Archive of Our Own

After his mother passed away, his father remarried a young noblewoman named Saionji Kyouko. Gen didn’t like this woman one bit – she had a cute face, but it didn’t take long for her true color to reveal itself once she started to live with them. She rarely stayed in the house, instead using his father’s hard-earned money to indulge in frivolous pleasure, and when she was home, she treated Gen and the workers coldly. Her senseless spending caused their finances to slowly but surely decline. One time he even caught her smooching some guy outside the estate late at night! The only reason he never told this to his father was out of concern for the man’s poor weak heart.

Their marriage had to be one of the reasons his father fell ill.

Six months into their marriage, Kyouko went back to her parents for a visit. Gen honestly thought it was just an excuse for her to go waste more money, but when she returned, something… changed. She wore more makeup and less revealing dresses. Is she going for a more mature older look? If so, it does nooot suit her at all. Gen thought with distaste.

But that was not all that had changed about her. Her demeanor was also different than usual. Instead of ignoring them, she would quietly greet people when she passed them in the hallway. She didn’t go out as much as before, and even started to show concern for her ill husband, telling him to eat and rest properly. It was surreal.

Maybe her parents had talked some manners into her?

Despite her little change of heart, the house was already in a tough spot thanks to her previous actions. They had to lay off many servants, and there seemed to be no hope for his father. Gen could only watch his life wither away before his very eyes.

One day, his father called Gen and Kyouko into his bedroom.

“I don’t have much time left.” He said in his weak and hoarse voice. “I’m sorry for leaving the two of you like this.”

Gen stayed silent. What could he possibly respond with?

“And you,” he turned to Kyouko, “I’ve caused you nothing but trouble. I hope you can forgive me.”

What. His sadness turned into white hot rage. The one causing trouble was her! She should be the one begging on her knees for forgiveness!

Kyouko shook her head. Her face was so deceptively solemn he could not detect a trace of lie in it. “What are you talking about? It was never your fault.”

His father smiled. Yeah, Gen hated this woman.

His father passed away. The remaining servants fled the manor, no matter how sweetly he talked them into staying. There were only the two of them now. His father’s business was left in the hands of Kyouko who, for some reason, decided to continue it. If it was a few months ago, Gen would have thought she was just trying to squeeze out whatever money there was left, but now, he wasn't so sure. She told Gen to take care of the housework when she worked, but not to overdo himself? And when she was home, she actually did half of the chores herself???

Gen’s feelings towards his stepmother became pretty complicated. Although she was still distant, she no longer acted frivolously, and the way she treated him could even be called nice. Even so, he couldn’t yet let go of his resentment.

One day, he woke up at two in the morning with an urgent need to piss. When he was walking back to his room, he noticed that the door to Kyouko’s room was left ajar.

That morning, she told him that she had to attend a social gathering so she would be home late. In fact, when he went to bed, there was still no sign of the carriage pulling up to the house. So she must have returned some time while he was asleep.

Because he was a nosy little shit, Gen walked up to the doorway and peeked inside. There was a human body lying prone on top of the cover while the calves hung off the bed. Wow, Kyouko must have been so tired that she fell face first on the mattress and immediately went to sleep.

But wait. Didn't her hair look unnaturally short? Kyouko had long silver hair that was usually put up in an elaborate bun. He pushed the door open wider with his shoulder, very carefully not to wake her up (because for some reason, Kyouko had ears of the devil that could hear everything, had she always had such crazy hearing?), squeezed through the gap and tiptoed closer.

He held the candle in his hand over her head, and the sight that greeted him forced an involuntary out of him.

No way. Kyouko had long hair, but this person’s hair… was clearly short. Despite the nightgown, this is… a boy?!

Kyouko(?) stirred at the noise, and before Gen could make himself scarce, her (his?) eyes blinked open.

Two pairs of wide eyes looked at each other.

The Saionji were a small family that was noble in name only. Although they tried to keep up appearances, they were financially struggling. So they married their eldest daughter to Gen’s father, who was a wealthy merchant. However, six months after the wedding, she eloped with her secret lover. Her parents could not let this be found out and tarnish the family name, so what did they do?

“Kyouko and I look almost identical.” Not-Kyouko said, head hung low in shame. “So they made me take her place until they found her. You can guess how the search went.”

Gen sat on the bed, mouth opened like a fish. After a while, he finally spoke. “No wonder it felt like she turned into a completely different person. It was you.”

“Yeah.” Brother-chan rubbed his neck. “Although we’re similar in looks, our personalities are like night and day.”

“Did my father know?”

“He never said anything, but I’m pretty sure he did.”

All the puzzle pieces clicked into place. The new style of makeup and dress, the change in demeanor, that strange conversation on his father’s death bed – it would make sense if the person in Kyouko place had been somebody else!

Along with the realization, Gen began to feel pity for this boy. He was forced to pretend to be someone else for months on end, not because of anything he did, but because his family was too prideful to accept their mistake.

“Then why didn’t you just leave after the funeral?”

The other frowned. “How distasteful is that? I couldn't just—leave.”

Should you really care about distastefulness in your situation? Gen laughed inwardly.

“Besides, Mr Asagiri asked me to look after you once he’s gone.”

He blinked. “Me?”

“Well,” Brother-chan smiled, “you’re his son, aren’t you?”

Gen looked away from him. Stupid dad, putting that kind of responsibility on this poor boy. Promising a man he was forced to pretend to be the wife of to take care of a child that was not even related by blood… Gen smiled wryly. This person was really nothing like Kyouko.

Brother-chan’s name was Ukyou. Since he didn’t need to hide anymore, Ukyou dressed like he normally would around the house, which usually consisted of a button down shirt, sweaters, slacks and a round yellow cap, something along that line. His schoolboy appearance was definitely more pleasant on the eye than the Kyouko getup, which he only wore when he went to take care of Mr Asagiri’s business. It also made him look like a kid that Gen had trouble believing him when Ukyou said he was twenty-four years old.

Nevertheless, Gen quickly became attached to Ukyou. Once he shed his mask, he was just impossible to hate. Kind, caring, hardworking. He went to work to keep his father's business alive, he taught Gen academics since they couldn’t hire a tutor, and he insisted on sharing the housework because in his words, ‘kids need to get enough rest to grow big and strong’. Before long, Gen was seeing him as an older brother he’d never had.

One Saturday, Gen knocked on Ukyou’s door. When he got permission to enter, the other was sitting at the vanity in a dress.

“You have to go somewhere?”

Ukyou sighed. “Yeah, a meeting with a potential business partner. I probably won't be back for dinner.”

Gen nodded in sympathy. Ukyou was actually a very honest and righteous person, and he didn’t particularly like high society despite being a noble, so for him to pretend like this is exhausting.

However, when he brought a makeup brush to his face, that sympathy got thrown out the window as Gen shouted for him to stop.

“Wait!” He rushed to the vanity. “Let me do your makeup for you!”

“...What?”

“You’re ruining your cute face with that heavy makeup, Ukyou-chan!” Gen weeped, snatching the brush out of his hand. “It was painful to look at.”

Ukyou blushed and pouted. “I'm just trying to look the part.”

“But you didn’t need to pile so much makeup that ants could drown in it! Look here, you have a cute youthful face, so something subtle is best. Just some light foundation...” Gen blabbered on as he applied makeup on Ukyou’s face, who obediently stayed still.

Once he finished, he turned Ukyou to the mirror. “And voila!”

“Wow…” Leaning in, Ukyou breathes out in amazement. He smiled at the reflection of Gen in the mirror. “Thanks, Gen.”

“No problem~”

He stood up and picked up his wig. Once it was secured in place, he turned to Gen with a smirk. “You know, you’re surprisingly good at this.”

Gen processed those words before scrambling stuttering. “W-well! I-I mean, every boy has tried to play with his mom’s makeup, right?”

A gloved hand landed on his shoulder. Ukyou laughed wryly. “What are you nervous for? I’m the one crossdressing here.”

