Ch. 1: Sirius' Expression
Land of Stars, Canis, Month of Colors…-.
(What a beautiful castle…)
Chamberlain: “This way please, Lady OO.”
I hadn’t realized that I’d stopped walking through the courtyard, completely entranced by the many flowers.
The man guiding me gently urged me forward.
OO: “R-right.”
After I woke Sirius, I was invited to visit where he lived in Canis of the Land of Stars.
I was to meet with the king and was walking through the courtyard when…-.
Sirius: “Wait! Procyon! I said wait!!”
I heard a voice in the distance.
At the same time, I could hear two sets of hurried footsteps.
(Oh… that voice…)
Sirius: “Geez, I told him it was dangerous to go too far. Now where’d he go?”
(As I thought, it’s Sirius.)
Sirius seemed to have lost track of someone and was anxiously looking around as he walked.
Sirius: “Hm…? Something’s different, like there’s a nice scent… This scent is…”
Noticing me, he stopped.
Sirius: “Ah, yeah, it’s you…!”
Sirius instantly broke into a delighted smile, but then it immediately turned into a scowl.
(What’s wrong? Did I do something to offend him…?)
OO: “U-um, hello.”
Sirius: “…hey.”
OO: “How do you feel…after waking up?”
Sirius: “No different from before. I’ll say thanks again, for saving me, but I said it before when you woke me up. You don’t have to worry so much about me.”
Sirius really did have a sour look on his face, and it twisted as he spoke.
OO: “Um, did I do something to make you dislike me…?”
Sirius: “Huh?”
OO: “I mean, you don’t look very happy…”
At my question, Sirius looked confused as his eyes darted around.
Sirius: “I-it’s not that I don’t like you. But it’s weird to just act all familiar with each other! Besides…”
OO: “!?”
Suddenly, Sirius’ face came in close and he was sniffing at my neck.
My heart jumped at the sudden change in distance.
(S-Sirius…?)
I stood there frozen, feeling his long eyelashes as he blinked.
Unlike his rough way of speaking to me, I noticed his face was quite handsome and it oddly made my heart beat fast.
Sirius: “And I like your scent…”
Sirius smiled with a huff, and I felt it ghost against my neck.
OO: “Um, Sirius…”
Then, once again, Sirius…-.
Sirius: “Heeey, Procyon!”
He turned his back to me and went back to searching for someone.
(What on earth was that…?)
I pressed my hand to my chest, my heart still pounding.
Afterwards, I went to meet with the king as planned.
Ch. 2: A Request From the King
Sirius: “I like your scent…”
——————–
After running into Sirius in the courtyard, I went to meet with the king.
I was shown to a room, and upon entering saw the king, regal and already seated on his throne.
OO: “M-my apologies for the delay.”
I hurriedly bowed my head.
King: “So you are the Princess of Traumere.”
OO: “Yes. My name is OO.”
King: “What a lovely young lady. I assume you’re tired after your long journey. My apologies for asking you to come to a kingdom so far away.”
OO: “Oh no! It’s an honor.”
The king smiled.
Seated beside the king was the queen, a kind-looking woman.
(The queen kind of looks like Sirius… When I got a close look, I could tell he has a gentle face. But the way he spoke was so rude.)
Remembering those things, I quickly wiped the incident from my mind.
(Why is it I can only seem to think about Sirius…)
I remembered his smile when he’d gotten so close earlier.
King: “Princess OO. I wanted you to travel here so I could thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for waking my son Sirius. And there is something I earnestly wanted to discuss with a brave princess such as yourself…”
OO: “With me?”
King: “Yes, it’s not much but… would you please become Sirius’ friend?”
OO: “Eh…?”
King: “He only ever cares about his younger cousin Procyon, and it worries me.”
(Procyon… That’s who Sirius was looking for in the courtyard.)
King: “What do you say, Princess OO?”
OO: “Well…”
Sirius: “Hold up!”
Before I could answer, Sirius suddenly came out of nowhere, shouting.
Sirius: “You can’t just suddenly make us friends.”
Saying as much, Sirius smiled proudly…-.
Sirius: “Father. I’m not worried about not having friends, and I can find my own!”
King: “Hah… you’re being selfish again. You haven’t before now, and so I’ve taken the matter into my own hands.”
Sirius: “But I mean, of course I’m going to do whatever it takes to take care of my adorable little cousin first.”
King: “If you want to take care of someone, you should think of the larger populace. It’s always Procyon, Procyon… It’s unseemly for you to never be able to leave your cousin’s side.”
Sirius: “Wha… Don’t make fun of me! I’m just worried about him!!”
(O-oh dear. They’re arguing… should I step in?)
