Ch. 1: An Unexpected Incident
Daten in the Land of Magical Science, Month of Air…-
The town was filled with the glow of neon lights, almost like stars…
——————–
Sky: “I didn’t get a chance to thank you for wakin’ me up. Sorry bout that. So would you mind comin’ out to meet me for a bit?”
——————–
I had received a letter from Sky saying as much, and had arrived in his home of Daten, in the Land of Magical Science.
(It looks like where I used to live.)
The modernity of the town made me think back to the world I had come from.
(This brings back memories.)
I gazed intently around the town as I walked, and suddenly a car came to an abrupt stop in front of me.
Mysterious Man: “Got me a pretty lady! You’ll fetch a high price.”
(W-who…!?)
A man’s face appeared from inside the car as he grabbed me to pull me in.
OO: “Stop…!”
I was about to yell in surprise when…
??: “Hey, get your filthy hands off. If you don’t, I’ll blow your head off.”
A low voice came from directly behind me.
??: “You the one who’s been grabbin’ women and children off the streets lately?”
Turning behind me, I saw Sky aiming a gun at the man holding me.
Sky: “Yo.”
OO: “Sky…!”
The man who had grabbed me had already let go and raised both his hands up in a sign of surrender. It was then that I noticed the pair of large skull earrings he had as they flashed and seemed to stare at me ominously.
Mysterious Man: “Damn…”
Sky’s glare seemed to frighten the man, and he gunned his car and sped off.
Sky: “Hey, hold it!”
Sky aimed his gun at the car.
OO: “…!”
(It’s so loud…!)
The bullet hit the back of the car, but even if it had surprised the driver, he didn’t stop and the car vanished.
Sky: “Dammit! I’ll get you next time for sure!”
Sky shouted the threat over his shoulder, and I rushed to thank him.
OO: “Um, thank you for that…-“
Sky: “What the hell!? That was dangerous! Don’t just go standin’ there starin’ off into space! You almost got kidnapped!!”
OO: “I-I’m sorry!!”
Sky: “N-no. My bad, for putting you in that situation. So, long time no see.”
Sky grinned as he spoke.
That smile was the start of something I couldn’t even begin to imagine, something that had to do with Sky and the bustling downtown.
Ch. 2: An Awkward Kindess
As the night lengthened, the town became even more lively…
OO: “Thank you for saving me earlier.”
Sky: “N-no problem.”
OO: “I honestly didn’t think something like that would happen in such a crowded place.”
Sky: “No…it’s my fault. This town has been dangerous lately. Guy’s doin’ whatever they want, snatching women and children, prowling the night. Sorry for keepin’ you waitin’.”
OO: “It’s fine.”
(Though now that he mentions it, I heard Sky doesn’t live in the castle. I wonder why.)
OO: “Sky, why don’t you live in the castle?”
Sky: “…”
And then, Sky ever so slightly turned his head away.
OO: “Um…is something going on at the castle?”
Sky: “Is somethin’…goin’ on?”
For a second, his shoulders twitched in surprise.
Sky: “…I live with the regular folk so I can learn about their problems. Well, somethin’ like that.”
(That’s why…?)
Sky: “Anyway, you need to pay more attention. I’ve heard that guy back there doesn’t let someone go once he’s locked on to ‘em.”
OO: “I’m sorry, for just walking around so carelessly.”
Sky: “No, I’m sorry my country’s so dangerous. Well…you can relax now, I’ll protect you.”
(Sky…he’s so reliable.)
Sky’s face was a little red, and as if to diffuse the situation, he took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth. But he just stood there and didn’t make any attempt to light it.
OO: “…?”
Sky: “W-what!? Starin’ like that…”
OO: “Aren’t you going to light it?”
Sky: “…there’s a code about only smoking in front of other smokers.”
OO: “It’s alright, I don’t mind…-“
At that time…
Young Man: “Yo Sky! You still pretendin’ to smoke? Yeah, that’s right, I know! You poser! My sis told me all about it!”
Sky: “Idi…s-shut up!!”
Young Man: “You don’t have to force it ya know! See ya later, swing by the shop sometime!”
The boy who happened to pass by said as much, and waved as he crossed the road.
