Raijin POV
Once upon a time, in the kingdom close to the mountains… There was a hot-headed prince, passionate about fighting and training.
This Prince was about to go to the academy of successful mages, The Afosíosi Magic Academy.
This prince had a secret, the prince wasn't actually a prince… But rather, a princess.
Hiding her gender due to stereotypes, that a girl must always be elegant, soft, and… Always needed to be protected.
Her kingdom itself does not have these stereotypes… Well, It does exist, but not to the extent where it is almost a rule… Unlike the other Kingdoms.
The girl was born into a royal family, the firstborn in the Gakerumi family.
Her family was disappointed in why they got a girl instead of a boy, but they still loved her.
After all, they could keep on trying to get a son.
Right?
Unfortunately, after the birth of Raijin, her parents couldn't make another child…
Secondary Infertility.
Normally, this wouldn't be too much of a problem…
For a normal family that is, but they were royals.
The other kingdoms looked down on women, and the Adventurine kingdom was one of the only kingdoms that allowed same-sex marriages. Even finding a way to make same-sex couples to make a child.
They treated all genders equally, but of course, the other countries couldn't follow the same rules as them.
They only had two choices, to let all countries know that their future ruler was a girl or hide their future ruler's identity.
They chose the second option, to hide Raijin's gender.
Raijin had no choice but to follow her parent's commands, dressing like a guy, acting like a guy, speaking like a guy.
Fortunately, Raijin's build was more masculine than feminine. Raijin had a soft voice when she was young, over the years she trained her voice to sound deep and rough. But her soft voice was never lost.
She had to wrap her breasts with bandages to hide them, to make them seem flat.
But Raijin wanted a feature of her being female, the only way that wasn't too obvious was to grow her hair.
Raijin had her shoulder-length hair and she loves it, wanting to make it pretty… Putting a bow, or some hair clips.
But she couldn't of course, that would give it away.
She hasn't seen her other best friend in years and misses her dearly every time she lays in bed.
Her princess.
She wants her princess back, this lonely knight needs her.
They were engaged, but Nikami only thinks of her as a best friend.
Maybe now… Nikami might even hate Raijin.
Ice will never get along with Fire.
[Nika… Please don't hate me.] I thought as I sat down in my carriage, looking outside to the academy...
"We're here Prince Raijin." The coachman told me.
"Alright," I spoke with my raspy and rough voice, opening the door to outside the carriage.
My face was met with stares by other students, due to the insignia of the Adventurine Kingdom on my carriage.
"That's Raijin Gakerumi…" A noble boy whispered.
"He's so handsome!" A noble girl sighed lovingly.
I stepped out of my carriage, my hair flowing with the wind. My red cape following me from behind.
I gazed at the gate with a serious look, starting to walk towards it.
"He is a prince, right?" noble boy A asked.
"Yea? Obviously? Look at the insignia on his carriage." Noble boy B asked, sighing.
"It's just weird how he has such long hair, it looks… Feminine, and it's just weird seeing a guy with long hair in general." Noble boy A shrugged.
I heard that and gritted my teeth, I walked towards them with my fists clenched.
"Hey!" I yelled, using my raspy voice, catching their attention.
"What did you just say about my hair?" I asked them, trying to hold in my wrath.
"Well uh… It just looks weird, sorry man." Noble boy A shrugged once more.
"Hey, don't use such informal words. This is a prince here." Noble boy B sweated.
When I heard the word «Weird» used to describe my hair, a wave of rage flowed in my head.
And before I knew it, my fists were up in flames and it was flung to the boy's face.
"WEIRD MY ASS!!" I yelled as the boy stumbled back and fell on his back, due to my quick and strong punch.
His face had a bleeding nose, His eyes widened and his legs shivering. He was looking at me with fear in confusion in his eyes.
My fists were still up in flames, clenched as I stared down at the boy.
All of the students were startled at my sudden punch as well, staring at us in awe.
[Shit…] I thought, thinking I really fucked up this time. Punching a noble that suddenly.
I wasn't myself, I am easily angered… Sure, but I wouldn't resort to violence immediately.
"Tch." I clicked my tongue as the fire slowly burnt out.
[Raijin's rage… Gotdamn it… I don't want to hurt anyone… I may have been a delinquent in my past life but I want to change! Seriously, Just… stop fucking changing me…] I thought, thinking of the In-game Raijin.
The in-game Raijin was seen as a troublemaker, always wanting to fight and fight.
She was hot-headed and would easily lash out.
I want to try to change that. if I could… There might be a chance I couldn't still be with my princess.
I took the gloves in my pockets and put them on, so I can't generate fire that easily.
I sighed and lent out my hand for the boy, softening my expression.
"Sorry about that, I just really like my hair, you feel me?" I stared at him, waiting for him to take my hand.
