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Chapter Text

The stars care not much of what goes on down in the world of humans. They live in the heavens outside of earth and live what they believe to be fulfilling lives surrounded by magic without regard for those below. This is the truth of the world.

Or at least that was what it once was. Let me tell you the story of how the world changed by the whim of a lone star. It's a fun story! I promise. It's full of magic and mischief, a long lost prince, a sacred promise, peril, adventure– and yes love! Love that makes the world go round and stop all the same. It's the whole package deal! Well where to start first? Shall I start where the lost prince meets his future lover? Hmm… no that would be missing out important details from the story, then if I try to fix my mistake by explaining things in the middle you’d surely get mad at me. But if I explain everything at once it might be annoying? Argh! What to do?

Then we must go back. 

Way back. 

Back to the whim of that star so very long ago…

Once upon a time the human world had not a drop of magic in it and humans toiled away day after day making a life for themselves by the strength of their own will. However that all changed when a star happened to take interest in the little humans that worked themselves for some dream or for survival. The star watched them every day and thought “How funny! Why do they do this? Don’t they know they’ll just end up working until they die?”

The other stars shrugged at this curious one’s questions ignoring it as they ignored the human world. Who cared? It was just the same as always after all. The star didn’t mind their lack of response and kept watching. Days passed. Then a year. Followed by a century. And by the time the star wanted to be more than a mere observer it had been a millennium.

“Ahhhh… they really do just nothing but work and die. And yet why do they create? Songs, art, stories, and more. They fill their world with color and add non-existent magic…” Suddenly it got a great idea. “But what if they could do as we do… hmm… I wonder… Humans, how will your art change?”

The star smiled to itself with glee. Oh this would surely be so much fun! This is what the humans needed! The star snuck in carefully into the palace of the Sun and took just a pinch of its light. Then it crept over to the dwelling of the Moon and did the same. Smiling to itself it held the two drops in its hands.

“I look forward to seeing how your art grows, my dear humans! Or,” The star grinned in euphoria as it let the drops slip out of its hands. “To see how you destroy yourselves for a taste of our powers.”

The two drops fell and fell faster and faster with each millisecond. The two lights diving toward the world clashed once with a loud bang and went two separate ways.

The sun drop fell on a decently sized island with a soft chime. It fell into the embrace of the island’s fertile soil; the land giving its best feathered touch as it fell in love with the warmth the sun drop radiated. The sun drop felt so honored it preened and glowed. How kind of the land. So soft, so– loving. So this is what it was like to be loved? Is this what its like to be appreciated? Its a nice feeling. In turn, the sun drop fell in love with the soft and firm soil deeming this so lovely it blossomed into a beautiful golden flower with a glowing purple center and shining white light that enveloped all in its grace. Love! Oh love! What a wonderful world! It gave all its love and drank in the love the land gave back. Its roots spread across the whole island embracing the world back in its joy. Blooming flowers as far as the eyes could see sprouted from the sun drop’s magic. Ah! It must be heaven I see! Yellows and purples galore! Pinks and whites not falling behind. Blue and green could not be missed and neither could the reds and indigos. The merry sight hidden from all unsuspecting humans.

All but one.

Now listen close, this one is very important and will change the course of the world and our story.

She was old and frail. Her best years far gone beyond her grasp but here she was as a witness to this miracle. She hobbled over to where the sun drop had fallen. She didn’t pause despite how her joints ached and cried for her to rest. No! She couldn’t! Beckoned by its glow and its faint call she went on until she reached the glowing flower.

“Oh blessed human! Rejoice! Rejoice I say! For I have come to show you my secret before I sleep for eternity with my newfound love. I am here to change the way of you humans. Your art shall change the world! Your songs shall be the vessels for my power I have decided.  I will teach you but one of my songs and how you can use it to help yourself and those around you. You must find the others if you’d like to learn them. I have told the land already but its up to you to find them. Hark!”

“Well then small flower let me know! You talk too much! For my time on Earth is fleeting and I cannot listen all day.” The woman wheezed impatiently. The flower found it so amusing. How impudent. That's humanity for you.

“Ahaha! That's right! How fragile! The star told me so. Very well, here it is:

Flower, gleam and glow

Let your powers shine

Make the clock reverse

Bring back what once was mine

Heal what has been hurt

Change the fates’ design

Save what has been lost

Bring back what once was mine

What once was mine

There! I’ve done my role. Share it with the world! Or not! Either way the land knows and I only care about my love.” And the flower– the sun drop fell silent for all of eternity.

The old woman grimaced in disbelief. What would happen if she sang it? She hesitated. Well her life had been long enough and if she died now then it must be god’s will. She took in a deep breath and screwed her eyes shut as she began.

“Flower, gleam and glow,” Warmth filled her up. “Let your powers shine/Make the clock reverse…”

“Bring back what once was mine/Heal what has been hurt,” With each verse she felt pleasure thrum through her veins. If she was dying, what a wonderful way to go. Her body felt the ecstasy of magic and it reflected back on her. “Change the fates’ design/Save what has been lost”

“Bring back what once was mine,” She could sing all day if she had to. “What once was mine…”

All too soon it was over. She looked around wondering what had changed. “Small flower? What was that song for–!!”

She gasped. Her voice?! It was no longer horse and gravely. Why she felt taller and stronger too! Her body didn’t ache any more, rather full of energy in fact. And that's when she saw it. Her matted white hair had turned into tight ringlets of purple so soft to the touch. She ran her fingers through them weeping at her vanity being given back to her. Even her hands! Oh her bony knobby fingers were soft and youthful again!

She laughed. She ran as she cried in joy. She jumped and danced and twirled. She had stopped feeling this happiness decades ago! She fell to her knees and prayed in reverence to whomever gave her this blessing. Quickly she wrote the flower’s incantation lest she forget and live in regret.  Off on her merry way she went to experience the world with renewed strength but to her utter horror, it wouldn’t last.

Her hair was greying once again and age sagged her smooth skin a few weeks after leaving. She dashed back in fear and tried speaking to the flower but the flower would not answer. She bit her nails anxiously before singing the incantation once again. This time she noticed how the flower really did glow with her song and noticed her wrinkles smoothing out again. Sighing in relief a wicked thought appeared in her head.

If she shared this secret– surely the flower would be uprooted. It would be stolen from her. No… this island was uninhabited. But she had been here on that day looking for medicinal herbs… Others might come too. They might notice how this land suddenly bloomed with flowers and find this blessing. Not if she could stall it! Better yet stop it altogether!

And so– there folks is how the woman changed the route the world would take. The woman hid the flower from the rest of the world and the world would move on without its healing abilities. Only the woman, the land, and the flowers would know.

Of course– flowers can never resist keeping secrets and soon they told the wind and the wind who loved to whisper in the ears of any who would listen spread its rumors.

Okay! Let's ignore her for a while and focus on the rest of the world. Only the woman remained the same while the world around her changed. Time does that yeah? The island was soon populated once people discovered how fertile the land was. The love of the sun drop and the land oozed onto the plant life making the taste divine. The life stock that subsequently grazed on the plant life then grew healthier and much tastier. In fact, harvest and produce were so good that the people of this newly formed territory became gourmands as they strove to make more delicious meals finding magic in their art. But without a doubt the best ingredient found on this island was not found in the soil nor in the animals that grazed on his bountiful feast. No, that honor would belong to the honey that was pollinated by the bees and sundrop flowers that covered the land. 

No where in the world did the honey taste as it did in this island. Ambrosia Honey they called it for surely this honey was the meal of the gods. It was like getting a taste of magic itself, filling one with renewed energy and soothing one’s worries. It soon became a staple to the island’s trade. The bees and the people living in harmony as the people respected their small companions. Even the first king of this new kingdom then dubbed the land Honeycomb in reverence to the special honey. The law made it abundantly clear that the honey was to be protected and the bees to be respected at all cost. The land would thrive on its wonderful food.

Yes yes the Honeycomb Kingdom was a peaceful land full of peaceful people that sought only to make the culinary world theirs yada yada yada. But what of the rest of the world? The moon drop fell too right? What about that? The old woman was just ignored or why should we give a shit about her? And when are we getting to the prince and adventure and lovely dovey kissy goodness we came here for? I’m getting there. I promise!

The story of the moon drop is for another day; for the sake of simplicity. For now let's hear the story of the sun drop.

King after king and queen after queen alike, the royals swore to protect Honeycomb and their subjects. As such they were loved by their people for doing so down to the latest prince. The little Chef Prince they called him affectionately. The Chef Prince smiled brightly at all his citizens no matter the status. Often he would sneak down to the towns and play with everyone tasting the meals of his citizens and cooking for them himself.

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“Little Chef! Little Chef!” The Queen scolded often. “Look at you! You're clothed in rags like the common folk! You can’t just run amok like that forever! You have a duty to your people and you can’t just run off to play instead of studying.”

“Oh grandmother! I am studying! Studying my people and the culture of our land!” He laughed as he jumped on the stair railings and sliiiiiiiiiid away.

“Little Chef come back at once! I order you to!” But the Little Chef Prince only ran away in playful mischief.  Little Chef loved his people. He loved the taste of Honeycomb. This young prince’s pallet could only be compared to that of the first king and so the people looked onward at him with curiosity in their hearts and a craving in their stomachs for something new. The Queen was right however. He could not run around to his hearts’ content forever and soon he would need to lead and protect like those before him. All eyes were on him as the title Little Chef Prince grew too small for him and the little chef grew into a teenager and that teenager into a young man and that young man into their shining king. Beloved King Minori Shiina, the temepetre young king who loved to cook for his people and his affection for his citizens known throughout Honeycomb and the pillar of cooking magic art of the Ensemble Empire.

How could he not spoil his people? His people were wonderful. The tastes they gave him bloomed warmth in his heart and he swore to help them keep their happiness with his rule. Even if he could no longer do it as the little chef running around and playing in the open, he would keep on disguising himself and get close to his citizens to know them better. This habit of his was dangerous, his retainers would say, but none could stop him. One day as he snuck down to the towns in his usual disguise did he fall in love completely– heart, soul, and mind devoted to a single person.

No two lovers were more tender than they were. The envy of the empire as they walked so closely hand in hand oblivious to the outside world lost in the new world they found in each other's eyes. The citizens of the Honeycomb Kingdom, however, wished them happiness for their king who had always been working so hard for them. He deserved a happy life as well. With their blessing, King Shiina and his beloved wed on a fine summer day and the whole kingdom rejoiced. The new Queen devoted her new life to her beloved and to her new people that welcomed her with open arms. She swore to protect her lover’s back from those who sought to hurt the culinary king and provided any support he may need. King Shiina was never happier in his life. A beautiful wife, delicious food, citizen’s that wished for his well being, and soon he’d hold a child of his own born from his love.

But alas this joy could not last. It had just turned to autumn, the leaves began to turn orange and brown when the Queen had fallen so terribly ill. She struggled to stay alive and to keep the growing child within her alive as well. Doctors and mages alike were called to try and save the Queen but none had the solution for him. 

“The Queen is too weak, your highness,” They’d say; a shake of the head and a quiet apology. “If we try anything too rash– she may not survive nor might your child.” When was the last time King Shiina’s heart felt this pain? He couldn’t remember his parents’ death all too well. Grandmother had died peacefully of old age and he had understood it was only a matter of time. But this was different. This was agonizing. He could not watch his beloved slip away from him. He watched as the woman he loved grew weaker and weaker, barely staying conscious for more than a few minutes at a time. His unborn child would also likely never see the light of day or taste all the delicious meals the King and Queen had thought of sharing. If this was his punishment for ignoring his duties in his youth he’d take it back! He’d devote himself entirely for his kingdom! They could tear him open and nourish themselves on his soul but please anyone! Please save his small family! Despair was too light a word to describe his anguish.

King Shiina himself joined the fray to look for anything to save his lover. Books, kitchen magic, traditional remedies– anything! Something! As he looked through book after book in the royal library he found a rumor that could possibly save his wife. Such a meaningless rumor too.

A magic flower? A sundrop unlike anything the world had ever seen? A gift from the heavens with the ability to heal and wound? Undo old age? ...Heal any illness? In Honeycomb too.

It was a flimsy gamble at best…

“Find me the Sundrop Flower of the Heavens!” He ordered his kingdom. “The one who finds the whereabouts of this miracle will be rewarded with anything their heart desires short of the kingdom!”

And so everyone began their mad scrabble for the rumored miracle, even those of the other kingdoms in the empire. Honeycomb was so very rich in resources.

Down in caves! Out on the fields! At the highest peak in the kingdom! Maybe in the sea? Or in the nearby woods? But none was successful in finding this miracle.

In a final act of desperation, King Shiina pleaded with the bees bowing in reverence as heavy teardrops fell from his eyes. “Please! Please, I beg you! I know you know where this miracle is! Save my family! I love them more than life itself! Haven’t the royalty of Honeycomb always defended this land of yours? Haven’t we protected the flowers and the trees? Kept the resource protected from the greed of the other kingdoms like Stardust Kingdom or Cosmos Kingdom? I’ll tell you everything about my beloved and why I love her so much. I’ll tell you the future I dream of with my small child. I’ll tell you why I love Honeycomb and everything in it. Please listen and if you feel your hearts are moved then please help me find my miracle!”

The bees buzzed idly by listening to the King pour out his heart out to them still bowing. They listened to him describe in detail the taste of honey cakes. They listened to him talk about all the citizens he could think of like the shoemaker’s daughter who was giving away free shoes to those who needed it. They listened to him laugh in between choked sobs of how he met his lover and how a dagger to his neck was more attractive than it should have been. They listened to him explain in painful detail the warmth he felt when he felt his child kick the stomach of his wife for the first time.

They listened. 

They listened and listened and listened. 

They listened and felt the honey grow bitter as it was sweet with each of his tears and their hearts were moved with each of his words. One by one they flew over to the different colonies in the Honeycomb Kingdom and soon all the bees knew of how much the King loved them and their home and of course; his family. The bees told the flowers and the flowers told the wind. They whispered in the ear of the nearest person to the flower, a young soldier from another kingdom. 

“Look underneath that shrub…” The wind spoke quietly. “Doesn’t it look strange? Save the Queen and save the smile of that Little Chef King. It is for love; the sundrop would be happy to save love.”

The soldier froze for a moment but urged on by the wind he carefully took a peak underneath that shrub. Lo and behold! The fake shrub had been hiding the miracle they were all looking for!

“It's over here! Hey! I found the flower! It's real!” He yelled as loudly as he could.

“That Cosmos soldier found the flower! Hurry! Let's take it to the king!” Quickly the soldiers carefully tried to remove the flower without damaging its roots but they were far too deep. Deeming it more important to bring the flower to the king, they took as much of the roots as they could before cutting it there and rushed to the palace.

King Shiina, who had been beside his barely breathing wife, jumped from his seat when the flower was presented to him. And ran to the royal kitchen as though he were possessed. He took it and started to prepare the soup himself, racing against the time. He gently touched the lapel next to his heart, the magic stone awakening to his magic as he gave a single prayer, and let his cooking magic art seep into his every action. He was careful not to waste a single moment refusing to even taste the soup himself so that every last drop would go past his beloved’s lips. Light spices flew left and right. He dashed from one corner to another refusing help. His precise cutting of the vegetables was the only sound he’d make beside his frantic dashing. And when the flower touched the bubbling yellow soup it turned shimmering silver! Every second he waited to cool the soup sufficiently felt like an eternity.

With a practiced quick step he made it to his beloved’s side once more and carefully fed her the magical soup. What if it didn’t work? What if it was poison? His heart was in his stomach but all he could do was trust the voice in his heart that told him to believe in this miracle. It wasn’t long before the soup was all gone.

He waited. A second. Then another. And–! There! There it was! The rosy cheeks of his beloved slowly came back as did her healthier complexion. She stirred lightly, waking up for the first time in days and King Shiina cried with joy thanking the bees, the flowers, the wind, and the soldier who found the lost flower. He kissed her hands repeatedly feeling grateful to the world.

It was like the gloom that had settled over the kingdom was suddenly lifted and everyone could breathe again in peace. Some argued that they should wait before cheering for the child of the King and Queen who was yet to be born. Once again people waited with bated breaths when just a few days after the flower had been fed to the Queen– she went into labor.

The people anxiously waited alongside the King who couldn’t stop pacing in the throne room. They would be fine right? Queen Shiina had recovered with the flower as if she had never been sick to begin with. But how would that affect the child? Surely the child wouldn’t be born ill or with defects caused by the magic of the flower. Only time would tell it seemed.

Finally came the blessed moment when the doctors told King Shiina he could come in and see his new child and time stopped for a brief moment.

“Congratulations your majesties! It's a healthy baby boy!” The doctor and midwife each congratulated the new parents. There was his beloved looking tired and worse for wear but smiling brightly holding a small wriggling child that was latched on to one of her breasts happily feeding. The baby seemed to only care about eating his fill, his big blue eyes glancing around every now and then. The midwife diligently cleaned the baby as quickly and carefully as she could so that the father could have a better look at the baby while the mother held him. The king kneeled next to his beloved and child.

King Shiina laughed softly. “He seems to have the Shiina appetite. A fine quality to have for the future gourmand heir of Honeycomb.” 

“Have your majesties decided on a name for the little prince?” Asked one of the doctors.

The King and Queen looked at each other smiling. “Niki. His name is Niki.” 

“A fine choice.” The doctor said smiling as she wrote down the name of the new prince on a few documents. She then explained more things as the parents listened quietly.

Once Niki had finished eating he seemed to be lulled asleep. It was a beautiful sight but there was one itsy bitsy teeny tiny concern if not problem.

“Are… are infants usually born with so much hair?” Queen Shiina asked, brushing her hand gently on the soft strands of hair that brushed the baby’s shoulders. It was still silver like that of the Honeycomb heirs but a very different shade than that of the King. While King Shiina had a dark shade of grey silver hair, Niki had a head of almost white silver hair that was too long for a normal newborn. The color itself wasn’t unheard of but the length was certainly odd.

“That…. Well no. Infants can be born with a full head of hair but this amount of hair is certainly abnormal. It shouldn’t be of that much concern. Still we’ll be running tests and the like to ensure the health of the baby. If he starts to suddenly lose a lot of hair it's normal! He may even gain a bald spot but that's perfectly fine. It’ll just grow back. Infant hair is fragile too so it shouldn’t be tied just yet. We can also cut it if you’d feel more comfortable.”

“Hm… if it doesn’t harm the baby then I don’t see why not keep it long. It's such a lovely shade after all. What do you think dear?” Asked the King to his wife.

“Keep it,” She said smiling. “It would look so adorable if he were to grow it as yours.”

The King smiled, happy to do as his treasure wanted. While his own hair went past his waist, he doubted Niki’s hair would grow that much. After all, he really was just an infant. 

Prince Niki would be introduced to the kingdom a few weeks later and a grand ol’ celebration was held. The whole kingdom was invited to the palace to have a great feast, the king himself acting as head chef to ensure the absolute best quality for his people. The whole kingdom rejoiced in this celebration. With dancing, singing, laughter and magic shows all as far as the eye could see. The wind played lightly around people’s hair and the flowers swayed to the rhythm of the music while the bee’s honey grew sweeter. By the end of the night, they lit up paper candles into the sky to commemorate the welcome of the little prince to the kingdom. The day’s celebration couldn’t possibly be more perfect. 

Countless gifts were brought to the little majesty from nobles across the Ensemble Empire and beyond. From kings to dukes to counts and the like, those who came to celebrate and even those who couldn’t come all gave their goodwill to Prince. All of course, except those from the Dark Kingdom which haven’t made an appearance at social gatherings for generations now. The nobles would come and take a peek at the baby. He was adorable, they'd all say to the pride of the King before handing their gifts. Without a shadow of a doubt, however, the grandest of all gifts would be given to them by His Excellency of the Cosmos Kingdom. The man smiled at the Prince and gave his gift to the King.

“Greetings and blessings to the light of Honeycomb.” His Excellency bowed deeply. “I hope this gift doesn’t come as too forward, your Majesty. I myself choose this design for the new light of the empire. I had it made with Honeycomb in mind. I was simply overcome with joy to hear my soldier was the one who found the miracle flower. This child must be blessed by Honeycomb itself.” 

King Shiina took the gift carefully. A diplomatic smile on his face as he carefully chose his next words. “Your kind words honor us, your Excellency. We ourselves are grateful to him for his service and await his choice in reward. I’m sure your gift is filled with heartfelt sentiments. Perhaps Niki is the blessing of Honeycomb rather than being blessed.”

His Excellency’s eyes narrowed as his smile grew wider and he let out a low chuckle. “Please do me the honor of opening my gift. Why I want to see your reactions to it.”

The King opened the gift carefully and was stunned at the sight. The Queen glanced at the box and bit her tongue before her gasps could spill out. In the box laid a beautiful golden tiara crown lined with diamonds and pearls. In the center there were three large yellow gems, the one in the center being the biggest. It was clearly a luxurious gift but had been designed in a way that kept its elegance without being gaudy. In fact, it was of higher luxury than anything Honeycomb could produce. It made sense: as a mining kingdom Cosmos’ wealth was only rivaled by Stardust. The artist clearly put in a lot of thought into the crown. In the colored diamonds there were small sun patterns, one of Honeycomb’s three motifs, then on the three biggest gems, a small Honeycomb design could be seen. This wasn’t a natural gem then– King Shiina took the crown out of the box feeling the crown hum in harmony with him. Many could not contain their surprise when he showed the audience.  

“These are– these are magic stones aren’t they.” He said confirming rather than asking. “They seem to be in perfect sync with my magic…”

“Yes, indeed I researched what type of stones resonated better with the royalty of Honeycomb so that the Prince could harness his budding magic without trouble. Why not give it a try yourself.”

“How thoughtful of you, your Excellency. I’m afraid my type of magic art is cooking magic however. I don’t think I could make it work like your singing magic art.” 

“Give it a try nonetheless.” His Excellency urged.

“Ahh– very well then. I’m not the best singer mind you. Daaa da da da da da da da dummm da da da da da da da dummm~♪ ” King Shiina stared in surprise before ending his hum. The gems began to glow in a pleasant warmth with each note. The crown’s three big yellow stones glowed and turned into a pleasant white. Those that were witnessed clapped excitedly. “Thank you for your gift. I can see just how much thought was put into it.”

His Excellency laughed merrily and gave King Shiina an expectant look. “I’m just glad your Highness likes it. One of my many dreams is to foster the talent of those with potential. The stones only react like that to those of the Shiina bloodline when they use magic for the first time. When used from then on the stones stay a pure white, but only when used by a legitimate heir. If anyone else were to try it on, they turn yellow until a legitimate Shiina wears it once more. I’m sure in due time it’ll become a national treasure.”

King Shiina smiled back brighter despite his hesitation. His Excellency wants the crown to be placed on Niki, that much was clear. In all honesty, King Shiina wanted to reject the gift. It was beautiful, expensive, and powerful, sure, but it was a gift given with ulterior motives. He wasn’t sure what they could be, much less what it would mean for Niki. His Excellency may try to gain a hand in Honeycomb’s natural resources or worse Niki himself. If Niki really did have a lot of talent for magic, what could he expect? His Excellency could try to have a political marriage announced. The prominent Tomoe family of Cosmos had children the right age and with their fingers in the food industry it could be a good move. On the other hand, the soldier had a small child himself. An arrangement could be made there. He didn’t want Niki to marry for politics. He wanted him to marry out of love like he did. King Shiina glanced at his wife who was subtly trying to kill his Excellency with her eyes. When she caught his sight, she silently nodded in defeat, it was the safest choice rather than incurring the wrath of his Excellency.

King and Queen Shiina went up to Niki’s crib with the crown in hand. Niki, who had been preoccupied trying to eat his foot for the tenth time that day, brightened up at the sight of his parents reaching out to them ignoring his slobbered foot. With a light laugh his mother reached down and picked him up so that his father could place the crown on the little Prince. Niki laughed as the crown was placed on him. His laughter caused the crown to fall further down his head crooked as it was far too big on him. Niki felt the warmth from the crown on his hair feeling comfortable, unaware of how the stones on the crown stayed a soft white. He should try to eat it. Niki tried grabbing for it to put in his mouth but King Shiina quickly fixed it for him. Niki seemed to like it at least. When he saw the fond smile on his Excellency– perhaps there wasn’t that much of a hidden motive to the gift. Well at least not one of malice he hoped. Then again this was clearly a test of legitimacy for Niki considering his mother’s more dubious origins.

“It seems the Prince loves his gift.” His Excellency laughed. “I’m glad that's the case.”

“Once again, thank you for your thoughtful gift, your Excellency. Please do enjoy the rest of the celebration.”

As the sun began to set, they went to the main balcony. King Shiina held a babbling Niki as the Queen grabbed the lantern awaiting them. She held the lantern to them after carefully lighting it up. The King and Queen huddled close and pushed the lantern up gently together. Niki laughed trying to reach for the lantern as the little family watched it go higher and higher. The people watching cheered and soon they let their own lanterns fly up as if trying to reach the royal lantern. The sky fell dark and Niki’s big eyes widened seeing all the twinkling lights floating all around. The Queen took Niki from the King’s arms and hugged him firmly as the lanterns kept floating up. The rest of the celebration seemed to go without any incidents, however, the Queen kept the little prince close to her laughing along with the King whose bright smile could only be rivaled by the sun itself, prayed this happiness could last as a shadow of doubt pierced her peace of mind. 

That night, the Queen’s fears would only be amplified.

While everyone had been celebrating the little prince, someone else had been seething at his birth. The woman who had used the sundrop flower for herself for centuries had been there the day the foreign soldier found the flower. Since then her youthful glow had dulled out as her skin sagged yet again. The cursed baby slept all too peacefully while the precious life saving magic flowed through his veins. She could feel it. That was fine however. Maybe it had been a blessing in disguise that the flower’s magic had gone to the baby. As she quietly sung the incantation taught to her by the flower, she watched with fascination as the baby’s hair began to glow white. This could be a blessing. All she had to do was take a bit of his hair and then she could imbue its power into a magic stone. Then she could finally be free to travel the world without being tied to a flower to return every few weeks. She smiled, taking a small tuft of his hair behind his ear, as close to the scalp as possible, and wrapped it around her once again youthful finger and carefully snipped it. To her utter horror the hair lost its glow where she had snipped and saw it turn an ugly grey like that of the foolish king. In a fit of panic she sang once again faster as the baby stirred with an ear splitting wail, hearing his tiny stomach growl with hunger, she urged the magic to be quicker as it renewed her youth yet again. The door of the room being opened quickly only saw the balcony curtains move.

The woman held her breath as the Queen quickly scooped the infant in her arms, cooing at him gently. She watched silently as the Queen rushed to feed him, wondering how he could be so hungry so quickly when she noticed how loudly his little stomach was growling. Niki wailed loudly, staving despite being fed just a few minutes earlier but he ate so desperately as if though he’d gone hours without a single drop of milk. The King had followed sluggishly behind the Queen who paused for a moment while she fed Niki as a breeze called her attention. The balcony door had been left open? How careless could they be? Even if they were so high up it shouldn’t have been neglected. The Queen’s sharp eyes scanned the area and saw no one. The King leaned over the balcony staring at something in the bushes before locking the door shut with one final glance with the Queen holding Niki protectively closer. This was bad. The Queen was sure to notice the darkened hair sooner than later when it’d grow back and know the child’s hair had magical properties.

Shiina! ShiinaShiinaShiina! It was always that damned family acting like a thorn on her side for centuries! Always looking down at her with those horrid eyes! That Shiina welp would surely keep the baby under closer guard no doubt keeping its powers for himself. The hair in her hands mocked her. This limited youth could be her last. And the damned Society! They sent letters upon letter mocking her for losing such an brilliant tool. What if they came after her before her youth would end? She had to think of a plan and think of it fast. The woman only had a couple of weeks at best to come up with a solution– maybe less if the Queen noticed the baby’s hair missing.

In those few days, however, the royals began to notice something else was off about their child. Nothing that had to do with the hair but something even more urgent. It seemed that Niki had an insatiable appetite; even for a Shiina. When he’d been born they merely assumed that that's just how newborns were since the doctor had told them so but now that nearly a month had passed and his appetite grew more voracious, the new parents began to worry. Niki would be fed and sometimes it wouldn’t be the hour when he would be crying hungry for more. The Queen did her best to try and keep up with the demand but she simply couldn’t. A wet nurse had to be brought in and between the both of them were they able to somewhat appease his abnormal appetite. The doctors were stumped yet again at what the cause could be but King Shiina had his suspicions that it was a side effect of the flower. The nights were especially hard.

“Minori, I don’t think Niki is safe at night. It's not just his constant hunger. There is something else.” She said to her beloved one night after hesitating for almost a month lest she jinx something. “Call it intuition– or better yet experience but I can feel someone is watching us. It's been only a few weeks since Niki’s welcome to the kingdom and yet something feels off.”

