Puits d'Amour

Café du Ciel

Sora hovered by the pastry case and cash register at Café du Ciel, staring at the clock on the wall. It was almost three in the afternoon, a relatively sleepy window for the café. Students idled between classes, concentrated in the coziest areas, studying or chatting while nursing beverages. The prince and his group would be here soon, purposefully arriving in this slow period. She caught herself toying with her hair and clasped her hands in front of her.

"Don't worry so much," Taichi said, glancing up from the espresso machine. There was a hiss and a burst of steam as he twisted a lever, and the intoxicating aroma of fresh coffee permeated. "I know people are interested in the royal family, but he's just a guy. And your regulars know to give him space."

"I know," Sora sighed. "But... I can't help worrying. What if something happens?"

Mimi waited for her customer to walk off, then said, "It will be fine! If anyone crowds him, I'll tell them off!"

Taichi laughed. "See? Nothing to worry about." Sora grinned despite herself. Mimi could fight off a crowd with nothing but a smile or a tirade, whichever struck her mood.

Still... When Wallace passed, carrying food on a tray, Sora said, "Wallace-kun? Could you please gather everyone here?"

"Of course, Sora-san." Wallace flashed a grin that could make hearts stumble, but the café staff was immune by now... Mostly.

Soon, the staff gathered near the cash register. Mimi, Taichi, Wallace, Meiko, Daisuke, and a handful of other students joined her. "Our guest will be here soon," Sora began. "I'm in an odd position, because I need you to give him space... But I also think he's looking to make friends."

"With us?" Taichi asked, cocking a brow. "We're mostly merchant middle class."

Sora inclined her head, allowing the point. "I hear you, but... He doesn't seem concerned about that." She paused, unsure how to continue. She couldn't say that the prince seemed lonely; that was far too presumptuous. "I think he's looking to connect to his new home and feel... You know, less like a prince and more like a person."

"Hmm..." Daisuke's cinnamon-colored eyes averted in thought. "I guess it's hard to meet people if everyone's tripping over your title."

"And your power over them," Wallace added.

Taichi rolled his eyes. "If he wants to mingle with nobles, he can stroll the palace. They'll swarm him like flies."

"If he wanted that, then yes, he could," Sora replied. She didn't bother pointing out that she was from a family that was more than noble, since it combined bloodline with craft knowledge passed down through generations. This was partially because she didn't want to ruffle Taichi before the prince arrived, but mostly because she happened to share his feelings about nobility. Which was a complicated situation, as you might expect.

"S-so," Meiko said, raising a hand. "Um... You want us to talk to him? Or not?"

"Give him the lead," Sora said.

"Of course," Taichi muttered, and Sora ignored him.

"If anyone sees him being crowded, get me right away. I'll be..." She was forced to pause. Where would she be?

"Hovering and fretting?" Taichi supplied, grinning.

"Relaxing in her home," Mimi snapped, "where we will get her right away if there's a problem."

Sora managed a wobbly, grateful smile. Thank goodness Mimi was confident about this- like she was about nearly everything. "I don't know about relaxing, but I'll be there."

A customer approached the register, reminding Sora that the café was still moving. "Alright, that's all. Good luck everyone, and thank you for agreeing to this. If there's even a whiff of trouble, get me. I won't be annoyed by false alarms."

There was a general wave of agreement. "Don't worry, Sora-san," Wallace said. "We've got this."

"Thank you. I'd better get going."

Sora and the kitchen staff walked down the hallway. She found herself hovering by the back door, despite her intention to act normal. She hoped the prince would be punctual. Her nerves couldn't take much of this!

XXX

Yamato sat in the backseat of a car with Jyou, and a guard sat in the front passenger seat. Osamu and a second guard were already at the café, scoping things out and preparing with the staff.

Jyou stared through his window, his shoulders and back stiff. Eventually, he leaned towards Yamato and whispered, "Is this really worth it?"

Jyou's nerves and constant questioning were annoying, but… Well, Yamato understood them. With more patience than usual, he replied, "I think so. I have to make public appearances if I want to be able to walk about freely."

