Ch. 7: Drawn to the Line
There was the rush of a cold wind amidst the silence…-
The graverobbers descended on Nox, but he sliced through all of them with his scythe and they all fell to the ground unconscious.
Nox: “Now then… I wonder, where is the naughty princess walking alone at night?”
OO: “!”
Nox’s gaze fell directly on me where I stood hidden in the shadows of the tree.
OO: “I’m sorry, I saw you leave the castle and…”
I came out from the shadows as I awkwardly explained, and his violet eyes seemed to reflect the night as he looked at me.
Nox: “That’s no good. I told you, the night is dangerous.”
His manner of speaking was kind as he admonished me, even though I felt as if I’d crossed a line, and my sadness grew stronger.
OO: “…Nox, I wanted to talk to you properly.”
Nox: “…”
I wanted to know what was on the other side of that unchanging smile, and I tightened my hands into fists.
Ch. 8: The Warmth Just Beside You
Under the moonlight, Nox slowly took his hood off…-.
His exposed white hair shone beautifully as it stirred in the night breeze.
Nox: “You chased me this far just to talk to me?”
OO: “Yes.”
I nodded resolutely, and Nox’s eyes seemed to fill with confusion.
Nox: “…that’s quite the predicament. It’s not that I don’t want to talk to you. But you already…”
His voice was a murmur and I didn’t hear the rest as it was lost to the rustle of the trees.
I strained to catch what he was saying when…-.
Graverobber 1: “Gh… you damn…”
At some point, one of the graverobbers had gotten up, and now he rushed at me with his knife raised.
OO: “…!!”
Nox: “OO, look out!”
As Nox’s panicked voice reached me, I squeezed my eyes shut and drew back.
I was ready for the pain… but it didn’t come.
Nox: “…are you hurt?”
I heard his calm voice from right beside me, and I felt myself slowly relax.
I cautiously opened my eyes and saw the man had once again lost consciousness and collapsed to the ground.
(Nox saved me…)
I looked up and wanted to express my thanks when…
OO: “Nox, your arm…!”
Nox: “Ng… I’m alright, it’s just a cut.”
Nox frowned but at the same time tried to smile to assuage my worry.
There was blood flowing from an injury on his upper arm from where he’d likely taken the blade aimed for me.
OO: “You have to get that treated…!”
Nox: “…”
As I reached my hand out for Nox’s arm, there was the sound of his scythe clattering to the ground.
I felt something strong pull me in… and before I’d processed what was happening, I was wrapped in Nox’s arms.
OO: “Nox…?”
I was so wrapped in his embrace that I couldn’t see his face.
I didn’t know what I should do and my hands roamed around trying to find purchase…
Nox: “…you’re warm.”
I caught his words right next to my ear, and I could hear the slight quaver in his voice.
Nox: “I’m glad, you’re safe…”
OO: “…”
His words held so much emotion, as if conveying just how worried he had been for me.
I slowly wrapped my arms around his back and buried my face in his shoulder.
OO: “Thank you Nox. You saved me…”
Before long, there would be a great commotion as various attendants rushed over, but until then, the two of us embraced each other and assured each other of our existence.
Ch. 9: Resolving Misunderstandings
A calm quiet fell outside the window…-.
Having ensured the capture of the graverobbers, the two of us had returned to the castle.
OO: “This might sting a little.”
Nox: “…okay.”
In order to disinfect the wound, I dabbed at his arm…
Nox’s transparent eyes looked at me, telling me there was something he wanted to say.
Nox: “Before, I was a bit out of it but… OO, are you comfortable touching me?”
OO: “Eh?”
My hand stopped in surprise and Nox smiled at me weakly.
Nox: “Up until now, I haven’t invested myself much in the lives of others. That’s why I hadn’t realized… that I’ve constantly been making you feel uncomfortable.”
(That’s how I made him think…)
I felt a lump form in my throat as I continued to treat his injury, and I searched for the words to clear up the misunderstanding.
OO: “It’s not that I feel uncomfortable touching you Nox. I just couldn’t properly express what I was feeling… I’m sorry for making you think that.”
Nox: “…it doesn’t make you uncomfortable? Really?”
Nox tilted his head in confusion and he looked so very child-like… seeing that, I smiled and nodded.
OO: “I’ve finished with this. I’ll come again tomorrow to change your bandage.”
As I shut the lid to the first aid box and went to stand…
Nox: “Wait.”
Nox’s cool fingers grabbed my hand and pulled me to a stop.
Ch. 10: Sweet Obsession
The moonlight blotted out the stars above and filtered into the room where we stood alone…-.
Nox: “Wait.”
I stopped and turned back, seeing the way the moonlight shone on his bewitching purple eyes.
OO: “Nox…?”
Nox: “Would you sleep here tonight?”
OO: “…”
(By here, does he mean here in his room?)
My heart began to race at the unexpected request.
As I searched for how best to answer, Nox let out a sigh and looked down.
Nox: “If that’s unreasonable, then I’d like you to just stay for a little longer. We haven’t talked at all recently, and…”
His hand, which still held onto me, tightened suddenly.
Nox: “And I feel uneasy thinking about if something were to happen to you again. …is that bad?”
(When he says it like that…)
After some troubled hesitation, I finally slowly shook my head.
OO: “…alright. Just a little longer.”
I once again sat next to him, and Nox’s face lit up in delight.
Nox: “Thanks. I’m glad.”
OO: “…”
My heart pounded again seeing that innocent smile.
And so the two of us talked at length as if making up for lost time…-.
…
……
(Huh…?)
I woke up from a doze and saw the room still only held a very dim light.
(When did I fall asleep? I remember talking with Nox late into the night…)
The memories were hazy as I tried to remember when I heard a chuckle from right beside me.
