Act 1 Late

“Tung.” Two swords clashed at their strong edge.

“Ting,” One sword struck the strong edge of another with its weak edge.

“Thuck! Agh!” Flesh was slashed into by steel, and then a curdling scream came.

“Your foot works rubbish, You focus too much on the edge of my blade rather than my shoulders, hips and wrists, and your sword styles unrefined.” I listened as the princess listed my weaknesses during our spar.

“But everything else is fine, who taught you swordsmanship Shiro?” She was now curious instead of the lecturing tone she had moments ago.

“I used what the original Shiro knew princess, that was all taught to him by his uncle James Yukara.” I spoke as my body remembers the movements, while the memories told me of the hours Shiro was forced to learn a school of bushido swordsmanship as punishment.

With the bleeding in my chest stopped, I changed the grip of my long sword, holding it only with my left hand as my other hand started glowing weakly of battle magic.

“This is how I fought in my previous life, as a vampire lord’s slave, I’ll be using battle magic princess, unlike the flashy, fancy, and slow performance magic I usually use.” She gave me an intrigued look as she took a sip of water from Flenna.

My sister was on the other side of the manor doing laundry, as I still don’t want her to know about the monsters and real danger of working here, I requested the practice duel to be done if she isn’t present.

“This type of magic is weak, incapable of crippling even humans, but very very useful in fighting, princess.” I Said as I swung my sword to calibrate myself.

“Do you want to spar with this version of me, princess?” I asked curious if she wants to test herself on the martial skills of the world, not of earth or the nether-realms, but somewhere even more foreign.

“Let’s test it!” She said as she threw her glass of water towards me, I easily batted it with the flat of my sword.

The blade of her saber was following the glass of water, as she did a lounge following her throw.

“Ting, ting.” With my right hand glowing blue, turning into bronze as I punched the weak of the saber misdirecting it slightly as it once again bounced into my lower side, as that part of my skin turned bronze as well.

“And that’s game princess, the sneak attack was uncalled for.” I whispered as I held my sword mere inches to her neck, anymore and my heart would have exploded.

“Impressive, your footwork changed, your counter was simple but extremely effective, and you were able to predict where my saber would be by the angle of my shoulder and legs.” I expected a lot of things but a happy princess Komiko was not one of them.

“Again!” She said, now sounding excited, but as I was about to reset my stance I felt a buzzing and pulled out my phone.

“Sorry princess, but I have school, another time?” I said as I went towards her offering my sword.

“It’s fine Shiro, but from now on we will have atleast one weapon spar in the mornings.” And with that said she dismissed me as I placed her sword in a case, and left for my shower.

“How about me princess? We can do a few rounds, I’ll use my claws and you use that sword.” Lizel asked as she finished her pull ups on the outdoor gym I started building.

Act 2 Girl in black

I biked to school like normal, and chained my bike near the guardhouse where the bike stands were placed.

“Good morning Shiro-kun” A girl said, making me turn around, it was that mysterious girl that was wearing an old imperial uniform much like I was doing.

“Morning. . . oh, sorry I never asked your name Nee-san.” I said as I offered my hand.

“It’s Rikka Chinomi, It’s good to finally meet you Shiro Yukari. . .” There was a silence between us after she held my hand and told me her name.

“Do you want to walk and chat?” I asked as I already started walking.

Even with that small interaction there was already an audience watching us, then she tripped, I caught her quickly, holding her in my arms.

“Are you okay?” I asked as I supported her as she stood up shakily.

“I’m fine Shiro, I’m just a little sensitive to the sun.” And then it hit me, she’s an Albino! That explains her pale skin, and red eyes. . . and probably why she’s usually super early and leaves super late.

“An Albino, alright I have something for that.” I said as I held her shoulder with one hand and took a collapsible parasol from my bag.

I opened it up with a click of the release switch, and then covered us with black parasol with cherry blossom golden thread embroidery. She looked me in the eyes, and then my parasol.

“Let’s walk slowly for now.” I told her as I supported her weight.

“What a lovely umbrella, wait is this made of cotton?” She asked as she noticed, as she touched the umbrella panels, as the umbrellas here were made with bamboo and canvas.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

“Yes it is, I call it a collapsible parasol, I found the designs for the mechanism in a book, and had a friend help me make the parts and I assembled it.” I said proudly.

“That sounds amazing, Shiro.” She said as she looked into my eyes again.

“Yeah it is, so are you free during break?” I told her as we reached the shaded walkways, and collapsed my parasol.

“I’m not sure but I think so.” She said as our eyes kept our gaze within each other.

“Great, here give it back when we meet again. Alright bye Chinomi-senpai!” I said as I gave her my parasol and ran off waving as I was a bit late for class.

Act 3 Midday break

“Remember class, know where your sources come from, or you’ll need to rewrite everything after being questioned during the defense. Alright that’s all you're all dismissed.”

The teacher said as she quickly organized her things and left us after we expressed our gratitude towards the young assistant teacher, she was really good at applied historical literature, it’s one of the subjects I like learning here.

Like what to not love? Studying historical events and then dissecting them for what reasons had caused the effects that led to that singular ‘event’.

Then afterwards you would present a single cause that can cascade into changing that event, while the entire class disproves you, using examples of other historical events, it was just so fun!

Plus I can cultivate my connection with Arcana while they all argue about my words, all their attention on me as I drum up the drama.

“Sooo, Shiro-san, I heard you started hanging out with Rikka Chinomi-senpai, are you guys dating?” And there goes my gossipy friend, starting the rumor mill.

