Ch. 5: Help!
(Help!)
The cry died in my throat.
Everything seemed like it was moving in slow motion as the swords came towards me.
(I’ll be killed…!)
I squeezed my eyes shut, and then…-.
??: “Hold it right there!”
Byakuyo’s voice echoed in the garden.
At his sudden shout, the men recoiled, leaving a gap. Byakuyo rushed forward, swift as the wind.
Byakuyo: “Such cowardly behavior!”
Swords clashed before my eyes, and the sharp sound of metal on metal rang out.
In the blink of an eye, Byakuyo had inserted himself between the men as several were about to cut me down.
Man: “Ugh…”
A man grunted as he took a hit from the flat side of a sword and crumpled to the ground. Byakuyo climbed over him and moved on to the next.
A display of martial arts that looked like dancing unfolded before me, and I stood there transfixed.
At last, Byakuyo struck the final man in a vital point, then turned to me.
Byakuyo: “OO, are you alright!?”
OO: “Y-yes!”
(I was just stuck on watching Byakuyo…)
And then…-.
Byakuyo stood in front of Lady Kazuki, and violently struck her on the cheek.
Kazuki: “…!”
Byakuyo: “You should be ashamed of yourself!”
Kazuki: “…”
A group of retainers had heard the commotion and run over, surrounding Lady Kazuki as she stood there dumbfounded with her hand pressed to her cheek.
Ch. 6: If You're Not Here
The situation having come to light, Lady Kazuki left the country.
Byakuyo: “That woman…just as I’d thought, she had an ulterior motive, and it gets worse. I mean, there were poisonous snakes in the garden, and a bunch of armed men were loitering around…there were just too many suspicious things going on.”
OO: “P-poisonous snake!?”
Byakuyo: “That’s right! Just thinking about it makes me feel sick!”
I stared at Byakuyo as he shuddered…-.
Then he suddenly turned a smile to me, tinged with distress.
Byakuyo: “I’m in your debt.”
OO: “No, that’s ok.”
Byakuyo: “I had no idea something this awful would happen, and I made you go through something scary. I’m sorry…”
Byakuyo lowered his head in apology, his voice different from his usual cheerful self.
OO: “No, really, I’m alright. You protected me Byakuyo! And I’m glad I was able to help you.”
Byakuyo: “You…”
(But with this my job really is finished.)
That thought grated on my heart.
Byakuyo: “But you need to be more careful with that good-hearted nature of yours.”
OO: “Eh?”
Byakuyo: “You pitied her and went into the garden right? All not knowing what her intentions really were. That was dangerous. Though I suppose that’s another of your good points too.”
OO: “I-I’ll be careful from now on.”
Byakuyo: “Good, you do that. Though it’s different if I’m always there to protect you.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Byakuyo: “Fufu, oh, nothing.”
Seeing Byakuyo’s cheerful smile warmed my heart.
However…
(Like I thought, it doesn’t change how lonely I feel.)
That feeling tightly gripped my chest.
The next day, still feeling that regret, I took out my luggage.
(It wasn’t really for very long, but I feel like I’ve been here forever. How strange…)
I tried to shake off the feeling, but each time Byakuyo’s smile popped into my head.
At that time…-.
Byakuyo: “Hold it right there.”
I heard the sound of hoof beats, and a voice called out for me to stop.
OO: “Byakuyo!”
Byakuyo: “As thanks, I’m taking you to my favorite spot. Get on!”
I firmly gripped his strong, outstretched hand, and he pulled me up onto the horse with his arms around me like an embrace.
Byakuyo went a little ways up the country’s largest mountain, then the horse came to a stop.
Byakuyo: “The view you can see from this point on Koubai Mountain is my favorite.”
We dismounted from the horse and looked out at the scenery together.
OO: “It’s very pretty here.”
Byakuyo: “Look, you can even see the entire castle.”
OO: “You’re right, it looks so small.”
A gentle breeze blew.
Byakuyo: “I’m sorry I asked you to do a lot of weird things, put you in danger, and dragged you along. But I had a lot of fun when I was with you.”
At his words, an assured happiness filled my heart.
OO: “Me too Byakuyo. Like when you helped me with my make-up and put me in the kimono. There was that situation that had me scared. But I really enjoyed…being your fiancée.”
Byakuyo: “…”
(But it’s time to part ways)
I only thought it, yet it pained me to do so.
(It’s not like we won’t see each other again but…)
I was wrapped up in my thoughts when…-.
Suddenly, Byakuyo took my hand in his graceful one.
I noticed his hand was significantly larger than mine.
Byakuyo: “What’s with that face?”
OO: “Byakuyo…?”
The light poured down on the hillside, making Byakuyo’s hair flash with light.
Byakuyo: “It’s no good if you don’t smile! You’ll spoil your cute face! Come one, smile. Show me that smile that I love so much.”
As he said it, I forced a smile, but Byakuyo knit his eyebrows together in an expression of worry.
Byakuyo: “That’s a weird face…geez, you can’t do anything without me I see. You really are cute though. I won’t be handing you over to any other guys.”
Byakuyo’s nice fragrance was lightly carried on the wind.
Byakuyo: “You don’t have to leave. Do what you want.”
OO: “What I want?”
Byakuyo: “Yes, what is it you want?”
OO: “I…want to be with you.”
It suddenly spilled from my mouth, and Byakuyo smiled as if satisfied then tightly squeezed my hand.
Byakuyo: “I warmly welcome you OO. Maybe this time as a real fiancée candidate.”
OO: “Eh?”
Byakuyo smiled mischievously, and caressed my cheek with his free hand.
Byakuyo: “You’re so cute. But from here on out you’ll become more beautiful. After all, you’ll be next to me.”
OO: “…right!”
He pulled on my hand, and we walked over the hillside.
In the gentle breeze, Byakuyo’s hair fluttered as he walked slightly in front of me.
I wanted to go on looking at that figure before me, beautiful beyond compare, forever.
END