Jyou fussed with his glasses. "The King and Queen don't go among the public." Yamato fought the urge to snort. He heard Jyou's thinly-veiled complaint: You're making pointless work for me, Ishida.

Yamato inched closer still, so he could drop his volume. "They weren't able to normalize public appearances before taking on their duties. They don't want me to be locked in the palace outside of formal functions and political meetings, like they are."

Jyou held his gaze for a long moment, his mouth set in a thin line. "I'm worried."

What could Yamato say? He was worried, too. Worse yet, Roncier was at home with an attendant, so he lacked that support- and trained muscle. "We have permission to keep the car in the back alley, as long as we move for anyone who needs to pass. If it gets dodgy, we leave."

Jyou nodded, but remained tense. The car chugged along, uninhibited by traffic. The city was designed before motor vehicles were invented, so owning one required a special permit- which cost far more than a vehicle itself, effectively limiting their numbers. The car traveled the same road Yamato walked a few days ago, then turned into the alley. The driver parked and opened Yamato's door.

"Thank you," Yamato said. "Can you please wait here?"

"Yes, Your Highness." The guard exited and joined Yamato and Jyou. Yamato took a step, then swallowed a sigh as he waited for the guard. Best not make the man trip over himself to reach the door before the prince.

The guard knocked, and the door opened, revealing Sora. Yamato grinned and raised a hand, equal parts amused and contrite over her visible nerves. Well- maybe the amusement was winning, which wasn't terribly generous of him, but here they were.

"Welcome! Please come in, Your Highness." Sora held an arm out, inviting the group inside. She wore a simple kimono in pale blue, and her hair was tied back with a floral comb. Yamato entered, smiling, suddenly at ease.

When everyone was inside, Yamato placed a hand on Jyou's shoulder. "Takenouchi-san, this is my friend, Kido Jyou. Jyou, this is Takenouchi Sora, heiress to the Takenouchi school of ikebana and proprietor of the café."

Jyou bowed. "It's an honor to meet you. Thank you for arranging this for the prince."

"It's my pleasure, Kido-san," Sora replied, bowing in turn. "The prince spoke so highly of you. Welcome to Café du Ciel. We've prepared a table for you in the side room, as it's out of the way, but I'll give you a quick tour first, if you'd like."

"I would, but don't let us take too much of your time," Yamato replied. "You're off shift, right?" They planned this trial outing after Sora's baking hours and the lunch rush. Mid afternoon was an awkward time to eat, but that window promised fewer customers and ensured that Sora would be available to intervene if needed. He had to take whatever precautions he could.

"My pleasure," Sora replied- and she seemed to mean it. Yamato smiled, charmed by the obvious enjoyment she took in showing off her café. "Here's the kitchen. This door leads to my home, and this one is cellar storage." Sora led them down the hall, and Yamato's attention sharpened. He didn't realize how much he wanted to see Café du Ciel until now.

The hall widened into a foyer, with glass walls around a charming wooden door painted soft green. The foyer was packed with tables and shelves bearing flowers, with more flowers on the ground beneath the tables. Additional flowers spilled from wall-mounted containers, artfully trailing down.

"It's beautiful," Jyou said. Yamato nodded. The space should have felt cramped, but the explosion of flowers created a dreamy feeling, enhanced by the soft lighting from the windows.

"Thank you! Our flowers are delivered and arranged for display by Yagami Hikari of Yagami Floral. If you'll follow me, the main café area is through here."

The main café room was large, and Yamato asked, "Was this always one room?"

"We took down a wall," Sora replied. "You're seeing the original living and dining areas."

The walls were mostly windows in wooden frames. As in Autun style, there were wooden beams in the ceiling. The floor was terracotta colored tile, and the walls were a soft blue. There was a large pastry display towards the front of the room, backlit by light pouring through the windows. Mimi looked up from the cash register and smiled, but kept her attention on her customer. A young man with brown poofy hair and tanned skin worked the coffee machine. Yamato inched closer for a better look. He was aware that new coffee machines were always in development, and the cafés near Lyon University kept up to date on them. But in the countryside, pressed coffee was preferred; Yamato had never seen such a complicated unit.

