Ch. 1: Please Be My Master!
Kingdom of Oz in the Land of the Rainbow, Month of Brilliance…-
The sweet smell of flowers wafted through the air. The ring emitted a blinding light in response the prayer I made with my hands crossed.
(It’s so bright…!)
In the slowly fading light, I made out the form of a young man with black hair.
OO: “Are you…?”
Toto: “I’m…Toto.”
(Toto…)
Toto shook his head like a cute dog and blinked at me.
Toto: “…you…me… You saved me…that’s amazing…”
Toto seemed to be talking to himself, and my eyes traveled over his large and handsome figure.
He stared at me with incredibly clear eyes.
(I-I wonder if something’s wrong? Maybe he’s hurt…?)
In the moment I was about to voice my concern, Toto clasped my hand between his.
And then…
Toto: “Please, be my owner!”
OO: “Eh!?”
In response to the strange request, I just stared blankly at him, dumbfounded.
But Toto’s face was incredibly earnest, and he looked at me pleadingly.
(I-I can’t just say nothing…and I don’t think he’s teasing me… No, but asking me to be his owner is …)
Toto: “You’re the only one! Please!”
OO: “U-um, I’m sorry. But being your owner is kind of problematic…”
Toto: “Eh…but…”
I was still confused as I tried to let him down gently, and I saw tears form in Toto’s eyes.
(Eh? He’s crying…?)
Even though his body was so big, that reaction was like that of a child or an animal.
(…I really can’t just do nothing…)
OO: “U-um…”
Still perplexed, I hesitated…
Toto: “You said I’m being a problem…”
I thought he should have been shocked, but Toto’s face had turned red for some reason.
Toto: “…I’m kinda happy.”
OO: “Eh…??”
Toto: “Ah, nothing, it’s nothing…um. I want you to keep me, no matter what…!”
Even though I should have stopped him, Toto clung to my arm without being the slightest bit discouraged.
Ch. 2: I'm Strange?
Toto: “I want you to keep me, no matter what…!”
I had awoken Toto, and was getting the impression he was kind of unusual.
Then Toto had come with me to the castle, and aside from him, I was surprised there were only a few servants.
(I wonder if Toto’s parents or siblings are here…?)
I looked around, thinking it kind of strange, and Toto, still wrapped around my arm, held on just a little tighter.
Toto: “Even if you look, there’s no one else here… I’m the only one who lives in this castle.”
He spoke quietly.
OO: “That sounds difficult…”
Toto: “Yeah…”
OO: “That sounds lonely…”
Toto: “Yeah, until now I was really lonely…”
Toto: “But now you’re here!”
OO: “Eh?”
Toto: “I’ve been looking for my next owner…my master.”
OO: “Your next one?”
(Which means there was someone who kept him before…?)
I was confused, and Toto looked at me.
Toto: “I can’t do anything on my own… That’s why I want you to keep me. Please.”
He looked at me, pleading like a stray dog, and I felt moved a little, but…
OO: “I’m sorry, but it’s just really problematic…”
Toto: “Why?”
OO: “Well, because…I think it’s strange for a person to be owned by another person…”
Toto: “I’m…strange?”
Repeating my words, Toto’s face lit up.
(Eh…why is he so excited…!?)
OO: “J-just now, that didn’t make you happy…did it?”
I tried to make it clear what I was asking, but Toto tilted his head and I wasn’t sure if he’d actually understood.
Toto: “You know, it makes me really happy when you call me strange…or when you scold me.”
OO: “O-oh…”
(He’s definitely unusual…)
Toto: “So you’ll be my owner, right?”
(We’re going in circles…)
I felt at a complete lost, and I turned to the servants passing the hall, silently praying to them for help.
Sadly, none of them responded and I was left with my dilemma.
Ch. 3: This Person is Good!
In the hall of the castle, I was at a complete loss as Toto again pressed me to become his owner.
(What should I do…no matter how many times I explain, Toto doesn’t seem to understand…)
Then, I heard the sound of a door opening further down the hall.
??: “Lord Toto, you have returned…! …did you go out searching for your owner again?”
An older gentleman approached us, speaking with a voice that easily carried down the hall.
I peeked around Toto, and the man stiffened in confusion.
??: “Please excuse me, I didn’t know we would have a guest… I am Lord Toto’s butler.”
OO: “Nice to meet you.”
(Good…I finally met someone who will listen to me properly.)
I gave the full explanation of what had happened up till now.
…
……
Butler: “I see…the Yumekui attacked Lord Toto… I am…truly grateful to you for rescuing him.”
OO: “It was nothing.”
Butler: “Still, Lord Toto, you should not go out to such a dangerous place.”
At the butler’s chiding…
Toto: “… you’re so annoying.”
(Eh…!?)
I was surprised as Toto’s previously cute demeanor vanished and his face twisted in annoyance.
Toto: “…I was just looking for someone to be my owner. You got a problem with that?”
