September 1, 1563, New Imperial Calendar. Imperial Palace.
In a large Japanese garden on sub-basement six of the Palace, Orchids and sun lamps hung from the three-story vaulted roof. A row of cherry trees, bright red leaves, stood tall under sun lamps, either side of a path that led to a koi pond, west of the central column; it had a wooden bridge over it to an open area.
The path, made from stones that crunched under foot, continued to a small two-story teahouse, with a small play area behind it. The tea house made from entirely of wood had a large balcony and wooden shutters over glassless windows with wooden slats in the void. Its design was a pre-industrial style, held together not by nails, but hand-carved joints and a terracotta roof.
Inside the púca change room, Kaede sat on a rug on the floor, watched by a Knight, as he removed his soiled diaper, she tried not to, but she screwed up the face. Kaede, holding his breath, as he placed the diaper in a disposal bag. He raced to put it into the waste receptacle chute in the wall. Kaede wiped himself with wet wipes as the knight sprayed air freshener.
The Knight watched Kaede dress, he put on underpants, instead of a diaper, and he tied his laces. The Knight held the door open for Kaede, he bowed to her and raced out of the change room, to Takahiro, he was followed by the Knight.
In the teahouse, Czar Petrov, Lord Argon Agrovar, General Kenta Yoshida, Sky Marshal Rudolf Reinhart, Maharajah Arjuna Desai. Lord Takis Alexandris, Prince Georgi Vlasov. Lord Árni Tikkanen, General Siegfried Feygold, Admiral Viktor Niemi. Chief Yaotl Belaúnde and High Lord Dain were on the top floor, seated at a large table. There were three other tables, an assortment of food and drinks cover the first two, with a stack of gifts on the third. Emperor Takahiro sat in the middle of the main table with a high chair and an empty chair beside him.
“Where is my father?” Kaede asked as he climbed onto a high chair beside Takahiro. The Knight who followed him pushed him to the table.
“Your father is on his way,” Takahiro replied.
Lady Toshiko and Lady Abel arrived together; they placed gifts on the table in the middle of the room, and then they came to the main table. They both bowed to the Emperor.
“Happy Birthday, Prince Kaede,” Toshiko said.
“Happy Birthday.” Lady Abel said.
“Have you see my father?” Kaede asked.
“You thank them for the gifts,”, Takahiro said, in Kaede’s ear, “What did I tell you about manners?”
“Just asking,” Kaede replied.
“Prince Kaede, your father’s shuttle arrived at the New-Ghana Space Centre a few hours ago; however, due to the storm over Imperial City, his flight from there was diverted to New-Constantinople,” Viktor said.
“When?” A distressed Kaede asked.
“After the storm, has passed, it will only last a few hours Kaede,” Toshiko said.
“Why don’t you use magic to make it go away now?” Kaede asked in a high pitch shrill.
“Kaede!” Takahiro exclaimed.
“Just asking,” Kaede responded in a soft voice.
Takahiro leant towards Kaede, but Toshiko stepped between them. “It is all right my Emperor. He doesn't understand. Let me explain it to Kaede,” Toshiko said. She knelt, face to face with him and said, “Prince Kaede, magic had limits, and a storm is too big, even for me, the witch of the east, to blow away.”
“My father is trapped by the storm. Shouldn’t you rescue him?” Kaede asked.
“He is not trapped; he is safe, and the storm will soon be over,” Toshiko said as she placed her hand on his shoulder.
General Yoshiko leant over, “Prince Kaede, perhaps you like to go outside and play with my daughters?” Kenta asked.
“Yes, that is a good idea Kenta. Kaede, go play with the twins and the other púca,” Takahiro said standing. Kaede looked at Toshiko and blinked.
“I shall take him outside. Kenta where are they?” Toshiko asked grabbing Kaede by the hand.
“They are playing in the park behind the teahouse,” Kenta said as Kaede tried to pull away from Toshiko.
“I don’t want to play with púca. I want to read!” Kaede said stopping his foot.
“You are a púca, and it is time you went outside to play,” Takahiro said. He nodded to Toshiko who then picked him up.
“He had no diaper on under his hakama, I can fix that,” Toshiko said feeling his bottom.
“I do not need one. I can change myself,” Kaede said proudly.
“Do not worry Toshiko, he will fetch one if he needs one, so far he has not soiled himself,” Takahiro said.
Kenta stood and said, “I should come, I want to introduce him to my daughters.”
