The Princess Returns

“Hello to you too, Sophia. It truly has been a minute.”

“Is that all you have to say after such a long time? I guess you haven't changed since the last time I saw you, although now you're much taller than before.”

“Yeah, well, that's what happens in life. We grow up.”

“So cold. You know if you act like that you're never gonna get a girlfriend.”

“Great, cause I'm perfectly fine without one.”

A shared breath seemed to freeze the air between them. Then, the verbal war that defined their childhood began anew, each launching their favorite insults.

“Weenie.”

“Blondie.”

They spoke in unison, their voices sharp and loud enough to ring in each other's ears.

“Whatchu say?”

“Who are you calling blondie, you complete and utter weenie!”

“Oh, you've got nerves, blondie. No one disrespects me, not even you, butterfly princess.”

They were inches away from each other's faces, their breaths mingling, the old arguments surging to the surface.

“Pfft—hahahaha…”

The tension shattered into a familiar burst of laughter. The playful banter brought back memories of arguing and playing, a warmth spreading through Keith's chest despite the lingering ache from the earlier thought. He pushed it away. 

Sophia was here, and acting out of character would only worry her, something he knew she did far too easily. She'd always worried more about others than herself.

The laughter subsided, and Sophia sank into the chair beside his desk, her eyes fixed on him with a familiar smirk.

“You're the one who hasn't changed, butterfly princess.”

“How do you even remember that silly nickname?”

“I don't know, maybe because you used to make me say it all the time.”

“That's nothing but lies.”

“Are you calling me a liar? How nice of you. No, I was wrong; you have changed. Your brain has gotten bigger, and by your brain, I mean your head.”

“Oh, is that right, virgin-kun?”

They growled at each other, their faces comically distorted before returning to normal as they decided to talk like normal, civilized teens.

“Why did you move to Japan so suddenly? If I’m not mistaken, you told me all those years ago that you'd never move here. Remember? And why this school of all the schools in Japan?”

Sophia's face burned a furious crimson as she looked out the window, a hand flying to her cheek.

“That's none of your business.”

“Excuse me for asking, then. I forgot I was talking to a princess who has zero manners.”

“Oh, grow up, you big baby.”

As they continued to argue, Shintaro walked into the classroom. He smiled at the scene.

“What’s this, a lover's quarrel?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Like I would ever be this weenie’s lover.”

Well, they sure do have a lot in common. They've got good chemistry too, I'm almost jealous. Shintaro thought, watching them turn away from each other. 

They looked like a match made in heaven, despite their bickering. Keith turned back to him.

“I've known her since we were kids, believe it or not. And as you've just seen, she's a pain in the butt.”

“M'kay, but even though you see her as a pain in the you-know-what, you two would still make a pretty decent couple, I'm being for real here, my dude.”

Keith paused, a pensive look crossing his face. His voice losing its bravado. “There's… no chance of that… trust me.”

“Suit yourself.”

Shintaro approached Sophia's desk, his tone shifting to something formal and odd. 

“Salutations, my fair lady. My name is Shintaro Nagai, but you can address me as Shintaro.”

“It's nice to meet you, Nagai. I'm Sophia Marlowe, though you probably know that already. Uhh… if you don't mind me asking, why are you talking like that?”

Shintaro laughed awkwardly before pulling on a serious face and extending his arm for a handshake. 

“Sorry about that, I tend to get carried away sometimes. It's nice to meet you, Miss Sophia.”

“There's no need for you to be so formal. We're good.”

“Gotcha. So then, what's up between you and my boy?”

“Nothing at all. We were just arguing, that's all.”

“Alright then, Sophia-chan, is it okay if I call you that?”

“Yeah, it's no problem at all.”

“Sweet. I hope we can be friends, can we?”

“I don't see why not?”

“Hell yeah, well…”

The bell rang, cutting off Shintaro's words and signaling the end of recess. Students filed back into their classrooms. 

Akira passed by in the hall, returning from the restroom. The English teacher entered and began the lesson.

The lesson dragged on. The teacher asked a question, but no one answered. He scanned the room, his eyes landing on Shintaro, who was half-asleep, his head bobbing.

"Nagai! Tell us the answer for question three."

Shintaro jolted awake, his face still groggy. He fumbled for an answer. “The answer is… Kah-bohn dye-ok-side.”

"It's pronounced 'Kar-bon dye-ok-side,' Nagai. Now pay attention and stop sleeping during class.”

“Sorry, Chief. It won't happen again.”

“I'm sure it won't.”

Laughter rippled through the class as Shintaro grinned, unfazed. Keith, however, buried his face in his hands. Sophia sat lost in her own world, a distant look in her blue eyes, oblivious to the commotion.

The final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. Some students gathered their belongings, while others headed to their club activities. 

Keith stood up, grabbed his bag, and rushed out, heading for the restroom. When he came out, he almost collided with Akira, who was on her way to his class.

“Oh, goober-kun, I was just about to look for you. I wanted to walk home with you, but unfortunately, I can't. I have to practice, so… yeah.”

Practice? What is she practicing? Is she on a sports team? Keith wondered, a spark of curiosity in his eyes. 

“Are you in a club?”

“Yeah, I'm in the track team.”

Seriously? I didn't peg her as a sports enthusiast. But then again, she was pretty stoked about the 100-meter dash the other day. Guess she's more into sports than I thought.

“Do you really love running that much?”

“I said it before, didn't I? I love Athletics. Anyway, I need to get going. I'll see you on monday… Okay, Goober-kun.”

Akira waved as she turned and disappeared down the stairs. Keith re-entered his classroom, said goodbye to Shintaro, and then made his way to the train station. He walked at a fast, even pace.

Then after a while he got to his gate, and found a familiar figure standing right beside him. He turned, his gaze meeting hers.

“Sophia? Why did you follow me to my house?”

“Didn't she tell you?”

“What?”

“Miss Emily told me I could stay at your house while my parents are still figuring out the whole moving thing. So yeah, basically we'll be living in the same house for a while. Miss Emily said she would tell you, I guess she didn't.”

Keith's face twitched in disbelief, then he looked away from her as his thoughts ran rampant.

She was involved in this. You have got to be kidding me. What the hell is this, an ecchi manga series!!!