When Strawberry Meets Grape - Vocaloid 神威がくぽx巡音ルカ

💜💗💜💗💜 Story 💗💜💗💜💗 An Afternoon Invitation in the Strawberry Garden The afternoon sunlight was like melted honey, pouring through the glass corridor behind the royal palace of the Strawberry Kingdom. Summer had not completely faded yet, but the garden was already touched by a gentle hint of coolness. Strawberry vines climbed over white arches, flourishing beneath the warm light. Bright red berries hid among lush green leaves, swaying softly whenever the breeze passed. Roses and small daisies bloomed along the stone paths. The air carried not only the fragrance of flowers, but also the unmistakable sweetness of ripe strawberries. This was the Crimson Berry Garden, one of the most famous places in the Strawberry Kingdom. Normally, only members of the royal family and specially invited guests were permitted to enter. Today, however, Megurine Luka had specifically instructed the attendants that no one needed to remain in the garden. Because she had invited only one guest. —Kamui Gakupo, the prince of the Grape Kingdom. “Your Highness, the carriage from the Grape Kingdom has entered the palace grounds.” An attendant quietly reported from outside the corridor. Luka, who had been arranging the tea table, suddenly paused. “He’s already here?” Her gaze immediately returned to the table. Although she had checked everything at least three times already, she still found herself inspecting it once more. At the center stood an elegant golden four-tier afternoon tea stand. On the top tier was a strawberry shortcake covered in snowy white cream, decorated with fresh strawberries cut into little heart shapes. The second tier held grape macarons, strawberry tartlets, and glossy purple grape jelly. The third tier displayed grape mousse alongside freshly picked strawberries. On the bottom tier were delicate grape cream biscuits created together by pastry chefs from both kingdoms. The teapot contained strawberry fruit tea. Luka had also prepared another pot of Earl Grey infused with a faint grape fragrance. “It should be all right…” Luka murmured to herself. Today, she had chosen not to wear the elaborate ceremonial gown usually expected of a princess. Instead, she wore a soft pink-and-white garden dress. The layered skirt spread around her like strawberry petals. Delicate lace decorated the sleeves and hem, while the jewel at her chest was a brilliant red gemstone symbolizing the Strawberry Kingdom’s royal family. She had simply wanted the afternoon tea to feel more relaxed. Yet now that she was actually waiting for Gakupo to arrive, she suddenly wondered whether she had prepared far too much. Just then, footsteps sounded from the opposite end of the corridor. Luka raised her head. A figure dressed in purple was approaching along the garden path. Gakupo had also chosen something less formal than the royal cloak he normally wore during official ceremonies. His black-and-purple noble attire was embroidered with elegant golden patterns along the collar and shoulders, shimmering beneath the sunlight. His long purple hair moved gently with each step, while the two long sections of hair framing the sides of his face fell all the way down to his waist. Most striking of all were his violet eyes. The moment his gaze met Luka’s, the slight distance in his expression immediately softened. “Luka.” He did not address her formally as Princess of the Strawberry Kingdom. Hearing her name spoken so simply made Luka smile. “Welcome to the Strawberry Kingdom, Gakupo.” She lifted the edge of her skirt slightly and walked toward him. “Was the journey here smooth?” “Very.” Gakupo nodded. “Although when we passed through the capital, I kept getting distracted by the smell.” “The smell?” “Strawberries.” Luka immediately laughed. “This is the Strawberry Kingdom.” “I believe that now.” Gakupo looked toward the nearby vines covered in fruit. “Even the royal palace garden is filled with strawberries.” “And you can eat these directly.” “Really?” “Of course.” Luka reached toward one of the vines and picked a perfectly ripe strawberry. She had originally intended to place it in Gakupo’s hand. But when she saw his expression, a mischievous idea suddenly came to her. “Want to try one?” “Mm.” Gakupo naturally held out his hand. Luka did not give it to him. Instead, she held the strawberry by its green leaves and raised it directly in front of his face. “Eat it.” Gakupo paused. “…You’re