A/N: Finally! The crazy rush of exam is over and summer holiday comes…. time to update our story! We thought it was time to try to change the pace from the pairing JyuumonjiSena without going blurry and unreadable. Almost every reader thinks that this story is just about those two lovebirds… (Correct: one sided lover) and it was a big mistake! So, we figured the other character environment was a nice change and also gives you clues about Sena's truly sweetie heart. As addition, the other reason why Sena didn't refuse his father's order, is that he has already wore a woman's outfit in his childhood. Tragic, huh? Enjoy!

Disclaimer: We do not own Eyeshield 21 or any of the related characters. And whatever above that this story does not apply belong to us.

Chapter Four: His Hope

Main Hall of Seibu Castle, Wild Gunmans Kingdom, an Important Meeting ever.

I must forget him.

Prince Riku held his head onto the chair, and closed his eyes for a minute. He thought with a resemblance, the source of the problem. A big one, if he can say.

Why?

Because it was total strange for the Almost-A-Perfect-Prince like him to fall in love with a guy, especially his best friend.

From the Eyeshield Kingdom.

He clenched his fist and groaned desperately. If he didn't see it after all, he would be a normal prince. But he has already seen it, a moment that change the way he thinks about him.

If only he didn't see his best friend on woman's outfit five years ago, caused by his mother's craziness.

Damn! He screamed in his heart. The light brown hair, the brightest eyes ever, the cutest gown, a sheepishly smile, and his kindness… he was a total perfect prince…ss.

He leaned back and rested his chin on his hands, his elbows on his knees, and imagined a world of only him and Sena. The thought warmed his whole body and he couldn't help but smile. The hairs on the back of his neck raised and he slumped further, imagining that the deep blue painted wall contained Sena's portrait, fanned out all over the room.

He could now remember what it was like to see one of his nervous smiles, remember what it was like to hear his voice. A flash of white curtain could have been his gown; a flute's melody carried on the wind could have been his singing. The treetops, brown in contrast with the bright sky, were his eyelashes. The sand of the dessert could have been his skin. He was everywhere.

Stop thinking of him, Riku. He mentally berated herself for becoming distracted. They were in the middle of a meeting, and he had to think about how to respond Shinryuuji's 'invitation'. He doesn't like you Riku, never, and you need to accept that fact.

"So, what must we do? Send our entire noble lady?" he heard his father talked with his advisor, Kid.

"I think it is the best choice for our kingdom. Our allies, the Eyeshield Kingdom, took the same action as I heard,"

Eyeshield Kingdom. Riku fell on his only worlds, again. He lost count how many times he tried to forget his best friend in Woman Mode, but it was like trying to stop the tides. Worthless action, if he could say. But suddenly he snapped out, remembered what situation he was in. Then he looked straight to his father as he was talking the whole problems seriously. To Riku's eyes, his father was absolutely important, even he always snoring at night, confuse him who sleep in the next room. His father looked over to him, and shot him a look as if to tell him to 'quit his daydreaming and join the discussion'.

"Are you alright, Riku? Are this invitation bothering you?" his father asked. The Almost-A-Perfect-Prince shook his head. No, because Sena never attend this kind of invitation, right? He is a guy, and this is for a noble lady… He is untouchable.

"Maybe the prince got some cold. After it came along…" Kid grabbed Shinryuuji's invitation. "The weather changed badly, the tidal waves increased, sandstorms began raging, and our horses acted wildly. And it was the beginning; we don't know what they will do if we ignore their kind invitation,"

"Okay. Then we will take plan A. Send our entire lady, and prays to God that they won't become the chosen one. Get along with our best soldiers Kid, and come to our noble families' house,"

And the meeting was over as the advisor left the room with all audiences, except Riku and his father. Heard all of the case, the explanation, and the way to solve it, Riku knew the way to solve his problems either. He glanced over his father with clinging eyes, full of hopes and secret obsessions. His father sighed.

"So Riku, what do you want from me?" His father asked, knowing it was far from unusual for his only son to keep stay at the main hall, staring at him with a puppy eyes.

"How could you know that I want something?"

"I knew it," He sighed. "Because you're my son, and we had lived together for 15 years,"

"There you go. Umm… father, can I… can I…"

"Can I what? Do you want me to buy some taller machine for you again?"

"No, I'm just want to go with the soldiers that will come to Shinryuuji. You will allow me to come, won't you?"

"For what purpose?" His father raised his eyebrows.

"Umm…" He silenced for a minute, then took a deep breath and began talking. "Looking for… my destined heart?"

Then Riku noticed that what he had said was wrong, because his father kept silence and looked at him with a disbelief glance. Fool me!

"I-I-I have grown up and… I think this is the perfect time to me to look for a fiancée. It is usual for a prince to be engaged or married at my age, right?" He added nervously. "But if you don't want to, then… don't,"

Out of his mind, suddenly his father laughed so hard and rubbed his back continuously. The Almost-A-Perfect-Prince became speechless as he having a strange thought that his father is crazy.

"Finally!" His father shouted happily. "After a long moment, you realized to look for a woman and ignored about how to be taller! Your mother will be grateful to hear this joyful news!"

"You do?" His father nodded. "Then, you will also allow me to come, right?"

"Of course, Riku. Then prepare your luggage, as the cart that brings our lady will go about an hour. Don't forget to wear your best suit and the sweet scent perfume, a secret recipe from our alchemists. I engaged with your mother because she had an interest about that fragrance,"

"That looks like the fish fossils," Riku said, half-jokingly. Riku remembered the smell in comment. The time he used the perfume he succeeded in making the alley cats yowl and ran after him, considered him as a very big fish. "But for mother that loves to smell such an odd scent, it was a heaven,"

"Okay, do as you wish," it looked like his father gave up and left the room shortly after that.

And Riku was alone, fell into his only worlds once again.

I must have fun there and caught a lot of attention from the lady. Then I'll meet my destined lady, my soon to be fiancée and wife. Though the probability near zero, caused by my weight. Hoping is always allowed, isn't it?

But first, I must forget him.

A/N: Ah well, review if you think it's worth continuing or to correct any mistakes. We're aware our grammar leaves quite a bit to be desired for. We tried so hard to improve it, really! Next will be KakeiSena, a dream on a starry night…