The King’s eyebrows furrowed in thought. Someone was watching them? Of course there were several people watching them. They held the highest position in the kingdom after all. One look at her tense frown though and he found himself agreeing. His Queen would never joke about something like this. If she said so then it was sure to be true. He nodded. “I believe you. I’ll order more security in the day time and have the night more well guarded. We’ll keep Niki’s crib closer to us– oh! Better yet we can have a new bed brought in so he can sleep with us. We won’t leave him alone for a moment.”

The Queen kissed the King’s cheek. “Thank you my dear. Maybe I’m just being paranoid but I would feel better safe than sorry.”

Sure enough, the Queen was right.

In the calm before the storm, King and Queen moved Niki’s crib into their room that night. Now that Niki was in the same room with them, Minori couldn't help holding him close even while one hand held an apple pie. Apple pie with notes of cardamom, his laughing child trying to eat his hair, and his loving wife scolding him to be more careful. Yes his life was finally perfect. He set his pie down least Nana pull his hair and instead grabbed the gift from Cosmos. Though he had had his initial reservations about the crown, Minori placed the jeweled accessory on Niki's head and took him to the full body mirror near the vanity.

"Look Niki, that's you. You're the Prince of the Honeycomb Kingdom and I'm the King. Your mama is the Queen. Between you and me, she is the prettiest one in all of the Ensemble Empire. Shh! Its a secret." Minori showed Niki himself though the infant could not understand a word coming out of his father's mouth. Still, he babbled incoherently as if though he could understand him, pulling on the lapel on Minori's chest with refusing to spit out the King's hair. Nana came into view and smiled at her two beloveds taking Minori's hair out of Niki's mouth and just as lovingly pulled it in a swift movement. "Yew-ouch!"

"Minori, let Niki rest! I just finished feeding him." She carefully put the crown away and gently took Niki into her arms. She cooed softy at him rocking him slowly until Niki's eyes closed into an overdue sleep. Satisfied, his mother laid him in his crib and pulled a warm blanket over him; Minori joining her soon after.

Both felt much more relaxed watching Niki’s chest rise and fall steadily as he slept peacefully. While the nursery had been connected to their room it wasn’t enough to feel safe. Here next to them however, they felt relieved. It was these moments that the King felt much more at ease. No need to be King and Queen in the privacy of their bedroom. They could simply be new parents and their impossibly adorable child.

Minori nuzzled Niki’s cheek gently. He tried to take in every detail of his baby. The way his hands opened and closed trying to grab something in his dream, his rosy cheeks, the way his long hair now reached further down his back. That tiny little mole on his neck behind his ear. Niki was perfect. He was a cherub in disguise no doubt. He wished he could stare at Niki all night long but tomorrow he’d have to leave early to get to Stardust’s capital on time for a summit meeting with the rest of the Ensemble Empire leaders. He had missed the last two with Nana’s illness and then with Niki’s birth. He could postpone it no longer. He also needed to share his gratitude with the other kingdoms for their assistance in finding the miracle flower even if it was driven by greed.

“It’ll only be a few days dear.” His beloved said, wrapping her arms around him as she joined him in watching Niki. “We’ll be waiting here for you.”

“I know but it's still too soon.” He grumbled. “Tenshouin is a stickler for order. Nothing can be done about that. In fact I’m sure he only bent the rules so far for me because his own wife is pregnant at the moment. Guess he managed to actually put himself in my shoes because of it.”

He brushed a bit of Niki’s hair. “Huh? Have you ever noticed this little tuft of dark hair? It almost looks like my hair color.”

“Really?” She peeked by his hand. “It does, doesn’t it? How did I not notice before? It's shorter than the rest of his hair too… How strange.”

Nana pressed a small kiss on Niki’s forehead and then one on Minori’s as she pulled her husband to bed. “Let's worry about that tomorrow. For now you need to sleep.”

“Right.” The lights were turned off quickly as the couple made themselves comfortable. The only sounds that could be heard were the soft snores coming from Niki and the slight shuffling of the couple shuffling in bed.

“...”

“...”

“...”

“... Do you ever think about how Niki was born with a fringe? Such a stylish child. In fact it looks as though it was perfectly styled. It doesn’t grow at the same pace as the rest of his hair. Actually I don’t even think it grows.”

“Minori, if you don’t shut the fuck up and go to sleep, I have a dagger I’m not afraid to use.”

“Yeah. I know.”

“Don’t sound so smug when I threaten you.”

Minori laughed, pulling Nana into a tight hug and nuzzling into her chest. “But you like it. ‘Ts why you married me.”

“I’m still debating whether or not that's a mistake.” Nana melted into the hug despite her harsh words. “Seriously, go to sleep. Unless you want to keep waking up every time Niki gets hungry and then go to Stardust exhausted. That Tenshounin asshole will probably berate Honeycomb again.”

“Alright, alright. Good night dear.” 

They both fell asleep peacefully lulled by the quiet within a few minutes. The peace of the night only interrupted by Niki’s crying every hour to be fed.

Maybe that's why it took them so long to react when Niki cried for the fourth time that night having been fed just a few minutes ago. Queen Nana shot up in alert when she felt someone else in the room.

“Minori!” She yelled panicked, waking up King Minori. An old woman they’d never seen before was running out the balcony holding a wailing Niki.

“Guards!” The King yelled as the Queen grabbed the dagger under her pillow. The target was jumping on the railing. She aimed to kill when King Minori got in the way.

“Wait–! You might hurt Niki! She could drop him! Guards! Seize that woman! Be careful! She is holding the Prince!” King Minori held Queen Nana back tightly as she clutched the dagger in her hands. She couldn’t even feel the sharpness of the blade cutting into her skin, her eyes focused solely on the woman taking her Niki away with her as her innocent child cried out in fear. It wasn’t until her sight blurred that she realized she was crying. These tears were tears of rage however. Once she had her hands on that hag she’d make an example of her for anyone that tried to hurt her family again. The King called for a doctor to tend to her hands but she refused. She was going to hunt the hag down herself.

“It's too dangerous–!” The King argued.

“Let me do this! I need to get Niki back myself!” The Queen pushed the King away. He pulled her back and she stared him down. If anyone could track anyone it’d be her. “We don’t have time Minori.”

King Minori grit his teeth. “Come back safely. I’ll handle things from here.”

A quick kiss was shared before the two before the Queen was off joining the fray and into the usually peaceful woods.

The crows cawed as the woman ran with the crying prince in her hands. She had to get away! She was so close! Sweat drenching her as the chilled night air whipped around her. The old woman found the horse she had prepared previously and rode into the dark that blanketed the woods. God was sure to be smiling at her now. The sound of soldiers and dogs was getting further away. The night however remained to stare at her in every shadow. And that damned wind only grew stronger! 

“Turn back!” It said. “Give the prince back. You’ll live to regret it soon enough.”

“Shut up! I won’t give away my miracle!” Every creature in the woods had their eyes on them and the woman could feel the pressure from every rustle. The trees loomed over her threatening to get her. Honestly, she knew the truth. She knew she would regret it but she knew she’d regret it more if she left the cursed child away from her. She needed him. She needed him more than his parents. He was hers to begin with for stealing her little flower. He needed to pay for his sin of being born by replacing her flower.

It was just a small stretch more! Just a small stretch and she’d be there safely in her tower! 

Almost–!

“Stop! Give me back my child!” The world slowed for a second as a shiver went down her back. 

She glanced behind. The Queen was riding a horse chasing after. Her face was that of a demon with how it seethed and it terrified the woman as the Queen howled curses at her that echoed into the night. 

“It's mine! It's mine!” The woman cried in despair. “It's my gift! Leave me be!”

“I’ll kill you! I’ll tear you apart! Give me back my baby!” The Queen cried back. In the background the old woman could hear the guards she had previously lost chasing after them. The thundering hooves of the horse all too close as she suddenly felt the Queen reaching out for her cloak. 

The two women met eyes. 

That was all it took. 

The older woman’s glare meeting the teary scowl of the younger ones’ and they both understood that this would end here.

The old woman shrieked as she reached back and the ring in her hand glowed ominously. The earth began to sink underneath the Queen’s horse. The horse neighed in fear bucking wildly while the Queen struggled to keep the horse under control. She threw one last look at the kidnapper and her innocent child.

“Niki!” She cried trying to get back on track. All was for naught however as soon both the rider and horse would be swallowed up by the ground below them.

The soldiers that had been chasing them came to a sudden halt and more urgently began to try and dig the Queen out before she suffocated under the ground in a panicked frenzy. The old woman disappearing along with the wailing Prince.

That was the last time they would see their small prince.

The woman was almost free! They rode to the hidden tower and slaughtered the horse to avoid as much noise as possible. Running up the steps of the tower and locking every lock in her wake she didn’t stop until she was safely at the very top.

She wept at the sight of the window and as she shook holding the baby she sang the song she had etched in her heart. As her youth came back to her she shoved a bottle of now cold milk she had prepared for the baby in its crying mouth. 

“No one will ever take you away from me.” She whispered in the dark promising the teary Niki who latched on to the bottle in desperation. Long having exhausted himself with crying and hunger he fell into an uneasy sleep in his kidnapper’s arms.

In the quiet of the tower the woman stared at her trophy. She supposed trying to be a mother wouldn’t be too bad.

Outside the tower only the whipping of the wind could be heard carrying with it only the caws of a murder of crows.

Chapter Text

Niki was not an easy child to take care of. That much she knew. His constant bouts of hunger and subsequent crying nearly drove her mad when he was just a baby. She thought many nights of just pushing a pillow on his face to quiet him down once and for all but then she’d be left without her youth. Even as a toddler she couldn’t leave him alone for more than a few moments otherwise he’d try eating whatever was in his grasp. The simple cost of keeping him fed was no joke either. There was a time they had a cow at the base of the tower to feed the little leech but once he could eat more foods she sold it. It was a hassle trying to keep one livestock alive let alone two. That and personal problems from her past kept coming up. The first few years were a struggle to say the least.

Mother Yōbo hated caring for Niki to her core. But she supposed it wasn’t all bad. Curiosity had always been one of her best traits and so she began experimenting on him every now and then. She needed to find a way to get the magic of the flower out of him and maybe give it to herself? Would it work on herself? Whenever she would use his hair to bring back her youth he seemed absolutely famished. No matter if he was currently eating it was as if though his body couldn’t handle using the magic. She’d prick his arm with all sorts of needles testing her theories until it was all purple and sore with her experiments but instead of more answers, she had more questions. 

Even his crying couldn’t stop her from indulging in her newfound hobby. It was so fascinating with how the results seemed to go against all logic. His hair kept growing and growing longer still without stopping at any point. It was stronger than most hair and even resisted tangling up nicely. Even his fringe was a bit of a mystery as it never grew. What a strange child. His hair was nearly perfect– save for that ugly tuft of hair near the back of his ear. That had to be cut near constantly so it didn’t soil the perfection of the other hair. Hypothetically speaking, would Niki retain his youth at a certain point? He kept aging as a normal child even when the incantation was used. What about when he reached an old age? Would the singing keep him young as it did her? It was so confusing and yet she loved it. Her room was beginning to get full of notes from her testing. 

Niki was such a good child accepting it all for just a few measly scraps of food in that sense. Once he was old enough to be left alone with prepared foods to tide over his stomach, she found him more pleasant. As soon as he learned how to talk she began teaching him how to sing. Indeed his own singing seemed to work better than hers giving her the freedom of youth for almost an entire month. It wasn’t like he had an annoying singing voice either. She found it pleasant to listen to every time she renewed herself.

“Here Niki dear.” She held a sandwich for him which he grabbed in desperation before his hunger pangs attacked more vicious than usual just like every time he sang for his mother. “You did better than normal today holding back that bottomless pit of yours~.”

“Does that mean I can go outside today, mommy?” Niki turned with hopeful eyes. Oh? That was new.

“Oh no, no, no my little flower. You know really well you can’t.” She brushed his hair a bit rougher than usual.

“But… why not? You can go…” Niki visibly deflated. Mother Yōbo tightened her hold on the tips of his hair.

“Because it's just too dangerous. You’re only six years old my dear. I’m an adult and can protect myself but you? You’ll get eaten alive by the cannibals of Honeycomb.”

“What are cannibals?” Niki asked between bites.

“People who eat other people. Real monsters!”

“Eww! People do that?!” Niki nearly dropping his sandwich in surprise.

“Oh yes my flower! There are all sorts of terrible people out there. Not just people but even that land itself can be terrible with its quicksand and bears and raging rivers and allll sort of terrible things.” She kissed the top of his head. “That's why I work so hard to keep you safe. I only want your health and safety.”

Niki smiled at the kiss on the top of his head. Yeah, his mother was only looking out for him. Especially with how sick he always was unable to last long without something to eat. “Thanks mommy!”

“You’re so very welcome. Now what was it you wanted to show me?”

Niki jumped off his small chair and dashed to the kitchen with his long hair trailing behind him. He opened the oven and pulled out a batch of cookies that had long cooled down. The cookies themselves were misshapen and honestly a bit burnt. “Tada! I made them myself! I did what you taught me!”

“I can tell.” Mother Yōbo smiled stiffly. Oh great– he was just like his useless parents. Nothing but food was in the mind of her little leech. But she needed this little leech to stay obedient. Suddenly the gears in her head started to turn. If he really was like his parents then maybe food could become his life. Maybe she should encourage him? Give him something to distract himself so he wouldn’t even think about going outside. This could be a golden opportunity. She had only taught him how to make cookies on a whim and he was clearly a fast learner when it came to food. If she could foster a passion for cooking in him then he could essentially lock himself in the kitchen of his own free will. “Oh Niki! I’m so very proud of you! Such a clever boy in the kitchen . In fact, you picked up that recipe so fast! I think you might actually be a little chef.”

“Really?! You think so?” Niki’s eyes widened and his heart raced excitedly. Mother never complimented him like this before! His effort was rewarded with an affectionate pat on the head. But... "What's a chef?"

"..." Ah regret. Bitter, bitter, regret. "A chef is someone who dedicates their life to cooking, my flower. Everyone loves the food chefs make because its the best. You are my little chef."

"Oh wow!" Niki beamed brightly as he reached for one of the cookies when Mother snatched it away from his small hand.

“Mommy first~” She sang as she threw the cookie into her mouth. It's okay! Niki had forgotten in his excitement the rules is all! Mommy always goes first. For safety reasons of course. She was always looking out for him after all. He shouldn’t be so careless and forget her kindness. His small self-scolding ended the moment she opened her eyes wide in surprise.

“Do you like it?” Niki asked expectantly.

Woah! That was impressive for a first time. Maybe he wasn't completely useless. “Mmmm! Niki! This is amazing! For your first time you did really well! And with no help too? How did you manage to find the time to make this without me noticing?” She said brushing the cookie crumbs off her hand on Niki’s shoulder.

“Nahaha~! You’ve been going out for longer so I could do it!”

“I only went out for longer this time because today is a very special day you silly goose.” Mother pinched his cheek with a smile but it honestly hurt. She probably didn’t realize her nail was digging into his cheek. “Don’t you know what day it is today? Hmmm?”

“Uhhh… tchuday ish prwabahbly–”

“Your birthday! I gave you a clue earlier but you were so busy trying to keep your stomach’s growling down you didn’t notice.” Mother cut him off with a shrill laugh. “Guess you had to have it spelled out for you. That's okay though! I love you too much to get annoyed at you. Happy sixth birthday my sweet little flower!”

“It's my birthday!? Really?”

“Yes! I bought a very special treat. I got you a special jar of Ambrosia Honey. You know how hard it is to get one. I spent alllll day long in line trying to get one. For three days in fact. Three long days just for you.”

“Wow! All for me?!” Nik set the cookies down excitedly. “Where is it?”

“Calm down. I’m not done with your surprises dummy. I have a very special one next just because you're my little chef prince.” The mocking tone in Mother Yōbo’s voice was long lost on Niki who was more excited to get his special gift. “Follow.”

Mother Yōbo strove out the kitchen and up the stairs to her room. Niki’s excitement could hardly be contained as he all but ran after her. Her steps were simply too large for him to properly keep up. That and his hair kept getting stuck in corners since he wasn’t paying attention. When they reached the door of her room, she turned to him sharply. “Stay. You know the rules dear.”

“Yes mommy.” Of course Niki knows the rules. One: Never leave the tower. Two: Never cut your hair. Three: Mommy first. And Fourth: Never go into Mommy’s room. He was very good at following them. But now he wanted to run in her room and see what she could possibly gift him.

Niki waited for minutes, occasionally taking a peak in her room before she scolded him. It wasn’t a wait too long when she came out slamming her door shut holding a stack of thick books.

“Here you are!” Mother held the books out to him. Niki carefully took the stack and all but fell over with their weight. Mother rolled her eyes. “You’re still too clumsy my dear.”

“Sorry! They’re heavy!” Niki quickly got up picking up the books the best he could. All that he could manage was an awkward huddle however.

“Yes, yes well anyways, this is your gift!”

Niki stared at her with his wide dumb eyes. “Thank you Mother! But… I don’t know how to read?”

…Of course not. Yōbo mentally smacked herself. More time would have to be wasted on Niki yet again. Ungrateful little leech better not even think about looking out the window by the time she is done teaching him the basics. This is all he needs after all. Was this even a good idea? Teaching him how to read that is. Theoretically speaking he never will get out of the tower and therefore wont read anything that’ll lead him to discover his real identity but ideally he shouldn't know how to read. He needed to be completely dependent on her and yet here she was teaching him how to cook and even read cook books. Would she regret this in hindsight?

“Mother..?” Niki interrupted her thoughts as always.

“Ohohoho! I’m just thinking about how much fun it’ll be for you when you learn how to read the recipes in these books. That's what these are dear: cook books! I’m sure you’ll master them in no time and won’t even need to read them for much. We’ll start tomorrow. In the meantime let me tell you a story. This story is called The Boy Who Left His Home and the Angry Wolf .”

And thus Niki began learning how to read for the sole purpose of cooking. By extension he had to learn basic arithmetics and such but there was no denying that Yōbo was happy with the results. True to her words Niki was a quick learner letting her cut lessons short. He’d spend hours on no end locked away in the kitchen experimenting his life away within the smells and tastes of whatever recipe he decided to try. Mistakes gradually became less as he grew more accustomed to the art of cooking. Perhaps though– Yōbo was even happier with the fact that Niki could bring the recipes of those old books to life. How long had it been since the modern palette had moved on to different trends and traditional foods of yore lost to time? Suddenly she was back to being an ordinary woman having a meal with her sister now gone. Goodness… it seemed even she who had forgone her past could get nostalgic.

This song and dance continued on for much of Niki’s childhood and before she knew it, on the eve of Niki’s twelfth birthday, Niki was once again glancing out the window, eyes locked on a horizon beyond the small clearing they had. He’d bid her safe travels every time she left and yet anxiety crawled at her begging the question: will he still be there when she returned? It was something in his small smiles and the way he lingered on the window still. It was in the way he’d sigh with a glance to the window every time he crossed the tower to the kitchen and in the way he’d murmur words of nothingness to the many pots and pans that surrounded him. Yōbo hated him more when he did so. How dare he be ungrateful. After everything she did for him? These thoughts tormented her day in and out. It was when in town on one of the days did she find her solution in a group of kids playing by the town square. A wicked smile formed on her lips as she came up with the details. The town was busy with preparations for the upcoming festival which meant Niki’s birthday would be around the corner which meant it was the perfect time to act. Well now! Time for a most splendid gift.

That gift manifested itself in the form of Oukawa Kohaku.

“Niki, this is Oukawa Kohaku. He’ll be staying with us for a few weeks. Make him feel welcomed while he is here. Oukawa-kun, you may sit and make yourself comfortable.” Niki smiled excitedly and eagerly shook Kohaku’s hand. Kohaku on the other hand shot him a glare but quickly trained his face into a polite smile.

“Hi! I’m Niki! It's nice to meet you!”

“Nice to meet ya, Niki-han.” Kohaku mumbled, distracted instead by the endless trail of hair behind Niki. Mother Yōbo, as she insisted he call her, said her son Niki would be needing protection while she left on business. Apparently she was owed a favor long ago from his family and so here he was. Niki wasn’t too tall but he still towered over Kohaku with his thin bony body. He couldn’t help but notice how Niki and her didn’t look at all similar for being mother and child then again he shouldn’t pry. It's not like he would be here for long. Niki got close to him and began to sniff him. 'The hell?! This kid is weird!'

“Niki stop that.” Mother Yōbo scolded the older boy and pulled him away from a very concerned Kohaku. “Now Niki, mommy so sorry but I’m afraid I’m going to have to miss this year’s birthday dinner again. Important work, you know how it is dear.” Niki visibly deflated before shaking his head with a smile.

“That's alright, I’ll make something else for when you return. I’ll try making something new.”

“Sounds like a plan my flower. Oukawa-kun will stay here for your birthday at least. Why not celebrate together?”

Kohaku straightened up at the mention of his name. Mother Yōbo had already given him a set of instructions. He was to keep Niki safe and dispose of any intruders that may find the tower. Something about keeping Niki’s hair safe. He knew that Niki was something special but aside from his endlessly long hair, Niki didn’t look anything special. Yōbo didn’t even wait for a response and instead just quickly ushered Niki toward the window. Much to his surprise, Niki set his hair on the hook near the window still and Yōbo used it to climb down like some sort of rope while Niki held his hair firmly to prevent the woman from falling.

“Good-bye my flower!” She called from the bottom as soon as Niki finished pulling his hair back up.

“See you soon!” Niki called back as she quickly disappeared beyond the clearing. Kohaku meanwhile could only watch in awe. How strong was Niki’s hair? How strong was Niki?

“Nahaha looks like she’s all gone. Oukawa-kun are you hungry? I was still in the middle of preparing tonight's dinner. Oh! Maybe you can help? Do you have experience in the kitchen?” 

“Huh? Oh... um no I reckon I ain't got much experience in the kitchen. Ain't too sure I'd be of much use. And jus' Kohaku is fine...” Niki hummed as he went into an old wardrobe and pulled out a smaller apron to the one he was wearing.

“Here–” He tossed the apron to Kohaku who caught it quickly. “Try this on. It should be your size. I’m glad I didn’t let Mother throw it away! I knew I'd use it someway. Once you’re done follow me to the kitchen.

Doing as told, Kohaku soon found himself among the clatter of the humble kitchen. Most of Niki’s hair was held above his head by various hooks and ropes hung precariously keeping it out of the small chef’s way. Kohaku marveled at the strange sight but the older boy didn't seem to notice anything odd with the set up. Instead, Niki pulled out an old worn book before shaking his head and pulling out another worn book though this one seemed to be a newer edition what with its colorful cover of a regal looking bee with a chef’s hat and a big number 2. Niki hummed to himself a cheerful ditty and with an “aha!” stopping at a certain page. There was a gelatin dish with cream on the page and Kohaku eye’d it curiously.

“Kohaku-chan can you handle a knife?” Niki asked the younger boy. Kohaku nodded. Well yeah of course he could, he had quite the experience after all. What he didn’t expect was the absurd amount of fruit, some already cut, thrust his way with a cutting board and knife. “Then please slice and dice the rest of these for me after you wash your hands. You can handle dessert while I finish making the main course. It's an easy enough recipe! Originally, I was going to make a fruit cake but since you’re a beginner this should be less of a challenge. ‘No matter how easy or how burnt, every chef begins somewhere.’ See that’s the line these Cooking Bee cookbooks have at the beginning of every book.  At least I think so, the ones I’ve read say so. Take a look at it here and if you need any help, let me know! It's my first time cooking with someone other than mother. Nahaha! It's my first time having an assistant actually. Hmm… guess that makes me the head chef here~.”

“Right… okay… so just cut them fruits up…” Kohaku stared at the fruit that had already been cut and at the colorful art in the book. Niki was quick to busying himself filleting a fish that he seemed to have been doing before Kohaku and Mother Yōbo had come. Niki was an expert in the kitchen to his surprise, his face one of total concentration as he worked. Kohaku looked at his own fruit and began to cut it up. It shouldn’t be hard. Nope, not at all. It's not the same as slicing someone’s neck so it should be easy right? And yet it felt like the first time Kohaku used a knife. He’d put too much force and the berry ended up smashed up. No problem, fruits require less force, less pressure should make it easier and yet the top of the fruit slice was thicker and thinned out to nothing to the end. Kohaku muttered in frustration as he tried over and over and yet it couldn’t match Niki’s precise slices or even the book's decorative flower shaped slices. All he had to show was a pile of mismatched fruit slices and mush. A sharp hiss escaped him as he ended up slicing his own finger instead of the stupid fruit.

“Hey, Kohaku-chan, it's okay to ask for help.” Niki said, stopping his own knife work. He washed his hands before stepping over to him and took the knife from Kohaku’s sticky hands. Niki glanced at the fruit mess and then at the thin injury.  “It's your first time really in the kitchen right? You’re doing great! Better than I did when I started. Let's get this cleaned and bandaged up first.”

Niki gently took Kohaku’s hand and washed it with warm soap and water. He looked up to his hair for a moment in thought before shaking his head. He then pulled out some bandages he had a cabinet nearby and dressed his wound. Honestly it wasn’t even a deep cut. Kohaku had had worse and yet Niki wasn’t satisfied until it was firmly wrapped. Niki didn’t stop there as he cleaned the area and the knife before pulling Kohaku’s sleeves higher. He pulled out a small stool and motioned for him to get on. “Sorry Kohaku-chan! I didn’t notice you might have some trouble reaching the counter.”

“I don’t need no stool–! I can see and reach jus’ fine!” Kohaku flustered. Niki looked at him curiously.

“Eh? But you’re so small. I mean I definitely needed it when I was your size.” Niki placed his hand over his own and then whistled as he lowered it over Kohaku’s head. The nerve! He wasn’t much shorter than the other kid– well maybe a little but in due time he was sure he’d surpass him!

“I told ya I don't need it!” Kohaku crossed his arm with indignation. 

“Hmm~ but safety first in the kitchen Kohaku-chan. It's important to prevent injuries before they happen or it might make the food taste not as good.” Niki showed Kohaku his own hands and Kohaku could make out old faded white scars of nicks and burns from a once amateur chef. “Besides, I’m not saying you can’t reach the counter. What I’m trying to say is that you might have trouble reaching the further parts of the counter. If you stand on the stool you’ll have way more space to keep your work area clean and organized. Then you’ll have less of a chance of getting hurt.”

Kohaku glared at the stool before glaring at Niki. The small scars on his fingers mocked him silently telling him Niki knew best from experience. Sighing he got on top of the stool. Not because he was admitting he needed it but so that dumb Niki could hurry up and go back to his dumb fish and he could go back to his dumb fruits without being distracted by something other than Niki’s dumb long hair. How annoying was it that Niki brightened up when Kohaku did as told. He didn’t even want to do this; much less be here.

“Great! Isn’t it much easier to see the whole counter now?” Kohaku silently seethed at him in response, hating that Niki was absolutely right.  “Nahaha… Lets work on the way you’re standing. Keep both of your feet planted on the stool so you don’t fall out of balance. Next, let's start with the proper way to hold a knife.” And so Niki spent the next hour hovering over Kohaku teaching him the proper way around the kitchen with Kohaku snapping at him every now and then. Niki however just laughed it off all too clearly, enjoying just being in the company of the other partaking in bits and pieces of the ingredients every now and then. The two worked side by side making dish after dish and washing all the dirty dishes before they piled on until the late hours of the night. It was excessive food for only two people Kohaku thought bitterly as his exhaustion hit by the time they set up the table that Niki just had to drag in front of the window.

“Niki-han… do you normally tote the table over by the window ta eat? Wouldn't it be simpler just leavin' it right here?” Kohaku sank into his chair as Niki finished opening the window. Niki gave him a cheeky smile.

“No but today is special~.” He said as he let Kohaku serve himself first before serving himself a behemoth of a serving compared to the younger’s. Maybe he was shy to eat in front of others? Niki wondered briefly whilst Kohaku wondered if Niki was just wasteful serving himself such an absurd amount.

“‘Cause it’s yer birthday?”

“Nahhhh, you have to look out. It should be starting soon. Oh- dig in meanwhile!”

Kohaku heaved a sigh at the older’s antics but at the first mouthful of fish his eyes widened. The flavors burst and blended together in a symphony unlike any he’d ever had. Though he wasn’t one to eat much, he couldn’t help taking in spoonful after spoonful. He missed the look of complete satisfaction on Niki’s face lost in the flavors he never thought he’d enjoy. Niki ate as well, glancing from Kohaku over to the window.

“Kohaku-chan– look.” Niki pulled Kohaku’s attention away from the food over to the window. Outside the distant dark night began to light up as dozens upon dozens of lights floated higher. Glittering brighter than any star he’d seen. Not that he’d seen too many but still. Niki’s eyes were glued to the window even as he chowed down. “Isn’t it amazing?”

“Yeah… it is… they ain’t stars right? Just floatin’ lights? What are they?”

“I dunno.”

“Huh? You don’t? Ain't ya a bit curious 'bout what they are?”