Sky: “…”
OO: “…”
Sky: “…anyway! This place is dangerous. Come with me!”
As Sky put aside his unlit cigarette, he spoke as if having suddenly decided something.
OO: “R-right…of course.”
After that…-
Sky: “Hey…could you not use any titles or anything with me? You can be causal.”
OO: “Yes, of course.”
Sky: “And…I’m gonna do a hard pass on the formal speech too.”
Sky casually took my bags and turned in the direction of the road.
OO: “T-thanks.”
Sky: “…sure.”
(He’s worried about me. Even though he can be kind of intimidating at first glance…)
Unawares, I ended up smiling as his face reddened slightly.
Ch. 3: A Snow Globe
Sky led the way into a building, and I was greeted with a refreshing scent.
OO: “This is where you live?”
Sky: “Yeah, sorry it’s kinda dreary. Sit wherever.”
The room was pretty Spartan, but incredibly clean and organized.
(…I’m kind of surprised.)
Sky: “You look like you wanna say you’re surprised.”
OO: “Eh!? I-I wasn’t…”
Sky: “It’s fiiine. I know I look kinda rough. Like just now. I called you out here and put you in a bad situation.”
Again, Sky took a cigarette from his coat pocket and held it in his mouth.
OO: “But even then, you still protected me Sky.”
Sky: “Y-yeah.”
Sky smiled slightly and his face turned red as his eyes darted around. For some reason, I felt embarrassed and looked around the room when…
OO: “Ah, is…that your motorcycle?”
In a corner of the room, my eyes landed on a small black motorbike. The body was narrow and it had an unusual shape.
Sky: “T-that’s…”
OO: “Wow, you can ride a motorcycle!”
Sky: “…”
OO: “Even in the world I came from, I couldn’t ride one.”
Sky: “…I can’t either.”
OO: “Eh?”
Sky: “I can’t ride a motorcycle.”
OO: “But that’s…”
Sky: “It’s a remodeled bicycle.”
OO: “A bike…”
Sky: “B-but! This baby handles way better than an awkward motorcycle! Cause I made it that way!”
Sky argued vehemently and suddenly his unlit cigarette was right in my face.
Sky: “… right now, I bet you’re thinking I’m a disappointment.”
OO: “I think you’re an interesting person.”
Sky: “Wha…! I-interesting!?”
Sky’s face went bright red, and I couldn’t help myself from giggling.
Sky: “Why you…think you’re pretty funny.”
OO: “T-that’s not true!”
Sky: “It’s fine, you can say it. It’s true, isn’t it?”
Sky rubbed the back of his head and gave a little laugh of embarrassment.
Sky: “Well, that’s just who I am. I even get made fun of by the guy I look after.”
OO: “Someone you look after?”
Sky: “Yeah…my family’s other kid. We’re unfortunately inseparable.”
Sky’s eyes suddenly became distant.
Sky: “It’s not a very happy story. For some reason, he’s hiding out in the town right now rather than living in the castle.”
OO: “Then…you moved to the city because of him?”
Sky: “Yeah…I’m gonna ask you not to tell anyone. It’ll cause trouble if people find out. Well, that’s how it is. I’m a real disappointment of a guy. Really…I’m laughable.”
Sky gave a self-deprecating laugh.
OO: “Sky?”
Sky: “…ah, sorry. It’s nothin’.”
Saying so, Sky suddenly stood up from the sofa and stood in front of me.
(He’s tall…)
I suddenly became aware of that fact as I looked up at him.
Sky: “Anyway, that’s why I’m real grateful to you. If you hadn’t woken me up…I wouldn’t be able to take care of him again. Y-you’re…like, my goddess.”
His declaration made me feel embarrassed, just as he looked embarrassed as well.
OO: “W-what. You’re exaggerating!”
Sky: “…I-I’m not embarrassed!”
OO: “I didn’t say you were!”
With that back and forth, the two of us started laughing.
OO: “A-and Sky…you’re, um, my guardian protector.”
I replied with that even though I knew it was embarrassing.
Sky: “…you…d-don’t go sayin’ embarrassing stuff like that!!”
His face turned bright red and his eyes opened wide in surprise.
Then he rummaged around in his pocket and took out something.
