Toki Meki Crisis

It was early in the next day when Corissa approached him nervously with a question.

"Roko, may I ask you for your help for a second?"

"What is it?" he answered.

"Can you come with me to go see Roland?" Corissa asked, "I want to apologize for stabbing him when I was controlled."

"...Well it wasn't really your fault for that but I guess that's not what matters does it?"

Corissa nodded.

"...I can see why you'd want me to come along." Roko sighed, "Alright. But we better get take Helena along. And make sure Varis is also there."

"I agree with Helena but isn't three people a bit overkill?" Corissa tilted her head.

"Honestly, we could have the whole village here and it still might not be enough."

"You really don't like Roland do you?"

"What has he ever done for me?"

In the end, Roko and Helena were the only ones to accompany Corissa to Roland who was standing outside a blacksmith's store, looking over all the swords and armors as he ate an apple. He noticed the three of them approaching and turned to them with a smile, "Hey! We doing something?"

"Umm..." Corissa fidgeted nervously for a bit as Roko and Helena stood behind her, "I've um...I've actually come to apologize. For stabbing you in the shoulder. I know I wasn't really in control at the time but it's still my fault. I'm sorry."

"What is that it?" Roland took another bite from his apple as Corissa bowed, "Nah, it's fine. It wasn't your fault at all and I've had worse."

"Still..." Corissa said as she straightened up again, "If there's anything I can do to make it up to you, please let me know!"

Roland's apple fell out of his hand as he stood, stunned by the proposition. His face began to grow a little flush and his eyes darted over Corissa's body before they suddenly shot up and reaffirmed the presence of a very stern Roko and a very apprehensive Helena.

"C-Can I-ahem." Roland tried his best to regain his composure, "Can I touch y-your-"

Corissa looked confused while Helena looked ready to murder Roland.

"I-I mean umm..." Roland coughed, "I mean can...can I uh...can I get a hug?"

Corissa blinked before she turned to look at Roko and Helena. The two chaperons look at each other and shrugged before Helena gave a somewhat reluctant thumbs up.

"Okay!" Corissa said happily as she turned around back to Roland, "I love hugs! Come here!"

Corissa stretched out her arms and went in for a hug before Roland was able to even lift both of his arms. As Corissa hugged Roland with an innocent smile on her face, Roland continued to look out into the air in stunned fervor. His arms still hung perpendicular to his body, not yet returning Corissa's hug but as his face began to show the very perverse enjoyment he was getting out of the situation, his arms began to inch closer around Corissa.

"Alright, that's enough!" Helena called as she pulled Corissa off Roland, "Satisfied?"

"Hm?" Corissa looked confused, "Um...sure?"

"I..." Roland looked like he wanted to say something but settled with, "Sure."

"Right, well I think we can use some more supplies so me and Roland will be going shopping for a bit."

"Oh! I'll come with!" Corissa said, completely clueless, "Roko do you want to come along?"

"I think I'd better." Roko sighed.

"Right that's 20 apples." Helena sighed as she put the last fruit in her basket, "That should be enough for now. Roland, go pay for these."

"How am I supposed to do that?" Roland said as he held like five bags in each hand.

"Just...here!" Helena grabbed the bags on one of Roland's hands and moved them up to his forearm, placing the apples in his now free hand.

"And what about the wallet?" Roland frowned, "How am I supposed to pay without bending my arms?"

"God, fine! I'll hold the bags and you go pay for the apples!"

"Well now I feel bad." Roland muttered as Helena took the bags from him.

"What was that?" Helena snapped.

"Nothing! I'm going!" Roland said as he quickly ran over to the counter.

"...You want me to hold a few bags?" Roko offered.

"Nah, this is Roland's problem." Helena scoffed.

"I almost feel bad for Roland. Almost."

"Hey guys!" Corissa strode up to them cheerfully, "Do you think we can buy a pineapple?"

"A pineapple?" Helena frowned, "Why?"

"I could make a ton of neat dishes with a pineapple."

"I dunno, seems like it'd be kind of annoying to store."

"I'm back." Roland said as he returned with the newly purchased apples, "Oh, are we buying that pineapple too?"

