Ch. 6: Tenderness...
With Haku carrying me in his arms, we returned to the castle…
Haku: “…”
Haku carefully disinfected the wound on my knee and wrapped it in a bandage.
(Ah…)
The rabbit we’d encountered the day before came hopping over to me.
(…you were treated by Haku too weren’t you. He’s so kind…)
Thinking that, I stared at Haku when…
Haku: “Does it hurt?”
OO: “Ah, no…”
Haku looked at me with worry in his eyes.
Haku: “I knew it was dangerous so I pulled on your arm with all my strength…In times like that, was that too much of a reaction? Sorry…”
(But…he was protecting me and…)
OO: “You saved me, there’s no need for you to worry about how you did it…! Thank you…!”
I accidentally spoke quite loudly, and Haku looked at me with his eyes wide.
Haku: “You’re…interesting.”
Suddenly, Haku smiled.
That smiling face made my heart pound.
Ch. 7: A Heart Tinged With Passion
Seeing Haku’s smile made my heart start pounding quite loudly…
Haku: “When I’m with you, it’s strange…there are so many discoveries. I’ve learned things that weren’t written in books.”
OO: “Eh…”
Haku stared directly at me.
Haku: “This feeling…is this to enjoy something?”
(He enjoys being with me…?)
OO: “…just hearing you say that makes me happy. I enjoy being with you too Haku.”
Haku had earnestly put his feelings into words for me, and so I also was honest with how I felt.
Haku: “OO…”
I saw myself reflected in his beautiful gray eyes.
(My heart…)
There was a pressure deep in my chest, and I carefully kept control over it.
Haku: “…”
As Haku and I looked at each other, we both stopped talking.
If felt like time itself had stopped when…-.
Haku: “I… …no, never mind.”
I knew he had been about to say something, but again Haku fell to silence.
(Haku…?)
I didn’t move and looked at Haku, who had turned his gaze to the ground…
Several days later…-.
The rabbit’s leg had healed completely and we went to bring it back to the forest.
OO: “It’s looking much better.”
Haku carefully set down the rabbit he’d been holding.
It cheerfully hopped around us, then returned to the depths of the forest.
OO: “I’m glad.”
Haku turned to look at me, a gentle smile on his face.
Haku: “This is…happiness.”
OO: “Yes…!”
I found myself caught up in his smile.
(Haku, there are so many things to smile about…)
A warm feeling filled my heart at his smile when…-.
Haku: “…!”
Suddenly, Haku moved to hide me behind his back.
(Haku…?)
I heard a voice coming from around the other side of Haku’s broad back…
Thief 1: “Yo.”
OO: “…!”
It was the man who had attacked us in the forest the other day.
Thief 1: “I ain’t alone this time. See, I brought some friends.”
I became aware of multiple men surrounding us.
Haku: “…”
The rustling of the forest trees was deafening.
Ch. 8: Awakening of Love
The trees of the forest seemed to rustle in concern…-.
Thief: “You ain’t gettin’ away today. Don’t get any ideas.”
The men approached us, bold smiles on their faces.
Thief: “I heard the rumors in the town that the Träumere Princess is in the castle. That’s you yeah? Perfect. You’ll fetch a nice price.”
The thieves looked at me eagerly.
(I’m scared…)
Haku held my trembling hand in his.
Haku: “…it’s okay.”
Haku’s calm voice and the warmth of his hand eased my fear.
Haku: “Don’t move from here.”
In the same instant he whispered that to me…
OO: “…!”
Haku drew his dagger and rushed at the thieves, fast as the wind.
Thief 1: “…!”
In a panic, the thieves drew their swords, but they couldn’t keep up with Haku’s speed.
(Wow…)
In the blink of an eye, Haku had cornered the man who seemed to be the leader of the thieves.
Haku: “I let you and all the rest of you do as you liked till now. But now…I’m in a bad mood. Don’t come near me again.”
Haku held the tip of his dagger to the chin of the thief, and his words were blunt and ice cold.
Haku: “Depending on your answer…I might kill you.”
Thief: “A…alright…”
Having pinned down the leader, the rest of the thieves scattered and ran.
Haku: “…”
Haku quietly put his blade away.
Haku: “…are you alright?”
Haku’s voice was soft as he spoke to me.
OO: “Haku…that was amazing.”
I answered with what was honestly on my mind and…
Haku: “…you think so?”
Haku scratched at his head as if he was slightly embarrassed.
OO: “Thank you, for protecting me.”
As I remembered the warmth of his hand, I smiled in thanks.
Then…-.
Haku: “…”
(Eh…)
Haku’s face was close.
OO: “…!”
My breath caught in my throat at how close our faces were to each other, and my heart beat rapidly.
(Is he going to kiss me…?)
Then…
Haku: “…”
Haku suddenly turned his face away.
Haku: “Let’s go back.”
OO: “…right.”
My voice was strained as I spoke, and Haku turned and started to walk away.
I stared fixedly at his back as I tried to calm the flush in my cheeks but…
(Haku…?)
I had no idea what Haku was thinking…-.
We didn’t say a single word to each other on the way back to the castle.
The silence continued as we walked down the corridor of the castle…
Haku: “…”
Suddenly, Haku spun around towards me and grabbed my arm.
As he held me, his face came closer…
(…!)
I felt a soft sensation on my lips.
(That was…?)
As I stood there not knowing what had just happened, my heart pounded loudly in my ears.
Haku: “…what is this feeling?”
OO: “…”
Our lips had parted slowly, and Haku continued speaking quietly.
Haku: “It’s like I want to touch you. And I don’t want anyone to hurt you.”
Haku gently placed his hand on my cheek.
OO: “Haku…?”
Haku: “I liked the cookies you made…but this is a different feeling. It’s more…heated.”
Then he kissed me again.
OO: “Nn…”
Haku: “…do you not want me to?”
Haku pulled away and studied my expression in concern.
(It’s …not that.)
OO: “…”
I looked away in embarrassment, then slowly shook my head.
Haku: “Then you’re feeling the same thing I do? …I want to be touched by you.”
OO: “I…”
I couldn’t turn away from his eyes.
I was glad that these emotions had grown within Haku.
And the fact that those emotions were directed at me couldn’t have made me happier.
OO: “I feel the same way…”
The beating of my heart was so obnoxiously loud in my ears and weighing on my chest, but I was still somehow able to answer.
Haku: “…I see.”
Saying as much, Haku wrapped his large arms around me.
His long, pale brown hair slid down and tickled my cheek.
Haku: “So this is the feeling of love.”
(Love…)
I gently rested my face against his chest, and he gently stroked my head.
Wrapped up in Haku’s arms, my heart felt full…-.
(This is happiness… I wonder if Haku’s feeling the same thing right now…)
I slowly closed my eyes, and I could feel the quick beating of his heart.
(It’d be nice if he was…)
I felt the wind come in through the window, carrying with it a sweet fragrance, and Haku held me tightly.
END