Ch. 1: Waiting!
The Uncivilized Land, Month of Brilliance…-
I stopped walking in the forest, the trees burning orange in the light of the evening sun. I had been called to a feast by Randa as thanks for waking him up.
(I should be there soon but…this place is like a jungle.)
I checked the map Randa had drawn for me, and looked out over the tall trees.
At that time…-
??: “OO!”
OO: “Eh…?”
I heard a voice call my name from overhead and looked up…-
OO: “Randa!!”
Randa, who had been walking along the trees, jumped down in front of me with a *thud*.
His smile glittered as he looked at me, a large animal hanging on his strong shoulders.
Randa: “OO, was waiting! Here! Caught this! You eat!”
OO: “Eat…this?”
Randa showed me the animal riding on his shoulders.
OO: “It sure is big…!”
(It looks…like a boar?)
Randa: “I good at hunting!!!”
Randa smiled proudly, showing off all of his teeth.
Randa: “Feast! Start!”
OO: “Eh…?”
Randa put his hand on my back and pulled me close, then leaped up onto the branch of a tree.
OO: “…!”
Following that, he expertly ran through the forest.
(H-he’s so fast…)
Randa: “You not heavy! Eat more meat!”
Randa’s loud voice echoed throughout the forest.
Ch. 2: Feast, Start!
We finally emerged from the trees onto an open prairie, and the sky had turned completely dark with the stars just starting to shine.
Randa: “Feast, started!”
A great many torches illuminated the prairie, making it seem as if it were midday.
OO: “Wow…!!”
Large drums were being played in a festive rhythm as the people danced, and there were others laughing around an assortment of food.
Everyone had the same tattoo as Randa, and just like Randa they all bustled about with a great deal of energy.
OO: “It sure is a lively celebration!”
Randa: “Everyone love feast! You have fun too!”
OO: “I will!!”
I nodded and Randa grinned at me.
Randa: “This way!”
OO: “Eh?”
He grabbed my arm with his large hand, and pulled me into the ring of dancers.
Randa: “Dance!”
He put his arm around my back and pulled me in close, and as our bodies came into contact with each other I felt my heart start to speed up.
OO: “…!”
Randa: “Hm?”
Suddenly, Randa put his face at the base of my neck.
OO: “W-what’s wrong?”
Randa: “You, smell good!”
OO: “Eh?”
Randa: “Smell sweet! Like flower nectar!”
His nose grazed my neck.
His warm breath tickled my skin.
OO: “Thank you.”
Randa: “Smell good! I like!”
OO: “You’re…a little close.”
Randa: “Close? OK! Dance now!”
Randa gave me a hearty smile.
Within the fires of the torches and the bursting sound of the drums, I continued dancing with Randa.
Ch. 3: Fireworks, Pretty!
I joined in the dancing circle with Randa, and large fireworks were launched into the night sky.
OO: “Wow…they’re so beautiful…”
OO:” Family specialty! Making, difficult!!”
(They made them for me.)
Randa: “Better to watch like this!”
OO: “Whoa…!”
Randa easily lifted me up.
The multicolored fireworks burst overhead, with me just a little closer to the sky.
OO: “Thank you.”
Randa: “No problem!”
OO: “That surprised me…”
Randa: “Fireworks, really loud!”
(That’s not what I was talking about.)
Randa: “You like it! I like!”
OO: “Eh?”
It had come out of nowhere, and I looked down at Randa, still held up in his arms.
Looking into his glittering, innocent eyes, I felt my face heat up.
(Saying something like that all of a sudden…)
Randa: “You, good guy!”
(Good guy? …Ah, I see. He likes me like a friend then.)
Realizing that, I felt embarrassed at myself.
(What a funny misunderstanding…)
Randa: “And you?”
Randa peered up at me.
OO: “Me too.”
Randa: “OK! You like too!”
OO: “I’m glad we could become friends.”
Randa: “Friend? You like friend?”
Randa’s smiling face was illuminated by the colorful fireworks.
At that time…-
Child: “Randa! Dance over there!”
A group of children rushed up to Randa.
Randa: “OK!”
Dropping me from his arms, the children grabbed Randa’s hand and he was pulled away.
I felt a little lonely having been separated from that warmth.
Randa: “We dance!”
Randa started dancing with the children in the ring.
I didn’t know for how long I watched him as he smiled like that.