Ch. 6: Within the Flames...
I frantically searched for the kitten in the blazing stable.
(Where is it…!?)
At that moment, I heard the kitten’s faint cry.
OO: “Ah…”
The kitten came out from the shadow of a blanket, its legs unsteady as it tottered out.
OO: “Thank goodness…!”
Holding it up, I felt its body was extremely hot.
(It’s burning up…)
The kitten shivered in my arms.
OO: “Hold on just a little more ‘kay? I’ll get you outside soon.”
As I spoke encouragement to the kitten…
I heard a loud noise and a large pillar fell.
OO: “…!”
Somehow we were protected from the pillar, and I shielded the kitten.
But the way out was blocked, and I didn’t know what to do anymore.
OO: “…”
My body froze up in fear.
The blazing flames were encroaching closer, and it was becoming harder to breathe…
OO: “Sai…help…”
I unconsciously called out his name.
Sai: “OO!”
OO: “Sai…!”
I looked up and saw Sai in the blazing flames, holding his hand out to me.
Sai: “OO…!”
I firmly grasped his hand and he forcefully pulled me up.
OO: “Sai…!”
Still holding the kitten, I threw myself into his chest and clung to it desperately.
Sai: “Idiot…! You’re really…”
Clinging to his arm, the helpless feeling I’d had disappeared.
(Sai is really warm…)
Sai: “I’ll hold the kitten, so don’t let go of my hand for any reason, alright?”
Within the flames, Sai tightly held onto my hand.
Within the stable, now burning red, the blue light shining from his earring guided me.
Ch. 7: We'll Go Back Together
I walked through the flames, still holding Sai’s hand.
(I feel a little light headed.)
My consciousness dimmed, and I wondered if I’d inhaled too much smoke.
(But I have to keep walking.)
Yet contrary to my own will, I collapsed on the spot.
Sai: “OO…?”
Sai’s voice rose in worry, sensing what had happened.
Sai: “OO, take care of the kitten for just a little bit.”
Sai said as much and handed the kitten back to me.
OO: “…Sai?”
Then Sai used all his strength and lifted me up.
OO: “Sai, you’ll get too tired…”
Sai: “It’s fine, just hang on to me tight. And hide your face in my chest so you’ll breathe as little smoke as possible.”
OO: “Alright…”
Sai held on to me for a little while, and we safely made it outside.
OO: “Thank you…”
Sai: “…I’m glad you’re safe.”
OO: “…Sai.”
Many people had gathered in front of the stable and were in an uproar.
Villager: “P-Prince Sai! Are you hurt…!?”
Sai: “I’m fine. But I want everyone to hurry and get water! OO, rest a little.”
Even though Sai had just gotten done carrying me out of the blaze, he started leading the work force to put out the fire.
Seeing how reliable he was, my heart started pounding.
…
……
At last the fire was safely put out, and there was a large cheer.
(Good…)
Sai: “OO, are you alright?”
OO: “Yes…Sai, thank you so much.”
I said my thanks and…
Sai: “Why did you do something so dangerous!?”
He shouted.
OO: “…the kitten, it was inside…”
It was the first time I’d seen Sai so angry, and I replied as best I could.
Seeing me like that, he took a deep breath.
Sai: “That may be…but you were so reckless. I want you to look out for yourself more OO.”
(Sai…?)
Sai: “Please, don’t do something so crazy again…”
OO: “…”
Sai was looking directly at me.
His expression was different than usual, and my heart sped up.
(Sai…)
At that moment, there was a ‘meow’ and the kitten’s head appeared at our feet.
For a moment, Sai looked at the kitten fondly …
Sai: “…maybe I’ll keep it in the castle.”
At last, he spoke quietly with determination.
OO: “Eh…are you sure?”
Sai: “Yeah.”
OO: “But what about the king? You said he doesn’t like animals…”
Sai: “…there are empty rooms in the castle, and I think it’ll be fine if I can keep it in secret. If I’m found out, will you face the scolding with me?”
Sai gave me a mischievous smile.
