Ariha: "This can't be happening... If you truly are His Highness Prince Senko, then how did you end up in our time?" The girl's voice trembled with disbelief. Then, as if a dam had burst, the words came tumbling out: "I know our country's history well—it clearly states that in 1723, you vanished into thin air right in front of the entire royal family. For you to appear in 2023... it's absurd!"
At her words, the prince took a step back, muttering under his breath:
Senko: "2023? That's... impossible..."
His backward step proved disastrous—with nothing but the fountain behind him, he lost his balance and toppled into the water with a splash. His helmet went flying. Ariha gasped at first, then burst into laughter. She approached the prince, who was now drenched and wide-eyed with shock, and extended her hand again.
Ariha: "Well, I think we're both equally stunned. Under the circumstances, Your Highness, perhaps we should figure this out together?" Her smile was warm, almost playful.
For a moment, the prince just stared at her. The hollow disbelief inside him wavered as he took in her bright expression. Something unfamiliar stirred in his chest—a lightness, a flicker of hope. He reached for her hand and hauled himself out of the fountain, only for his stomach to let out another thunderous growl.
Ariha laughed again, her grin widening.
Ariha: "But first—food. Clearly, that's the most pressing issue right now."
Senko: "Agreed. Hunger does take precedence over... whatever this is."
Just then, Ariha caught another round of whispers from passersby. An idea struck her—she dug into her pocket and pulled out a pair of wireless earbuds, popping them into her ears. The prince watched, baffled, as she then retrieved his helmet from the fountain.
Ariha: "These are called earbuds. In our era, we use them to listen to music—privately, so no one else hears. They connect wirelessly to another invention, letting you hear sound just in your own ears. Right now, though, they're my cover."
Senko: "Cover? For what?"
Ariha: "So people think I'm just on a call, not talking to myself—or to a prince from the past who somehow fell into a fountain." She winked. "Come on, let's get you fed before your stomach declares rebellion."