DIFFERENCES ✩ Ruikasa ✩ Project Sekai

ˑ ˚ Chapter 10 - Phoenix Wonderland ˚ ˑ

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RUI POV

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Normal civilians of the kingdom waved at Emu and Nene as they passed by. Everybody seemed to know each other.. everyone was close with each other.

It was kind of a shock to me.

In the Royal Kingdom, you're supposed to fear the people who are higher ranks than you, and disrespect people who are lower ranks than you. It's just like that, but it shouldn't be.

I'm surprised at how less popular Phoenix Wonderland is compared to the Royal Kingdom. Phoenix Wonderland deserves better, but everybody seems happy anyway so it should be fine.

"Alrighty, here we are!" Emu and Nene directed me into the castle and up the stairs.

Maids and Butlers bowed down to Emu as she walked past, but Emu just waved and smiled at them.

"Rui, please meet our lovely staff, Saki and Shizuki ☆!" Emu said, stepping out of the way with Nene and revealing Saki and Shizuki who were talking together and minding their own business.

They both paused and looked at me and then Emu, and then me again.

"Saki? I didn't know you worked here!" I smiled warmly at Saki and she smiled back at me. I was completely lying to her face, I knew practically everything about the Tenma siblings. Who doesn't? They're like worldwide icons.

"Rui! It's so good to see you again! What brings you to Phoenix Wonderland?" Saki hugged me and I hugged her back.

She stepped back with Shizuki, waiting for my response. "Ah, Emu and Nene had saved me from the guards in the Royal Kingdom killing me.. for.. no reason at all!" everybody except Emu and Nene gasped and starting saying how sorry they felt for me.

"Wow, thank you, Emu and Nene! Being responsible leaders as always!" Shizuki said and everybody started applauding Nene and Emu for their work.

"Hehe! It's no biggie! Just doing my job ☆!" both Nene and Emu bowed while holding hands, and then I noticed how red Nene was. Their relationship was very adorable!

"It kind of sucks that the guards in the Royal Kingdom treat lower class like that. I wish every kingdom could be as happy as Phoenix Wonderland." Saki said, everybody nodding in agreement.

Something I've noticed here is that they all tend to agree with each other and praise one another no matter what it is. It's a very welcoming kingdom.

"Ah, I forgot to introduce myself! I'm Shizuki Hinomori! You may call me Shizuki, Rui!" Shizuki walked up to me with a calming smile and we shook hands, I smiled back.

"It's great to meet you, Shizuki! It's truly a pleasure to be meeting all of you here!" Shizuki stepped back and everybody smiled at me and all agreed it was just as a pleasure to be meeting me too.

"Right, let's not waste anymore time! Shizuki and Saki, could you please take Rui to where he'll be staying tonight? Thank you!!" Emu asked.

Both Shizuki and Saki nodded at Emu before gesturing to me to come follow them.

I waved Nene and Emu goodbye as Shizuki and Saki led me to the 3rd floor.

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"Are you sure you don't need anything else, Rui?" Shizuki asked.

It was a bit after they showed me my room and given me a tour around the whole castle. They were both super nice and I was surprised at this.

I had never been treated this nice before since I'm a villain.. but, sometimes, lying can be fun.

"Nope! All good!" I put a thumbs up towards the two and they nodded at me.

"Okay, well, we best be on our way!-"

"May I speak with you, Rui? Alone." Saki said in a serious tone, that, not gonna lie, scared me a bit. It made me jolt up and flinch a bit.

Shizuki and I turned our attention towards Saki, both of us being confused at her question.

"Hm? I mean, I guess? Rui, is that alright with you? Saki just wants to talk." Shizuki looked over at me, waiting for my approval so she could leave us be.

"Oh, uh, sure." Shizuki smiled at both of us, "alright! Saki, please meet Emu and I on the first floor. We have to discuss the ceremony starting soon!" Shizuki waved at both of us before leaving the room.

Saki looked away from Shizuki and then to me. "Rui, please tell me the truth. Why were the guards chasing after you? We both know the Royal Guards aren't that cruel to be doing that to strangers."

I gulped and sighed, looking down to the ground. "Okay, but please don't get mad.."

I looked back up at Saki, her expression was a concerned look mixed with curiosity.

"Go ahead, Rui. But I can't make any promises."

"Right, uh.." I began to explain to Saki about what happened, but leaving out some parts of the story. Those parts exactly being how I was trying to steal, flirting with Tsukasa and you know, things like that.

Saki was nodding her head the whole way through, throwing out a couple 'mhm' and 'oh' as I spoke.

When I had finished speaking, Saki didn't seem too upset. "So it was all a misunderstanding?"

I nodded at her. "I feel so sorry for you, Rui! My brother can be like that. Once he thinks he knows something, he'll just go along with that but never wanting to learn the full story, trust me."

Saki and I laughed at her remark about Tsukasa. "But thanks for telling me the truth.. well, I'm trusting that you did!" me and Saki chuckled once again.

"Of course I'd be telling the truth! Why would I lie to someone I trust, Saki?" Saki smiled at me, it was a warm smile, one you could genuinely rely on.

"Right! Of course. Sorry, that was a weird assumption of me. Let's head back now? Shizuki said something about the upcoming ceremony the kingdom has every year. I'm glad you're here to celebrate it with us!"

Saki and I began chatting and walking down to the 1st floor.

On the way down, Saki said to me, "even though we've only known each other for a short time, I see you as a brother, Rui! One that Tsukasa could never be.. I mean, I love him and all, but I just never see him. He's too busy to visit Phoenix Wonderland. Ah! I feel like I've said too much.. I trust you Rui, you wouldn't tell a soul! Right?"

We had smiled at one another, and I nodded at her, saying that I would never do such a thing. But little did she know, I was recording it using the Royal Watch I stole from Tsukasa.

This thing is definitely way before it's time, fufu!

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A/N

rui feeling a bit devious but its okay cuz its rui

1105 words !

(written on january 2024)

 ━ berri <3

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