The front of the room was filled with tables. Further back, the space was homier, stocked with couches and armchairs. A fire danced in a large stone fireplace. A cute upright piano painted the same gentle green as the front door stood beside the fireplace, with an acoustic guitar mounted to the wall.

"So this was a house before you converted it to a restaurant?" Jyou asked.

"That's right," Sora replied. "The house has belonged to the Takenouchis for generations, but it wasn't being used. When I heard that the king was incentivising people to open Autun-style businesses, it seemed like my moment had come."

"The feeling of it being a home makes it so inviting," Jyou said. Yamato warred against irritation as he noticed how easily Jyou conversed with Sora and zeroed in on how to compliment her. He still beat against the wall standing between a prince and everyone else when he engaged her.

"Thank you!" Sora replied, beaming. "We want our customers to feel at home, and to come often to meet one another." She led them through the comfy side of the main room, and Yamato found that it opened into another, smaller area.

"This was part of the formal living room. We added the water closets. The staircase to my home is beyond them."

This room felt intimate, thanks to the smaller size. The wall of windows facing the back alley was lined with a counter, with stools tucked beneath it. It seemed an ideal spot to work on group projects with classmates. There were tables in the middle of the room, plus a sofa along the wall opposite the windows.

"But if you don't mind, I'd like to put you in the front room," Sora said. Yamato nodded, so she walked to the foyer and through an opening opposite the one feeding into the main café. This room was the size of a generous living space. It was comparatively quiet, a bit separated from the main bustle of the café. A second fireplace, smaller and less grand than the other, warmed the room. Osamu and a guard sat on armchairs stationed around a large coffee table. They made to rise when they saw Yamato, but Osamu caught himself and grabbed the guard's arm, stopping him. Standing and bowing for a customer entering the café was a bit of a tell- but then, so was the guard.

"Good afternoon, Your-" Osamu's mouth snapped shut, and Yamato almost grinned. He doubted anyone except Jyou would dare use his name, but maybe he wouldn't have to listen to his title, for once.

"Hello. Thanks for saving us seats." Yamato sank onto a couch also stationed around the coffee table, and Jyou sat beside him. The second guard selected a nearby armchair and awkwardly sank onto it. On duty guards usually stood, but Yamato decided that this would negatively impact the comfortable café atmosphere that Sora prized.

"Let me explain how the café works," Sora began. "Before eleven o'clock in the morning, we serve coffee and pastries from the display case. The lunch menu starts at eleven and is available through closing. All orders are made at the register. In the morning, orders are filled at the register, but starting at lunch, waitstaff will bring your food and drink to you. We have outdoor seating, as well."

"Thank you," Yamato said. "We'll put in our orders."

"Alright. I'm going to remain on hand, in case you need me."

"Thank you." Yamato hated to take so much of Sora's time, but it was wiser to have her nearby, in case she needed to intervene.

"Of course. Have a nice meal, Your-"

She paused, and Yamato leaped on the chance to say, "Yamato. Might as well, if I'm undercover."

Sora blinked. "Is that- Is that allowed?"

Jyou tried and failed to smother a laugh. "I've been getting away with it for years."

Yamato snorted, but grinned. "The point is for me to blend in."

"I think I'd be fired if I did that," Osamu mildly observed. "Still tempting..."

"I won't tell," Yamato shrugged. "Wouldn't risk it in the palace or at a function, though."

"Well, I'm not an idiot," Osamu replied. Yamato laughed, but realized that Sora was still hovering nearby, as he hadn't dismissed her.

"Thank you again, Takenouchi-san. We'll take it from here."

"Sora," she corrected. And then, with an air suggesting she feared being reprimanded, she added, "Yamato-san."

Yamato knew his smile had to look ridiculous, but what could he do? Although he kept trying, he didn't expect to make any headway on finding more people to call him by name. With fervor, he replied, "Thank you, Sora-san."

Sora's shoulders relaxed as she smiled, bowed to the group, and left. Jyou waited for her to enter the foyer, then said, "So, what exactly is your goal?"