feeding me?” “The prince of the Grape Kingdom is afraid?” Luka tilted her head slightly, amusement shining clearly in her blue eyes. “To think a single strawberry could make you hesitate this much.” Gakupo stared at her for several seconds. Then he leaned forward and simply bit the strawberry from her fingers. This time, it was Luka who froze. She had only meant to tease him. She had not expected Gakupo to actually do it. “Sweet.” Gakupo spoke as if nothing unusual had happened. Luka’s cheeks slowly turned pink. “…Of course it is.” She quickly turned away. “L-Let’s go have tea.” Gakupo noticed the faint blush reaching her ears, and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. “All right.” The two took their seats beside the round table in the center of the garden. Sunlight filtered through the leaves above, scattering soft patches of light across the white tablecloth and porcelain cups. A small fountain murmured quietly in the distance. Every so often, butterflies settled upon the flowers. The entire garden seemed completely separated from the rest of the palace. Luka poured tea for Gakupo. Light red tea slowly filled his porcelain cup. “This fruit tea was made from the first strawberry harvest of the year.” She explained. “It isn’t too sweet. There’s a little bit of tartness.” Gakupo lifted the cup and took a sip. “It’s good.” “Really?” “Mm.” He took another sip. “Much lighter and more refreshing than I expected.” Luka’s expression immediately brightened. “I knew you’d like it.” Gakupo looked at her. “You care that much about what I think?” “Of course.” Luka answered far too quickly. Realizing what she had said, she hurried to add, “Because…you’re my guest.” “Only because I’m your guest?” “What else would it be?” Gakupo did not answer. He simply lifted his teacup again, hiding the faint smile on his lips. Luka narrowed her eyes at him. “Did you come here today just to tease me?” “I haven’t done anything.” “You clearly have.” “For example?” Luka opened her mouth. Nothing came out. Finally, she simply picked up a grape macaron and placed it onto his plate. “Eat your dessert.” “As you command, Princess.” “Don’t suddenly become so formal!” Gakupo finally laughed aloud. His laughter was quiet, yet Luka could not help laughing with him. The formality caused by their royal positions gradually disappeared. The two began enjoying their afternoon tea at an unhurried pace. Luka introduced each dessert. “This grape jelly was adjusted by our palace pastry chefs using grape varieties from your kingdom.” “What about this one?” Gakupo pointed toward the strawberry cake. “That’s one of our kingdom’s most traditional desserts.” “So I have to try it?” “You absolutely have to.” Luka sliced off a small piece. Between the layers of soft sponge cake were strawberry jam and fresh cream. Gakupo took a bite. Then remained silent for two seconds. Luka immediately became nervous. “You don’t like it?” “No.” “Then why aren’t you saying anything?” Gakupo took another bite. “I was wondering whether this is your favorite flavor.” Luka blinked. “How did you know?” “The way you look at the cake.” “My expression?” “It’s very obvious.” Luka lowered her eyes toward the cake. “Is it really…?” “Yes.” “What about you?” “My what?” Luka picked up a deep-purple grape macaron. “Do you prefer grape-flavored desserts?” Gakupo smiled. “You guess.” “You definitely do.” “Why?” “Because you’re the prince of the Grape Kingdom.” “What kind of reasoning is that?” “You basically said the same thing about me liking strawberries because I’m the Strawberry Kingdom’s princess.” “I never said that.” “You meant it.” The two began arguing over the macaron like children. If the ministers currently buried in serious diplomatic discussions inside the council chambers could have seen them, none would have believed that the graceful Strawberry Princess and the calm Grape Prince behaved like this in private. Eventually, Luka placed the grape macaron onto Gakupo’s plate. “Here.” “You’re not having it?” “I still have strawberries.” She picked up a bright red strawberry. Gakupo glanced at the purple macaron on his plate, then at the strawberry in Luka’s hand. Suddenly, he said, “They’re like us.” “What?” “Strawberries and grapes.” Luka paused. On the silver plate before them, red strawberries and purple grapes rested side by side. “They’re completely different.” Gakupo continued. “But they still belong together on the same dessert.” Luka looked at them. “And somehow, they taste surprisingly good together.” “Mm.” A soft breeze passed through the garden. The strawberry leaves rustled gently. Several strands of Luka’s long pink hair were lifted by the wind. Gakupo instinctively reached toward her. “Don’t move.” “Hm?” His fingers brushed lightly beside her hair. Luka immediately became completely still. A moment later, Gakupo pulled away a tiny leaf that had become caught between the strands. “You had something in your hair.” “…Oh.” Luka looked at the tiny leaf. For some reason, her heartbeat had suddenly grown much faster. Perhaps Gakupo noticed the sudden change in the atmosphere as well. