The Floating World

Two.

It was coronation day, the streets were hustling and bustling, people eager to catch a glimpse of their new emperor while Nagahama Neru was out there hoping to steal some sake and to win a heap of coins from the gambling den. The coronation has ended and the king is in one of his carriage waving and greeting the people, Neru cursed as she saw her father the royal general on his horse leading the king through the streets. "He's always missing and when he's back, he has to ruin my day." 

Today was one of those days, Neru had completed her task assigned by one of the loyal scholars in the palace. She has done all her work the day before in exchange for a fun and exciting day ahead since she has concluded that the people will be celebrating for their new king which also means free sake, something Neru has been yearning for. 

Nagahama Neru, princess to the Nagahama household but when she's out on the streets roaming people address her as Neruko the tomboy who loves to hang out with her blacksmith friend Shida Manaka, no one knew about her identity except Shida since she's always out in disguise in her commoner clothes. They were famous for stealing leftover sakes and being in the gambling den all day. 

Neru was heading towards the eatery when she saw the crowd cheering on the streets, she quickly turned her back and backtracked her steps only to find someone carrying a basket full of sake bottles. "Here's my chance", she bumped into the man's shoulder as she slips her left hand in to grab a bottle. "I'm so sorry",  Neru apologized while she hid the bottle in her yukata.

"Yatta! Mission accomplished", she grinned and hurried away in victory.

Unknowing to Neru, all of this was seen by Hirate who was excused from the parade since her father, the king does not want her to be seen in the public, neither did he wished that people knew the crown princess was a skilled fighter.

Neru was about to head towards the blacksmiths when she sensed that someone was tailing her from her back, she took a quick right turn into the alley with two narrow paths one which will lead her to the backdoor of the blacksmiths while the other to a dead end. She picks up her pace but was stopped when the guy yanks her hand. "Ouch"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to but you were moving too fast"

"What do you want from me?"

Upon seeing the shorter girl furrowing her brows with a tiny pout seen on her face, Hirate can't help but to chuckle at the sight. "Aren't you a little too adorable for a thief?", she raised her left brow as she questioned the girl in front of her with her hand still grabbing her. Hirate then took a bold step toward her and smiled.

"What is this all about then?", now raising the girl's occupied hand.

"No-thing I-I thought they were empty." Neru was flustered by how close Hirate was, she pushes her away instantly as she looked away hoping that her bangs were long enough to cover her blushing cheeks.

"I don't think I've seen you before, are you new here?"

"You could say so, so why did you stole that bottle of sake?"

"You see sake are expensive, to begin with, and only rich are able to afford sakes that were fermented with exclusive herbs"