OO: “Yes…!”
Sai: “Let’s all go back to the castle, together.”
His words made me so happy that my whole face lit up in a smile.
Sai gently lifted up the kitten at his feet, and together we left the stable.
Ch. 8: I Don't Want to Lose You
The stars twinkled calmly, as if nothing had even happened.
——————–
Sai: “…maybe I’ll keep it in the castle.”
——————–
OO: “Sai, why are you suddenly alright with taking the kitten in?”
As we made our way to the castle, I looked up at him.”
Sai: “…because of you I guess.”
OO: “What…does that mean…?”
Sai: “You and this kitten can’t seem to stay out of trouble.”
OO: “Eh…”
Sai chuckled and looked me straight in the eye.
Sai: “You know, up till now, I haven’t really had any deep connections. No matter what it was…I would keep one step away, and I thought that distance was good.”
OO: “Sai…”
Sai: “But really, I was just avoiding things that were difficult.”
——————–
Butler: “He doesn’t really worry about others, like there’s a line there that he won’t cross.”
——————–
I suddenly remembered what the butler had said.
Sai: “But every time I look at you or the kitten, you’re doing nothing but getting into dangerous situations.”
OO: “W-well that’s…-“
Sai smiled kindly at me.
(Why does my chest ache?)
The kitten purred from inside Sai’s arm.
Sai: “I’ll look after you from now on.”
Kitten: “Meow~”
I watched as he pet the kitten, and I naturally broke into a smile.
OO: “I’d like to get a bell for it.”
Sai: “Good idea. Since we’re out, let’s drop the kitten at the castle and go buy one.”
OO: “Alright!”
…
……
Sai and I went into the city right near the castle and began the process of choosing a bell for the kitten.
I was filled with happiness as I watched Sai seriously determining which bell to choose.
(…that reminds me…Sai said he was afraid of fire.)
There hadn’t been a trace of that fear in him when he saved me, and I’d only remembered it now.
OO: “Sai.”
Sai: “Yeah?”
OO: “Thank you so much for earlier. And…I’m sorry.”
Sai: “Don’t worry about it. I’m glad we’re safe.”
OO: “You’re afraid of fire. And yet…”
Sai’s eyes opened wide in amazement, and he smiled.
OO: “…?”
Sai: “In that moment, I wasn’t afraid.”
(Eh?)
Sai’s face was slightly red as he said it, and he looked away.
(Sai?)
Sai: “Do you want to walk a little more?”
OO: “…sure.”
I walked through the town beside Sai, carrying the bell we’d purchased.
I was only walking next to him, but my heart was pounding obnoxiously loud.
Sai: “OO.”
OO: “Sai…?”
Suddenly, Sai took my hand and led me to the outskirts of the town.
OO: “S-Sai…?”
Sai was silent as he slowly brought my hand near his face.
Sai: “…”
OO: “…”
Sai: “OO.”
Sai grinned broadly, and gently kissed my hand.
OO: “…”
It was sudden, and the beating of my heart went wild.
Sai: “In the fire, I was so afraid of losing you. I…I’ve always avoided connections with other people before. But now…I want you near me…I want to protect you.”
OO: “Sai…”
His hand lightly brushed against my lips.
Sai: “I can’t just let you loose, seeing as how you’d only get into trouble.”
His face slowly drew closer…-
OO: “…”
Our lips brushed, as gentle as the wind.
I shyly moved to put both hands over my mouth, but he grasped those hands.
Sai: “Once more…”
With a little more force, he kissed me.
OO: “…”
Our lips parted slowly, and I was caught up in his arms.
Sai: “I’ve never felt like this…”
Sai’s heart was beating in time with mine.
I was aware of it as I wrapped my arms around his back, still held in his arms.
(Sai, and me…-)
The emotion that bloomed in my heart then enveloped my entire body.
Sai: “OO…”
Each time he called my name, in a voice that couldn’t be any kinder, my heart pounded.
The comfortable warmth from Sai’s chest spread throughout me.
END