Gen relaxed, looking at him with a tiny smile.

“Now, what did you find me for?”

“Ah! Well, I wanted to ask if you could get me some copper from work? The other day you said there was some low quality copper that couldn’t be sold right?”

Ukyou raised his eyebrows. “This is for that science kid, right? Senkuu was his name?”

Lately, Gen had been gushing to him about this boy named Senkuu. Apparently, he met Senkuu and his friends on his way to the market. Gen stumbled upon them doing some science experiment that almost burned down a house, and decided to step in to save them from being scolded with his slithery tongue.

“Yeah…” The boy fiddled with his sleeves.

He hummed and walked towards the door. “Sure, I’ll see if there’s any copper.”

“Really? Thank you, Ukyou-chan~”

Hmmm, if it was Senkuu, there was no way he wanted only copper. He would look for some iron and aluminum too. Ukyou made a mental note to himself.

A week later, Gen asked if Senkuu and his two friends could do experiments in their yard. He saw no reason to say no as long as they didn’t burn down the lawn.

“Gen, would you like to go on a cruise trip?”

“Eh?” His dinner stopped halfway on its journey to his mouth.

“We recently secured a partnership with the Nanami Conglomerate. I was invited to their party, and they said I could bring my family too.”

“Wait wait!” His fork clattered on the table. “Nanami Conglomerate? That Nanami Conglomerate? The king of the ship industry???”

Ukyou nodded.

“Wow~! Even my father couldn't get a deal with them. What magic did you do, Ukyou-chan?”

“Your father never actively sought them out, so of course that was the case. I didn't do anything, it was pure luck that they came to us.” He answered truthfully.

“Even so, it’s impressive. Maybe Ukyou-chan actually has a knack for trading~?”

“Don’t joke like that. This isn’t the career I imagined for myself at all.” He said, but his tone was light. Even so, his remark dampened Gen’s mood. Right, this life wasn’t one Ukyou wanted to live, he was just thrusted into this against his will.

The older one sighed. “Why are you sad now?” He reached out to pat the boy sitting next to him on the head. Since there were only the two of them, there was no need to eat on the big dining table, and instead they had their meals on a table used for the servants in the kitchen. “None of this is your fault. You and I are both stuck in this situation, so let’s do our best, ok?”

When Gen smiled, he returned it with another kind smile, before turning back to the original topic.

“Anyway, it’s a trip on one of Nanami’s prized cruise ships. This kind of thing isn’t easy to come by, so you should get to experience it at least once in your lifetime.”

The cruise lasted for five days and four nights. When they got ready for the trip, Ukyou even offered to let Gen wear some of Kyouko's dresses on the ship, but the boy ultimately declined, partly out of embarrassment, and partly not to stand out too much.

It was a magnificent ship, equipped with all the luxuries of high society. But really, that wasn’t what Ukyou cared about. What almost moved him to tears was the brilliance of the cruise ship. This trip’s purpose was essentially to showcase the shipbuilding might of the Nanami Conglomerate, so of course the ship they put on display had to be top of the line. That didn't mean its beauty was diminished in the slightest. Its magnificent form outlined in the daylight, the tall masts pierced through the sky, with the large sails puffing their chests up proudly in the wind. At least there was something that would make his five days of acting less unbearable.

In contrast to him, Gen was enjoying the trip like a duck taking to water. It didn’t surprise him in the slightest. Gen was good with people and thrived in social settings. Watching the boy spinned the other guests around his finger like a pinwheel, he felt a stab of guilt and sadness that he couldn’t give Gen a better living condition where he could prosper.

They were truly struggling after the funeral. In the last month of his life, Mr Asagiri taught Ukyou the basics of his business, and he used that to secure a steady income. It was really hard. He never had much interest in trading, and his knowledge was that of a beginner, so he had to work very hard, running around trying to make connections and asking his now employees for help or pointers, to basically revive a business from its almost collapse. It was running decently enough now, but certainly nothing to write home about. However, when he finally got some money, Gen found out about his secret, and this boy who liked to call himself shallow was the one to suggest that they not hire any servant so Ukyou wouldn’t have to pretend so much.

He’s a good kid. Ukyou sighed. What to do with their situation…

“Ah, Kyouko-chan, are you tired~?” Gen turned to him. “Why don’t you go back to our room and rest? I’m sure our companions here wouldn’t mind~”

Ukyou came back to the present. He shook his head and fake giggled daintily. “Oh, no, I’m fine, no need to worry.”

“You don’t have to overdo yourself, Kyouko-chan~” Before the other guests, Gen spotted an innocent smile. “Please excuse us for a moment~” They all nodded, completely taken in by him. He came to Ukyou and started to guide him away like a dutiful son.

“Gen, what?” He whispered once they had their backs turned.

“This place must be getting stuffy and noisy for you, right?” Gen whispered back. “I’m serious. If you don’t want to go back to our room, then at least go outside and take a breather, I’ll be fine here.”

He was about to protest when Gen jumped into his throat. “If anything happens, I’ll scream for you. Ukyou-chan will hear me and come to my rescue, right?”

As Ukyou hesitated, Gen grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, put it in his hand and pushed him towards the door.

“W-wait–”

“Stop worrying so much, Ukyou-chan~ You need to take a break now and then, too~”

In the end, he accepted his fate. He shrugged those hands off and walked out of the room by himself, watching Gen wave with a mischievous grin on his face. This kid, Ukyou shook his head fondly.

Most of the passengers were gathered in the ballroom and the front deck, where the party was in full swing. Ukyou was not in the mood to socialize with these people, so he made his way to the upper deck, where it was quieter. He leaned on the railing, taking a sip of champagne. The ship was floating down a canal, so there was no salty scent of the sea, but the rustling sound of the wave and the scenery that rolled past slowly helped calm his nerves.

When his champagne was almost finished, he caught the sound of footsteps ascending the stairs, and then those footsteps were coming towards him. He internally sighed, preparing himself for another superficial conversation. In high society, he couldn’t just brush people off.

“What's a beautiful lady like you doing all alone up here?”

A strong voice laced with self-confidence rang out. When he turned around, Ukyou was surprised to find the captain of the ship standing before him, clad in his neatly pressed uniform and cap, a smile on his face and hands clasped behind his back. Some of the tension left his body.

He smiled weakly. “Ah, I don’t do well with parties. I’d much rather stay up here watching the scenery.”

“Then,” the captain took off his hat and bowed, flashing an even more charming smile, “would you mind if I keep you company?”

Chatting with him would be much more enjoyable than a snobby nobleman. Ukyou readily shakes his head. “Not at all.”

Putting his hat back on, the young man came up to the railing to stand next to Ukyou with a respectable distance between them. The yellow light from below shined on his handsome face and highlighted his shoulder length blond hair.

“May I know the name of the lovely lady I’m talking to?”

Every time he heard this question, Ukyou had to remind himself not to answer with his real name. However, the captain interpreted his momentary pause differently, as he said.

“Haha! Forgive my manners. How could I ask for your name without introducing myself?” He bowed his head. “The name's Ryuusui, at your service.”

A corner of Ukyou’s lips curled up. “I know. You introduced yourself when we set sail.”

Ryuusui laughed. It was full of vigor. “I’m honored that you would remember my name!”

How could Ukyou forget? His booming voice as he stood above the passengers and boldly declared that their lives were in his hands was striking.

“Well?” Ryuusui tilted his head expectantly.

Amusement in his voice, Ukyou said. “I’m… Asagiri Kyouko. But please call me Kyouko.”

“Asagiri?” Ryuusui repeated before snapping his fingers in a peculiar way. “That’s our new supplier of construction material, isn’t it?”

“Oh, I didn’t know that my reputation preceded me…”

“Haha, you’re too humble, Madam! I’ve heard how you single handedly resurrect your late husband’s business! It’s an incredibly admirable feat!”

