Chapter Text
Today would be like any other. Well—not exactly. But one that is one of the most eventful of all…
The sun rained brightly across the heads of civilians and market umbrellas. The same sunlight could be seen gleaming from the water flowing in the fountain that was placed dead center of the plaza. A large section, nearest to the castle, seems to be the most liveliest of all. Hundreds of people, roaming around the various stands to see what they could offer. Merchandise, food, wonderful board games, and more were being sold among all. Nobody could tell why today specifically was so special..
Oh, my apologies. Did I say nobody? I meant you. I meant people who don’t know the prince. What of the prince? It’s his birthday, alas! All these townsmen and women, the delightful treats being handed out to all, the liveliness accounts all for the appreciation of prince Aoyagi Toya for serving the kingdom to such success alongside his father. Such a special day needs such a special event, of course. On patrolling duty, Knight Tenma Tsukasa , Knight Akiyama Mizuki, and Knight Shinonome Akito can be seen walking near each other and down the endless lines of markets. Smells of fresh baked pie and other sweet baked goods fill the air around them, entrapping them in a warm and sensible aroma.
“Aah! Tenma, Shinonome…Look at that!” Akiyama grabbed a hold of Tenma’s and Shinonome’s capes. They then proceed to point towards a building behind a wall of market stands. Said spotted shop seemed to be the culprit of what that delicious smell might be coming from. Especially with treats being displayed from the outside, seeming and steaming as if they were freshly baked. “We aren’t exactly off duty right now…Who’s it going to hurt if we run in and out?” Akiyama grinned smugly and placed their arm on Shinonome’s shoulder.
“That seems to be where that smell is coming from..They have their windows open and all too, Oh the temptation!” Tenma dramatically put his head on his head and angled his upper body backwards, signaling a rather distressed look upon himself. At the sight, both Akiyama and Shinonome let out a giggle. Maybe a gaggle.
“You two can go if you really want to. I still need to watch around for no chaos.” Shinonome said as he took Akiyama’s arm off of his shoulder. Shinonome’s gaze then averted to the markets around them. Akiyama and Tenma looked at each other before staring back at Shinonome.
“I’m sure Yoisaki has it all under control! Come on lil’ bro…They probably have pancakes in there…” Said Akiyama. “And Yoisaki is the Commander for a reason! She’s really good at her job for how little energy she has.”
“Yes…That is a bit surprising. But—Don’t be a loner. It’s only for a few minutes! And the shop is empty too!~” Tenma gestured back towards the building glaring right back at them as they all looked at it once more. A temptation could be seen growing within Shinonome’s irises. With a bit of careful thinking and some hesitance, Shinonome sighed and looked around once more.
“Ten minutes. Then we’re back on duty.” Shinonome said begrudgingly. Akiyama and Tenma turned back to each other, cheered, and gave each other a high five. Akiyama and Tenma then started speed walking, nearly running towards the building as Shinonome walked behind.
Taking a closer look, the Inside and outside of the building walls were painted a cute light pink and white color. Every desert displayed had its own unique smell, some even coming together to form another new smell of its own. As the doors opened from the push of Tenma’s hands, the aroma blared out and hit the three with a stronger smell than before. A store worker walked to the back as the person at the counter that sat at the back of the store looked up and towards the door. To knights surprise, it happened to be Mochizuki Honami with an apron and oven mitts on her hands. A maid in the castle, mostly recognized from her close association with Yoisaki and Akiyama.
“Eh? Mochizuki?! You work here too?” Tenma pointed out, running over to the counter, placing his hands on top of the counter, and leaning into it. Mochizuki took the oven mitts off of her hands and set them to the counter behind herself. She then walked over to the front of the counter and greeted the knights with a soft and genuine smile.
“Hello! I didn't expect you three to be here so soon. Would you like to try some of the desserts we have here? There's much to offer.” Mochizuki said gently.
“Would we?! Of course! You make the apple pie here, correct” Akiyama asked as they leaned against the counter with a wide warm smile.
“Yes, I do.” Mochizuki answered.
“Three slices for the three of us!” Tenma announced. Shinonome then pulled the two back from nearly laying over the counter.
“Great! It’s only about-“ A clock dinged from the other side of the counter. Mochizuki’s attention then turned to the oven behind her. “I guess it’s already done.” Mochizuki grabbed the oven mitts beside the stove. Once she opened the oven, a delicious, cinnamon-apple aroma filled the building. Akiyama damn near passed out from the sweet and savory, cinnamon smell…Forcing them to bask in the small for longer, Mochizuki set the pie on the counter in front of them to grab a knife and cut it in half. Akiyama, Tenma, and Shinonome looked at the pie with hunger and amazement. Mochizuki intricately cut out three sixth slices from the whole pie before she grabbed three plates and set a slice and a fork on each plate.
“There you go! I hope you enjoy them. No need to pay. I'll cover the cost out of my own earnings.” Mochizuki smiled softly and handed the plates to the knights. Akiyama pulls 2,800 yen out of her armor and puts it beside the plates with the pie.
