Ch. 5: What is Truly Precious?
The sun had completely set, enveloping the town in night. There, I searched all over for Hinata.
However, he was nowhere to be found.
(Hinata…where could you have gone?)
At that time, a cold wind blew in from the western hills.
(Could it be…maybe Hinata went back to the hill.)
I had a hunch about it, and hurriedly headed for Hinata’s favorite hill.
I finally arrived at the hill, the stars shining down on it, and found Hinata crouching there.
OO: “Hinata! Thank goodness…you’re alright. I’m sorry for earlier Hinata.”
Hinata: “Why…are you apologizing?”
OO: “Well, because I made you feel sad.”
Hinata: “Don’t look at me like that…!”
Hinata shouted, and slowly looked down through his eyelashes.
Hinata: “Wrong…you’re wrong OO-chan. You didn’t do it…that’s not it. What I want…I…what I want to treasure…”
His gaze still fixed on the ground, Hinata shook his head, then he looked and stood up.
Ch. 6: Sparkling Feelings
The night deepened, and countless stars shown above the hill.
OO: “Hinata…”
I quietly called to Hinata, who was in a state of disarray.
Hinata: “Sorry… I think I understand for the first time what you meant by something important. I’m sure…it’s no good that I keep saying I want things. I…”
We were suddenly assaulted by a violent, cold wind, and he squeezed his eyes shut.
OO: “Hinata…it’s dark, let’s go back to the castle. I’m sure everyone’s worried …”
I took Hinata’s hand, and slowly started walking but…
(Hinata…?)
Hinata hadn’t budged from his spot, and he stared at me with those large eyes.
Hinata: “OO-chan…what can I do to make you like me? So I can have you, my beloved OO-chan…Up till now, I’ve been fine with giving you everything so I can have you. Even Momo-chan…I’ll give him to you, because it’s you. It’s the first time…I’ve felt like this.”
OO: “Hinata…”
He sounded like he was pleading with me, and it pained my heart.
Hinata: “But if my feelings make OO-chan feel sad…I’ll…it’s better for me to not want you.”
(You’re wrong…)
He said as much, then his voice returned to the usual, cheerful Hinata.
Hinata: “…it’s about time to get back to the castle. Well, I…ended up saying everything I wanted to say.”
For an instant, Hinata looked at me with a pained expression, then briskly walked away.
Seeing that expression on Hinata, who was always smiling, unsettled me more than I thought it would.
(You’re wrong…Hinata, I…)
Hinata: “Hey hey, let’s try going that way!”
(I want you to smile Hinata.)
Realizing that, I grabbed the sleeve of Hinata’s shirt.
OO: “…wait Hinata.”
Hinata: “What’s wrong?”
His sad eyes made my chest tighten.
OO: “You know…it made me happy when you said you’d give me anything Hinata. But you see, if you’re smiling, there’s nothing else that I need. I’m most happy when I’m with a smiling Hinata.”
Hinata listened, his eyes wide with amazement, then broke into a grin of delight.
Hinata: “I want to be with you too OO-chan! So…for us to be together, I thought I had to give you something. But you’ll be with me even if I don’t give you anything?”
OO: “Of course. I enjoy being with you Hinata.”
Then Hinata gently entwined his arms around my neck.
Hinata: “Thanks…! It’s the first time someone’s said that to me.”
Hinata’s smile was so dazzling that I found myself smiling in return.
Hinata: “I feel like I finally got it…something important, that I wanted from the bottom of my heart. Though I can get anything, it’s the first time I’ve felt this sparkly feeling…thanks OO-chan…I love you.”
OO: “Hinata…”
His words were so blunt, and I felt a warm sensation spread in my chest.
OO: “Thanks…”
…
……
That sensation was like a color that completely dyed my heart. But it was also a story for a later time…
Above the hill…in the distant sky, the stars sparkled and shone down on the two of us, as if knowing exactly what that meant.
END