Puits d'Amour

The Stray Prince, Pt 2

Yamato knocked on Café du Ciel's back door at noon, once again accompanied by Osamu, who had the cushy job of holding Roncier's leash and enjoying a free lunch while he met with Sora. Once Sora let Yamato in, Osamu selected an outdoor table and sat while Roncier circled about for the most comfortable bit of grass.

For the first time in Yamato's experience, Sora's outfit wasn't covered by a flour-splattered apron. She was dressed up, but in the mode of someone who was trying to appear casual about it- a frustrating exercise that Yamato was all too familiar with. She wore a collared shirt with wide sleeves in pale yellow, rolled to three quarter length. This was tucked into a sky blue skirt at the waist, which fell to mid calf and featured enormous pockets, from which she produced a key.

She led him to a door off the back hallway, which opened to a stairwell lit by a round window at the landing. Yamato climbed to the café's second floor and found himself in a living area. Seeing the tatami mats, he removed his shoes and placed them on the first stair. Two pairs of slippers waited nearby, one smaller in sky blue, one larger in black. He helped himself to the black pair and made way for Sora.

He glanced about the living room, somewhat bemused. The downstairs café was Autun themed- or at least the outside of the building was. But Sora's home featured tatami mat flooring, a low square table with a cushion per side, a standing radio, a phonograph record player on a console, and a low sofa and side table. The walls were a soothing green and hung with peaceful watercolor art and old photographs. The room's main decorations were thriving plants. A sliding shoji door likely concealed a kitchen, and a hallway ahead led further into her home. It was a comfortable, relaxing space, lit with early afternoon light through the windows.

The food Yamato ordered waited on the table, along with a lovely tray bearing tea accouterments. "Would you prefer to eat here or in the kitchen?" Sora asked, hovering awkwardly in the middle of the room. "I have a high table there."

The living room was impeccably clean and tidy. A gorgeous ikebana arrangement sat on the console table, made with mostly blue flowers. Yamato recalled that they were being marketed as his favorites in the café-which was somehow accurate. Ah. That's right, my lessons with Takenouchi O-iemoto…

Seeing the care put into the room, and that Sora chose to set up here, Yamato said, "This room is comfortable, thank you." Sora's shoulders tightened, and he realized that 'comfortable' could sound condescending- although he said it with relief. He was already sick of the ostentatious proportions of the palace. "It's beautiful," he quickly added. "I'm surprised to see Hakone fixtures, though."

"They belonged to my ancestors," Sora replied.

"Thank you for hosting me." Briefly, Yamato weighed his desire for music against the potential rudeness of asking a near stranger to let him rummage through her things. The moral battle was short, but let the log show that it did, in fact, take place. "May I see your records?"

Sora blinked. "Um, yes, of course. You did seem interested in them earlier." Yamato nodded, but was too focused on his goal to comment. As he approached the phonograph, Sora said, "The records are in the console."

He opened the door and found the records stacked within. Excitement pulsed at the size of her collection. "It's rare to see so many in one place!" There were record stores in Autun cities, but none in the countryside. If Yamato wanted a record, all he had to do was ask Jyou to have someone order it. But it was a rare treat to see a collection and pick among them.

"It's Mimi-chan," Sora laughed. "She keeps giving them to me. The phonograph and radios are extras from her company, too. They have small cosmetic faults, so Mimi-chan convinced her grandfather to set them aside for her to give out."

"For free? Not a sound business decision." Yamato slid the records out one by one, soaking in the covers. The collection was eclectic, which might have been more reflective of Mimi's gifting than Sora's tastes, but they mostly featured Hakone artists. That made them new and interesting.

"I doubt the Tachikawas mind Mimi-chan's generosity. Most university students come from high profile families."

Yamato's excitement soured. Of course, a favor to the right person could be far more valuable than a radio, phonograph, or record. And wasn't that exactly why he was here? "Which is your favorite?" he asked, redirecting to something pleasant.

Sora approached and glanced into the console over his shoulder. "I've been playing the one on the far right lately." Yamato slipped the indicated record free and examined the sleeve. He didn't recognize the artist, so he loaded the record and positioned the needle.

Peaceful music filled the room, played on a koto and shakuhachi. Yamato listened, working through his impressions. He assumed Sora preferred trendy music- or maybe that was what he wanted to catch up on. "You're a fan of traditional?"

"I've certainly been exposed to it," Sora replied, grinning. Yamato inclined his head, allowing her point. Iemoto families were tradition keepers, people who passed down aspects of Hakone culture from generation to generation, ensuring its preservation. Yamato respected that, but he was curious about current music.

"I'm told jazz is popular in Hakone recently."

