Ch. 6: A Guy From the Lightning Family
The next day…
We began on the preparations for Ritz’s grandmother’s party right away.
OO: “Is this okay for the invitations?”
Ritz: “Yeah! Looks good. Thanks for helpin’! Ah, hey hey! Wha’dya think of handling the decorations?”
OO: “Are you sure you want me to do it?”
Ritz: “You’re a girl too after all! I’m sure Grandma’ll love whatever you do.”
And so the preparations moved forward…
…
……
Several days later…-.
Ritz: “Happy Birthday Grandma!!”
The party hall was wrapped in a dazzling light, and full of enthusiastic cheers.
As I watched, Ritz carved his message into the air with lightning bolts.
(I didn’t realize the power of the lightning spirits could do something like this…!)
What traveled across the dark sky was not a terrifying flash of lightning, but rather a small electrical charge that followed the outline of the illuminated birthday message…
(Wow…)
My eyes were fixed on the sight…-.
Ritz: “I figured it would scare her if I did something with a lot of noise!”
Ritz’s smile was full of mischief.
And that was how his grandmother’s birthday party started…-.
Ch. 7: A Prideful Guy
Ritz’s grandmother’s party was an extravagant affair, just as intended.
My suggestions for decorating the hall had been well-received, and we had flooded it with the flowers his grandmother loved so much.
Crown Princess: “My…how lovely.”
The people had gathered in a crowd, and the party hall was full of brilliance, similar to a festival.
Soldiers: “Your Highness! Congratulations on your birthday!”
Nobles: “Happy Birthday!”
Many people came to offer their congratulations to Ritz’s grandmother, one by one.
Crown Princess: “My, the castle hasn’t been this lively since he was here.”
The area near her eyes creased as she smiled kindly.
I watched as Ritz smiled, looking even happier than his grandmother as he watched her.
Ritz: “Here, we can do this too!”
Ritz looked proud as he snapped his fingers, and small sparks appeared like fireworks.
OO: “They’re beautiful…this is the first time I’ve thought watching lightning was fun.”
As I was absorbed in the magic of the lightning, Ritz’s grandmother came closer.
Crown Princess: “This brings back memories…Ritz resembles him. They both enjoyed the same things, and just like now, they were always popular and surrounded by people.”
OO: “Your Highness…”
She beamed at me, and I smiled in return.
Then Ritz walked out of the circle of people and came towards us.
Ritz: “Grandma, OO, did you like it!?”
Crown Princess: “Of course we did Ritz.”
OO: “Yes! I never knew lightning could be so beautiful. Everyone looks like they’re having so much fun… Your magic is really wonderful Ritz.”
Ritz: “…!”
I told him my honest reaction, and Ritz’s cheeks turned red.
(Huh? I wonder what’s up.)
Then from beside me, Ritz’s grandmother gave a refined laugh.
Crown Princess: “Haha…such an honest young lady, knowing how to make Ritz blush. Ritz, I want you to take good care of OO from now on.”
Ritz: “…and you gotta take care of yourself too Grandma.”
Ritz’s reply was brusque, and his grandmother laughed once more.
And so…
The birthday celebration rose in a final crescendo, then came to an end.
Ch. 8: A Passionate Guy
The party ended with no problems…-.
The two of us were tidying up in the hall, now empty of people.
Gathering the used dishes, we put them on a cart to take to be washed.
Ritz: “Thanks for helpin’.”
OO: “It’s no trouble, I’m glad it went so well and your grandmother liked it.”
Ritz: “…yeah.”
He gave a slight nod then cast his eyes down.
(Ritz…?)
After a short silence, I wondered if he would look up again when…
Ritz: “…OO.”
His gaze was more serious than I’d ever seen before, and it pierced right through me.
OO: “Rit…-!?”
I had no words as Ritz’s hand brought me down onto the sofa.
OO: “W-w-wait!”
He grabbed my shoulder and I tried to push away.
But Ritz did not yield, and I looked up…
Ritz: “…”
I met his gaze, and noticed his eyes were red and watering.
(Ritz? Is he still drunk from the party…?)
I felt my heart gradually start to speed up.
OO: “…!”
The air around him glittered faintly as the dishes broke with a crash, sending fragments flying.
Ritz: “Sorry…that was a little reckless.”
Ritz was slightly warmer, and I was caught up in his gaze, unable to turn away…
OO: “Ritz?”
Ritz: “Sorry ’bout that, all of a sudden…but I can’t hold back my feelings… I…think – OO, I think I love you. In fact it’d be the first time I’ve been in love… That’s why… this, all of a sudden, ’cause I drank so much, but…”
He broke off for a short time.
The words he said next were a whisper…-.
Ritz: “If you haven’t set your sights on anyone yet…choose me.”
Still in that same position, his face moved close to the base of my neck.
He was completely different than the usual cheerful Ritz, and there was a seriousness to his eyes and his voice…
Ritz: “Right?…it’s okay, right?”
I felt his breath on my neck, and my heart was pounding incessantly.
(What should I do…?)
All the different expressions I’d seen on Ritz before now flashed through my mind, and the one image that stuck was the kind, compassionate look he’d had when talking to his grandmother…
OO: “…”
Remembering that look, my fingers that were trying to hold him back lost their strength.
Ritz: “Thanks…”
His voice was right in my ear, and I heard a faint hint of relief in those words…
And like that, I was wrapped up in his fierce yet kind heat.
END