“Come on Yuki-san, we’ve only met like 3 times in this town.” I started saying as I packed my things.

“If you call that dating then you should already be my girlfriend by now.” I said thoughtlessly, my mind still in the headspace of a grand debater.

“Shiro!” The yell shocked me, making me stop and look at her, and she was red, and pissed.

Which made me chuckle at her, as she was quite cute, when she was angry and then I was in pain as I felt her small but strong fists hit my shoulder.

“Ha ha ha!” But still continued to laugh as she continued “thud, thud, thud.” striking my chest and shoulders with her small fists.

“Stop it Shiro!” She even stopped using my honorifics, so I stood up and then patted her head.

“Are you mad Yuki-chan~” I said gently in hidden mockery as I looked her in the eyes, this only made her blush fiercer and throw things at me, as I ran away.

Once I was gone a tough looking tomboy of a girl and a pansy of a guy came to her.

“You know bae, if you're not going after that city boy, another girl would.” The scarf wearing guy said as he sat in front of Yuki.

“Yeah Nee-san’s right, Senpai already tried something in our last play, and now Rikka, her senior, tried something this morning!” The black haired taller girl said.

“If you don't do anything soon one of them would eventually get him, or you know another bolder girl.” The effeminate guy continued.

Act 4 Lunch

I was working on a project at a shaded part of the roof as I heard someone open the door.

“Hello Shiro-kun, is this where you wanted to have lunch?” It was Rikka, as she used the parasol, and closing it behind her as she sat next to me on the shaded bench.

“Yeah, it’s my favorite spot to work on, is cranberry juice enough?” I answered her as I looked at her and saw she only had the juice as her snack.

“Said the guy that doesn’t even have a juice box, spending his lunch break on a.” There was a pause as Rikka looked at my work.

“What are you making?” She asked, her voice curious.

“It’s a solar panel, I’m making it so I can charge my phone without going to the library.” I told her simply, also I’m planning to make a better one later with Flenna so that we can charge her if where in the wilderness.

“I think I heard of solar panels before, but I’m not sure.” She said as I heard contemplation on her tone, there wasn’t an internet yet and you can only call, text and listen to the radio with your phone in this world’s early modern age.

“It’s like a generator but instead of using coal or oil, a solar panel generates electricity via the absorption of the ultraviolet rays and heat of the sun into photoreceptive plates as it turns it into an electrical charge. . .” I continued as I explained the parts of my work.

“The only problem I have now is that it heats up too quickly, so I’m figuring out a cooling system. . .” I looked back towards Rikka and she looked like she’s between boredom and her brain being overloaded.

I pressed my forehead on hers, and felt for heat, and no, her temperature was normal, a bit colder than normal actually, but I think her albinism is the cause of that.

“You're not sick, are you alright Rikka, did I go over it too fast?” I heard her cough to clear her throat.

“No Shiro-kun, it was a lovely explanation, I just didn't know where you were this.” She hummed as the word didn’t immediately come to her.

“Mechanical? Yeah, my Lady says that too, you're very alike you know, doing that proper lady thing.” I said jokingly.

“Oh really? Well I heard the rumors about your work, are they true?” She said as her eyes met mine.

“Which rumors? I’m proud to say Rikka-senpai, that I’m building quite the reputation here at school, and in town.” I said to her smiling, as I started speaking more openly.

“Oh just the normal ones, like she’s an exile aristocrat of a foreign country, She uses local boys as her slaves, she barely leaves her mansion on the hill, she’s actually a secret daughter of a prominent family in Kyoto.” She answered as she listed them off using her fingers.

“Huh, that’s a lot more rumors than last time. . . Sigh. . .” I paused, and then took a deep breath and gave it out slowly as I felt fatigue.

“And here I was, trying to improve her public image, well I should start with pointing the narrative into one of the more positive rumors.” I said to myself as I almost forgot about Rikka.

“Why would you do that Shiro?” She asked almost like a whisper as she spoke to my ear, she was really close, my body redden at the interaction.

I looked up as I answered her, taking a small move away from her.

“It’s because I’m part of her security, not having an angry mob at your doors, because you're new to town is a good way of living in peace.” I told her honestly then the bells rang, making me start packing my things.

“Well that’s a good lunch Shiro-kun, let’s do it again sometimes alright?” She said winking at me as she left.

“Wow, that was hot, I wonder if she likes me.” I said as love struck as I could as I still felt the magic I left on the parasol nearby.

What is she? Is she another assassin aiming for the princess or is she targeting me? Trying to kill me to weaken the princess and then slay her when she’s alone and surrounded.

My heart was pumping hotly as if it was on fire as my mind raced and I felt that instinct to protect the princess surfacing.

Act 5 Homecall

“Shiro! There’s a call for you.” I heard my sister yell as I was in the kitchen with Lizel preparing the soup for dinner.

“Yeah, coming sister!” I said as I turned off the fire.

“Sorry Lizel, tell me about werewolf stuff later.” I said to Lizel as I went for the door.

“Yeah, Yeah, just go.” She said as she chewed on fruit slices I prepared as an appetizer.

“Who is it big sis?” I asked Nanami as I approached.

“A friend of yours Shiro, here.” She said, handing me the telephone.

Before I talked into it and before my sister left I told her.

“Sis, can you finish the soup I was making?” I asked her, as she nodded and gave me a thumbs up, then went to the kitchen.

“Goodevening who is this?” I asked politely.

“It’s me Rikka, can we talk tonight Shiro?” It was Rikka and it seems she’s inviting me on an evening date? Is she serious? Is she normally this bold?