“Hmm… Well, thinking too hard makes me hungry so I don’t think about it. I mean I do wonder what they taste like. They’re floating lights that just happen to float up on my birthday, maybe they taste like cake.”

“Only on yer birthday?”

“Mhmm! I saw them once when I was grabbing a midnight snack a few years ago. I would sneak by every now and then to see them but they only showed up on my birthday. Oh– but it's a secret between you and me, ‘kay? Mother doesn’t like it when I get close to the window.”

“That don’t seem right. Ya ever set foot out tha tower? Don’t tell me you ain’t never touched grass.”

“I've never left the tower. Mother worries a lot about me. Says it's dangerous out there in Honeycomb.” Niki said it so casually and Kohaku could understand him a bit. Seemed like Niki was somewhat similar to him being a prisoner. 

“‘Cause of the ol’ cannibal rumors?”

“Yeah! And the quicksand and bears and raging rivers and yadda yadda. It's safe here and I won’t ever go hungry. Well not too hungry.” Kohaku nodded. Yeah that made prefect sense considering he was taught to always be in alert. Maybe not of quicksand but the logic was there. Kohaku eye'd Niki's plate widening at what was left of his big serving. Niki chuckled at Kohaku’s surprise. “If you’re done, eat some of the dessert we made. It’ll taste extra good since you made it pretty much by yourself.”

“Just hang on a minute 'til I'm through eatin'! I can't eat as quick as you do.”

“Ehhh? Who said I’m done? I'm still going for seconds.”

“What in tarnation? How in the world are ya still hungry? Ya were snackin’ while we cooked!”

“I burned a lot of calories cooking a big meal! Oh you wouldn’t understand!”

They continued to laugh and talk watching the lights floating away. Eventually Kohaku got around to eating that dessert and wouldn’t you know it? Niki was right. Despite that early hiccup with the stool and smushing, the dessert was delicious, more so he felt that it wasn’t just because he made it himself but because he made it with Niki. As the lights faded away, he glanced at Niki once more.

 "She didn't wish you a happy birthday. Yer mother, I mean." He said quietly.

“Nahaha… She was busy. It probably just slipped her mind.” Niki shrugged as he began clearing the table. Kohaku’s eyebrows furrowed before getting an idea.

“Niki- han?”

“Hmm?”

“"Can I – or y'know, you... oh dang! Can I skedaddle down yer hair real fast?”

“Huh?! You mean like Mother?”

“Yes, yes like yer Mother. It’ll be quick I swear. I’ll climb back up just as fast too.”

“Uhhh… sure? I’ve never tried it with someone so small though.”

“I ain’t small! I’m still growin’ ya hear!”

Niki waved Kohaku off with a laugh and did as told. He’d once again thrown his hair out the window and over the hook and wordlessly let Kohaku use his hair as a rope and climb down. Niki briefly worried the younger boy would take the opportunity to just leave but Kohaku, true to his word, was to climb up as he did down simply getting something off the ground.

“Here–” Kohaku shoved something into Niki’s hands. “Its fer yer birthday… Happy birthday Niki-han.”

Niki stared at Kohaku with wide eyes before opening his hands to reveal a fist full of grass and a lone wild flower. He stared for a moment too long at the grass. There was some dirt mixed in the roots of the flower.

“Ya said ya never touched grass before so there-- now ya have. If ya hate it then just chuck it out the window.” Kohaku said quickly, regretting his idea.

Niki burst out in a loud laugh wiping away tears that had formed in the corner of his eyes before tossing the gifts in his mouth rather than out the window; committing the flavor to memory. “Huh? That's an interesting flavor.”

“Wha-! Niki-han! Ya weren’t supposed to eat that!”

“Nahaha! I always wanted to know what that tastes like.” Niki’s smile softened. “Thank you for your gift Kohaku-chan. Out of all the birthday gifts I’ve ever gotten, I think this is my favorite.”

“Well… if ya enjoyed it then… yer welcome.”

The night quietly wound down into cheerful chattering between the two, mostly Niki, as they cleaned the dinner’s dishes. Both boys doing their best to enjoy each other's company before they would go their separate ways.

Mother Yōbo returned within just a few days and Kohaku came to learn the reason Niki was confined in this lone tower. Perhaps that was the problem. His eldest sister had warned him that sometimes knowledge was a curse and he had the feeling that was the case. He distrusted the old hag that used her “son”  to turn into a youthful woman at the cost of Niki’s wellbeing. 

Days bled into weeks and weeks into months and months into years and still Kohaku remained in the tower with the pair. He would occasionally leave with Mother Yōbo on less than innocent jobs. He still remembered the day she explained why he couldn’t leave with a pitiful look on her face but it was the glee in her eyes that he felt disgusted. Kohaku couldn’t tell Niki despite the older boy worrying. All he could do was lie and wait. He considered running away but Niki would be left alone with her. If he killed her and then ran away with Niki– well he had a feeling Niki wouldn’t budge from the tower. Instead he kept Niki company while he could.

Kohaku would fall into a sort of rhythm creating along side Niki. While Niki continued to foster his cooking talent, Kohaku began to create art of his own. He would paint on old scraps of paper lying around but when those ran out he moved on to the walls making the tower bright with color. Niki would look at his creations wide eyed and encourage him as Kohaku did to his cooking. Eventually he tried other forms of art like candle making and pottery while Niki picked up sewing to fix their clothing and make alterations so they'd fit better. Thus they passed time even when both were prisoners.

Finally, it was just shy of Niki’s eighteenth birthday and Niki had annoyingly grown even taller than he already was while Kohaku lagged behind but even more annoying was Niki’s hair that no matter how many hooks and pathways they made around the tower ceiling, it just got longer and longer and in the way. What a pain it was too! It took hours to brush 70 feet of thick silver hair properly. The two had to work together when brushing Niki’s hair and even then it took more than an hour. On such a time, Kohaku recalled the promise Niki had made him on his last birthday. 

“Niki-han, why don’t ya ask Mother to go see the lights this year? I reckon you're all grown up now and I can come with if she’s worried.”

Niki sighed. “We could try but I have a feeling she’ll say no. You know how she is.”

“Yeah but it could be yer birthday gift this year and last’s. And the year before that.” Mother had stopped giving Niki birthday gifts for a while now. Kohaku on the other hand would try to save some meager change to buy Niki at least something small or even just make him breakfast for a change. Niki loved the Cooking Bee cookbooks and it seemed like every year a new edition would come out with more elaborate recipes. Niki would often wear the books down with so much rereading them. Sometimes he’d stare at the food drawing and get ideas and other times he seemed interested in the author’s memoirs and stories revolving around cooking. It was the only thing Niki had an interest in reading. Well actually it was hard to get Niki interested in anything other than food but Kohaku figured that if he ever did manage to get Niki out into the real world, he’d need to know more. And so he would try to get Niki more interested in other books such as novels that had at least cooking as theme in the background.

At one point Kohaku found a way to chat with some stranger using a messaging dove that accidentally found its way into the tower behind Mother’s back but suddenly the dove lost its way and stopped coming at some point. He briefly worried it was Mother’s doing but she seemed none the wiser. All he had left of that time was a single feather he hid in one of Niki’s books. If Mother was going to keep Niki up here then the least she could do was make sure she brought enough food to satiate Niki. The food that Mother was bringing would vary and Kohaku found himself shelling out from his savings to sneak some more food from the nearby tavern every now and then just when he had a decent amount. The owner of said tavern had changed and so had the façade of the building now being slightly more joyful despite the less than stellar customers about a year ago. The young owner would sometimes give him extra food if Kohaku looked a little worse for wear never asking too much on his private life.

“Ya said you'd ask last year. Don't ya go tellin' me you've chickened out already.”

“I haven’t chickened out. I thought you’d forget.” Niki gave Kohaku a wry smile to which Kohaku deadpanned. “Alright, alright. I’ll ask her if we can go this year.”

Kohaku grinned victoriously when Mother’s voice sounded from the window.

“Niki~ let down your hair!” 

Niki ran to the window at her call. “Here I am!” He tossed his silver hair over the hook for the thousand and something time and Mother made herself comfortable holding it tight and yanking Niki’s hair to let him know she was ready. Gone were the days where she’d climb up and down and instead Niki would be left to pull her up or let her down. Today was no exception and Niki pulled her up with experienced practice while Kohaku pulled Niki’s hair out of the way.

Mother sighed once on top and brushed the nonexistent dust off herself. “Well that could have been faster. Oh well lets get some more practice in, okay dear?”

“Eh? Oh sure!” Niki thought he did pretty well. If he’d gone faster Mother would have chided him for not being gentle enough. He could try to speed things up a bit. Mother however had already moved on adjusting the straps on her tight fitting dress and gave herself a once over frowning at the shocks of grey littered on her plum hair. Now that she looked closer her neck was sagging a bit. She did spend a few days longer than usual in her escapades away from the whining children.

“I think Niki-han did pretty good.” Kohaku said after he finished pulling back in all of Niki’s hair. Mother Yōbo shot Kohaku a dirty glare from the mirror before shifting into a wide smile.

“That's why you’re slow up in that noggin of yours, dear. Well not as slow as my little flower; you’re quicker with your hands at least.” She said with a wink. “Just teasing~.”

Kohaku refused to share the smile, rolling his eyes he elbowed Niki instead. Niki straightened his back and cleared his throat. “Umm… Mother? You know how–”

“Not now dear Mommy first. I’ve been so busy selling my jewelry to feed your endless appetite and I’m just soooooo exhausted. I think I’m feeling faint.”

“Oh okay!” Niki rushed to pull up the old small chair he often used when his Mother needed a refresher while Kohaku hurried to the kitchen to pull out a loaf of bread and some cheese to keep Niki from collapsing. Niki shoved a brush onto Mother’s hands before plopping on the chair. He was about to lose his nerve and he couldn’t have that. It was now or never. If he couldn’t convince Mother today, tomorrow it would be too late. “Flower,gleamandglowLetyourpowersshineMaketheclock reverseBringbackwhatoncewasmineHealwhathasbeenhurt…”

“Wait–! Niki stop going so fast! Hold on! I haven’t even– gah!” Mother’s hands flew to Niki’s glowing hair and brushed as quickly as she possibly could. A hot shock went through her body as youth burst into her veins. By the time Niki finished, her heart's palpitations could give those of a hummingbird a run for their money. “Niki what the hell was that! What is wrong with you today?!"

Niki barely paid attention, shoving the bread and cheese Kohaku provided into his pie hole. “It's my– nom nom– birthday in– gulp – tommorrow.”

“Oh no dear, that already passed back in February.” She said irritated that this was what all this was about. She shook her head trying to ease back into her easygoing stance.

“That was Kohaku-chan’s birthday Mother.”

“I know that baby!” She laughed a little too loudly. “It's a joke! Of course I know you’re turning 16.”

“It's 18 actually.” She turned to him and pinched his cheek too far causing Niki to wince a bit.

“Joke again!” She studied his face as if thinking for a split second. “Now spit it out. I hate dawdling, you know this.”

“Right! Nahaha funny… Ahem– since it's my birthday I was hoping I could go see the floating lights this year. It could be my birthday gift!”

“Niki. Those are stars. I know you only have food on your mind but don’t you think you’re a little too old to be seeing things. In fact your birthday gift is me trying to figure out how to cure your malabsorption problem. Oukawa needle.” Kohaku grimaced as he nodded and pulled out a syringe kit from one of the nearby wardrobes. Niki wasn’t too thrilled either.

“No they aren’t! Kohaku-chan has been keeping track of the stars and they only happen on my birthday. If we start today, we can make it on time to see them up close.”

“If yer worried 'bout danger, I could go with Niki-han to make sure he stays safe.” Kohaku said, handing Mother the kit.

“Oh dear. I think you’ve both forgotten my warnings. I think it's time for a story. It's called The Two Kids and the Thug.” She pulled up Niki’s sleeve and began wiping the inside of his elbow where she felt his vein best with alcohol. “Once upon a time there was a pair of kids who decided to go far from home to go to a festival a dove told them about. Mother warned the two kids that they should never leave home but you see the kids felt they were old enough to do as they please. They thought to themselves that if they went together nothing would go wrong. The older of the two took the younger by the hand and the younger carried a silly kitchen knife with him. Quietly they snuck out of their home and soon found themselves out into the unfamiliar woods. Oh no! Here is their first trouble! They were hopelessly lost. That's okay they thought! All they had to do was ask a kind stranger for directions. Along their merry way they met a big old thug who promised them he knew the way to the festival. Wow! They didn’t even need to ask. The two kids were so silly they trusted him and followed him deeper into the woods.”

Mother took out the syringe and inspected it for a second. She then jabbed the needle into Niki's arm, the latter yelped trying to stay still enough. “But oh no! The man was lying to them and let out a loud cackle once the two lost sight of the road. The thug revealed his true nature with his sharp teeth and oozing black nails. The two boys tried to run away but he was much faster than they were. He then knocked the oldest out and when the youngest tried to defend the older boy the thug's strength overpowered him and the younger was stabbed with his own knife!”

Mother proceeded to draw out Niki's fresh red blood. One vial. Then two. And three just in case. “He laid in a puddle of his own failure dying and watched as the older boy was dragged away into the woods never to be seen again. What happened to the older boy? Well that remains a mystery today. Only their mother and the thug knew they once existed and while she wept for her lost children, the thug on the other hand laughed away his problems."

Mother finished her story with a quick pull of the needle. Niki winced as Kohaku hurried with a bandage while Mother put the blood vials in the kit case. She turned to the boys with a deep frown making her way slowly to Niki and brushing a gentle hand on his back, his hair getting in the way from her truly touching him. She pressed a soft kiss on the top of his head. “My precious flower– all I want to do is keep you safe. Why can’t you understand that? I just love you so much.”

“I understand Mother.” Niki’s shoulders sagged down instead leaning into the hug. He hadn't noticed before but he was taller than Mother. “I love you too.”

“Throw the idea of leaving this tower away and never suggest it again if you truly understand.” Mother’s smile tightened for a moment before going back to its soft curl. “Mother needs to go work on your birthday present for a bit. Why don’t you get started on dinner? Some pasta all'olio sounds tasty right about now. And why not get started on a big fancy cake. Better than the ones from last year? You’re so good at making art with food at least.”

Niki smiled back and nodded. “Sure! I could bread some chicken to go with the pasta and I think we still have enough vinegar for a salad side.”

“Wonderful, my flower.”

Mother was soon out again happy to have convinced Niki to drop the idea and back in the kitchen distracted by food. Oukawa on the other hand was beginning to give her trouble putting suggestions in Niki's head. Niki wouldn't think for himself to step out. She'd either need to straighten him up or kill him. She left to her secret cabin nearby thoughts bubbling in what ways she would punish the pink haired brat.

“Niki-han…”

“Its fine, Kohaku-chan. We knew this would probably happen.” A resigned smile rested on Niki’s face. He wanted to go out just once. Just once to feel the grass on his feet and have a taste of those lights. It was but a meaningless dream however. He shouldn't burden Mother or Kohaku more than he already did. “Let's get started on that pasta and cake. Pasta all’olio is easy since we still have some pasta leftover from two days ago but that cake might take a while.”

“Nik–”

“Someday, okay? Someday but not today.”

Chapter Text

“Someday, okay? Someday but not today.” The wind softly blew in from the window Niki grazed his cheek as though comforting him.

“Someday soon.” It whispered softly but Niki ignored its promise as always’ opting for the kitchen. That woman had told him not to heed its words and oooh! How frustrating! The wind loved the prince but the prince would never listen to it! The little friend of the gourmet prince would listen to it every now and then but it would have to make the falling petals dance for him to truly listen to it. The flowers on the other hand missed their own. They said the little prince belonged with them but the wind disagreed. The prince wasn’t a flower but a human! How could a human be a flower? The flowers would try to reach the prince to prove their point inching their way up the tower but before they could reach him the ancient woman would wilt them with the ring on her finger. The bees would chide them time and time again but all those buzzing bugs did was lie in wait.

The wind blew away from the tower twisting around the trees and angrily rattled the windows on Mother’s private cabin to scatter her notes on her latest experiments, smugly breezing past her frantic curses as it blew out to the inner Honeycomb Kingdom. Time had not been all too kind to the culinary capital of the Ensemble Empire. The King and Queen all but lost hope that their child would return home and came to the conclusion that he was simply not in this world anymore. After all, if the might of the entire Ensemble Empire could not find one child; what choice was there? Whether they accepted it or not, that became the truth for the public. Whatsmore, the rumors that circled the King and Queen left a certain distaste in most people’s mouths and tourism to the once great culinary kingdom had gone significantly down. Some would say that the disappearance of the Prince was an inside job, that the culinary King just had to have a taste of the miracle child. Others would say that the Queen was envious of the attention the child received from the King. Though it was only word of mouth, it had a domino effect on the reputation of the King and said King would all but stop smiling at his people with the warmth he once gave. Even the bee sightings became less and less. Perhaps Honeycomb had been cursed by the dead Prince. The Prince who had been betrayed by its Kingdom was likely the culprit to all of Honeycomb’s misfortunes. The wind scoffed at such hogwash however the ever fickle force of nature whispered the rumors to those who would listen for as much as the wind loved the prince, it loved entertainment even more.

As it breezed by the town square and squeezed between alleys did it find a most curious scene. It circled around the three figures that quickly made their way through the dark alleyways hiding from guards that would pass by.

“...Are you sure you can do this now instead of at night?” The shortest one said. While the other passed the same questioning look to the taller.

“Kyahaha! Doubting me when we’re here already? No one is stupid enough to pull this off during the festival for the prince.” The tallest one cackled as quietly as he could. Oh how fun! How fun! The festival and the man’s plan were the perfect mix. Yes. It would do nicely. The wind ruffed the red hair it could reach playfully. Do well! Do well and bring forth entertainment! The red head paused for a moment and turned to the direction of the wind with a smile as if though he had heard it. Flattered, the wind happily passed them by.

It breezed by the entertainment to the stage that was being set in the palace; here another curious scene was being set up by none other than the King and his trusted retainer. The King stood with his back to his retainer overlooking the busy preparations for the festival from his balcony window while the retainer, a younger man with blue hair fixed into a neat ponytail stood behind the King as he read over documents in need of approval.

“... while the forest rangers Ryuseitai have also volunteered two of their members to represent the idols that help the kingdom: Takamine Midori and Nagumo Tetora. Café Cinnamon on the other hand has been setting up their booth for the cooking competition overseen by Mademoiselle d’ Poupées; however it's still unclear as to who–”

“This year marks the 18th birthday of my long gone child, HiMERU-kun.” The King interrupted the young man who when spoken to looked up from the documents. The light breeze entering the room lingering to listen to the pair, hoping to catch something interesting that might pair with the alleyway’s trio like a fine wine and cheese.

“Indeed it is. HiMERU offers his condolences to his majesty.”

“Drop the formalities, it's just us here at the moment. It's been too long to dwell on the past so no condolences are needed. HiMERU-kun, I bring this up because after a lot of debating, the Queen and I have reached a new conclusion.”

HiMERU raised a neatly arched eyebrow. “In regards to the Prince?”

“No– well no and yes.” King Shiina turned to look at HiMERU a ghost of a smile on his face. “We need a new heir for the Kingdom and we believe that you, HiMERU-kun, are the most capable person to inherit this role.”

HiMERU’s eyes widened as he bit back an internal grimace. “HiMERU is… flattered by your Majesty. But HiMERU believes that the honor is too great for him. HiMERU is not from Honeycomb nor is he a gourmand either. He believes the role should be given to someone that better meets the qualifications.”

King Shiina laughed quietly. “Nana said the same, you know? The fact that you considered this first before jumping at the offer convinces me more. HiMERU, you are a very intelligent young man, diligent in your work, work that you are confident in, and for the most part you have shown impartial judgment. Your suggestions and understanding of the issues that plague this kingdom are leagues above some of the oldest members of the court. You possess many qualities that make a good ruler and I truly believe you can excel at it. As much as it pains me to admit, Honeycomb is no longer what it used to be. Change is necessary to survive and if I were to appoint the role to a more Honeycomb-esque leader, I have a feeling Honeycomb will be swallowed up by the competing kingdoms in the Empire. As a leader for this declining land, I believe there needs to be something different done and you could be the medicine it needs.”

“HiMERU is not a leader. HiMERU would like to help in the ways he can but this is a role that goes above HiMERU’s qualifications and with all due respect, above the job description. HiMERU is an idol first and foremost, your Majesty. You are aware as to why ‘I’ am focusing on helping this land at the moment.”

King Shiina frowned, furrowing his eyebrows. “HiMERU-kun, I understand you have– plans, but are they realistic plans? Maybe you need to think about things a little more clearly. Idols are…” The word ‘idols’ sounded more like a curse. He paused for a moment, choosing his words carefully. “… fleeting at best. It's wiser to plan ahead than be caught without a plan. They may be welcome in Honeycomb for now but–”

“Your Majesty, HiMERU understands your concern but he has thought about the future well enough. Sooner than later however, HiMERU will go back to the stage. It's where HiMERU belongs.”

“Will you though? Will you truly go back to the stage?” King Shiina’s tired eyes glared with bitterness, cutting the distance between them. “Tell me, do you truly believe that time is on your side? Say he does wake fine with no complications but what will you do if it's 15 or even 10 years in the future. Once you're both past your prime for these so called idols. And then if there are complications? And if he isn’t fit for the stage? What will you do then? What future do you have? I’m speaking from experience HiMERU-kun when I tell you this: don’t latch on to false hope. Sometimes we need to just accept things the way they are and move on.”

“...That is for HiMERU to decide.” HiMERU said, gritting his teeth. King Shiina’s shoulder’s sagged as he let out a deep breath.

“I’m sorry. That came out harsher than I intended.” He looked at HiMERU through tired grey eyes as he placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. King Shiina had aged gracefully, HiMERU had to admit. He had always been a handsome man even when he had met him several years ago when he still hadn’t lost his smile and time did not change that. His long hair was still mostly steel grey with few white hairs brushing past his waist. He could pass off as a younger man if he wanted to– at least if he didn’t frown with such weary concern. In a different life, if he didn’t bear the weight of the crown, would he have been a celebrity? Would he have always kept his bright smile? The papers in HiMERU’s hands felt heavy reminding him of the dire state Honeycomb found itself in; of the lives in the King’s hands. “You are a talented young man with a bright and promising future. Though I would like it if you could stay and help Honeycomb make it out of this growing pit, I don’t want to see you consumed with regret in the future wondering where the time went and if you could have done things differently. Think about yourself HiMERU-kun. Think about what is right for you.”

Before HiMERU could reply, a knock on the door interrupted them. HiMERU couldn’t help but be grateful for the interruption. The head butler opened the door and bowed offering a letter on a platter. “Please excuse me and sorry for the interruption, your Highness, Sir HiMERU. You have guests waiting for you per your request. Three young men– ahh idols I believe, claim you invited them over for a job. This is the said invitation.”

“Ah… that's right the wizard idols. Switch was it?” King Shiina said, taking the letter confirming its contents.

“Yes your Highness.”

King Shiina nodded, moving past HiMERU. “I had lost track of time. Show them to the meeting room and offer them black tea while they wait with ambrosia honey and scones on the side. Oh and some orange cheesecake on the side, the one the head chef made last night. I’ll be there soon. HiMERU-kun, please organize the documents I need to approve on the right and the reports on the festival on the left. I’ll look them over by noon.”

“Yes your Majesty.” HiMERU and the head butler both bowed as the King grabbed a few papers from his desk.

“And HiMERU-kun…  I don’t need an answer now but please think about it. If you do decide to take my offer, it's not only me that would be grateful, but I’m sure they would too.” The King jutted his chin toward the window. The laughter of the people setting up their stalls ringing through the air to the window. The King and the servant left, closing the door behind them. 

HiMERU sighed deeply, finishing his task before walking toward the balcony. The breeze was lovely, almost relaxing, but he himself was tense. ‘Become the next heir of Honeycomb– no become the next King of Honeycomb.’ This wasn’t what he came here for but he understood what the King’s thought process was. As a culinary kingdom, Honeycomb was facing a steep decline– it was sooner than later going to crumble at this rate. However there were still plenty of artisans and minerals it could use in the event of a total crop failure for trading. The Honeycomb Kingdom was no longer the pillar of Cooking Magic Art it once was. To relinquish the throne to him, a former noble with no ties to cooking, would be sealing Honeycomb’s fate. He who did not adhere to the Shiina family oath had no reason to protect the failing business model it presented but in turn it would be denying its culture and legacy. It was a sunk cost fallacy that would leave Honeycomb to be swallowed by more prominent countries or to have its traditions ended by a more convenient set of resources. Whatsmore what about his own plans and desires? ‘Why couldn’t someone like the Cooking Bee King be offered this role?’ HiMERU stared out the balcony onto the joyful laughter of the festival preparations. A twinge of envy bit him as the ignorant citizens ran about setting up stalls and the like. He almost wished he was among those people blissfully preparing for the festival instead of his long list of duties. He needed to check with the organizers of the Cooking Bee competition as well and confirm the accommodations of the powerful visitors such as his Excellency Ran Nagisa and Prince Tenshouin. A knock on the door tore through his thoughts as he turned with a final sigh. His breath lost among the breeze that went to play with the citizens preparing for the festival instead.

The festival for the prince was a rare occasion that would almost feel like the olden days where Honeycomb was bustling with activity. The citizen’s poured their all into its preparations and this year was no exception. Shop owners and businesses did the best they could to attract customers and tourists during the grand festival and smiles spread all across the citizens. The stalls set around were full of all sorts of tasty foods and a grand cooking show would be made by the very mascot of the ever popular Cooking Bee cookbooks. Many suspected the Cooking Bee was actually the author who was too shy to show their face but no one could deny the culinary mastership shown by the Bee. There was no actual prize for the cooking show but those who entered said it was fun and the advice they got from the Cooking Bee was invaluable; that and meals made by the master chef were mouthwatering. Aspiring chefs would gladly join and all the food that was made would be shared amongst the festival go-ers and citizens for free. Lantern making was another staple of the festival. People were encouraged to make and decorate their own lanterns so that they could release them up to the sky once the sun set. It was the Queen’s personal favorite activity, hoping that if their son saw the lights, no matter how far, he’d find his way home even if officially he was declared dead. One of the other sought after experiences was the songs and dances made by the idols and traveling bards who were invited to perform magic and shows. It was no secret King Shiina had a distaste for idols after an incident shortly after the prince’s disappearance but he would still invite them in hopes that his son might one day miraculously show up if he were to be a fan.

The idols gladly came to the festival to put on their best shows but another type of idols would come to Honeycomb as well. These specialized idols would come in units from special academies found near the capital of the Ensemble Empire; Yumenosaki, Reimei, and the like. Often before graduation they would be required to do an internship to refine their art magic in the working world. Honeycomb welcomed all units to help with their short staff and funnily enough units would find Honeycomb pleasant enough to stay a while after their internships ended. 

As a result of collaboration within the Empire made a sort of headquarters on the edge of the small kingdom and named it Ensemble Squared; ES² if you will. The implications of said name make no sense whatsoever if you were to think about it. To square something is to multiply it against itself which would make it BIGGER but ES² is smaller than the original building and offers less services than it. Maybe if it were square root? But even then what would that even mean? Alas when the representative of Cosmos came to help establish the building he was so enamored with his own intellectual prowess that he ordered a large ivory marble sign with an exquisite azure paint of the highest grade to signal to all his genius that made mountains tremble much to the displeasure of the original headquarters. The name had stuck, however, not because they didn't have the heart to tell him he was a fucking moron and change the sign but rather he had allocated half the budget for said sign. Thus the smaller branch became known to all as ES²: a smaller replica of the larger Ensemble Square that kept constant communication with its parent HQ that helped cultivate the talent of idols that found their way to the Honeycomb Kingdom. 

One such unit that found their way to the Honeycomb Palace and time in ES² as knights were– well Knights. The Honeycomb Palace was buzzing with activity despite being so short staffed with the festival for the lost prince being held in three days. Knights were often seen working side by side with the servants but at this time of the year moreso.

 It was a bit of a shame at how the palace had fallen into a state of disrepair in the eighteen years since the prince went missing. Many of the original staff left due to constant harassment back when the rumors were still fresh. King Shiina understood and accepted all the resignations gracefully despite the hurt. The autumn sun cast its warmth on the inside of the Honeycomb Palace making the Prince’ s crown room so cozy as its light flooded in causing Ritsu to swallow back a yawn for the 10th time. Knights worked as palace guards but they had a special job these past few days. They were to stand guard and protect the crown while the festival preparations went underway. They hadn’t been in Honeycomb all too long, just a few months since leaving Yumenosaki but were still entrusted with quite the important job. Maybe the kingdom was way too short staffed and since the senior knights would be protecting the King and Queen? Maybe the King was tired of Izumi arguing with HiMERU every chance they had? Okay it was likely the latter, oh well. At least they had an easy job at the moment. No one in their right minds would think about stealing the crown on such an important time with double the guards and security after all. They could relax enough. Surely just a light dozing off wouldn’t hurt? After all, Nacchan and Tsukipi were taking this shift with him. Leo’s magic art lit the room brighter as he wrote across the air vibrating with inspiration as he hummed cheerfully. Notes in cheerful quiet chimes bouncing in the air making the shadows in the room seem bigger as their colors clashed with one another.