"Looking for something more modern? I'll recommend one after this."

Each side of a record only played for about ten minutes, so Yamato nodded. He was fully seated at the table before he caught himself being rude again. "This piece is nice. Relaxing."

Sora sat opposite him, then poured tea for them both. "I think so, too. I listen to it while I work on ikebana."

"You made that piece by the phonograph? It's beautiful." Yamato admired ikebana, but he didn't have as good an eye for it as he would like. Sora's arrangement featured white and yellow flowers at the base. Blue flowers rose from them and curved to the side, a soft floral wave on thin green stems. It evoked a melancholic, pensive feeling.

"Thank you," Sora said, but her smile was half-hearted. Yamato sensed that she wasn't pleased with her work, but he didn't know how to gently probe the issue- or if doing so was wise.

Doubling down was all he could think of, so he added, "It's elegant. Like- like moving water." More specifically, it looked like rain mixed with the movement of the sea- droplets rushing like waves. But he feared that his description would announce how unrefined his understanding of the art was, so he went quiet, aware that his face was heating.

But Sora's smile warmed, easing his misgivings. "Thank you."

They gazed politely at one another as a pause dragged on. Yamato caught his foot tapping, a tick revealing his nerves. Sora seemed kind, and was easy to talk to. But often, he felt a chasm between them, a distance he had no idea how to bridge.

Yamato tsked, and when Sora inched away, he sighed and cupped his forehead. "I'm impatient with myself, not with you. I want things to be comfortable between us, but I'm aware that I've placed you in an odd situation, and that dealing with a prince is… unusual. I'd like it if you treated me like anyone else- although I realize I wouldn't be here at all if I wasn't... who I am."

He stared at the table, teeth grit hard enough to make his jaw ache. He was excruciatingly aware of the hypocrisy of his position. His status as prince was exactly why Sora was willing to let him into her kitchen, then her flat. Knowing that, how could he ask her to treat him like a friend? But, knowing her, even as little as he did, how could he not?

Sora released a long breath. "I see… I'll try, Your Highness. I apologize for- Well, my home isn't as grand as what you're used to. I feel antsy about that."

"I practically invited myself to your home- and it's beautiful." Yamato managed a ruffled, weary smile. "This is where I want to be."

Sora watched him, as if trying to gauge his sincerity. At last, she produced a smile that somehow pulled Yamato closer. "You know, you aren't here because you're a prince. I didn't recognize you when you first came to my kitchen, yes?"

His heart did something strange and uncomfortable, a fluttery little palpitation. He had never encountered anyone who exuded Sora's radiant warmth. He didn't know what to do with that fanciful perception, which was alarming- especially because he found himself hoping she wouldn't pass in and out of his life, as most people did.

He was relieved when Sora took a bite of her salad, which seemed to signal that he didn't have to respond. He started on his sandwich, and his brow rose. The beef was tender, savory, juicy. "This is delicious. Do you cook for your café, as well?"

Sora relaxed whenever he praised her café, and that mellowing effect warmed her expression and eased tension from her shoulders. "It is good, isn't it? The beef sandwich is one of our best sellers. I only bake for the café. My head chef, Motomiya Daisuke, developed our recipes and taught the other chefs."

"Is he the son of a restaurateur family?" While he typically ate fairly standard fare, and would never turn his nose up at café food like sandwiches and salads, everything prepared for Yamato was made with the finest ingredients by talented chefs. He knew when he was eating good food.

Sora grinned. "Oh, Daisuke-kun would brag for weeks if he knew you asked that! No, his family doesn't run restaurants, nor are they noble, but they do have the funds to send him to Nagano University. He's pursuing a business degree with the goal of opening his own restaurant, although my understanding is that his family would rather he use his education in any other way."

Through talks with Jyou, Yamato was aware that people often had their futures bound, or at least influenced, by family opinion. He assumed that people outside of nobility had less tradition restricting their paths, but apparently, even working class individuals dealt with those pressures.

Although he was curious, Yamato shifted to his top priority question. "I think he'd do well. Can I ask you about your other employees and regulars?"

"Thinking of networking?" Sora asked.

"In a way, yes," Yamato allowed. "But I'm more interested in the demographics of the young people here." What was life like for the working and noble classes in Nagano? Were any of Sora's regulars people who would potentially become influential around when Yamato took the crown, like Sora herself?

Something about Sora's carefully neutral expression told Yamato that she understood his motives. Somehow, this made him feel like a chastened child, which only flustered and frustrated him. He turned his attention to his food, mostly to hide visual signs of that response.