Well, technically Madam had a hand in wrecking it… He laughed humorlessly in his head. “Ah, you don’t have to flatter me. I try my best, but it’s nothing compared to when he was in charge…”

“I’m not flattering you at all.” Ryuusui shook his head, and his golden hair fluttered. “From what I heard, it hasn’t been long since you took over, right? You must be patient, Madam!”

“Ah, thank you…” His eyes flickered away, staring into the dark water below. Once again, Ryuusui misunderstood his action and apologized softly.

“My apology. If our talk dredges up painful memories for you, I’ll refrain from talking about it.”

Eh? Did he think that Miss Kyouko was missing her deceased husband? Well, Ukyou did feel sad about that, but he was mainly just disheartened. “Ah, you misunderstood.” He waved his hand and laughed awkwardly. “It’s not that. Uh, well, as in, I miss him, but the thing is I just don’t like this job very much.”

“You don’t?”

“Ah, I made it sound like I hated it. I’ll do it if I have to, it’s just that I don’t have much interest, you know?” Maybe if the situation had been different, he wouldn’t have minded it so much. What an awkward atmosphere, he should change the subject. “Anyway, enough about my boring job, why don’t we talk about yours?”

“Me?”

“Yes.” He nodded, eyes sparkling. “Being a captain is much more interesting, no? Tell me, how long have you been sailing?”

A grin made its way on Ryuusui’s face, showing his sharp canines. “Ever since I was a kid who couldn’t blow his nose right.”

“Wow, how many years is that? You must have sailed through many seas, I’m jealous.”

“Do you like the sea?” Ryuusui leaned closer as he asked. The proximity made Ukyou instinctively shy away from that handsome face.

“Yes…” He fiddled with the empty glass in his hand, a faint blush on his face.

Ryuusui laughed. “Then I believe you and I will get along quite well, Miss!”

“There you are, Kyouko-chan~”

At the sound of that lilting voice, their conversation came to a halt, and they turned around to look at the boy walking up to them.

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you~” Gen sidled up to his side, linking arms with him. “Turns out you've been here all this time, chatting with our captain~?”

Ukyou ignored his flowery words and instead gestured at the boy, introducing him to Ryuusui. “Ryuusui, this is my stepchild, Gen.”

Gen thrusted out his hand with a flourish. “Asagiri Gen, pleased to meet you~”

Undeterred by his showy action, Ryuusui laughed and shook his hand heartily. “Ryuusui, your captain for this trip, but you already know that!”

Gen also laughed. “Ryuusui-chan, I hope you’ve been treating my mother well~?”

What brought that on? Ukyou side-eyed him incredulously.

“Haha, of course! A lady deserves nothing but utmost respect!”

Before he could spout more suspicious lines, Ukyou subtly elbowed him in the ribs.

“Hngh–”

“Why were you looking for me, Gen?” He smiled.

Gen quickly recovered, and returned the smile. “The party is coming to an end, so I came to bring you back to our room, obviously~ Aren’t you the one who always nags me about going to bed on time?”

“Alright, I get it.” Ukyou nudged him with a flat look on his face. Then he turned back to Ryuusui with an apologetic smile.

“Our chat was fun, but I’m afraid I have to cut it short.”

Ryuusui shook his head coolly. “It can’t be helped. Though…” Before their eyes, he took Ukyou’s free hand in his and lowered his head to place a kiss on the knuckles. His sharp eyes peered up at Ukyou. “I hope we will be able to continue this another time.”

Huh. Huh? Huh??? Ukyou blushed, despite how used he had grown to this kind of gesture while disguising as a noblewoman.

Heeeh~ Gen watched the event unfold with interest.

“O-of course.” Ukyou brought his hand back to his side. “I’d love to talk more with captain Ryuusui.”

“I’m already looking forward to it.” Ryuusui leaned in just a bit closer, which flustered him even more.

Deciding to be a good stepson, Gen began leading him away. “Let’s get back now, Kyouko-chan~”

He threw back over his shoulder. “See you later, Ryuusui-chan~”

“Haha, likewise!”

Once they were out of sight of Ryuusui, Ukyou asked. “Why were you skulking at the stairs for like ten minutes back there?”

“As expected, nothing escapes Ukyou-chan’s ears.” Gen tittered. “You were having so much fun talking to him, I didn’t have the heart to interrupt. So that’s the type of guys Ukyou-chan likes~”

“What are you talking about?” Ukyou looked away. “We just have some common interests, that’s all.”

“Doesn’t seem like just that to me.” When he didn’t appear convinced, Gen said. “I’m serious, Ryuusui-chan seems to like you a lot.”

“Stop joking around, Gen.” Ukyou sighed. “Even if he did, it’d be Kyouko he liked, not me.”

What? That was totally untrue. Like, the real Kyouko was a completely different person?

“Well,” he decided to leave the topic for now, “there are still two days left. I doubt he'd leave you alone after that.”

“You think so?” Ukyou purses his lips nervously.

“Yep~!”

Ukyou was cleaning his room when he heard the thudding sound of several people running in the house. He didn’t pay it any mind at first. He trusted Gen to keep his friends away from his room when they were over. However, the noise was then accompanied by Gen’s call of his name. Not Kyouko, his name.

What the– he lowered the feather duster in his hand. With no clue what was going on, he walked towards the door. The moment his fingers touched the handle, it swung open forcefully from outside, and he had to jump out of the way of a hoard of teenagers piling into the room.

“Ah!”

Yuzuriha and Taiju looked at him with wide eyes, while Senkuu’s shone with comprehension.

“Gen.” He gritted out through his teeth. “What is the meaning of this?”

“You can trust them Ukyou-chan!” Gen flailed his hands as he tried to reassure him. “They won’t tell a soul about our secret!”

“That’s right! You can trust us!” Taiju bellowed, and Ukyou involuntarily flinched. Ah, this boy's voice was always loud.

Yuzuriha nodded her head vigorously. “We’ve heard the gist of your story from Gen, and we promise not to breathe a word to anyone!”

Senkuu smirked. “I don’t care as long as you let us do experiments in your yard and provide us with material.”

“Don’t act so heartless, Senkuu!”

Ukyou watched Taiju yell at the cabbage hair boy, and his thoughts were a jumbled mess. He let out a big sigh, fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. In the end, they were still children, keeping quiet about a secret of a stranger was already a lot to ask of them, and if Gen trusted them, then he supposed he could too. Although they would have to have a serious talk later about telling people without permission or notice.

“Ok, I believe your words.” He said at last. The four of them all relaxed, even Senkuu, who tried to act nonchalant.

He crossed his arms tiredly. “So what is it that you had to run through the house like a stampede to get me?”

With an excited look on his face, Gen produced an opened envelope from his sleeve, one of his magic tricks. Ukyou’s eyes widened at the seal of the royal family stamped on it. He took it from Gen, pulled out the decorated piece of paper inside and read it.

“You are hereby invited… to a ball… the prince… find his most suitable match?”

“It's the biggest event in the whole country!” Gen said. “Everyone in the streets is talking about it! Can we go, Ukyou-chan?”

Phew, he was scared for a bit there, but it was just a ball. “Uh, sure.”

“You're the best, Ukyou-chan!”

A smile tugged on his lips. Gen was still a teenager that followed trends and got excited by these kinds of things. He noticed Yuzuriha repeatedly glancing at the letter in his hand, so he asked her.

“Would you like to go as well?”

The girl startled. “M-me? But the invitation is only for you and Gen…”

He hummed. “I'm sure we can get you in by saying you are an attendant or something. If that doesn't work, I’m sure you kids can find a way to sneak in. You’re always getting into trouble, after all.”

“Sneak in… the royal ball?” She squeaked.

“Kukuku, you know us so well.” Senkuu snickered evilly.

“Rest assured, Yuzuriha-chan, we will get in and out without a hitch~”

“Guys! Isn’t that illegal?!”

“Calm down. I’m just joking.” Well, kind of. He quieted down the teenagers. “I’m sure we wouldn’t have to resort to that.”

Gen then fiddled with his sleeves. “Anyway, I was thinking that… for this event, I really wanna dress up, you know?”