“...Something with a little more tadadum~! With a tururu~ followed by… Mmm nope! Restarting!” Leo’s baton artifact scratching the air as he restarted with his newest composition. "It needs to be more festive but not like..."

“Izumi-chan should be done arguing with HiMERU-chan by now don’t you think?” Naru said with a glance at Ritsu who didn’t even open his eyes.

“Probably… Since getting posted here they’ve fought less.”

Naru sighed. “Because posted here it's harder to cross paths with HiMERU-chan. As one of the King’s main retainers he has to run around all over the castle checking things. That's probably why we were placed here. He never stops by this room.”

“Mhmm but Secchan still goes out of his way to bother the other staff.”

“True. It's not like we actually need other guards here. This room is always abandoned even during the festival. The head maid told me the only time the crown gets visitors is when the King and Queen themselves visit or when a delegation from Cosmos comes to check in on it and even then it isn’t often nowadays.”

“It's good that Sena-senapi is taking this JOB seriously but in bothering the others so much, we KNIGHTS aren’t looked up very well by the other STAFF.” Tsukasa added with a sigh. He looked at Ristu who had already started to snooze. “Ritsu-senpai, please take this JOB more seriously.”

“So true. I was gonna ask one of the maids where she got her shade of lip gloss from and before I even said anything she was already sighing and rolling her eyes at me. Can you believe that? Not only that but I think–”

The door burst open and in came said Izumi arguing with HiMERU himself. Naru and Tsukasa only shared a look: ‘Speak of the devil.’

“So you are telling HiMERU you believe Knights is too incompetent to take care of a job only two non-idol knights can do? If thats so then you should have let HiMERU know as soon as the job was given to you.” HiMERU scoffed, giving the room a look around. He gave Naru and Tsukasa a polite nod but his gaze lingered on the sleeping Ritsu and Leo who hummed some tune while writing in the air.

“That's not at all what I was saying! What I’m saying is that we could afford to add better security. The crown isn’t just a national treasure to Honeycomb but a treasure to the Empire itself due to its history. Especially on the 18th birthday of the Prince.” Izumi bristled, putting his hands on his hips expectantly.

“This room is on the highest floor of the palace, the balcony is too high to jump from and the rooms on both sides are also being guarded, not to mention there is a patrol every 20 minutes. Pray tell what else could be needed to protect a single crown?” HiMERU crossed his arms in annoyance. Great, just great. Another inconvenience in the shipwreck that was his life.

Ritsu opened his eyes at the commotion but upon seeing it was just Secchan picking an argument again he yawned lazily. The sun was just so warm. So cozy. And that light breeze was just perfect. A yawn above him joined the atmosphere.

“Yep, I hear ya. This room is perfect for an early morning nap even with all that yapping, huh?” 

“Mhmm~♪”

“Makes me wanna take a nap too. Oh well, too bad I have this high risk high payout job to do.”

“!!!” Tsukasa turned sharply to the owner of the voice in time to see a masked man grinning lazily all but lying down in the air suspended by a thick rope. The man had the audacity to wear the royal crown as he winked at Tsukasa. Ritsu snapped his eyes open hearing the sharp gasp let out by his unit mate and pulled his sword in a quick swing. Tsukasa wasted no time in pulling out his own sword and jabbing it toward the man but he was already out of his way before the blades could even graze him. “THIEF! Stop right there!”

The ringing of the metal swords clashing and the loud cackle from the cocky thief effectively stopped all the arguing. Ritsu and Tsukasa managed to spot two other accomplices to the thief. One with a snake mask– maybe a viper of some sort and the other with one of a dog of some kind. Tsukasa recognized who the cocky thief was.

“It's Kureib! The THIEF from that diamond case from New DI!”

“Shit! This is what I was talking about!” Izumi and HiMERU ran toward the balcony.

“As if you were doing your job properly!” HiMERU yelled.

Leo all but jumped on the railings of the balcony past them catching the glance of the thief and two other accomplices deftly making their way across the roof as Izumi grabbed his ankles to prevent him from slipping off. At that rate it would be about 10 minutes before the thieves were out of the palace bounds.

“He is on the rooftops! Rittsu, alert the other guards!” Leo ordered  as he hopped back to safety but HiMERU stopped Ritsu before he left the room.

“Wait! Do not tell anyone it was the crown that was stolen. Say it was another thing– the Queen’s necklace.”

“What?!”

“If the King– no, if the Queen finds out the crown was stolen with all of us in the same room, it'll be off with our heads. HiMERU will give chase and bring the crown back.”

“HiMERU, this is an international incident! You think you can get away with keeping this under wraps especially with the festival going on today.” Izumi bit back harshly grabbing HiMERU’s arm.

“Precisely because of that! It could lead to mass panic on top of the international incident in a worse case scenario. Either way rubberneckers will get in the way. There is no time for arguing! HiMERU is the most suited for tracking!” He pulled out his brooch, the dark emblem gleaming red for a moment.

Izumi stared at the artifact knowing HiMERU was right. He grit his teeth. “Grrr– until the lanterns go up! If you aren’t here by the time the lanterns are back down, I myself will tell the King and Queen.”

“HiMERU will be back before that could even happen.” 

“Only because I trust you! If we hadn't worked together back then… tch!” Izumi let HiMERU go and HiMERU ran off without even looking back.

 “Leo-kun, what's the plan?”

“Right! Naru and Sena send alert to the palace guards outside the palace– see if they can prevent the thieves from running far. Rittsu and Suo will tell the Queen and give the thieves description since they were the ones that got a closer look at them. I’ll send alarm to the forest rangers to help catch the thieves in case they do get far.”

Unaware of the deal among the Knights and the royal retainer. A masked redhead was cackling as he made his way down the palace rooftops with his associates. He grabbed a pair of dice that were suspended neatly between a silver band on his wrist and tossed in behind him. The moment the dice touched the ground, a blast of fireworks burned brightly with all manner of colorful sparks. Kureib held his hand out so the pair of dice could return to him with a satisfied hum.

“Kyahahaha! That was too easy! Lady Luck is on my side today!” He patted the satchel by his side.

“The hell was that Kureib-shi?! You alerted our presence to the palace knights?! It would have been easier if you had just kept your mouth shut and taken the crown.” The shorter one, Viper, yelled. Unlike Kureib who only had most of his face and hair hidden by a cowl, he wore a full on mask that almost mimicked that of fencers save for the snake design on it. Not a hint of skin nor hair was out to keep his identity completely hidden.

“Agreed. Your overconfidence while not unfounded could have spared us the unnecessary trouble. We could have slipped unnoticed in the crowds.” The taller one, Hound, spat out in frustration. He, like his partner, kept his identity completely hidden though instead of a snake for a mask, a canine mask fell over his face.

“Oh relax! When have I ever been caught? This is my style and if you don’t like it then you shouldn't have hired me in the first place. What’s a heist if not a gamble?” The thief, Kureib, turned to his shorter associate and showed off a small metal ball. “Pachinko.”

“The hell does that have to do with anything?”

“Pachinko. And a casino. Flashing lights, all the booze man could want, the thrill of gambling at every corner~ I’m opening the greatest casino man has ever seen with the payout you give me snakey boy. This is my lucky pachinko ball. Gotten me through all my gambles.”

“You’ll get your pay as promised! Once we make it to the international cross section of Cosmos and Stardust you’ll get your money.” Viper bit back an annoyed curse.

 “From both of you.”

 “Hound and I keep our promises. You’ll get your cash as promised.”

 Kureib laughed as he tossed a pair of dice behind him the moment a few palace guards got too close. In an instant a frost blast slicked the road behind them and the guards slipped. 

 “A 5 huh~?” Viper and Hound kept an eye on the dice as they returned to their rightful place on the thief’s bracelet. They knew what it was, Kureib’s signature artifact, the legendary pair of dice that elevated the man’s exploits to that of fairy tales.

 There were many a tale of the world famous thief Kureib that bordered along the lines of fiction. If one were to sit down and recount all the stories the man had to his name then one could easily spend several days telling story after story. The thief’s name couldn’t be kept out of people’s mouth’s for long whether it be in praises or curses. Everyone had something to say about him. In fact, children loved to tell each other such tales and act them out in their play time behind the adults’ backs. Such grand adventures, treasures galore, and excitement at every turn, what more could a child or even a grown person dream of? There were even tales of romance that surrounded him. Perhaps the tale that most perfectly encapsulated the peak of what it meant to be Kurebi could be summarized in the tale of the Diamond Crescendo.

 Would you like to hear? Ahh– perhaps another day for now the trio ran through the back alleys, taking short cuts the experienced thief knew every now and then. In itself, while the magnitude of the heist was something along the lines Kureib would do, this wasn’t his usual modus operandi. Usually there were more risks taken, more flair, and showmanship as if he were an entertainer of the highest degree. Here he was cautious and would suddenly pause and press his back against a wall with an ear sharp listening for passing guards before taking off again at the behest of his associates. The dice were seldom used again and waited patiently for their turn to shine. The pachinko ball on the other hand never left Kureib’s hands as he would fidget with it at every pause.  From what they gathered, the word of their heist had spread amongst the guards but it was clear what they had stolen was kept a secret. 

“Makes sense. Honeycomb would be in great trouble with Cosmos.” Viper said in thought. They didn’t dwell on the thoughts too long as it wasn’t long before all three made it safely into the woods and they were able to slow down to catch their breaths. 

“Haha…” Kureib laughed between breaths. “Whadda I say? Easy get awa–”

Kureib stood up straight from his hunched position and went to a tree littered with wanted posters. Many of the posters shared a certain thief. “You’ve got to be kidding me?”

“If you didn’t want to be wanted so quickly you should have exercised more caution.” Hound got a poster of his own and studied it.

“What–? No! They did me so wrong! Why do I have a cow tongue coming out of my mouth?! And this other one has my teeth are all fucked up! Look at this one!” He tore another poster from the tree with an illustration of a presumed de-masked Kureib. To say the artist took too many artistic liberties was being generous.

“‘This is a composite sketch of the suspect presumed to be the unmasked Kureib.’ Well you do have a sort of balding air to you.” Viper did little to contain his amusement from his voice. 

Hound joined in the teasing. “Well that single strand of hair curling at the top is very… charming. If you didn’t want to be depicted as a balding middle aged man then you shouldn’t have teased the stationed guards so much… Are you a balding middle aged man?”

“In what ways do I look like a balding middle aged man? Yer just saying that ‘cause you and snakey boy here got lucky. How the hell does that happen when you don’t show an inch of skin. These mask drawings have great details.” Kureib whined, taking out his lucky pachinko ball and glared at it. “You’re not abandoning me now.”

“...” The pachinko ball layed innocently in his hand, naturally silent. Kureib couldn’t keep interrogating the small ball for long though as an arrow whizzed too close for comfort hitting one of the offending wanted posters square between the eyes.

“Shit– the forest rangers!” Kureib stuffed the posters he had in his bag to join the crown and charged into the deep woods. Six uniformed men on horseback charged toward them. Five of the guards, although wearing the official forest ranger uniforms, had rather colorful alterations. No doubt these were more of the so-called idol interns, they should be wary of the artifacts they wielded. What were their names? It was on the tip of his tongue.

“Ryuseitai!” Hound exclaimed. Ah that's right! The colorful batch from Yumenosaki. Hound sounded as if he had personal experience with them. That meant that so did Viper.

“Damn, we have to avoid their elemental attacks!” Maybe their luck hadn’t quite run out yet but if his associates reacted like this, then they were in more trouble than if they had been chased by twice as many ordinary forest rangers. “Kureib-shi listen up: red is fire, blue is water, green is vegetation, yellow lightning, and black–!”

A tiger made out of black light ran ahead of the rangers, nearly pouncing on Viper; who dodged in time to avoid its claws. “That! Black is a tiger made up of energy constructs!”

“Grab that satchel!” Called out the palace guard(?) that was mixed in with the forest rangers. “No matter what we need it! Take out that one first!”

“Fuck! Okay change of plans– follow me! We’ll have to throw them off our tracks.” Kureib recognized the one without the first ranger uniform as one of the guards arguing in the palace. That was fast! No, that mare he was on was fast. The noble white steed was a peculiar horse with her bright red mane. The thundering of their hooves reverberated in the chests of the thieves as they ran. Kureib swore he could hear giggling in the wind and if that was right; they were lucky or fucked.

Winding and twisting and darting between trees lead them into a dead end where a cliff too high for them to simply climb over surrounded them.

“I thought you said you knew how to throw their tracks off not lead us to a dead end!” Viper yelled.

“There is a method to my madness.” Kureib turned to them grinning as he pulled out the rope used in the heist. “Alright here is the plan: I’ll toss Viper-chan up the cliff. Then Hound-chan. Once up there I’ll toss you the rope where you’ll both pull me up. I know this place like the back of my hand, just up ahead there is a defunct mine that leads to a river. We can use the river to throw off the forest rangers.”

Viper and Hound shared a look; though impossible to see their facial expressions, their posture deadpanned for them at the cowled thief.

“What? Got a better plan?” Said thief crossed his arms.

“Give us the crown first.” Hound said, extending his hand expectantly.

“So you can run off after you’re safely up there? Oooor…” Kureib gasped as if struck with an epiphany. An exaggerated sobbing followed. “Boohoo! Y-you– you don’t trust dear ol’ Kureib-kun?! Think I’d betray my bosom bottom pals after making it this far?! Boo boo hoo!”

“...”

“...”

“Tch. Tough crowd. Fine. Just remember: the trust you give is the trust you get.” He rolled his eyes tossing Hound the satchel where he confirmed the contents. “Satisfied? The rope is in there too. Hell– here snakey boy; take care of my lucky pachinko ball.”

Viper caught the small ball and stared at the offending item and then at Kureib.

“See how much I’m willing to trust you? Keep it in your hand for the best of luck.” Kureib said with a wise nod. Viper scoffed as he stuffed the pachinko ball in his pocket. No one made a move however as the two stared at Kureib’s wrist. Kurebi huffed and took off his silver bracelet with dice, stuffing them in his boot.

With a nod Viper finally stepped up to Kureib, who merely shook his head and ready to toss the smaller man. Viper was lighter than Kureib thought and easily landed on the cliff. “Hound-chan, you’re up.”

Like Viper, Hound went up without a hitch. They both nodded satisfied and looked down at the waiting redhead. They stared at each other for a second before Hound took the rope out of the satchel. Kureib grinned as he held onto the rope held by the other.

“For a sec there I thought you’d run off, Hound-chan. Snakey boy– you didn't drop my lucky charm, did’ja? Hold my pachinko ball where I can see it.” 

“It's here, satisfied?” Viper obliged in annoyance; they did almost betray him after all. He still serves some purpose.

“Very.” Kureib whistled a curious tune as he began to climb. He let go of the rope as soon as he was within reach of the top of the cliff and twisted himself to jump over the pair to their surprise. Their surprise soon replaced with anger.

*Plinkch*

The pachinko ball exploded reacting to Kureib’s whistle encasing most of Viper in a rapidly hardening goop. Kureib dodged the dagger aimed at him courtesy of Hound who had been too close to Viper to escape the goop. Unlike his associate however, his arms were mostly free. A bonus as it made it easier to take back his satchel. He really would hate to have to mend his satchel again. It was a gift after all.

“You motherfucker!/You’ll pay for this!” They yelled simultaneously.

“Kyahahaha! I warned ya! The trust you give is the trust you get. And if you hadn’t mistrusted dear ol’ Kureib-kun, we’d be on our merry way down the mines. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a crown to cash out.” Kureib ran toward the mines as he left behind the cursing duo, slipping his silver bracelet on once more. He would have probably played nice if they hadn’t distrusted him when they were on that home stretch. 

He wasn’t stupid though. Those two acted like hired thieves from nobles but their small habits gave them away. Their hypervigilance, the way they carried themselves, their choice in weaponry etc: military men. Maybe mercenaries but militarized nonetheless. He had heard rumors in the underground of shady business in Stardust around the Himemiya Duchy; he wouldn’t doubt it if that's where they came from. The pair were more likely used to reconaces over theft but the truth lies in their motives. Though they didn’t tell him, the fact that they were ready to pay him so much at the cross of Cosmos and Stardust specifically meant this wasn’t a theft for money or even just the thrill but politics were involved. In fact, they were lowballing him for his work. But more than that they were likely going to betray him sooner than later to pin the blame on him rather than the two competing nations. Honeycomb was liking going to be the hot bed for conflict in the near future. Shame. No time to contemplate however, what he sought in Honeycomb was long gone and he had an island to buy in the meantime. He dashed past the mines. No use in using that path now that his ex-associates knew that trick. No matter. He really did know these woods like the back of his hand, he had a plan B.

Thundering hooves resounded once again and an all too familiar growl. Kureib whipped around to see the forest rangers back on his trail and sprinted again. How!? How?! Could they find him so quickly? 

“Ryusei Blue! Get ready for damage control!” The red ranger called to his blue comrade. The blue ranger said something Kureib couldn’t quite hear and slowed behind the red ranger while the green and yellow rangers nodded as they spread further to the right and left side of the red ranger. The black ranger and the palace guard soon dispersed elsewhere. Kureib looked back and forth trying to formulate a plan. He could theoretically use his dice but without a plan in case they rolled on a number he didn’t want he could be setting himself up.

He snapped his head back and saw the rangers and the guard closing behind, the red and blue forest ranger aiming their crossbows straight at Kureib and their artifacts glowing. In a snap he ducked just barely avoiding the fire laced arrow but curiously enough the water laced arrow came afterwards not toward the thief but to the flames of the aforementioned arrow. Regardless if they were after the biggest thief in the kingdom, they were still forest rangers, fire prevention came first. Kureib couldn't help the breathless laugh that escaped him.  A second of distraction and an arrow aimed at his face was caught by his satchel as a shield, a few arrows getting stuck on it.  Kureib smacked the fire that started on his satchel from said arrows. 

“Go faster or they’ll catch you.” The wind sang as it breezed by him. The roots of the trees bent upwards as if reaching for him and the trees themself bent trying to block his way. Kureib caught sight of the green forest ranger using his artifact glowing emerald while the yellow one threw what appeared to be lightning shurikens at him. Kureib grit his teeth as he sped up between the moving trees.

Oh fuck it! He grabbed his dice ready to toss them the moment they gathered a little closer. Just a quick throw–! Lo and behold: snake eyes. Confetti fluttered uselessly behind him in a colorful flurry. The wind giggled as it played with the decorative bits of paper when Ryuseitai ran past them. Kureib snorted breathlessly. He licked his lips thinking for a moment before quietly addressing the wind between breaths. “You want entertainment, right? Help me fan the flames and I'll show you a grand escape!”

The wind clung on to Kureib. He could feel the way it tousled what hair it could reach tauntingly slipping around him. Oh what a foolish offer! A human attempting to bargain with a force of nature. It felt his artifacts on his wrist before feeling it on his other bracelet. Oh my! What an opportunity. “Grand escape? How boring! But…”

“But what!” Kureib hissed nearly tripping on a moving root that reached for his legs.

“We agree if you follow where we tell you when we tell you.”

That was a loaded offer. He had been warned many a times in his youth not to bargain so carelessly with nature as its fickle behavior could potentially lead him to a great sacrifice. All forces of nature had a cruel side to them. Wind was playful and made a gentle companion in good moods but it sowed discord with its whispers and called forth hurricanes and twisters in wrath or boredom. Wind might seem friendly, much more than the others, at first but it can turn on you on a single whim. But he was out of options. “Deal but only once.”

 The wind kissed his cheek sealing the deal before it whispered its plan to the trees around. The trees creaked in protest. Meddling in human affairs! How imprudent of the wind that knew better. But oh how the wind knew to get what it wanted rustling tenderly the trees’ branches whispering its idea until they begrudgingly agreed. Kureib's legs were starting to burn as did his lungs from all the running. Really it wasn’t fair that he was on foot while they were all on horses.  He took a sharp turn and slid down a small slope.  He looked around and saw a particular group of trees that would at least buy him a bit of time between a narrow road. He jumped between the branches of a slumped tree but the branches creaked as they reached to ensnare him. Kureib kicked off the branches reflexively narrowly avoiding the wooden arms. Grabbing his dice once more to take the risk again but this time before he could throw them, when he dodged Ryusei Red and Ryusei Yellow once more, the wind blew a mighty fine gale that carried sparks onto surrounding trees. The trees soon engulfed in small fires but that was enough to suddenly stop the rangers in their tracks.  He breathed a sigh of relief as he ran farther ahead the narrow road only to skid to halt as the black ranger and the palace guard appeared before him. The black ranger and the palace guard pointed their swords at Kureib, the black tiger circling him with a low growl. He held his hands up with his mind running a mile a minute deciding on his next course of action. His eyes drifted to the hand woven bracelet on his right hand next to the silver one and the small cyan shard resting within.

No.

Not yet. He doesn’t need to rely on it to make his escape. The dice stuffed neatly between his fingers would be enough. 

“In the name of King Shiina and the Honeycomb Kingdom, you are under arrest for grand theft!” Ryusei Black said before turning to the palace guard, “HiMERU-san, the forest rangers stationed near the road have a jail cell where we can apprehend the culprit until a cell cart comes.”

“Then we’ll go with that plan, Nagumo. You still need to make it to the capital for the event tomorrow, HiMERU and the rest of Ryuseitai will finish here when they finish putting out those fires.” 

Bingo. Atta boy palace guard– ah HiMERU-kun. Poor ol’ Kureib has just been caught without his associates, what could this lone man do?

“Are you sure? I can still–” Nagumo hesitated.

“Just go kid, I’m caught red handed. I ain't going anywhere.” Kureib sighed in faux misery.

Nagumo nodded a bright thanks as he quickly turned toward the Honeycomb Kingdom. HiMERU on the other hand looked down with disdain at the thief. Hell even the mare he was on turned her nose at him. The mare was ever the curious sight. He had seen and had even rode many horses in the past but this one was unique. Her large frame was imposing but elegant enough that he could see a dainty lady on her if one were to do so, her inky black eyes with luscious long lashes were almost unnaturally large and her vivid silky red mane painted a delicate beauty. His eyes couldn’t help but rest on the emblem on her black harness. It didn’t have any of the Honeycomb Kingdom’s main symbols but rather a large and glowing red gem rested with strings carefully carved on the metal emblem it was embedded on. ‘Ariadne’, it read.

“You… Hand over the crown and HiMERU will personally see to it that you get a chance at bail.”

“A bail? For high treason? You're trying to cover up the severity of this, aren’t you? That's why you sent the tiger kid away.” Kureib rolled his eyes and smirked. The rest of Ryuseitai was quickly catching up after their little clean up and fire hazard prevention. HiMERU seemed to straighten his back even more than it already was.
 
HiMERU’s glare deepened but remained silent. Only the wind rustled the leaves on the branches curious with how this would end. It now held a favor over Kureib after all. He had claimed before he could make a grand escape so he best do as he boasted.

“Alright, I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. It's in my satchel.” He shrugged.

“Toss it to HiMERU and drop any artifacts you may have on you on the ground.” Ryuseitai had finally caught up with the men sans the green and black rangers. Ryusei Red, the first to speak up. 

“HiMERU-san! Ryusei Black got us up to speed on what happened. Ryusei Green went along with him since he is working on the event with him.”

HiMERU nodded in acknowledgement and effortlessly catching the satchel Kureib tossed while he was distracted. “That saves HiMERU the trouble of sending him to Honeycomb. Thank you for your hard work.” Confirming the crown without taking out the satchel he turned to Kureib next. “Artifacts on the floor now.”

“As you wish.” Kureib’s smile widened as he tossed the dice between his fingers with the flick of his wrist. “Come on Lady Luck! Lucky 8!” As the dice flew toward the ground HiMERU realized his mistake too little too late and a large explosion of smoke released the moment the dice hit the floor.

Indeed! A lucky number 8! Lady Luck had not abandoned her favorite gambler. Horses neighed in alarm and their riders urged them calm, distracting them from the seasoned thief. The wind all too pleased flickered a lost ember hidden underneath a leaf and once again stroked fire to the compliant trees much to the ranger’s distress. Thus said thief rushed toward the quickest mare of them all, kicking her rider onto the ground but not without his grand prize as he yanked his satchel from the palace guard’s hand! He galloped away in a split second leaving the mess of the rangers behind.

“Kyahaha! Better luck next time!” The mare ran away from the scene with who she assumed to be with her rider until she heard that crazed crackle. The white mare came to a screeching halt and sharply turned to the man on her back. “Eh? Go on! Giddy up!”

If a horse could ooze bloodlust, this one spewed it. The horse and thief stared at each other for a second. Her eyes narrowed as she bucked trying to get the satchel suddenly neighing angrily.

“Woah! Hey! Stupid horse get going! This isn’t for you!” Kureib held the satchel as far away as possible from Ariadne but she simply would not budge even as they went further into the woods with all the bucking and yanking.

“Ariadne!” HiMERU managed to follow the odd pair and called out to his horse a few ways behind them. How did he even track them so fast? Kureib’s eyes suddenly zeroed in on the guard’s brooch. The glow of his artifact on his chest shone a bright red that matched the horse's emblem on her harness. That's it! Ariadne wasn't a normal horse but actually an artifact spell within itself. It must be a tracking spell. That would explain how quickly he was found and why unlike the other horses she remained steady even in the face of a sudden smoke bomb.

Ariadne in turn neighed to her master and turned to the thief as if saying, “Here he is! He hasn’t gotten away!”

It was a bit of an odd sight to which in a moment of carelessness said horse managed to yank the satchel off the thief’s hand. Now that he knew this was but a spell and not a real horse Kureib jumped in front of the magical mare and a tug-o-war of sorts began with them nearly wrestling for the satchel. HiMERU jumped into the fray helping Ariadne by wrestling Kureib off her.

“At the Fingertips!” Mindful of the danger his beloved familiar could cross should the thief use his artifacts, HiMERU called and Ariadne dispersed back into the artifact on HiMERU’s chest; the brooch turning a cool black instead. “HiMERU gave you a chance and you turn around and do this! Forget the bail.”

“Yeah, yeah, neat trick watch this instead.” Kureib elbowed HiMERU between his ribs with his free arm. HiMERU’s lungs felt the air be sucked out of them and HiMERU backed off taking in a sharp gasp of air only to find Kureib reaching for his face. HiMERU bent over backwards but to his shock it wasn’t his face nor hair that Kureib was after; oh no, no, no, that was of no value to the thief but rather his most precious brooch! 

“Kyahahaha! How much do you think this would go for in the black market, palace guard-chan?” He sneered gloating as he stuffed the brooch in the satchel. “I bet it wou– ack!”

“You dirty rat! You just had to make things personal! ‘I’ won’t tolerate such bullshit!” HiMERU pounced on the red head with a feral look on his eyes as his fist landed on the thief’s jaw. A sword was drawn and swung at the reeling Kureib. The punch was not enough to dull his martial instinct and blocked the incoming sword with his own hidden dagger.

“Says the– Oi! Says the guy trying to downplay my grand heist! What are ya ‘fraid of, eh? Got your neck on the line? That it?” The two refused to back down and the dagger met the sword with equal fever however HiMERU’s calculated swings were pushing Kureib little by little back as the mad run from earlier had worn the man down. Kureib took a quick glance behind him and saw the cliff awaiting him if he didn’t do something. The palace guard wouldn’t think about pushing him over without getting his precious artifact back so this in itself was a game of chicken.  Kureib calculated for a moment before he grinned at HiMERU. “Okay~ if it's a game of chicken you want, I’ll do you one better.”

And just like that right before HiMERU could try to guess what he’d do; Kureib threw his own satchel over the cliff. That madman!

“No!” HiMERU ran after the flying satchel skittering just centimeters from the edge to see the bag’s strap get caught on a branch of a tree trying to grow on its edge. HiMERU’s shoulders sagged in relief for a second only to see Kureib jump on the tree to retrieve his bag. The hell was even his plan? HiMERU dashed forward pushing the thief off his footing but as he slipped, Kureib’s reaction was quick enough to have him hugging the tree from underneath. HiMERU, stress driven, forgot to think and began to stab his frustrations at the tree below him and above the thief. ‘Kureib! Sena Izumi! Café Cinnamon! The festival! King Shiina! The Cooking Bee Competition! The…! The…! The… Kazehaya Tatsumi! Oh damn them all and this shitty life!’ Step by step they inched their way to the bag but of course fate decided to take a piss at HiMERU as Kureib reached it first.

