Ch. 1: Midnight Invitation
Kingdom of Aim in the Land of Dance, Month of White…-
The stars twinkled brilliantly in the evening sky.
After having awoken Guido, I, tired from travelling, had stopped at an inn for the evening,
(I wonder if Guido got back to the castle safely…)
Wide awake on the bed, I suddenly started to remember.
——————–
Guido: “What a cute kitten. Are you the one who woke me? Unfortunately, I have to go right away. Let me show you my thanks another time kitten♪ Bye!”
——————–
(I couldn’t even get a word in…)
I closed my eyes and remembered his face.
(He was wearing a mask but I wonder what he looks like underneath it…)
I stared vacantly at the ceiling while I thought about Guido.
(There was a strange aura about him…it’d be nice to see him again.)
Then…
*Tap tap tap…*
(Huh…?)
I heard the sound of something hitting the veranda window.
(What could that be? I’m on the second floor…)
Getting up, I cautiously peaked out through the curtain. But there was only the night sky spread out before me.
(Just my imagination…)
With a sigh of relief, I went out onto the veranda.
The cold clear air stung my nose.
In the dead of night, the town was empty of people and I couldn’t hear a single sound.
However…
OO: “…!”
Someone suddenly pulled me from behind.
Guido: “Ciao, kitten. I’ve come to get you♪”
OO: “Guido…!”
Guido: “Now, shall we go catch some stars♠”
OO: “Huh…?”
Without giving me time to clarify, Guido held on to my arm.
And then…
OO: “…!”
Just like that, he leapt out into the night sky.
Ch. 2: Catching the Starry Sky
Guido took hold of my arm and jumped off the veranda into the night sky.
(We’ll fall…!)
Fearing the impact, I tightly shut my eyes.
However…
(Huh…?)
Though I clenched my teeth and braced for the impact, it never came.
(What’s going on…?)
Guido: “Please open your eyes, kitten♠”
OO: “Eh…?”
I cautiously opened my eyes and…
My vision was filled with the starry sky, full of glittering lights.
OO: “We’re flying…?”
Guido: “Now that’s a good expression.”
Landing on the partition of a building, Guido searched for the next landing spot and leapt.
OO: “It’s like we’re flying through the starry sky…”
My heart was pounding and my chest felt light.
Guido: “Are you enjoying it?”
OO: “Yes…it’s like a dream!”
Guido: “Maybe it is a dream…”
OO: “Eh…?”
Looking up at Guido, I saw the eyes in the depths of his mask looking at me.
Guido: “Perhaps everything, me and this landscape, are all a dream seen by you, kitten◆”
(If it’s this lovely…I don’t mind…)
…
……
Guido alighted on a tall tower that stood out against the rest of the city.
Guido: “We’re here.”
From the tower, I could see the glow of the town far into the distance, twinkling and shimmering like the Milky Way.
Guido: “Now then, please hold on to me and sit here.”
Holding on to Guido, I sat down on the rim of the tower.
He moved and sat beside me.
OO: “It’s beautiful…”
I gazed at the stars, but my eyes kept drifting to the depths of his mask.
(I wonder what his face looks like under the mask…)
Guido: “If you gaze at me so intently, you’re sure to bore a hole in me.”
OO: “S-Sorry!”
Guido: “Are you so interested? In this mask?”
OO: “Yes.”
Guido: “You’re quite an honest little kitten.”
Unable to look him in the eye, I averted my gaze.
Guido: “It’s a little late for that, kitten◆”
Guido: “Now then, what shall I do? If that is your wish, I want to grant it but…right now I cannot♠ You see, people who witness my true face are afflicted with a terrible curse!”
OO: “…!”
I gasped.
Then there was a clicking noise as Guido placed his forehead against mine.
Guido: “But I guess there’s nothing to be done if you’ve fallen so in love with me that you don’t mind being cursed…”
His eyes in the depths of the mask looked at me in amusement.
I felt my face flush.
Guido: “I’m only joking! I think I became a little drunk on the stars just now.”
He returned his gaze to the starry sky.
Before our eyes, the stars twinkled quietly.
…
……
OO: “Hm…m…”
The sound of birds chirping tickled my ears, and I slowly opened my eyes.
(Huh…?)
On top of the bed, I could see morning light flooding in from the veranda.
(It was all a dream…)
I went out on the veranda and looked out over the bustle of the town.
Suddenly, I noticed a single yellow flower and an envelope on the banister.
OO: “This flower is…a mimosa…?”
I opened the paper from inside the envelope.
A time and place was written in an elegant script.
OO: “Is this…an invitation?”
(Did Guido leave it here? Then it wasn’t a dream…!)
I happily held the invitation and flower close to my chest.
A faint sweet smell drifted out from the lovely mimosa flower.
Ch. 3: The Password is in the Language of Flowers
Soon it was the time written in the invitation…
Using a map, I arrived at a back alley.
——————–
Guido: “Knock three times and say the password. Your hint is a word for the flower that I left you.”
——————–
Like the letter said, I hesitantly knocked three times.
OO: “Um…what is mimosa in the language of flowers…”
Guido: “It is a word that represents yourself.”
I heard a voice coming from behind the closed door.
OO: “Me…?”
Guido: “Sublime, graceful…now, say the password.”
OO: “Um…”
Guido: “The answer is ‘elegant’. Tonight you get a freebie♠”
Guido appeared from behind the door with a mischievous smile and guided me inside.
In there was…
(Compared to outside…it’s like a completely different world…Wow…)
Candlelight floated and illuminated the antique-style room.
