Ch. 7: White Bandage
(What…)
I slowly opened my eyes, and they were filled with light.
(I…that’s right, I was chasing the necklace and went outside the bubble. And then what? Where’s the necklace…?)
I looked around, and my eyes focused on a single point.
(Eh?)
In the bed next to mine lay Orion, his face pale.
I was filled with disbelief as I beheld his complexion, appearing near death.
OO: “Ori…on…?”
My voice was hoarse as I called his name, then a man rushed over to me.
Doctor: “Have you woken up?”
OO: “What happened…to Orion?”
Doctor: “…He saved you, after you went outside the bubble. You were already at death’s door… if you didn’t receive the proper power right away, you would die. Lord Orion cut his own throat and gave you his blood…”
(Eh…What does…that mean?)
The world grew dark.
Orion: “OO…don’t go…”
I heard Orion call my name as he talked in his sleep.
OO: “Orion…”
The white bandage around Orion’s neck was bright as I looked at it.
Ch. 8: False Smile
Doctor: “Lord Orion cut his own throat and gave you his blood…”
———————
One week after that…-.
It was morning, and the water sparkled as the song of the waves reached my ears…-.
OO: “Good morning, Orion.”
Orion had woken three days before, and since then I hadn’t left his side for a moment as I nursed him back to health.
———————
OO: “What do you mean…?”
As I looked at the injured Orion in shock, I questioned the man who appeared to be a doctor.
———————
Orion: “However, in order to get the ability to return to the surface… you’ll have to have an even deeper bond with a sea floor dweller.”
Orion: “You bear their child.”
———————
OO: “I was told that, in order to leave the bubble, I would need to bear the child of a sea dweller.”
Man: “…there is one other way. You can acquire the same power, if you are given a large amount of blood by the sea dweller.”
OO: “Eh…!?”
(Then Orion cut himself for me!? Orion’s blood saved me…)
———————
OO: “The water is very sparkly today. I’m sure it’s sunny and clear on the surface.
I gave Orion a bright smile.
Orion: “Yeah…”
OO: “What’s wrong? You don’t look very happy…”
At first, Orion had smiled in delight when I wouldn’t leave his side. But recently, his expression had clouded.
(I wonder what’s wrong.)
Though I thought it strange, I continued my daily duty of taking care of Orion.
I hid the small pain that pierced my heart…-.
…
……
That afternoon…-.
OO: “There sure are a lot of fish around today.”
I sat on the soft ground and watched happily as the beautiful, multi-colored fish swam by.”
Orion: “…hey.”
His voice sounded so frail as he murmured.
Orion: “You’ve got the power now. Get it? You can go back.”
OO: “…I know.”
Orion: “Then leave…I’ll just be miserable if you stay with me out of pity.”
(Pity…?)
Orion: “Before, you wouldn’t be what I wanted you to. But at least you didn’t look like this.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Orion: “…don’t show me such a sad smile. Surely you’re not worried that I didn’t actually give you my blood? It’s something I did for love… you don’t need to worry. And…it’s alright. Seeing the girl I like make that face makes my heart ache.”
(I look sad…? I hadn’t… then what was the point of taking care of him…? I really am doing it because I want him to get better. I wonder if I should say… I want to patch things up.)
Orion: “Leave… before I change my mind.”
I couldn’t go against his words.
The pain piercing my heart steadily grew stronger.
Ch. 9: Sunset Necklace
Orion: “Leave… before I change my mind.”
———————
The next day…-.
Orion: “…take care.”
An emissary had been dispatched to escort me as I was supposed to return to the surface. Now the time had come, and I met with Orion for a final farewell.
OO: “You too…”
In the end, I had been unable to put a name to the feeling growing in my heart, and I smiled faintly.
Orion: “I told you… don’t give me that smile.”
Orion’s eyes looked so sad as the smile he had mentioned crossed my face.
My heart ached again.
Orion: “…I’m sorry, for manipulating you… Here.”
Saying as much, Orion presented me with the shell necklace…
As that unnamed emotion came barreling to the front, my breath caught.
Orion: “Just go…”
I quietly bowed my head, then was guided out of the bubble by the emissary.
Up and up…
Further and further away from the Undersea Kingdom.
———————
Orion: “What’s wrong with telling the person you love that you love them?”
Orion: “What’s wrong with wanting to be close to the woman I want to marry?”
Orion: “To happen to meet the person you love from the bottom of your heart is a miracle, right?”
Orion: “I don’t want to have any regrets.”
———————
My chest felt like it was being crushed.
As I got closer to the surface, I could see the water stained in the colors of the sunset.
I tightly gripped the shell necklace that was the color of the setting sun.
OO: “…please, stop!”