[One of the perks of being a boy… Is that if you fight against another guy, after that you two fought… You would be friends again. Girls aren't like that, you would need a lot of convincing so you two could be friends again.] I thought, hoping he would understand.
"Y-you didn't have to punch me like that!" The boy yelled, standing up. Wiping his back using his hands to get rid of the dirt there.
"Hey, are you okay?" Noble Boy B asked noble boy A.
I sighed, putting my hand that he rejected into my pocket.
"Listen here, you insulted me." I glared at him.
"My reaction might have been slightly aggressive… But what would YOU think if a random stranger was talking about you in public, moreover talking badly in front of you." I put my other hand into my pocket as well, still staring at him.
"So what if I have long hair?! Is it really your problem?!" I yelled at him, my booming voice was heard all through the entrance.
"Grow up." I spat, looking around to see the multiple students staring at me.
[Shit… I better hurry, a teacher is going to be here soon because of the ruckus.] I thought, gritting my teeth.
"Just don't judge other people's appearances. Especially when they are in front of you." I glared yet again, slowly walking away from the crowd. Trying to find my way to my arrival spot for meeting the main character for the first time.
I walked through the student filled hallways, some were talking, some were putting up posters for their club… And some were staring at me, whispering.
I saw an opening in the side of the hallway, glancing at it and seeing three familiar figures…
A girl with brown hair, braids wrapping around her head, she was wearing the normal girl's uniform but had a white glove on her left hand. Her dark green eyes staring at the two other girls.
Another girl with a tall figure, long green hair going to her hips, and at the side of her hair also had twin tails. Strange how she only tied up the side of her hair but not the middle.
A small white-haired girl with a single pigtail by the side of her hair, with a small lock of standing hair in the middle of her head, was low… Looking sad or hurt. Her golden eyes staring, saying goodbye to someone.
"..." I froze seeing them, but then took a deep breath.
[Don't be a pussy, you can do this. If she hates you… Then learn to deal with it, but if there is a chance that you can still make up with her. Don't let go of that chance.] I thought, slowly walking into my entrance scene, taking off my right glove and putting it in my pocket.
My fast-paced steps made noise due to the bricks, and everyone started to look at me.
"After I get into this scene, the entrance ceremony will start… And Chapter one will ensue." I thought once again, putting my hands up in flames and standing in the middle of the courtyard.
"I am Raijin Gakerumi, Prince of Adventurine Kingdom. I would like a fight between anyone that is hearing this, please raise your hand!" I yelled, trying to get all of the attention in this area using my loud and deep voice. Which worked, the three girls turned towards me...
Nikami POV
"I am Raijin Gakerumi, Prince of Adventurine Kingdom. I would like a fight between anyone that is hearing this, please raise your hand!" A raspy voice yelled, trying to get all of the attention in this area.
As we turned towards the voice on who said that, another CG popped up in my face.
We saw a person with shoulder-length dark brown hair, long bangs covering some of their dark sharp blue eyes. The middle of their hair had a red color, going down to their nose.
They were wearing the boy's uniform in the academy, a white-collar shirt under a purple sweater. In the middle of the sweater was a green cross with a white background, they were also wearing a green tie.
There was a red flowing cape behind them, going all the way to their knees. Their left hand tucked into their pocket while it had a white glove on, but their right hand raised as it was up in flames.
Their expression was slightly serious, their mouth open since they were yelling to get the attention of everybody in the room.
As soon as I saw her face, all of my nervousness somehow was swept away. Just like they weren't there in the first place.
It was replaced by a different emotion...
"..." I stared at her, and her hand that was up in flames.
Irritation.
"W-woah-" Yasachu got startled by the sudden entrance of this «Boy», she glanced at the fire on her hand and gasped. Stepping back slightly.
Yasachu was confused, by the color of her tie she seemed to be a freshman, so why does she want to fight so quickly? Yasachu didn't understand at all, everything that happens in this school she doesn't understand.
"Rai…" Shukona growled, the first thing Raijin does in this school is asking for a fight? Truly how inelegant.
[This is Raijin Gakerumi, «The Hot-Headed CrossDresser Princess.» As you might already know, Rai is actually a girl. She is mostly seen as a troublemaker in the game due to her tendencies to always want to fight.] I stared at her as I thought this and I raised my hand.
"May I fight you? It has been so long, I wonder if you improved." I started a conversation for the first time, staring at Raijin.
"Nika?!" Shukona turned her head towards me in rage.
"E-eh?!" Yasachu shivered as she glanced at me, Nikami fighting someone?! What is going to happen?! And… what does she mean by «It's been so long»?
"..." Raijin glanced at Nikami, falling silent for a while.
"Hah. Worried I'm better at magic than you are?" Raijin scoffed, the fire on her right hand slowly extinguishing.