“HA! Lady Luck is on my si–!” The tree began to creak eerily prompting the gloating thief to quiet. The two men stared at each other and slowly turned to the parts of the tree where maybe HiMERU was too aggressive and saw as it splintered slowly. They nodded in agreement of a truce as Kureib carefully got up to the top of the tree rather than hang from it. He slowly put the satchel over his shoulder to ensure its safety and HiMERU slowly took shaky steps back to the cliff pausing every few steps. Upon a sudden loud creak both froze in alarm but sighed as nothing happened. A slight chuckle escaped Kureib. It was pretty funny in a terrible fate-laughing-at-you kind of way and HiMERU couldn’t help his own low chuckle. But life wasn’t done fucking him in the ass apparently as the tree snapped off the cliff completely.

“AHHHHH!” They both yelled as they clung on to the plunging tree. Though he wore gloves, HiMERU’s nails all but dug at the wooden tree hoping he’d at least land in the nearby river while Kureib hoped for the same. The wind laughed with glee in Kureib’s ear mockingly, taking pleasure in the way it whipped around his face. HiMERU however remained blissfully ignorant of its laughter unbeknownst of that luck. This had to be the last cruel joke life played on HiMERU today, right? 

Did someone say encore??? Because a jutting ledge awaited the falling tree to snap it in half, sending the pair off in separate directions. The last of Kureib HiMERU saw hurtling toward a mess of large treetops before he met a very convenient and soft mud pool. Well at least life decided to show a bit of mercy and kept him breathing. Great. HiMERU was an idol mage, a damn good idol mage, THE perfect idol mage. If anything the mud added a sexy rugged flair to his already handsome uniform and framed his pale face to accentuate his beauty. If Ryuseitai were to see him now they would surely think, ‘Gee, that HiMERU sure makes face planting in mud look attractive! What an idol!’ He wasn’t haggard in the slightest! No not at all and while yes HiMERU’s thoughts were skewed with homicidal intent he still got up ignoring the way his ribs whined. After all, he had a thief to catch and punish.

 And punish he would if it was the last thing he did.

Kureib on the other hand landed on said treetops, the branches digging into him with every tumble on them before thudding heavily on the ground. He groaned, lifting himself off the ground slowly making sure he didn’t break anything on such a smooth landing. He checked himself over but nothing seemed damaged; just his pride in such a “grand escape.” No time to relax as he heard a familiar voice yelling in the nearby distance. 

“Kureib! You damned thief! Where are you?! ‘I'll’ kill you ‘myself!’” HiMERU’s voice, for all his denial, couldn't hide his frustrations. Kureib looked for an escape but the wind had other plans ready to cash out its due.

“Over here! Follow here!” It sang rustling a curtain of vines that adorned a wall. He looked up seeing nothing but a cliff. “Here! Go now!”

“Tch! Fine.” Kureib figured it would at least give him some cover while the palace guard lost track of him and brushed them aside but to his surprise, instead of a wall he was met with more vines. He held his breath as HiMERU’s silhouette approached too close for comfort lingering in front of the vine curtain as instinct pushed him. A rustling nearby caught his attention and he rushed off. Kureib himself hurried deeper past the vines, not wasting his chance only to find a large clearing surrounded by colorful flowers and at its center: a tall tower.

“What the hell…?” Kureib looked around the tower. It was covered in moss and vines all around and most curiously, was the river that passed between one wall of the cliff nearby to the other. How was it that this place remained hidden for so long? He knew these woods like the back of his hand and even checked updated maps before this new heist. No where did a new tower spring up. In fact, as he traced the stone walls with his fingers, he could tell this wasn’t exactly new. Was this place abandoned? But as he checked the perimeter he came to notice sigils written in a pattern. The sigils looked old, not like those used in modern times, perhaps from a few centuries ago. He wracked his brain trying to decipher something but all he could really make out was silence and something similar to cover. Now things started to make sense. If his deduction wasn’t wrong then there was a soundproof spell in the clearing along with an illusionary spell. How interesting, this place was intentionally hidden. What secrets are you hiding, tower?

He took the arrows that had pieced his bag earlier and began to scale the tower to the open window– the only window. The window was fairly large with a hook hanging over it. Must have been for a lantern. It had to be abandoned, right? The wind led him here for a reason. Was there treasure hidden inside? Higher and higher he climbed with eager anticipation. If it really was an abandoned tower hiding treasure, he could make this his own personal hideout before cashed out this grand prize. After all, it takes time to build a casino and buy the island he planned on planting his paradise. This whole shit show had been worth it and when the poor palace guard comes back empty handed the world will soon know Kureib’s legend had one more story to tell. Up and over the window sill and finally he was in.

He closed the shutters and looked for a second. The place was quiet. There were paintings on the wall and a stack of old books precariously perched on a table but otherwise it was completely silent. There was no sound of movement around the tower. Heaving a sigh of relief he took out his bounty and grinned with glee. 

“Well, hello there beautiful.” Kureib kissed the largest gem on the crown. His nose suddenly twitched as a shot of adrenaline went through his whole body. It smelled delicious… like freshly made food! Someone else was–

A creak behind him and he turned quickly only to be met with a cast iron frying pan to the face; his world fading to black before hitting the floor as a flash of the purest silver was the last thing he saw.

Chapter Text

Niki and Kohaku stared in silence at the body at their feet; a lone breeze the only movement.

“That was a pretty good swing, Niki-han. I think you killed him.” Probably. Unless the intruder’s head was made out of lead that is. The man was out cold and if the thunk that had echoed across the tower was any indicator of it, the man was going to stay cold at the very least. Again, unless his head was made out of lead.

“Nahaha… don’t joke around like that, Kohaku-chan.” Niki laughed nervously. He wasn’t trying to kill the intruder, but when the man suddenly turned around he panicked and swung wildly. “He isn't really dead, right?”

Kohaku felt for the man’s pulse and phew– he wasn’t actually dead. “Jus’ joshing with ya, he ain’t dead.”  Sure it would have been more convenient for the man to be dead but he wouldn’t like it if Niki got his hands dirty in such a way. Knowing him, the guilt would probably keep Niki awake. It’d be better to dispose of the body quickly and actually kill the intruder outside before Mother came back. Oh how the wind’s fit of giggles went unnoticed. If only they would listen to the wind! Then the wind could assign them roles for their parts to play.

“Welp, time to take him out back and ‘show’ him the way out.” But before Kohaku could even reach for the body Niki grabbed his shirt and yanked him back. “Wha–!”

“Wait–! I have an idea! What if we show him to Mother?”

“...” It took a moment for Kohaku to register Niki’s idea; eyebrows furrowing before shooting up. “Are you insane?!”

“If we show Mother that we knocked out an intruder, she’ll see that we can handle going outside.” Niki grinned with excitement but Kohaku did not share the sentiment.

“That's a terrible idea! You know damn well Mother is gonna pitch a fit if she sees some strange man in here with ya. Heck, she’ll be madder at me for not ‘showin’ him the door’ than at you, and I’ll be the one in trouble— Niki-han?” Niki ignored Kohaku and got on his knees next to the stranger poking and prodding at whatever caught his eye. I mean c’mon??? How could Niki ignore such a prime opportunity? Another person beside Kohaku and Mother was here! Unconscious on the floor granted– but here!

Kohaku threw his hands in frustration. It was like talking to a brick wall sometimes! Why was it that whenever he had to guard someone they chose to ignore him in times of trouble?

…Still… 

He had to admit that he had a healthy dose of curiosity too… How was it that anyone found their way to the tower when there were so many spells and curses around the clearing to dissuade unwanted guests? Whoever this man was, they must be something incredibly special or incredibly lucky.

Niki pulled the man’s mask off to reveal a head of wild bright red hair and a pale face. Niki’s heart beat faster… ahh must be the excitement of finally seeing the face of another person he mused quietly. He gently touched the stranger’s face mapping it out. Across his brows, to his long eyelashes, down the bridge of his nose, his plush lips, and soft cheeks. His hands trailed down onto his neck and over his body. It was surprising how firm it was after how soft the man’s face had been. 

Not that his face was childish, per say. It was just something Niki didn’t quite expect. The shocked face before he was knocked out didn’t do justice to how… how could he put it? Hmmm… well his sleeping face filled him with a sensation he never really thought about. He looked tasty? No, that wasn’t right but the closest he could make sense of it was that he looked like an expertly plated dish he had never tried before and therefore could not be described properly. 

Both Kohaku and Mother had soft features on their faces. Kohaku’s face was like sakuramochi: pretty to look at, so soft and sweet, while being reminiscent of childhood days. It was lovely to have around. Mother on the other hand had a face like the beluga caviar she brought every year on her “youth anniversary” as she called her birthday: expensive, beautiful, but quick to spoil as in just one day do lovely buttery pearls turn to sour mush. Did he have soft features like them? Or were they more like the man’s sharp and mature features? If you were to ask him to describe his own face, Niki wouldn’t really have much to say. He didn’t really look at himself much except every now and then on the mirror Kohaku had one day painted on as a young child with Niki. Things he never thought about before now stirred in his thoughts as he stared at the man. What dish was his face like? His stomach growled quietly. Ahh, thinking too hard about this was making him hungry!

Niki’s nose twitched, catching the scent of smoke from the stranger’s clothing. The man's clothing was a bit dirty with mud and even a few plants stuck to him making for an interesting scent. There was a hint of alcohol on him, sweat, and what smelled like tree sap. There was also a refreshing scent he couldn’t quite pinpoint. It was probably something that was never brought to the tower. Altogether it wasn’t unpleasant. In fact, Niki found himself straddling the stranger and pressing his nose on his neck to see what else he could find.

“That ain't somethin' normal folks do, Niki-han. That’s just plain weird and could be taken as harassment.” Kohaku muttered, crouching next to him.

“Can’t you smell that? There’s something… hmm… something good.” Niki said only glancing at Kohaku briefly. He paused to take in the man’s face once again.

That is until said man snapped open his eyes to reveal bright cyan eyes.

“GYAHHHHH!” Niki slammed his cast iron frying pan on the man’s head once again with all his might. The man’s head bounced between the frying pan and the floor a few times. Niki jumped off the man and showed Kohaku his frying pan. “Oh no! I think I really did kill him this time!”

Kohaku stared at the frying pan, then at Niki, and then at the man. He sighed as he felt for the man’s pulse once again. “Nope, he’s still alive and breathin’. How about you let me handle him next time he wakes up? I have a pretty good gauge on the limits on the human body before they break.”

“...Nahaha, good good still alive. Hey– let's check if he has sharp teeth like Mother said!” Niki laughed awkwardly, changing subject instead. He roughly stuck his finger on the stranger's mouth, his nails scraping gums before yanking on his cheek to see a nice row of normal looking teeth. His canines were a bit sharp but nothing exaggerated like what Mother said. Niki tilted his head to the side in thought. Well it was close enough, wasn’t it?

Oh! Well his nails were probably oozing, that's why he hid them with gloves! He took off one of the stranger’s gloves and to his surprise they were trimmed neatly instead. That wasn't right. Mother’s warnings couldn’t be so wrong. But the evidence spoke for itself. The man looked exceedingly normal. Still Niki picked at whatever he could see, none too gently still unsatisfied.

“No sharp teeth or oozing claws, eh? Sounds like Mother was tellin’ bit o’ tall tales.” Kohaku chuckled smugly, focusing instead on thoroughly finding what the stranger might be hiding. Knowing the enemy was the next best choice at this point.

In his search he found a pair of hidden daggers, a whiskey flask, and a short sword they hadn’t noticed before since the man had fallen over it. His hands had rings hidden behind the gloves, simple but otherwise… well okay they were cool looking.

'Oh~ what's this?' A pair of ruby dice suspended in between a silver band with nothing per se holding them called out to the pink haired boy. Kohaku flickered them chuckling as they rolled in the air gently but still stayed in between the band. He took the dice and felt them in his hand. They were smooth and let a nice chime when they clinked against each other. At first they were cool to the touch but quickly he felt them grow hotter and hotter. 'Yipes- that can’t be good!'

The dice were obviously some sort of artifact and just holding them seemed to be a trigger of sorts. It wouldn’t do if they set off near them without knowing what they did. And so he quickly slipped them back between the band.

“Look at this bracelet, small one~ isn’t it quite curious?” The wind coaxed Kohaku gently tugging his hair to the direction of the item it so wanted the boy to look at.

Kohaku looked confused for a moment. It was like he heard something whisper next to him. He shook his head and moved on to the next curious item: a red, white, and blue expertly hand woven bracelet. It was a very beautiful bracelet with an intricately woven design on it. It was very neat but nothing extraord– eh? When he took it off the stranger; a tiny glare caught his eye. He looked at it against the light spilling in through the cracks of the shutters and found a very small cyan shard. It was so carefully tucked within the layers of the bracelet that it was so easily missed. It was about the size of his pinky nail! It almost seemed to glow but only in the dark rather than light. Maybe that's why it was facing the inside of the bracelet rather than proudly displayed outside. Well wasn’t that something! It must be something of sentimental value or an artifact shard too small to ever be useful. Well it never hurt to be too cautious; confiscated it went.

The well worn bag, while a bit damaged, did its job well holding the objects inside safely. While there was a crown of sorts that the man had pulled out across the floor somewhere by the mirror, there were other interesting things in the bag. Lets see here… There was a sturdy rope with some sort of metal hook attached to it. Surely something an honest citizen would use! Or at least the first aid supplies were more innocent. Hmm… now what was this? Kohaku carefully pulled out a gorgeous brooch from inside the bag. Woah! This was the size of his palm! There was a large black gem in the center held in place elegantly by a black metal frame so delicately carved as if though dozens of strings were tangled around the frame. ‘AT THE FINGERTIPS ’ was carefully engraved on the frame. He got it close to his eye to get a better look at the big ol’ gem. Faint flickers of red rippled in the center in languid waves. This must be an artifact as well, too classy for the man on the floor in his opinion. Regardless, confiscated it went! 

Kohaku pulled out a bunch of papers and studied them. Ha… well then this was no innocent man confirmed. Looks like the guy was hired for a job in stealing the crown. How stupid could he be having a contract on him. This was a sure way to get himself and his contractors in trouble if caught. Was he just cocky? V and H… whoever they were, they were willing to pay him more money than Kohaku ever dreamed of seeing in his life. He looked at some other maps and blueprints before opening up the wanted posters laughing loudly.

“Kohkohkoh! Looks like we done caught ourselves a thief! A balding thief at that.” He grinned widely, showing the presumed sketch of the thief.  Oh no! This was unfortunately hilarious. Niki couldn’t help the laugh that escaped at seeing such a creative interpretation of the stranger.

“Is that really him?! But he has hair!” Niki grabbed the other posters and saw similar posters, some with a mask on and others without it. Curiosity won and Niki roughly pulled on the red hair. Alas it stayed firmly planted on the unconscious man’s head. “Kureib? That's a weird name.”

 “Weird name for a weird man. I mean it's probably a stage name. Looks to me like he’s a wanted man on the lam. Cash, provisions, maps, a few odds and ends, bandages… You’d think he was just a traveler ‘til ya spot them ropes, palace blueprints, and lockpicks— yeah this guy is a crook. A hired crook too at that. Oh here, let me try. Ya ain't pulling hard enough for the wig to come off.”

“Huh? Sure.” Niki stepped aside and watched Kohaku do something he probably should have put a stop to as soon as he figured out what he was doing. The wind on the other hand whirled in anticipation at the show.

“See Niki-han, when thievin’ and sneakin’ around some people wear disguises. Those folks are the smarter ones to avoid getting caught easily. This fella probably uses this wig to cover up the fact he is bald to throw off the authorities. He looks like some big shot thief judging by the reward so that means that he is more careful about getting caught. It only makes sense he wears a strong adhesive to keep that wig from fallin' off while he’s doin' his dirty work. So, if ya wanna take off a wig like that, first ya gotta grip a piece of hair nice and tight.” Kohaku stood up and grabbed a random tuft of hair that was sticking out with both his hands. 

“Then you make sure you got a good foothold so you can pull with better efficiency.”  He then planted his foot on the Kureib’s face and glared down at the hair, challenging it to try and stay on the man's head.

“And finally you pull! ” He yanked with all his might. Darn wig was just so stubborn! Occasionally, Kohaku would have no choice but to straight up kicking the man’s face. No choice mind you! The man would twitch every now and then groaning. One couldn’t help but wonder how he wouldn’t wake up despite the abuse. Then again, Niki did hit him considerably hard that second time. Well– actually that's a tinsy winsy little lie. Truthfully, in one such occasion, our dearest Kureib actually did wake up only to be knocked out once more by Kohaku’s kicks barely registering consciousness at all. Sweet Kohaku was right indeed: he had a head made out of lead.

“C’mon..! C’mon..! Come off already…!” The pink haired boy grit his teeth summoning all his strength in his final heave when all of a sudden–

*Riiiiiiip!*

“ WOAH!!! ” Kohaku fell back, losing his balance and landing on Niki’s hair. He looked at the red tuft of hair in his hands, eyes widening. Huh? That's… there were hair roots and if looked closely– the hair roots were slightly bloodied. His face slowly turned a steady beet red. “Oh… oh man that ain’t a wig! Is it noticeable?!”

“Hmm… I guess… there is a bald patch now if that's what you’re asking…” Niki looked over the red head’s reddening scalp– looks like now he truly was red head! The spot where Kohaku had ripped the hair out was even bleeding a little and Niki tried to sooth it by gently rubbing on it and blowing on it. Yeah, no that wasn’t going to make anything better. The wind howled with laughter rattling the window shutters. Niki quickly wrapped his hair on the thief’s head. “Nahaha, it's okay! I’ll just heal him and he won't notice!”

“No wait! What if you healing him wakes him up?” Kohaku pushed Niki’s hair out of the way and instead hastily slid the mask back on the man’s head as it once was. He looked at the tuft of hair once more and quickly stuffed it in the bag. “He ain't gotta know. That guy had it comin'! He was a wanted thief n' all. Coulda been guilty of somethin’ terrible– call it divine justice.”

“Right! He had it coming!” Niki nodded a bit unsure, convincing himself Kohaku was probably right. Good grief! Kohaku had never been happier that his sisters hadn’t been around to catch his blunder. They would have laughed themselves silly. He fanned his face as soon as Niki turned around. Better to just hide everything. Lets see, a quick hiding spot would be for the bag. On the other hand, the sword would be good to keep for the future so in his secret stash under the stairs it would go. He peaked at Niki once again to make sure he wasn’t looking. To his relief he wasn’t. His secret stash was top secret. Wouldn’t want Niki to accidentally spill the beans or something.

Niki was too preoccupied with something far more interesting than Kohaku’s secret stash he already knew about. I mean hey-! He spent more time in the tower than anyone else. Tossing his hair back he instead distracted himself with Kureib’s grand prize: the crown. He looked at it with great interest playing with it against the light as the yellow stones refracted it with dozens of pretty colors.

“Whatcha got there?” Kohaku finished stuffing everything in the vase but seeing Niki so entertained got his attention.

“This shiny big bracelet like the one Mother uses sometimes.” Niki smiled, showing the younger boy the headpiece around his wrist.

“Oh that's actually a crown! Like the one the Cooking Bee King wears.” Kohaku took the crown from Niki.

“Huh? This doesn’t look anything like what the Cooking Bee King wears.” Niki said, crossing his arms in thought.

“Different royals and countries have different styles of jewelry. This here’s more like a tiara crown, while the King’s is kinda more like a coronet or somethin’ like that. I read it somewhere but dunno much on that. Check it out.” Kohaku grinned, looking at himself in the mirror and placing the crown on himself. The crown was loose as it fell to his forehead instead of resting on top of it. He laughed as he saw his reflection. “It's too big on me!”

“Nahaha! You look like the prince from that swan story you brought once.” 

Kohaku yanked the table cover from the nearby coffee table and tied it around his neck. He then took off the crown and put it on upside down to resemble the swan prince’s circlet crown. He then straightened his back with his nose pointing up and cleared his throat. “Ehem-! Royal Chef Niki-han! The Swan Prince demands yer attention!” 

“Yes Swan Prince Kohaku-chan! What should I cook for you today?” Niki grinned, getting into the act as well.

“Strawberry daifuku on the double!” He clapped his hands arrogantly before he and Niki broke into a fit of laughter, doubling over until the crown slipped off Kohaku’s head. Oh what a darling sight they made, thought the wind to itself. Kohaku picked the crown up, tossing it to the long haired chef. “Doesn’t really suit me much. Here Niki-han, ya need to try it on.”

Niki took it and eagerly put it on looking in the mirror next to Kohaku. The wind waited patiently for what it most wanted to see. The crown fit Niki perfectly and as he adjusted it to how Kohaku had done so originally: he stopped and stared at his reflection. A warm hum washed over him from the crown onto his head to his feet as the elegant yellow gems glowed into a soft white color. Somewhere in the back of his mind the feeling wanted to pull something from its darkest depths but failed to do so. 

“There he is! The Honeyed Prince!” The wind giggled and lovingly played with Niki’s hair as he stayed frozen. 

“Whoa, hold on there… that didn’t happen when I put the crown on? How the heck did ya do that?” Kohaku watched Niki with awe.

“Huh…?” Niki’s attention snapped back to the tower. “I didn’t do anything? Maybe because it actually fits me?” 

What a strange phenomenon it was for Niki to have his eyes glued to his own reflection for the first time in his life. He looked… the same as always. But there was something about his reflection that reminded him of something. He just couldn't figure out what! It was like when you’re cooking something without looking at a recipe and you know that there is an ingredient missing but try as you may it simply doesn’t come to. It merely teases and taunts you.

“Sounds about right. Those stones must be magic.” Kohaku undid his table cloth cape and carefully tied it around Niki’s neck. “Geez, that really fits you. If you weren't wearin' them old rags, I'd swear you were a real prince!”

“He is! He is!” The wind’s cries fell on deaf ears.

“I don’t really see it but since you insist… Nahaha~! Then Royal Chef Kohaku-chan! I’d like a full course meal on the triple!” Niki tore away his attention from the mirror and looked at Kohaku smiling instead.

“Royal Chef my ass! I think I’m more like your Royal Babysitter! Hmm– how ‘bout I just be your Royal Knight since that sounds a whole lot cooler” 

“Okay then Royal Knight Kohaku-chan! My full course meal please! Something with beef tongue! Mmm~ beef tongue. Now that I think about it I’m getting hungry! Ack–! My chicken’s in the oven!” Niki ran to the kitchen suddenly remembering the breaded chicken in the oven. What an odd sight it was to see him running to the chicken with a priceless headpiece and a raggedy old table cloth. Kohaku laughed to himself and went after Niki, grabbing the crown off him.

“Hold on, lemme set this aside before you drop it on the chicken.” Kohaku threw the crown in with the rest of the junk in the bag in the vase. His thoughts went back to Niki wearing the crown, a devious idea forming little by little. He looked at Kureib with a hard glare. He was a dirty thief that had the misfortune of climbing the one tower he never should have forfeiting his life. No one would miss him. If anything based on those wanted posters he’d be doing the world a favor. 

“Kohaku-chan?” Niki called out behind him softly placing his hand on the boy’s shoulder. 

Kohaku jumped a bit before looking away. “Let's stash him in the wardrobe since you’re dead set on showing Mother.”

Niki looked at Kohaku with concern but shook his head and didn’t press on opting to open the wardrobe; making some space inside. With little ceremony, Kohaku grabbed the thief and threw him with all his might into the wardrobe.

*Thud!*

“...”

“...”

“...He is still sticking out.” Niki oh so helpfully offered.

“Yeah, I can see that.” He rolled his eyes. “Don’t just stand there! Stuff the rest of ‘im in!”

Niki raised an eyebrow at the man in the wardrobe. His head was sticking out but so were his legs and arms. If anything only his back and ass were inside. This was like stuffing a turkey! Except the turkey’s hole was bigger and not as holey– or something. Picturing that… yikes. That was a terrible analogy. Niki hummed in thought before he pushed Kureib’s arms and legs in the wardrobe but when he tried to shut the doors they ended up slamming on the man’s head. Niki then pushed the head in but his left leg refused to stay inside. Huffing, he threw Kureib’s legs up while holding his arms in and kicking his head in quickly attempting to slam the doors but gravity seemed faster than he was.

“Here let me help.” Kohaku twisted the thief’s arms behind his back to get them out of the way and pushed the head in onto the right side slamming that door shut. “Now you push him to this side so you can close that side.”

“Oh! Nice one, Kohaku-chan!” He complied; lo and behold they did it! Niki held his hand out so Kohaku could high five but as they let go of the doors cracked open with the weight of the body behind it. The thief really wasn’t gonna collaborate, that useless deadweight! Kohaku rammed his body onto the doors so they wouldn’t open and growled.

“Damn it! Niki-han, grab a chair! We can stuff it under the doors so they wont open.”

Niki ran and grabbed a chair from the kitchen. Ha! Finally! Only once they were sure the doors wouldn’t open did they relax, throwing themselves on the floor.

“Ahhhh… I’m hungry… that was too much work!” Niki whined flopping around like a dead fish.

“And whose fault is that? Had we done it my way we wouldn’t even break a sweat.” Kohaku grumbled. They fell into silence simply catching their breath staring at the ceiling. A lot of Niki’s hair was hooked up to make more space but the tower was simply too cramped. 

Kohaku looked at the drawings he had painted while hanging from Niki’s hair years ago. 

Niki always requested food drawings but when Kohaku noticed Niki would often stare at the food drawings drooling, he painted them over with flowers. He still indulged Niki, however, and painted a corner full of floating lights in the night sky for his fourteenth birthday. It was an absolute pain and a half of drawing at odd hours when Niki was asleep and keeping Niki’s nosey nose from peaking. It was worth it though. Niki was so happy when he saw the painted that that he excitedly climbed up to crudely draw a miniature doodle of himself and Kohaku watching the lights. Badly too. He painted Kohaku exaggeratedly small and the painted Niki had messy dripping hair that spilled drops of grey paint on the floor. Kohaku complained that he could have added them if he really wanted them to be there so badly but Niki only laughed saying it was now their drawing. Sometimes on hot summer nights when the heat was unbearable and sleep eluded him, he’d spy Niki sitting atop the ceiling beams with a small candle staring at that painting tracing the lights longingly. Niki, for all his complaining, never seemed to trust him with those worries that quietly ate away at him. 

And Kohaku would not pry. It was their unspoken agreement; just like Kohaku would never tell him about the ghosts that haunt him every night.

“What if we killed him?” Kohaku broke the silence suddenly. What was one more ghost?

“Kohaku-chan we–” Niki started but was quickly cut off.

“He’s a no good crook. We get rid of him and sell the crown’s jewels. It's probably worth millions. We could go to the mountains of Rhythm and Lynx Principality; heard it's real nice-like in the spring. Or we could go anywhere else you fancy. We'd be free to roam all over the Ensemble Empire and beyond, ya know? That Holy Sekai Queendom sounds pretty neat too—I once heard someone talk about it once when on a trip with Mother. They got a real goddess as their Queen, famous for her singing– more so than any idol ever!”

“...hmm… I think food wouldn’t taste good anymore if we killed him.” Niki said slowly in thought of his next words carefully. “That would also make us criminals too. I mean you’re probably right; that crown is worth a lot. But since Kureib has such a high bounty because of it; it would turn to us instead. Whoever it belongs to must want it back a lot. We’d never be comfortable always watching over our shoulders. We could see if there is a reward offered for it but you wouldn’t like the attention that would give us, huh? Especially if this guy was hired to steal it.”

“...”

“I think.”

“That was surprisingly well thought out for you.” Kohaku couldn’t keep the surprise from his voice. Niki’s stomach decided it was the perfect time to pipe up.

“Grrr– I’m hungry! Thinking too much is bad for me!” And just like that Kohaku’s awe was thrown out the tower.

“Alright ya big baby! Lets eat that chicken ya baked. Mother won't be coming anytime soo-”

“Niki~ Let down your hair! Mommy has a big surprise for you!” The queen of rotten timing, wasn’t she? Mother Yōbo’s voice sang from outside. Kohaku scowled, dreading her attention as Niki jumped up momentarily forgetting his hunger.

“The moment of truth, Kohaku-chan!” He whispered excitedly before calling out to Mother opening the window. “Not as much as mine!”

“Oh my little flower! You’re so silly! Mine's better!” She laughed catching his hair.

“We’ll see about that~!” Niki happily pulled her in; Kohaku helping keep his hair out of the way.

“I have decided to cook my special ten bean and bacon stew for your birthday! Surprised aren’t you? I know you’re hitting that rebellious age and mommy needs to have the patience of a saint with you, so I forgive you for being such a little rascal~!” She purred as she jumped from the window sill to him with open arms expecting her hug. To her displeasure, Niki had already ran into the kitchen only to come back with a towering half decorated cake. What a shitty brat.

“Yeah, yeah sounds good Mother, but look at this!”

“Just good?” She said with confusion evident in her tone putting her basket down.