I had said it before I’d even realized it.
Ch. 10: Feelings Spilling Out
Within the sea pierced by the setting sun…-.
OO: “Please stop!”
I was so decisive that I even startled myself.
Emissary: “Lady OO… what is the matter?”
The emissary who had been holding my arms as we swam stopped.
(He said he loved me so many times. Orion may be overbearing, but he’s straightforward. I can’t leave him without an answer.)
OO: “I have to go back…I have to go back to where Orion is. I’m sorry.”
I bobbed my head in apology, but the emissary looked at me with a kind smile.
Emissary: “Well then… let us return. Lord Orion will be waiting.”
OO: “Right…!”
(I’ll give him a proper answer. And a thanks, and apology.)
———————
Orion: I don’t want to have any regrets.”
———————
(I don’t want any regrets either.)
Emissary: “Lady OO, we’ve arrived at the Undersea Kingdom.”
At the voice, Orion lifted his head in surprise.
Orion: “OO…why…?”
Orion looked at me, his pale face flushed with a little color now.
OO: “I…”
(How can I say this right? I want to tell him but…)
The feelings were advancing on me like the ways, yet I couldn’t put it into words.
Orion: “Didn’t you want to run away from me? Weren’t you caring for me out of pity?”
At his words, my heart ached terribly.
That pain was very clearly trying to say ‘you’re wrong’, and I shook my head.
Orion: “Then why…”
OO: “I…”
I looked at Orion.
(My heart doesn’t ache out of pity. Why doesn’t he understand? Because of me, a person I care about got hurt…)
Again there was the feeling that I couldn’t name, but I was sure it was reflected in my eyes…
Orion: “…I won’t let you go again. I love you…OO.”
I suddenly realized that I was wrapped in Orion’s arms…
I let out a sigh of relief and collapsed into his arms.
OO: “Orion…!!”
…
……
That night…-.
Orion lay in the bed, pouting as if to hide his embarrassment…
(I’m glad I can take care of him but…)
Orion: “Hurry it up.”
(It’s embarrassing to be the one to feed him.)
I held onto the tray beautifully decorated with colorful food, and the embarrassment had me looking away.
OO: “Here…”
From the stylized arrangement I put some cream-colored substance that looked like rice porridge on a spoon and held it out.
Orion’s face went a little red as he put his mouth on it.
Orion: “It’s good.”
(This is actually kind of cute.)
Orion: “…what are you smiling at?”
OO: “Ah, nothing…!”
Orion gave his usual smile as he watched me panic.
Orion: “More.”
OO: “R-right.”
In my haste to get more food on the spoon, some of it spilled off.
I looked at the bit that had fallen onto my index finger and…
OO: “Ah…”
Orion took my hand and put my finger in his mouth…
I could feel his tongue slowly lick at my finger.
OO: “…”
The sensation made me close my eyes.
Orion: “…you face is red.”
I opened my eyes to see Orion looking at me, smiling with just a hunt of maliciousness.
(How embarrassing…)
In embarrassment I looked down, and Orion removed the plate from where it rested on my knee.
Orion: “You don’t have a fever do you? Let me check.”
Saying as much, Orion pulled me into his arms atop the bed.
OO: “I-it’s not a fever.”
I was forced to straddle Orion and I could feel my face getting warmer and warmer.
Orion: “Submit.”
He smiled, enjoying himself, then touched the ribbon on my chest.
OO: “Ya…! Orion! You’re in no shape to…!”
I stopped his hand and…
Orion: “Pretty sure I told you that defying me has the opposite effect. If you’re worried about my health then… do your best to submit and we’ll get done quick.”
(That’s…)
At his words, I found myself unable to oppose him.
Orion: “OO… I love you.”
He whispered into my ear as he slowly removed my clothes.
Orion: “I love you.”
His words pierced straight through and echoed around my heart…and the fight went out of me.
(I do too…)
OO: “Nn…”
Orion snatched the words from my lips as I was about to answer…-.
My back was pressed against the bed.
Orion: “I won’t let you go a second time.”
OO: “Ori…-“
Orion’s tongue slipped between my lips and he kissed me over and over, not giving me time to catch my breath.
OO: “Orion…”
Orion: “…what?”
Orion smiled as he stroked his fingers over my bare skin.
OO: “I… love you too.”
At my words, he smiled in satisfaction, then placed his head on my chest.
OO: “Ah…”
His long, sleek hair fell over my naked body and at the tickling sensation I gripped his shoulder.
Orion: “Say it again.”
OO: “I…love you…”
At the bottom of the deep, deep sea…
The words finally spilled from my heart.
And along with those words, I felt my entire body drowning in a sweet tingling sensation.
END