"Well... Most of my employees come from families who found commercial success, usually within the last three generations or fewer, but lack a noble bloodline. The Tachikawa company took off about a decade ago, for example."

"Makes sense." Kids from noble families were unlikely to take jobs at a café. If they needed money or connections, they had access to more convenient sources. But for wealthier working class families, being employed by a future iemoto in a place where noble kids gathered was a smart move.

Because Jyou hadn't reported back on Osamu yet, and Osamu mentioned that his brother worked at the café, Yamato asked, "What about the Ichijoujis?"

Sora began toying with her fork. Though she seemed hesitant, she began, "They're an interesting case. Ichijouji Osamu was considered a child prodigy, and his family rose in fame because of it, despite their lack of funds or bloodline. The rumor is that they're hoping he will bring the family to prominence."

"What about the younger brother?" Yamato didn't know what to make of this story. To his knowledge, the best way for a family to improve their social standing was marriage, or by opening a successful business, which required hard work and luck… But most importantly, startup capital, location, and contacts. Was there enough raw talent packed into any individual to substitute for those things?

I suppose his talents carried him as far as Nagano University, and garnered him a position working with the crown prince at the palace… But what could his next move be?

Sora hesitated for so long that Yamato wondered if his question had somehow offended. "Ken-kun… He was accepted to Nagano University with a full scholarship as a favor to Ichijouji-san, who led various academic clubs to victories when he was enrolled. But… there don't seem to be any expectations on Ken-kun, although he's a bright boy in his own right. Ichijouji-san works nearby, but I've never seen him visit Ken-kun at the café until today..."

Perhaps Sora noticed her tone shifting from hesitant to bothered, because she took another bite of food, processed, and added, "I don't know what to think- and it's not my business, regardless."

Yamato snorted, and Sora's eyebrows shot up. "What?" he asked, grinning. "I'm allowed to make that noise, I trust."

"Certainly, Your Highness." Normally, the use of his title from Sora, someone Yamato wanted to befriend for both professional and increasingly personal reasons, would have annoyed him. But something about the tartness of her tone and her insolent little smile made him laugh.

She made a swaying motion with her fork, as if to brush the previous subject aside. "Moving along, the Yagamis supply me with the flowers I sell and use for ikebana. They also supply my mother's practice."

"That's a strong vote of confidence." And because he knew how favors worked, Yamato added, "If my parents aren't sourcing from them already, I'll recommend them."

"I'd appreciate that," Sora said, eyes widening. "The Yagamis are longtime family friends. Taichi is a barista, and Hikari-chan delivers and arranges our flower displays in the morning. Their grandparents started the flower business, and it flourished. There's no bloodline, but they're respected in the community, with good reason."

But the son makes coffee? Seeing how fondly Sora spoke of the Yagamis, and not wanting to insult anyone who might potentially be caffeinating him, Yamato opted to keep that to himself.

"Meiko-chan, who you've met in the kitchen, is the daughter of a scientist. The Mochizuki family rose in prominence following the pharmaceutical developments he spearheaded. And Wallace-kun is the son of an ambassador. I don't believe you've met Miyako-chan yet; she has waitress shifts in the evening, after her classes. Her family owns a few local general stores. As for our regulars, it's not my place to tell you about them. But I asked my employees if they minded my telling you the basics."

Yamato could only hope he didn't look as surprised as he felt. Granted, his intention of meeting the local young nobles and business owners was likely obvious, but the degree to which Sora anticipated his needs hinted that she was either highly forward-thinking and sensitive to the needs of others, or that he was more transparent than he wanted to be.

Somewhat flustered, and wanting to know more about her with every exchange, Yamato shifted the subject. "May I ask about you?"

Sora blinked, then smiled. "I suppose that's only fair, since my employees agreed to it. What do you want to know?"

Yamato gazed around the calm living room. A flat in the best area in the capital city was an incredible luxury, but the Takenouchi estate offered land and privacy in the nearest suburb, and was far grander. Why had Sora opted to move out and run a business? Was that too personal a question?

He chose what seemed like an easier subject. "Will you be upset to give up your café someday, when you become an iemoto?"

Sora laughed, but the stiffness of it alerted Yamato that he had somehow erred. "I'll miss it, but... Baking is hard. My shift starts at two in the morning, and I'm in bed by five in the afternoon."

Yamato nearly knocked his teacup over. "Five in the- how do you meet with anyone?!"

Her smile shifted, turning regretful as she wound a strand of auburn hair around a finger. "That's the worst part of it. I'm already considering taking on more bakers, but it's my favorite task. But I can't have dinner with friends or attend evening social events." She cleared her throat and smiled, but her eyes were trained to the tea set. "Everyone is telling me I'm spreading myself too thin. I'll have to give up being the primary baker someday, most likely when I'm too old to fit in so naturally with the student body."