Toshiko held Kaede tight as he tried to wiggle his way out of her grip. She followed Kenta out the rear of the teahouse to a park with swings and a large climbing hill that had slides. Mako and Miko dressed in the same yellow, with black stripes, yukata, sat at a children’s table and poured juice from a teapot into tea cups.
Toshiko placed Kaede on the ground in front of Mako and Miko, aged six. Behind them, Sora and Akiko, aged four, came. They were pushing a stroller with Izanami, aged one, inside screaming with joy.
Kaede looked at Izanami, “Who is she?” he asked.
“I am Izanami.”
“She is small like me,” Kaede said.
“Kaede, behave,” Toshiko commanded.
“I am the same height as you,” Izanami said, “I know who you are, you are Prince Kaede, and today is your birthday. It is also my birthday, I am one, like you.”
“Are you from Lord Kenta’s clan?” Kaede asked.
“No,” Izanami replied.
“These are our friends,” Mako said.
“Izanami, Sora and Akiko are from Hashimoto House,” Miko said as she pointed to each girl.
“Oh,” Kaede said.
“We know that the home is for abandoned púca,” Izanami said.
“Tea,” Mako said handing Izanami a cup of juice.
“Thank you,” Izanami said. She drank it down and held out the cup.
“To your liking?” Miko asked as she took the empty cup.
“To my throne please ladies,” Izanami said.
Sora and Akiko pushed Izanami to the swing, Mako and Miko followed them, Kaede then ran after them and asked, “What are you doing?”
“We are playing princess,” Mako replied.
“Izanami is the princess,” Miko replied.
“I can walk,” Kaede said, and he ran ahead and got on the swing.
When the girls arrived, Kaede just continued to play on the swing. Izanami unclicked the restraints on the stroller, she left the stroller and climbed on the swing beside Kaede.
“So, can I,” Izanami said.
“I can change my diaper,” Kaede said.
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“That is so easy,” Izanami said rolling her eyes, “I can read.”
“I can read and write Kanji.”
“No way.”
“Yes way, Grandfather is teaching me.”
“Mako and Miko have been teaching us to read and write.”
“My father promised me I could make a wish on my birthday,” Kaede said as he swung, “I will ask him to send me to school.”
“Well, I want to go too,” Izanami said nose up looking ahead as she swung.
“To go to First-School,” Mako said.
“You must be six years old,” Miko said.
“But I am smarter than you,” Izanami said.
“This is enrolment week,” Mako said.
“We will go to The Imperial Academy,” Miko said.
“If I had a wish, I would use it to go with you,” Izanami said.
“Well I will use mine to go,” Kaede said.
“Go where?” Hiro asked from behind.
Kaede jumped off the swing and ran to Hiro, “Father!” he cried out.
“Easy, are you all right son?” Hiro asked.
“He is just crushed he meet someone smarter than him,” Izanami said.
“Ha,” Kaede said, “I have missed you, father.”
“I made Sora and Akiko push me in a stroller, while you walk,” Izanami said.
Sora and Akiko run off crying; Kaede said, “Not so smart now.”
Hiro said, “Come, let us open your presents.”, then he turned to Toshiko and asked, “Sort the girls out and then bring them inside, please.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Toshiko replied. She went after Sora and Akiko. They had fled with the stroller.
Hiro carried Kaede inside. Kaede leant over and poked his tongue out at Izanami, who was walking behind them.
“Son, when and how did you arrive?” Takahiro asked when they entered the top floor.
“I hitched a ride on a patrol boat to New-Odessa, the tube train to the city, and from there the subway to the Island,” Hiro said.
“On your own?” Takahiro asked.
“No father,” Hiro said. He turned to a Knight behind him, Hiro beckons. The Knight came to him with a small folding scooter. Hiro took it from her and then handed it to Kaede, “Sorry son, I didn’t have time to wrap it,” Hiro said.
“Awesome Father, thank you,” Kaede said.
“No riding it until we get you a helmet, I will take you once the storm passes,” Hiro said.
“Can I go to school?” Kaede asked.
Many laughed at Kaede, including Hiro, who looked at him confused.
“Sorry son, you are too young,” Hiro replied, placing his hand on Kaede’s shoulder.
“Mako and Miko are going,” Kaede said.
“General?” Hiro asked.
“Yes, they are already six,” Kenta replied.
“See son, they can start school when you turn six, then you can start school,” Hiro said.
“What if I use my wish for Izanami and me to go to school?” Kaede asked.
“She will go to school when she is six,” Hiro said.
“You promised me a wish,” Kaede said.
