“Stop talking nonsense and go back to your home already!”

  Akitsu Shouga’s voice echoed sharply across the quiet road, cutting through the morning air as he glared at the girl standing stubbornly in front of him. His fists were clenched, his shoulders tense, as if holding himself back from saying even more than he already had.

  “I don’t care if you had an argument with your parents or anything like that,” he continued, his tone growing harsher with each word, “but you just can’t run away from home! Even if your parents don’t care about you, at least you have parents! Some people don’t even have parents!”

  The words spilled out uncontrollably—raw, heavy, and far too personal. He barely realized he was shouting until the silence afterward pressed in around them.

  The girl’s hands curled into tight fists at her sides. Her face twisted, fury flashing in her dark eyes.

  “Why do you care if I run away or not?!” she shouted back. “We just met, and you’re lecturing me to go back home even though I don’t want to!! It would be better for me if my parents disappeared!!”

  Akitsu’s eyes hardened.

  “You should be grateful for what you have!” he snapped. “Even if your parents don’t care about you, you are still their child—so go back home!”

  For a brief moment, the girl froze.

  Then she abruptly stood straighter and thrust her hand toward him, her expression burning with determination.

  “Let’s go! I’ll prove it to you—that my parents don’t care about me at all!”

  Without hesitation, Akitsu slapped her hand away.

  “I don’t want to go with a spoiled noble like you,” he said coldly. “You can go back home by yourself.”

  Her lips slowly curled into a dangerous grin.

  “Looks like I’ll have to forcefully drag you back to my house, huh?”

  “What—wait—”

  Akitsu didn’t even have time to protest.

  In a sudden burst of chaos, the girl grabbed him by the collar with shocking strength and began dragging him through the streets. His feet scraped against the stone road as he stumbled forward, nearly tripping multiple times. People stopped to stare, whispering as they watched a well-dressed girl manhandle a struggling boy through town.

  “Quit struggling!” she yelled. “You’ll just make it harder for both of us!!”

  “Let me go!” Akitsu shouted back. “Let me go, you stubborn brat! I don’t want to go back to your house!”

  “I don’t care!!”

  Her once-beautiful ball gown was now smeared with dirt, the hem torn and stained beyond repair—but she didn’t slow down even once.

  By the time they finally stopped, Akitsu’s legs felt like jelly.

  They stood before a giant mansion, towering above them like a fortress. Its walls were pristine, its gates massive and ornate. It was located kilometers away from the horse barn where Akitsu had slept the night before.

  She had dragged him the entire way by herself.

  The sun stood at its peak overhead. The wind was calm, almost mocking him.

  A guard stationed at the front gate glanced at them, recognized the girl instantly, and hurriedly opened the gate without question.

  She still refused to let go of Akitsu’s hand.

  Eventually, exhausted and defeated, Akitsu gave up resisting and allowed himself to be pulled inside.

  They walked toward the mansion’s massive front door.

  “Umm… why do you need me here?” Akitsu asked hesitantly.

  “I’m going to prove to you that my parents don’t care about me at all!”

  “That can’t be the only reason, right?”

  The girl turned to look at him—and smiled.

  “I like you. Want to be friends?”

  Akitsu let out a deep sigh.

  “All I see is an immature, rebellious teenager trying to prove to me that her parents don’t care about her.”

  She punched him square in the face.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  “Shut up!!”

  “Ow—!”

  “You obviously need me,” she snapped, “since you don’t have any place to stay!”

  “How do you know about that?”

  “You slept on a pile of hay,” she said flatly. “Isn’t that enough proof?”

  “…Yeah. I guess so.”

  Akitsu sighed inwardly.

  This feels like a fantasy story, he thought.

  I even got the fantasy romance deluxe package for free.

  The girl burst through the mansion doors.

  Inside—

  Chaos erupted.

  Her parents rushed down the stairs, faces pale with fear. Her mother wrapped her in a tight embrace, tears streaming freely.

  “Kaoru!” she cried. “I thought we would never see you again! I’m so glad you’re back home safely!”

  Her father hugged her just as tightly, his hands trembling, unable to speak.

  Kaoru froze.

  Tears welled up in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.

  Akitsu gently slipped his hand from hers.

  “I told you,” he whispered softly.

  “I was right… Your parents do love you.”

  Without another word, he turned around and began to walk away.

  “Wait.”

  Her father’s voice stopped him.

  The man opened his eyes and looked at Akitsu.

  “Who is that boy you came with, Kaoru?”

  “That’s my friend!” she said quickly. “He helped me come back here.”

  Perfect, Kaoru!! Akitsu thought.

  Now for the finale—the father will be indebted to me and give me all the treasure I want!!

  “Wait!!” her father called out. “I haven’t thanked you yet!!”

  Perfect execution!!! Akitsu thought. This is exactly what I wanted him to say!!

  “There’s no need,” Akitsu replied calmly. “I don’t need any help.”

  “Please,” the man insisted. “I am indebted to you. I won’t be satisfied unless I can treat you to something!”

  “Really, there’s no need—”

  “OI!!” Kaoru shouted. “Stop trying to act cool! You don’t even have a house to stay in!!”

  “Oh my,” her mother gasped. “Dear, the poor boy doesn’t have a house.”

  Good job blowing my entire plan up, Kaoru!!! Akitsu screamed internally.

  “Please,” her father said earnestly. “If you want, I’ll give you a room in the mansion. I must treat you to something.”

  “…Alright,” Akitsu said quickly. “I’ll take you up on that offer!”

  A few hours later, Akitsu stepped out of the shower.

  “This place isn’t so bad,” he muttered. “I get my own personal bathroom.”

  Laid neatly on the bed were silk shirts with embroidered collars, fine tunics, and tight hose made of silk and wool.

  “That looks… expensive.”

  He hesitated—then shrugged.

  “I guess I should wear it. They gave it to me, after all.”

  Dressed in noble clothing, he looked out the window at countless other mansions stretching into the distance.

  “I wonder how rich this whole neighborhood really is…”

  A knock echoed.

  “You may enter!”

  Kaoru stepped inside, wearing a pink gown adorned with flowers, her hair tied neatly into a bun.

  “I see the outfit fits you,” she said.

  “Aren’t these clothes expensive?”

  “Yes,” she replied casually. “But don’t worry. My parents are rich. Money isn’t an issue.”

  “Whatever you say, Kaoru, you stubborn brat.”

  She walked up and punched him on the head.

  “Shut up!!”

  “Ow! That hurt!”

  “How do you know my name?”

  “I heard it when you reunited with your parents.”

  “If you know my name,” she said, “tell me yours.”

  “I’m Akitsu Shouga. Call me whatever you want.”

  “Alright, Shouga-kun.”

  “Using my given name already, huh?” he smirked.

  “Aren’t we moving too fast, Thorn Princess?”

  She punched him again.

  “Shut up! We’re going to be friends from now on, so try to get along with me!”

  “That’s easier said than done…”

  “Are you insisting that I punch you again?”

  “No! No! No!”