Ch. 1: The Discerning Prince
Wilhelm in the Land of Literature, Month of Fragrance…-.
Afternoon, when the leaves of the dense forest of trees sounded like a whisper…
A tall prince was wrapped in light as he was awakened from his sleep.
OO: “……!”
There was a discerning glint in his eye as he scowled, sizing me up, and I flinched.
(He’s scary…)
??: “…who are you?”
He looked just like the villain out of a hardboiled crime fiction novel.
OO: “Ah… I’m OO.”
??: “You the one that woke me up?”
OO: “Oh… yes. Um, and you are…?”
Kagetora: “I’m Kagetora…”
After saying his name, Kagetora swayed slightly.
Kagetora: “…guess I’ve been asleep for so long that my body isn’t cooperating.”
OO: “Are you alright?”
I moved closer and…
Kagetora: “Don’t move.”
OO: “!”
He watched me closely as he reached into his inner jacket pocket for something.
Kagetora: “Get back.”
OO: “R-right…”
I was overpowered by the idea of him pulling a weapon on me and backed away.
Kagetora: “That was a near miss…”
Saying as much, he crouched down where I’d been about to step.
(Ah…)
A flower bud was growing from the ground where he was looking.
(I… almost stepped on it without realizing.)
Kagetora’s eyes were kind as he looked at the bud.
(I thought he was frightening but…)
Kagetora stood and calmly removed his hand from his jacket.
OO: “!”
He wasn’t gripping a weapon like I’d feared, but rather a pack of cigarettes.
(Cigarettes…)
I felt relief wash over me.
Kagetora: “Damn… empty.”
He crushed the pack and looked at me.
Kagetora:” …come with me if you’ve got the time.”
OO: “What…?”
Kagetora: “My kingdom is boring and full of books… but I want to thank you for your help.”
I frantically chased after him, his broad back leading the way.
Ch. 2: An Unexpected Side
Cotton-candy clouds drifted across the perfectly blue sky…-.
Kagetora guided me as we headed for the castle in Wilhelm.
??: “Ah, it’s Kagetora!”
At the sound of a young boy coming closer, I saw a crowd of young boys charging for us.
Boy 1: “Kagetora’s on a date with a girl!”
OO: “Eh…”
Kagetora: “Wha… that ain’t it.”
Boy 2: “Your face is red!”
Boy 3: “Hey Miss, this guy’s face is scary, but he’s not ACTUALLY scary.”
Kagetora: “…geez, cheeky kids…”
He easily lifted up one of the boys and put him on his shoulders.
Boy 1: “I wanna ride!”
Boy 2: “Me too, me too!”
The boys encircled Kagetora, their voices cheerful.
(They look like they’re having fun.)
The boy’s muddy shoes dirtied Kagetora’s clothes.
However, he didn’t seem to mind at all as he smiled.
(…that’s a little unexpected. But he’s a nice person…)
I found myself smiling easily as I too was impacted by that kindness.
…
……
After we parted ways with the boys, Kagetora and I arrived at the castle.
A celebratory banquet was held in a gorgeous hall to celebrate Kagetora’s return.
King: “Peace has returned to the country with the return of our prince. Princess, you have my deepest thanks.”
Queen: “Thank you so much.”
The king, with a fierce look the same as Kagetora, and the queen, with a kind smile, came together to thank me.
OO: “Oh, no, that’s too much…”
Ibuki: “Thank you Princess.”
Kagetora’s kid sister, Ibuki, grinned up at me.
(She’s so cute.)
King: “Please, enjoy yourself here in the Land of Literature.”
OO: “I’ve heard this is a country where authors of different genres all gather.”
King: “Indeed. The royals are active writers as well.”
Kagetora continued to eat his meal in silence.
OO: “Kagetora, what do you write?”
Kagetora: “…well, ya know, this and that.”
His gaze drifted away as he hesitated.
OO: “?”
Ibuki: “Picture books!”
