13 Blinding Lights

Name: Yuki

Doki Dollars: 50

Strength: 10 ( Unlock: 15 DD)

Dexterity : 9 ( Unlock: 15 DD)

Magic: 0 ( Unlock: Unavailable)

Intelligence : 15 ( Unlock: 20 DD )

Missions:

5 DD: Complete sword and breathing techniques each day for one week. (Recurring Mission)

If someone told me a few years ago that I would be surrounded by beautiful people who went so far as to call me a friend I wouldn't have believed them. But here I was standing side by side with what I could only describe as living paintings.

To my left was Riku holding a paper fan. He was in a dark red yukata with brown trim. The sash he wore was also brown and accentuated his handsome visage. His hair was half tied in a man bun and held together with a red accessory.

It seemed like he was excited although he tried to hide it. I used my well-practised hidden stare as he looked towards the festival in front of us with wide eyes before he coughed a little seemly to hide the longing in his chest.

[ I guess Riku has a childish side to him. So Cute! ]

To my right was the princess, she had chosen to wear a kimono. Her hair was done in an intricate design that kept up most of her hair beside her long bangs which were plaited and tied with pink string. Her outfit was finished with a wooden comb etched with gold leaf in the shape of a majestic bird which held the style together.

She had grinned widely looking ahead of us. There were purple and black lanterns lining all of the stalls. She had pointed and made jokes stating that they looked like her brothers. The boys walking just ahead of us had smiled and laughed along.

Crown prince Leopold was wearing long black robes with purple trim, his black waving freely. It seemed that the princes' had decided to go incognito as not only the crown princes but prince Nathaniel's outfit was only a simple purple robe with black trim. This being said if one looked close enough they could tell that the materials used were impeccable.

It was decided that we wouldn't bring any guards as that would bring too much attention to ourselves. Riku had explained beforehand to us that the reason for going to the festival was to see how the common people lived. He had said that coming from a military family like myself, knowing the people whom you are trying to protect is imperative for being a good warrior.

The crown prince and nodded along seemly in agreeance with the lecture we received, he even asked a few questions to make sure he understood.

It seemed like the training the royal family children receives is on a whole different level from one stationed at my level. The crown princes' diligence and love of learning had left me admiring him a little.

[ Such a cute kid! ]

When we finally got to the event, the moon had come up, and the lanterns had all been lit one after the other starting from where we entered. The various stalls began shouting for people to visit and a small of roasted meat and deserts wafted throughout. The princess was in a bit of a rush to try each stall, so I ended up being dragged along.

After 10 minutes or so the crown prince had ended up getting worried his sister would run off, so he grabbed her hand, then the second prince grabbed the crown prince's'side. They looked like the perfect siblings as they walked along in front of me, slowly the gap widened and I was left a little behind.

I started to reminisce about my old family and my new and how much they contrasted. In this life, I had been given new friends a family that cared about me and the people around me that truly wanted me to generally succeed. Even my doctor would check on me more then he needed to.

[ This new life isn't so bad ]

I sighed.

The princes' and princess were checking out a trinket store, I watched them from a distance. A significant yet delicate hand grabbed my shoulder. I turned to see Riku crouch down to eye level with me.

" Are you feeling left out? " Riku said with a complex look on his face.

" A little bit... But it's nice watching them too. I don't have any brothers or sisters, so I am used to it." I said and shrugged.

Riku smiled and looked at me before reaching out his upturned hand like a prince would offer a princess. The lantern lights reflected beautifully of his features making him look more charming the usual.

" Yuki, I would be honoured to play the role of your big brother just for tonight... If you have me of course. " Riku's smile widened, and he blushed a little.

Not even a second had passed before kibbles voice had rung in my ears.

{ Abrupt Mission: Get 1 heart closer with Riku before the end of the night | Reward 50 DD }

Time had seemed to have stopped. My heart was pounding as I put my smaller hand in his. He nodded to me once, and he stood up. The stares that we got from the people around us were blinding. My face had gone a little red, and I moved closer to Riku for mental support. He laughed a little, and we slowly started walking towards our other three comrades.

I was baffled as to why Riku had done such a thing. Kibbles sounded in my ear at that moment and said" Hey Meowster, why don't you unlock his thoughts? Then you would know right?"

[ I had completely forgotten I could do that. ]

I had realised at that moment that I had been so busy trying to stay alive that I hadn't even looked at Riku's profile yet. I thought about it mentally, and his profile and it appeared in front of me.

Name: Riku

Hobbies: Blank ( Unlock per hobby 50 DD)

Heart Meters: 5/10 Green | 3/10 Red | 4/10 Black ( Unlock In-depth info 100 DD per heart)

Thoughts: Blank ( Unlock first thought 30 DD)

Kibbles Comments: Purrfect, Oh an Event!

[ How many Doki Dollars do I have ?]

" 50 Meowster" Kibbles voice had rung in my ears.

[ Oh, Okay unlock a thought please ]

{ - 30 DD Riku's thoughts unlocked | 20 DD remaining }

Kibbles had appeared in front of me after unlocking the thoughts before he sat on Riku's head. Kibbles opened his mouth and a voice sounding just like Riku's started to pour from it.

Ahh, his hand is so warm, did he blush before? Cute! -

Ooh is that store selling bracelets? I should get one for my brother -

I wonder if we can find some fish my favourite grilled eel! -

Kibble's mouth closed after a moment, he swished his tail a few times before he jumped off Riku mid-air. No one else could see what I could see, so Riku looked down thinking that I was staring at him. Just as Kibbles disappeared, I thought to myself.

{ 1 Like has been uncovered Grilled fish added to profile }

[ He likes grilled fish? I wonder if we can find some! ]

"Umm Riku," I said as I looked up where kibbles had last been seen.

He nodded to me as expecting me to continue.

" Can we find a grilled fish store. I am getting a little hungry" I said quietly.

The princes and prince looked at me, They must have overheard the conversation. The princes face lit up, while the princess stopped for a moment looking at my hand in Riku's before puffing her cheeks. I was the only one to notice though. Finally, the second prince has smiled a little bit.

Riku stared at as all and then nodded and said: " Right, let's go find some fish!".

As we walked around trying to find a fish store, we noticed a big crowd forming near one of the stalls which were blocking the road. We approached slowly trying to get passed.

All of a sudden we hear the words " The Sato family does not lie! We did not take your goods mam" coming from a younger girls voice.

[ Sato?]

I signalled to the others, and we pushed our way through the crowd to the front. What we saw were two young children. A young boy shielding a young girl from a bulky man who was glaring at them.

The young boy had a deep green yukata on. He has dark green hair and green eyes. From the looks of it, the girl behind him must have been his sister as she had a matching outfit with a flower trim where the boys were just plain dark green. The boy had slightly more masculine features and a plainer hair accessory.

The older man started taking stern steps towards the children. I looked at the scene angrily. Being bullied previously, I had begun to shake furiously.

[ It's not right for adults to pick on children! ]

I suddenly felt Riku drop my hand. I looked up at him, and he had patted my head to reassure me.

He then looked at the rest of the entourage and had told us to stay there before taking out his folding fan covering his face slightly and walking towards the middle of the two.