“Look!” The cake, while not finished, was truly a testament to Niki’s growth in skill. The cake was carefully decorated with a blue ombre as the day sky in the bottom gave way to a dark blue with shiny silver stars so delicately painted they gave the illusion of floating. But floating where the golden decors that were covered in glittering sugar of Niki’s own creation in quite the peculiar pattern. Two small figures sat at the base of the cake with a third unfinished figure but it was easy to see who they were meant to be. “I know what you said about the floating lights and–”

“Stars, Niki. They’re stars. We went over this Niki and you said you’d stop going on about delusions, my little liar.” She said in increasing irritation.

“But they’re not and I’m not! You said I can't take care of myself–” Niki said brightly, speaking faster.

“You can’t Niki. You’re yapping again– stop that.”

“You say so but~” Niki set the cake aside, hopping to the wardrobe.

“Niki, don’t test me child. Drop. It.” Her voice grew lower with each word glowering at the excited Niki.

“Niki-han…! Shh–! ” Kohaku felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand in alert, sensing Mother’s wrath getting to dangerous levels.

“Hold on, Kohaku-chan. Mother, just please listen!” Niki said, reaching for the chair.

“Niki–” 

“No, Mother I–”

“NIKI-!” Mother stomped up to Niki.

“You’re not liste–”

“You ungrateful lout! Shut up already about those stars! When are you going to get it through that thick skull of yours that you are never leaving this tower ever in your life!” She jabbed Niki’s chest, puncturing each word. Niki’s mouth clamped shut and his eyes widened. Oh how she hated those…! Those Shiina eyes! She raised her dominant hand above her head and…!

Niki screwed his eyes shut tightly as her hand came down only. Instead of stinging pain to the face he felt his body slam to the floor. His elbow crying out in pain shooting up his arm.

*SLAP*

The loud slap resounded across the tower. Nobody dared move. Even the wind stayed still. 

Not until Kohaku, who had pushed Niki away, wordlessly brushed his lip. He wincing when he touched it lightly. Damn… blood. He looked at his fingers’ glistening red tips before cleaning his hand on his clothes. He sighed shakily to steady his breathing and held his other hand out for Niki. Niki took it, quietly getting in front of Kohaku. How could he have been so stupid? He blocked Mother's view from the younger boy and the wardrobe with his hair as subtly as he could. Shame tainted his face.

“Gah! This is all your fault you stupid child! Are you satisfied now? Is this what you wanted?” Mother’s face was a violent shade of red motioning to Kohaku behind Niki.

“I just… I just wanted to tell you what I wanted for my birthday this year…” Niki stammered looking away to the floor.

“What? What else do you want for goodness sake?” Unbelievable! She dug her nails on her hands to hold herself back from unleashing another blow. She huffed walking away from her useless parasite.

“Just um…” He hesitantly looked up. The painting Kohaku gave him for his birthday taunted him from above. An idea was beginning to take shape. “Beef tongue… beef tongue from New Di you brought a few years ago. Thought it was a better gift than… than stars.”

Mother Yōbo blinked once. Then twice before dropping on her rocking chair. Was her paranoia getting the better of her? Did she break persona in front of her one audience member and split a kid’s lip over nothing? “You think I’m the bad guy now, huh? A real monster.”

“Of course not, Mother.” Niki said softly.

“You’re just so– so stupid sometimes.” She pulled her face down in frustration. “You make me lose my temper over the dumbest things. New Di is at least three days away. Three days Niki. Finding the same quality of beef tongue as last time is gonna be expensive too.”

“It's okay. I’ll just make something else other than beef tongue barbeque. It was just a craving nahaha…” Niki laughed weakly. The wind gently wrapped around him and Kohaku in an attempt at comfort.

Mother glanced at his obvious disappointment, tapping her fingers on the armrest impatiently and then glancing out the window. It was getting dangerous to have Niki be this dissatisfied. New Di was a bit far but if it kept Niki in the kitchen then maybe the whole ordeal was a good investment. God she was getting real tired of playing the loving mother bit.

“...Okay.” She sighed without looking away from the window. “Premium beef tongue from New Di’s finest it is.”

“!!!”  Niki ran to Mother Yōbo and hugged her tightly. “Beef tongue! Beef tongue! Thank you Mother!” She smiled satisfied, tenderly petting his hair. Her fingers greedily curled around the strands of hair it could get. Now this was the way things should always be. She pushed him away as she got up and reached into her basket pulling out a fancy box.

“Looks like you’ll be getting two birthday gifts, my little flower~.” She said, handing out the box. Niki took it eagerly and opened the box revealing a set of matching collars: one with a pink gem and one with a silver one. The gems gleaned ominously Mother showed off two rings with similar gems on her left hand. “Ta-da! A matching set for you and dear little Oukawa with mommy. Try them on children.”

The two did as told and Mother grinned with joy clapping her hands. “I knew you’d look great matching! A little token of my love! Niki dear, go prepare lunch for the road.”

“I just finished taking the chicken outta the oven! I’ll make some sandwiches since they’re quicker than pasta.”

“Perfect. Take your time sweetie.”

Niki nodded, happily skipping to the kitchen. Once he disappeared from view Mother’s smile slid off her face. Without so much as a glance she grabbed a fist full of Kohaku’s hair. 

“It looks like the last surviving member of the Oukawa clan needs a reminder of his place.” She got low near his ear and hissed. “You owe me your life, you little shit. When your mother came to me begging to save you from the incoming bloodbath, I did so out of the kindness of my heart. Is this how you pay the hand that feeds you? Stop filling Niki’s head with useless ideas.”

“I haven’t forgotten, Mother .” He spat out with defiance in his tone. “Niki-han is a person too. He can have his own ideas and free will.” 

She rolled her eyes letting his hair go. How cute. It was like a kitten baring its fangs at a lioness. The little lout thought himself and her leech as a people. The mockery of it all! He wanted to poke the sleeping lioness then so be it. She could bare her own fangs too. She showed him her left hand again. With his attention on the rings, she twisted the ring with a pink gem. “This is what happens to naughty children who don’t do what Mother says.”

“What are you–?” Kohaku started when he felt it. The collar twitched before tightening around his neck effectively cutting off his airways. He gasped as his hands frantically pulled at the cursed object. He scratched at the clasp of the collar only to find there was no way to remove the collar. Tighter and tighter. Soon he couldn’t even wheeze. The corners of his vision swam gradually turning dark as oxygen deprivation got the best of him. Suddenly the pressure disappeared. Kohaku fell on his knees and took in large gasps of breath.

“Does my child understand now? If you force my hand, I’m not afraid to punish you. And,” Mother’s hand lightly touched the silver gem on the other ring. “If you truly can’t learn; if you insist on being trouble then I guess we’ll have to try something else. If punishing you isn’t enough then maybe punishing Niki in your place will be.”

“Y–you!!! Wouldn’t dare–!” Kohaku looked up in horror.

“Oh wouldn’t I?” She sneered, tracing the silver gem slowly. “Play nice dear, it would be terrible if you got another innocent hurt again. Are we clear?”

Kohaku stared at the silver ring unnerved that she would be willing to hurt Niki to force his hand. He should have seen it coming. Her patience was waning for a while now and now she was starting to show Niki her true colors little by little. His shoulders sagged in defeat bowing his head down. “Crystal.”

“Good boy!” She pet his head like one would a dog.  “Get up and smile. I don’t think I need to even say it, but not a word of this to Niki. Go help him and be quick.” Kohaku forced a tight smile on his face. He quickly went to the kitchen to help Niki. 

“Kohaku-chan? Are you okay? You look pale.” Niki stopped to get closer but Kohaku smacked his hands away.

“ ‘m fine. Jus’ lets finish.” 

Niki frowned but stepped away from the boy. Kohaku was probably mad at him for not listening earlier and letting him show the stranger out. No. It made sense for Kohaku to be angry but his face told a different story. Kohaku looked afraid. It was just a split second but there was no mistaking it. Even the way he moved was tense. Niki grit his teeth. His heart beat loudly in his ears as an idea took the shape of a plan. 

It took a few more minutes before they came out with a few lunch boxes for Mother Yōbo. She graciously took them and packed them in her usual travel bag. She hugged Niki and kissed the top of his head lovingly but her eyes never strayed from Kohaku.

“It’ll only be three days and I’ll be back with your beef tongue. I’ll miss you, my flower.” She said gently to his hair.

“I’ll be here. I'll miss you too, Mother.” He hugged her back. 

And as quick as she came, she was gone.

“Weren’t competing with raisins a few days ago?” A black cat said from outside the clearing and laughed as Yōbo nearly jumped out of her skin. “Guess you wrung a few years outta the poor babe, Scheherazade.”

The code name spilled over her like a bucket of ice water. “Puck! Just my luck!”

“That's right, lucky you! The super generous me has come bearing news from the Society: Why the hell haven’t you made any recent reports? Loki is losing patience with you.” The cat meowed before turning into a crow to follow Yōbo who walked away.

“Bah! Who do they think they are?! I am one of the original members of the Society. The Society wouldn’t even exist without me! They only have that position because Susanoo betrayed us and Eris chose them out of convenience.”

“Hiihiihii!” Puck laughed amused at her bitterness. “The hag is still bitter Eris doesn’t see her as valuable!”

“You’re no spring chicken either. You only look young because you borrowed that shapeshifting charm from Loki; your own cheap parlor tricks are nothing impressive.”

“Divination takes skill, dearest friend. You on the other hand? Abusing children is something any old drunken pig can do.” Puck said, taking offence at Yōbo’s comments shifting into a carbon copy of Yōbo.

“Enough! I’m in a rush as is because of those brats. They ordered beef tongue! From New Di! Did you hear me? New Di! And Loki thinks I have time to amuse them too?”

“Well don't you?” Puck said, melting back to her original face. She was always an eerie figure, very different from Yōbo. While Yōbo obsessed over making herself the pinnacle of sex appeal; Puck looked like a walking corpse. Matted black hair, deep sunken eyes, and pale grey skin wrapped around her tall bony figure. The only thing out of place were her two arms, two different shades from the rest of her body stitched on haphazardly. Yōbo preferred this form over all her others. Wasn’t she just a doll compared to the thing that was Puck?

“Ha! Of course not! I'm basically running against the clock to get the magic out of that leech! His birth was a mistake.”

“Ahaaa… you should have just given me the little one! I would have raised him tenderly.” Puck cradled an invisible baby with a far off dreamy look in her eyes. Yōbo shuddered. Only a fool would trust Puck with an infant. She finally turned to her old friend for the first time since she started following her. 

“Since you insist on being a nuisance… I need you to do something for me?”

“Hmm~? A favor from little ol’ me?” Puck snapped back to reality with a growing grin.

Chapter Text

Niki waved and smiled until Mother was out of the clearing. With a big sigh, he shut the window shutters. Marching straight for the kitchen he grabbed the extra sandwiches he made; one for Kohaku and two for himself. He offered it to Kohaku who took it, mumbling a small thank you.

Niki’s eyes locked on Kohaku’s split lip as he took a bite of his lunch; his blood boiling at the sight. 

Grrr-! This was all his fault! If he had just shut his mouth when Kohaku shushed him! Or if he had kept his eyes open then he would have noticed Kohaku pushing him out of the way when Mother’s hand came down. Or maybe he shouldn’t have kept the intruder in the closet altogether. Niki ate his sandwiches like a starving wild dog glaring at the wardrobe.

“Niki-han, you ought to slow down or else you’ll–” Kohaku suppressed a shudder remembering the collars on their necks. The tightening around his neck. The desperation for air. The–! “Choke on yer sandwich...”

“Do you want me to heal you?” He asked without turning to him.

“Nah, it's just a little cut. Don’t worry about it too much.” Kohaku said, waving it off. He chose to keep munching on his sandwich and joined Niki on looking at the wardrobe. It would probably be for the best if he got rid of the thief before he woke up.

During their silent meal, a black crow flew up to the window's sill. Quietly it turned gnat crawling just outside the window sill before turning into a small ant and slipping inside the tower. Once inside, the ant turned into a flea and jumped on top of a ceiling beam to watch the two.

‘Keep a close eye on my leech until I get back. Then you’ll get your stupid report.’ Bah! Scheherazade didn’t even let her hold the prince as an infant and now she wanted her to keep an eye on him. Oh how Puck begged to hold him! Sure she would have run off with him but the baby would have been better with her than with the hag. Researcher or not, Scheherazade wasn’t very smart; in Puck’s humble opinion at least. Puck would have taken the prince to a different continent, plucked his eyes out, named him differently, and raised him oh so lovingly. Mm! Mm! But Scheherazade saw through her. Of all the times she actually chose to be preceptive. It was probably due to her obsession with the Honeycomb royalty. Queen Shiina Shirayuki sure left her mark all those years ago. That's why the hag was never chosen by Eris for greater tasks.

The witch disguised as a flea entertained herself with her thoughts while the boys ate. With little ceremony, Niki finished his admittedly light lunch. He turned to Kohaku with crossed arms; Kohaku suddenly realized Niki had a light in his eyes he only ever had when cooking. 

“You still wanna go out to see the floating lights?”

“Obvious– wait, are you serious?! Niki-han, you're really serious?”

“I’m serious.” He nodded. 

“No way– Is that why you asked for beef tongue from New Di? Did you just trick Mother?” Kohaku’s eyes widened incredulously. Eh? Eh?! Did the little prince seriously do that? Scheherazade was worried about the wrong child’s rebellion!

“And if I did?” He looked at the painting for a moment before looking back at Kohaku’s surprised face. “I do want beef tongue but more than that I wanna get a taste of the lights. You’re right after all; she’ll throw a fit if she sees the thief and probably board the window up.”

‘The who?! What thief?’ The little flea jumped in excitement.

“We’ll get rid of him, she'll never know–”

“Even if she never finds out about our unwanted guest, she’ll probably board up the window anyways at this rate. So I wanna go out just once. Just one taste will be enough. I’ll never talk about the floating lights or going outside again once I do. But if we’re gonna get out then this guy is gonna be our guide and guard.” 

Niki kicked the chair away from the wardrobe. It was bad enough his hunger and hair constantly made him a burden as is but to get Kohaku hurt– that crossed a line. Kureib fell out of the wardrobe like a heavy sack of potatoes face first. Niki yanked the man to the chair; Kohaku helping him once he got the gist of what he wanted to do.

The wind rattled around agitated. No! No! It didn’t want the little prince to give in to the whims of the ancient woman! The blessed man was supposed to take him out of the tower once and for all! 

“I don’t reckon that's a good idea. We don't know what kinda fella he’ll turn out to be. What if he really came lookin' for you and your hair? And if he ain't got a clue, will he even go along with it?”

“We have his everything, Kohaku-chan. If he wants it back then he needs to help us first. Let's tie him up with my hair. He’ll never break free on his own. And if he wants my hair… I don’t know… we'll figure it out.”

Kohaku frowned, unsure of how he felt about Niki’s new found determination. Never in a million years did he expect Niki to take the initiative in going out and while he was overjoyed at that, to take a wanted thief with them as a guide however was… risky. Not only that but if they left and failed to come back before Mother did– what would happen now with those cursed collars on their necks? He sighed deeply. Maybe this is a good thing. No, this was a good thing. This was the best possible outcome, he decided, as he finished expertly tying the thief with Niki’s hair. If luck was on his side, then someone at the festival would know how to take off the collars. Mages of all sorts loved festivals, right? It's what his dove messaging friend had told him once. What did he call them? Idol mages?

Soon, Kureib was tied up from his legs, to his arms, his waist, and chest to the old kitchen chair. Niki used his hair as a lasso to open up a small ceiling window. This small window served as their best source of natural light when the sun faced the back of the tower. Now it serves a more dramatic purpose. With the main window shut tight, the tower was all dark save for that spotlight the sun cast on the thief. Niki hid on a ceiling beam (next to a certain flea) and gave the pink haired boy a nod.

Time to wake him up. Kohaku puffed up and slapped Kureib.

“...”

“...”

“...”

Nothing. Kohaku scowled and slapped him once again; this time twice as hard. Nada. Gritting his teeth, he suckerpunched him instead. Nuh-uh.

“Maybe we should throw cold water on him?” Niki peaked from his spot.

“Then we’d have to clean the spill. No thank you.” Kohaku peeled open the thief’s eyelids and grimaced: one pupil was fully blown but the other was a pinprick lost in cyan. Oooooh… that can’t be a good sign. Was he actually concussed? Niki should heal him– no, no… this could work out in their favor. So long as he can actually wake up.

“Hmm… how about…” Kohaku bit his lip in thought. He put his index finger in his mouth, coating it in a generous amount of saliva, stuck it under the thief’s mask, and into his ear. He wiggled it around and…

“What the fuck!” Viola! The man snapped his eyes open within a second.

 The thief squirmed trying to get Kohaku’s finger out of his ear. Satisfied Kohaku removed his hand from the thief and wiped it on the guy’s shoulder. The bright sunlight in the dark tower hit Kureib like a meteor. “Ugh! That light– my head is killing me!”  

“Shut up and stay put if you know what's good for you.” Kohaku said in a low voice. Kureib, however, didn't care all too much about some kid playing bad guy in his ear. 

Instead there was an incessant ringing in his ear that wouldn’t stop. Oh how he wanted to desperately calm the throbbing pain his head was in! It felt like he had been kicked in the head by a horse. His face hurt too. His cheeks ached as if someone had been pulling on them. His jaw though was pulsing with pain. Then that odd feeling in his mouth. His gums were hurting; he even tasted a bit of copper from blood. And that burning feeling somewhere in his scalp! It was bad enough his head was giving him hell but his hair itself was aching pretty badly– he didn’t even know it was possible for his hair to ache so much. If only he could rub his scalp and sooth that pain but– only then realized that he was tied up. 

With hair. 

Hair of all things. Silvery white hair that was everywhere as far as the eye could see. He blinked furiously trying to make sense of it all. 

“Is this… hair ?” He stared in disbelief before remembering a more pressing issue. “My satchel! Where is my satchel?!” 

Hold on! There was no familiar cool feeling on his wrist. Shit! He couldn’t feel his bracelets. He desperately looked around but Kohaku simply yanked him by his mullet and held a dagger under his throat. Kureib swallowed and felt the sharp edge of the blade effectively freezing him. Now that he actually thought about it, how did he end up in this position? He remembered smelling something tasty after following the wind– The wind!

“I said shut up! I ain't playing around. Don’t make any sudden movements or your throat splits in two!” Kohaku hissed venomously.

“Y-you won’t ever be able to get loose so don’t try anything funny. Just do as we say and we’ll all get along. Who exactly are you? How did you find this place?” Niki’s voice trembling from above tried to sound demanding.

“Does that mean I can speak?” The thief snorted only for Kohaku to pull his hair again.

“Don’t get smart with us and answer his questions!”

“Sheesh! Alright alright already!” He rolled his eyes. Regret washed over him as that made the room spin violently reminding him of his headache. Still he had a reputation to keep. Kureib feigned a great air of nonchalance clearing his throat. “The name is Kureib– though I’m sure my name speaks for itself~.”

“Not really? I mean I guess that sounds like ‘craving’? Which reminds me about the beef tongue Mother will be bringing. I wanna make some barbecue with a new sauce idea I came up with. We need some ambrosia honey for that…” Niki said, fully distracted by the thought of a new recipe idea. Kohaku bit back a curse. Of all the times Niki could get distracted by food!

Faux nonchalance shattered into a million zillion little itty bitty pieces within the blink of an eye. “How did the conversation go to food? And hello? World famous thief in the flesh in front of you and that's all you gotta say?” 

“Huh? I never heard of you.” Niki said with such sincerity Kureib couldn’t dismiss it.

“Never?! Not once? You had to have heard at least something! The Diamond Crescendo case at least?” Kureib felt his ego take a deep blow after deep blow. No way! How could anyone in the Ensemble Empire not know about him?! This was his turf! Everyone knew about him!

“Doesn’t ring a bell. Kohaku-chan?”

“Never heard of it either. Some world famous thief you are.” Kohaku snickered. Weeeeeeell… he had heard something about a big heist in New Di involving the largest diamond this side of the continent but that was a detail that could stay just that: an insignificant detail.

“See? Makes sense why we never heard of you. Now how did you get here?”

“Ehh? And here I so graciously introduced myself but you don’t even give me your name? Well I do now know the kid’s name; Kohaku-chan huh?”

“Let's just kill him and get this over with.” Kohaku grit his teeth in annoyance.

“We can’t- he still hasn’t agreed to help us!” Niki reasoned.

“What's this now? You need help from little ol’ me? What could you possibly need from someone tied up to his eyeballs with–what actually is this? Is this actually hair?” Kureib scoffed. How humiliating! He, the world’s greatest thief, caught by a clueless airhead and a kid! It's cool! It's fine! What he needs to focus on is on getting the upper hand somehow.

“So… you mean you don’t know about my hair? You’re not here for it?” Niki hopped down in relief. The flea watched in great amusement the events unfolding and turned into a fly to get a better look. Wasn’t Scheherazade in for a treat when she came back?

“This is your hair? I can respect wanting the long hair look but don’t you think this is borderline extreme? I didn’t even know hair could get so long. Why on Earth would I ever want your hair? I’m a thief not a wig maker.” Kureib deadpanned before sighing. He closed his eyes hoping the dark could offer some relief. Well this was annoying, he could have been half way across New Di by now. This asinine conversation was giving him a second headache. “Look if you really want to ask me for help then don’t keep a dagger pointed at my throat. At the very least can I see who it is I’m talking to? C’mon this is some common courtesy! Negotiating 101!”

“...” 

“Jus’ say the word and I’ll get this over with.” Kohaku offered again, pressing the blade just a bit deeper. The hell was wrong with this bloodthirsty kid.

“No... Okay– he’s right. I think. At least we should talk face to face if we wanna make a deal.” Niki said hesitantly. Now that's more like it! Kohaku-chan seemed to listen to Airhead-chan so if he could trick him– ehm… guide him, Kohaku-chan was bound to let him go, and then he could get the heck outta of the Empire.

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to.” Kohaku grumbled roughly letting go of Kureib’s hair much like Mother had done to him earlier. The blade followed soon after. Kureib relaxed a little as Kohaku got in front of him. Now he could properly appraise his capturers and decide on an escape plan. 

Kohaku turned out to be just a scrawny kid. Younger than what he had in mind. The kid looked about twelve… maybe thirteen but certainly not older. Geez! He really was just a child. He was expecting a bigger, tougher, looking teen with the strength he was yanking his hair. Especially with the gall to point a weapon at him; not this. Kohaku was cute– could even be sweet looking with his soft pink hair and amethyst eyes. At least, if he hadn’t that deep scowl or that frown decorated with a split lip. Certainly not that too grown up look in his eye all too comfortable with holding a dagger. Staring at the small scarred hand holding that weapon, Kureib couldn’t stop his mind from wandering to someone else. 

‘What do you want to do today, nii-san?’ The memory of red curls bouncing up to him and a bright smile with a small hand holding a weapon waiting for his response. A creak behind Kohaku snapped him out of his memory. There was no point in reminiscing in this situation. Out came whom he had been waiting for.

Kureib leaned forward to get a closer look at his capturer only for his jaw to drop as his breath caught in his throat. What a wonderful sight the older of the pair was with his frying pan front and center, as he took shaky steps into the light. Perfect blue eyes lit ablaze with determination through the obvious fear with long lashes, and that face–! Oh that beautiful face! If you told Kureib that this was a goddess incarnate he would nod along and get on his knees in reverence. The silver hair that held him captive framed his newfound goddess like a one of a kind portrait. Suddenly, he wanted to offer all of his stolen treasures as tribute. He didn’t even know his name but he had to know it just so that he could pray properly.

“Now we’re face to face. Answer me: who are you? How did you find this place?” His goddess spoke once again. Now that he was closer– hey wasn’t his voice just as pretty as the man himself?

Kureib’s mouth opened and closed but no words could take shape, much less pass his lips. His eyes could only grow so wide. Damn shame too because he wanted to see more of this deity. What was he here for again? Oh! That's right! C’mon Kureib! Get your head in the game! 

The wind, who had been staying still as it was being mindful of the witch, picked up on Kureib’s change in breathing. Being as old as it was, it could pick up on certain patterns humans exhibited. This particular way of breathing… Oh how wonderful! An idea bloomed.

“Isn’t he lovely? A real beauty among humans.” It coyly whispered in Kureib’s ear only affirming what he knew. Kureib nodded slightly. “Are you really gonna be satisfied with just one conversation? Or…”

“Umm… hello? Are you okay? You were the one who wanted to meet face to face.” Niki frowned. This man was strange wasn’t he? Was this normal? Did most people do this? He didn’t do that when he saw Kohaku, so why with him? He was frozen with his mouth hanging open so wide that the fly that somehow got in could probably land in his mouth! It was honestly making him feel awkward.

“You’re… beautiful… ” The thief managed before shaking his head and sitting up straighter with a wide smile. “What’s your name?”

“Huh? Beautiful?” Niki looked at Kohaku for help. What is he talking about now?!

“You ain't gonna get far with that sweet-talkin’, pal. We’re the ones askin’ the questions here.” Kohaku growled. He wasn’t liking the direction things were going.

“It's not flattery if it's true. I’ve never seen anyone as beautiful as you and I’ve been all over the continent. So pretty boy, you gonna tell me your name or will I have to keep calling you beautiful until you do?”

“Uhh… It's Niki.” He said unsure as to what was happening.

“Niki, huh? Niki, Niki, Niki– yeah! That suits ya. Listen Niki, why don't you be a doll and untie your good ol’ pal Kureib-kun? We can start over and talk over that problem of yours like old friends, yeah? We could ditch the kid and it’ll be just me, you, and dinner. My treat~.” His confident smile seemed to glint in the sun’s spotlight like polished porcelain.

“...Let's kill him, Niki-han.” Kohaku uttered with pure disgust.

“Not yet, Kohaku-chan.” Niki sighed exasperated. This was not at all what he thought at all was going to happen in this negotiation. The promise of dinner, however, was enticing. Did that mean the thief was gonna cook for him as his treat? That was certainly an appealing offer but no! Focus Niki! He is gonna do what you want, not the other way around. He coughed and tried to look more intimidating with his frying pan. “You still haven’t answered my question: who are you? How did you find this tower?”

“I already told ya honey: I’m Kureib, world famous thief at your service. The best of the best if I do say so myself. From paintings, to jewels, and even historical artifacts– you name it! Nothing escapes me once I’ve set my sights on it.”

“Jus’ a dirty crook, Niki-han. Don’t waste yer time on the likes of him.” Kohaku shook his head in disapproval.

“You could say that, yes, but I like to think I’m liberating them from their sad confines. I’m not just an expert in luxury, I’m also an entrepreneur. You’re looking at the soon to be proud founder of the world’s most exciting casino: Crazy Roulette. Or at least that's its place holder name– it's a work in progress. You’re more than welcome to join me in my soon to be paradise. Who knows what luck you’ll bring me.” He winked. Kohaku actually gagged a bit.

“Um.. no… no thank you.” Niki knew what each of those words meant independently but strung up together it just wasn’t clicking. Thieves were bad. Stealing was bad. Casinos were for wasting time and money. Yet this guy was so proudly boasting all about them. He was starting to regret not paying more attention to the books Kohaku brought him. The Cooking Bee cookbook's never prepared him for this. He shook his head. “How did you find this tower then?”

“Short answer is the wind told me. But if you want the long answer: I was betrayed by a snake and a dog, got chased by a horse, wrestled with said horse, and finally I was bailed out by the wind who told me to climb the tower.” Kureib shrugged matter-of-factly. Niki and Kohaku looked at him without moving for three glorious seconds before walking a way for a bit to talk amongst themselves.

“You reckon this is still a good idea? He sounds completely crazy!” Kohaku whisper-yelled.

“Do you think it's because we hit him too many times in the head?” Niki looked at his frying pan.

“I’m beginnin’ to think we might’ve. Listen if ya really wanna go out we don’t need him! With my dagger and your frying pan we’re more than prepared.”

“But Mother’s stories…”

While the pair were discussing amongst themselves, Kureib struggled against the hair binding him. Now that he wasn’t looking at Niki’s face directly, he could think more clearly. That damned wind was planning something but– well fuck it was right. One conversation wasn’t enough. If only he could convince him to join him. As much as he would love to spend his time endlessly with Niki, he still needed to get the hell out of the Ensemble Empire and lay low for a while. The Holy Sekai Queendom was too close to Ensemble to hide both politically and physically. If he was found there he would absolutely be arrested and extradited back to the Ensemble Empire. Love Liviva was going through political instability these last few years having grown too big for its own good. He could sell the crown there, but it wouldn’t be wise to stay there. The Mankai Isles might be a better bet, smaller and more distant; all he had to do was pretend to be a traveling actor and no one would even bat an eye.

True to his word however, Niki wasn’t kidding about him being unable to escape his hair. Getting impatient Kureib tried hoping and kicking the hair at the feet of the chair to get his legs loose but all that resulted in was the chair tipping over. Smashing his face on the floor, the pain radiating all across his face reminded him: that's right… his head was fucking killing him! The hell do they do to him?

By then, Niki and Kohaku came to an agreement and turned to look at him. “O-kay! Kureib-san, we have a deal for you. We– eh? Why are you on the floor?” 