Ukyou got what he meant instantly. He nodded, smiling gently. “Of course.”

He put the feather duster in his hand on top of a drawer and started walking toward the closet while untying his apron. This room had been originally Kyouko’s, so the size of the built-in closet was quite impressive. When he opened the double door, the first to react was Yuzuriha.

“Uwaaahhh…” She looked at the row of dresses with tears in her eyes, covering her mouth with trembling hands. “This is… everything I’ve ever dreamed of…”

Her hand hovered over the fabric without touching, and she looked to Ukyou with pleading eyes.

He nodded gently. “Go ahead.”

It was like a floodgate was opened. Yuzuriha was in dreamland. She picked up one dress after another off their hanger, and each one was admired thoroughly as she gushed nonstop about their details, the skill and effort that went into these dresses. Although his enthusiasm couldn’t match her, Gen was also examining the dresses carefully. Meanwhile, Senkuu and Taijuu could only stand immobile to the side like two idiots.

“Are you going with that one, Gen?” Yuzuriha asked regarding the blue silver dress he was holding.

“Y-yeah…”

“Hmmm…” she inspected it closely, “it’d look better if the skirt had more volume. We could do that by adding one or two tulle layers. Uhm, can we alter these dresses, Ukyou-san?”

“I see no problem with it.”

With the permission, she was even more fired up and began mumbling ideas to herself. It was good to be passionate about something, but the girl made quite a frightening sight.

“Oh!” Yuzuriha exclaimed when an idea came to her suddenly. “A pair of glass slippers would go so well with this dress, don’t you think?”

“Glass slippers…?” The boys echoed.

“Yes!” She nodded vigorously. “Do you think you can make it, Senkuu?”

Watching the teenagers discuss the plausibility of glass slippers, Ukyou couldn’t help but feel glad that Gen had friends he could hang around with. Quietly, he slipped away to let them be. He was thinking of getting them some snacks and juice when Gen called him again.

“Hm?” He turned around.

“What about you, Ukyou-chan?”

“What about me?”

“What are you wearing to the ball?”

“Eh? Well, anything will be fine.” He would probably just go for the usual Kyouko getup, anyway.

“But it’s such a major event~ You should put some thought into your appearance sometimes, Ukyou-chan~”

“...I already put plenty of thought into my appearance, Gen.” He deadpanned.

“Even when you’re Kyouko-chan, you can still have some fun, you know~? At the very least, we could coordinate our outfits together.”

With that, he got dragged back into the room.

The day of the ball came, and they managed to create a sparkling pair of fiberglass slippers. Well, kind of. Some problem arose last minute and now they had to rush to fix it. Ukyou didn’t know much about mechanics so there was not much he could do besides not getting in the way.

While he waited for the teenagers, his ears detected the clacking sound of metal horseshoes hitting gravels from afar. Their carriage must have arrived. Earlier, he was told that Senkuu had got a friend to give them a ride, since traveling on a normal carriage with five people and his scientific gadgets would be a hassle otherwise.

“Your friend is here.” He informed Senkuu, who didn't even turn to acknowledge him.

“He's not my friend.” That was all he said.

“I'll go… greet him…” None of the teenagers seemed to hear him. Well, that was fine. He wouldn't want to bother them right now.

Ukyou discreetly got out, closing the door quietly behind him. As expected, parked outside the gate was an impressive carriage, leagues above the ones milling in the streets, with two fine stallions in front of it. One of them was being petted by the coachman, and the other one, envious, butted its head in. The coachman laughed before petting it as well.

That laugh was way too familiar, Ukyou slowed his footsteps. The tall figure of the coachman, his broad back, his swaying blond hair. Feeling the pinprick of being watched, the coachman turned around.

Ukyou cold sweated. A disbelieving awkward smile made its way onto his face and refused to leave. Under the dim street light, those sharp eyes glinted with recognition and Ryuusui greeted him with a winning smile. The form-fitting coachman uniform certainly did not carry the same austere air as the captain uniform, but he still looked dashing in it regardless.

On that cruise ship, despite Gen’s words, they only got to talk one other time, on the second night of the trip. It went much the same way as the first night. Other than that, there were a few occasions where by pure chance, they made eye contact while Ryuusui was working, and the captain smiled at him, and then Ukyou would nod in acknowledgement, his heart fluttering for the slightest bit. That was all of it. He felt a faint sense of regret when they got off the ship, but ultimately he never thought that they would ever meet again.

Ryuusui left the horses, to their great displeasure, and walked towards him. They met halfway, a distance of one meter between them. Dumbfounded, Ukyou slowly said.

“Is driving carriages a side job of yours?”

Ryuusui bursted out laughing.

“I suppose so!”

Ukyou never thought he would ever get to hear that charming boisterous laughter again. His frozen smile softened into something more genuine.

“We meet again, Madam.” In a repeat of their first meeting, Ryuusui took off his cap and bowed gallantly. “You’re as beautiful as ever.”

Ukyou ducked his head shyly. “Thank you… I never expected that the friend Senkuu mentioned was captain Ryuusui.”

“Friend? Hmph, I think our relationship is more like business partners. Haha! I must say, I was quite surprised when he gave me the address to the Asagiri manor!”

Ukyou could only laugh along helplessly.

“Uhm, about that, I hate to trouble you, but you will have to wait for a bit.” There was a crash from inside the house. He cringed. Ryuusui probably couldn’t hear it, but Ukyou did. “They are still… getting ready.”

“Haha! I don't mind waiting if it means I get to spend more time with Miss Kyouko!”

When they arrived at the castle, the ball was already in full swing. They easily got Yuzuriha through by saying she was an attendant, and if the guard questioned why she was dressed so nicely – well, Ukyou just had to glare at them. After accompanying Gen and Yuzuriha for a while, he decided to leave them on their own. Teenagers didn’t like adults breathing down their necks, especially when they were supposed to be having fun, after all. Besides, he had his ears out in case any mishaps happened.

He gravitated towards the tables of refreshments. If there was one thing these gatherings got right, it was the food. Even if the atmosphere was stifling, he could still warm his stomach with good food.

He was enjoying some chocolate pudding when there was some commotion in Gen’s direction. He looked in that direction, and his eyes widened. Somehow, Gen had managed to catch the eyes of the prince. But when the prince started asking about the synthetic fabric used in the dress and the fiberglass slippers, he quickly understood how.

I did not see that coming, he cold sweated and had another spoon of pudding. His eyes drifted away from the stars of the ball, gliding over the profiles of the guests.

Huh????? His hand dropped from the spoon, leaving it hanging from his mouth. Standing near the entrance of the ballroom, with his head above the crowd was Ryuusui.

What was Ryuusui doing here? Ukyou instinctively hunched over and angled his face away to hide himself. Was he also invited? Ukyou couldn’t see his attire, but there was certainly no sight of the coachman cap.

Ryuusui looked around in search of something. A cute girl went up to him and asked for a dance, which he politely declined in order to continue searching. He moved through the sea of people right in the direction of Ukyou as if he had a sixth sense to sniff him out. Unfortunately, Ukyou was also tall, at least, for a woman, and before he could think of what to do, he was spotted.

Why did his face look so cute when it brightened? Ryuusui quickened his pace. Resigned to his fate, Ukyou could only laugh at his own expense inwardly.

“Aren’t you going to dance, Miss Kyouko?”

Yep, just as Ukyou thought, he was dressed like royalty – an orange ascot around his neck, an elegant cobalt double breasted tailcoat, its golden ornaments glimmered in the light, paired with white pants and black boots. He had such a dazzling presence that people turned their heads to look at him as he went. Such as right now, when the people around them were looking on not so discreetly.

Under all this unwanted attention, Ukyou couldn’t help but complain, his face hung low in embarrassment. “Can’t a lady have her dessert?”

Ryuusui was as charming as ever. “Of course! But it’s completely lost on me why such a beautiful woman isn’t on the dance floor!”