Nox: “Are you awake?”
OO: “…!”
I suddenly snapped to fully awake and realized there was someone holding onto me…-.
I slightly lifted my head to see Nox looking at me with a kind expression.
Nox: “You can go back to sleep. I’ll wake you up when it’s morning.”
OO: “Nox…!”
(I got tired while we were talking…)
I realized I had fallen asleep like a child and my face heated up in embarrassment.
OO: “I’m sorry, I’ll…-“
I hurriedly moved to get up, but I couldn’t get out of the arm holding me.
That grip wouldn’t let me go, but rather it pulled me in closer so my face was to Nox’s chest.
OO: “Um…”
Nox: “If you can’t sleep, shall I sing you a lullaby?”
His voice was cheerful as he offered, and it seemed as if he had no intention of letting me go…
(I can’t really move, otherwise I might reopen the wound on his arm.)
As I tried to soothe my frantic heart, I was somehow able to get my body to relax.
OO: “Have you been awake this whole time?”
Nox: “Yeah. I was enjoying watching your sleeping face.”
(He was watching me…)
I felt my face go red and Nox gently touched my cheek.
His caress was so gentle, as if he were handling something precious, and he smiled slightly.
Nox: “So this is what a beating heart is like. When I touch you like this… I feel just a little of what it’s like to be alive.”
OO: “…”
I felt at a loss as I heard the pain in his voice.
(I guess Nox still thinks he can’t feel anything. But even if that were true…)
I gently placed my hand over the one he held to my cheek.
OO: “I’m sure you’ll understand things like fun and warmth more from now on. …Because Nox, you are alive, right here.”
His eyes widened in surprise and his shoulders started to shake as he laughed.
Nox: “You’re the first one to say something like that to me. Yeah… it would be good if I could come to know more about those things in the future.”
His voice was kind and accompanied the kiss he softly placed on my forehead.
OO: “Nox…”
I spoke his name without realizing it, and I felt his lips curve up into a smile.
Nox: “Is it alright if I touch you more?”
OO: “…yes.”
I gave a small nod and this time he kissed my cheek.
His touch was loving but hesitant, as if he was wanting to make sure it was alright, and I felt myself start to drown in a sweat, slow passion.
END
Secret Story: A Warmth I Don't Want to Part With
The night stretched on, marked by the changing angle of the moonlight.
She had closed her eyes multiple times as she grew tired and then at some point she’d leaned on my shoulder and fallen asleep.
Nox: “…thank you for keeping me company this long.”
OO: “Mm…”
I whispered my thanks near her ear and OO let out a small sigh.
Her response was so vulnerable and open, and I smiled.
(I hadn’t actually intended for you to go back to your room anyway. …I wonder what kind of face you’d make if I told you that?)
While thinking about it, I carefully carried her over to the bed.
I thought to slip out then, but no matter what I still couldn’t leave her side.
Nox: “I had thought it would be enough if you were just safe, but… I realize I quickly became greedy.”
Before now, there had never been anything I’d wanted from the bottom of my heart.
And even now I remembered the truth and fear of not wanting to lose something…-.
———————–
OO: “…!!”
Nox: “OO, look out!”
———————–
The place where she had neatly bandaged my upper arm still tingled with warmth.
But now, the relief of being able to protect her was more powerful than the pain.
Nox: “If I take care of you, I wonder if you would stay for another hundred years.”
———————–
OO: “It’s not that I feel uncomfortable touching you Nox. I just couldn’t properly express what I was feeling… I’m sorry for making you think that.”
———————–
(I don’t know what kind of feelings you were trying to express…but if you can’t catch up, I’ll lead you by the hand.)
That’s why I first wanted to practice her being by my side.
As I eagerly waited for her reaction when she woke up, I gently embraced her…-.
…
……
After a little while, OO opened her eyes.
She looked around with unfocused eyes, but when her eyes met mine, they opened wide…-.
Nox: “You can go back to sleep. I’ll wake you up when it’s morning.”
OO: “Nox…! I’m sorry, I’ll…-“
I kept a firm hold on her as she tried to get up in a panic.
(Ah ah, not when I’ve finally got you.)
OO: “Um…”
Nox: “If you can’t sleep, shall I sing you a lullaby?”
I replied, feigning ignorance of what was going on.
I would have let her go if she had really wanted it, but…-.
In the end, OO relaxed in acceptance.
OO: “Have you been awake this whole time?”
Nox: “Yeah. I was enjoying watching your sleeping face.”
I answered honestly and her face changed color as if in embarrassment.
(I’m sure I can never get tired of seeing this.)
I touched her reddened face and felt more heat than normal.
I felt as if that warmth was flowing to the very depths of my heart
Nox: “So this is what a beating heart is like. When I touch you like this… I feel just a little of what it’s like to be alive.”
OO: “…”
I wondered if I’d said something strange as her expression shifted and she looked as if she were about to cry.
But instead, she slowly put her hand over mine…-.
OO: “I’m sure you’ll understand things like fun and warmth more from now on. …Because Nox, you are alive, right here.”
The instant she said it, I felt my heart leap in shock.
(I thought I would be the one leading you here, but…)
I smiled bitterly, recognizing how conceited I had been.
Nox: “You’re the first one to say something like that to me. Yeah… it would be good if I could come to know more about those things in the future.”
I pulled her towards me so I could gently place a kiss on her forehead.
OO: “Nox…”
Her eyes as she looked up at me sparkled in the moonlight.
I still didn’t know what it was that swelled inside me, but I smiled softly.
Nox: “Is it alright if I touch you more?”
OO: “…yes.”
With permission, I placed a kiss of thanks on her cheek.
The day when I would realize that the feeling filling my chest was called ‘love’ is a tale for the future.
END