Red Cinderella

Chapter 2

The rules are simple,
1. Go in normal basic clothes to not stand out.
2. Only have a limited amount of money to spend.
3. No bossing anyone around or telling anyone that you are a prince.
4. Be back by sunset
5. No taking anyone with you

Think you got it?

Kokichi gets dressed for his day out in the town. He never cared to go and see it so he going in completely blind. He has no idea what's going to happen. He just plans on grabbing some food and hang out on a bench till sunset.

"Are you sure you can't come with me, Rantaro? I'll be so bored without you." Kokichi complained. His green haired friend just laughed. "You know I can't, beside, I think it could be good for you."

Rantaro Amami, Kokichi's best friend. He's a duke of a kingdom nearby that visits often. Since Kokichi sees him as equals, he doesn't treat them like he does to others. Plus it helps when he's known Rantaro since he was 5.

Kokichi pouted. He didn't want to go alone, or go at all. But yet, he could see what everyone was saying, it be wrong to rule a kingdom when you haven't even seen the place for yourself. He would never admit it but they were right. But yet that doesn't stop him looking down on everyone.

"Do you think people will recognize me?" Kokichi asked. "Please, even if you went out there with your regular everyday clothing they would still have a clue who you are. Remember, they never seen what you look like." Rantaro responded.

He was wearing baggy dark brown pants and a dark blue shirt. "Gosh this feels uncomfortable," Kokichi said. "Really? That actually looks comfortable to me." "That's because you're not the one wearing it." Kokichi looked into the mirror and took a deep breath. "Okay, I'm ready." Rantaro looked at him with a smug smile on his face. "Okay, I'll tell the queen."

~~Later~~ (⁠~⁠‾⁠▿⁠‾⁠)⁠~

Kokichi took one step outside and immediately got nervous. He was told it was a 7 minute walk to the town. But instead fighting against a fight he already lost like he usually does, he just wanted the day to be over with, so he started walking. Besides, he might be nervous, but he was also curious about what his country looks like. Rantaro kept on talking about how beautiful it was. It can't be too bad, right?

Kokichi kept on walking down the trail, taking in all the sights. The trees, animals, and even a river he didn't know was there. Soon the bird sounds started to turn into people chattering. Just down the hill he saw the town. He was surprised at how it looked. It was nothing like he imagined. He thought it was a dark, gloomy place full of greedy people, but it was bright, cheerful and the people there were so nice to each other. But that didn't stop him from thinking of them all as pathetic.

He took his exhaust body down the hill and into the town. He plopped himself onto a bench nearby and just layed there. He would go and find himself something to eat since he hasn't eaten anything yet. But all that walking tired him out, he's never walked that far before.This should tell you what this boy is capable of.

He looked up at the bright sun and at the little stores. The things that they had out weren't half bad, but Kokichi would never admit that. After laying there for almost half an hour he got up and started walking around. It may not have been his plan to begin with but it was hot and needed to start moving around.

He looked around and decided to get something to eat. He looked at all the restaurants but nothing popped out to him. The whole time he was thinking, "I could get better at home." That was until he came across a sweet shop. Kokichi looked through the window. He saw the cakes, brownies, cookies and candy. But by doing that something inside also caught his attention. A girl with bright red hair. He didn't know why but captivated him. He couldn't see her face so he went inside. He walked to a small stand full of cupcakes looking at them. They all looked so delicious. But matter how much he tried, he kept looking at the red-haired girl. "I wonder if it's real?" He thought.

She was wearing a long red skirt, a brown long sleeve polo, and a blue and white striped apron. He walked up to her and tapped her shoulder. "Excuse me?" She turned around to face him and that's when he was taken back again. She was definitely eye candy to him. She smiled, "Hello, how can I help you?"  she asked. "Uh, umm, well I was wondering what kind of sweet is y-your favorite?" He was stuttering over his words. "CRAP! That was such a stupid question! I didn't even have a question to begin with. I just wanted to see her face. I messed up" he thought to himself. She looked at him confused. "Neyh, what do you mean," Kokichi just stood there not really knowing what to say. "I uh, I mean what sweet do you recommend? Do you have any recommendations? I don't know what to get." He blushed with an awkward smile.

Her confusion turned back into a smile. "Oh! Well uh, people usually like vanilla cakes, but right now cheesecake is really popular. But I personally like the lemon ice cream pie if that's what you were really wondering." She said, showing him the pie. "Oh, thanks." He looked at the pie, it did look really good. "I'll take two slices of the pie and two pieces of those cupcakes over there." He said. "Okey dokey!" She said as she hoped behind the counter and started getting and ringing up his food. He just kept on staring at her. It wasn't just her hair, but her eyes, smile, naturally blushing cheeks and small size. Everything was just so cute.

She gave him his sweets and Kokichi went outside sitting on a small round table they had sitting out. He spent a bit more than he wanted too, but for a sweet shop it was pretty damn cheap. Still, even when out of the store he was still staring at the girl. For the first time in forever his head was completely empty. All he could hear was children playing, birds chirping, and the bell whenever someone walked in and out of the store. But everytime she would look his way, he turned away. He kept on eating. "These cupcakes, they taste familiar, I don't why but they give me a taste of home."

"Do you want to ask me something?" Kokichi heard a voice. He turned and saw the red-headed girl. He let out a little yelp. He didn't realize she came out. "Uh no, why do you ask?" He said blushing. "Because you keep on staring at me through the window, so I thought you might want to ask me something." She chuckled. "Oh! No, no, no, no, I was looking at uh, the other sweets. I have a bit of a sweet tooth!" He said, nervously laughing. She laughed back. "Alrighty, but if you do, don't be afraid. Also, can I ask if you're a traveler? I've never seen you before." Kokichi started choking on his food, "W-well, you can say that! I mostly just don't get out often. Also, these taste very familiar, I wonder if I ever bought from you without knowing."

She smiled, "Maybe, This is the most famous bakery in town, it's also the closest to the castle so they order from us a lot!" Kokichi was shocked. "We order their food a lot? That explains why it tastes like home. Not only that but eat her sweets basically everyday." Kokichi started blushing at the thought.

"They say that the prince really likes them and that makes me really happy! I know everyone says really bad things about him but whenever I get an order for him, I always treat it with extra care just for him!" Kokichi blushed even harder, but was trying to hide his face. "Maybe he's your number one fan?" He said. The girl just looked at him with starry eyes and a huge smile on her face. "You think so?" He just knotted.

"Hey uh, I do have one question, what's your name?" Kokichi asked, still hiding his face. She looked back at him. "My name is Himiko Yumeno! But you don't have to bother calling me by my last name though," She said. "Himiko…" He whispered to himself. All the sudden he heard a loud bell ring. It was sunset already. Kokichi got up from his chair and excused himself. "Well sorry but got to going now, the pie tasted delicious, bye bye~" he said quickly and ran off. "WAIT, YOU DIDN'T TELL ME YOUR NAME!" Himiko yelled, but it's too late, he didn't hear her. He just left her alone with her thoughts.

" Hopefully he comes back soon."