"Do you think we should?" Corissa asked, her enthusiasm dampered a little, "I might be able to make some new dishes with this but it could be troublesome to store."

"No problem, I'll buy it for you!"

"Really?!" Corissa said surprised, "But how do we store it?"

"I'll carry it!" Roland gave Corissa a thumbs up as he flashed a winning smile at her, "No problem!"

"Here."

Roland cried out in surprise as Helena shoved the bags back into his hands, throwing him off balance.

"Well, if it's only one it shouldn't be that much trouble." Helena said as she turned back to Corissa, "Go ahead and buy it."

"Okay!" Corissa smiled happily as she ran off to the counter.

"Hey, Roko, you want to hold some of these bags?" Roland winced.

"I've been told that this is your problem."

"By who?!"

"More importantly, Roko." Helena said, "Do you see them?"

"I've noticed them for quite a while." Roko sighed.

"Notice what?" Roland looked around.

"Don't look for them, idiot!" Helena slapped Roland on the arm.

"What? What are you talking about?!" Roland scowled as he tried to act innocuous.

"Corissa's fanclub." Roko sighed deeply, "They've been following us ever since we began shopping."

"Oh, those guys are back?"Roland smirked, "You want me to chase them off?"

"They'd just come back, thinking they're sneaky." Helena said, "No if we want to get rid of them, we have to come up with a plan. Which means-"

"Group meeting!" Helena grinned as she addressed everyone standing around her in the middle of their inn's backyard.

"Where are your parents, Corissa?" Momo asked.

"They left already." Corissa sighed, "They can only be away from the castle for so long."

"Shame." Kaguya chuckled, "I think they would be very interested in what we're about to discuss today."

"Why?" Corissa blinked, "Wouldn't they just call the police on them?"

"Well, that's certainly one option." Helena smiled, "But I think we all know what the more effective plan is."

"What's more effective than jail?" Roland frowned.

"Well for one, we actually have to catch them." Kaguya explained, "And these voyeurs are pretty skittish already. Even if we do catch them, they could break out, legally or illegally and be back on our tails. Honestly, we might not be able to get rid of them in conventional ways."

"So what are the unconventional ways?" Roland scoffed.

Momo, Kaguya and Helena all turned to look at Roko who did not look happy to be there.

"No." Roko said.

"So these people are only around out of their love for Corissa." Helena explained, "She's like an idol to them."

"They may not be brave enough to commit to a relationship but in the end, that's how they see Corissa." Kaguya continued.

"No." Roko repeated.

"I know you've thought of this, Roko." Helena teased, "You and your penchant for permanent solutions."

"This solution isn't permanent by any means."

"But it's more of a cure than any other plans that would just be addressing the symptoms." Momo giggled.

"Wait, I don't get it." Corissa said, confused, "What's the plan?"

The princesses in the know just stared at Roko as if anticipating him to say it. Roko sighed,

"We make a show of Corissa pretending to have a boyfriend to shatter their preconceptions of her."

"Oh." Corissa looked down and covered her cheeks as her face began to burn red.

Momo, Helena and Kaguya clapped with a smile that almost seemed to mock Roko from his perspective.

"Sooooo..." Helena nodded, "For the role of Corissa's fake boyfriend..."

Roland's hand shot up.

"Not you Roland." Helena said without even looking at him.

"Well why not?!" Roland cried.

"We actually want this plan to work. So whoever takes the role has to actually have chemistry with Corissa."

"I know chemistry! Did you know pure sodium explodes when exposed to water?!"

"Roland, I know you know what kind of chemistry we're talking about."

"Well wait, hold on, Corissa stabbed me remember?"

"Yeah and I'm tempted to let Corissa do that again."

"Now hold on, I feel like I deserve something after getting attacked like that."

"Yeah you did. You got a hug."

"Now that's not fair, if I knew this was going to happen I would have saved my favor for this!" Roland said as he pulled off his armor to show off his bandaged shoulder, "Look! I'm still healing!"

"If we're going by wounds, Roko took a lot more damage than you did." Helena scoffed, "And you don't see Roko taking his shirt off."