“You make the best pie ever...I HAVE to show my appreciation for it. Take it! You deserve it after all!” Akiyama smiled and took the plates to hand out to Tenma and Shinonome.
“Huh? Oh, Akiyama, you didn’t have to. That’s too kind..” Mochizuki smiled warmly as she put a hand on her cheek, covering the light blush that was now on her face. Shinonome and Tenma started to walk towards the exit as Akiyama stayed near the counter, talking with Mochizuki.
“Not kind enough! You deserve all of it and even more! Thank you Mochizuki!” Akiyama hugged Mochizuki and started to follow Tenma and Shinonome.
“Have a great day, Mochizuki!” Tenma waved as the trio made their way out of the building and took small bites out of their pie. Mochizuki waved back, an even bigger smile on her face than before.
Once the three made their way outside, a large crowd of townsmen and women could be seen surrounding the fountain in the plaza, seemingly watching something. Lord, even the vendors were out of their seats trying to see what all the commotion was. Shinonome was the first to notice the mob and immediately decided to notify the others. He tapped Akiyama’s and Tenma’s shoulders and pointed towards the mob of people with a fork still in his mouth.
“Is Aoyagi already out of the castle? If he were to make an announcement, wouldn't he be on the balcony...” Tenma said, squinting his eyes towards the balcony that reached out above the plaza.
“You’re right…I don’t think that’s him. We have to check that out.” Shinonome started to lead the way for himself and the other two knights, making it past the hoard of people. Respectfully, people made way for the three knights until they got to the front. A sight truly…confusing? Unexpecting as well.
There seemed to be a carriage with a prince..Not Aoyagi, for he had been in the castle most of sunrise, but a purple and blue haired prince. Beside him was a woman who seemed to be a princess, as well as looking like his sister. Besides the blue in her hair. The townspeople who surrounded the area stared in awe as the two waved towards them. Once coming to the middle, the two seemed to spot the three knights standing on the front.
Tenma silently wondered where Yoisaki was. He looked around, for Yoisaki was nowhere to be seen. Most likely inside the castle alerting Aoyagi of the scene outside. The carriage stopped in front of the knights and the prince and princess got out. The two elegantly made their way towards the knights, the prince taking the lead in front of the princess. Shinonome set his plate with Tenma’s and stepped forward. The royals and the knight stopped a couple of feet away from each other, maintaining firm eye contact.
Shinonome took notice that their once indistinct features became evident. The prince had thin yellow eyes with a different cyan shine that seemingly revealed itself under shade. Along with his uneven side bangs, one reached to the length of his chin and the other slicked back behind his ear. Two separate cyan streaks went through the strands hanging off and on his bangs. What an..interesting sight indeed. And the princess…She had an aura to her. No telling what that feeling was but, until then, it can only be described as uncertainty. Her hair, darker than the prince’s, reached past her shoulders. Unlike the prince, her eyes slightly glowed a dark purple, she seemed much quieter, as well as her bangs were near perfectly symmetrical. Despite their near complete contract identities, One could’ve never mistaken them for siblings on first glance.
“Why, hello!” The prince greeted with a cat-like grin and a waved hand. “You must be Knight Shinonome Akito, correct? We’ve been looking all over for you and your kingdom.” The prince stepped forward and outstretched a hand.
“It is nice to meet you, your majesty.” Shinonome took his hand in a firm handshake. “Must I ask, what is your purpose here? I don’t think I have seen you anywhere around this kingdom.”
“Fufu, that’s right. The two of us haven't explored past our own kingdom,” The princeput a hand on his chin. “We’re here to speak to…Prince Aoyagi Toya, if that is his name. It is about some serious matter for that fact.” His expression slightly drooped, his smile fading and his eyes taking a much more serious look.
“Yes. If you could lead us to him, that would be quite the pleasure.” The princess slightly bowed as she spoke in a..uneasily gentle voice. It is nowhere a problem for her quietness. Something felt off. That unusual shine in her eyes. It was unlike no other. No other that Shinonome has seen. Though. That was only what Shinonome was feeling.
“You would need direct permission from the prince to enter the castle. I’m afraid I-” The castle doors opened, revealing Knight Commander Yoisaki walking from within. She turned towards Shinonome and nodded, signalling that the two royals now have permission to enter the castle. Shinonome looked back towards the two.
“…Come with me.” With hesitance in his voice, Shinonome took the lead and started to make his way towards the castle, the royals following behind.
Back with the other two knights, they looked at each other with wide eyes. Akiyama looked back towards the now closing castle doors.
“What the fuuuu-”
“Serious matter? Do you think it is with their kingdom?” Tenma said.
“Maybe…I'm sure Aoyagi will make it known to us pretty soon. Hopefully.” Akiyama said as they made their way out of the crowd of civilians. Tenma followed behind and branched off on his own.
END CHAPTER.