THE FLOWER BUD

Nami glared at Vivian. "U-um, V-vivian—" She fiddled with her fingers, her gaze darting from Ren to Vivian.

Vivian bent closer to her. "C'mon, talk to me like you were talking with this." She pointed at Ren, poking Nami's nose. "Heh, or can you only talk with GUYS...Hmm?" 

Ren took a step closer to Vivian. "You are being insensi—" 
"Sheesh, I hate that word; it's got 'sen' in it.... Hehe, just kidding..." She eyed Nami. "I always wondered how you live with yourself after what happened to poor ol' Toby."

Tears welled in Nami's eyes as she tucked her robe. "D-do you maybe h-hate me because you like Sen or something?" 
Vivian stared at her before bursting into laughter. "You can keep your lunatic meh-looking boyfriend; a prince will come for me."

Nami wiped her tears, sighed, and left.

Ren was about to leave after her, but Vivian pulled him back. "You forgot Sen killed you?" 
He stared at her as she spoke; her face was emotionless.

"You must be thinking, The mean twin showed up, but I saved your idiot butt.'" She twirled the long strands of her hair.
She widened her eyes, and she covered her mouth in the same overstated manner. "Or are you a masochist and loved what Sen did?"

Ren's eye twitched. She is damn annoying.

Ren glared at her; she stared back at him when she swiftly directed her eyes to her chest.
With a smug face, Vivian bent closer. "So you only cover up other people's girlfriends, hmmm?"
Ren gasped as he got a tiny glimpse; he quickly moved away from her.

"VIVI!!!" 

A pink-headed girl ran over to Vivian and hugged her.
She looked at Ren and gasped. "AHHHHHH, you are that guy with Yuzuru in the kitchen. YOU GUYS ARE LOVERS, AREN'T YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!?????????"
Vivian covered her mouth again.

Ren remembered a pink girl who came in to call them for the palace visit.
She was squeezing Vivian's robe. "C'mon, tell meeeeeee."
She left the robe and began walking closer to Ren.

Ren raised his hands in defense. "That was a m-misunderstanding...wait...NO...we weren't even in any unexplainable situation."

"Tell the truth!?" She walked closer.

Ren took a step back and bumped into someone.

"Sorry?" 

"It's fine." Riley patted his back and walked to his side. "You don't want to eat?"

"Reeeeelay..." The pink girl hugged her.
"Tell this guy to tell the truth. Are he and Yuzuru a couple?"
Riley looked at Ren, who shook his head, and back at her."Ayu, who said that to you?"

"Jacksaw, why?" 
Riley giggled."Well, Ayu, Ren is not with Yuzuru, but I think Jacksaw might have a huge crush on, ummm, G-gyru."

Ayu scratched her head."But Gyru went to the automaton kingdom?"
Riley patted her head. "Yeah, that's why Jacksaw is lonely; you should show him your collection of Jacksaw X Gyru edits you made."
Ayu chuckled. She looked at Ren. "I will make your edits too—" And she left, pulling Vivian with her.

"D-does she edit people's pictures together, without consent....." Ren trembled while pointing at her.
"Yeah, that's why no one messes with her; she is the scariest." 
"S-so does Jacksaw actually like that person?" Ren pulled on his robe.

Riley looked at him and stuck out her tongue, winking.
"I lied~"

The two burst into laughter.
"What if she finds out?"

"Oh, she knows I lied. I gave her an idea to bother a person; that's what she wanted." She stepped ahead and turned to him. "Let's go eat." 

The two walked over to where everyone was eating. 
They sat down on the cushions on the carpet.

 Vivian rushed over to Riley, pulling her up. "I can't sit on the ground like a beggar."
Riley jumped up, covering her mouth. "Vivian, rude."

Vivian backed away. "I'll go to Amanda." 
She walked away from them to the table where only Amanda was seated.
There weren't any other royals since this feast was for Star Awesome.

