The Yukihiro family was a family of three big families, in accordance to the first three siblings of the first head.

All of them bear the same Yukihiro surname, but only the main family were allowed to address themselves with the Yukihiro surname. The other two were branches which served the main family but also functioned as 'child bearers' for the main family back in the past in emergencies. After all, the Yukihiro family was actually from Japan and cousin marriages in the family were commonplace back in the day.

The Yukihiro family's house was located in Japan, but there was a vacation house complex which they use in America. The branch families had members there who tended to the house. Hiko was one of them.

Yukihiro Hiko was a child who descended from the second sibling of the first head, making him a member of the second branch family. Like most children of the branch, they were all taught to do chores and serve the main family, be it cooking or mopping the floor. They were usually the ones who cleaned up the houses.

His mother was usually very busy, not giving attention to Hiko. However, even if she had the time, spending time with her son was the very last thing she wanted to do. The reason why was because Hiko reminded her of Hiko's late father, her lover. The sight of him was too painful for her. However, Hiko misunderstood this and thought she didn't love him anymore.

Hiko's childhood life could be called a monotone hell. Everytime he came back from school, he would do chores beyond the limits of a young child. Everytime he made a mistake, he would either get slapped on the wrist or slapped on the cheek which was combined with insulting words and anger. It was for his own good, however, because if the main family saw this, they could do something even worse. Despite that, Hiko took this in the wrong way. Only his time at school gave him respite from the hell that was called home.

Young Hiko wasn't like the present Hiko; he was more of an angry Sunny; quiet, reserved, but with a tendency to bare fangs.

…

Hiko was sitting by the opening on the river, staring into the horizon. He didn't want to go home that day.

Because the main family was coming today.

The hearsay he heard told him that they were coming here because their children would be continuing education in America.

Despite not wanting to go back home, he stood up and walked slowly as he could, enjoying the respite he had. If he didn't go back home, he could meet a fate worse than death.

Hiko pursed his lips as he accepted the fate that was awaiting him in his house.

"Greetings, Head Yaguchi. We welcome you and your family with open arms to the Yukihiro Vacation House. We hope that your stay will be pleasant," A middle-aged woman with a bunned hairstyle and grey yukata bowed down along with the other members of the branch family behind her. The head was a middle-aged man wearing a dark red yukata . His head was balding, creating a large forehead area. He walked past the woman as if she weren't there. The woman was Hiko's mother.

Behind the head was his wife, two girls in their 9s who were identical twins, one boy in his 13s, and an older girl with a princess flower hairpin put on her hair and a pink dress. Everyone passed by Hiko's mother, except the older girl. She bowed towards Hiko's mother.

"Greetings, Aunt. Thank you for taking care of the family's vacation house," she looked up again after the bow. She had a gentle smile.

"You needn't have to greet old me, dear Hime," Hiko's mother smiled, "if there's anything you need, don't be afraid to ask."

"I will keep that in mind, Aunt. Now, if you excuse me," Hime bowed again and walked towards the house, bringing a suitcase.

The woman kept her smile until Hime went inside the house. She now had a cold glare on Hime.

It was nighttime in the house complex.

The main family had settled down in the Western styled house, enjoying dinner as the branches served them.

On the other house, was a boy who stared into the night sky after doing the chores he was instructed to do. This kind of respite in his home was a rarity, so he was going to spend it as much as possible.

He closed his eyes and emptied his mind, only thinking about the breeze that stroked his face, only thinking of the sound of water being poured from a bamboo fountain.

"Oh? Someone's here?"

Hiko heard the voice of an older girl. Her voice was gentle with a tinge of maturity in it. It was like the taste of a warm cup of tea.

Hiko opened his eyes, and looked towards his left, where the voice came from.

It was the eldest sister of the main family, Hime. She was wearing a white dress and her prized princess flower hairpin.

Hiko realized who she was and sighed. He stood up and bowed to her.