"As much as we'd appreciate it." Momo said.

"What?" Roko looked up.

"Nothing." Momo giggled, "Point is we need this to be believable and there's nobody better for this than Roko."

"Now hold on." Roko said this time, "It still doesn't have to be me. What about Varis?"

"We all know Varis can't talk, Roko." Helena smiled, "Even ignoring that, everyone who knows Corissa knows Varis is her knight. Corissa going around with her knight wouldn't raise any suspicions at all."

"Well what about Mikado?"

"Not to disparage my own knight but I don't think Mikado has ever even spoken a word to Corissa." Kaguya chuckled, "Mikado's a shy sort. There's no way he'll make a good fit for this operation."

"...We can get Kress from the school and-"

"The etiquette teacher?" Helena laughed, "He's pretty popular, sure, but are you really saying we haul him all the way out here from Memoria Auspice? Just to play this little part?"

"Roko, a shocking event like the one we're coordinating is sure to make them start investigating." Kaguya explained, "Anybody worth their salt would find out Kress is a teacher and the plan would be moot. Face it, the best person for this job isn't just someone who can get along with Corissa but someone whose background cannot be verified. If they find out who this boyfriend is, they can plan a counterattack. Slander and rumors. If all they know is that you're her boyfriend, that's all they will focus on, making the plan more effective. I think this point is the most damning one."

"..." Roko took a long moment to consider her words, "...There has to be another plan we can use."

"See, he doesn't want to do it!" Roland quickly jumped in, "I'll do it! I volunteer as tribute!"

"Roland, I will kick your teeth in if you don't shut up." Helena snapped, "Roko, I know you came to the same conclusion as us way long ago. All this was just a formality. If you keep resisting this much, you're going to hurt Corissa's feelings."

Roko glanced towards Corissa who quickly looked away from him, trying to act as if she wasn't watching him this entire time.

"...Fine."

Momo, Helena and Kaguya threw their hands up in triumph.

"But only so Roland can't do it."

"Dude, what did I ever do to you?!"

Once Roko agreed to the plan, the details of the rest of the plan was kinda glossed over with a vague "Just do couple-ly things." and the pair was rushed out the inn door after a brief fashionable touch up. Roko and Corissa just stood in front of the inn for a moment, both still not quite able to believe the situation they're into. Roko in particular felt irate at having to participate in this plan. I mean, yeah, sure, he couldn't think of anyone else that could fill the role on hand but that didn't mean he HAD to do it. There had to be some other plan right? Maybe he could challenge them to a fight? No, a contest? Nah, they have no reason to take up a challenge from him. There wasn't any good incentive he could offer. But what if-

"Umm..." Corissa spoke up timidly, "So...what do you want to do?"

"Doesn't matter." Roko replied curtly, "Just go where ever. I'll just come along."

"O-Okay..." Corissa looked concerned but she put on a cheery smile as she wrapped her arms around Roko's arm. Roko's arm twitched, immediately trying to pull away from her but caught just in time. And so their date began with Corissa taking Roko to shop at a clothing store. There, Corissa picked out various clothes and brought them over to Roko to ask his opinion on them. But Roko's answers were always curt and distracted with glaring back at the stalkers they were tricking with poisonous contempt. No matter what Corissa brought over, Roko was lost in his own disdain. Corissa scurried about, trying to draw Roko's attention, bringing him to various establishments: food stalls, toy stores, anything that could possibly entertaining but Roko continued to keep a careful eye on their stalkers, barely sparing any attention for Corissa. Eventually the day grew old and the time came for them to return to the inn.

"Here we are..." Corissa said as they arrived back outside their lodgings, "I had fun today. Did you?"

"Sure."

Roko's eyes were still rather distant, glancing occasionally at the fanclub that was still spying on them a few houses away. Corissa sighed and quietly moved around Roko until she was standing in front of their stalker's views.

"Corissa?" Roko said, finally taking notice of the solemn atmosphere around the princess.