Ukyou shook his head and laughed. “This ballroom is filled with young eligible people, who would want to dance with a widow?” He was just here to chaperone. Since he wasn’t actually a widow, he could say these words nonchalantly.

“There’s plenty if you just look!”

He gave a half-hearted smile. “Thank you for your consideration.” Ryuusui made a sour face at that, how cute. “Why don’t you dance, too? There are many lovely girls waiting to have a chance to dance with you.”

I’m telling you to go out there and have fun.

But of course, Ryuusui was the master of defying expectations. He shook his head, swaying his golden hair and said.

“I hate to disappoint these beautiful women, but there’s only one person I want to dance with tonight.”

And well, considering his actions until now, who that person was was obvious, wasn’t it? Even so, Ukyou stayed silent in the hope that maybe Ryuusui was referring to someone else.

Don’t be so delusional. Ryuusui leaned forward and offered up his hand. “May I have this dance, Madam?”

Ukyou stared down at that outstretched hand. Just a dance wouldn’t hurt, right? He recalled Gen telling him to have some fun, and reluctantly, he took it. The gentle smile he received made his heartbeat quicken.

Ryuusui led him closer to the center of the room, where young beautiful people danced in pairs. Once the song they were dancing to ended, the two of them joined in. He bowed, and Ukyo curtsied in response. The beginning of a waltz played out, and they moved closer. Ryuusui placed a hand on his waist, in return Ukyou placed a hand on his shoulder, their other hands were clasped together as they looked into each other’s eyes.

One step forward, one step to the right, one step backwards. Together they moved smoothly on the dance floor like a ship cutting through the waves.

Ryuusui's movements were natural and skillful, not only that, but his presence alone exuded nobility, both of which belied his status as more than Ukyou had ever deemed him.

“Captain Ryuusui is full of surprises.” He noted aloud.

“Hmm?”

He smiled beatifically, befitting of a noblewoman. “It seems you’re a much more important figure than a ship captain moonlighting as a coachman.” He laughed awkwardly. “I hope you will forgive me if I have offended you in any way.”

Ryuusui barked a laugh. “Offended? Quite the contrary!” He spun the two of them in an arc, making the skirt of Ukyou’s dress flutter. “Your company is greatly appreciated! I thoroughly enjoyed the time I’ve got to spend with you!”

A complete knockout. Ukyou was so flustered he couldn’t maintain their eye contact, and he leaned his head down in hope of the wide brim of his hat concealing his flushed face. Because of that, he missed the way Ryuusui looked, charmed by the cute gesture.

“Oh, it's almost midnight.” Gen looked at the grand clock in the ballroom. “It was fun talking to you, Chrome-chan, but I have to go now. My stepmother only let me party till midnight.”

“Wait!” The prince hurried to say. “You'll help me, right?”

“Sure I will~ just remember to do as I say.”

He glanced behind Chrome, and saw Ukyou tapping a finger on his wrist, Ryuusui standing next to him. What the hell? He was dressed so fancy. Since when was that Ryuusui guy a nobleman as well as captain slash coachman???

Gen dramatically pulled away from the prince. “My prince–” he dramatically cried, a hand draped over his forehead, “I’m afraid I have to go–”

Chrome had his mouth ajar, closing and widening like a fish, before he remembered to play along.

“Wait!” He threw out his hand as Gen weaved through the crowd. “I, uh, I still haven't got your name!!”

From afar, Ukyou gave him a wide-eyed look at the sudden dramatic exit, and Gen made a face asking him to play along. With a frown that said ‘we will talk later’, he put a hand on Ryuusui’s arm next to him and said something, and the two of them also quickly moved toward the exit.

Outside, Senkuu and Taijuu were blatantly doing experiments on the palace ground with Yuzuriha, who had gotten bored of the ball and came to join them. There were even scorch marks in the grass as evidence of their vandalism. They too got swept up in the momentum, and in a state of confusion, everyone piled into the carriage.

“Go, Ryuusui-chan!” Gen leaned out of the window and pointed his finger forward. “Don't let them get us!” And by them he meant the guards running out of the palace while their prince was whistling, taking his sweet time ‘chasing’ after his newfound love.

“Haha! I don't know what's going on, but hold onto your seats!” Ryuusui whipped the reins. “Giddy up, my stallions!”

The horses rose up on their hind legs and neighed mightily. When their front legs landed on the ground, they kicked into gears and galloped off. Soon, the royal palace was but a figure in distance, growing smaller and smaller.

They arrived at the manor in half the time it took to reach the palace. Everyone got off, and Ukyou told Gen to bring his friends to their guest rooms. As the drowsy kids dragged each other inside, he turned back to the coachman, who was rewarding the horses with carrots.

“Here.” He took out his handbag and dug through it. “Let me pay the fee for our trips…”

Ryuusui swiveled around. “There's no need to, Madam!” He protested.

“Oh, come on.” Ukyou held out a few bills, quirking his eyebrows incredulously. “If I don't pay, who will be the one to do it?”

“Haha! Senkuu is the one who asked me for a ride, he can pay for it!”

“Senkuu is still a child.” Ukyou smiled witheringly. “Is Captain really going to make an underage boy pay? I'll cover it for him.”

“As lovely as it is to hear you call me captain in that sweet voice, I must insist on declining.” Ryuusui put a bare hand over his gloved one and gently pushed the cash back. “You see, Senkuu and I don't trade money. What I desire from that guy is his talent, so rest assured that he's fully capable of repaying me. Otherwise, I'll just be at a disadvantage.”

“Excuse me?” Ukyou jokingly glared up at him. “Are you saying I can't afford your price?”

“Haha! Quite the contrary!” Ryuusui leaned in closer with a dashing grin. “If it's Madam, then I'll give you anything you want free of charge.”

That line was such a bang that Ukyou had to blink several times to process it. It was then that he realized how small the distance between them had gotten. When he tried to take a step back, flustered, Ryuusui tightened the hold on his hand, and the pieces of paper he was holding crinkled, barely perceptible.

“Madam Kyouko,” his warm brown eyes shone earnestly, “even though we’ve only met a handful of times, I truly feel like there is a special connection between us.” To Ukyou’s astonishment, he professed, putting his other hand over the shorter’s. “I know this might be uncouth, but I’d really like to ask for a chance to court you.”

Ukyou would really like to curse his fate right now. If such a tall, handsome, charismatic guy had come to ask for his hand, he would probably say yes with no hesitation. But why now, when he was stuck in the role of his sister and had too much to worry about… Dejectedly, he pulled his hand back. Ryuusui let him go with a disappointed expression, as if he had just dropped something valuable into the river. He looked a little funny, Ukyou willed the corners of his mouth not to turn up.

“I’m flattered, truly, but…” He clasped his hands together and bowed his head, obscuring his face with the brim of his hat. “My apologies. I’ll have to decline.”

Ryuusui straightened up. When he spoke, his voice wasn’t faltering one bit.

“Could I ask the reason why you rejected me?”

Ukyou wanted to laugh. “Why, there’s plenty. For starter, I’m a widow.”

“Hmph, there’s no law saying you can remarry, and even if there is, it would be a stupid law. You deserve to feel love again.”

Casually talking about marriage, seriously, this guy… “That's not even all of it. I need to take care of Gen and my husband's business. I don't have the time for this.”

“If you allow me, I'll gladly offer my help! Madam might not think it when you see me, but I'm very good at business. And I don't mind helping you take care of Gen.”

Ukyou peered at him incredulously. “You don't look much older than Gen himself. That's another problem, how old are you exactly?”

“I'm twenty!”

Woah, what? Ukyou thought they were the same age, but he was actually older? “I'm almost a decade older than you! You're still young, Ryuusui. You should go out there and fall in love with a nice young girl, instead of chasing after someone like me.”

“Haha! What are you saying? You're still young yourself! In fact, the gap between you and me is smaller than the one between my parents, even, and something tells me it was the same for you and Mr Asagiri.”