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Finally, Luka was the first to look away. “Gakupo.” “Mm?” “Actually, I didn’t invite you here today only because I wanted to have afternoon tea with you.” Gakupo’s expression became slightly more serious. “Was there something you wanted to discuss?” “It isn’t really anything important.” Luka wrapped both hands around her teacup. “It’s just that…every time you visit the Strawberry Kingdom, it’s always because of meetings, banquets, or diplomatic events.” She raised her eyes to meet his. “And I suddenly realized that maybe you’ve never really seen this place.” Gakupo quietly listened. “So I wanted to show it to you.” Luka looked around the garden. “Not the banquet hall.” “Not the throne room.” “Just somewhere that I really like.” She smiled gently. “I wanted to share the things I love with you.” Gakupo watched her for a long moment. The afternoon sunlight fell across Luka’s pink hair, outlining every strand with a soft golden glow. “Thank you.” He spoke quietly. “I really like it.” Luka’s blue eyes immediately lit up. “The garden?” Gakupo paused. “Everything.” “Everything?” “The garden. The tea. The desserts.” His eyes remained on her. “And the person having tea with me today.” Luka froze. “…That’s unfair.” “Why?” “Because I don’t know how I’m supposed to answer that.” “Then you don’t have to.” Gakupo lifted his cup again. “Next time, I’ll invite you.” “To the Grape Kingdom?” “Mm.” “For afternoon tea?” “If you want.” Luka immediately leaned forward with interest. “Do you have vineyards?” “We do.” “Purple grape tarts?” “They can be prepared.” “What about grape ice cream?” “That too.” Luka became more excited with every question. “Then I’m going.” Gakupo could not help laughing. “I haven’t formally invited you yet.” “Invite me now.” “You’re in that much of a hurry?” “Hurry.” Gakupo placed his cup down and straightened his posture. He deliberately adopted the formal voice a prince might use when inviting an important royal guest. “Then, Princess Luka of the Strawberry Kingdom.” Luka also sat up properly, playing along. “Yes?” “Would I have the honor, sometime in the near future, of inviting you to the royal vineyards of the Grape Kingdom for afternoon tea?” Luka tried very hard not to laugh. Like a princess formally accepting a diplomatic invitation, she gracefully extended her hand. “I accept your invitation, Prince Gakupo.” Gakupo gently took her hand. Yet this time, neither of them released the other immediately. Sunlight continued to fall through the leaves. Inside the strawberry garden, crimson fruit and purple desserts rested side by side. Steam still rose gently from the tea upon the table. From somewhere in the distance, the palace clock tower began chiming four in the afternoon. Luka suddenly realized something. Even though she had spent so much time preparing desserts and tea, what made her happiest was not discovering which dish Gakupo liked best. It was simply knowing that whenever she spoke about something she loved, he remained sitting across from her, quietly listening. Perhaps the distance between their kingdoms was great. Perhaps strawberries and grapes tasted completely different. But some feelings did not need to be identical. Sometimes, simply sitting at the same table and sharing the scenery each of them loved was already enough. “Gakupo.” “Mm?” Luka smiled and picked up the final strawberry. “Want another one?” Gakupo looked at her. “Are you feeding me again?” Luka immediately turned bright red. “Take it yourself!” Laughter once again filled the garden. And that afternoon, surrounded by the sweetness of strawberries and the warmth of sunlight, quietly became one of those memories that would make both of them smile whenever they remembered it—even many years later.