Chapter Text
The Hyoma royal family was beloved throughout the world. They were known for their kindness and dedication to peace, so when His Majesty was assassinated, it shocked the world to its very core. After their father's death, Chigiri and his sister were no longer allowed to leave the castle grounds. Guards watched them constantly, leaving them with little privacy. Even with security posted around every corner, the siblings always managed to sneak out and have a little fun.
One late Sunday night, a festival was being held in a nearby village. As Chigiri attempted to sneak out through his bedroom window, he lost his footing and slipped.Before he could hit the ground, a pair of strong arms caught him, looking up, he found himself staring into the face of an orange-haired knight with a broad build.
"Kunigami... what are you doing out here?" the red-haired prince asked with a nervous smile.
"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Kunigami replied, raising an eyebrow.
"I was just getting some air. Also, put me down!" Chigiri pushed against Kunigami's chest.
"Don't you have a huge balcony for that?" Kunigami asked as he carefully set him back on his feet.
"Oh, right... I forgot I had that." Chigiri let out an awkward laugh. "But I should get going, you know?"
"Nope." Kunigami crossed his arms. "I'm taking you back to your room. You shouldn't even be out at this hour it's dangerous."
"Dangerous? Inside the castle?" Chigiri scoffed.
"You were literally hanging out of a window five seconds ago."
"That's not the point."
"It kind of is."
Chigiri groaned dramatically. "Come on, Kunigami. There's a festival in the village tonight. I haven't been outside the castle in weeks."
"And that's exactly why I'm not letting you sneak off alone."
Chigiri frowned. "You're impossible."
"And you're reckless."
The prince crossed his arms and turned away with a dramatic huff.
"Fine. I'll go back to my room."
Kunigami narrowed his eyes. "That was way too easy."
"What? I can be reasonable."
"No, you can't."
Chigiri placed a hand over his chest, pretending to be offended. "Wow. After all these years, that's what you think of me?"
"Yes."
The redhead sighed. "You're no fun."
As Kunigami reached for the prince's shoulder to guide him back inside, Chigiri suddenly darted to the side and sprinted down the garden path.
"CHIGIRI!"'
"SEE YOU LATER!"
Kunigami groaned and immediately took off after him. The castle gardens blurred past as Chigiri laughed. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt free. The cool night air rushed through his hair as he raced toward the outer gates, unfortunately, he wasn't the only one who was fast. Before he could reach the wall, a strong arm wrapped around his waist.
"Got you."
"No fair!" Chigiri complained as Kunigami effortlessly lifted him off the ground.
"You literally tried to run away."
"It almost worked."
"Almost doesn't count."
Chigiri kicked his legs in protest while Kunigami carried him back toward the castle. Then, from somewhere beyond the walls, music drifted through the night the sounds of drums, laughter, and cheering echoed from the village festival.
Both of them fell silent. Chigiri's struggle slowly stopped.
"I miss it," he admitted quietly. Kunigami looked down at him.
"Miss what?"
"Being normal."
"I know everyone thinks being a prince is amazing, but..." Chigiri stared toward the distant lights. "Ever since father died, everything changed. Every guard looks at me like I'm going to disappear. Every servant worries about me. I can't go anywhere by myself”
His voice grew softer. "I just wanted one night where I could forget all of that."
For a moment, Kunigami didn't say anything, then he sighed. "You really won't stop trying to sneak out, will you?"
"Nope."
"And if I take you back to your room, you'll just try again?"
"Probably."
Kunigami rubbed his face."You are such a pain."
Chigiri grinned."...But?"
"But..." Kunigami glanced toward the festival lights. "If we're doing this, you're not going alone."
The prince blinked."What?"
"You heard me."
A smile slowly spread across Chigiri's face. "Does that mean?"
"It means I'm escorting you."
"To the festival?"
"As your guard."
Chigiri laughed and threw his arms around him. "You're the best!"
"Don't make me regret this."
"No promises."
Shaking his head, Kunigami led him toward a small side gate hidden behind the gardens. For once, neither of them noticed the shadow watching from the castle rooftop.A figure dressed in black lowered their hood and smiled.The village was alive with color, lanterns hung from every rooftop, casting warm golden light across the streets. Music filled the air as merchants called out to customers and children ran between the crowded stalls.
The moment Chigiri stepped into the village, his eyes lit up kunigami couldn't help but smile. It had been a long time since he'd seen the chigiri look this happy.
"Try not to wander off."
"No promises."
"Chigiri."
"Okay, okay."
Within minutes, Chigiri was dragging Kunigami from stall to stall.He stopped to admire handmade jewelry, sampled sweets from a baker, and somehow convinced Kunigami to play three different festival games.
"How did I lose?" Kunigami stared at the knocked-over bottles in disbelief.
Chigiri proudly held up the stuffed fox he had won."Skill issue."
"You cheated."
"I did not."
"You distracted the guy running the game."
"That's not cheating."
"It definitely is." Chigiri laughed.
The sound made something in Kunigami's chest feel strangely warm.For a few hours, everything felt normal the two of them enjoying the festival
then the fireworks began the crowd gathered near the village square as bright colors exploded across the night sky.The light reflected in Chigiri's crimson eyes as he stared upward.
"They're beautiful."
Kunigami glanced at him.For a moment, he wasn't looking at the fireworks at all, then someone shoved through the crowd.
Hard.
Chigiri stumbled forward.
"Hey"
Before Kunigami could react, another person slammed into him from the side.
His instincts immediately screamed that something was wrong.
The crowd was too chaotic.
Too crowded.
Too perfect.
"Chigiri!"
The prince turned.
And froze.
The people around him suddenly seemed unfamiliar.
A hooded figure stood only a few feet away.
Watching him.
Smiling.
A chill ran down Chigiri's spine.
The stranger took a step forward.
Then another.
Without thinking, Chigiri backed away.
The figure continued following.
"Kunigami-!"
A firework exploded overhead, drowning out his voice.
The hooded stranger lunged.
Strong fingers grabbed Chigiri's wrist.
His heart stopped.
Before the figure could pull him away, another hand shot forward and seized the attacker's arm.
Kunigami.
His expression was colder than Chigiri had ever seen.
"Let him go."
The stranger chuckled.
"Or what?"
The knight's grip tightened.
The attacker's smile disappeared.
Crack.
A sharp sound echoed between them.
The hooded figure immediately released Chigiri and jumped backward several nearby villagers turned toward the commotion, the stranger clicked their tongue.
"Another time, then."
And before anyone could stop them, they vanished into the crowd.
Kunigami immediately stepped in front of Chigiri.
"Are you hurt?"
"No..."
His voice shook slightly.
Kunigami's jaw tightened.
That hadn't been a random thief.
He knew it.
The stranger had come specifically for Chigiri and if someone had tracked the prince all the way to the festival... Then this night had just become a lot more dangerous than either of them expected.