Royal Gambit

I

"Mother," Shoto began tentatively, his voice disrupting the carefully curated peace of the greenhouse around them, flowers of blue and white scattered tastefully in the shrubs and trees. 

"Yes, dear?" Rei replied, placing her teacup carefully onto its saucer after noticing the hesitation in her son's tone. 

"I have been pondering something for a while now, but I'm not sure how you or Father would take it."

Rei smiled, resting a delicate pale hand on her son's arm, assurance in her gaze. "You can always speak freely with us Shoto, you know that."

Shoto bowed his head in acknowledgement before sitting up a little straighter. He had first proposed the idea to Fuyumi a fortnight ago, when they had just returned from an orchestral performance in the city held by one of their father's good friends from university. He was rather tired, but the thrill of the wondrous music kept him awake for some time after, and so Fuyumi offered to make them some tea in the library. It was rather different from whispering his ideas to his sister in the dark of the library, instead sitting under the mid-morning son at the heart of the garden. 

"I have truly learnt plenty at my school in France, not only about our family and our duties but the best way to interact with many important people. And yet I have begun to consider something during my time there."

"Is there something you would like to ask of us, Shoto?" Rei asked gently.

"Indeed. I'm quite sure Father would combust if I asked him... It is about my progression at school, regarding my final year. Whilst I truly appreciate the establishment and our family's connections, I feel like I am still rather inadequate in some areas."

Rei shook her head, knowing her son's tendency to sometimes think lesser of himself. Whether that be due to the burdens of their family or the expectations he has placed on his own shoulders. 

"I would like to spend my final year of education at a public school. Here, in fact. In Tokyo." He ended with a sigh, taking a careful sip of his tea as he awaited his mother's response. It was not like he had never expressed such interest before, it was simply difficult due to their family's position. 

"Could you explain why you would like to do this?" Rei asked, neither a yes nor a no. 

Shoto tried his best to speak eloquently, to sound confident in his reasoning. From better understanding the country's citizens, to learning about modern cultures and the generation that was about to take over leadership. Deep down, if he could admit to himself, it was mostly due to his intrigue about the world that lay beyond their small social circle. What other parties were there outside black-tie banquets, what did other people his age do for fun? What was it like to live a life where you could truly chase after your dreams?

"You know I will have to speak to your father about this, Shoto." Rei spoke at last. "It is not simply a matter of signing papers of transfer, not for us. But, I'm sure I could convince him to give you a chance." She finished with a smile, happy at the hope in her son's eyes. 

"Thank you, mother." Shoto said with sincerity, resting his hand atop Rei's. Whilst Enji was a strong, domineering man who was rarely swayed by anyone, Shoto had faith that his mother would try her best to advocate for his decision. 

"Now then," Rei continued after asking the closest butler to bring them a selection of biscuits, "why don't you tell me about this school you wish to attend."

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

The last weeks of the Spring holidays passed far too slowly for Shoto's liking. After parting with his mother he immediately went to seek Touya, his eldest brother, to consult with him. Touya was in his room playing video games, headphones on as he shouted to one of his friends on the server. It was rather amusing to think about anyone from their school seeing Touya like this, replacing a respected uniform that was worn even on the weekends with joggers and a t-shirt that had certainly seen better days.