Ch. 1: When the Town Changes Color
Kingdom of Forrant in the Land of Time, Month of Air…-
It was early afternoon, and the gentle rays of the sun tinged the vibrant autumn colors…
At Eins’ invitation, I had arrived at Forrant.
(It’s quite busy…)
I took in the bustling town as I walked and noticed posters plastered around.
(What’s this?)
I stopped and looked at the poster.
OO: “A sporting competition?”
Then…
??: “I was waiting for you OO!”
A cheerful voice called out behind me.
I turned around and saw Eins’ sparkling smile.
OO: “Eins?”
Eins: “Glad you made it! Hm? What are you looking at?”
Eins stared at the poster I was looking at and gave a smile as brilliant as the sun.
Eins: “Ah! The sporting competition!”
OO: “Yeah, I was just thinking it looked like fun.”
Eins: “I’m sure it will be! It’s our big event after all! It has swords, horses…it’s basically an anything-goes festival!”
OO: “Festival… Are you participating too?”
Eins: “Me?”
Eins blinked at me a few times.
(Did I ask something strange…?)
Eins: “Guess I have no choice…”
OO: “Eh…?”
Eins: “I wasn’t planning on it, but when you put it that way, how can I not!”
(I was only asking…)
Eins: “Alright! It’s decided, so let’s go!”
OO:” Ah! Eins…!?”
Eins: “The castle awaits!”
Eins held me by the shoulder and pointed to the castle.
(Eins is so…)
The path before us was dyed red by the setting sun.
Ch. 2: Towards the Sporting Competition
By the time we arrived at the castle, the sky had turned a deep crimson.
Eins took me along as we went through the castle gate.
Eins: “This is my castle!”
OO: “It’s lovely.”
The evening sun shone through the windows and bathed the inside of the castle in twilight.
Eins’ Brother: “Brother, were you off causing trouble again?”
Eins: “Nice timing! I’ll introduce you! This is the princess who saved me! This is my younger brother!”
OO: “N-nice to meet you.”
Eins’ Brother: “Welcome.”
The younger brother held out his hand.
As I was about to take it…
OO: “…Eins…?”
Instead of me, Eins grabbed his brother’s hand.
Eins: “You’re 10 years too early to be touching OO’s hand!”
Eins’ Brother: “It was just a handshake.”
Eins: “Oh right! I need a favor.”
Eins began to walk away, still holding his brother’s hand.
Eins: “Let’s go to the garden! I have to practice for the competition after all!”
Eins’ Brother: “The competition…you’re planning on entering!?”
Eins: “Of course I am! Come on, let’s go!”
Bearing no mind for his surprised younger brother, Eins continued to move ahead.
OO: “Wait…wait for me…!”
I hurriedly ran after them, not wanting to be left behind.
Entering the garden, Eins and his brother stood apart facing each other.
Eins’ Brother: “Brother, are you really serious about entering the competition?”
Eins: “Of course! Because it’s OO’s desire that I do so!”
OO: “That’s right.”
Eins: “I will definitely show you victory!”
OO: “I don’t really…”
Eins: “I could just tell you wanted me to!”
As if saying to leave everything to him, Eins flashed a toothy smile.
Eins’ Brother: “Don’t be an idiot, practice.”
The younger brother sighed in exasperation and hit Eins on the head with the width of the sword.
Eins: “Ow! Don’t go hitting your older brother with a sword!”
Eins’ Brother: “Come on, the sun’s going down.”
At their arguing back and forth, I couldn’t help laughing.
Hearing my laughter, the two turned to me.
OO: “Ah, sorry…”
Eins: “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself!”
Eins gave a hearty laugh.
(He’s so refreshing…)
I broke into another smile as I saw his sparkling one.
Eins: “Alright, come on! I’m ready any time…!”
OO: “Eins…?”
Eins suddenly crouched down and grabbed his leg.
Eins: “I twisted it…”
OO: “A-are you alright!?”
Eins: “This is nothing! Besides, it’s better that I have a little handicap!”
At his words, the younger brother let out a sigh deeper than the ocean.
Eins’ Brother: “At least do some warm-ups. You’re already an old man after all.”
Eins: “What did you say!? I’m Forever 20!”
I suppressed my laughter, not wanting to interrupt their practice.
(Such fun…)
The stars began to twinkle as the sky changed to indigo.
Ch. 3: Special Training
The following day, Eins and his brother practiced again early in the morning.
Eins: “Behold! My magnificent swordsmanship!”
Eins enthusiastically flourished his sword.
OO: “Amazing!”
I clapped and Eins winked at me.
Eins: “I am, aren’t I? OO!”
OO: “Look out..!”
I gasped.
Eins: “Don’t worry OO!”
As he flourished the sword, Eins’ younger brother hit the tip with a *clang*.
OO: “Ah…”
The sword fell from Eins’ hand.
Eins’ Brother: “…are you taking this seriously?”
Eins: “I’m always serious!”
Eins’ Brother: “Even though you haven’t improved?”
Eins: “You just don’t get it! I haven’t shown you how serious I can be! If I came at you for real, it’d be over before I brought out my killer technique!”
Eins’ Brother: “…the one with the really long name?”
Eins: “That’s right! The Eins Miracle Super Number One!”
Eins’ Brother: “It’s just a simple downward strike.”
Heaving a great sigh, the younger brother readied his sword.
