Ch. 1: An Anxious Reunion
Lecord, Land of Records, Month of Stars…-.
The country was lined with mystical buildings, an eccentricity with a completely different feel to it than other countries.
Lecord, the place where all records from around the world are managed…
The site captivated my attention, filled with both modern and yet oddly classical structures.
(It’s almost time for us to meet up…)
Suddenly, a fluttering butterfly, completely out of season, appeared before my eyes.
(A butterfly, here? …and it’s so pretty.)
The emerald green coloring of its wings turned nearly blue in the right light, and I found myself spellbound by its beauty.
I followed the path of the butterfly as it flew towards a figure, and when our eyes met, my heart leapt in surprise.
Theodor: “…”
The person who only gave me a slight nod was… Prince Theodor, the prince I’d awoken.
For a moment, I wondered if Theodor had used the butterfly as a messenger as its form matched the shades of dark green in his eyes that had captivated me.
(Has he… been watching me this whole time? That’s embarrassing if he has…)
I bowed my head as Theodor slowly approached, timid.
OO: “Thank you for coming to meet me when you’re so busy.”
Theodor: “It’s nothing… no big deal.”
OO: “Um… it’s been a while.”
Theodor: “Yeah…”
As I tried to continue the conversation, Theodor suddenly looked away.
Theodor: “…I’ll show you to the castle right away.”
He spoke stiffly as he refused to meet my gaze, then started walking.
I thought I saw the corners of his mouth shift into a frown as if he were troubled.
(…am I… inconveniencing him?)
For just a second, his deep green eyes seemed like a dense forest that didn’t allow light to pass through, and my chest felt heavy with anxiety as I was unable to read his expression.
Ch. 2: Playing With an Avatar
I followed after Theodor, heading for the castle.
OO: “!!”
Suddenly, I heard the satisfying ping of an electronic device.
(What was that…?)
In surprise, I looked to Theodor, and his gaze fell to his wristwatch.
Theodor: “Excuse me.”
He looked quickly at his watch and a 3D hologram of an adorable cat appeared above the watch.
My eyes went wide as I looked at it.
Theodor: “Mail huh…”
The cat twitched its ears and held a letter out to Theodor.
OO: “Is that your avatar…? It’s so adorable!”
Theodor: “Eh?”
I bent forward, unblinking, and spoke excitedly, and possibly because of that Theodor looked a little surprised.
Theodor: “Are you curious about it?”
OO: “Yes, how does it work?”
As soon as I asked, Theodor’s eyes sparkled.
Theodor: “It certainly is very interesting technology. I was excited when I got my hands on it too.”
Theodor’s words were passionate as he talked animatedly, and I nodded while listening when…
Theodor: “Actually, this is…!”
During his explanation, Theodor suddenly looked surprised and turned away.
Theodor: “…this isn’t the place for me to go into such explanations.”
Theodor’s eyes darted left and right, as if looking for something nearby.
Theodor: “Let’s hurry to the castle.”
OO: “A-alright.”
(What was that all of a sudden?)
Theodor walked ahead, fidgeting, and I followed behind quickly…-.
I was shown into the prince’s office where we drank tea, and Theodor took a deep breath…
Theodor: “Do you have an interest in the utilization of new technology like that?”
He seemed a bit nervous as he asked.
OO: “Yes, I’d like to see it again.”
Theodor: “You only want to see it? Is the cat avatar alright then?”
OO: “Of course.”
OO: “I don’t know the details of any of it… but the cat is cute.”
Theodor: “I see… so then bringing out the cat would be best.”
OO: “Please.”
Theodor: “Then…”
Theodor booted up his smart watch.
The cat avatar popped up again, it’s ears and nose twitching.
OO: “It’s so cute.”
Theodor: “This is the watch model of an information device that I learned about while logging cultural records in another country. I desperately wanted one and finally got my hands on it.”
OO: “I can see why you’d want one.”
Theodor: “…I can let you borrow it so you can make your own cat avatar and try using it.”
Theodor took off the smart watch and fastened it around my arm.
(Theodor has such pretty fingers…)
The band on the watch was a little big around my wrist as the cat avatar appeared again.
Theodor: “It’ll respond if you pet its head.”
OO: “Like this?”
Just like he’d said, the cat’s ears quivered, and its golden eyes closed in pleasure.
Theodor: “It’s equipped with other functions too. You can feed it and put a ribbon on it… ah…”
Theodor had been talking fast but he cut himself off and the light that had been twinkling in his eyes suddenly vanished.
(What happened…?)
Theodor: “…isn’t this boring, listening to me talk?”
Theodor cast his eyes down, his tone becoming sullen as he spoke.
Ch. 3: Until Nightfall...
Theodor had let me see his avatar in the office…-.
Theodor: “…isn’t this boring, listening to me talk?”
At those unexpected words, I shook my head emphatically.
OO: “? No, of course not.”
Even though I answered in such a way, Theodor continued to look down…
OO: “Theodor?”
Theodor: “It’s really not boring?”
OO: “No, it’s not.”
Theodor looked at me shyly…
OO: “I want to hear more.”
Then at last, his expression relaxed, and the spark returned to his eyes.
Theodor: “This is the first time a girl has talked to me like that.”
OO: “It’s fascinating.”
As I said it, Theodor looked up at me in confusion.
Theodor: “…then, is it alright if we talk more?”
OO: “Yes, I’d like to hear more if that’s alright.”
After clearing his throat, Theodor turned his attention back to the watch on my wrist.
Theodor: “The cat avatar isn’t the only option, there are others, like a turtle.”
OO: “A turtle?”
Theodor: “Yeah, like this.”
