Masquerade Night - Prologue

[shivalries]

Season: Summer

—

Location: Downtown

(Flashback. March, just before Tsukasa Suou formally enters Tumenosaki Academy, on a certain piece of land owned by the Suou family.)



Tsukasa: Hm... So, this is the land my family bequeathed to me.

Oh no, do not mind me. I’ve only come to observe the demolition efforts.

I will head home in just a moment. Please, don’t let me distract you from your work.

Of course. I look forward to our continued partnership.

(Never had I imagined Father would give me a gift of land like this upon my acceptance into high school.)

(I suppose he means to light a fire under me as the one to one day claim the family’s headship.)

(To be honest, I am not quite sure what to do with such a significant gift...)

(Still, since I have been entrusted with this territory that the Suou family has guarded for generations, I wish to use it for something productive.)

(What could I build here that would benefit us...?)

(A parking lot...? No, that’s much too mundane.)

(If I am free to do as I please, then I want to make this place a lively gathering spot that attracts many people.)

(Then, perhaps a park?)

(Children could run around freely, grown-ups could enjoy some pleasant conversation... I want to see this place filled with smiles.)

(The possibilities are endless! Well, I do not have to decide right now.)

(I’ll set that aside until I have a moment to think about it. Right now, I’m busy with preparing to advance to my new school.)

(Ah, yes, my preparations... Heh, right, I’m getting rather ahead of myself.)

(After all, the sole reason I came here to observe despite having no need to is because I could not wait to wear the Yumenosaki Academy uniform that just arrived yesterday!)

(Ahh, I feel my heart beginning to soar.)

(At last, the time has come for me to fulfill my long-held wish.)

(Very soon, I, too, will become part of that beloved, uproarious brilliance...)

—

Location: NewDi Lounge

(Back to the present, at NewDi)



Tsukasa: Now then everyone, I’m accepting opinions on what we should do for Knights’ fan appreciation event.

For my part, I hope to hold a magnificent event that lavishes our dearest princesses with our gratitude.

Leo: Oooh, me first! We should rent a humongous concert hall and hire an orchestra!

Then we all play Knights songs together. Now that would be a smash hit!

Izumi: Isn’t that just what you want to do? If it’s an “appreciation” event, you have to actually think about what the fans want.

Leo: What’d you just say?! Then what’s your bright idea, Sena?

Think you got something better than my concert?

Izumi: Well, obviously. Your songs are good, I’ll admit, but if that’s all we have, it won’t be much different from a regular concert.

So why don’t we try having a fashion show or something with all of Knights in it?

Ritsu: How is that not just what you want to do, Secchan?

Izumi: Hold on. Before you accuse me–I am thinking of the fans.

I’m letting them admire to their hearts’ content the most beautiful person in the world: me.

Arashi: Hehe, only you would say that with so much confidence, Izumi-chan.

Izumi: What are you insinuating, Naru-kun?

Tsukasa: *sigh*... Please, everyone, can you take this seriously?

Izumi: Excuse you, I’ve been taking it seriously this whole time.

You’re always like this, Kasa-kun. All you ever do is shoot down our ideas one after another.

Tsukasa: I do not mean to dismiss you. All I want is to choose a plan that best fits the appreciation event!

Ritsu: Then what is this plan that “best fits the appreciation event”, Su~chan?

Tsukasa: I... I haven’t quite thought of one.

Izumi: You what?! And you thought you had the right to criticize us? Toooootally annoying!

Tsukasa: Ngh...

Ritsu: Well, I won’t deny that Secchan’s idea doesn’t really sound like Knights.

We haven’t exactly sold ourselves as a fashion focused-unit, after all.

Guess we should go with a dinner show featuring my personally designed desserts, then?

Izumi: Now you’re just suggesting what YOU want to do!

Tsukasa: *sigh* The discussion has once again descended into chaos.

Please forgive me, Onee-sama. My incompetence has forced you to witness this shameful state of affairs...

I shouldn’t worry about that, you say?

I can see on your face that you’ve grown accustomed to this already...

I feel the deepest, most acute shame. I had always intended for Knights to reach nobler, more beautiful heights...

—

Masterlist || For the Princess Chapter 1 >