OO: “U-um, Sirius! I want to be your friend. Will you be mine?”
Sirius: “You…”
Sirius stopped arguing and looked at me in surprise.
OO: “U-um, Sirius! Procyon is your cousin, right? That’s a little different from having a friend, so how about we spend time together?”
(H-huh…? What am I saying…?)
Sirius: “Spend time, with you…?”
OO: “Y-yeah. Wouldn’t that be nice?”
After a moment of thinking, Sirius started pouting, then glanced at me and spoke over his shoulder.
Sirius: “Well, if you say you want to be friends, I guess I don’t mind.”
OO: “Sirius…”
King: “…I see. That’s good then. Please look after him, Princess OO.”
OO: “Right.”
And in that way, a strange sort of friendship was born between Sirius and me.
Ch. 3: Beginning Friendship
My friendship with Sirius had started…
While drinking nearly-cold black tea from a cup, Sirius was absently looking up at the sky.
OO: “Um, hey, Sirius. These are the cookies you said you liked, aren’t they?”
Sirius: “Yeah.”
OO: “And I heard this brand of black tea is the kind you like.”
Sirius: “Yeah I like it. But it’s cold.”
OO: “…that’s because you haven’t been drinking it.”
Sirius: “Huh? You say something?”
OO: “N-never mind.”
Sirius let out a deep sigh.
(That’s what I want to do too…)
I did my best to think of what to do to be friends with Sirius, and in the hopes of having a nice conversation, I had figured we could try having tea.
But Sirius had been like this the entire time…
Sirius: “I wonder what Procyon’s doing now.”
His chin rested in the hand that wasn’t holding the teacup as he muttered his thoughts aloud.
(Procyon again…)
For some reason, I felt a sadness welling up in my chest.
OO: “…it’s almost like you’re in love with Procyon.”
Sirius: “Wha…!”
Sirius looked like he was about to spit out his tea.
Sirius: “Wh-what the heck?! Procyon is a boy! And he’s like a little brother to me.”
OO: “But…”
(He’s only ever thinking about Procyon.)
OO: “Even though you’re with me…”
The words spilled out unintentionally and I clamped a hand over my mouth in shock.
Sirius: “W-well yeah, but… s-sorry.”
Silence. Sirius looked like a downhearted puppy, and it was adorable.
(He really is like a kid…)
Sirius: “Let’s stop being friends.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Sirius looked miserable as he said those words all of a sudden.
OO: “We don’t need to do that. I think it’s nice of you to take care of Procyon, and I understand you’re worried about him. It’s better than being cold-hearted and uncaring.”
Sirius: “I-I’m not that nice…”
Sirius really was cute as he got embarrassed and blushed a little.
OO: “I understand that you’re worried about Procyon, but I’d like it if… you would look at me.”
Sirius seemed embarrassed, then our gazes locked.
I didn’t know why, but my heart beat just a little faster as he looked directly at me.
Sirius: “You’re weird.”
Sirius suddenly turned his face away.
But even though he was sulking, I didn’t feel like he was rejecting me.
OO: “I mean, you said you didn’t hate me.”
Sirius: “Is that why you wanted to be friends?”
OO: “Yeah…”
Sirius: “Aaaaah. I wonder if Procyon is alright on his own.”
OO: “Ah, you’re talking about Procyon again.”
Sirius: “Uh…I-I can’t help it! I’m worried about him!”
I smiled as Sirius’ face told me how awkward he felt.
OO: “Yeah, I think it’s okay to worry. But… I can understand why your father is worried too. You’re the future king after all.”
Sirius: “I know that. But he’s still kicking, so I don’t need to think about it. Or, I guess I don’t want to think about it. I mean it’s hard for you to imagine me as king, right?”
OO: “Well…”
OO: “I can imagine it. You’ll probably be just fine.”
Sirius: “What’s with the ‘probably’? That’s not very reassuring.”
OO: “I-I mean…”
Sirius: “Well, it’s fine.”
Sirius let out a chuckle.
OO: “I think you’ll make a great king. I mean, you’re very manly and reliable already.”
Sirius: “Wh-what was that? That’s so embarrassing.”
As I watched him get bashful, I repeated what I’d said in my head and found myself getting embarrassed as well.
Sirius: “I guess I should think about the future as king. Hey, why am I going on about all this stuff with you here?”
Sirius suddenly shoved the remaining cookie in his mouth and stood up.
OO: “Sirius?”
Sirius: “Let’s stop for now. I think… I ended up saying too much.”
I felt like Sirius was hesitating on whether to say something, then he walked away.
(Sirius… I’ll have to invite him out again and think of something fun to do…)
I felt excited thinking of next time.
