Ch. 1: "Understood"
Land of Time, Lyspur, Month of Rainbow…-.
As the sun blazed down, people rested beneath the shade offered by the trees…-.
As thanks for waking Prince Zero… I had been invited to the Land of Time.
(I’m pretty sure the castle is this way.)
With map in hand, I spun around and surveyed my surroundings.
??: “Here.”
Suddenly, a supple arm reached around from behind me and grabbed my luggage.
OO: “…!?”
Zero: “I’m glad you could make it.”
In surprise, I turned around, and saw Zero standing there with a smile on his face.
OO: “Zero…!”
Zero: “Did I startle you? My apologies. I came to get you. I’ll show you the rest of the way to the castle.”
Despite the brilliant sun and the fact that he was wearing an immaculate suit, there was no trace of sweat on him.
(Isn’t he hot?)
Shocked, I watched as he walked away, then Zero turned to look back at me, his gaze unblinking.
OO: “…?”
I stood there, blinking, completely at a loss, but Zero just continued to stare at me.
Zero: “…understood.”
OO: “Huh?”
Zero: “Height, attire, way of walking… you’re a reserved woman.”
His mouth twitched up slightly as he adjusted his glasses.
He seemed satisfied with something, but I could only stare at him.
Ch. 2: "So it's Loathsome"
Having arrived at the castle, Zero himself guided me to a guest room.
OO: “What a lovely room… thank you.”
The breeze coming in through the window felt cool, quickly wiping away my sweat.
Zero: “I see. Good then. Also, I thought you might want to dress up for dinner tonight, so I prepared some dresses for you.”
OO: “Eh?”
Zero: “They should be to your liking but… let’s see.”
Saying as much, Zero turned towards a corner of the room and opened the closet door.
OO: “Wow…”
Inside the massive closet was a large variety of different colored dresses.
It was like looking at a beautiful field of flowers and left me at a loss for words.
Zero: “These are all for you. You can wear whatever you like. Accessories are over here. And shoes are here.”
He opened drawer after drawer, showing me all sorts of beautiful things.
(Th-this is so much…)
OO: “Zero, um… I can’t take all of this.”
I was somehow able to say something about it, but Zero tilted his head in confusion.
Zero: “Why? I want to thank the person who saved me.”
OO: “Um… Zero… why all this…”
Zero: “If you hadn’t come, I would have remained locked in my dreams indefinitely. I thought it would be appropriate to provide compensation, even if it is only this modest amount.”
(But…)
I felt a little apologetic, so I took my eyes away from the closet and looked down.
Seeing me like that, Zero stared at me, unblinking.
Zero: “Could it be this isn’t enough?”
He looked straight into my eyes.
Zero: “Or is it that you don’t like it?”
OO: “…”
My heart started pounding and I stood there blinking repeatedly.
OO: “N-no… that’s not it.”
(But still…)
I tried to refuse but…
Zero: “Good. Then take your time choosing.”
Smiling in satisfaction, he turned away from me.
OO: “Um, Zero…-.”
Trying to stop him, I chased him down when…
OO: “…!”
My feet got tangled up and I felt myself start to fall.
Zero: “Look out…”
Immediately, Zero turned towards me and grabbed my arm.
OO: “Th-thank you…”
Looking up, Zero’s face was incredibly close as our eyes met. I practically flew out of his grasp, but my whole body still felt like it was on fire.
Zero: “…”
Zero squinted his eyes behind his glasses, a look of conjecture on his face.
OO: “U-um… dealing with things like this is…”
Zero: “Things like this?”
OO: “Like… the presents. I used to live a normal life, so I’m not very good at handling the princess stuff…”
My voice trembled as I spoke, and Zero put his hand to his chin as he pondered something.
Zero: “…understood. So, you loathe having excessive material things.”
(Excessive things…)
Zero: “Apologies. It won’t happen again. We’ll change the banquet from a formal affair, so you don’t need to wear a dress. Which means…”
His hand still on his chin, Zero kept mumbling to himself and left the room.
(Zero, what on earth…)
I was so confused that I didn’t even feel the refreshing breeze coming through the window anymore.
Ch. 3: "The Wind... is Strong Today"
The next morning…-.
I woke to the sound of rain violently beating against the window and blustering winds.
(What a storm… I won’t be able to go out in this.)
Massive gray clouds covered the sky, making it look as dark as night though I knew it was morning.
I rested my head in my hands as I sat near the window, watching the storm rage outside.
At that time…-.
??: “Can I come in?”
I heard the door crack open along with Zero’s voice.
OO: “Yes.”
I stood and opened the door, and Zero entered, followed by a crowd of people.
OO: “…?”
Zero: “Introductions then. From the right we have the manicurist, esthetician, hair and makeup, and the violinist.”
OO: “Huh?”
The women all stood in a neat line and bowed together.
(What is this…?)
I looked at Zero, not understanding at all what was going on, and he cleared his throat as he adjusted his glasses.
(I don’t really understand what’s going on, but…)
For the time being, I returned their bow.
Then Zero gave me a look I didn’t understand.
Zero: “It’s because I can’t take you sight seeing with the storm. At the very least, I thought you could enjoy an elegant time.”
(Elegant…?)
Zero: “Everyone, begin.”
Zero clapped his hands, and the women moved at once to begin preparations.
They lit aromatherapy candles near the bed and prepped a manicure set.
On top of that, the violinist moved near the window and began playing.
(What on earth…)
I was dumbfounded…
Zero: “Now then.”
