"Who, me? I just met Shichen," La Folia said, still hugging his arm and clearly not planning to let go.
"You're already calling him that intimately… Your Highness, why are you holding on to Shichen?" Kirasaka Sayaka frowned, unable to help herself.
"What's the issue~?" La Folia replied, unfazed.
"It's a big issue! And he's dangerous—Your Highness, step away from him!"
"Oh? Sayaka, are you warning me because he's dangerous—or because you don't want me hugging him?" La Folia asked with a sunny smile.
"Eh? I—what's the difference?" Sayaka faltered.
"The difference is whether you're jealous," La Folia said, matter-of-fact.
"Jealous? As if! Why would I be jealous!" Sayaka shot back, voice a pitch too high.
"If you're not, then I don't have to let go," La Folia said cheerfully.
"Your Highness… Shichen, what exactly did you do to her?" Sayaka swung around and barked at him.
"I'd like to know that myself," Shichen said, trying to spread his hands—only to bump into La Folia's softness—and settled for a shrug.
"Shichen didn't do anything. He just saw all of me, that's all~" La Folia reported happily.
Shichen: "…"
"What? Your Highness, what do you mean?" Sayaka stared, sure she'd misheard.
"Exactly what it sounds like."
"Your Highness… Shichen! How could you do that to her! What are you even doing! I asked you to come rescue us and you—aaagh!"
Fuming, Sayaka grabbed Shichen by the collar and shook him.
"Wait—there's a misunderstanding," Shichen said, catching her hand with his free one.
"What misunderstanding could there be?"
"Not my fault. When I found her, she happened to be bathing."
"Couldn't you not look? I'm guessing you did—and stared, didn't you?"
"That's true," he admitted with a nod.
"You actually admit it? You pervert!" Sayaka gritted her teeth.
"What are you mad about?" Shichen asked, amused.
"Me? I'm not mad…" Sayaka's heart lurched; she turned her eyes away.
Shichen tilted her chin up so she had to look at him.
"W-what are you doing?" Her cheeks went crimson.
"Want."
"?"
"Hehe~ Sayaka, you do have something going on with Shichen," La Folia teased.
"S-something going on? Absolutely not! Don't say nonsense, Your Highness!"
"Come on, I'm not stupid. If there wasn't something, could you call him out here? I don't believe the Fifth Primogenitor comes running for just anyone."
"That's… you don't know—this guy's got free time. He usually has nothing to do."
"Well, he is a P.E. teacher," La Folia quipped.
"Seems you've done your homework on me," Shichen said, eyeing her.
"At first I was a little scared of you. What if I made you angry? I only came to Itogami to find someone."
"Kanon, right?" Shichen cut straight through.
"Knew I couldn't fool you. Yes, I'm here for Kanase Kanon… How did you know?"
"Please. You and Kanon look so alike. If I couldn't guess, I'd be an idiot," he said, rolling his eyes.
"Sounds like Sensei knows Kanase Kanon very well."
"Kanon's living with me now."
"Eh?"
"Eh?"
Sayaka and La Folia spoke in unison.
"Shichen, what do you mean, 'living with you'? What happened? You snatched another girl home? Isn't Yukin—no, isn't SAYAKA enough?"
"Exactly what I said. Kanon is mine now. I won't let anyone take her—not even her blood relatives," Shichen said, giving La Folia a meaningful look.
"You even know that?" La Folia was genuinely surprised.
"You're Kanon's niece, right?"
"Nothing gets past you," La Folia said with a wry smile. "This is my grandfather's mess… It concerns the royal family's face. I had to confirm it myself—this isn't something we can hand off to outsiders."
"So what's the plan? Cover it up and dispose of the body?"
"Of course not. I'd never allow that—Kanon is my aunt. And besides, it's too late to 'cover things up' now. Your aunt has already caught your eye, hasn't she? She belongs to you. We're not about to bring ruin on ourselves," La Folia said, shaking her head.
"S-so it's true…" Sayaka looked like she couldn't accept it.
"You're awfully greedy—trying to keep me all to yourself," Shichen said, flicking Sayaka's forehead lightly.
"Don't put words in my mouth. When did I say that? Don't slander me."
"Really? You said it. No getting jealous, then."
"G-get…?"
Sayaka froze, realizing what she might have implied. Shouldn't she have denied any connection with him? How did this turn into "not wanting to monopolize him"?
"Didn't think you were that generous, Sayaka," La Folia said, equally surprised.
"Of course I am. I'm generous, too," La Folia added—then her eyes sparkled as she looked at Shichen.
"Are you just giving yourself away?" Shichen arched a brow.
"How is it 'giving myself away'? I'm just a rather traditional woman," La Folia said with a graceful smile.
"Traditional?"
"Since you've already seen me—every last bit—shouldn't you take responsibility?"
"…That traditional? Weren't you just saying if I weren't who I am, you would have killed me?"
"But I can't kill you—so I'll just marry you," she said, as if it were obvious.
"…"
"What? Don't believe me?"
"Hard to—hmm?"
He didn't finish—his mouth was suddenly covered. Up close was La Folia's face—like Kanon's, but more mature. She'd stolen a kiss. So direct… He liked it.
She didn't push it; she broke away, cheeks pink, and licked her lips with a sultry smile. "That was my first kiss, you know~"
"Y-Your Highness? What are you doing? How can you—" Sayaka burst out first, stunned.
"Don't be jealous, Sayaka~ We can be good sisters."
"Good… sisters?" Sayaka didn't catch her meaning.
"As in, share Shichen. He's the Fifth Primogenitor—he won't belong to just one woman," La Folia said breezily.
"Share—what are you even saying!" Sayaka flushed scarlet—this girl's words were outrageous.
"Don't be shy. Didn't you just say you wouldn't monopolize him?"
"I—that was…" Sayaka opened and closed her mouth, at a loss.
"Hehe~ Then let's all get along from now on," La Folia said.
"…" Sayaka fell silent for a second—then glared daggers at Shichen.
Look what you've done.
How is this my fault? Shichen looked back at La Folia. "You're serious?"
"Of course. Better than marrying some stranger in a political union. You're not as terrifying as I expected—easy to be around, very handsome—and, crucially, you've already seen me," La Folia said, perfectly serious.
"Is that so…"
He wasn't sure he believed it. Who just gives themselves away like that? Anyone really that traditional? Then again—royalty, and he was the Fifth Primogenitor—the apex of this world. Whether she meant it or not, he didn't mind. He was interested in her anyway; if she'd said this much, he had no reason to refuse.
"If you say so, I'll take it as true."
"Mm." La Folia smiled and leaned in to peck him again.
"Getting addicted to kissing, are we?"
"Well~ I've discovered kisses are quite… stimulating," she said, batting her lashes.
"What's stimulating about kissing…" Sayaka muttered, biting her lip.
"So you have tried it, Sayaka? I knew you and Shichen weren't just friends. Still denying it… tsundere, then."
"T-tsundere?! I'm not!"
"You won't fool me~"
"…"
"La Folia, don't tease Sayaka. She embarrasses easily."
"Alright, alright. So what now—head back to Itogami?"
"Give it a minute. I've got a gift for you."
"A gift?"
"Let me get you some payback."
~~~
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