Messenger

Chapter 10

"Wait, they're coming today?" Oliver asked, thoroughly confused. After Piko got a job at the palace, Ollie hadn't really seen him, so it was hard for him to wrap his head around all that had happened in that short of a timespan. He was definitely happy that now his family would have two consistent incomes and enough to get through as Flower calls it, "King Fancybottoms' spending habits" and maybe even convince Fuka to stop stealing from pockets. Even with Oliver's little kid-esk cuteness on his side, local guards were starting to get very suspicious of the duo.

Oliver did have one worry amidst the pros. If they had a stable amount of funds and the taxes went down, would Oliver leave his job? He didn't want to quit. Of course, he loved his family back home; that was a given, but he also loved his friends here. They were nice and didn't care that he might not be the most street-smart or experienced. Heck, even the nobles trusted him despite knowing him for a limited time. It proved to himself, Oliver liked being someone that others could depend on and now that was something he could be for people here and at home.

But now that wasn't exactly the task at hand. "Fukase and I had a deal and with the godforsaken royal visit coming up, those two wouldn't have been able to stop by any other time without getting in the way of prep work." Flower explained directly with a slight amount of salt.

"I kind of just told her advisors that my family was curious about the castle and they essentially took pity on me." Piko added.

"Also, I might have gotten the ok from Yohio before telling Maika about the plan."

Now that explains it. Ollie had only seen Flower's surrogate mom a few times and he got the clear idea that she would never agree to this if it was just up to her. "Ok then. Sounds fun."

"I recommend hiding anything on you that's valuable or else you'll probably never see it again." Piko commented.

"As if I wear anything valuable by my freewill." She snarked back.

"Umm, have you looked in the mirror recently?"

"I think you'll tell me if there's a need."

The two Meika twins were still gathering their things during the exchange when Mikoto rolled their eyes. "Could you two quit flirting?"

Both of the people in question went bright pink and Oliver bit back a laugh. Everyone could agree that a flustered Piko was amazing to see and Ollie didn't think he could ever find the sharp-tongued girl caught in her tracks. Today was full of surprises, he thought just a bit smugly.

Flower was first to get her bearings. "Well then maybe you and Hime don't want to use the day off I got you."

"They're sorry." Hime piped in. They lightly smacked the back of their sibling's head for effect.

"Though, you don't deny that it's flirting."

"Oliver, stay out of this." Piko stated through a sigh.

Hime spoke up next, probably trying to stop Mikoto from causing their day off privileges to be revoked with another remark. "So...Why did you get us all a free day?"

"Well, in honor of all of our last few days of freedom, we were going to take a little trip to the stables." Never had Oliver seen Hime light up so fast and that in itself is impressive.

"Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!" The small runner bounded back to the gang's room.

"I'm gonna go make sure they don't set anything on fire." Mikoto turned to follow.

Piko and Flower shared a look that seemed half fond and half panicked. "I think Fuka and Miki should be here soon."

"Mentally prepare yourself."