(Eh…)
Zero lightly lifted me up into his arms.
OO: “U-um…”
He dropped me onto the bed and calmly looked down at me.
OO: “I-I don’t need things like this, and tomorrow…”
Zero: “Things like this?”
He squinted, thinking.
His beautiful black hair fell around his face like a waterfall.
Zero: “…even though I can’t give you material things?”
(Material things…? D-does he mean…)
————————
Zero: “So you loathe having excessive material things.”
————————
(Does that mean that since material gifts are bad, he wants to give me something immaterial?)
I was simply taken aback and had no idea how to respond to that.
Zero: “Do you also dislike this?”
OO: “No… that’s not quite it…”
He looked down at me as I tried to get the words out, and Zero tilted his head to the side in confusion.
(I’m happy for the intent, but…)
OO: “Th-thank you…”
I said my thanks, and Zero smiled in satisfaction.
(What else can I say…)
Zero: “OO?”
As if anxious, he reached out to gently brush my hair aside…
OO: “…!”
I pulled away from his hand.
OO: “That’s not it! It’s just that I don’t need these types of gifts…”
Zero: “You don’t need them? Statistically, women are delighted when given gifts or when beautified… I see, then you’re more of an outdoorsy type? The type of woman who would like to go on a journey together?”
OO: “Statistics…?”
Zero: “If that’s not it, then…”
(My head is spinning…)
OO: “No, that’s not it either…! I just want to do things like talk with you.”
I put all of my strength behind my words, and Zero made an incredibly strange expression.
Zero: “Talk? You’re a very strange person. I see, there were also statistics saying women like having someone quietly listen to them. Very well, I’ll listen to what you have to say.”
OO: “That’s not it…”
Heaving a great sigh, I looked straight into his eyes.
OO: “I want to have a conversation.”
Zero: “A conversation… with me? What kind of conversation?”
OO: “What kind… I want to know more about you Zero.”
Zero: “About me? Why?”
OO: “Why… obviously so we can get along better!”
My voice came out unexpectedly loud, and I covered my mouth with my hands.
Zero: “Eh…”
His eyes opened wide in surprise, and Zero moved away from the bed in silence.
OO: “U-um…”
I rose in a panic and looked into his face.
Zero: “A conversation…”
Lost in thought for a while, he cleared his throat as if having decided something.
Zero: “Th-the wind… is strong today, isn’t it?”
OO: “…”
I couldn’t help letting out a huff of laughter at his stiff response.
Zero: “Wh-why are you laughing!?”
I couldn’t stop laughing, and a warm sensation filled my body.
OO: “Yes, the storm is quite intense.”
Zero smiled awkwardly, and the women who had been making all of the preparations laughed as well.
Outside, the storm continued to rage, but inside the room, it was like a warm spring day.
Ch. 4: "The Brilliance of the Sky Today is..."
That evening…-.
The storm had passed, and the evening sky was covered in a brilliant glow.
(It’s so beautiful…)
The garden was still covered in droplets as I sat on a bench looking up at the sky.
OO: “Ah, Zero.”
Zero appeared out of nowhere and sat beside me.
Zero: “…”
OO: “Um…?”
For a while, he sat in silence, as if thinking something over.
(I wonder what’s going on…?)
I looked at him.
Zero: “…!”
He gulped, seeming surprised.
Zero: “…alright.”
Taking a deep breath, Zero adjusted his glasses.
Zero: “As the winds make the clouds move on, there’s a high chance that you’ll be able to see a brilliantly colored sky like this after a storm.”
OO: “…okay?”
I just blinked, surprised at the unexpected words that Zero spoke.
Zero: “So the reason the sky is the color it is right now is because of the storm…-.”
(Is he trying to have a conversation…?)
Seeing him desperately trying to explain, I ended up giggling.
OO: “…it really is a beautiful sky.”
Zero stopped his explanation and turned his face away.
OO: “Don’t you think so?”
I gently touched his hand as he stayed quiet.
Zero: “Y-yeah… it is.”
OO: “Do you know a lot about the sky?”
Zero: “I find it interesting in that it’s so aggravating not having a way to properly measure the probability of the sky. Somehow, I’d like to find the perfect rule that fits it.”
OO: “Zero, you’re an interesting person.”
Zero: “I’m… interesting?”
Zero had been looking up at the sky, his back straight, but then he suddenly looked at me.
Without realizing, I let out a little laugh.
Zero: “Did you just laugh?”
His tone made it seem like he was sulking.
Zero: “…you also can’t be measured by mathematics.”
OO: “Eh?”
Zero: “I was certain I had carefully researched the things that make women happy. Yet for some reason, it made you angry.”
OO: “That’s not- I wasn’t angry…”
Zero: “In that way, I intended to use statistics to figure out what kind of woman you were to make you happy.”
His gaze was affectionate as he looked at me, and it made my heart pound.
Zero: “You’re an interesting one.”
We quietly looked at each other, then…-.
(What…?)
Without making a sound, a group of three people suddenly surrounded us.
Surprised, I looked at Zero, and he let out a heavy sigh as he stood up.
Zero: “Three opponents. Chances that I can protect you while we run to safety are about two percent. Run. Their goal is to kill me.”
OO: “What!?”
I couldn’t keep up with what was happening.
Zero: “Hurry!”
Zero pushed on my back.
OO: “Zero…!”
(Oh no…!)
The evening sky dyed the whole world a deep red.
The blades aimed at Zero reflected that red light.