Theodor came closer and took my wrist that had the watch on it.
OO: “…!”
I was startled at the distance closing between us, but Theodor didn’t seem to pay it any mind as he skillfully operated the surface of the watch.
Theodor: “Come on out.”
Along with the sound of an electronic notification, an incredibly adorable turtle avatar appeared.
OO: “Wow…”
Theodor: “There’s no mail though, so it’s sleeping right now.”
Just as he’d said, I stared with round eyes at the sleeping turtle.
As I thought of it presenting a letter with its tiny little legs, I giggled.
Theodor: “It really is fun.”
I looked up and Theodor was smiling in delight.
Theodor: “The emerald butterfly from earlier is the latest mail delivery technology.”
OO: “Wow… that was a device too?”
I recalled the beautiful and elegant wings of the butterfly.
Theodor: “It’s way more romantic than just a simple letter exchange.”
OO: “That’s lovely…!”
Theodor: “You’re someone who understands…”
Suddenly, I felt myself warm under his kind gaze.
(I wonder if that’s a compliment…? I’m glad.)
Theodor’s hand was still touching my arm…-.
(I can’t get any words out…)
We sat close together for a while, looking at the little turtle…-.
For some time, we became absorbed in our conversation with each other and before we knew it, the evening sunlight was streaming into the room.
Theodor seemed to suddenly realize something as he went to his office desk and picked up a tablet.
OO: “…?”
Theodor: “It got a little chilly.”
After some beeping, the cat avatar appeared on the tablet as well.
Cat Avatar: “Temperature and lighting adjusted.”
The cat avatar spoke with a polite bow, then…
At the same time, the room did indeed grow brighter, and a pleasant warmth started to blow through the room.
(So, it can do things like that too…)
I looked in wonder at Theodor as he used this latest smart technology.
Theodor: “It’s just some minor adjustments, it’s not that interesting…”
OO: “It’s become more pleasant.”
Theodor: “I’m glad that’s how it feels to you.”
OO: “It’s calming.”
Theodor: “I’m glad we were both thinking the same thing.”
Theodor: “With this device, I can adjust the heater, control the lights… the technology itself is truly amazing. The character avatar can appear here, and you get the feeling that its movements really express emotion.”
Saying as much, Theodor had a slight smile on his face that looked like he was enjoying himself…-.
Theodor: “With the character here, even operating a normal boring device becomes exciting, right?”
(So, Theodor can make that kind of expression too.)
There was a natural spring in my heart seeing Theodor make such a youthful and innocent smile.
OO: “Right!”
Theodor: “Oh I know… you might be wondering if it has any other practical applications. Is there anything you want to know about?”
OO: “Let’s see… um…”
Theodor: “Ah… if it’s too much of a bother…”
OO: “No, it’s not that… it’s just I can’t think of anything at the moment… but it sounds great.”
I replied with encouragement and Theodor’s answering smile was dazzling.
Theodor: “I always think about the cool things I could do when I get ahold of new technology. I think it’s really important to be able to imagine things like that. It also helps with the development of new tech.”
His affectionate and sweet smile gripped my heart.
Something had started to stir in my chest.
Ch. 4: A Shut Door
Forgetting the passage of time, I was completely absorbed in my conversation with Theodor.
Then…-.
Chamberlain: “Please excuse me. I’ve brought more tea.”
The chamberlain knocked and entered the room, and his expression changed to surprise when he saw the two of us deep in discussion.
(…I wonder what that’s about?)
Chamberlain: “How rare Lord Theodor. Being alone with a woman like this…”
Theodor: “!!”
Up until now, the look in his eyes had been gentle, but now they darted around the room.
Theodor: “…ah…”
Theodor was taken by surprise and in an instant, his mouth shut tight.
(What’s going on…?)
Chamberlain: “Ah! Please pardon me… I’ve said too much.”
The chamberlain seemed truly apologetic, and he immediately left the room after pouring the tea.
OO: “Um…?”
Theodor’s hand that gripped a teacup was shaking slightly.
His expression was stiff as well…
(What should I do…?)
Theodor: “…”
Theodor’s brow was furrowed, and he wouldn’t say a thing.
I recalled the enjoyable atmosphere from before and felt a painful prick at my heart when…-.
Theodor: “…sorry. No, I mean… apologies… I’m no good at conversation…”
(‘Apologies’…!?)
He’d finally spoken, but his voice and expression were so stiff and formal.
I felt a pain in my chest at seeing his handsome face go cold.
OO: “It’s alright.”
Hoping to ease the tension just a little, I gave him a bright and cheerful smile.
But Theodor wouldn’t look at me anymore.
Theodor: “I want to talk more about something a girl would be interested in but… that would be something like sweets or fashion I think…”
After he thought about it for a while, Theodor shook his head.
Theodor: “It’s no good… I don’t have any confidence that I could have a meaningful conversation with a girl about anything like that…”
Theodor’s eyes had seemed to sparkle like a sunrise in spring, but now they were quickly growing darker, like an evening in autumn.
(I wonder how I can get him talking comfortably again…?)
OO: “You can talk to me about anything.”
Theodor: “No… I can’t do something like that…”
OO: “I’d like to hear more about what you’re interested in Theodor.”
Theodor: “…you don’t have to pay any attention to me.”
(It’s like a door shut tight…)
I was filled with sadness as I realized my voice wouldn’t reach him.
Theodor: “…I’m sorry.”
OO: “…no, I was the one selfishly monopolizing your time…”
I replied, ashamed, and felt my own sense of mental strain that combined with Theodor’s to fill the atmosphere in the room.
(I wonder… what happened all of a sudden.)
It was suffocating, like being at the bottom of the deep, dark sea.