had longer conversations than normal. Everyone he spoke to acknowledged how cheerful he was.
Getting his chores narrowly done around dusk, he had to go to a war meeting, and he could not really focus on the session either. Worse, he had to take notes on it that night, but Corrin helped him recount the points that were made after seeing a nearly empty notepad.
The next day went similarly as well, although Takumi was able to achieve more. The initial excitement he had was dialed down a bit. His siblings noticed his change in behavior on this day. He was more talkative at meal time, and he showed improvement in his spar with Ryoma. But none of them knew why Takumi was so happy.
And he was still super happy that night.
“It’s gonna be tomorrow…” Takumi said softly to himself, staring at the tent's ceiling and the night sky beyond it. “Finally, I’ll be free from this bondage.”
He fantasized what he was going to do first once he had gone flat. The next day was supposed to be warm, so he imagined that he would get to do his daily sparring and chores without wearing layers of clothes dripping with sweat.
Beyond that, Takumi imagined finally going to the hot springs in the mens’ area without it being awkward. He could also have more variety in his outfits. Maybe he’ll finally wear that tunic that has been sitting there for a year without feeling bad in it. Maybe, just maybe, he’ll let his guard down in social situations too.
Because he can be himself.
Smiling wearily, the Hoshidan prince fell asleep, exhausted from his excitement.
The morning came before he knew it. As soon as he woke up, he threw his blanket off of him, and walked up to his mirror. He noticed immediately how the shirt on him fit differently. In disbelief, he placed his hands on his chest, gliding down the area. He was astonished.
Next, he took his shirt off, placing it on the ground beside him. He took a look at his new chest that laid above the abs on his stomach. It was just like how he imagined it for years.
“It’s like a dream,” Takumi said in awe, feeling intense happiness. “And it has come true!”
Excitedly, he got his tunic out, and put it on. Looking at himself from various angles, he hummed with satisfaction. The issues he felt the last time he had tried it on had disappeared.
“I’ll wear this today. Definitely,” Takumi beamed a wide grin on his face.
Just like any other day, he made it to the mess hall for breakfast. His siblings were there, predictably. Jakob was behind the chef’s counter that morning.
“Good morning, Master Takumi,” he greeted as Takumi passed the counter. “Nice outfit. It certainly compliments your eyes.”
Takumi thanked him, and made his way to his family. He sat beside Sakura.
“You’re wearing it!” Sakura said with glee. “The shirt I got you for your birthday last year. You’re finally wearing it!”
“And it looks good on you,” Hinoka added. “It was about time you wore something different.”
“Thank you, sisters,” Takumi replied with pride.
Corrin jumped in after swallowing a bit of their food. “Takumi, there’s something I’ve been meaning to say: I’m so happy for you. The past few days was like seeing you transform before my very eyes. You radiate with joy, and that joy gives me so much joy.”
Ryoma nodded. “Agreed. I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen you smile like this. If you don’t mind me asking, what has gotten you like this? We’d love to know.”
The bell from the mess hall door rang. Takumi turned to see that Rhajat had come in to get some food. He glanced back at his siblings.
“It is not customary to talk about private royal business in public.” He got out of his chair, facing Rhajat. He turned to look at his family one last time. “But perhaps I will tell you another day. When I’m ready.”
Ryoma nodded in respect. With a wave, Takumi left them and grabbed some food from Jakob, and sat near Rhajat.
“Oh, hello. Who is this man I’ve never seen before, and why did he approach me?”
Takumi laughed as he grabbed his mug and took a sip out of it. “Oh, you know, I wanted to talk to this person I don’t know because she seems…interesting.”
The diviner laughed, and took a bite from her meal. A few moments pass, and Rhajat speaks again, lowering their voice. “Real talk, how are you…liking your results?”
“It’s incredible. I feel so free. Thank you.” Takumi takes a sip and adds “How are you feeling today, Rhajat?”
“I feel good, now that I have someone to talk to. He makes my day better.”
“I’m happy that I can help you in a way, even if it isn’t drastic.”
Rhajat looked directly at Takumi in the eyes. “You don’t realize how much of an impact a friendship can have.”
The big table from behind bursted out laughing. Takumi turned to look at his family, smiling at them, and went back to Rhajat. “You know, you’re right. Thank you for being my friend.”
“No. Thank you ,” Rhajat replied. “I’m not usually one to be mushy, but that’s how I feel.”
Takumi chuckled lightly, and the two of them continued to talk happily together.
From here, their friendship would only continue to grow, and it would impact the army and the war in a positive way. Takumi and Rhajat would become killer allies in battle, and spend a lot of time together outside of it. Eventually, it made the two of them be more open towards other people, improving their relationships with them in the process.
One act of kindness can change the fate of a person, and perhaps, the world. If Rhajat had not reached out to Takumi, the prince could not imagine where he would be today, and neither could Rhajat.