Sky: “…here.”
He bluntly handed it to me and it was…
OO: “What’s this?”
Sky: “A thanks…sorta.”
It was a small snow globe. The town from earlier was trapped within as the snow sparkled and danced down around it.
Sky: “It’s the night scenery you were starin’ at before. When I was coming up to meet you, I saw you kinda in a daze as you looked around at the town.”
(Because it looks like the world I came from…)
Sky: “I stopped to buy it at a stand, and so I was later getting to you. Sorry.”
OO: “…”
His regard for me made me happy, and I felt a warmth fill my chest.
Sky: “W-well, that’s that…just take it. How much longer you gonna keep lookin’ at me…i-it’s embarrassing you know!?”
OO: “Thanks, I’m really happy.”
I spoke my thanks as I took the small snow globe, and Sky gave an embarrassed smile.
Sky: “G-good! I’m uh…relieved…that you like it. Ah…oh yeah, do you wanna use the bath? You gotta be tired after everything. Wait right here, I’ll get it ready.”
OO: “Ah…”
Before I could offer to do it, he’d gone into the bathroom.
Sitting on the sofa, I shook the snow globe…. and again, the powdered snow fell incessantly onto the evening town.
(It’s so pretty…)
I felt all warm for some reason, and before long I had dozed it.
Ch. 4: Beginning of the Escape
The next day…
(It’s bright…)
The glaring light of the sun woke me up.
(When…did I fall asleep? And where’s Sky?)
I looked around and found Sky sitting on the sofa, asleep.
(He moved me to the bed.)
I quietly went over to put a blanket over his shoulders when his eyes shot open.
Sky: “!!”
Sky jumped to his feet.
OO: “Ah, morning. Sorry about yesterday…”
Sky: “!? …h-how…long were you standin’ there!?”
OO: “Just now. I’m sorry for making you sleep over here, and for using your bed.”
Sky: “I was just kinda worried…cause you nodded off like that! Not your fault or anythin’.”
(…he really is kind.)
Sky: “Anyway, I’m starving. Come on, let’s go grab some food.”
OO: “Yeah!”
Sky: “…damn, it’s already past noon. I overslept.”
He seemed kind of awkward as he opened the door. I carefully placed the small, precious snow globe on the desk and followed after him.
The town in the early afternoon had a completely different energy to it compared to the evening.
Sky: “OO, whaddya wanna eat?”
OO: “Um…”
OO: “I’d like to eat what you like.”
Sky: “Geez, puttin’ me on the spot like that….”
OO: “Anything is fine.”
Sky: “The hell kinda answer is that…”
Sky: “Alright, then how bout my favorite place?”
OO: “Sure!”
I followed after Sky.
The stall we entered was similar to a bar, with a counter for food and drinks. Delicious looking seafood and vegetables were lined up side-by-side.
Shop Owner: “Welcome back Lord Sky. Oh!? This is unusual, you got a pretty girl with ya today~! She your girlfriend?”
Sky: “Wha…! Shut up! You just keep your trap shut!”
Shop Owner: “Well excuse me!”
The shop owner walked off, smiling.
(…his face is bright red. It’s kind of cute.)
I couldn’t help giggling. Sky turned to glare at me even though he still looked embarrassed.
Sky: “…what?”
OO: “Oh, it’s nothing.”
I gave him a little mischievous grin.
Sky: “Why you…I’ll remember that.”
As Sky pouted…a car came rushing up, aimed directly at us.
Sky: “…!”
Sky suddenly became alert as he heard the sound of the engine.
Man With Skull Earrings: “So we meet again~ hey there cutie.”
The guy who had tried to grab me the day before stuck his head out of the car window.
Man With Skull Earrings: “Seems my skulls have takin’ quite a liking to you~♪ Rock on! … you know.”
The same skull earrings from the day before hung from his ears.
Sky: “You again!”
Man With Skull Earrings: “Oh what’s this~? You that guy who showed off his impressive shooting the other day? Well, not that you hit me~”
Sky: “…”
Sky took some money from his pocket and put it on the table, then grabbed my hand.
Sky: “Come on, don’t let go.”
Holding onto Sky’s hand, we left the shop and ran from the car.