Kagetora: “!! …you promised your big brother you’d keep that a secret from everyone.”
Kagetora spoke hurriedly to the young Ibuki.
(He’s so charming…)
As I smiled watching their exchange, my eyes met with Kagetora’s.
He looked embarrassed, his cheeks turning red.
Kagetora: “…what’s with that look? Laugh if you wanna…”
I watched him as he looked away, and my heart jumped slightly.
(He’s actually kind of cute.)
As I thought of how nice that was, I turned to look at him…
OO: “I think it’s wonderful. Really.”
Kagetora looked shocked, as if he didn’t believe me.
OO: “I wouldn’t laugh at you for that.”
He awkwardly turned away.
Kagetora: “…well, please don’t tell anyone else.”
OO: “Why?”
Kagetora: “Other than a select few who know, it’s a secret that I write picture books. It would break the kid’s hearts if they knew someone like me was drawing those pictures.”
His gentle eyes flickered with loneliness.
Queen: “That is not true, right?”
The queen smiled at Ibuki.
Ibuki: “Yeah!”
Kagetora placed his hand on Ibuki’s head.
(Picture books…)
Within this kind, gentle moment, my mind turned to the picture books Kagetora would write.
Ch. 3: A Warm Story
Within the resounding echo of a graceful piano…-.
I found my eyes drawn to Kagetora more than the wondrous food in front of me.
(I wonder what kind of picture books he writes.)
I tried to imagine it as I watched him smile at his much younger sister…
(…nope. I can’t picture it at all.)
As I thought that, Ibuki and I made eye contact.
Ibuki: “Big Brother writes lots of picture books with the name Margaret.”
Kagetora: “Ibuki.”
Kagetora looked at Ibuki, implying that she not say anything more.
Ibuki cutely stuck out her tongue and shrugged.
King: “At present, Kagetora’s specialty is writing picture books… however, before, he took a considerable amount of influence from the hardboiled crime novels I wrote.”
(It’s true that fits his image better…)
Queen: “Kagetora’s appearance was also influenced by those. Hahaha.”
OO: “Is that true Kagetora?”
Kagetora: “…I guess.”
His answer was short, and he still wouldn’t look me in the eye.
Queen: “Kagetora has written a variety of novels from different genres in his capacity as the prince of this country so that he could acquire a wider breadth of knowledge. He may look frightening, but he’s a very diligent worker and is beloved by everyone in the castle.”
The king nodded in agreement as the queen smiled with pride.
Faced with that, Kagetora awkwardly continued to sip his water.
(But I wonder why he ended up writing picture books then?)
As I thought about it, Kagetora quietly stood.
Kagetora: “…come on.”
OO: “Huh?”
Kagetora: “It ain’t much, but I’ll show you around the castle.”
OO: “…ah, alright.”
Ibuki: “Wait, I wanna play with the princess more!”
(Ibuki…)
Kagetora: “Ibuki, it’s about time for…”
Ibuki: “Hey, OO, come to my room and read picture books with me. We’ll read Brother’s books.”
Ibuki took my hand and looked at me with sparkles in her eyes.
OO: “Sure, let’s do that. Is that alright Kagetora?”
Kagetora: “…I don’t mind if you don’t OO…”
Kagetora smiled slightly at the delighted Ibuki.
OO: “If you’re sure…”
Ibuki: “Yay! You’ll come too, right Big Brother? Right?”
Kagetora: “…geez, guess I can’t refuse.”
A tender smile crossed Kagetora’s expression.
With my hand linked in hers, we went to Ibuki’s room.
…
……
In Ibuki’s room, Ibuki listened as I read aloud one of Kagetora’s picture books.
OO: “’The bluebird kept flying through the shower of stars. Then Bluebird caught one of the stars, and their friend Bear treasured it forever and ever.’”
(‘Our Falling Star’ is a lovely picture book…)
I felt warm as I closed the book, and Ibuki’s breathing was slow as she slept beside me.