"Oh please, if we are talking about magic… I basically raised you." I replied with a cold glare.
"He-hey wait a sec- '' Yasachu continued to sweat, why are they fighting so suddenly?! They seem like they hate each other…
Shukona on the other hand was folding her arms, staring at the two of them.
Everyone felt intimidated by the two of our aura's, the two future rulers of The Adventurine Kingdom were going to fight?!
The girl who was rumored to be an angel or a divine being when she was young. Visitors of the Shiromoru mansion talked about how much she excelled in gaining knowledge, and was a wonderful student.
The «Prince» who punched a student at the gate. All of the generals in each country knew about this «Prince» due to her outstanding ability to fight, and her hunger to get stronger.
They were polar opposites, The Intelligent Lone Ice Wolf and the Athletic Royal Phoenix.
Who wouldn't wonder why they got engaged?
We were staring at each other with looks of irritation.
"They do say the student becomes the master." Raijin grins as she stares at Nikami.
"You aren't even close to my level." I replied to her, my monotone voice slightly rougher.
"Haah? Wanna test that out then?!" Raijin yelled at me, her right hand combusting in flames yet again.
"I did ask for a fight." I nodded, stepping forward.
I heard a sharp inhale, and then a heavy exhale.
"YOU TWO!!" Shukona yelled at both of us, her arms crossed.
"Wh-" Raijin turned her head towards Shukona, her fire disappeared as soon as she heard Shukona yell.
"Eeek!" Yasachu jumped at the sudden yell, glancing at Shukona.
"..." I flinched as I heard her yell, then turned my head towards her.
"About time…" I thought, looking at Shukona.
"You haven't seen each other FOR HALF A DECADE!! And THIS is your first exchange? I imagined that you two would be slightly awkward but this was way beyond my understanding!" Shukona huffed right after what she said, shaking her head in disappointment.
"Ha-half a decade???" Yasachu thought out loud, surprised at that large period.
"I know we each have our differences, I know we all changed. But please. Understand what you two are doing to each other, I know you two value this friendship of ours." Shukona added, walking in the middle of us.
"Don't let that short interval ruin it, I know I sound selfish. But then so be it! I shall be selfish." Shukona then placed her hands on our shoulders and pulled us closer to her.
"Hey-" Raijin blushes slightly at the sudden touch of Shukona.
"..." I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself down.
"[Nikami took over me again… Why did I lose my nervousness? When I saw her, I felt… Irritation. Like this person in front of me was a hindrance to my work… I don't have work though? Why… Did… I feel irritated when I look at Raijin? Is it… This world's way to keep the plot in check…?] I thought, letting Shukona pull me.
"All I want is for the three of us to not hate each other, fighting and bickering is normal in relationships… I know that. But this… I feel that you two feel hatred towards each other." She goes to smile softly at us, then patting our heads. This was easy due to her tall stature, completely taller than both of us.
"Because that is not how best friends are supposed to be, they take care of each other. No matter what happens." Shukona added more, patting both of us.
"Amatarini-sama…" Yasachu stared at the three of us as she patted us.
Nikami was right! Shukona does have a softer side, Yasachu's hope was Nikami's words.
And it came true! Shukona really was kind and warm as Nikami said she was.
As Yasachu stared at the three of us, she stared at Shukona patting the two of us. She felt… Jealous. She wanted Shukona's warm pats as well, She craved Shukona's warm side.
This is what she decided, even if she was a commoner, she still wants Shukona's approval!
Yasachu gazes at Shukona's smile and closes her eyes. She promised herself… That one day. She'll make Shukona like her, even if she was a commoner!
Raijin sighed in defeat, scratching the side of her face.
"Fine fine… Sorry about that." Raijin apologized, putting her hands in her pockets.
"I apologize as well." I nodded, closing my eyes.
"Good. Now, if you two don't mind…" Shukona lets go of both of us and goes towards Yasachu.
"You. Commoner, come with me." Shukona folded her hands, tapping her foot.
"E-eh?! Huh??" Yasachu felt confused, why would she want to be with Yasachu out of all people?
"Hah?! Wait a second, where are you two going?" Raijin asked.
"Don't worry, We aren't not going far." Shukona puts one of her hands on Yasachu's shoulders.
"I know my speech wasn't enough. So I'll let you two talk it out, preferably alone." Shukona added, glancing at Yasachu.
"Hah?! Wait what are you-" Raijin tried to speak to Shukona, but the two of them were already walking away.
"Tch." She clicked her tongue.
"..." I remained silent as I always do, watching this scene happen.
"So… Errrmm…" Raijin scratched the back of her head, turning towards me.
[... The two of us. Talking. Alone. After 5 years of not meeting each other… I understand where Shukona is going with this… But what are we supposed to talk about?] I thought, looking down at the ground.
What… Should we even talk about?