Ch. 5: A Warm Right Hand
I held onto Sky’s hand as we continued to walk through the crowded town.
Leaving behind the shop, we lost ourselves in the flow of people.
Sky: “Hey OO…you tired? You okay?”
OO: “Yeah, I’m fine.”
Sky: “Sorry ‘bout makin’ you walk like this. But if we can disappear into the crowd, the car shouldn’t be able to follow.”
OO: “Really, I’m fine. It’s my fault for having been careless before.”
Sky: “Nah…I’ve gotta take some of the blame too…I had just wanted to take you out.”
OO: “Thanks Sky, I’m alright.”
In the distance, I heard the rev of an engine.
(Sky’s only been worrying about me. Even though I brought this on myself…)
His right hand was warm as I held it.
That warmth caused a pain in my chest.
Ch. 6: I Want to Be With You
I was absorbed in the warmth of Sky’s hand when I suddenly realized something.
(Sky’s been doing nothing but protect me. I need to do something for myself.)
That’s what I thought, but I couldn’t take my hand from his.
Sky: “Hey…you’re shaking.”
As he said it, I realized he was right and my whole body was trembling.
OO: “Sorry.”
Sky: “Don’t worry, I’m right here.”
OO: “I’m sorry, even though you’re a prince, it’s my fault you’re in this mess. I’ll be okay from here. This country has police right? I’ll just go there and figure something out.”
Sky: “…don’t say stupid stuff like that. Regardless of me being a prince or whatever, it’s natural for a man to protect a woman. Besides, I told you this country isn’t safe didn’t I? There’s no guarantee the police could protect you. …It’s sad really, that this is how this country is.”
OO: “…Sky…”
Sky: “Anyway, it’s no big deal. Do you think you’re being a problem? Cause you’re totally not. Besides, I’m the one who asked you to come here.”
His kind words calmed me down a little.
Sky: “And besides…sorry, for not realizing. That guy’s one of the subjects here. If I can avoid it, I don’t want anyone to get hurt, so I thought we could just keep going and tire him out…”
(So that’s why we’ve been running all this time.)
Sky: “I didn’t realize he’d go this far to track you down.”
Sky turned his face away apologetically.
Sky: “I really am a disappointment. I couldn’t even properly protect a single woman.”
OO: “That’s not true!”
He had been protecting me ever since we met, and he was always thinking of the people…
OO: “You’re really kind Sky. But that’s why you’re worried. Even now, you took it on yourself to protect me through all this.”
I argued vehemently, and Sky lowered his eyes as if troubled.
Sky: “…”
OO: “I think I’ll go to the police after all. I don’t want to be a bother to you anymore.”
Saying so, I went to leave but Sky grabbed my arm.
Sky: “Wait. …man, you really are a hand full.”
Sky’s face had turned a faint shade of red, and he took out a new cigarette from his coat and put it in his mouth.
And then…
Sky: “Alright, I know. I’ll be right back.”
OO: “Eh!?”
I couldn’t do anything but blink at his sudden declaration.
Sky: “It’ll be over soon, so just wait right there.”
(W-where is he going?)
OO: “Sky, wait! What are you going to do!?”
Sky: “I’m gonna go end this. Don’t move from that spot, got it?”
I was in a complete state of shock as Sky left and turned out onto the main street.
(Going to end it?)
And then…
I immediately heard the sound of a loud gun shot, and I instinctively shut my eyes.
(…Sky?)
As I tried to shake off my frozen stupor to chase after Sky…
Before long, he came back, supporting the man with the skull earrings with his shoulder.
OO: “!! T-that’s…”
I just kept blinking, unsure of what had happened.
Sky: “It’s alright. He just won’t be movin’ anytime soon.”
OO: “What on earth happened…?”
Sky: “I shot out his tire, and the car slid and flipped. But he’ll just wake up with a real nasty headache. Come on, let’s drop this guy off with the police and get back to grabbin’ some lunch.”
OO: “…”
(I can’t make heads or tails of this.)
The strength drained from my legs and I started to collapse to the ground.
Sky caught me in his arms and peered into my face.
Sky: “What’s wrong?”
OO: “You scared me…I was really worried.”
Sky: “…sorry, I just didn’t want to let that guy hurt you. And I decided to tell you somethin’.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Sky: “I’ve just…kinda been chasing after you.”
OO: “That’s…”
Sky: “I think you got me a little spellbound…. Sorry…it’s just that it’s fun when you’re here. I wanted to be with you…”
OO: “Sky…”
Sky held on to me tighter.
With no strength left in my body, I leaned into his embrace.
Sky: “You alright?”
As he spoke, I saw that his face was quite dignified as he looked at me.
OO: “I don’t think so. You had me worried after all.”
I smiled a little mischievously and…
Sky: “Ooooh…then I’ll do this a little longer.”
Saying that, Sky ruffled my hair and held me tightly once again.
(He’s so kind and strong…)
I slowly closed my eyes.
I could feel the beating of his heart as it echoed loudly in my ears.
END