(Toto…? His tone is suddenly more gruff…)
Seemingly used to this kind of thing, the butler just sighed and looked at me.
Butler: “I’m sure there are some things that have surprised you since you arrived at the castle.”
OO: “Yes. Like how there aren’t many people here.”
Butler: “Lord Toto is the only member of royalty that resides in this castle. Lord Oswald, the Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz, is the one who gave Lord Toto this land of Padtown…Lord Oswald entrusted Lord Toto with ruling over this place.”
OO: “I see…suddenly becoming a prince like that…”
OO: “That’s an amazing story…”
I said quietly, taken aback, and as Toto’s eyes sparkled, he leaned forward.
Toto: “Just now, you said I’m amazing right?”
In that state, Toto looked like an incredibly excited dog wagging its tail.
(W-what do I do? He looks so happy.)
I couldn’t bring myself to say anything that might change how happy he was, so I forced a smile and dodged the question.
OO: “That seems like it could be quite a problem.”
I felt sympathetic for Toto’s situation as I looked at him, and in that moment Toto’s face lit up.
Toto: “That’s right! It’s a big problem! Help me!”
OO: “Um…”
Toto: “…I told Oswald, you know? I said I didn’t mind being a prince, but that I can’t do anything without an owner.”
(That does seem to be the case…)
The butler seemed to think the same thing, and he asked something of me while I was still at a loss for words.
Butler: “…I’m quite aware this is an unusual request but…Princess of Träumere, would you consider becoming Lord Toto’s owner?”
(E-even the butler. But…)
OO: “Well…you see, that’s…”
Butler: “Of course…there’s nothing to be done then. Please forget I asked.”
Sensing how I felt, the butler quickly withdrew his request.
Butler: “It would be all well and good if there were someone somewhere to become Lord Toto’s owner…But finding such a person is quite difficult…”
Toto: “Huh? Whaddya mean? I don’t want anyone but her! Everyone else is trash.”
(T-trash…!?)
Butler: “It seems Lord Toto has taken quite a liking to you, Princess of Träumere.”
The butler was overcome with emotion and started to tear up…
I didn’t know what to do, but I couldn’t seem to put a stop to this.
Toto: “Besides…I’ll still think you’re the only one for me, even if you tell me no…”
His expression could be either excited or sad…and Toto let out a sigh. I…
OO: “Why do you need an owner?”
Toto: “What do you mean ‘why’?”
OO: “Can’t we just be friends?”
Toto: “I want to be owned.”
Butler: “…the truth is, Lord Toto came to us having lost his memories…”
OO: “Eh?”
Butler: “…all he can remember is searching for his owner.”
(That’s why Toto is so obsessed with having an owner.…a prince all on his own…with no memories…)
As I looked around the spacious castle that Toto lived in by himself, I felt a complicated mixture of feelings.
Ch. 4: I'll Be a Good Boy, Okay?
In the wide, deserted hall of the castle, I learned of how Toto had no memories of his past, other than of looking for his owner…
OO: “…having no other memories…”
Toto: “Other?”
Toto innocently tilted his head.
Toto: “It’ll be fine as long as I can find my master. So, why are you making that sad face?”
OO: “I mean, isn’t it difficult…to be without your memories?”
Toto: “No. It’s just difficult without a master…”
OO: “Because if I was in a similar position, I’m sure I’d be a total wreck…”
Toto: “But I’m fine, see?”
Toto: “I’m just lonely without a master…”
I looked at Toto, his head hung in defeat, and he was so pitiful looking that it swayed my heart a little.
Toto: “Hey…I’ll be a good boy, okay…?”
Toto looked at me and stretched out his hand, pinching the hem of my shirt between his fingers.
OO: “…”
Just like before, I couldn’t reject him outright…
Toto: “Okay…?”
Toto’s eyes were intense, seeing nothing but me.
(What do I do? At this rate I’m going to get swept away… Ah, that’s it!)
OO: “Um…how would you feel about going for a walk in town together?”
Toto: “Walk!?”
I suggested it so I could break the standstill and avoid getting caught up in the whole situation. Toto’s head shot up and he smiled broadly.
Butler: “Princess of Träumere…have you decided? Could it be…”
The butler’s eyes seemed to be asking if I intended to be Toto’s owner, and I felt guilty as I shook my head.
OO: “If we go into town, I thought we might find a clue to Toto’s memories…”
(Though I’d like to say it’d be good to find Toto’s owner…)
It was likely that Toto held on so tightly to the idea of an owner because he had no other memories, and I couldn’t easily agree to Toto’s wish.
(But…even if it’s not feasible for me to be his owner, I want to support Toto as best I can…)
Butler: “…I see, searching for his memories. If his memories return, he may stop being so stubborn about having an owner.”
OO: “Right.”
Butler: “I understand. Please, take care of Lord Toto.”
The butler seemed somewhat cheerful as he bowed his head.
I returned his smile and headed towards the town with Toto, who was bouncing with excitement.