"... Is there anything I can help you with?" Hiko asked half heartedly. He really didn't like the main family.

"No, I'm just here to be alone for a bit." She smiled gently at Hiko.

"... If that is so, then, excuse me," Hiko turned back.

"W-wait!"

Hiko stopped turning back, and looked towards her.

"But… a little bit of company would be nice."

The both of them sat there in silence for a while.

Hiko sneaked a look at Hime, as he had nothing to do.

She was just staring at the pond, with an empty face. Before, Hiko had seen her with a perpetual smile throughout the entire time she was with her family and in front of the branch. Perhaps she was tired of smiling, perhaps? Hiko thought, How could anyone be tired of smiling?

Hiko kept staring at Hime, trying to figure out what was on her mind. After all, he had nothing else to do.

Hime noticed the stare, and gave him a smile. This startled Hiko with a blush as he looked back at the pond. Hime giggled at what he did.

"... What's your name?" Hime started a conversation.

"... Hiko."

"'Prince', that's a very good name. Hey, our names are matching! I'm the princess, and you're the prince!" Hime looked at Hiko happily. Hiko didn't look happy, however.

"Prince of what, though?" Hiko said quietly.

"Huh?"

"What exactly am I the prince of?" Hiko looked at the sky, "Nothing?," Hiko looked at Hime with cold, hating eyes. "You're born with everything. Don't group me with you," Hiko looked away again, "Besides, why are you talking to me?" Hiko was suspicious of Hime's intentions, and Hime could see that.

The main family's reputation within the branch families wasn't the best. They've been unfairly treated by the main family, usually accused of something they haven't done while the true culprit, usually someone from the main family, would get away scot-free. Other than that, they would be disrespected or get bullied. There were even cases of the main family members raping the branch family members in the past.

Hime had a sad look on her face, as she looked out.

"... I don't have everything, Hiko, and… I want to make amends within this family."

Liar, Hiko thought.

"I understand that the main family hasn't treated the other families well. For that, I apologize. That's why I'm trying to connect with the branches. However, most of them would just lie to me as if nothing was wrong. It felt as if they wore a mask when they're in front of me. Other than that, they would try to find a reason to leave and avoid me. Besides…" Hime paused.

"Besides?"

"... Never mind... Anyway, you're the first one who was honest about their feelings to me, so I'm thankful for that."

Silence fell between them.

"... Hey, would you like to be my personal servant?" Hime looked at Hiko.

"Personal servant?" Hiko asked Hime.

"You would personally serve me, among other things."

"What do I have to do?"

"Your job is to play with me when I call for you. No pressure, right?" she smiled at him.

Hiko honestly didn't want to accept this, but if he didn't, he could be punished by the branch, or worse, the main family. At least, that's what he thought.

"... Alright, then."

"Okay! To seal the deal, let's shake hands!"

Hiko looked at her hand and back to her face.

"... this way, we are now equals in an agreement, don't you agree?" Hime smiled.

Hiko slowly and grudgingly grabbed her hand and slowly shook it.

What part of this is equal? Hiko thought to himself.

"Hiko, catch!"

Hime threw an inflated plastic ball towards Hiko which bumped on his head whilst he jumped trying to catch it. He jumped too high.

"Agh!"

Hime giggled at the sight while Hiko looked at her in cold anger. Despite the times Hiko and Hime had played together, Hiko hadn't warmed up to her or opened up to her, not even a bit. He would play with her as if he was being tortured. From an outside view, he was like a feral cat trying to be domesticated by Hime. Hime noticed his look and stopped giggling. She now had a sad look.

It had been three months since Hiko and Hime met. This was basically their routine for the past three months. Everyday, when Hime had time, she would call Hiko to go and play various games with her. Chess, board games, cards, you name it. A part of the reason why Hime wanted to play with Hiko was to bond with him, but Hiko never seemed to open up to her or even realize this attempt. Hiko would play games with her looking tortured every minute.