Yamato shrugged. "Being outside palace grounds is a start. I'm hoping the more visible I am in public, the less people will react to me over time."

"Ordering does seem a reasonable starting point, if I may," Osamu suggested. "Takenouchi-san left a menu."

"I'll place the order," Jyou said. "You stay with the guards."

Yamato wanted another look at the main room, and to say hello to Mimi and meet the barista, but he wouldn't argue with Jyou when his nerves were high- especially when he was in the right. He made his selection, and Osamu took the guards' orders. Joe and Osamu left to order together.

Yamato sank into the sofa, trying to relax. The room was empty, except for three students grouped at a table, but Yamato suspected that Sora talked to them about his visit. They glanced constantly his way, but didn't approach or say anything about him.

Slightly reassured, Yamato gazed through the windows, enjoying a rare chance to people watch while his guards chatted. It was a simple pleasure, soon to be enhanced with good food and drink.

And right now, that was all he could ask for, save for the presence of his brother.

XXX

Jyou walked through the foyer with Osamu, heading into the main café area. Floral scents lit his senses, transporting him to the Côtes d'Armor, where wildflowers reigned over the hills. The effect was fleeting- the flowers in the foyer were cultivated, the pleasing varieties meant for sale, not the hardy sort that flourished on their own. Still, they were lovely, all arranged and housed in pretty pots, bathed in daylight pouring through the windows.

"It really is a beautiful café," Jyou observed. The main area was more populated than the side room where Yamato waited, especially near the fireplace and its welcoming glow. Groups idled on plush sofas and arm chairs, chatting and holding drinks, some bent together over schoolwork.

Osamu didn't look at him or break stride. "It's charming. My younger brother seems to enjoy working here."

Jyou nodded, unsure of how to respond. Osamu was right- the café was charming- but somehow, his phrasing was annoying. It bordered on condescending, like calling the café cute. Osamu's tone seemed normal enough, though. Had Jyou gleaned something from his body language, or was he just imagining things?

Yamato got on fine with Osamu, at least on the surface, but something about him rubbed Jyou the wrong way. It was nothing big, but... Well, Osamu seemed to forget that he was an attendant, and not Yamato's longtime friend. He wished he had more information on Osamu, but annoyingly, had only himself to blame for the lack. Yamato asked him to investigate Osamu, but he was too busy touching base with medical contacts to do so.

Am I being jealous? Jyou wondered with horror. So what if Ichijouji-kun is getting familiar fast?

Jyou decided to leave Yamato's relationship with Osamu to Yamato, where it belonged. "Have you eaten here before?" he asked, willing himself to drop any misgivings.

"Only recently, with the- With our mutual friend. I enjoyed the beef dip sandwich." Jyou hoped his surprise wasn't too obvious, but then, Osamu was still looking ahead, navigating his way to the back of the queue at the counter. This was a popular place for local young people. Why had Osamu avoided it until Yamato started coming?

But that wasn't his business, so again, Jyou dropped it. The beef dip sandwich sounded delightful, although he preferred to eat lighter, in general. Still, there wasn't harm in trying it; if he liked the meat, he could have it in salad form next time. With that decided, he stepped to the register as the customer before him walked away-

And promptly forgot how to breathe, or maybe that he needed to.

The young woman behind the cash register had honey-brown hair, tied back in an elaborate braid interwoven with a green ribbon. Her face was ovular, with sweet, pink lips and a hint of blush. Her eyes were a mesmerizing color, a reddish gold, like malt whiskey. They stared into his, and Jyou experienced a visceral panic. He promptly forgot who he was and what he was doing.

"Welcome to Café du Ciel! I don't believe we've met." The woman offered her hand in a swift, energetic motion. "I'm Tachikawa Mimi!"

Jyou balked, almost afraid to touch her. "N-Nice to meet you." Yes, excellent. That was a sensible sequence of words, which was a mercy. Entire regions of his brain plunged into helpless chaos when her hand held his.

Osamu snorted and clapped a palm on Jyou's shoulder. "We've met briefly, miss, but I'm Ichijouji Osamu. This is Kido Jyou. It's a pleasure. We're here with your guest."