“Son, what did you promise him?” Takahiro asked.
“Father, Kaede sent me a message, he asked me if wishes were real. I told him about birthday wishes and wishing wells. He asked me if he gets to make a wish on his birthday. I said yes, now it seems he had taken it literally,” Hiro said.
“I see, in that case, until he is eighteen, you owe him a wish, a reasonable wish. That will teach you to be more careful what you say to him,” Takahiro said.
“Yes father,” Hiro said.
“So, I tell you my wish and blow out the candles; you must make it come true,” Kaede said.
“Kaede, it does not work like that,” Hiro said. He looked at Takahiro, then at Kaede and said, “It had to be something that I can do, and Grandfather approves.”
“Yes, Kaede, I do not think you are ready for school,” Takahiro said.
“But,” Kaede said.
“Kaede! You respect your elders and do not answer back,” Hiro said.
“Kaede, when you are ready for school, you may go,” Takahiro said.
Izanami poked her tongue out at him. Kaede asked softly, “Can my friends come?”
“Lady Abel?” Takahiro asked.
“If they pass the entry examination. But seeing how smart Izanami and Kaede are, I am sure they would qualify to attend school with Mako and Miko,” Abel replied.
“Kaede is a boy,” Mako said.
“The Imperial Academy is for girls,” Miko declared.
“Kenta, the twins do qualify to attend The Academy for Exceptional Students,” Abel said. She then said to Mako and Miko, “It is a school for the smartest male and female púca.”
“Girls, that is the school you will attend,” Kenta said.
Kaede looked up at Hiro, “Do I still get my wish?” he asked, “Can I have a wand?”
Toshiko knelt beside them, “Sorry, but magic had limits, to use a Wand, you need to be 18,” Toshiko said.
“Yes, Lady Toshiko,” Kaede replied.
“Son, time to go open your gifts. Think what you need, not what you want,” Hiro said.
“Yes, father,” Kaede said, “About my wish?”
“We will talk about your request later, son,” Hiro said.
“Good, now go open your other gifts and don’t forget to thank everyone,” Takahiro said.
As Kaede unwrapped his gifts, Toshiko went to Takahiro, “He has found his red shirt,” she said.
“Pardon?” Takahiro asked.
“His rival, someone to challenge and inspire him,” Toshiko said.
“So, you think he is the blue shirt? What makes you say he is the gentle one?” Takahiro asked.
“He is so much like you,” Toshiko said.
“Am I that obvious?” Takahiro asked.
“After all this time, you need to ask?” Toshiko asked.
“The Blood-Witches selected them, not me,” Takahiro said.
“How odd, Sora and Akiko do not appear to be that intelligent,” Toshiko said.
“They have potential; however, their genetic disposition is sports. Abel’s school program is exceptional in everything, except sports. I have convinced her to have a sports scholarship program,” Takahiro said.
“Am I in the way of your plans?” Toshiko asked.
“No, you can guide and mentor Sora and Akiko. I have my eye on Mako, Miko and Izanami. They are mostly likely to be with Kaede in the special education program. I will send him when he is ready. First, he has a little growing to do and must learn he cannot have everything,” Takahiro said.
Kaede opened a gift box and pulled out a tablet, without looking he placed it on the table beside another, he looked at the card on the box and said in a dull, flat, tone, “Thankyou High Lord Dain,”
Hiro came and said, “Kaede, don’t be like that,”
“It is all right, my mistake, it appears the Emperor has gifted him a tablet; however, young Prince, this is the model used in private schools,” Dain said.
“Is it loaded with the learning application?” Kaede asked with excitement.
“Yes, you will need a qualified teacher to monitor exams to add the results to your Academic Record,” Dain replied.
“Thank you,” Kaede said, with a smile, he placed it on top of the other tablet.
On September 1, 1566, Sora, and Akiko, aged six; Kaede and Izanami, aged three; Mako and Miko, aged eight; was driven by Hiro, in a mini-van, to The Academy for Exceptional Students. An SUV followed them with a pair of knights, Lady Yuki and Lady Toshiko in the front with House guards in the back.
“You said we go to school with Mako and Miko, but this is their last year,” Kaede complained as Hiro parked the vehicle.
Hiro turned off the engine. He turned to Kaede, “Son, Mako and Miko are in their final year of First-School, next year they will attend Second-School. The same campus, only a different group of buildings to you,” Hiro replied.
“Why?” Kaede asked.
“Kaede, what have I told you about questioning adults?” Hiro asked in reply.