“Oh you know– the floor looked so comfortable I wanted to lay down for a bit but I forgot I was tied up.” Kureib said sarcastically.

“Nahaha I get it! The floor is pretty comfortable but no time for that!” Niki said cheerfully while bringing the cake he left on the table and showed it to him. Kureib looked at him confused. “You know what this is supposed to be, right?”

“It's…  a very nice cake. For the Prince’s Festival, right?” Kureib half annoyed, half impressed. Couldn’t he just sit him upright instead of tilting that cake haphazardly at him?

“The Prince’s Festival!? The floating lights are for a prince?” Niki looked at the cake with shining eyes finally having some semblance of an answer as to what the lights were. He set it aside and quickly put Kureib upright once more. With more force than expected he pushed him right under Kohaku’s painting and pointed excitedly. Kureib dizzily struggled against the urge to vomit right there and then. “Those aren’t stars, right?”

“You-- ehm! You mean the lanterns? They’re not stars, they’re paper lanterns that float up when lit up. The Honeycomb Kingdom releases them for their dead prince. Originally, they were so that he could find his way home but he never did. ”

“Lanterns that float when lit… We were right! They really weren’t stars! Okay Kureib-san, here's the deal: you take us to see the floating lanterns and bring us back safely within three days. When we get back safely and only when we are back will we give you your bag back.”

“Yeah, no. Here’s a better idea: we can get married and we run away to my casino when I build it. Sounds more fun, eh? You wouldn’t even need a veil since you already look like a bride with that long hair of yours.”

“No way! We just met– I can’t marry you!” Niki had read about weddings and marriages from some of the romance novels Kohaku would find to pass the time but Niki mostly skimmed through the parts that weren’t about the wedding feasts. He just usually didn’t get them; the protagonists were more often than not very strange and made decisions that made little sense. Most of it was very dramatic with storylines of secret long lost family members that opposed the marriages, princes in disguise, evil witches, and someone always ended up in a coma at one point. The feast were much more fascinating with all sorts of meals he hadn’t heard of.

“If y’ain't gonna cooperate, then there ain't no point in draggin’ this out any longer. Listen up ya rat, ya want yer satchel, then ya gotta help us out. Otherwise, y’ain't ever gonna find it.” Kohaku crossed his arms trying to make himself seem taller than he really was. He was getting tired of the thief's sass.

Kureib stared at him, studying his face before he glanced around the tower. His eyes quickly scanned all he could see before landing on a certain vase. He looked back at Kohaku. “It's in that vase, isn’t it?”

Niki grinned widely. “Ha! No it isn’t! Isn’t that right, Koha–” 

*BAM*

In a single movement, Kohaku had yanked the frying pan from Niki’s hands and smacked Kureib on the head, effectively knocking him out again.

“Kohaku-chan?!”

“Ain't my fault he figured it out so fast where it was!” Kohaku bristled defensively, stomping over to the vase and pulling out the bag– rather satchel. “Spin ‘round and keep your eyes to yourself, ya hear?”

Niki sighed and turned around to look at the painting now seeing it differently since he knew those lights were actually lanterns for a festival. How lucky was he that there was a festival that lit up lanterns on his birthday?! If they could convince Kureib to be their guide then he’d finally achieve his only dream. 

Kohaku kept his eye on both Niki and Kureib before going to his secret stash floorboard and stuffed the short sword semi in the satchel before shutting the floorboard. He didn’t expect him to read him so easily! Ugh! Annoying!

“There. If he doesn’t agree after this imma show him the way out. We might as well just head out on our own. I’m tellin’ ya, think about it. This fella sounds like more trouble than he’s worth.”

“Let's just try our luck.” Niki sighed. He mentally slapped himself. He couldn't let Kohaku do all the tough talk. he thought back to Kohaku's book trying to summon teh right attitude.

Kohaku shook his head and wasted no time going straight for the wet willy technique once again to wake up the unconscious man. Kohaku smirked as he jolted awake quicker than last time. Two for two!

“Augh– Damn it kid! Stop doing that.” Kureib squirmed trying to rub his hidden ear with his shoulder.

“Woke ya right up though.” Kohaku removed his finger and just shrugged with a cheeky grin. Kureib glared at the kid. Wasn’t he just a delight? “All yours, Niki-han.”

“Want your satchel back? You could try your luck and claw away at every inch of this tower but without our help it’ll be like finding a needle in a haystack. So what’ll it be, Kureib-san: help us or say goodbye to your valuables forever?” Niki drew closer with each word until he was face to face with Kureib. One hand holding the ear of the chair tipping it while the other had his frying pan on Kureib’s chin forcing him to look at him and only him.

Kureib held his poker face well but he could only focus on the millimeters that kept them from touching. It was criminal the way Niki’s plush lips called for his attention; the way his fierce eyes pinned him in place. A blush bloomed under his mask and spilled down to his neck. Niki was doing something to him with his mere presence and suddenly– he wasn’t liking the way his heart beat faster. Niki was dangerous to his sanity.

“Forget it Niki-han, this guy is gonna say no. Ain’t no way we’re makin’ it to that festival in time—this kingdom’s just too far.”

Niki backed away from Kureib much to his relief. He took a breath to get his mind back together and gave Kohaku a weird look. “The hell are you talking about kid? The Honeycomb capital is just around the corner. I was literally there a few hours ago.”

“Yer a big fat liar, it always takes Mother and me a few days to get there and back. It's further than New Di!”

“Well then either you’re taking a roundabout way to get there,” Kureib’s voice grew lower. “or Mama dearest is lying to you on purpose.”

The fly on the wall crawled a little closer amused by the turn of events.

Kohaku’s stomach churned at the thought. Was Kureib actually telling the truth? He didn’t often go to Honeycomb with Mother. He mostly went to the other lands in Ensemble. He did sneak off every once in a blue moon but…

“Say I believe ya. Does that mean the Honeycomb Kingdom is a few hours away?”

Kureib shook his head. “No kid, you don't understand. You’re literally in Honeycomb. The capital is an island just a few hours away.”

Kohaku abruptly turned around and paced in deep thought. No way… No fucking way…!

“Kohaku-chan?” Niki asked gently. Kohaku merely glanced at him. He balled his hands into fists and suddenly grabbed Kureib by the neck.

“Say you're not lyin’! Look me dead in the eye and say you ain't lyin'.” He ordered as he looked at the thief in the eyes himself. He gradually applied pressure controlling his strength feeling the pulse under his fingers.

“I am not lying.” Kureib said in a calm voice. His eyes didn’t waver away from Kohaku’s, not even for a second. His heart rate stayed steady with every beat and every second passing by. It didn’t matter how long they kept this little game up, Kureib wouldn’t move an inch even as the kid’s grip tightened. Kohaku’s hands trembled for a second and then they were gone from the thief’s neck.

“So ya say.” Kohaku crossed his arms. “...Are ya gonna take the deal or not?”

Kureib said nothing. The wind caressed his hair teasingly hoping it could convince him into playing the role it t(h)rusted him with. It was a challenge. Didn’t he like a good challenge? Didn’t he love to tease fate? His fingers thumped on the arms of the chair he was bound to. He only stared at Kohaku whose scowl laced with disappointment with every second he remained silent. A glint of silver caught his eye as Niki’s hair seemed to almost glow in the light’s reflection.

Niki…

There was something about him that gnawed at Kureib. It wasn’t just that Niki was pretty or had ridiculously long hair– it's just… he looked so familiar. But try as he might he ended up blank. Maybe he dreamt him up. He must have met him once upon a dream. Why else would he be so familiar to him? Or maybe– maybe Niki really was divinity who came to lead him to his next big gamble. Maybe Niki was the answer to his long forgotten prayers. Maybe that's why the words that slipped out his lips came out so naturally.

“Fine. I’ll be your guide.” He smiled sardonically. What in the world was he getting into now? The wind squealed and peppered his face with light kisses as it left the tower in a rush to tell the flowers, the trees, the bees, and all that would listen to the exciting news. In its complete and utter joy, however, it forgot to be mindful of a certain fly.

“You are?! You mean it?!” Niki jumped, his frying pan flew from his grip as grabbed Kureib’s face in pure delight. Welp there goes his heart again. But hey–! At least Kohaku caught the frying pan before it clanked noisily on the floor.

Kureib grinned, nodding. “I’ll have you know I’m not thrilled about going back to the place that has bounty on my neck but let's test fate. Lead me to a jackpot O Victory Goddess~!”

“A-are you calling me a goddess?! I’m a man and a human! I can’t be a goddess!” Niki gave him a strange look before letting him go. Kureib found he missed Niki’s hands on his face already. Instead Niki untied him.

“He’s a weirdo, ignore him or you’ll catch his weirdness, Niki-han.” Kohaku said with his own judging stare but neither one could deny the growing smiles that bloomed on their faces.

What was the first thing our beloved Kureib do when he was finally out of his confines? Well he clutched his head and gave it a desperate massage as Niki and Kohaku looked away. Hopefully he wouldn’t look in the mirror to see the bumps that decorated his head– lest he change his mind!

“Wait here and don’t snoop around; we need to pack some supplies.” Niki said as he ran to the kitchen to prepare food with Kohaku. Time was ticking! They needed to hurry! The black fly decided to follow them.

“Me? Snoop? Why I’d never! I’m an honest thief.” Kureib however was gone within a second on the second floor of the tower looking for more clues as to who he was dealing with. There was nothing really to suggest the tower duo were anything but normal. There was a room with a curtain for a door that the two clearly shared. It was colorful, more so than the rest of the tower– and that was saying something! There were two beds with a night stand each that gave clues as to which belonged to who. One was stacked with books with a very familiar looking bee on the cover, and the other had a neatly placed stationary. There was also a closet, though mostly empty. He did notice that Niki and Kohaku wore worn out clothing. Not rags per se but clothing that should have been retired a while back. Overall it was a pleasant room. It was only when he picked the lock of the room with the only door that his heart nearly leaped out his mouth.

Writing. 

Everywhere. 

The room was covered in what could only be described as obsessive from roof to floor. Stacks of papers were littered everywhere. He couldn’t read the script that was used to write but based on context clues they were research notes of some kind. Hell, some of the writing that didn’t fit on the papers on the wall spilled onto said wall and continued endlessly. Formulas and codes– there were charts with different numbers and edits all over in different colored ink and spreadsheets to go along with them hung from the ceiling. Perhaps the most disturbing were the drawings of what looked to be a younger Niki with similar notes all over it. He closed the door as quietly as possible with a grimace and rubbed his face down with a sigh.

 Why did the wind lead him here? He was a thief for gods’ sake! A damn good thief but a thief nonetheless.  Was it suggesting… he steal “Mother’s” treasures? This 'Mother' did not love the duo as kids. The woman was a researcher, that was obvious. Based on what he saw, they must be valuable specimens to her, not human beings. At least Niki was. Is that why Niki’s hair was so long? He did allude to his hair being special. At least it seemed that there was nothing on Kohaku that he could tell. That swollen split lip on the kid though…  He went back to his waiting spot. So what now? He had a bounty on his neck and needed the crown he stole in order to act out any plan. Did he just bring them back if all went well? To this? That was a question for later…

In the meantime, Kohaku and Niki busied themselves with packing enough food to tide Niki’s appetite. Ideally he wouldn’t eat more than normal but since he would be using up a lot of calories traveling for the first time, Kohaku had a nagging feeling no matter how much they packed it wouldn't be enough. Still he didn’t want to put that thought in Niki’s head and simply hoped for the best. Niki was smiling from ear to ear so bright that Kohaku’s worries took a back seat. Niki hummed yapping nonstop about the meals he was preparing for the three of them. Kohaku simply nodded along. He peaked at Kureib would stayed just were they left him deep in thought rubbing his temples. Kohaku winced a bit, maybe he shouldn’t have kicked him trying to take the not-wig off.  At least he was still alive. His head really was made out of lead. When Kureib noticed him, he stood up straight and crossed his arms nonchalantly as if he hadn’t just been hunched over.

“Still waiting here patiently like the good citizen I am.” He winked. Yuck! Weirdo! Kohaku scowled and pointed his nose up as he walked over to the vase he previously hid the thief’s satchel. He glanced back to the man who followed his every move with interest from his waiting spot. Kohaku pulled out a box from the vase and held it close as if trying to stop Kureib from seeing it but Kureib’s shit eating grin told him all he knew he had something in there. Kohaku merely stuck his tongue out childishly before turning back to Niki.

“If you're all done, mind comin’ with me to our room first?” Kohaku said, holding the box behind his back.

“Huh? Sure, why?”

“You’ll see. Actually you first.”

Niki raised an eyebrow but nonetheless nodded and went ahead. As they passed Kureib, Kohaku put a finger over his mouth warning him to stay quiet. Kureib shrugged looking away but that stupid grin didn’t leave his face. Kureib did, however, stop when he spotted a certain flying pest reach the room before the pair. Only until they were behind the curtain of their room did Kohaku drop his guard.

“I wanted to give this to ya after we saw the floating lights– well lanterns but… one thing led to another so here ya go.” Kohaku held out the box to him and smiled. “Happy eighteenth birthday, Niki-han.”

“You always manage to hide things from me so well.” Niki chuckled accepting the box. He carefully undid the ribbon that held the box shut and opened to reveal a very colorful homemade book. On the first page, ‘Niki’s Kitchen’ was carefully written. Niki thumbed the pages and there were so many beautifully plated meals with captions in varying lengths about what happened the day it was made. But perhaps the best was the first under the desserts section, a very vibrant fruit gelatin with a fluffy layer of cream on top; the very same one they made together the first night they met. Birthday Gelatin it read:

‘You and I had only just met when you had me help in the kitchen right away for your birthday dinner. You were a real weird kid!  It was the first time I ever worked in a kitchen so I made a few mistakes. You, however, were patient and taught me how to make it step by step even if you really pissed me off with that stool bullshit…”

It continued to go on in detail the ingredients used but also the taste and of course it included the first time they saw the lanterns floating in the distance. Niki carefully closed the book.

“So… do ya like it? I tried to make it as close as I could to what ya whip up, and even borrowed some of them sketches for the desserts ya sometimes make when you’re cookin’ up a new recipe. Of course I couldn’t fit everything since ya make so much food and it would have been too hard to hide this from ya–” Kohaku’s rambling was cut short by Niki’s warm hug.

“I love it! It's perfect! This is like my first cookbook! I could add the recipes and we can tie them together!”

Kohaku smiled and returned the hug with a nod. “It was supposed to be a kitchen memoir but… That's easy enough to do, I have some leftover pages. It's a promise then. I guess that means we’ll add ‘cookbook’ to the title.”

“Mhm! When we get back!” Niki broke away from the hug and placed the book on his bed. “It's time to go.”

Soon they were in front of the window sill. Bag packed and ready while their guide waited for them. Kureib paused as he was about to go over the window sill.

“Hold on, we're missing the most important part.”

“What? We have enough food. Didn’t I bring enough? Kohaku packed the first aid kit too.”

“Sure food is important and all that– but Niki-kyun, we haven’t finished agreeing to our deal.” Kureib stuck out his hands, one of each of the tower duo. “Let's shake on it then and seal the deal.”

"Niki-kyun?!" Regardless Niki smiled, taking Kureib’s hand. “Whatever-! You’ll take us to the Prince’s Festival in the capital so that we can see the floating lanterns, then you’ll take us back home before Mother comes back.”

“And you won't betray us. You’ll keep us safe.” Kohaku added, taking Kureib’s other hand.

“And when you’re back home you'll give me my satchel, my artifacts, and my sword.” Kureib nodded, agreeing to the terms and conditions.

And so with the shake of their hands, their fates were now sealed.

Kureib laughed and used the arrows he had stuck in the plants next to the window sill to climb down. Really it was a miracle Mother had been so distracted with Niki’s gift she didn’t notice going up or down the tower. 

Kohaku and Niki on the other hand had a more efficient way of going down. Kureib looked up at the cascade of hair that quickly let down a very smug Kohaku. It wasn’t long until Kohaku was the one looking up at him.

“Oi! Weren’t ya supposed to be quick on yer feet, oh great Kureib-san. ” He drawled out sarcastically.

“Just giving you a chance to catch up, Shorty.” He shot back. Once he was at a safe enough distance he hopped off and landed next to him. Both of them however looked up seeing Niki stare back petrified. “Is he gonna come down?”

“He will!” Kohaku declared but worry betrayed his waning confidence. “He has to…”

Niki anxiously bit his lip. Well here it was. Time to leave the safety of his tower. Yep. Straight into the world of quicksand, bears, raging rivers, and cannibals. All he had to do was jump.

Jump!

Okay– now jump!

C’mon Niki! You can do it! Just–

He couldn’t do it. He would surely starve if something went wrong. What could he do with just a frying pan? Mother’s story of the two kids rang in the back of his head. The younger of the two was killed and no one knows what happened to the older kid having been betrayed by their guide. What if Kureib betrayed them? No, Mother’s warnings had already proven to be wrong. What if instead they were caught by the authorities thinking they were accomplices? I mean they were accomplices after all since they were the ones hiding the crown.

He grit his teeth when a strong gust of wind blew a flower past him. His eyes naturally followed the dainty flower land near Kohaku’s lantern painting. The lanterns seemed to call out to him encouragingly.

“Oh honeyed Prince, don’t you have a dream you want to follow?” The wind said sweetly in his ear. Mother always said to ignore the wind yet for the first time in a long time he understood its whispers. Maybe he really wanted to hear someone say he could. Just this once.

“I don’t deserve to.” He whispered back laughing weakly even as the wind kissed his eyelashes oh so gently. His eyes looked at the painting with longing before looking back at Kohaku and Kureib. Kohaku’s face was painted with worry. That looked about right. Yeah, he would probably be worried the whole way. He would be a burden to them both. Maybe Kohaku and Kureib would be better off on their own.

Kureib locked eyes with him and smiled at him with a small nod. How could he smile at him as if though he believed in him when they just met? Haha! What a weird guy calling him Niki-kyun so casually… Niki shut his eyes tightly and–

He jumped.

Chapter Text

“GYAAAAAAAAAA!!!!” Niki yelled at the top of his lungs louder than he had ever done as he held on to his hair for dear life. This was a horrible, terrible, no good mistake! Who knew gravity could be so terrifying! Why did he jump?! 

“Oh shit! Kureib-han help me!” Kohaku ran quickly to the other side of Niki’s hair and pulled. Niki had put his hair on the hook when he jumped but without someone holding the rest of his hair, at the rate Niki was falling he was sure to splat! Kureib quickly joined him and they both pulled as fast as they could. Niki felt the tension from his hair have him do a small bounce before he felt himself go up instead. He refused to open his eyes praying for it to be a swift and painless death.

“Open your eyes Niki!” Kureib yelled. “Let go when I give the signal! 3… 2… 1… NOW!”

“Nonononono!!! I don’t wanna!!!” Niki was a little too preoccupied shaking his head and shrieking that he refused to listen to the thief. What if he ended up as mashed Niki on the grass?! Then again what if Kureib did him a solid and caught him? Instead of following instructions; he dared to peek and found himself swinging gracefully still holding onto his hair, missing the floor, passing over Kureib, and instead swinging back up considerable height in a neat arch. For a wonderful two seconds he felt weightless before the inevitable call of gravity pulled him back down.  “NOOOOOOO!!! I'm gonna diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiie! AIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEE!!!”

“EEEEEEEEE- UWGH! ” Mercy finally reached Niki as his flailing made him smack straight into the wall of the tower. Niki, who may or may not have blacked out for a hot second, let go of his safety line and plopped unceremoniously on the grass face first. There, he remained still without moving a single inch.

“Niki-han!” Kohaku ran to him and shook him gently when he didn’t react. “Hey are ya okay?!”

“Oi, oi, where was this attitude for me when I was knocked out several times?” Kureib side eyed Kohaku who promptly ignored him whilst he too hovered over Niki. 

“...ste….ame…” Niki mumbled unintelligibly.

“Huh??? I can’t understand ya.” Kohaku paled. “Are ya hurt?”

“It still tastes the same…” Niki lifted his head slowly with a mouth full of grass, clearly eating it as though he were a grazing cow. 

“Ya absolute idjit!” Kohaku facepalmed so hard it echoed across the clearing but not as much as Kureib’s howls. The man rolled around the grass clutching his stomach, unable to control his laughter.

“Huh? But it does!” Niki sat up rubbing the back of his head where he hit the tower wincing; grass still peeking from the corners of his mouth.

“That ain’t what I meant! I thought you were really hurt! Not chowin’ down on grass!” Kohaku angrily grabbed as much grass as he could in one hand and stomped over to the laughing redhead. Kureib didn’t even get a chance to react when Kohaku shoved the fist full of grass into his wide open mouth.

“Ptoo– ugh! Bleh ! What the fuck kid?” Kureib quickly spat out the grass, hacking and coughing. Like a bitch if you were to ask Kohaku but since no one did, he wouldn’t say.

“It's what ya get for laughing yourself silly!”

“Ugh! This is why I hate kids!” Kureib rolled over to the small brook and washed his mouth with water instead. Again, like a bitch according to Kohaku. The wind laughed freely having a grand time as this stage play unfolded before it. How fun! The wind knew it did well in bringing the Blessed Man with the Honeyed Prince!

“Don’t be spittin’ in the water we’re gonna take for the trip.” He grumbled filling the canteens with water where Kurebi hadn’t spit.

“Nahaha~ Kohaku-chan sure has a lot of energy… I’m out of the tower–! ” Niki’s eyes lit up as soon as the realization hit him. He jumped up with his arms in the sky and ran around with no clear direction. “YAHOOOOOOO~! Kohaku-chan! I actually did it! I’m actually out of the tower.” 

Kohaku, who was ready to shove Kureib in the water, turned back to Niki. “Why am I even surprised ya bounced back so quickly?”

“Kohaku-chan! Look! Its the back of the tower! Oh–! That rock there looks like onigiri! The sky is really big!” Niki pointed at everything that caught his eye.

“Kohkohkoh… well I can’t say I don’t understand.” He smiled and followed Niki to the back of the tower though Niki was already running around taking in all the sights their small clearing had to offer. 

The tower had truthfully grown too small for him– or rather he had grown too big for it. It had been long since he could run around freely without having to be mindful of his hair getting stuck on furniture or of bumping into something. He was burning a lot of calories in all his running around but some other part of him was finally being fed what it had been denied before. It was all so exciting! The cool grass felt funny under his feet and the wind seemed to be playing with him as the sun’s warm embrace greeted him like an old friend. The flowers giggled, pleased to finally have the sundrop flower nearby. How wonderful! He gave off the same warmth his predecessor had! Eventually Niki went to the brook next to Kureib who had been watching him with a smile.

“Having fun, Niki-kyun?” He lightly bumped shoulders with Niki. Kohaku on the other hand stood next to Niki, keeping an eye on the red head. He didn’t like how familiar he was acting with Niki. They literally just met for crying out loud!

“I am! I’m outside! Really outside!” Niki’s smile rivaled the sun. Kureib felt the urge to look away. It was enough that the bright daylight was jabbing his headache… a bright smile like his jabbed his insides in knots.

“Is this your first time outside the tower?” He said instead, grabbing a pebble and skipping it across the narrow brook hoping to distract himself from it.

“Hm? Yeah it is.”  Niki sat on his hands and knees watching the surface before dunking himself head first into the brook. The water babbled baffled if not pleased. Oh how it would certainly brag to the earth. He took big gulps before he started choking on the excess water and popping up unceremoniously from the shallow water just above his knees.

“Seriously Niki-han? I just got done tellin' Kureib-han not to be spittin' in our drinkin' water.” Kohaku scolded lightly. Sure he had filled their canteens already but it was the principal that mattered.

“Nahaha~ sorry Kohaku-chan. There is so much to see! So much to taste!” He sheepishly scratched his cheek.

There it was. What was it? Well there was something so utterly endearing about Niki. Kureib couldn’t quite put his finger on. Surely this meant he had to keep a close eye on Niki even more. You know? To understand what it was about Niki.

“Heh… I can tell. You’re takin’ off like a dog with no leash on.” Kohaku chuckled lightly.

“So Niki-kyun gets a slap on the wrist while Kureib gets punished? How unfair. Guess I’ll have to take matters into my own hands.” Kureib said before splashing Niki with water.

“Hey! The rest of my hair is gonna get wet!” Niki scowled and splashed him back.

“Oh quit complaining, you’re already wet. You should have thought of that before dunking yourself in the water.” Kureib himself jumped in and kept throwing another wave of water at Niki.

“You’re just jealous Kohaku-chan got mad at you and not me!” Niki huffed, refusing to stand down. Seriously! Now his whole hair was gonna get wet! Kureib had no idea how much 70 feet of hair weighed when wet! Or of how many hours it took to dry!

“Kyahahaha! No, this is punishment!” Kureib made a point by throwing a personalized tidal wave at him.

As the two continued their splash battle, Kohaku shook his head with a sigh. “Y’all are acting like little kids. We got us a tight deadline if we wanna catch them lanterns.”

It's impossible to say who got the idea first. Maybe it was Kureib. Maybe it was Niki. Or better yet-- maybe they both connected on a spiritual level all to come up with the same conclusion. Regardless, Kohaku soon found himself underwater as they each grabbed one of his legs and pulled him into the cold water. Kohaku barely had time to react when he was spluttering to get back out of the water. Being shorter than the other two meant that the water reached his thighs! The older guys just laughed at him as he looked like wet cat. He shook from the cold but also from rage. With a war cry he jumped on Kureib.

“ARGH! Ya done gone messed up now!” He clung on to Kureib’s back like a rabid possum and tried to drag him underwater.

“Kid get off me! Hey you're gonna drown me!” Kureib yelled, trying and failing to pry the angry pink haired boy off him.

“That's the fucking point!” Kohaku almost successfully got him to lose his balance when Kureib lunged at Niki and held him tight.

“Kyahaha! Bring it on then! See if you can drag both of us down!” He cackled in Niki’s ear who started to scream.

“Wanna bet?!” Kohaku growled preparing to enact the beautiful art of suplexing on Kureib– and subsequently Niki.

“Kid– I’m Lady Luck’s favorite gambler.” He grinned confidently accepting the bet; bracing himself for Kohaku’s attack.

“Lemme go! Lemme go! Gyaahhhhh! Kohaku-chan! You’re gonna drown me too! Kill him, not me ! Stop! Stop!” Niki cried and struggled in vain to get out of Kureib’s grip. Suffice to say, Niki’s hair was absolutely completely soaked by then.

Laughter and screams filled the previously silent clearing like never before. A merry sight did it make for the wind, the water, the earth and its flowers to witness. Even the witch who watched hidden on the tower couldn't help but smile. Oh how lovely did the honeyed prince laugh among them. It did eventually quiet down into peace as all three got out of the water sopping wet. They laid on the grass letting the warm sun’s rays try to dry them out as they caught their breath. 

Well at least Kureib and Kohaku as Niki munched on a sandwich from their supplies. So much for saving it until Niki got hungry on the way. Here he was eating to get back all the calories he burnt when messing around with the other two. But… It was worth it. In Niki’s mind, it was exhausting but damn was it ever a delicious previously unknown treat. If this was an appetizer then he couldn’t wait for the full course. He smiled excitedly for the taste to come looking up from where he laid.

What a beautiful blue sky.

“Alright so here are some basic rules if we wanna make it on time for the festival. We can’t get side tracked like we did back there. That was like an hour lost to playing around. We're past midday already and based on how quickly Niki-kyun got tired: running or speeding toward the capital is out of the question. If you see anything interesting just make a mental note on it and on our way back you can play around again.” Kureib said as he guided Niki and Kohaku down a path off the main road. Ryuseitai was surely still on the hunt for him and with the tower duo with him as deadweights it would prove difficult to get away. The best case senario was to avoid the forest rangers altogether.

“Who kicked the bucket and crowned you king?” Kohaku scoffed.

“Would you like to lead the way then? Be the guide?” Kureib laughed.

“Tch– ‘s not like we truly need ya…” The younger boy crossed his arms, annoyed at that. Kureib could be the guide without being the leader. In his opinion, Kohaku made for a better leader. After all, Kureib was a wanted criminal and Niki was– well Niki.

“We’re on, in your words, 'a tight schedule' and you don’t have the luxury of three days to get to the capital and back in time for the festival. Soooooooooooooo,” He glanced back at Kohaku with a smirk. “You follow everyone’s favorite thief without whining, Ko~ha~ku-chan~ ♥️.”

“Don’t ever say my name like that again or yer spine is as good as snapped.” He shivered at the annoying way he said his name. Ugh! All Niki had to do was say the word and he'd get rid of this fool.

“Heh. You could be more like Niki-kyun who hasn’t made a single complaint so far.”

“...” Kohaku’s eyes widened at that. Niki hadn’t complained once in the whole time since they left their clearing. He snapped back and found Niki wasn’t behind them. “Niki-han?!”

A rustle from a nearby tree and Niki hung upside down from his hair with evidence of him eating some berries all around his mouth. “Yes, Kohaku-chan?”