Ukyou huffed haughtily. “It’s not the same when you are barely an adult.” Before Ryuusui could protest, he continued on. “I don’t like younger guys, so give it up.”

“...” Ryuusui tilted his head to the side, his hair hanging like a curtain. “Really?” He strikes a knowing smile, trying to peer through the brim of the hat. “I find that hard to believe.”

Well, that was the most blatant lie Ukyou had said so far. Kyouko herself wasn't particular about age either. He turned away in hope of not being found out.

“It's late now. You should go home and rest.” He started walking away, putting a stop to the conversation. Behind him, Ryuusui declared loudly.

“I won’t give up! I was prepared to be rejected, so you should know this is nothing! I’ll wait until you are ready!”

Ukyou blushed so hard he could feel the heat in his ears. Thankfully, his hat and the dim light from the lanterns at the gates ensured that Ryuusui couldn't see it.

“Go home, Ryuusui.”

“I’m serious! Even if it takes years, I'll wait! Once you're ready, come find me!”

“Senkuu-chan,” Gen muttered, eyes plastered to the window, “does that Ryuusui-chan like guys?”

Senkuu picked his nose. “He likes all genders.”

Instead of doing as Ukyou said, the moment the four of them walked through the main entrance, they immediately rushed to the nearest window to look out at gates, watching the exchange between Ukyou and Ryuusui.

“Is he rich?” Gen interrogated further. “Enough for Ukyou-chan not to have to lift a finger his whole life? Caring? Thoughtful? Loyal? No history of cheating?”

Senkuu grimaced. “Slow down. How the fuck am I supposed to know that? I’m not his nanny.” That was someone else.

“But Ukyou is pretending to be a woman.” Yuzuriha said. “Would Ryuusui be fine with being lied to?”

“I don’t think he’d mind.” Senkuu remarked. “Probably, I don’t know Ryuusui that well.”

“Hey! Look!” Taijuu exclaimed, startling all of them as he pointed outside. “Are they kiss—”

Gen jumped on him and put a hand over his big mouth. “Shhh Taijuu-chan!! You’re gonna get us caught!” He sucked his teeth. “And I'll be the one to get it!”

“He is coming this way.” Senkuu noted as Ryuusui made his leave as Ukyou walked toward the house.

“...! Scram!”

Not only did Gen manage to get the prince's attention, but a few days later, the prince came to the manor dressed in commoner clothes and a thick rope around his head, and he even brought two blond girls with him. Since when did their manor turn into a daycare? Their neglected yard had become an experiment ground, livened up by the sound of crashes and explosions.

And not only the prince and his friends, but now even Ryuusui started to visit the manor too, though seeing as he was a very busy man, it wasn't as frequent as the teenagers. With all these eyes around, Ukyou had resigned himself to staying in his room whenever he was home. He wasn't about to risk finding out what the prince would do were he to learn Ukyou was impersonating his sister.

“What is it this time?” He glanced over at Gen who just entered the kitchen with what seemed to be a bottle wrapped in glossy paper. True to his words, Ryuusui didn’t give up on trying to win over Kyouko. At least he knew to keep his distance, as so far all he had done was sending gifts. First bouquets, then exquisite boxes of chocolate, a painting of the sea, and now…

“I don’t think it’s wine, it’s light. You’d probably have a better idea than me.” Gen shook the gift slightly to make some noise, then remembered that Ryuusui told him to handle it, so he stopped, biting his lips with a face like Ryuusui was there to catch him.

“Hmm…” Ukyou tried to place what the slight scraping noise was. “Let’s just open it.”

Gen excitedly put it on the table. The wrapping paper was torn off to reveal… a ship in a bottle. The craftsmanship was amazing, was Ukyou thought as he gave it a closer inspection. Every detail of a romantic sailing ship seemed to be present, down to each tiny wooden board on the deck floor. It was elegant and frankly, adorable at its size.

“So,” Gen began after both of them took a marvel at it, “you’re gonna keep it, right?”

Despite asking the question, he already knew the answer. The painting of the cloudy sea before a storm was idling on the wall of the hallway leading to Ukyou’s bedroom, he doubted this sleek little ship in a bottle was any different.

“...Bring the lemonade out before the ice melts.” Ukyou said instead. Gen chuckled in his head. It was clear that Ukyou liked that ship captain slash coachman slash whatever else Ryuusui did for a living, but circumstances didn't allow it. Or did it…? Surely there had to be a way! Despite thinking that, Gen lilted his voice on the outside and cheekily obeyed Ukyou’s order, picking up the large silver tray to make his way out to the yard.

“Let’s take a break everyone~” He called out. “There’s snacks and drinks, courtesy of the lovely Kyouko-chan~”

Ryuusui instantly turned his attention away from the commotion.

“Madam Kyouko is home?”

“Yup~”

“...Can I see her?”

“Nope~” Gen rudely replied. “Kyouko-chan is very busy~ She took time out of her neverending work to prepare a little something for everyone.”

Hmph, if her work was that much, then Ryuusui was quite capable, and happy, to lend her a hand, considering what she had told him before, but best not to overstay his welcome. He took a glass from the tray and poured some lemonade from the jug. Taking a gulp, his eyes wandered to a window on the wall of the manor.

At the same time, Ukyou hurriedly ducked out of sight of the window. How did Ryuusui know which room was his? Surely Gen didn’t tell him. Knowing how sharp the other man was, Ukyou doubted he went unnoticed.

That was what he got for trying to sneak a peek. He berated himself, then dragged his feet back to his desk, smoothing down his dress as he settled into his seat. He didn’t want a repeat of the incident with Gen’s friends, especially when there were now even more people hanging around their place, so he had taken to crossdressing even when he was alone in the room, only shedding the disguise when the guests left. Accounts of this month’s earnings and spending stared up at him dully. He heaved a sigh and got to work.

Ukyou dragged his feet as he made his way back to the manor. He wasn’t in disguise today, because he had actually gone to his own work instead of Kyouko’s. Yet his mood didn’t improve much. He dedicated so much time and energy to Mr Asagiri’s company that he barely had time to practice, leading to the director commenting on his performance and expressing concern if he was doing well. There was no way he could explain his situation, so Ukyou just went along with it and said he was a little sick, leaving in embarrassment.

As if that wasn’t enough on his plate, his parents were also dying to take over the Asagiris’ fortune. Ukyou tried his best to hold them off during ‘Kyouko’’s visits to her parents, but he didn’t know how long he could keep this up. Honestly, he was getting sick of this constant charade.

Tired, he dreamed of the butter cookies they had in the cupboard. A small material relief, and his steps got a little lighter. Maybe he could have them with some tea…

The dream was dashed when he walked through the back gates and spotted… none other than Ryuusui. Ukyou screeched to a halt, hair standing on ends. Why was Ryuusui here? Alone by himself???

Before Ukyou could even sneak away without being noticed, as though feeling being watched, Ryuusui turned his head in his direction, freezing Ukyou in place with his intense gaze. Ryuusui stood up from the bench he was sitting at and took quick menacing steps towards him.

“You…” He said when he was an arm length away, peering down at Ukyou, and the poor noble gulped. “You are… Kyouko’s brother?”

Oh, right.

If you saw a person resembling someone you already knew, the first thought you had would probably be ‘they’re related’, not ‘person B is masquerading as person A’. It seemed simple, but when he was stared down by those sharp eyes not unlike a predator’s, Ukyou really thought he was going to be found out.

The butter cookies were laid on a tray, which he brought along with tea to serve to the guest. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Ryuusui, whose eyes were glued to the bottled ship seated above the fireplace (‘why did I put it there of all places’, Ukyou cried to himself), looked away to reply.

“It’s fine. More importantly, don’t you have any servants?”

Let’s see… since Ukyou was playing himself, it would be strange if he was fully aware of the situation, so a believable answer would be…

“I’m not quite sure, I think Kyouko told me they had to lay off the servants due to financial issues?”

“Hmph, I didn’t think it would be this serious…” Ryuusui muttered to himself.