"You just came to Hakone, then!" Mimi said brightly. "Sora-san mentioned you. How are you liking it?"

Abruptly, perhaps helped along by the sound of his name, Jyou began to recall some memories. "Oh- Oh, I was born here, though it's been a while since I've been back. This is a lovely café."

"It really is!" Mimi moved closer, until her upper body was half leaning on the counter. Her eyes were bright and vibrant, like- Stars? Jewels? Amber? Jyou wasn't much of a poet at the best of times, and this was… not the best of times. Well, not for his poise, anyway.

"You'll love it here, so come a bunch, okay?" There was something about her smile- and the words, but that was more obvious- that ripped the visceral, animal panic that dwelled in the depths of Jyou's brain to the helm.

"Okay," he nearly squeaked. Embarrassed heat rushed to his face.

Thankfully, the barista- whom Jyou had absolutely failed to notice, despite the delicious scent of coffee and the grinding of beans- sighed loudly. "Have mercy on him, Mimi-chan. He's just trying to order."

"What!" Mimi flitted towards the barista, shoving her hands on her hips, a motion Jyou watched with more interest than was wise. "I'm welcoming him!"

The barista leaned closer. There was playful understanding in his dark brown eyes, and an absolute mess of hair on his head. "I'm Yagami Taichi. You got a line forming behind you. What will it be?"

Jyou glanced back and found that Taichi was right. "Ah- Sorry! Um- Ichijouji-kun, can you start?" He couldn't recall what he had decided on. A salad? With meat?

Osamu clapped his shoulder again, then placed orders for himself and the guards. Jyou ordered for himself and Yamato, then paid with money Yamato gave him earlier.

With that done, they returned to Yamato and the guards in the side room. More patrons had settled there, all noticeably trying to stare at the prince without being obvious about it. Jyou sat beside Yamato on a sofa, placing another body between him and everyone else, hoping he was being anxious over nothing. Without meaning to, he heaved an enormous sigh.

"Don't worry about it, Kido-san," Osamu laughed as he took an armchair opposite the sofa. "I'm told Tachikawa-san has that effect on everyone."

Yamato turned away from the window to say, "Oh, you met Tachikawa-san? She's easy to talk to."

"She did seem friendly," Jyou managed. His thoughts had shifted to worries about Yamato's safety and away from the impact of meeting Mimi, but of course, the moment she was mentioned, those fretful nerves seized him once more. He hardly remembered their exchange; all that registered was the electric shock of seeing her, the simultaneous system failure and overdrive. She was beyond beautiful, especially backlit by the light pouring through the front windows. He was tempted to ask what a person so gorgeous was doing working at a café, but caught himself. She could do whatever she pleased- and that was her business, not his.

"Wait," he said, suddenly reclaiming another portion of his brain, "did you say Tachikawa Mimi? Not of the Tachikawa family that makes radios and records?"

"The same," Osamu replied.

Jyou shoved his slumping glasses back up his nose. "But- But why- Surely, she doesn't need the money?"

"Kenny mentioned that she wants to run her own business some day. Apparently, she's learning about it through Takenouchi-san."

"Couldn't she learn from her parents and grandfather?" Jyou asked.

Osamu shrugged; Jyou had the sense that he was not interested in the conversation. "I don't know Tachikawa-san personally, but I get the sense that no one tells her what to do."

"I got that sense, too," Yamato added. Jyou swallowed hard. Somehow, he already had that impression, himself.

"You interested?" Osamu asked, smirking. "I don't believe she has a suitor. And you'd have an advantage, being noble."

And again, there was something... off here. Jyou glanced at Yamato, although he wasn't sure what he was looking for. Support? Information? Confirmation that he wasn't crazy?

"Jyou's a lot more than a family name." Yamato's tone was calm, conversational, but his knuckles paled as he clenched his knees.

"True." Osamu was still grinning, but his smile failed to touch his eyes. "But status and family money never hurt."

"They do if your noble family objects to a match." Yamato shrugged, as if the conversation wasn't bothering him, but Jyou was willing to bet that even strangers would notice his rigid body language.