“What did Kureib-han jus' say?!”

“Well–! I was listening but then I saw some berries that looked tasty and they are. Here, try some!” Niki jumped down with a handful of berries and ran to them only to be pulled back as his hair ended up tangled up on the tree’s branches. “OUCH!”

“Haa… Stay put or you’ll get yerself tangled up more.” Kohaku sighed, climbing up the tree, and began the tedious process of freeing Niki. This is precisely why Kohaku felt he would be a better leader. Kureib watched the pair in deep thought.

“Niki-kyun, let me see those berries.” He said with an oddly serious face.

“Huh? You want some too?” Niki showed the thief the berries in his hand with a slight laugh. “Nahaha~ just don’t eat them all since I got them for Kohaku-chan.”

“Niki-!" Kureib gasped and smacked the berries out of Niki’s hand. "These are poisonous!”

“*COUGH* HACK– No way?! *GASP* No way?! Am I going to die?! I feel fine!” Niki, who had just finished tossing one into his mouth, started to cough to get the berry out of his throat but he could feel the berry juice go down his throat without a care.

“That’s because these are slowan berries! They are named so because they kill slow and painfully.” Kureib nodded gravely. “First your hands turn purple before they start to tingle and ache, then you’ll experience shortness of breath, next the muscles spasms, and then the foaming of the mouth starts. With that your throat will close up but not completely, no– see you'll then spend hours in agony before it closes completely and then you'll die.”

“No way!” Niki looked at his hands and to his complete and utter horror, his fingertips were indeed turning purple. Now that he thought about it, his left hand had been radiating with shooting pain. “It's already taking effect!”

Kureib grabbed a hold of Niki’s hand to inspect it before sighing sadly. “I’m afraid it's too late… unless…”

“Unless what?!”

Kureib looked around conspiratorially before putting his arm around Niki; leaning close he whispered softly. “Unless you kisma.” 

“Kisma? W-what’s kisma?” Niki whispered, closing the gap Kureib had left between them.

“Kisma ass.”

“...”

“...”

“You asshole!” Niki shoved Kureib away from him aggressively, which had Kureib cackling wildly despite falling on his aforementioned ass. “I seriously thought I was gonna die!”

“Slowan berries? Niki be serious! It was pretty obvious I was messing with ya.” Kureib said between laughs getting up.

“No, it wasn't! It was scary! How did you even get me to have the symptoms?”

“C’mon Niki, all ya need to do is think a little. Like– your fingers were stained with the berry juice from when you were picking them. Your lips are also stained but you wouldn't know unless you looked at yourself in a mirror.”

“That's– oh…” Niki looked at his fingers and indeed they were stained where he picked the berries and juice fell on them. That still didn't explain the other symptom. “What about my hand pain? How do you explain that, smart guy?”

Kureib rolled his eyes and shook his head with a laugh. “It's from when I hit your hand. There is a nerve by your wrist that when hit on the right spot: it feels like an electric shock for a small amount of time. It's like when you hit your elbow and that shocking feeling starts. Just shake it and it'll feel better.”

Niki shook his hand with more force than he should have but he was just so angry! His poor berries were now scattered somewhere hidden among the grass blades all because of a bad joke. To his relief, his hand did start feeling better. “You're still an asshole. I can't believe you scared me like that.”

“It's deserved, Niki-kyun. The first thing I told you is not to stray or get distracted and it's the first thing you do.” Kureib said, putting an arm around Niki only for Niki to push him off, still angry.

“You were going on and on! How could I ignore delicious looking berries practically calling my name?”

“Easily Niki.” The playful tone from Kureib’s tone disappeared; replacing it was a serious voice. “You said it yourself, this is the first time outside your tower. You don’t have any experience foraging or gathering. There are poisonous mushrooms and berries within these woods. Someone without any foraging experience can easily confuse them with non-lethal lookalikes.”

“Then teach me! I wanna learn! I'm stupid and I don't understand many things but when it comes to food I can learn!” Niki grabbed Kureib’s vest and pulled him close. It was so easy for Kureib to say so when he had all the experience in the world. Niki had always wanted to go foraging and pick out ingredients himself for ages. He wanted to be a so-called spice hunter like the Cooking Bee King had once described in one of his books.

“Right now?” Kureib’s smile almost froze as his heart rate sped up to a now familiar pace. He just met the guy and here he goes again letting himself be toyed around by Niki. They were burning daylight at this rate but Niki’s answer wasn’t one he expected. He liked it. Kureib gently grabbed Niki’s hands away from his vest and rubbed small circles with his thumbs on them instead. “Niki, we don't have time if we want to fulfill our contract on time. If we still have time on our way back from the festival I’ll teach what I can. Hell, I’ll even buy you a guide on edible plants at the festival so you can study on your own if we need to rush back to the clearing.” 

Niki's scowl softened. It was still there mind you but with a lot less bite than before. “How do I know you're not just saying that?”

“You'll just have to trust me. But– in the meantime if you insist on stuffing your mouth with things you don’t know about, at least ask me before you do to make sure you don’t keel over dead. Deal?”

“And you won't lie to me about what is edible and what isn't?” Niki raised a skeptical eyebrow.

“Hey, I already promised your safety. That includes making sure you don't poison yourself.”

Niki's shoulders relaxed. He still wasn't completely sure Kureib wasn't just trying to get him to shut up about it but… he wasn't wrong either. The Cooking Bee King had said so himself that it can be tricky for beginners to tell what is and what isn't edible the first time around. 

With a sigh he ceded victory to the red head. “Alright… deal.”

Kureib grinned. “Then let's hurry on with this field trip.”

“Took you long enough.” Kohaku, who had long gotten Niki's hair free, had been watching the whole show from atop the tree. 

“Oh-! Kohaku-chan, I forgot you were up there.” Niki laughed awkwardly.

“I can tell.” Kohaku sighed and jumped down; landing next to Kureib. Without so much as a glance his fist had dug itself into Kureib's side.

“Fuck! What's your problem kid?!” Kureib reeled from the punch clutching his side.

“Quit complaining. I didn't even hit you that hard.” It wasn't a lie. He had indeed pulled back his punch. Kureib wasn't wrong in trying to pull Niki back in line, it was just annoying the way he went on about it. He had been ready to jump on Kureib from the tree if he kept with his lie but luckily he didn't draw it out too long. “Stop messin’ with Niki-han. Now let's hurry on up already.”

“Niki-han, these nuts can't be opened with yer hands. Ya gotta use a nutcracker.” Kohaku explained as Niki struggled trying to open some nuts he picked.

“Nghhh! If squirrels can do it, why can't I?” Niki said without stopping his struggle. He grabbed his cast iron frying pan ready to smash the nuts between it and a nice rock when Kureib placed his hand on Niki’s shoulder.

“Just save them for later. Just put them in your pocket and when you get the chance, open them.” Kureib reasoned. “I would have a tool to open them in my satchel but somebody just had to hide it from me.”

"Stop bringing up your satchel already!" Niki let out an annoyed huff. “Fine! They win this time but next time I’ll open them for sure!"

"Speaking of satchel-- you looked through my things, didn't you?" Kureib asked not really out of wanting to know but rather confirming.

"Does it matter?" Kohaku scoffed arrogantly. Cute. Real cute.

"So you did, got it." He snickered as Kohaku looked away annoyed. "Ya do look like the snooping type."

"I do not! I was jus' makin' sure ya ain't a danger, but looks like yer jus' a sorry thief!"

"Keep telling yourself that, kid." Kureib emphasized the word kid a little too much for Kohaku's liking. "Did you take off my mask?"

"?!" Kohaku nearly jumped out of his skin. Niki froze behind Kureib. Damn it! Yeah, he did. And he also ripped out a chunk of his hair but he couldn't let him know that! What if he took off his mask right there and then realized the burning feeling in his scalp was indeed a fresh bald spot? Kureib was annoying at best but they haven't seen him angry. Being such a high profile criminal meant his hands were probably stained in some way or just enough that he could pose a threat-- not him but Niki. He thought about his next words for a second; cooling his head. "Tch-- as If we'd be interested in that?"

"You expect me to believe that when, not just Niki, but you keep looking around with wide eyes?" Kureib said matter-of-fact.

"I'm keepin' an eye out 'cause you have enemies on yer trail, bub. 'Sides..." Kohaku grinned with faux confidence he pulled out of his ass. "Didn't need to. The wanted posters showed me yer ugly mug, baldy."

"I am not bald!" With that Kureib's smug composer fell apart. "That was a poster with artistic liberties! Do I really look like a balding middle aged man with a beef tongue out of my mouth?!"

"And if I said you did? Ya fuddy duddy. Old. Grandpa." It was Kohaku's turn to snicker emphasizing each insult like Kureib had the gall to do so with him. He stuck his hands on his hips puffing his chest out proudly. He wasn't trying to make him mad but-- well it felt good to dish back some of Kureib's medicine back at him.

"Grandpa?! Listen here ya little shit-- I am ONLY 20 years old!" Kureib's eyes widened comically before glaring.

"Like I'd believe that." Kohaku pinched his nose. "P.U.-- It smells like old man here!"

Kureib gave him an eye roll getting back some of his composer at such a childish insult. "Its coming from your diapers, baby."

"Geezer!" Kohaku refused to back off.

"Brat!" As did Kureib. 

"Old coot!"

"Twerp!"

"Bald!"

"I'm not bald. I have a healthy head of thick shiny hair! Hair as nice as mine isn't cheap to take care of. Do you know how many people would kill for hair as nice as mine?" Kureib pridefully flipped his mullet.

Niki was staring at the tree where he got the nuts pretending he too was a tree as they just kept insulting each other. It was kind of comical considering their height difference the way they stared down at each other saying such immature insults. But that last line certainly caught him off guard. Really? People were willing to kill over hair because it was just nice? Goodness! What would people try to do to him because his hair was magical?! Niki had one of his fears confirmed by the red headed thief. Alas, Kureib wouldn't realize this blunder in later on.

"Ya spend money on hair care? What like-- an idol mage?" Kohaku said with a raised eyebrow, crossing his arms. He doubted it was so nicely taken care of with how wild it was but he supposed that could be the style he was going for. Then again it was pretty soft despite how spiky it looked. Maybe he was telling the truth in that aspect. Kureib coughed looking away this time.

"Point being is the poster is a load of bullshit. Just look at my tongue, its normal tongue not a beef tongue." He stuck out his tongue at the younger kid. Kohaku stuck his back when he was hit by a realization.

"...Beef tongue... wait?! Is that why you were craving beef tongue, Niki-han?" Kohaku felt the dots connect staring at Kureib's tongue. Now with the attention suddenly on him Niki looked away with an embarrassed laugh.

"Nahaha... maybe? Can you blame me? It looked juicy!"

Kureib preened at that. In a flash, he was by Niki's side putting an arm around him, marriage bells ringing in his thoughts. "Is that so, Niki-kyun? Ya wanna a taste o' my tongue?"

"Ugh! As if!" Niki shoved Kureib away from him. Kohaku watched with a sigh of relief and a confused smile. At least Niki's antics got the situation under control.

Huh? Wait wasn't this all Niki's fault in the first place?!

“I should have stayed home. What if Mother comes back early? What if she forgot something and is there already?” Niki bit into some of the cheese they had taken for supplies as he sulked in his thoughts.

“Relax Niki-han, she never does that. She takes her sweet time coming home. Ain't no way she's comin' home anytime soon.” Kohaku said, picking leaves out of Niki’s hair. Niki's hair was surprisingly dry. Normally it took several hours for his hair to dry but it felt hot to the touch under the sun. Maybe it was drying faster because it was out in the open.

“There is a first time for everything! She’ll be so angry!” Niki couldn't notice as his head was bombarded with guilt. He could feel Mother's disappointed glare. The slap she gave Kohaku resounding in the back of his mind. He pulled at the collar on his throat. It served as a reminder of what he was doing. This was a mistake. This was a complete and total mistake.

“If Kohaku-chan says she won’t be back home and he’s traveled along with her loads of times then there is merit to his words, Niki-kyun.” Kureib said in thought. The glare from the gem on the collar Niki wore caught his eye. He hadn't quite noticed it before. Kohaku seemed to be wearing a matching one. They looked new but... wasn't there something odd from them? It seemed to tight on Kohaku as he spotted some bruising on his neck underneath the collar. He would need to take a closer look at a different time. For now they needed to get Niki out of his own mind.

It would have been more difficult to do so if they had taken notice of the trail of life that followed them. Since leaving the clearing, after a few minutes of Niki having passed, the surrounding areas bloomed in flowers. The trail that had been run down with human hustle and bustle looked like a garden untouched by humanity. The trees he climbed proudly boosted the greenest leaves seen in years. The very air smelled floral, sweeter, purer... Even the animals took notice following the trail hoping to catch a glimpse and maybe even a blessing of the "sundrop flower" the wind and flowers talked so much about...

“Woo-hoo! Kohaku-chan! You need to try this!” Niki said hoot and hollering as he swung from his hair around a tree. It had been ages since he had been able to swing with his hair like that! Oh what fun was it to do so again but this time with the sun and the wind by his side. There was no wardrobe or shelves to get in his way! No walls to keep him trapped. He was free! He was so free! How could he ever go back to that tiny cramped tower?

“Yer wasting time again.” Kohaku scolded with his arms crossed watching with an unamused look.

“C’mon Kohaku-chan! Just once!” Niki grinned in an attempt to get the young boy to follow suit.

…

“Kohkohkoh! It has been too long!” Kohaku laughed as he replaced Niki swinging around. Okay so Niki won and in the end he went along with it. Was it such a crime to indulge himself just once? It was stupid and childish but damn was he having the time of his life.

Wasn’t Kohaku supposed to be the one with a better head on his shoulders than Niki? Kureib was glad Kohaku was having fun and laughing in such a carefree manner but still. He rubbed his temples with a deep sigh. His headache that had not indeed been forgotten pulsed in frustration. Great another set back. How many of these were they going to go through with?

…

“Kyahaha! I didn’t think your hair could actually hold my weight!” Kureib swung around having the time of his life showing off with a controlled spin. Well just a bit of play didn’t cut too much into their travel time. 

Or so he hoped.

"You can always just make another one." Kohaku said gently.

"That's not the point! I hate wasting food!" Gone was the cheese and now the bread was being consumed by Niki’s voracious appetite brought on by a new worry and all the calories he was burning. He had just remembered that he didn’t leave the cake covered before he left and since he had jumped out of the open window, his most precious cake, labor of love, was now vulnerable to the elements and pesky pesky pests! His newest creation was probably being tainted because of his carelessness! From inside the convenient cave he took another big bite whining at his own stupidity.

Kureib looked at the shadows casted by the sun from outside the cave. It was getting later than it needed to be. They should be much closer to the capital by now. "I'll buy you a new cake in the capital, yeah?"

"That still doesn't fix things!" Niki lamented as Kohaku attempted to comfort him.

Quietly, Kureib addressed the wind. “Oi, are you gonna tell me why did you have me find, Niki? He is something special, isn't he?”

The wind remained silent only rattling the leaves of a nearby tree. It had been laughing along with them on their journey but was becoming the silent companion it normally played. It had been expecting the question but as for the answer? Why did the wind interfered when it was so used to being a spectator. Maybe it was because it was bored. No... it was because the wind found him. The Blessed Man had given the wind such a devious idea by simply being close enough and having that around his wrist.

“Love.” It breezed quietly and kissed his cheek. “Play your role well, blessed one…”

With that it fell silent and only carried with it Kureib's humorless laugh, Kohaku's soft words of comfort, and with it too; Niki's weeping.

“DON’T–!” Kureib yanked Niki’s hair to pull him back from a very pretty and vibrant yellow mushroom.

“Ugh! Did you have to pull my hair so hard?” Niki glared back at the thief.

“Uh duh! Those mushrooms are very poisonous. You can’t even touch them. They leave a nasty bleeding rash even if you just brush against them that won't go away for days.”

“Are you just messing with me?” Niki looked at him unsure.

“You’re more than welcome to test your luck. But– aren’t you a chef from what you tell me? If your hands are covered in an inflamed rash would you be able to cook so easily?” Kureib challenged.

“Hmmm…” Kohaku meanwhile studied the mushroom. “I reckon he is right, Niki-han. I think I saw this in a book.”

“Oh really? Nahaha~ oh well!” Niki happily walked away from the mushroom without a second thought.

“I promised to keep you safe, Niki-kyun. Don’t think I’d break my promise so easily.” Kureib said looking at him with piercing seriousness. Niki felt himself pause. Kureib smiled at him and winked before walking ahead, Kohaku close after.

Good grief! Why did that make him stop like that? There was something in Kureib's tone that stirred something in Niki he didn't quite understand...

Surely it was because he was hungry, right? What else could be this feeling that blossomed inside him. Who was to say? In the short time he spent with the thief, he felt like he was at one of those all you could eat buffets he read about in the books Kohaku brought him. Sometimes being with the thief was salty when he poked at him or Kohaku incessantly. Other times, it was sour when he remembered what he was doing leaving the safety of his tower that the thief helped mellow out along side Kohaku. Then there was bitterness when he thought about everything he had been denied stuck in that forgotten tiny tower. He was even made angry every now and then as the thief played his tricks but found that spicy flavor that came from that anger wasn't unwanted. Then he was laughing and the moments felt buttery and savory; juicy moments bursting in flavors the tower was devoid of. So tasty he wanted to have seconds and thirds. And then, of course, there were moments like now that were a confusing floral sweetness reminiscent of a chamomile tea sweetened with ambrosia honey. It seeped into every inch of Niki's being down to his bones and even beyond to the individual fibers of his everything-- its warmth wrapping around him telling him he wanted more...

Niki placed a hand over his lips in thought and then over his chest. His heart beat felt erratic as heat flooded his cheeks... similar to when he first saw the red head's expertly plated face...

Ahhh... he must be famished...

“Kureib-kun! What about this fruit?” Niki said pointing to a bunch of fruits on a shrub.

“Edible but much too sour.” Kureib hummed. 

Niki took a fruit and happily took a bite now knowing it was safe to eat. His face scrunched as the sour juice was more than Niki expected. His mouth even began salivating in excess! “Eeesh! You weren't kidding! But… an interesting after taste.”

“You've got to be one of the few people who would say so.” Kureib grinned. “There is a very similar fruit in Bandorica but honestly it's much better. It's less sour but tastes similar enough. It might be better if you ate one of those instead.”

“You've been just about everywhere, huh?”

“Heh. There are too many things to see in this world to only stay in one place, Niki-kyun.”

“Too many things to taste too I bet.” Niki said in thought. A passing cloud of sadness passed through him. "Tell me more."

"About Bandorica or about the fruits?"

"About your travels and the foods you've eaten."

Kureib blinked in silence for a bit. Again caught off guard. His travels? Really? What food he ate? Not what treasures he's stolen? "Heh. Normally people want to know about my great heists. After all, many people do consider me to be a living legend, ya know? I don't talk about boring stuff like that but--"

Niki frowned giving him a slight scowl waiting for him to continue after Kureib's dramatic little pause.

"Sure. I'll indulge you but only because I like Niki-kyun so much." Kureib grinned at Niki whose face relaxed into a smile once again eager to listen. "Lets see... the first place I visited after leaving the Ensemble Empire for the first time was..."

Kohaku watched the two from behind quietly. He bit his lip in thought wincing when he accidentally pulled where it was split. They talked on and on. Sometimes Niki. Other times Kureib. Sometimes they would laugh and others they would reprimand each other. The more they talked, the closer they got to each other. Soon enough their shoulders were bumping each other over and over. Eventually, Kureib put his arm underneath Niki's hair and around Niki himself when Niki was laughing at one of his dumb jokes-- Niki didn't pull away. In fact, he seemed to lean closer, taking a deeper breath as if still trying to place a name to the mysterious scent he talked about when the thief had been knocked out on their floor. Kureib only smiled wider with stars in his eyes and Niki looked at him the way he sometimes looked at recipes.

 Just what the hell was going on between the two? He didn't like it! He didn't like it one bit!

Niki reached into his supply bag only to find there was no more food. He looked twice. Then thrice. And even one time for good measure.

“This can’t be! We packed plenty of food! How come there isn’t more?!” He said in a panicked voice. He could feel tiredness settling in his bones as hunger began to bother him.

“Niki-han, you’ve been eating every few minutes. I think your stamina ain’t up to makin’ it through the whole thing.” Kohaku took the bag from Niki confirming that indeed there was no more food. This was actually really bad. He thought the sandwiches would at least tide Niki over a but they were some of the first to disappear.

“I knew it, I knew I’d be a burden if I did go out. I’m so stupid! How did I think I could survive out of the tower? I’m gonna die of starvation before I even see the lanterns!” Niki buried his head in his hands as a new wave of despair threatened to crush him as he slid down a boulder; a sob breaking free. Kohaku warned him not to get too excited but in his tree climbing, his running, his rolling down hills, and just doing so much of what had once been deprived from him, he couldn’t help but waste all his energy. He didn't even have enough self-control to to stop himself from eating everything they packed. Not even a single cracker remained!

“Listen Niki-kyun, I think it's time for a new plan.” Kureib said gently as he sat next to him.

Niki looked at him with tears in his eyes. “A new plan?”

“That's right. If at first one plan doesn’t go right all you need to do is work on a new one that will.” 

Kohaku closed the bag and glared at Kureib suspiciously. Kureib on the other hand ignored the glare.

"Yeah?" Well... that made sense... at least that's what Niki though listening to the thief and wiping his eyes.

“You don’t wanna see your mom upset right? Then in that case why don’t we elope and run far away from your Mother. That way you won’t ever have to see her get angry or disappointed. I promise to take real good care of you and I can fill your stomach up as your loving husband in my-- no our soon to be open casino. We can even adopt Kohaku-chan as our son if it makes you feel better.” 

Kohaku’s foot nearly stomped Kureib’s face but the fucker dodged in time. Instead the boulder sported a new crack. “Adopt who?!”

Kureib jumped up as Kohaku attempted to beat his face in one way or another. Much to Kohaku’s vexation he predicted where Kohaku’s blows would land, effectively dodging him without even looking. To make matters worse the thief kept his eyes on Niki as he kept talking while still dodging him effortlessly.

“Think about it Niki-kyun, I could keep you safe and well fed in the meantime until our casino opens its doors. I have lots of money from my jobs~” Well yes that but also he really didn’t want to be in Honeycomb territory any longer. He should have been on a boat merrily sailing to the Mankai Isles by now sipping on some rum.

“Stolen money!” Niki got up and threatened to join Kohaku with his cast iron frying pan. “I’ll never have a moment of peace! besides we can't get married; we just met! You promised to take me to see the lanterns and back! Say goodbye to your–!”

A sudden rustling in the bush next to them had Kohaku jump in front of the older guys ready to fight. “Show yourself!”  

Niki on the other hand yelped and jumped on Kureib’s back, clinging on for dear life. His legs wrapped around his waist and his arm practically choking Kureib as he pointed his pan with a shaking hand. Kureib awkwardly tried to balance the flailing Niki using his forearm as a seat for Niki to stabilize himself before he tipped them both backwards. “Bandits? Ruffians? The plague?!”

Hop. Hop. Hop.

A fluffy brown bunny hopped out from the bush and stared at the humans with timid curiosity. The flowers had whispered of the sundrop flower coming back but all he saw were strange looking humans. They told him to follow the trail of blooming flowers and so the little bunny had come a long way. Where was the flower? Oh but that hair! It radiated warmth! Then that human must be the new flower! He cleaned his face with a small paw to show it meant no harm and tilted his head oh so cutely! ‘Hello! Hello! Sundrop Flower-sama! Please greet this humble bunny!’

“Stay back, Niki-kyun. This is one of the most fearsome beasts out there; capable of hunting down even the wildest of wolves and smelling fear from hundreds of miles away.” Kureib very seriously but not before he snorted out a laugh as Kohaku turned beet red at the realization that he thought a cute little bunny was a threat.

“Nahaha… oh it's just a bunny.” Niki jumped off Kureib and reached out to the small critter who got close to be pet by what it believed to be a flower incarnated as a human. The bunny hopped closer, nuzzling his hand blissfully unaware of Niki’s thoughts. ‘A rabbit stew would be really nice about now. Or maybe slow roasted rabbit. Oh but rabbit curry is always good– it's my birthday tomorrow so maybe I can finally try my hand at hasenpfeffer… nahaha~ I sure am getting hungry thinking of recipes.’

Oh yes… so very blissfully unaware. Niki’s drooling went unnoticed by the happy bunny but not by Kohaku. “Knock it off, Niki-han.”

Suddenly, an idea struck Kureib like lighting right then and there.

“Say Niki-kyun,” He grabbed the bunny from Niki’s hands and gently set him away from Niki. The bunny stomped angrily as if cursing out Kureib from interrupting its pets. “think you can hold off your hunger for a little detour?”

“Are we almost there?” Niki asked, clutching his stomach as it growled painfully once more.

“Yep, just around the corner. It's just about the coziest place in Honeycomb; both an inn and a bar. The owner is also a swell guy. He and I go a while back. Met him on one of my days off. I later happened to work with one of his precious unit members and took such great care of the kid that the owner and I are practically best friends now. The best part of the place is that it's practically the midpoint from your clearing and the capital. We can take five, grab a map, restock on supplies, and be on our merry way within an hour!” Kureib laughed as he got Niki more and more excited. “The owner’s fried rice is the staple there. Oh but the tea and bread are nothing to scoff at. It's pretty tasty!”

“Really? Oh boy I can’t wait!” Niki walked with renewed pep in his step.

“This is… familiar… I think I’ve been here?” Kohaku said in thought. Kureib felt a sweat drop go down his back. This whole plan could go kaput if the kid caught on to the fact it wasn’t 100% wholesome…

“Have you now?”

“Hmm… Well, did the owner change a year or two ago? I know they were still fixin’ it up when I last swung by.”

“Yep!” Kureib grinned with new confidence. Perfect! Then Kohaku-chan was still in the dark about its other customer base.

“Aha! Then it's a safe place, Niki-han! The owner is a nice guy.” Kohaku said in relief. "Its where I got the fried rice from when we'd run low on food, remember?"

"Oh! I remember! It was pretty good!" Niki smiled brighter with more confidence in Kureib's choice of rest stop.

Soon they came to what looked to be the back of the establishment but there was a sign that clearly marked the establishment.

"Melty Kitchen? Hmm~ sounds tasty!” Niki read the business name. The colorful pink sign had its name written in curved dark purple letters and a large hoping black bunny was front and center.

“Huh? I coulda sworn that sign was white and blue, lookin' all cute with a yellow bunny.” Kohaku said in thought. Overall, it still matched just how cutesy and cozy looking the place was. It was a decently sized white building with a sky blue outline. There were flowers all around but most impressive perhaps was the large garden that housed some of the ingredients used in the menu and next to it what looked to be a very well taken care of bunny pen.

“That's the sign for the inn, this one is for the bar.” Kureib grinned, spotting a blue haired young man tending to a garden on the side of the bar. He didn’t seem to notice them quite yet as he hummed softly to himself lost in pruning the plants.  “Oi Majime-kun!”

“Eh? Oh Kureib-senpai?! I didn’t expect to see you here.” The blue haired man smiled kindly at him, if not a bit surprised. He was very pretty, to the point you might confuse him for a lady especially with his soft bob and the kimono maid outfit. If such a nice looking person could greet the thief that warmly, surely he couldn't be that bad of a guy.

“Senpai? Ya aint lookin’ like the school boy type.” Kohaku gave him a side eye.

“It's a long story for another day, Kohaku-chan. This Kureib-kun is a man of many talents.” He winked before directing his attention back to the inn employee. “The kid is Oukawa Kohaku and the pretty one here with the endless hair is Niki.”

“Hi! Nice to meet you! I heard a lot about the menu and I can’t wait to have a bite!” Niki smiled brightly.

“Oh! Nice to meet you! I’m Shino Hajime. I hope the food is to your expectations, I recommend the fried rice. Umm…” Hajime couldn’t help but stare in awe at the trail of hair that went on into the road. It was certainly very pretty but before got distracted he shook his head. “Kureib-senpai, I don’t think you shoul–”

“Is Nazuna-chan in?” Kureib interrupted as he grabbed Niki's hair in bundles. Kohaku soon doing the same.

“Ni-chan? He is but–”

“Great! I’ll talk to you soon but my friends here have been starving for a good meal.” Kureib laughed, pushing Niki to the entrance. 

“It was nice meeting ya.” Kohaku politely smiled and nodded a hello following the pair.

“Wait– Ni-chan is talking with–!” Hajime called out in vain to the thief when the door was loudly slammed shut the moment they stepped in. Oh dear… he had a feeling it wasn't Kureib or his friends that shut it like that. He was going to tell them that the reward for Kureib's head was too enticing for the current bar goers... and that an old friend of Nazuna's, a member of the royal guard, was having a meeting with him... “Oh well… I guess I'll have to go in from the inn's entrance… Hopefully this won’t be a headache for Ni-chan…”