"I think she is beyond rude..." Ren glanced at Riley while pointing at Vivian.
"Hehe, I know, she has been like this—"

"Oi, Riley, you are wearing the boy's clothes!" Yuzuru got up, and this time Nive pulled him down.
"Quit looking at the girls, you shameless shit." Nive nudged him.

"Oh, yeah," she said, getting up, twirling, and showing her clothes. "Shar is in women's clothes, so wasn't it obvious someone swapped clothes with him?" 
Shar sent her a flying kiss. 
Riley pretended to catch it and threw it at Yuzuru.

"Please not me!" Yuzuru got up while Shar sent him more flying kisses.

"You should be glad someone is showing you affection; otherwise, with how ugly you are, you are born to be single." Vivian threw a bone at Yuzuru.

"YOU CRAZY WOMAN!?" Yuzuru got up. He looked at Vivian, who was sitting in Amanda's seat. "What the—where is Amanda—" Yuzuru looked around.

"Here!" Amanda raised her hand. She was sitting on the ground eating the meat.
"If Prince Carlos sees you..." Yuzuru went to her. He'll say you are sitting in your deserved spot."

"Eh?" Amanda looked at him, confused.
"He insulted you." Vivian pointed at Yuzuru.

Amanda blinked. O-oh, well, Yuzuru, I will send you to fight before I do."
Yuzuru sat down with her. Okay, sorry, sorry, and um, Princie, is the network working here?" 
He scratched his head, nervously looking around.

Amanda took a bite. "Yes, if you go down this street, you will see one electric pillar; if you stand there, you will be asked to use the network."
Yuzuru got up and began to walk away. "Thanks."
"Why so?" Amanda yelled after him.
Yuzuru stopped and turned to face her. "Ahhh, nothing. Wanna do a bit of scrolling." 
And left.

.

.

Nami leaned against a wall while fondling a small flower bud. 
Opposite to her was a man milking some long creature. 
She dropped the bud and sighed, walking away.

She strolled down the empty path, kicking the sand. After a short walk she reached an oasis with long trees. Looking around as if anticipating someone, she noticed Sen lying in the tree's shade. Nearby was a hut Amanda had allotted to Hiroto. She smiled and rushed back to where she was standing.

Picking up the flower bud, her hair shone, becoming gelatin. The man across from her began staring at her.
"Hey, missie—" He called out in a hoarse tone. "Come here." He took a few steps towards her.

She squeezed the bud and dashed off. Running down the empty path, she made her way to the oasis. The man rushed behind her. She gasped and with all her might, she began calling for Sen.

"Hey, who are you calling, missie?" The man gasped, nearing her.
She instantly tripped, falling on the ground.
He chuckled, sitting down next to her. "You should have just—"

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?" 

Sen bent down to the man from behind. 

"Huh? Kiddo, do you want a go~?"
He was punched in the face while Sen gasped for air, "YOU SHAMELESS PIECE OF MEAT."
Punching him again. 

The person backed away from her and pulled out his sword.
"Kid, you want to fight?"
Sen stared at the sword and chuckled, "Yeah, let's do that—"

"Stop this, now."
Hiroto walked over to them. He glanced at Nami. "Hmm, you have the Nomed species power, miss?"
She nodded. 

Hiroto smiled and walked over to the man. "Alright, now, bye-bye."
A portal opened beneath him, and the man fell into it.

"HE WAS TRYING TO MESS WITH MY GIRL; I WON'T LET HIM BE..." 
Sen yelled, reaching out to Hiroto, but a portal appeared between them.

"I will not be sparing him, but as a Star Awesome member, refrain from killing citizens; you will cause problems for the princess." A portal appeared, and Hiroto stepped into it. "The man was attracted; he wasn't at fault, but I will foresee his punishment."

He disappeared into the portal as it closed behind him.
Sen went over to Nami and patted her head. "C'mon, let's go back."

"I will get that flower and come later." She pointed at a small bush with flower buds next to the oasis.
Sen glanced at the bush. "Fine, I am going first."

She went to the bush and plucked off a flower.
"Nami, why do all this?" Yuzuru walked over to her.
She blushed and plucked another flower. "Because I love his affection."