"I'm sorry. You can still bake for fun, or come in on occasion. But how do you run your business and prepare to become iemoto?" Yamato was aware that his question was blunt, but didn't know how to soften it. And, as a person attempting to balance a personal life and a persona as the crown prince, he was too desperate not to ask.

Sora placed her knife and fork down with fussy care, and Yamato tried not to grimace. "My mother won't step down until she has to, so it could be decades until I become the grandmaster. She encourages me to live my life as I will until then, as long as I also continue my training."

Which sounded ideal to Yamato, but Sora seemed… A little sad? She wasn't smiling or meeting his gaze, at least. Sensing that he might be overstepping, Yamato deflected the topic to himself. "My parents are young, too. Hopefully, it will be a long time before I take the crown."

She smiled, and Yamato relaxed, pleased to have successfully backed away from an unwelcome topic. "It sounds like we're in a similar position. May I ask what you plan to do until you ascend?"

"That's fair," and it was. Still, Yamato grimaced- but when Sora laughed, he found himself grinning. "I don't really know. My training for the crown isn't full time. For now, my job is to grow familiar with the area and its people, which is why I'm here. But after that..."

Sora's gaze averted as she considered. "Hm... This window to explore what you want to do is precious. What do you want to do with it?"

Yamato fussed with his teacup, rotating it. Why was this simple, natural question so uncomfortable? "I've been busy with lessons and events for most of my life. I spent my limited free time…" He paused, scowling. 'Walking like a vagrant' was not the descriptor he wanted, but nothing else came to mind.

"You seem to love music," Sora prompted. "And dogs."

Yamato managed a rueful grin. "Can I make a career of playing with dogs?" In case the joke didn't land, he quickly added, "I can train them. I trained Roncier myself."

He didn't understand Sora's muted giggle. "I'm sure he's a good boy." Flustered, Yamato's mouth snapped shut. "Speaking of music, you mentioned jazz?"

Sora rose, selected a record, and swapped it with the completed one. Yamato inhaled and closed his eyes, listening to the mellow sound of a piano, snare drum, and upright bass. His shoulders relaxed, and when he opened his eyes, he found Sora staring at him. "You really do seem to love it."

Heat erupted on Yamato's face. "It's nice," he grunted.

Sora returned to the table, sat, pushed her finished meal aside, and picked up her teacup. "Do you play any instruments?"

"I play guitar, piano, and harmonica." That last was, as always, tucked in his pocket. Even if he doubted he would have occasion to play, Yamato carried his harmonica. Sometimes, touching the cool metal, knowing that the outlet of music was within reach, was all he needed to feel reassured.

"Oh, dear. No traditional instruments?" Sora seemed to be attempting a mournful expression, but her grin gave her away.

"I took koto lessons. Didn't particularly take to it. My piano tutors were none too pleased when I played jazz pieces, either."

Sora grinned. "My mother must have felt the same way when I played sports instead of practicing my ikebana. You know, Nagano University offers music majors, and I believe there are classes based on specific genres."

Yamato's eyebrows rose. He was tempted to ask about the sports comment- it was difficult to imagine Sora giving a parent a hard time or avoiding her duties- but the option of studying music was too enticing. "I hadn't thought of that..." While the music training he received was the best available, those lessons were treated as electives. He was encouraged to explore his interests, but only after his main educational goals were met. Was this the perfect time to focus on what he most wanted to learn?

"And, naturally, the Tachikawas lead the recording industry in the country." There was a definite innocence to Sora's tone. Yamato knew he should avoid the bait, but it was too tempting.

"Recording?"

Sora often smiled, but this one was different. Amusement lit her eyes, brightening her face, and her teasing tone suggested... Well, that they were friends, or at least friendly. "Mm. I imagine everyone would love to hear the prince's music. Do you compose? Sing? You have a beautiful voice."

Would she cut it out?! More heat inflamed his cheeks- he had to be red. "I, I do compose and sing." It came out defensively, so he took a deep breath before adding, "I'm especially interested in music blended between countries." Music born of melded places comforted him; a sweet reminder that he wasn't alone in belonging to multiple parts of the world.

"In that case, you should definitely come when Eimi-chan is here! Anami Eimi is a student on a merit scholarship for the music program. She writes and performs songs influenced by Hakone, Innisfree, and New Hope. I pay her to perform live here." There was no mistaking the growing excitement in Sora's voice. "You could perform with her, or by yourself. Everyone would love that!"

Yamato cleared his throat. He had performed at recitals and competitions, but that was assigned music. Had he ever performed his own pieces? Takeru and Jyou had heard snippets, but not formally.

