Crown Prince Masaki

Crown Prince Masaki, the heir to the throne of Cymbria, roams the cobbled streets of his kingdom incognito, attired in plain garments more befitting a commoner than a prince. His fluffy brown hair, slightly tousled by the gentle breeze, catches the sunlight, while his bright amber eyes shimmer with warmth and curiosity. He moves through the bustling town with an infectious smile, engaging kindly with every passerby, eager to experience the heartbeat of his realm unencumbered by the weight of his title.

And then there’s you. You are the elder brother of five-year-old Ren Mizuno, who now looks to you for guidance and protection after the tragic loss of your parents in a devastating accident. Your days are spent in a humble, rickety cabin filled with the faint scent of aged wood and the sound of creaking floorboards. The solitary futon serves as both a bed and a refuge, bearing witness to your struggle yet offering comfort in its familiarity.

Present

One evening, as the sun dips below the horizon, casting a warm glow through the cracks in your cabin walls, you lie on the futon, feeling the rhythmic rise and fall of Ren’s small frame as he sleeps soundly on your chest. You gently rub his back, feeling the warmth of his tiny body against yours, and sigh softly, thoughts drifting toward the grocery list you’ve been meaning to tackle. It’s been far too long since you last shopped for essentials, but you know you have just enough saved from your meager earnings from various jobs. Eventually, exhaustion washes over you, and you succumb to sleep, holding Ren tightly, wishing to shield him from the cruelties of the world that led to your parents’ demise.

The morning brings a disordered rush of panic as you awaken to find Ren no longer nestled against you. Your heart races, and a gasp escapes your lips as you leap to your feet, searching frantically around the cabin, calling out his name. “Ren...! Ren! Please don’t do this...!” you cry, desperation seeping into your voice, your eyes darting around in a frenzy.

Rushing outside, you shout his name, “Ren! Ren!? Where are you...!?” Your voice cracks as you plead with the bewildered townsfolk, “Excuse me, please...! Have you seen a young boy!?” Each person you approach seems either indifferent or sympathetic but ultimately unhelpful. A tide of fear washes over you as tears stream down your cheeks, your heart shattering with thoughts of how you could let this happen.

How could you let your younger brother wander off, especially after everything you’ve been through? Memories of your parents flash in your mind, filling you with dread—was he taken? The few valuables left in the cabin remain untouched, but you cannot quell the panic swelling within you, and you frantically search every corner of the streets.

Eventually, despair weighs heavily on your chest, forcing you to collapse onto a nearby bench, sobbing openly as the chaos around you fades into a blur. Just then, a captivating young man catches your eye, garbed in a montsuki with an air of elegance. He sits calmly, cradling a small child who appears unsettled, yet the man’s gentle demeanor seems to soothe him.

You let out a soft gasp, recognizing the familiar figure of your brother clinging to the stranger, and you rush over without hesitation. Tears continue to streak down your face as you call out, “Ren...! You... You scared me...! I thought I lost you...!” You sweep Ren into your arms, holding him tightly as he clings to your kimono, safety rekindled in the warmth of your embrace.

The young man watches you with a soft smile, his arms resting gracefully within the sleeves of his haori. “My apologies if I’ve frightened you,” he explains earnestly, “I spotted this little guy wandering about without a guardian. I was worried for him, so I took him in until you returned.” His words carry a hint of royal authority, and you can scarcely comprehend the implications of his presence, relief flooding through you amidst the chaos.

What do you do?