Osamu hesitated, and Jyou could almost hear his desire to be right warring with self-preservation. "I'm sure that does happen," he allowed at last.

The corner of Jyou's mouth twitched up. Pride had no place in a conversation with royalty; it would always be outranked. Suddenly, having Osamu around took on an amusing quality- provided he didn't provoke Yamato.

A brittle pause followed, which Yamato broke by inquiring about Jyou's meetings with medical personnel. At first, Jyou thought he was simply moving the conversation along, removing attention from Osamu's jab. But, as Yamato asked specific questions, Jyou gradually realized that he was highlighting his medical knowledge. Jyou forced a cough, desperate to mask a stupid, indulgent grin. Yamato was offended on his behalf, and was forcing Osamu to listen to a technical discussion that proved Jyou wasn't coasting on the Kido name. As a prince, he couldn't start a petty argument in public. But that didn't mean he was without tactics to defend a friend.

Even as he played along, Jyou's mind raced, struggling to understand the conversation's undertones. Osamu seemed touchy about nobility, and it was unlikely that someone from a noble family would take a job as an attendant at the palace. It was a respectable position with good pay, but any nobles that the royal family wanted near a prince would be welcomed in a manner more suited to their rank. Osamu likely came from a working class family at best.

He probably thinks families like mine have everything handed to them. In a way, that perspective wasn't wrong. Jyou had the resources to learn about anything, from as early as he could articulate requests. His father could set up introductions with anyone in the medical field, and Jyou could work for the family practice without having to hunt for a job or wait for an opening, no recommendations needed. As long as he passed his certifications and put in the required training and residency hours, he was set.

But once they got a job, the Kidos worked as hard as any doctor- or harder. Jyou barely knew his father and brothers, and not just because he spent so much time with Yamato in Autun. His family memories were inextricably linked with hospitals and medical classes, to requesting help with his education, and to sharing medical publications and news.

There was no separating the Kidos from their work, which was why Jyou was sometimes grateful to be the third-born. It was a lonely, overlooked position, being a spare, a child without a role to fill in his family. Still, Jyou was grateful that he made his own way- although he was painfully aware that Yamato made it possible.

To Jyou's immense relief, a waiter and waitress approached, bearing food and ending Yamato's medical questions. He sucked in a breath when he saw the waiter. His almost-scruffy blond hair, playful blue eyes, and easy grin forcibly reminded him of Takeru.

The waiter didn't bow outright- that was too much of a tell- but he managed an approximation with his head and shoulders. "Hello! I hope you're all enjoying Café du Ciel. My name is Wallace. Is everything going alright?"

Wallace wore a collared shirt in sky blue, black pants, and a long black apron. He had an accent, a blended thing that Jyou couldn't place. After a delay, Jyou processed the question and glanced around the room. Although it was quiet when they first sat, the available seating had filled in. Still, he couldn't complain, as no one was bothering them.

"It's going well," Yamato replied.

"Great!" Wallace placed his tray on the coffee table and distributed the food, starting with Yamato. Jyou blinked as he accepted a salad with slices of beef. He meant to order the beautiful sandwich that Osamu received, with its cup of beef stock so aromatic that he smelled it from across the table. He bemoaned departing from his senses at the precise moment of ordering lunch.

The waitress, a young woman with glasses and an abundance of black hair in a thick bun, introduced herself as Meiko and served the guards. Her outfit matched Wallace's, with a skirt instead of pants.

"Are you looking for company, or would you rather have space?" Wallace asked.

Yamato lifted a brow. "Aren't you working?"

"Yep!" Wallace replied cheerfully. "But Sora-san tells us that you're looking to get to know the student body, and that's us. We can't both shirk off, but we can talk to you individually, if you'd like."

A tiny squeak drew Jyou's attention to Meiko. She covered her chest and the bottom half of her face with a tray, as if hiding would save her from talking to the crown prince. Jyou couldn't blame her; the prospect had to be daunting.