Hiko slowly walked up towards the ball and threw it back at her in a way that she could easily catch it.

They were playing catch in a garden just behind the Western styled house and next to the third house. The garden had pavements, a fountain in the middle and were surrounded with bushes that were neatly cut. On the free spaces were flower beds and tall bushes cut into various kinds of things. One of the bushes was shaped like a shark with sunglasses.

…

As Hiko passed the ball back to Hime, he thought to himself the same question he had for three whole months.

Why is she doing this?

Every answer Hiko came up with was negative. She's trying to make fun of him. She just thought of him as a toy to play with. She was trying to blackmail him.

He did question himself at times whether her intentions were actually pure, but stories of the main family and his past experience had hardened his heart, making him refuse every good willed answer he thought of.

As Hime passed him the ball again, Hiko caught it and threw it too hard.

"Ah!?" Hime's eyes followed the ball and saw it dropping onto a tree. Hime ran towards the tree, while Hiko walked slowly towards it.

What Hiko saw Hime did next surprised him.

Hime started to climb the tree, albeit failing every attempt. Hiko wondered if she was stupid. Why didn't she ask him to get the ball? After all, a main family member would ask a branch family member to do nearly everything. Hiko watched her attempts for a while, and then sighed as he walked towards her.

"I'll do it," Hiko said as he approached her. He thought that if he didn't help Hime, she would blackmail or tattletale him to the main family or even the adults of the branches, with both giving him trouble either way.

Hiko was wearing a t-shirt and shorts that day, so he was able to climb up the tree fairly easily. Besides that, the chores Hiko did daily had given him the strength and stamina. He was pretty toned for a ten year old.

"Hiko, be careful!" said Hime.

Hiko didn't answer back, not believing if she even meant that.

Hiko found the ball cradled on the end of a branch. He scooted over towards the ball little by little, until the ball was in reaching distance.

He laid his body down on the branch, his legs hovering, as he reached for the ball.

"... Got it," Hiko got the ball in his hands.

Crack.

Huh? Hiko looked behind him and saw the branch he was laying on was breaking. He cursed in Japanese when he saw what was happening.

"HIKO!" Hime saw this and called Hiko.

However, the branch had broken off the tree, leaving Hiko to fall with the ball.

…

Thud!

…

Hiko opened his eyes, he had apparently closed his eyes by reflex. He felt hurt all over his body. Thankfully, nothing broke.

He painfully sat himself up and checked on himself. He had scraped his knees, and he had cuts all over him due to the branches that scratched him during the fall. Otherwise, he was alive and well.

He saw Hime running towards him in his hindsight. Thinking that Hime was coming for the ball, he stood up and handed out the ball towards her direction. After all, a main family member wouldn't care about a branch family member.

But Hiko was caught in surprise when Hime put his hands and the ball down as she checked on him with a concerned look.

"Hiko, are you okay!? We… we should treat your wounds!" Hime checked his face, his hands, and his legs. Hiko pushed her away, startled by what she did.

"... What are you doing?" Hiko stared at her as he held a defensive position.

"I-I'm just checking on you, Hiko…"

"Checking on me…? Why… Why do you care? Stop pretending."

Hime just looked at him, saddened and shocked. Her eyes had watered a little bit.

"... You want your ball, right? Take it, then." Hiko handed out the ball to Hime.

"I… I'm not pretending-"

"OF COURSE YOU ARE!"

Hime was startled by Hiko's sudden outburst. Hiko looked furious .

"... Was it fun? Was it fun when you won? Was it fun when you let me win? Seeing me happy over such a thing? 'Wow, this kid's so easily happy. So gullible, so stupid,'" Hiko said mockingly, "was it fun messing with me? Was it fun toying with me!?"

"I-I…" Hime felt her heart break listening to Hiko. She had genuinely tried to bond with Hiko, but Hiko's heart was hardened due to the mistrust he had towards her family, and it was very apparent to Hime this was due to a past experience Hiko had before.

