Castle Town Dandelion (城下町のダンデライオン)

There we go!

So, are you going to get up anytime soon?

The day is wasting away, you two.

The day can go stuff it.

Everyone else is already awake.

What for?

Why didn't you tell me it was so late?

Sorry, gotta go!

Huh?

Every day in the Sakurada household is a battle.

Hey, Haruka, get a move on.

Teru's about to burst.

Don't worry, Big Bro...

You see, I say "battle" because--

Dad...

Our family is huge.

And we have to scramble for the bathroom.

There. All set.

Thanks for helping me out, Aoi.

I hope you enjoy it. It's a special veggie omelette.

And there's plenty more where that came from.

Thanks for all the food, Mom!

Darling, the paper can wait.

Uh. Of course, dear.

Ew! No one said anything about peas for breakfast!

If you don't quit being so picky,

you're never going to get any taller.

Hey, Mom.

Since I'm not picky at all, does that mean I'll grow up faster?

Yup! That's right.

Try not to eat so fast, Shiori.

Mh-hm.

Oh, right.

We're out of toilet paper. Sorry about that.

Uh oh, who's in charge of doing the shopping this week?

It's Shu, right?

Me? Really?

In that case, I'll get some after school today.

Thanks, Shu, you're a lifesaver.

We have the best children in the whole world,

don't we?

Yeah, you do!

So, that's my family.

Things can get kinda hectic when you're one of nine siblings.

But we do our best to make it work.

If you saw us,

you'd probably think we were like any run-of-the-mill family.

But there's something special about us

that makes us less than ordinary.

It's fine. I don't need to rush.

The driver is already waiting for you.

Why are you wearing your crown, Dad?

Well, I...

I accidently brought it home with me so I thought, "why not?"

You actually look like royalty, Daddy!

I hope so. I am the king, after all.

Yep, that's right.

Our dad just so happens to be this country's king. Crazy, huh?

Have a good day, Dad.

Take care, honey.

Thanks, you too.

And, dear, I'll be home in time for dinner tonight.

Okay!

Have a good day, Daddy.

You too, pumpkin.

Sorry about the noise, every morning. We try to keep it down.

Sorry.

The cherry blossoms are almost gone.

Yeah.

This weekend might be our last chance for a viewing party.

What a shame.

Good morning. Lovely day, isn't it?

Why yes, it is indeed.

You have a great day, sir.

Good morning, have a good one.

So, I was thinking,

we could have a picnic before they're all gone and--

Well, look who it is! Good morning, everyone.

Have a wonderful day, ma'am.

Bye, bye!

Yeah, uh, bye, bye.

There's no reason for you to be so shy, Akane.

Just get over it already.

Aw, c'mon, leave her alone, Kanade.

Whatever.

Even though we're royalty,

we live in town just like everybody else.

Dad wants us to have as normal a life as possible.

And we do, for the most part,

but we also have to deal with being local celebrities.

Which, as you can imagine, causes some problems.

For example...

They moved the surveillance cameras

around again!

I just memorized where they all were!

That's pretty impressive in its own right.

I don't want praise! I want privacy!

It can't be helped.

They're just monitoring us in order to keep us safe.

We are royalty, y'know.

Yeah, I get that. But...

Don'tcha think 2,000 of them is overkill?

Akane, that memory of yours is nothing to scoff at.

If I knew where all the cameras were,

I'd be showing off to everybody nonstop.

What for?

To win them over before the election, duh.

We're all in line for the throne, remember?

Why does there have to be a stupid election?

There's nothing we can do.

Dad already made up his mind.

Wait! You're serious?

Well, I'm not joking.

I could've sworn I told you all of this.

Once Aoi graduates, we'll hold an election

and let the public decide their next king.

That's been my plan from the beginning.

We'll hold it in March

and announce the final results in early April.

You don't have a lot of time, so do your very best.

Why is he doing this to me?

Whoa! Is that the time?

I'm gonna be late for Student Council!

Guess I'm off, too. I'll catch you later.

We should probably get moving. Are you ready?

The camera's still there.

Well. Would it help if I went out and distracted it for you?

They're slow, so it should be easy.

You're a lifesaver!

The cameras must have gotten an upgrade as well.

Poor Akane.

Now I have to come up with a whole new route

just to avoid them.

There's no time. We're gonna be late enough as it is.

Fine. I'll do it.

Are you sure about that?

Every time you use it, you end up feeling like you cheated.

Yeah, but I'd feel a whole lot worse

if I made you late for school again, Aoi.

You're so thoughtful.

Take my hand.

Okay.

Each member of the royal family

has a unique special power we can use.

Think of them as a "proof of royalty."

My power lets me change the weight of my own body,

along with anything I happen to be touching.

Akane, would you fly a little slower, please?

Huh? What for?

How to put it? I see London, I see France.

As you can see, my power requires some finesse.

Your Majesty.

I'm sorry to repeat myself,

but I must insist you leave the crown in the palace.

Yeah, yeah.

Please, sir, my ulcer goes crazy

when I think it's been lost.

That's because you're a worrywart. Ha.

Your Majesty!

How are my children doing?

Let's see.

Princess Shiori has already arrived at her kindergarten.

Princesses Misaki and Hikari, and Princes Haruka and Teru

will arrive at school within five minutes.

Very good. Aoi and Akane?

Off the map. They've used their powers.

Unfortunately, our cameras aren't able to catch them.

Can't be helped.

They might cause you trouble,

but I'm glad you're watching over them.

It's my honor, Your Majesty.

Now then, time to get down to business.

If you wish an audience

with His Majesty, the king, please step forward.

Sir!

I made it.

Rough morning, Princess?

I don't know how you even make it through the day, Princess.

You both know I hate being called that

when we're in school.

I guess this is the only place you can blend in

with the crowd when you're not hiding at home.

Plus, there are no cameras here.

Yeah!

Where did the day go?

Time really does fly when you're having fun.

You're the only person I know

that loves school more than anything.

It's kind of unhealthy.

It's just that I feel normal here.

Everyone treats me like an equal.

Yeah.

That's because we're friends.

Akane! Ready to go?

It's Princess Aoi!

Will you marry me?

Or maybe I'm just not popular.

You really are amazing, sis.

Everyone in town adores you.

Oh, Is that a fact?