“You said your name was Nanami, wasn’t it?” Ukyou spoke up. “May I ask what brought you here, Nanami?”

Ryuusui seemed to take a moment to mull over his answer. Once he settled on it, he turned his sharp eyes on Ukyou.

“Very well. I won’t beat around the bush.” He said unwaveringly. “I’m interested in pursuing Madam Kyouko, that is, your sister, romantically.”

Ryuusui, I know that’s the kind of person you are, but please don’t just immediately say it like that, Ukyou cold sweated internally. He picked up his cup of tea to take a sip, picking his words carefully before speaking.

“Uhm, you know, Nanami… Kyouko, she has been married once already. Not only that, it hasn’t been that long since the loss of her husband. Don’t you think this might not be the best time for courting?”

“That I understand.” Ryuusui nodded minutely. “Of course, I don’t plan to rush and overwhelm her. However, if she’d allow me to, I fully intend to treat her with all the love and respect she deserves.”

Love?! Don’t you think that’s moving too fast?!

“About that, I don’t think Kyouko’s interested? I mean, I’ve never heard my sister mention you.” Which was technically true. “I think you’re a little too young for her…”

“Hmph, I disagree. From my own observation and another lead, I’m inclined to believe the contrary.”

Another lead? Ukyou squinted his eyes. Speak of the devil, at that moment, the sound of scurried footsteps reached his ears from outside. The ‘lead’ Ryuusui spoke of poked his head out from behind a window, followed by a lush bed of leeks. Ukyou made a face as if to say ‘what is the meaning of all this?’, and Gen just replied with a dumb wide smile and two thumbs up.

“What are you looking at?” Ryuusui questioned when Ukyou frowned too noticeably, and to his horror, turned around before Ukyou could stop him. Luckily, Gen managed to duck his head as well as push the leeks out of sight in time …probably.

“...” Ryuusui turned back around. He finally picked up his teacup to drink.

Ukyou watched the other’s movement, which seemed refined even to a noble like him (although he wasn’t exactly raised in luxury), and decided to just rip the bandage off.

“I don’t know what you’ve managed to observe or this ‘lead’ of yours, but,” he sighed, “you seem like a good person, Nanami, so I’ll be honest with you. It’s best if you keep your distance.”

Ryuusui went still, putting the teacup down while staring at him. Gen poked his head back in.

“Kyouko isn't… the best partner to have.” Ukyo grimaced. “She likes to live a frivolous life, preferring to spend money than to earn it, and, more importantly, she isn't faithful in marriage. Her late husband– that is, Mr Asagiri – it brings me great shame to say this, but the truth is... she cheated on him. So I wouldn’t want you to–”

Thud! The fine chinas clattered from the force of Ryuusui’s hand hitting the table in his haste to rise to his feet. Ukyou winced. He should have expected that reaction.

“I think that’s enough from you.” Surprisingly, Ryuusui’s voice wasn’t as loud as Ukyou thought it would be. “I thought you two would share a similar personality, since you look so much alike, but it’s clear to me now that that is not the case. You have to be lying, because the Kyouko I know is nothing like what you said!”

“And what do you know about Kyouko?” Ukyou rebuked, crossing his arms and looking to the side. “I’ve known her longer than you, for my whole life, in fact. Compared to that, the time you’ve known her is nothing.”

“Just because you’re siblings doesn’t necessarily mean you understand each other! Believe me, I’d know!” Ryuusui made such a strange declaration that for a moment, Ukyou almost got a peak into a dark corner of his soul, if not for how he kept talking. “If you’re not lying, then you must be mistaken! Madam is an honorable, hardworking woman who tries her best to maintain her late husband’s business and take care of his child as her own!”

Ukyou couldn’t help a slight flush at those words. One corner of his mouth ticked up irritably. “It’s fake, simple as that. You know us nobles, we’re always overly concerned with keeping up appearances. Kyouko was just–”

“You will have to try harder if you want to dissuade me.” Ryuusui’s bold and distinct eyebrows were furrowed irritably as well. “Don’t underestimate me. As you say, I might not have known Kyouko for long, but my judgment is rarely wrong! I can tell that the person she showed me is her honest self. A sailor’s intuition is spot on!”

“Even if I tell you otherwise?”

Ryuusui’s energetic mouth froze, hanging open, as his tense facial muscles loosened. The sharp edges of his eyes smooth out slightly as he stared down at the person in front of him, who stared back with big jade eyes not unlike the woman he loved.

“...What was that?”

Ah, he lost his patience, and before he knew it, his voice came out like that. Well, whatever, he was tired of having to pretend. Ukyou smiled long-sufferingly. “Captain Ryuusui really is passionate, huh?” He inclined his head. “But you ought to listen to others sometimes too, you know?”

Ryuusui straightened up from having unconsciously leaned forward. He put a hand to his chin, and it was as if Ukyou could see the cogs turning in his head.

The bout of silence didn't last long. “You're… Kyouko?” Adapting quickly to the situation, Ryuusui said. “Apology, but I think I deserve an explanation as to what exactly is going on here.”

“So let me get this straight.” Ryuusui rubbed his chin. “The real Kyouko eloped and hasn't been found, so you've been taking her place this whole time?”

“...Yes.” Now that the truth was laid out, Ukyou carried himself timidly, head hung low while peering up at the other. “I know this is preposterous to ask, but could you please keep this a secret? At least, until we get this sorted out.”

“Hmph, that will depend.” Ryuusui stated, scarily. “Answer me this: If what you said about Kyouko's character is true, then the Kyouko you've shown, which is quite different, is yourself?”

“Uhm, I wouldn't exactly say that… After all, I'm not a widow or a stepmother. I take care of Gen and run the business because that’s the least I can do.” At the contemplative look on that handsome face, Ukyou added. “So you see, the Kyouko you’re interested in isn’t real. I–I’m sorry.”

Ryuusui hummed. His face still didn’t show any particular emotion, scarily. He stood up from his chair and walked around the table. “Can you stand up?” He held out a hand to Ukyou.

Ukyou honestly thought he was about to receive a punch to the face. It was deserved, after deceiving the other man, so he braced himself before taking that hand.

But instead, Ryuusui just stared at him quietly. The intense copper red gaze flustered him as his cheeks started heating up, and when Ukyou averted his eyes, he realized that his hand was still being held, which only made things worse. “Uhm, what’s—ah!”

Without a warning, Ryuusui slithered his other arm around Ukyou’s back and pulled him closer. The position looked like they were preparing for a dance. However, the distance between them was even smaller than that day at the ball. Ukyou’s face puffed up in red.

“What’s– what’s the meaning of this?!”

Ryuusui’s stare remained unchanged. Ukyou was afraid his face had been stuck in that blank expression, but then, those sharp eyes sparkled like stars, and he broke out into a wide grin.

“Haha! As I thought, man or woman, you’re adorable no matter what!”

Huh???

“No, in fact, I would even go so far as to say you’re even more adorable!”

Ryuusui let go of a flustered Ukyou, putting a more appropriate distance between them, but didn’t let go of the smaller hand.

“Ukyou, isn’t it? So, now that the truth is exposed, and all your reasons for refusing me are but fabrication, will you finally accept my courting?”

Ukyou opened his mouth, closed it, then opened again, yet no sound came out. After a minute of stunned silence, he managed to mutter.

“You’re still interested, after all that…?”

“Like I said, I can tell that you were honest around me, aside from your disguise. I am attracted to the person that you are, regardless of your gender, so my intention toward you hasn’t changed one bit!”

“...I thought your type was older, grieving widows.” Ukyou couldn’t help but quip.

“Haha! Quite the contrary!” Ryuusui cupped his cheek with his rough sailor hand, and Ukyou’s blush made a return. “I was dying of jealousy! I can't believe someone had gotten to you before I could, that you used to belong to someone else, so if anything, this news is an immense relief!”

His thumb started stroking Ukyou’s heated skin, and he flashes a charming smile. “Don't worry, I won't use your secret to force you. Rest assured it's safe by me, so tell me your honest answer.”

