Setsu

There wasn't even enough time to finish a full cup of tea before there was a knock on the door. Ki looked at me wondering if she should open it or not as I was currently not in my usual young master mode. I straightened my back and adjusted my outfit before I nodded to her.

I had only been in school for a bout an hour at it seemed trouble had already found me. When Ki opened the door I expected the royals or maybe even Sora and his crew but what I got instead was a guard with a blue cloak and an insignia that I had only seen once or twice.

He wore a strong expression on his face which was stern but youthful as well as short brown hair that had been trimmed into clean and neat spikes. In a lot of ways if it wasn't for his armor I would have assumed he was a singer for a famous band.

I was so busy admiring him that I had forgotten to listen to the conversation. Just who was he? What was his name? My heart began to race and before I knew it I was lost for words. Ki before long had closed the door and the figure of the soldier was nowhere to be seen.

I shook my head to focus myself from my daze as Ki handed me a letter. It was in an envelope that was sealed with blue wax. The symbol of a peacock was stamped in a fluid motion. Bold brushstrokes with red ink were written across the front of the envelope giving it an almost ominous feel.

I opened the message that was contained inside.

It only had a few words contained inviting me to share a dinner with the Vance students who had come to represent their country. It mentioned that we the dress code would be formal and to come at 8pm tonight if I was interested.

The words did not give away any of their intentions and Crown Prince Romeo had formally signed it in blue pen. I closed my eyes before placing it down.

"Young master does it say anything we need to be aware of?" Ki said looking at the letter and envelope.

I picked up the letter before placing it into her hands. Ki, Ren and even Loki took turns looking at it, each having their own opinion on the matter.

Ki said that I shouldn't go, Ren said that if I did go that I had to bring a guard and Loki just laughed playfully and said "What could possibly go wrong?"

[ Kibbles do you want some free grub?]

"Yes! I am drooling already!" Kibbles said as he jumped off Loki and walked over to my shoulder before nuzzling it.

I looked over at Loki with a triumphant smile before touching Kibbles gently on the head.

Loki looked at me as if I was childish and shook his head before shrugging his shoulders.

I poked my tongue out and pouted.

"Did you happen to get that soldiers name?" I said to Ki.

"I didn't, did you need it?" Ki replied in response.

"No no! It's okay… It's no big deal really!" I said flustered.

"Oh no big deal huh? Then why are your cheeks red?" Ren said pointing at me.

"Shhh!! I don't even know him!" I almost shouted.

"Yuki? Did you think he was handsome?" Ki said playfully.

"A little .. no not at all!" I said shaking my head.

" He was pretty handsome" Loki said in a cool tone.

I knew I was being teased but he really was handsome.

I was confused as to why I thought so highly of him but in a lot of ways he reminded me of a college student back on Earth. Maybe it was a sense of nostalgia? I couldn't tell all I knew was that I wanted to get to know him more.

I decided that I should probably go tonight and had Ki plan an outfit that would not look out of place at a palace while I decided to stroll around campus.

Ren had decided to come along for the journey while Loki stayed behind to take a nap. It had been a while since it was just Ren and I so I left Kibbles behind with Loki and Ki. The school was bigger than the both of us imagined as we strolled through we saw so many sites and sounds that I was not able to see on my last visit.

There was water fountains that had water energy gushing from them while people meditated near by, a lunch area that was twice as big as the average restaurant as well as garden areas that were full of luscious green plants.

Before long we became tired and wanted to rest before we could find a place to sit down there was a loud shout. Ren went to take a dagger out of his clothing and I shook my head. We walked over to see a ring of people.

After pushing our way through I noticed a very familiar face that currently was covered in bruises.

" How did a weakling like you even get into the school?" said a young man standing over Setsu.

Setsu went to stand back up before I rushed over to his aid.

Everyone paused for a moment as they saw me enter the ring/

" What happened here?!" I said looking at Setsu's swollen face.

" It is no big deal" Setsu said smiling

I stood up before glaring at the boy that was twice my height that I had assumed just beat up Riku's brother. Everyone around the circle had moved back an inch.

[ The only time having a villainous face comes in handy ]

" Who the heck are you new kid? You looking for a beating too?" The boy said proudly.

" Why did you beat Setsu?" I replied without answering his question.

" The poor don't belong at such a dignified school. We will lose face in front of the Vance representatives!" The boy replied angrily staring behind me.

" Yuki just drop it, I am fine" Setsu said as he tugged on my sleeve.

[ This is not fine. This is anything but fine! ]

I rolled up my sleeves preparing to beat the guy back in front of me.

" You think you can take me on twerp?" the boy responded as the could laughed.

" I don't think you can afford to offend my young master" Ren said as he pushed through the crowd. Ren next to the bully was just a little shorter but he still looked like he could beat the boy without trying.

" Ren stand back this one is mine!" I said angrily staring at Ren's back.

" Young master having you dirty your hands of a scrub is offensive, let me instead" Ren said as he looked back at me smiling.

" Who the heck are you?! My father is the head of Cm Leather goods! You think your young master has more face than me?" The bully said with a laugh.

" Hahahaha a leather goods owner is a peasant next to my young master! You just beat the friend of Yuki Akiyo! Princess Rosli fiance, General Reo's Grandson, and the next in line to lead the great soldiers of Tama you pig!" Ren replied with a chuckle.

[ Did he have to mention the princess? Urgh ]

Everyone in the crowd looked at me and started gossiping. I guess due to my illness I had never really had the chance to meet some of the more prominent members of society. I looked around and couldn't recognize even one face.

" You want to talk who is rich and who is poor? You are the dirt on the bottom of my masters shoe!" Ren finished with as the bully took two steps back.

" You're Yuki Akiyo?!" The bully said looking at me.

" That's me. Still want to beat me? You are welcome to try!" I said as I helped Setsu up.

" I don't think I could afford to" The bully replied sweating bullets.

" Then apologise to Setsu immediately!!" I said angrily.

The boy looked at the crowd who avoided his gaze then looked at me before he bowed and apologised.

" I am sorry" He said looking at me.

" Wrong person. Apologise to my friend Setsu." I said flatly.

I looked over at Setsu who looked embarrassed and grabbed his shoulder before pulling him forward to face the bully.

The bully promptly apologised and then went to run away.

" Is that enough for you?" I said with an eyebrow raised.

" Mm!" Setsu said before nodding.

" If any of you touch my friend in future be sure you can suffer the consequences!" I said looking over everyone who came to watch.

As quickly as the crowd gathered they had left and only Setsu, Ren and I were left.

Setsu looked at me before he wrapped his arms around me and gave me the first real hug I had ever received from him.

" Thank you Yuki! I didn't think he was going to leave me any teeth left!" Setsu said holding me.

I looked over Setsu once and realized they were all surface wounds before asking what happened.

What he told me left me utterly speechless.