#akajii

[knockyasocksoff2022]

Butterflies & Lemons

Yosano Akiko x Motojirou Kajii

A regency AU

[knockyasocksoff2022]

Chapter One

1,363 Words

"FIRE! Fire! Fire! Everyone out of the building! There is a fire! A fire is burning! Everyone out of the building! A fire is burning! Fire! Fire!" The voice of a young boy calls. His name is Davies, and he's a mere 11 years of age, but his job is to stand about the labs and inform everyone when a fire breaks out.

He's been rather busy lately, as a scientist as controversial as he is known, was solicited to help Queen Mori's army triumph overseas. It is rumoured that he was a recluse, of all things before he took the position. He was eager for the job though, far too eager some might say.

In the middle of the rush off staff comes the 14-year-old Prince Tarou, shivering as his footman escorts him out onto the grounds, a thermometer still under his tongue. 25-year-old Yosano Akiko, the royal physician follows close behind, grumbling at having her day interrupted by the sudden commotion.

"I know who it was, it was that damn madman Motojirou, and he calls himself a doctor. Unbelievable! He could have killed all of us! He should be tried for treason for endangering the prince." She fumes, but she doesn't really intend to bring charges, already busy fretting over her favourite patient now that her anger has been voiced.  As she follows the crowd she does try to spot the scientist in question, hoping to pass along a menacing glare.

Quickly, they reach the north lawn of the Royal Research facilities (which house the royal clinic and laboratory) where they will stay while the other fire boys come and take care of the small flames. (and hope the Royal Fire Brigade doesn't have to get involved) Doctor Yosano is on any other day a big proponent of "Better safe than sorry" but now she just wishes to be back inside.

'The fire was tiny anyway, they could have just cleared his laboratory. That godforsaken looney case, this is the third time this month, has he not a single shred of sense? Or have his creations blown it all to smithereens?'

She's drawn out of her seething by a tap on the shoulder.

"Ah, there we go." She tuts as she retrieves the thermometer. The reading is no more or less than normal. "Normal, you are in as good a health as ever. Now relax, it is simple nerves for the start of your first social season. You will do fine. But do bundle up, before you really catch a chill."

He smiles, "Thanks, Doc."

"Of course, Ranpo-chan. It is my job after all."

His smile only widens at the nickname and he shakes his hands excitedly.

Boys, like girls, have their debuts in society, though, of course, things are different and they are not judged quite so harshly. Their families would announce them ready to enter society and allow them to begin attending hunts and games as adult men. Their adulthood is perceived by society to be much younger than that of women, though personally, Doctor Yosano thinks for most men it comes far, far later. This is the prince's first season in society after a life of sequestration.

Men are not expected to marry in their first season, but when they are ready it is hoped that they have matured enough that they will have their pick of the season's ladys. As for now, the prince will be able to enjoy the social season without these pressures, still with his unique mind and outlook on life, the future events are a source of anxiety.

Doctor Yosano cannot exactly relate, seeing as she has never been part of these practices herself, but she likens it to the pressures of secondary school and its social structure and tries to help that way.

~

Across the lawn, the aforementioned "damn madman" and "godforsaken looney case" stands clutching several citrus fruits, lemons to be exact.

He sees the royal physician, Doctor Yosano Akiko, glaring out at no one in particular, and laughs. 

'What's got her so upset today? The weather is lovely? Granted, I would rather be in my laboratory, I could easily have extinguished the flames myself, but, hey, what's life without a little adventure?'

"That doctor is rather uptight, don't ya think?" Motojirou asks his assistant who cowers in fear from flames that cannot possibly reach the group out here.

"Erm, I erm . . . She is, well, quite particular about things, yes but I do think it would be necessary for someone in her profession to be organised and focused. W-would it not?"

"Fair, but still, what a stone statue! She ought to loosen up, I mean, who doesn't love a little lemonade?"

"Respectfully, sir . . . I-f I may?"

"Why not? Let's hear it."

"Well, I think, sir, that she may, erm, hate you."

"Oh? Now why in the world would that be? I assure you I am most lovable!"

"Y-yes, of course, sir."

~

As they head inside, Ranpo chats excitedly about what he hopes his first season will bring, from decadent desserts to finding his favourite author, a person shrouded in great mystery.

He continues his chatter over the next week. Uninterrupted by any fires, though Yosano is not sure if she would have preferred that. She adores his enthusiasm, yes, but only wishes she had a bit more time with the small boy sitting on her lap.

'Perhaps this means he has reached the solution to his scientific quandary and will conclude his work and leave this place for good. I shall be very glad if that is indeed the case. Lord, let me be rid of him and his freaky fruits.'

Yosano smiles in encouragement as she brushes through his wild hair, getting Ranpo ready before his assistants arrive to help him dress. "It's a good thing I'm doing this now, I feel bad for the poor person who has to deal with this. You ought to brush your own hair like a big boy, you are an adult now, after all."

"Eh, maybe, but why should I when I have a most skilled doctor to do it for me.."

The two laugh at this.

"More important than hair bushing is your social season."

Yosano furrurs her bows in confusion, then with understanding, "My social- Oh, silly boy you know I do not participate in the events of teh high society."

"Usually, yes, but this season is going to be different."

"Ranpo, you know I-"

"Nonsense, it is my first season, and I want you there with me since Mama and Father cannot be. Together we will track down Lady Lenore a eat many, many sweets."

She smiles indulgently. "You of all people know that I cannot enter the season. I am not Nobel, I have not been debuted, and even if I was what purpose would it serve me?" Ranpo starts to speak, but she shushes him, "I have no time or use or patience for such decadence. And no intent to marry. So the entire thing would be a waste of everyone's time." Ranpo pouts, so she adds, "I mean, it would hardly be fair to all the other ladies if I went, now would it."

"Hmph." he huffs, popping a sweet in his mouth with a look that says he hasn't given up convincing her.

Yosano knows she will never find a husband, but that hardly matters, she is not looking for one, of course not. Why would she be when her career is all she has time for? 'It would be unfair of me to try and get a husband when I could not give them my full attention due to work. I do not ever want to feel guilty for devoting myself to doing what it is that I love.'

She cannot lie to herself much longer though, this much she admits. Whenever work is done, or she has any scrap of free time, she is lonely. She covers the feelings by helping Ranpo, but now that he has made his debut, his assistants will take over that role, and with Ranpo, her only distraction, about to enter the world, go off and find his own way, she knows she won't be able to hide it anymore.

(A/N: Yeah, I played with the regency social dynamic, deal with it. I never said this was going to be historically accurate)

Butterflies & Lemons

Yosano Akiko x Motojirou Kajii

A regency AU