"I'd like to chat, if you don't mind. You remind me of my brother." Yamato's grin was tight, forced, lips stretched over teeth. The memory of watching him hug his crying brother on the deck of the ship overtook Jyou's mind, and he found himself looking at his food instead of his friend. It was impossible to know how much Yamato missed Takeru, but Jyou was confident in his estimate- which, in the most scientific of terms, was a hell of a lot.

A slight pause suggested that Wallace noticed something was off with Yamato, but he rallied admirably. "People tell me that all the time. If I'm honest, I'm dying to ask if there really is a resemblance."

"Have a seat, if you'd like," Yamato said. "Thank you, miss."

Meiko's relieved sighed was so overblown that most of the men laughed. She took Wallace's tray and practically fled the room. "She's shy," Wallace said apologetically. "It was kind of you to single me out."

Jyou abandoned his attempt to load his fork with a bit of everything in his salad to stare at Yamato. Had he spared Meiko on purpose? "She seemed it," Yamato replied. "Are you interested in chatting?"

Wallace flashed a playful grin as he sat next to Jyou on the couch. "Are you kidding? I really am dying to know if I look like the younger- like your brother."

Jyou took this as an invitation to inspect Wallace. He shared Takeru's general colorations, but lighter: his hair more yellow than gold, his eyes a softer blue, his skin paler. They looked different, but there was a similar playfulness to both young men, a glimmer in their eyes and a mischievousness about their smiles. Somehow, Jyou had the impression that Wallace was just as witty and quick to understand people as Takeru.

"You do look like him, but it's not your face," Yamato summarized. "It's that you seem equal parts charming and troublesome."

Wallace pressed a hand to his heart, the picture of dramatic offense, but his half-swallowed laughter gave him away. "And here I thought we'd be making nice! Has everyone been calling me a knave for years?"

Yamato shrugged and sipped from his drink, but Jyou saw the smile hidden behind his cup. "Are you calling my brother a knave?" he countered.

"Pretty sure you said that, Your- Sir." The challenge in Wallace's smile, juxtaposed with the delighted gleam in his eyes, cemented the impression that Jyou did not want to be in the same room as Wallace and Takeru together.

"I'm allowed." Yamato placed his cup on a coaster on the coffee table. "I'll introduce my brother to you, if I can."

Wallace brightened. "I'd love that! I'm holding you to it."

If Jyou knew Takeru, then he would stick his nose in everything Yamato was interested in at his earliest convenience. Unless he left Nagano before Takeru arrived, Wallace would meet him, whether he wanted to or not. That might have explained Yamato's amused grin, and perhaps why he changed the subject to, "Can I ask if you're from here?"

Wallace's grin shifted from genuine to wry. "You wouldn't be the first. No, I was born in New Hope."

Jyou nodded to himself. Wallace's appearance and accent hinted that he wasn't born in Hakone, but Jyou wasn't able to guess his background- which meant that it was likely mixed. New Hope was a young country to the west, a collection of colonized areas that broke off from their mother country roughly one hundred fifty years ago. There were plenty of stereotypes and notions generally accepted as truth about the place and its people, but Jyou had never been.

"What brought you here?" Yamato asked, voicing the question on Jyou's mind.

"Family," Wallace replied. "My father is from Hakone, and my mother is an ambassador from New Hope. I study politics at the university."

"Have you been many places?"

Jyou ate, just to look away from Yamato. As a prince, he should have been well-traveled. And, to be fair, next to most people, he probably was. But next to most nobles, including Jyou, his list of visited countries was paltry. Jyou only understood why recently, when Yamato explained that his long term residency in Autun was something akin to a luxurious hostage situation. A little shudder still rolled over him whenever he thought about it.

But Wallace continued on, so Jyou listened. "Mostly New Hope and Hakone. My mother specializes in that relationship, and my parents think it's best for me to experience both countries."

"Sounds like someone I'll be getting to know, then. May I ask your last name?"

"They always do," Wallace sighed. When the group regarded him with polite confusion, he added, "Willis."

"Willis Wallace?" Osamu murmured, stumbling over the ls.

Wallace raised his hands, palm out. "I know, I know. Sounds like a pen name for a children's book author."

"Do you miss New Hope?"