(She fell asleep at some point…)
Kagetora wrapped a blanket around the sleeping Ibuki.
OO: “…Now I’m one of Margaret’s fans.”
Kagetora: “You don’t have to flatter me. It must’ve been boring for an adult to read.”
OO: “It isn’t flattery. This is the first time a story has given me such a warm feeling.”
Kagetora: “…stop it. I’m not used to people saying that to my face.”
Kagetora’s face turned red as he muttered those words.
OO: “Don’t say that… you should have more confidence in yourself. I think it’s a wonderful story.”
Kagetora: “…you’re the first person that’s ever said that to my face.”
Kagetora looked a little surprised.
Kagetora: “I guess my picture books are popular with kids and their parents… but other than them, people say they’re full of double standards that are meant to deceive the kids.”
The self-deprecating smile on Kagetora’s face made my heart ache.
OO: “That’s just…-.”
What I was about to say was suddenly cut off by a knock at the door.
Kagetora: “Ah, looks like the doctor is here.”
OO: “Doctor?”
Kagetora: “Ibuki’s primary attending physician.”
(What…?)
My heart thudded in my chest as I heard those words.
Ch. 4: Secret Thoughts
The light of the moon came through the window into the deathly silent hallway…-.
Kagetora and I had left Ibuki’s room so as not to get in the way of her medical exam.
Kagetora: “She needs an IV in the morning and at night.”
OO: “…is it really that serious?”
Kagetora: “The treatment is difficult, but if she keeps getting it, she’s less likely to get sick.”
My heart ached as I thought of little Ibuki enduring that kind of medical treatment.
Kagetora: “I’m heading into town… wanna come?”
OO: “But…”
Kagetora: “We’ll just get in the way if we’re hanging around outside the door.”
OO: “…alright. I’ll come along.”
Kagetora: “There’s not really anything to do in town, just so you know…”
Saying as much, Kagetora walked off.
OO: “Then I guess it’s better to go, but…”
Kagetora: “Ibuki told me I should show you around town, so let’s go.”
He walked off ahead of me.
Our footsteps were the only sound to echo in the corridor…-.
The paper lanterns emitted an otherworldly light as they lit up the town…-.
I rode on Kagetora’s motorcycle, the two of us coming to a suburb on the outskirts of Wilhelm.
(This place has a pretty mature atmosphere…)
As I looked around, I kept one step behind Kagetora when…
Frightening looking people greeted Kagetora one after the other.
Man 1: “Prince, you haven’t written in forever!”
Kagetora: “Yeah, hey.”
Man 2: “Good work Prince.”
Kagetora: “You’re looking well.”
Man 3: “Let’s go out for drinks again Prince.”
Kagetora: “Another time.”
(Wow… Kagetora is amazing.)
Kagetora: “Those guys are all authors, despite how they look.”
OO: “Really?”
Kagetora: “They get together to drink and talk about novels and the future of the country.”
OO: “So they don’t know about Margaret…?”
Kagetora: “They don’t know. And I don’t plan on tellin’ ‘em.”
He took out a cigarette from his jacket….
Kagetora: “You mind if I smoke?”
OO: “It’s fine with me.”
Kagetora: “Alright then.”
As he lit the end of his cigarette, he really didn’t look like someone who wrote picture books.
OO: “I don’t mind, go ahead.”
Kagetora: “Sorry ‘bout that.”
He put the cigarette in his mouth and lit the end.
Kagetora looked happy as he watched the smoke, and I found myself smiling.
Kagetora: “What?”
OO: “Sorry. You just looked really happy.”
Kagetora: “That’s cause I have to watch myself around my sister and the other kids.”
(He really does think a lot about Ibuki and the other children…)
…
……
The two of us came to a high spot, giving us a sweeping view of the town.
The pinpricks of light from the town lanterns emerged from the darkness.
OO: “…they look like stars.”
Kagetora: “She said the same thing.”
OO: “She?”