Ukyou frowned helplessly. This guy was just—too much! Even now, he was still wondering why such a guy, who could have anyone he desired, was so fixated on him.

He glanced away from that annoyingly beautiful face for a moment. Outside the window, Gen was doing a cheerleading dance judging from his worm-like movement while Senkuu was pressing his ear to a glass pressed to the window to listen in. Seriously…

He turned back to Ryuusui and those bright expectant eyes. A small timid smile tugged on his lips as he nodded his head shyly.

“If, if you'll have me…”

“Of course!” Ryuusui laughed triumphantly, before bringing up Ukyou’s hand to drop a kiss on the knuckles. “I'll treat you right, I swear on my pride as a sailor.”

Ukyou chuckled weakly. “I guess I can trust you on it then.”

Gen was shaking Senkuu’s by the scuff of his shirt. This time, Ryuusui turned to look at them too.

“I thought I saw you – that is, Kyouko – at first.” He recalled, and added humorously. “I was right! You were just not in your disguise!” The boyish snicker he let out was awfully cute. “Then I thought, ‘so this must be the ‘help’ Gen said I would get’, having Kyouko’s brother give me some pointers on how to win her over. Even as siblings, I thought you looked eerily similar.”

“...So Gen told you to come here today?”

Ryuusui chuckled his confirmation. “Is he in trouble?”

Ukyou pursed his lips. “He might very well be.” Ryuusui found the expression adorable, though he refrained from saying it lest the ‘lady’ became more irritated.

“I’ve been meaning to ask.” He spoke, pulling the attention back to him. “You’re dressed dashingly today, what’s the occasion?”

He gestured to the tuxedo Ukyou was clad in, which prompted the man to look down at his own clothes.

“Oh, this is, uhm, from another job. My own job. You see, I’m a… musician.”

The copper red eyes widened in pleasant surprise. “I wasn't aware that you're even more talented than you already are! I heard they were putting on a show at the center concert halls today. You must have performed there considering you’re dressed like this, am I wrong?”

“Ah, you exaggerate…” Ukyou averted his eyes, hand coming up to his warm cheek. “I haven't been practicing as much as I should lately, so my performance wasn't up to par…”

Ryuusui nodded along. “It must be difficult balancing all the responsibilities you have. I’m sure once you’re in a better condition, your skill is nothing to laugh at. If possible, I'd like to hear you play sometime.”

“...I'll think about it…” Ukyou muttered under his breath, whether Ryuusui heard it was up to him. His gaze wandered back to the window again, and he let out a chuckle. “Look, Gen looks awfully full of himself. Come on.”

He made his way to the window, Ryuusui following closely behind, and flung it open. As Gen and Senkuu fell back on their asses, he put his hands on his hips and scolded.

“Gen! What did I tell you about discussing these ideas of yours with me beforehand?”

“You can be really stubborn sometimes Ukyou-chan~!” Gen held up two hands, guilty as charged. “Rather than trying to convince you, it’s way faster to let you see for yourself~ Don’t worry, I observed Ryuusui-chan looong and haaard before letting him meet you~”

Ryuusui laughed. “He asked me if I’d make him call me stepdad and give him a monthly allowance of one million yen!”

“...And what’s your answer to the second one?”

“Not without good reason of course!” He slid an arm around Ukyou’s shoulders and lowered his voice. “And certainly without your permission.”

Ukyou blushed at the gesture, so to distract from it, he side-eyed Gen, huffing. “You’re right in doing that.”

“I was just joking! Ryuusui-chan, why did you bring that up of all things!? You’re both so unfun, that’s why you’re perfect for each other!”

“You’re concerned with keeping your secret, aren’t you?” Senkuu spoke up for the first time, picking his ear while sprawled out on the grass without a care in the world. “This guy might be loud, but he knows when to keep his mouth shut.”

Ukyou felt like letting out a long sigh. These kids would be the death of him.

In the end, Gen was ordered to pull out all the weed in the backyard as punishment with much whining while Ukyou went with Ryuusui to plan for a date. Whether he had help from Senkuu and whatever gadgets that boy had was not of Ukyou’s concern.

That positive development with Ryuusui-chan was the beginning of things looking up.

Eventually, with the prince’s support, Senkuu crafted the antibiotic to help cure his childhood friend of her illness. Prince Chrome only had eyes for her, but because of her illness, she wasn’t considered an eligible partner for him. The ball was held to nudge the prince to pick another suitor, but instead, he went and sniffed out Senkuu’s skills. Once her health improved, Senkuu was offered the position of Royal Scientist.

At the same time, Ukyou and Ryuusui were growing closer, fast. Ryuusui offered a solution to his double life that Ukyou, fed up with his family, was all too ready to heed. With permission from Gen, the Asagiri company was sold to Ryuusui, who would manage it better than Ukyou ever could with his skills and sense for business.

And then, not even one year of dating had passed, and Ryuusui-chan proposed for them to live together! Ukyou asked Gen if he wanted to come along with them, but he declined. Since Senkuu was now the Royal Scientist, Gen wanted to follow him to help out in his science adventure.

Right, ‘help out’... Ukyou rolled his eyes. Deep in thought and surrounded by the whipping wind, he noticed the footsteps walking towards him a tad too late. A hand landed on his hip, followed by Ryuusui’s warm body heat as he sidled up to him.

“The vast beautiful ocean before you, and you’re not appreciating the view?” He whispered in Ukyou’s ear, causing it to turn bright red, and chuckled. “You’re thinking about those kids again, aren’t you?”

Ukyou let out a flustered laugh and leaned a little into his arm. “Sorry, I know they have Senkuu’s father to be responsible for them, but I don’t quite trust those troublemakers.”

“Haha! You worry too much! Gen is a grown man who can take care of himself.”

“He’s seventeen! He still can’t cook mackerel right!”

Ryuusui laughs again. “And way too conniving for his own good. It seems playing the role of a stepmother has turned you into quite the mother hen. Relax.” He nosed the hair at Ukyou’s temple. “Those guys can get themselves out of any situation. And if they can’t, well, Madam will come at their cries for help, am I wrong?”

Ukyou blushes intensely at the honorific. Pouting, he pushed down on the brim of Ryuusui’s captain hat forcefully as a way to reprimand his partner. “You’ll have to help too. Don’t act like you don’t care about them.”

Ryuusui quipped amidst laughter. “Of course, whatever Madam says.” His hand reached up to tip his hat back in place. “As valuable as they are, you’ll have to forgive me for rejoicing for finally having you all to myself.”

Ukyou rolled his eyes fondly. “You’ve had me for yourself plenty of times before.”

“And it will never be enough!” Ryuusui moved his hand to his waist and started leading him away from the taffrail. “I intend to make the most of our time on this trip, and if I remember correctly, someone has requested a tour of my lovely ship.”

A wide smile that pushed up the corners of his eyes danced on Ukyou’s lips as he went along. The ship they were on was even larger and more beautiful than the cruise that day, and the captain uniform had upgraded along with it as well, as Ryuusui looked nothing short of a dignified general at sea, and the cap he had worn that day had been replaced with a magnificent tricorne.

“Hey, why were you steering that cruise?” He asked with great amusement. “I never would have thought that Captain Ryuusui would be the heir of the Nanami Conglomerate.”

“I’ll have you know I had to claw my way to that title of heir!” The wind rustled the flowing golden hair animatedly, bringing the proud laughter to his ears. “I just prefer field work. As fun as taking care of the logistics is, I’d rather feel these beauties and steer them with my own hands.”

Ukyou quirked an amused eyebrow. “Do I have competition to worry about now?”

“Ha! Not at all, darling.” Ryuusui dropped a kiss on his silver lash. “My desire for you is unique to you. Nothing else compares. Now, I was thinking that in exchange for a tour of the ship, I’d like a performance later, how does that sound?”

Rosy-cheeked, Ukyou snuggled up to him. “Hehe, I’d be honored.”

The end.