The Boy and The Princess [2]—His Heartfelt Anxiety and Her Iron Forged Determination

[28 September 2025]

[Sunday]

[11:29am]

Kabukicho pulsated with a vibrant energy this Sunday morning, its streets already alive as the clock approached midday. 

Above, neon signs cast a gaudy kaleidoscope of colour onto the perpetually crowded sidewalks, where giant video screens flashed a rapid-fire montage of advertisements and celebrity gossip. 

The air, thick with the constant clamour of humanity, resonated with a symphony of laughter and hurried conversations, the blaring beat of pop music, and the distant, throaty rumble of traffic from Yasukuni Street. 

This urban opera was punctuated by the sharp cry of a car horn and the tantalizing sizzle of cooking from street vendors. 

Savory aromas of steaming ramen and rich soba noodles drifted from countless restaurants, mingling with the sweeter perfumes of crepes and spun sugar, the dark roast of coffee, and the grilled char of yakitori.

A ceaseless current of people—tourists, locals, families, and young couples—flowed through the area, radiating a lively, cozy warmth beneath the gentle autumn sun.

Or at least, that is what Sophia's senses perceived. For Keith, the relentless sensory bombardment was just another day, a familiar assault on his nerves. 

Together, the two navigated the human tide, their synchronized steps carrying them toward the familiar refuge of Seibu Shinjuku Pepe.

“Kei,” Sophia’s voice, a soft note in the chaos, carried over the noise as she turned her head to meet his gaze.

He met her eyes. “What?”

“Where are we going?”

Keith’s shoulders slumped, a long-suffering exhale escaping his lips. “How many times are you gonna ask me that today? We are going to Seibu Shinjuku.”

A soft, melodic chuckle escaped her. “I know, I just wanted to hear you say it.” She let her gaze wander again, a look of genuine wonder on her face as she soaked in the lively street performers, the intertwined couples, and the anonymous, bustling crowds.

Keith offered a silent, exasperated frown in response. His eyes, however, lingered on her. He took in the elegant yellow dress she wore, its graceful lines accentuating her form. 

The rich colour complemented her, and it was only then that a nagging question finally pushed its way to the forefront of his mind.

Hold up, where exactly has she been getting clothes all this time? Last time I checked she only had her school bag on Friday. So how did she get all these clothes?

They walked on for several more steps before Keith finally spoke again, interrupting her reverie as she admired the vibrant street scene.

“Hey, Sophia,” he began, his tone thoughtful.

Her head snapped toward him, an inquiring expression on her face. “What is it?”

“Where exactly have you been getting clothes all this time? But please refrain from calling me a pervert; I'm just curious is all.”

Sophia’s lips curled into a mischievous smile. “You are a pervert,” she answered, and Keith’s frown deepened into an immediate, tired scowl.

She continued before he could sigh again in exhaustion. “After you told me to knock on your door when I needed something, I texted Miss Adriana. She and Mr. Ben brought them to me while you were in your room, and, yeah, that’s basically it.”

“Oh, okay, I see—” A speeding train of realization slammed into Keith's thoughts, his posture stiffening.

The pieces clicked into place, and a look of pure, feline annoyance and fury settled on his face. This was their plan all along! Aunt-Emily!!! He shook his head, pushing the thought away.

Dwelling on it now would only make Sophia cranky and unbearable again, and he couldn’t face that headache.

They continued their walk, finally arriving at Seibu Shinjuku. As they stepped through the entrance, they were greeted by the pleasant, blended aroma of cafes and restaurants. 

For Sophia, the sight of the bustling mall, filled with people going about their lives, was comforting. For Keith, it was a fresh wave of panic. 

He pulled the brim of his cap lower over his eyes, a futile attempt to disappear. Sophia, ever observant, saw the tension ripple through his frame, the slight tremor in his hands. 

A wave of profound sympathy washed over her, and she remembered why he felt this way.

“Kei, are you okay?” Her voice was laced with genuine concern.