(Eins is… Well…)
He was making jokes, but his forehead glistened with sweat.
(He’s really trying hard…maybe there’s something I can do to help. I know!)
Leaving Eins and his brother, I headed to the kitchen.
I asked the castle staff if I could use the work space, then rolled up my sleeves and began to make lemonade.
…
……
OO: “Alright, that should do it.”
I wonder if Eins will like it…
Eins: “What are you making OO?”
OO: “E-Eins!”
I didn’t know how long he’d been standing there peering over my shoulder.
OO: “It’s lemonade. I thought it’d be the perfect thing for after your workout.”
Eins: “Can I have some?”
OO: “Sure.”
Eins drank the lemonade in big gulps.
My eyes couldn’t help looking at his prominent Adam’s apple.
For some reason, its movement made my heart race a little.
Eins: “This is great! My fatigue vanished in an instant!”
OO: “I’m glad!”
I broke into a smile as he talked about how good it was.
Eins: “You’re so nice.”
OO: “Really?”
Eins: “Do you think I’d lie about it?”
Eins laughed in amusement.
Eins: “Thanks OO!”
He patted my head with his large hand.
OO: “…!”
Eins: “I’m really glad I met you!”
OO: “Y-you’re exaggerating…”
Eins: “Am I?”
A warmth spread through my chest as he smiled at me.
(What is this…? Something’s been squirming in my chest for a while now.)
As the days passed, Eins’ friends joined in and things became quite lively.
(It’s almost time for the competition…)
Compared to how he had been at first, Eins had become even more enthusiastic.
I continued to watch him.
OO: “I brought refreshments.”
Since I couldn’t join in the practice, I had taken to making lemonade every day.
Friend A: “Thanks, OO!”
Friend B: “I look forward to this every day!”
OO: “It’s worth making when you say that.”
Eins: “Hey!”
From behind, Eins wrapped his long arm around my shoulders.
Eins: “Don’t go getting the wrong idea! OO is here to support me. You guys are just extras.”
Everyone started protesting.
(Eins’ hand is…hot…)
I was very conscious of the strong arm and hand that held me.
Friend B: “You can’t just go around saying that!”
Eins: “It’s the truth! Isn’t that right OO?”
OO: “Ah…”
Eins peered at my face.
(If he sees me now…he’ll notice how red my face is…)
I turned my head away. Eins’ eyes widened in surprise and he removed his hand.
Eins: “M-my bad! I can’t just go around casually touching a girl like that!”
I wondered if my blush was infectious because Eins’ face also began to turn bright red.
Friend A: “See look, you’re causing her trouble.”
Eins: “S-shut up!”
I felt a little lonely with his warmth gone.
Then in the blink of an eye, the day of the sporting competition arrived.
Ch. 4: The Sporting Competition Begins!
The town was blanketed in a serene light…
At last, the day of the sporting competition arrived.
Fireworks dyed the blue sky, signaling the start of the events.
OO: “Wow…! Amazing!”
Various events were being held throughout the town, and voices were raised in cheers and shouts.
The fragrant scent of roasted meat and the sweet smell of maple wafted from the street vendors.
(It looks fun, just like a festival.)
OO: “Um, where is Eins competing…?”
From my vantage point by the river, I searched for the sword tournament.
(I’d like to hurry and see Eins’ smile.)
The sword tournament was in a great hall at the center of town.
Upon entering, I found Eins among the other athletes all waiting for their turn.
Among so many others, Eins was calm as he sat alone.
OO: “Eins.”
Eins: “Y-yo OO!”
Eins stood and smiled.
I relaxed as I saw him.
OO: “It’s almost time.”
Eins: “That’s right, almost time!”
OO: “I hope you can show everyone how hard you’ve been working!”
Eins: “That’s right! I hope I can show everyone!”
OO: “…aim for victory, and do your best.”
Eins: “That’s right! I’ll do my best!”
(Eins…?)
OO: “I’ll be cheering for you.”
Eins: “That’s right! Cheering…I mean, please do!”
OO: “Are you nervous?”
Eins: “That’s right! I’m…I mean, there’s no way I’d be nervous!”
(Eins is acting kind of strange…)
I stared at him and his gaze wandered.
OO: “…are you alright?”
Eins: “Uh…”
OO: “Eins…?”
Eins: “Don’t look at me like that! Anyway, I’m fine! You can look forward to watching me!”
He smiled, and I could tell it was forced.
But…
OO: “Alright.”
I smiled at him and went outside the waiting room.
(I guess I shouldn’t make him any more anxious. Though I really wish he could talk to me about anything…)
I felt lonely as I thought of how he couldn’t express what was on his mind.
At that time…
Eins: “What’s wrong with me! This isn’t like me at all!”
I heard Eins’ irritated voice coming from behind the door.
(Eins…??)
…
……
Finally, the sword competition started.
Eins continued to miss, and it seemed as if he’d have no luck in the match at all.
Eins: “Dammit! Why can’t I do this!?”
An impatient look crossed his face.
Eins: “I just wanted to show OO how cool I am! Yet if she just looks at me, I…! Why are my heart and hands shaking so much…!! What is this burning feeling I get every time I look at her!?”
Then…
OO: “Eins, you can do it!!”
OO’s cheer reached Eins’ ears.
Eins: “!! That’s what it is! The word that can express this feeling!”
Steadying his breathing, Eins gripped his sword.