Ch. 4: Affectionate Hound
That day, I decided on a change of pace and went out into the town to think of what I could do next time I was with Sirius.
(The weather is nice.)
Beneath the endless blue sky, the town was bustling with activity.
Merchant A: “Welcome young miss! Try some of our freshly harvested apples.”
Merchant B: “Miss! We’ve got top-grade smoked meat over here!”
I enjoyed myself, looking around the market as the merchants called out.
(I wish I had some kind of hint as to what Sirius would like but…)
That was on my mind as I wandered about the town, searching.
Man A: “Hey brat. Didn’t you hear what I just said?”
Young Boy: “I-I…”
I heard an unnerving conversation taking place down a back alley, which I stealthily peered down…
Man B: “Hand over all your valuables. Quit shaking and just do it.”
Man C: “Hehe, wonder if you should hit him again.”
Young Boy: “Ee…!”
(That boy is being attacked! What do I do…?)
(I don’t have time to be thinking about it…I have to help now!)
OO: “Stop it!!”
Man A: “Huh? Wazzat?”
I let instinct take over and barged in on the scene in the alley, then everyone’s eyes turned to me.
I froze.
Man B: “You’re awful bold missy, a cute girl like you showing up alone…”
OO: “D-don’t come any closer.”
At that time…-.
???: “What’re you doing here?”
(Sirius!?)
(I-I can’t. I’m scared. If only Sirius were here…! But this isn’t the time to be thinking that…)
I clenched my fist and took a step forward.
Then…-.
As I moved to step out in front of the men, a hand gripped my shoulder from behind to stop me.
???: “Not so fast.”
OO: “Sirius!”
Sirius grinned as he winked at me.
His eyes held a bewitching and terrifying strength beyond his years.
(Sirius…?)
I felt my heart leap.
Sirius: “I don’t forgive bad guys. Do you know what I hate the most?”
Man C: “W-what’s with this guy?”
Man A: “H-hey, you don’t think he’s – “
Young Boy: “Prince Sirius!”
As soon as the boy said his name, the men’s faces paled.
Man B: “P-Prince Sirius!? I’m not taking on the hound!”
One of the men ran off at full speed.
Sirius: “Don’t run away! The thing I hate most is guys who pick on the weak!”
Man A: “Aaaaaaii!!!”
Man C: “H-help me – – – – -!!!”
As Sirius leaped forward, the men frantically turned tail and ran.
OO: “What was…?”
Sirius: “Tch. They got away.”
Young Boy: “Prince Sirius! Thank you!”
The young boy jumped at Sirius and hugged him.
Sirius: “You all good now? That looked pretty bad.”
Young Boy: “Thanks to you! You saved me!”
Sirius: “It was me and her.”
OO: “Eh…?”
I was surprised to see Sirius using his thumb to gesture towards me.
Sirius: “She’s the one that went to save you first. Come on, thank her properly.”
Young Boy: “Yeah! Thanks a lot miss!”
OO: “O-oh, I didn’t really…”
I looked and saw Sirius with a very satisfied look on his face.
(This is the first time I’ve seen him make that face…)
His smile was warm and kind.
It was a smile that made a warmth spread throughout my chest.
Sirius: “Good. Now watch out and don’t go getting yourself mixed up with guys like that again.”
Young Boy: “Right. Good-bye.”
The young boy nodded emphatically before waving as he left.
Sirius watched him till he was out of sight, then turned to me.
Sirius: “You’re too brave.”
OO: “Eh?”
Sirius: “You thought you could handle that alone? It would have been impossible for a girl like you.”
OO: “But in the moment I…”
Sirius: “Impossible. Totally impossible for one girl to take on three guys.”
OO: “But…”
Sirius: “Don’t go doing stuff like that. If you don’t, and something happens to you, I don’t know what I’d do.”
OO: “Sirius…”
Sirius: “Father would yell at me. And…I like…your scent…”
(…!)
Like before, Sirius brought his nose near to my neck.
My heart started pounding even louder than the first time he’d done it.
Sirius: “If something happened, I’d be upset…”
My chest ached as I heard the pain in his voice.
Though he was only a couple centimeters away from me, I couldn’t touch him…
Sirius: “OO…”
But the one who ended up closing that distance was Sirius.
As he said my name, he gently touched my cheek.
Sirius: “I’ll protect you. Cause you’re a frail girl.”
He was serious as he looked at me with that warm gaze.
Grinning, Sirius took his hand away from my cheek.
(Did I actually… want him to get closer…?)
I felt irritation blooming within myself.
But as I looked at his smile, the most wonderful one I’d seen so far…
(This is enough…right…?)
That’s what I thought.