“Just asking,” Kaede replied.
“There are rules, and even the Emperor must follow the rules,” Hiro said.
“Why?” Kaede asked.
“A good leader never asks anyone to do something they are not willing to do themselves, especially a starship captain,” Hiro replied.
“Is that why Toshiko made Izanami push Sora and Akiko around in the stroller at my first birthday?” Kaede asked.
“Must you always bring that up?”, Izanami asked, arms folded, with a sour face, looking out the window, Sora and Akiko giggled.
“This is the first week of school only this week will only be short days. You get your books, uniform, load your tablet with your class program and schedule, meet your teachers and class. I collect you here in three hours, and then we have your third birthday party on the lawn of the palace. Lady Yuki is your minder, and you will do what she tells you to do,” Hiro said.
“Must I have a Knight with me all the time?” Kaede said.
“Yes,” Hiro said.
“You don’t,” Kaede said.
“I always have at least one Knight following me,” Hiro said.
“What about when I pee?” Kaede asked.
“Kaede, don’t be embarrassing, you know they wait outside the toilet for you,” Hiro said.
“If I am a boy, why am I the same as Izanami?” Kaede asked.
Mako and Miko giggled, “Silly, púca does not have a thing,” Miko replied.
“Until they are twelve,” Mako said.
“All Elves are born girls, most boys develop in their teens,” Hiro said.
“What if I don’t get mine?” Kaede asked.
“Then you will be a beautiful girl, like me,” Izanami said.
“Son, I do not want you to worry. As a Hashimoto, you always have a place in the clan if you respect the clan elder and are a good law-abiding citizen,” Hiro said.
“Why are boys rare?” Kaede asked.
“It is our genetics, Son. Accept who you are, be hard working and cheerful,” Hiro said getting out of the car.
“Why not change it,” Kaede asked.
Hiro went around the vehicle and opened Kaede’s door, looked him in the eye and said, “Having a great power, means accepting responsibility. Life will be easier if you accept who you are.”
Lady Yuki gets out of the SUV parked beside them, she bowed slightly and said, “I will take him from here, Prince Hiro.”
“Thank you, Lady Yuki,” Hiro said returning her bow.
Lady Yuki was twenty-one, had two bars on her collar. She adjusted her jacket to cover her 13mm handgun. She checked her belt. She plugged a wired earpiece into her cell phone, on her belt, then put it into her ear, attached the microphone to her collar. The whole time Kaede watched her. She knelt in front of Kaede and said, “Nice to meet you, Prince Kaede, I am Lady Yuki.”
“Where is your machine gun?” Kaede asked.
“In the back of the SUV,” Yuki said.
“Why?” Kaede asked.
“Forgive him Lady Yuki; he asks many questions. Kaede do you want me to take you home now?” Hiro asked.
“It is all right. Prince Kaede, we are in school, and a stray bullet could hit a student. In a closed area, a large assault rifle is not the best weapon to use,” Yuki said.
“What if they have machine guns?” Kaede asked.
“I will use magic to move fast and create a shield,” Yuki said.
“Have you ever killed anyone?” Kaede asked.
“Kaede!” Hiro said.
“Not today; but it is only 8:55 am,” she replied looking at the band on her wrist, “Now I need to get you in line to collect your uniform,” Yuki said taking his hand.
Hiro coughed, held out Kaede’s school bag. Yuki blushed, and she took it from him, then left with Kaede, who was trying to pull out of her grip.
“Hey, hands off, he is mine,” Izanami said trying to get between them.
Another van arrived, it delivered a couple of Yoshiko house guards; they escort Mako and Miko to class.
“Are we stupid?” Sora asked.
“No. Just do your best. Do as Lady Toshiko, and the other instructors tell you. You will visit the palace every Sunday to play,” Hiro said.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Sora said.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Akiko said.
“Good,” Hiro said.
“Abel, a pleasure to see you,” Toshiko called out behind them.
Hiro turned to see Abel on the path from the front office building, she walked up to and hugged Toshiko. He removed the girls from the van, handed them their leather satchels, each contained their tablet and their identification card.
“Girls, this is the headmistress, Lady Abel. She will show you to class today,” Toshiko said.
“Girls I used to play for the Galaxy girls, and I will be your football coach,” Abel said.
“Again, thank you, Lady Abel, I hope we have not made things too difficult for you?” Hiro asked.
“No, my brother will stop whining like a school girl as soon as the team wins, once we have a few trophies on the shelf and he will be telling me the scholarship program was his idea,” Abel replied.