Kagetora: “Ibuki. I brought her here once.”
He lit up a second cigarette.
OO: “So that’s it… your sister is the reason you started writing picture books, isn’t it?”
He quietly exhaled a stream of smoke.
Kagetora: “…when she was in so much pain that she couldn’t sleep, I just copied what I’d seen my mom do and read her books, and it made her so happy… the smile she would give me then is my reason. She was thrilled when I showed her the first picture book I wrote… It was the first time I’d felt such a true sense of accomplishment I guess, and I was so happy. So, after that, I kept goin’. I kept making picture books, which only have happy endings.”
I felt my chest heat up as he told me his feelings.
(I’m sure those happy endings are for… Ibuki and the other children. Because he wants them to hold on to hope.)
Kagetora: “…I’ve been rambling.”
Kagetora smiled bitterly as he spoke.
OO: “No, I’m glad you told me. When I read your book… I feel wrapped in a sense of kindness and warmth.”
Kagetora: “……”
OO: “They aren’t books that deceive children… I think they’re made exactly FOR children.”
Kagetora: “…thanks.”
I saw myself reflected in his gentle eyes.
The full moon looked down on us from the night sky.
Ch. 5: Good News
Birds were chirping outside the window…-.
OO: “The weather’s lovely today.”
It was a few days after Kagetora and I had gone into town…-.
At Ibuki’s pestering, I decided to stay at the castle for a few more days.
OO: “Do you want to take a break?”
I looked at Kagetora’s profile as he sat writing at his desk.
(He’s frowning again…)
His large frame was compressed into a small ball as he earnestly drew pictures of animals.
Seeing him like that was so precious, I smiled.
Kagetora: “…something smells good.”
I brought him a cup of coffee and set it on the side table.
OO: “Can I see what you’re drawing?”
Kagetora: “You must be pretty bored, asking every day…”
Contrary to his words, he had no problems at all with showing me the picture.
The animals were drawn with a soft touch standing amidst a forest.
(So cute…)
As I looked at the picture, there was a knock at the door…-.
…
……
Kagetora’s editor can come to call on him.
OO: “Eh… the Charlotte Literary Award?”
Editor: “Yes. Margarette’s picture book has been chosen for this prestigious award!”
The editor eagerly pulled out the book.
It was the one I had read to Ibuki, ‘Our Falling Star.’
OO: “Congratulations Kagetora!”
Kagetora: “My book…”
The editor continued to shower Kagetora with information as Kagetora sat there, dumbfounded.
Editor: “And after the award ceremony, you’ll have a public reading with the children. It’s unavoidable Prince Kagetora.”
Kagetora: “…I won’t be at the award ceremony. And we’ll leave the read-aloud to a proxy like usual.”
OO: “What…?”
OO: “But that’s such a shame…”
Kagetora: “It’s fine. I don’t show myself like that in public.”
He furrowed his brow at the mention of it and drank his coffee.
I could guess at what he was thinking, and I didn’t say anything.
Kagetora: “If I show myself, it’s obvious it’ll crush the kid’s dreams.”
(But this is such a great opportunity…)
Editor: “Keeping your identity secret does lend itself to an inviting sense of mystery but… I think it’s about time they found out the truth.”
Kagetora: “No way.”
Kagetora’s answer to his editor was short and brief.
Editor: “Then let’s try for a new piece of work. I’m certain you’d be able to write something that would charm an adult audience as well…”
Kagetora: “I can’t.”
At Kagetora’s immediate reply, his editor snapped.
Editor: “You’re the prince! Of course you can! You’re quite talented, so you’d be able to write others…”
Kagetora: “It’s because… I write for the kids.”
Kagetora’s refusal was absolute, and he looked at me with a small smile.
Editor: “…I see.”
(What…?)
A dark shadow seemed to fall over the editor’s face.
(What’s this feeling…)
While experiencing a sense of unease, I couldn’t say anything on the matter.