Like every other branch family member, Hiko also had unpleasant memories of the main family. There was that one time when Hiko was still naive back then, where he had warmed up to several children of a family from the main family. Hiko genuinely thought of them as friends… only to be stabbed in the back. Of course, Hime didn't know this, but she understood why Hiko was like this.

Hiko just stood in a defensive stance as he glared at Hime.

Hime looked really sad and hurt hearing what Hiko had said. Despite all that, Hime didn't give up. Hime walked up to Hiko and grabbed his shoulders. Hiko didn't even fight it. After all, there was no escape for a branch family member in every situation involving a main family member.

"Finally going to show your true colors, huh? Do whatever you're going to do to me," Hiko said with a smirk.

"... Here's what I'm going to do."

Hime pulled Hiko into a tight hug.

"W-what? Get off me!" Hiko started struggling out of Hime's hug.

"No! I'm not letting you go until you understand that I'm not here to hurt you!"

"I DON'T BELIEVE YOU!" Hiko struggled even harder, cursing every swear word in Japanese he learned from the adults of the branch families. At one point, Hiko would scratch Hime left and right and also kick her on the sides with his knees.

"Urk!" Hime gritted her teeth as she hugged him tightly.

…

…

Hiko's struggle had finally died down after what felt like an eternity. Hiko was panting, tired of his failed struggle.

Hime was still hugging Hiko, despite the fact that she was in a lot of pain and that Hiko's scratches had apparently dug into her white dress and skin, painting Hime's dress red here and there.

Hime softened her hug when she saw that Hiko was already tired. She brought Hiko's head into her bosom and stroked his head.

"... I don't know what happened to you for you to act like this, but… I apolo- I'm sorry that it happened to you. I can't reverse what was done, but I can promise you this time, no one is going to hurt you. I won't hurt you."

Of course, Hiko didn't even think Hime's apology was even real, but…

…

A tear fell.

…

Another one fell.

…

And another one.

…

"... No, I don't… believe you…" Hiko's voice trembled.

He felt so warm in Hime's embrace, so much comfort. The ice that froze Hiko's heart started to melt away. Hime's hug was giving him something he desired the most.

Warmth, love, affection.

The things he never got from his own mother.

Unable to say anything more, Hiko started crying for the first time since forever.

…

"Ouch!"

After crying for some time, Hiko was now being treated by Hime in the living room inside the Western-styled house. Hime's family wasn't back home because they went out to a mall. Hime gave an excuse of unfinished homework (which she didn't have) so she could spend time with Hiko.

"Hold still…" Hime had a cotton bud dipped in antiseptic which she was using to apply antiseptic onto Hiko's wounds, "... There you go! You're all fixed up!"

Hime applied for more antiseptic on the cotton bud, as she prepared to treat her own wounds.

Hime felt a tug on her sleeve. Hime looked towards where she was tugged from.

"What's wrong, Hiko?" Hime asked. Hiko's cheeks were still red from crying.

"... I… I'll help you," said Hiko.

Hime was taken aback by what Hiko said. It was the first time he had talked to her without malice or coldness. Hime's eyes watered a little bit, as she smiled.

"... Okay. Then…" Hime turned back and unzipped the back zipper of her dress, revealing her back which was crowded with Hiko's scratches, "... that should do."

Hiko looked at the consequences of his actions with regret. Hime had very soft white skin, meaning she had inherited some European blood. That said, her skin was no longer perfectly smooth and uniformly white. Her skin could probably be scarred forever with Hiko's scratches.

"... I'm sorry," said Hiko as he treated Hime's wounds. He sniffled a bit, not fully recovering from his crying yet.

"... It's okay," Hime smiled as she looked back at him.

Hiko continued to treat Hime's wounds silently.

For the first time, the both of them were enjoying each other's presence.