It was quite a magical and enchanting space.
Guido: “Sorry about this, greeting you without my true face.”
Guido spoke softly.
As if in response to his mask, my chest thumped.
(Guido’s true face…)
——————–
Guido: “Now then, what shall I do? If that is your wish, I want to grant it but…right now I cannot♠ You see, people who witness my true face are afflicted with a terrible curse!”
——————–
Remembering his words, I unintentionally looked away.
Guido: “Hm? Ah, the curse was a joke, so you don’t have to be so frightened◆”
OO: “A-alright.”
Guido: “You are so upfront little kitten. I’m sorry for scaring you so. I just needed to keep my identity hidden…”
Guido removed his hand from his mask and his expression clouded.
(To hide his identity…)
OO: “Are you alright?”
Guido: “Are you worried about me? Thank you for that, kitten.”
(I wonder if Guido is alright…)
Guido: “Your eyes are quite eloquent kitten. They tell me how worried you are about me.”
Guido’s long fingers stroked my cheek
Guido: “I’m alright. I just don’t want you to concern yourself with troublesome things. By the way, do you remember what was written in the invitation?”
OO: “Ah…you said it was a secret ball…”
Guido: “That’s right. Welcome, to the mysterious ball for just the two of us◆”
Bowing gracefully, he held out his hand to me.
Guido: “May I have this dance?”
OO: “With pleasure.”
Guido: “Good answer kitten ◆”
OO: “But…I’m not very good at dancing…”
OO: “I can’t dance…”
Guido: “That’s alright. After all, it is my duty to take the lead. And it’s only you and I here, so no one will make fun of you.”
Dropping the needle on the record, Guido placed his hand on my lower back.
The bewitching melody of a violin echoed throughout the room.
Guido: “Now, let us dance mademoiselle.”
OO: “Yes.”
Taking Guido’s hand, I surrendered myself to his lead.
(This too seems like a dream…)
I could feel the heat from his broad hands against my back.
My heart thumped loudly in my ears.
…
……
As dawn drew close, Guido carried me back to the inn.
He set me down lightly on the veranda and slid his fingers along my cheek.
Guido: “Goodnight…sweet dreams, my cute little kitten. Let us meet again tomorrow night.”
The eyes from deep within his mask looked at me affectionately.
OO: “Yes, Guido…”
Guido: “…”
His face leaned in very close to mine.
(Eh…?)
As if pulled by magic, my eyes closed.
However, the warmth of his breath suddenly faded.
(Guido…?)
I opened my eyes and he was no longer there. I was alone with only the stars silently twinkling overhead.
Ch. 4: An Unexpected Visitor
From that day on, we enjoyed many evening dance parties.
Today as well, I waited impatiently, and when night came, I ran to Guido.
I knocked three times.
OO: “In the language of flowers…’elegant’.”
Guido: “And ‘full of sensitivity’. Welcome, my little kitten◆”
The door opened, spreading warmth from inside.
Guido: “Did you get cold?”
Guido wrapped a soft blanket around my cold body.
OO: “Thank you very much.”
Guido: “You’re quite welcome. Please, come this way.”
As I was seated near the fireplace, Guido handed me a warm cup of tea.
Guido: “Here you are. This will warm you right up.”
I took a sip, catching a faintly sweet smell coming from the black tea.
OO: “This is…delicious…”
Guido: “It has just a drop of brandy in it. I’m glad you like it◆”
My chest warmed at the sound of his gentle voice.
At that time…
Guido: “Kitten.”
Guido held out a single mimosa flower to me.
In the next second, it changed into a flower garland.
OO: “Wow! That’s amazing…”
He placed the garland on top of my head and smiled with satisfaction.
Guido: “It suites you perfectly, my cute kitten.”
OO: “Thank you.”
Guido: “Your smiling face really is the best kitten ♪”
(He said cute…)
My cheeks flushed and I looked away, hiding my face.
Guido: “Now now, raise your head and let me see that cute face◆”
Guido: “The mimosa flower has another meaning you know.”
OO: “What is it?”
Guido: “Well now, I wonder what it could be?”
Guido: “Um…sincerity?”
I started guessing wildly, saying any words I could remember from the language of flowers.
Guido: “I’m afraid not.”
OO: “Maybe luck or…”
Guido: “That’s a clover. Though it’s a good word.”
OO: “What could it be…”
He chuckled with amusement.
Suddenly, his expression became serious.
Guido: “So they’ve found me…”
Guido quickly stood and placed his hand on his mask.
After he had skillfully extinguished the flame in the fireplace…
OO: “Guido?”
Guido grabbed me and moved me to a concealed hiding spot.
OO: “…what’s going on?”
Guido: “Shhh, quiet…”
OO: “…!”
Guido whispered as he covered my mouth.
Just then, there was the crack of a gunshot and the door was broken down.
Guido: “My goodness, such reckless people. Sorry, I believe things are about to get a little scary.”
Whispering, Guido held me tightly and rushed from the hiding place, breaking through a window.
OO: “!!”
Pursuer: “He’s getting away! After him!”
Guido ran along the roof, still holding on to me.
Below, several men appeared with their guns at the ready.
(I’m scared…)
As I clung to his chest, Guido leaned down to whisper in my ear.
Guido: “It’s alright. Now, please be a good girl and close your eyes. This will be over soon.”
OO: “Alright…”
I closed my eyes and pressed my face into his chest.
I felt some relief as I heard the surprisingly calm beating of his heart.