And here was another question that sounded polite, but had a weight most people wouldn't sense. Yamato looked calm and comfortable, relaxed on a sofa in a cozy café. No outward signs pointed to the truth- that he resented being in Hakone, and felt cut off from everything he knew and loved, except for Jyou and Roncier. Jyou chugged his tea, struggling to work food down his throat.

Wallace tipped his head. "Hmm... Well, I go back and forth, although I tend to stay in one place for blocks of schooling. High school in New Hope, university here. I'm not sure where I'll settle down, or if I will. Maybe I'll become an ambassador myself and travel. But for me, I guess the trick is to bloom wherever I find myself."

Jyou's head whipped up just in time to see Yamato's there-and-gone scowl. Wallace's 'trick' was basically what Yamato was struggling to do- and was why he was here, attempting to connect to his new community. Jyou was relieved when Meiko rushed over and started dithering near their party, distracting from a touchy topic.

"W-Wallace-kun?" she stammered. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I can't keep up with the orders."

"And speaking of blooms! Don't worry, Meiko-chan! I'll never leave a lady in distress." Wallace stood, flashed a reassuring grin at the fretting girl, then turned back to Yamato. "I apologize, Your- Sir, but duty calls. It was a pleasure."

Jyou was godsmacked by the breach in protocol of dismissing oneself instead of waiting for the prince to do so. But Wallace lingered until Yamato said, "Of course. Thanks for your time."

"You got it! Let Meiko-chan or me know if you need anything. I hope to see you again!"

With that, Wallace performed another sly bow, spun around Meiko, and stole the trays she carried, so smoothly that it was clear he often performed this maneuver. "I'll take these, my lady!"

"I can carry them!" Meiko's tone was huffy, but she smiled and fell in step with Wallace, suggesting comfort and familiarity between them.

"Of course you can, and admirably. But there's no need if my hands are free."

Their banter faded as the pair left the room. Osamu finished a bite of food, then said, "It's a nice place. What do you think?"

Yamato nodded. "I'd like to keep coming."

"So far, so good," Jyou said. True, people were still staring, but no one had approached them. "And it's more beneficial than I thought, if you've already met the son of an ambassador."

"And an iemoto heiress," Osamu added. "Not to mention the radio tycoon's granddaughter. And you'll meet the Tachikawa's chief inventor soon, I'd wager."

Jyou frowned, puzzled. "Oh? But this is a student hangout."

"He is a student, if you can believe it," Osamu replied. "Bit of a prodigy with machines, they say." There was a flavor to his voice that Jyou couldn't name, except that it was unpleasant. But Osamu's face remained politely interested, leaving Jyou unsure of his intent.

Yamato gave Osamu a strange look before slipping into that professional mask Jyou knew too well. "He must be, if he's chief inventor at his age."

Osamu waved a hand dismissively. "Most likely, he was at the right place at the right time. I haven't met him, though. I've only heard about him; Kenny says he's a regular."

Yamato stared at Osamu, then shifted his gaze to the group. "Is everyone finished? We should let Takenouchi-san and her staff relax. I'd like to ease into longer visits, but for now, let's not push our luck."

At Yamato's request, Osamu went to alert the staff of their departure and convey his thanks to Sora. Although he would have enjoyed staying at the café with just Yamato, Jyou was ready to leave. His head was overfull with impressions that he longed to work through privately.

No one accosted Yamato, which made this outing a success. Still, placing the crown prince among everyday people was more of a challenge than Jyou had anticipated, even with his coordination skills. If Yamato truly wanted to become a prince among the people, then there was more work to do than Jyou could begin to conceive.

Head buzzing, he stood and followed Yamato to the café's back door.

Author's Notes: So I lied last time, lol! Yamato still used the back door, but that's because of the car (there is no lot because there are so few vehicles). Oh well, Yams, some day you'll find out what going through the front is like! Maybe!

Next update will be a short one, where we get some details about Osamu and the Tachikawa head inventor. Now who might that be? ;) Stay tuned! Please do review, I'd love to hear from you!

By the way, this chapter features FOUR drawings over on AO3! Check them out!

I'll see you in two weeks, my loves! Be well and take care 3 Big kiss!