Kagetora: “We’ll have someone else dress up and do the public reading.”
Kagetora kept talking as if he hadn’t noticed his editor’s reaction.
Kagetora: “This is a chance to see an honest reaction from the kids. Do you wanna go?”
OO: “Me…?”
Kagetora: “What, weren’t you listenin’? Well, you don’t have to if it’s too much of a bother.”
OO: “No! I’d love to.”
Editor: “……”
At that moment, a strong wind blew in through the window and threw the pages of his work-in-progress into the air.
Ch. 6: Betrayal
Beneath the perfectly clear blue sky…-.
The public reading of Margaret’s picture book was about to conclude without any issues.
(The children are so absorbed in the story.)
Margaret… the woman standing in as Kagetora’s proxy to read the book had the full attention of the children.
(Kagetora’s book really is amazing.)
Kagetora and I blended in with the crowd, watching over the children.
Proxy Woman: “The bluebird kept flying through the shower of stars. Then Bluebird caught one of the stars, and their friend Bear treasured it forever and ever.”
The proxy reader finished the last page and closed the book…
And a round of applause came from the smiling children.
OO: “Isn’t that great Kagetora?”
Kagetora: “…yeah.”
His expression as he watched the children was so unbelievably affectionate.
I looked at Kagetora, who was watching over the delighted children.
Kagetora: “…they look happy.”
He spoke those words to himself.
At that moment… the moderator for the event appeared on stage and cut off the applause.
Moderator: “Everyone, we have a surprise guest with us today!”
Along with the declaration, a bright spotlight shone down on Kagetora.
Kagetora: “Wha…!”
Moderator: “That’s right. Our very own Prince Kagetora of Wilhelm is the author of the picture book, Margaret!”
(What… why!?)
The people stirred.
Kagetora: “Dammit…”
Kagetora hurriedly turned from the children, as if trying to hide his face, and ran off.
OO: “Wait…!”
I chased after him as he fled the now-chaotic hall…-.
…
……
From behind me as I chased Kagetora…
Editor: “Please wait! Go back to the venue!”
The editor passed by me and grabbed Kagetora.
Kagetora: “Hey… what’s goin’ on here?”
Editor: “That’s…”
As Kagetora watched the editor hesitate, his face went pale.
Kagetora: “No way, is this your fault?”
In anger, Kagetora grabbed the editor by his shirt collar.
(What should I do…?)
I could only watch the events unfold from afar.
Kagetora: “It’s true I’ve left handlin’ all the public relations to you, but…-. Did you really think I’d be fine with this!?”
Kagetora bellowed angrily, but the editor held his gaze defiantly.
Editor: “…it was unavoidable, wasn’t it? People are losing interest in books, and it’s especially become a problem with picture books that are lagging in sales. That’s why the editor-in-chief said the presentation of the Charlotte Award was the perfect stage to reveal yourself…”
Kagetora: “……”
Considering the difficult position the editor had been in, Kagetora let him go.
Kagetora: “But then…”
Editor: “I didn’t think it was right to deceive you. But… just the surprise that it was you, the prince, should have been enough of a factor, and we figured even people who hadn’t been interested in the books before would want a piece of this.”
Kagetora: “…and you think that was the right thing to do?”
Editor: “……”
Kagetora: “I told you, when we first met. That I wanted to protect the kid’s dreams. That’s why I partnered with you. But here you are… don’t go destroyin’ their dreams with your stupid adult problems.”
Editor: “But…!”
The two faced off, both with silent anger…
Kagetora: “There’s no ‘but’ about it.”
Editor: “But then isn’t it meaningless!? If I hadn’t taken you on, those dreams would have meant nothing.”
Kagetora: “…I’m disappointed in you.”
Tossing that final line, Kagetora turned away from his editor and walked off.
Editor: “…in the end, those picture books really were about lying to children, weren’t they?”
At those words, Kagetora froze.
The air was tense, and everything around us was wrapped in darkness.