He shrugged his shoulders, avoiding her gaze. “I-I’m fine, don’t worry about me.”

“Kei, please don’t lie to me.”

“I’m not lying. I just… I don’t like being around peo—”

“I know.” The words came out soft and gentle. “I remember you were like this even back then. When I asked your mom and Miss Emily, they told me you had and still have social anxiety. Am I right?”

Keith's cap shifted upward, his eyes briefly meeting hers, before a visible flinch passed over his face at the mention of his mother. 

He quickly composed himself, listening to her words before a quiet admission escaped him.

“Yes, you're right. I have a hard time being around other people, but I'm starting to… well, at least, I'm trying to get through my anxiety, but sometimes I just can’t help it. I tense up when I hear people talk or laugh.”

He lowered his cap again, his voice a low, bittersweet murmur. They passed a cluster of teenage girls, their phones held high as they chattered animatedly outside a cafe. 

Other shoppers flowed past, a steady stream of humanity that seemed to constrict the air around Keith. Sophia listened intently, her face etched with a deeper concern now that she was seeing the reality of his struggle.

“I just feel so small in a place that’s full of strangers. Usually, I try my best to avoid people as much as I can, even at school... but... I... I want to change... I want... to be able to walk around people like any other normal person... and with time, I'll finally get there... but for now... it's baby steps, I guess.”

Sophia’s concern deepened into a resolve. His pain was real and present. She reached for his hand, but her ears burned crimson at the bold intimacy of the thought. For a few long seconds, she hesitated, a silent civil war raging within her.

Come on, Sophia. Grab his hand, this is your chance, it’s so simple, just grab his hand. He needs emotional support, so come on.

Her own iron-forged determination surged, overpowering her shyness. With a swift, deliberate motion, she took his hand. 

Her palm was flushed red, along with her cheeks and ears, and her eyes squeezed shut in mortified embarrassment. 

Keith’s fingers jolted at her touch, and he looked down at their joined hands, his own face tinged with a faint blush.

"Uhh… Sophia, why are you holding my hand?”

Her voice was a stuttering, barely-there whisper. “B-B-Because, you seemed to be feeling down, so I thought that this might make you feel better, was I wrong?” Her blue eyes, wide and luminous, shone with a raw, honest beauty, her lips a soft, rose-tinted hue.

“I-I guess not, but do you really want to hold my hand?”

“Don't make me say it, you dummy,” she muttered, squeezing his hand.

They continued their walk, fingers tightly intertwined, the warmth of their hands a secret shared only between them. 

The embarrassed blush still lingered on both their faces as they entered the fluorescent-lit aisles of “Ichikawa Groceries”.

Once they reached the frozen meat section, they finally released their hands. Keith, a little less flustered now, focused on comparing the prices of chicken and beef, while Sophia remained slightly dazed, a gentle, dreamy smile still playing on her lips.

“Which one do you prefer, chicken or beef? Sophia?” Keith asked, noticing her distant expression. He tried to get her attention, calling her name again. “Hey, Sophia. Are you listening?”

She blinked, snapping out of her reverie. “What? Did you say something?”

“I was asking if you prefer beef or chicken.”

“Oh, either one is fine. I'm not a picky eater, so you can buy whatever you think is best.”

“Alright.”

He grabbed a nearby basket and placed both chicken and beef inside. They moved on, browsing for onions, carrots, eggs, and other vegetables.

After gathering everything they needed, they proceeded to the checkout. With their plastic bags full of groceries, they walked out of the store.

“Kei, why did you buy so much?” Sophia wined.

“Because I’m not planning on coming back here for a while, and also because I have another mouth to feed. How unfortunate for me.”

Sophia retaliated with a playful pinch to his arm. “Is that right, you big jerk.”

“Ouch! That hurts, woman!”

“Mo-ron!”

“Easy there, Princess,” Keith countered, a hint of genuine amusement entering his voice. “You'll ruin your image.”

“What-ever,” she dismissed, a small, knowing smile gracing her lips.