After departing from the park, and walking the short distance to the Imperial Plaza Hotel, Asuna and Kazuto were brought to a cordoned-off section of the hotel, marked by the symbol of the Japanese government and a crest of a winged diamond, along with a warning in English, Japanese, and a third language that neither Asuna or Kazuto could read.
"That's the written form of our language, that we use where we come from." Zen said, as Asuna and Kazuto looked away from studying it. "It's similar in spoken terms to English, but in written? That's a different story."
"I'll say." Asuna replied. "So, Dad? What exactly is going on here?"
"I'll explain when we find a place that's more...isolated." Shouzou replied. "The Diet, the JSDF, and the government of Zen and Shirayuki's homeland are still knee-deep in the tangles of international diplomacy and relations. We've been working nonstop for three weeks now."
"Well, if there's anything I could do to help, let me know." Kazuto offered.
"Thank you, Kazuto." Shouzou said, as they entered a spacious conference room, draped with the flags of the Japanese homeland, the United Nations, and the same winged diamond on a vibrant blue background. The table was covered with documents of various kinds, including maps and a plethora of school textbooks. The appearance of the same winged diamond from earlier caused Asuna to hum in thought.
"There's that symbol again." Asuna mused. "Do you know what it means, Zen?"
"It's my family's crest." Zen replied as they all sat down. "I guess I could formally introduce myself now that we're all acquainted."
"Asuna, Kazuto, it's nice to meet you both. I'm Zen Wisteria, Second Prince of Clarines Kingdom."
Asuna and Kazuto went slack-jawed, as they realized that a lot of things made significantly more sense to both of them now that they knew Zen was a Prince.
"Well, I'm not sure how to respond." Asuna replied. "But I've never heard of a place called Clarines that's anywhere on Earth."
"You're right about that." Shouzou said. "This isn't their world. I'm not sure of many of the details myself, but the JSDF opened some kind of portal to Clarines. The higher-ups have kept the exact process heavily classified."
"So you're not from Earth, but you're humans?" Kazuto asked, stunned. "It's not what I was expecting aliens to look like at all...no offense."
"None taken." Shirayuki replied.
"Anyway…" Zen said. "One of the reasons everything's being kept so secret is that you're far more technologically advanced than our world. When our worlds first met and began exchanging information, it took almost a week for me to get a sense of how far ahead Earth was."
"That's putting it mildly." Obi cut in. "Master was trying to learn all he could in such a short time, he nearly passed out in the middle of a meeting with the court minister."
Zen coughed and lurched forward in embarrassment, and the others began to.
"Quiet." he murmured without any real force. "It was one time."
"One time, but right in front of…" Obi continued with a devious smile.
"Shut it!" Zen growled, frustrated at his Messenger's lack of tact for the situation at hand, and then he blushed when everyone resumed laughing.
"Well…" Shirayuki said once everyone settled down. "What happens now, Mr. Yuuki?"
"We still have about forty-five minutes before our business resumes." Shouzou said. "What do you think we can do in that amount of time? Shall we just keep talking?"
"Why not? Can you tell us what Clarines is like?" Asuna asked.
"Sure thing." Zen smiled, getting up to retrieve a paper map of Clarines that also contained a section of Tanbarun. As the group of five gathered around to listen to Zen, Shouzou smiled to himself as he stood off to the side. Even after retiring as CEO of RECT in the aftermath of the old ALO incident, he had never known what to do with all his free time after doing so.
But when he received the call from the Diet asking for his help and input on a classified project, Shouzou didn't know what to expect at that moment. But once he did learn what was going on, he was proud to be a part of it.
Even if the task in question was helping a Prince, an Herbalist, and the Prince's messenger adjust to seeing and living a new world, and solving any problems that would come with such a duty.
"Well, I guess that's what I can tell you for now." Zen sighed, leaning back after about forty minutes of talking. "I suppose we should get back to work. We don't have much time until our business resumes."
"That's right!" Asuna said. "We should start heading home, then. It was lovely to meet you three!"
As Asuna and Kazuto exchanged goodbyes with Zen, Shirayuki, and Obi, Shouzou offered to drive the two of them back to the Yuuki's house, an offer which Kazuto accepted, seeing as he and Asuna were both quite tired. In the time they had spent at the park and in the hotel, it was now early afternoon.
As the three of them headed towards the adjacent garage where Shouzou had parked the Yuuki's family car, Kazuto gently held Asuna's hand as they walked.
"Huh." Kazuto mused, seeing the sky had clouded over, and the air felt more moist. "Seems like it's going to rain."
"You're more than welcome to stay at our house until it passes, Kazuto." Shouzou said as they exited the Tokyo urban area. "I don't think it wise to drive home on a motorcycle in the rain, especially if it begins to storm."
"Thanks, Mr. Yuuki." Kazuto nodded appreciatively. "I'll call my folks, just to let them know."
As he pulled out his phone, there was a rumble of thunder, and Asuna grimaced slightly as it began to rain steadily.
"It was so nice earlier…" she huffed, frowning.
"The storm will pass in time, Asuna. And we can still do fun things inside as well." her father said as they approached the Yuuki's house, and parked inside their spacious garage. Asuna nodded, and retrieved the picnic basket as they exited the car. To Kazuto's relief, his motorcycle had been moved inside where it was less likely to be affected by the storm.
As they entered the main hall of the Yuuki's mansion-like home, the familiar face of Alice Zuberg beckoned them over from the couch in their family room.
"Hey, Alice." Asuna said.
"Hello." Alice replied, sliding over to make space for both Asuna and Kazuto. "I thought you guys would be back earlier."
"We got sidetracked. Met some new friends." Kazuto said, collapsing onto the couch. "Geez, I am so tired…"
"Take a nap, then." Asuna said, sliding a pillow over to her boyfriend, and he, after placing it on the shoulder-rest near him, Kazuto was asleep in only a few minute's time.
"Did you get rained out?" Alice asked quietly.
"No, we left before it started." Asuna replied. "Good thing, too. I don't think I would've wanted him to drive home on a motorcycle in this weather…to say it'd be unsafe is putting it lightly."
As the two of them settled in, and soon began watching a movie, Shouzou headed upstairs to his study and office room.
As he pulled up the secure messenger app the JSDF was using to communicate with Clarines, it wasn't long before he was engaged in conversation with Izana Wisteria, Zen's older brother and the First Prince of Clarines.
"Zen, Shirayuki, and Obi are doing quite well. They made friends with my daughter and her partner, who coincidentally met them at the Imperial Park earlier today." he typed.
"I see." Izana's message soon appeared. "I suppose that's a good thing to hear. And how is your own work faring, Mr. Yuuki?"
"Quite well." Shouzou replied. "We should have the arrangements for the Diplomatic Gala fully made, planned, and laid out in a few days' time."
"Very well." Izana said. "It has been good talking to you. I have work to attend to."
"As do I. Have a good day, your Highness."
"And the same to you."