"This way, they can't see me." Corissa whispered before speaking at a more normal volume, still out of earshot of her admirers, "Sorry. I know this is my problem that you got forced into and you didn't want any part of it. I'll...try talking to them and try to get them to leave. I'm sorry everybody kind of forced you into this plan. I wish I knew more people so you wouldn't be stuck with me. I..." Corissa's gaze fell downwards as her body began to shudder a little and tears began to leak from her eyes, "I'm sorry you didn't have any fun today..."

Guilt immediately gripped Roko's entire body, tearing him apart as he realized the effects of his callousness.

"No, it's not your fault!" Roko said, unsure whenever to raise his voice or keep out of hearing range of the stalkers, "I let myself get distracted. I'm sorry."

"No, this has always been a problem of mine." Corissa sniffed, "There's always a group of strange people following me and I could never bring myself to tell them to leave. I haven't seem them in a while because of school so I thought I could finally make some friends but I was always too shy and-"

"It's not your fault!" Roko repeated, grabbing Corissa by the shoulders, "Look, I...it's all my fault for ignoring you. I got too self-absorbed. This kind of is my first time on a date. As fake as it is. Look, just to prove that I'm not actually angry and to make it up to you, I'll..." Roko thought quickly, "Cook something for you?"

Corissa's eyes widened, "Really?!"

"I'm not a great cook so don't expect me to be as good as you." Roko scowled, already regretting his decision, "It's not much of an apology but it's about all I can do."

"No, that sounds great!" Corissa cried, "Are you only going to cook for me or for everyone too?"

"I-" Roko grimaced as he realized just what he had agreed to do, "I'll cook for everyone... Assuming they haven't eaten already."

"Okay! I'll tell everyone!" Corissa grinned, her mood having recovered fully, "Ah, Roko!"

"What?"

Corissa leaned in with a sly smile and whispered, "The fanclub is still watching us. Should we show them a kiss?"

"If you're feeling good enough to make jokes like that, you're plenty happy." Roko sighed as he patted Corissa on the head, "Go on in and tell everyone I'm making dinner. I'll grab some supplies and head right back."

"Can I at least get a hug before you go?"

"...Sure..."

Corissa gave Roko a hug that Roko made sure was not as long as Roland's before she turned to return to the inn. As Corissa left, she stopped and turned around to Roko again.

"What?" Roko frowned.

"I love you, Roko!" She called as she waved at him with a smile on her face.

"I...love you too..." Roko replied, unsure if they were still acting or not.

Corissa just giggled and ran into the inn. With her gone, Roko sighed and left the inn, "I really messed up this time didn't I?"

Helena's line from earlier came back to Roko's mind, "If you keep resisting this much, you're going to hurt Corissa's feelings."

Roko sighed again, "...I should do something shouldn't I?"

As he walked away from the inn, Roko turned and stepped into the alleyway where the fanatic stalkers had been hiding. Sure enough, three of them were still there looking quite displeased.

"Who are you?" One of them growled.

Behind him, Roko could hear two more people step into the alleyway from behind him, trapping him in this small hallway.

"I'm Corissa's boyfriend." Roko replied, trying not to outwardly cringe as he was inwardly, "I don't think we need to exchange names. We won't be seeing each other all that much."

"I know you've been glaring at us all day. What's your problem?"

"What's yours? Why are you stalking a poor girl so doggedly?"

"We're Lady Corissa's biggest fans! We're just trying to make sure nothing and no ONE suspicious happens to her!"

"What a coincidence, as her boyfriend that's what I'm trying to do as well. Feel like teaming up?"

"You're the most suspicious one!"

"Hello pot. It's me, kettle. Did you know you're black?"

"So you admit to being suspicious like us!"

"Wow, that's more self awareness than I expected from you guys. But the difference is that Corissa actually wants me around. Unlike you folks."

"Corissa's pure and innocent! She can be easily tricked by playboys like you!"

"At least I'm allowed to be within ten feet of her. Or twenty. Tell me, how far do you guys have to be according to your restraining orders?"

"We'll teach you to mock us!"

The fanboys began to charge at Roko.

Five Minutes Later…

Roko emerged from the alleyway, no worse for wear as he dusted off his clothes and hands.

"Now...what the hell am I going to cook?" Roko grumbled as he left.