Sora parked her elbows on the table, steepled her fingers, and rested her chin on them. Arching an eyebrow, she asked, "What's wrong, Your Highness? Certainly, a prince can perform publicly?"

Yamato rubbed the back of his neck. He kept saying he wanted to be treated casually, but Sora's teasing was starting to genuinely fluster him- or maybe that had more to do with her smile? He reminded himself that he was here for the express purpose of meeting people and being friendly, but his tone still came out gruff, almost reluctant. "I've never shared my original pieces. Maybe you could listen to them first? I've no idea what people will enjoy here."

Her head jerked up, away from the cradle of her fingers. "Really? I'd be happy to!"

She sounded excited, but there was no way he could look at her face to confirm. "Do you like music?" Yamato asked, desperately turning the subject. He dearly wanted to walk, to release his jittery energy. The best he could do was jiggle a foot beneath the table.

"Of course! But I don't have any aptitude for playing. I like to sing, but other than that..."

"Well, if I have to sing, then you do, too," Yamato reasoned. "But let's start with hearing Anami-san, and whatever music is popular here."

Laughing, Sora waved his comment off. "No one wants to hear me sing! But Mimi-chan is a great person to ask about music trends. Just make sure you specify that you're looking for general tastes, not her tastes."

The corner of Yamato's mouth twitched up. He enjoyed Mimi's bright, easy way of talking to him, but he could picture a conversation with her turning into a peppy soliloquy.

"I haven't had Eimi-chan in recently. The café has been packed to capacity, and we didn't want people lingering for the music. But I'll let you know when she comes in again." Sora paused and tipped her head. "Hm, he's been asking after her, too…"

Yamato was about to ask what she meant when she added, "Is there anything else you'd like to try?"

"Hm..." What else could Yamato say? Was this going to sound stupid? "Well... I enjoy walking. And scenery."

"We have some walking paths, but you'd have more scenic luck outside of the city. Maybe you could go touring?"

Yamato wasn't sure if he felt dazed or embarrassed. "How come I didn't think of that?" As a child, he spent most of his time in Hakone at the palace, taking lessons or meeting noble children. Functionally, he had an entire country to explore.

Sora's gentle expression and voice soothed and reassured. "It sounds like you went through a lot of changes in a short time. Maybe adjusting is enough, for now. But I'd definitely think about what you want to try in the meantime."

"That's kind of you," Yamato murmured, struck with how true that was- and how grateful he was for her kindness. "And if I'm traveling, I bet Jyou would like seeing hospitals further from the capital and meeting the staff..."

"Jyou-san?" Sora echoed. "Hospitals?"

Yamato ignored the urge to slap his forehead. Why was he talking about someone she hadn't met, like an idiot? What was it about Sora that made him feel like he had known her for far longer than he had? "Ah- Jyou is- You know the Kido family?"

"Not the Kidos who own the Nagano hospital and medical school?"

"The same. He's the third child, so he has no family trade to inherit. I hired him to assist me, but he also advises medical facilities and shares news between Autun and Hakone medical groups."

Sora seemed a touch confused, as if doubting the input from her ears. "You'd plan your trip around his needs?"

"Of course." Yamato nearly snapped, defensive at the suggestion that he wouldn't be considerate of Jyou. "He's my friend, but he's also a boon for medicine in both countries."

"You think highly of him."

Yamato caught himself fidgeting and struggled to control it. Sora was staring at his face as if a new feature had populated there, and he was at a loss to explain why. "Aren't we meant to think well of our friends?"

"That's true," she said warmly. "But maybe we should discuss logistics for your café visit before exploring further travels. I hope you can bring Kido-san here sometime. I'd love to meet your friend."

Was it possible that Sora wanted a connection to the Kido group? But no- Yamato just couldn't doubt the sincerity of that smile. "I'm sure he'd love to meet you." After all, who wouldn't?

Panic, fierce and unexpected, followed that errant thought. It wasn't a problem, of course, taking a shine to someone. In fact, Yamato was meant to be seeking out connections, right? But wanting to meet café patrons was one thing…

Wanting to introduce someone to Jyou was another.

The record stopped, and Yamato rose to flip it, absurdly grateful for a chance to move and collect himself. Already half standing, he said, "Do you mind if I turn the record over?" With her permission, he approached the phonograph and took his time handling the record. There wasn't a reason to feel so flustered, but… well, he did.

When he returned to the table and sat, somewhat calmer, Sora folded her hands, leaned closer, and began, "So, here's my strategy for your visit the café..."

Yamato leaned in, echoing her posture, and listened.