Ch. 7: Sharp Claws
The black cat bared its fangs and leaped at Shin.
Shin: “…!”
OO: “Shin…!”
Without thinking, I started to rush over to him and…-.
Shin: “Don’t move!”
(Eh…!?)
The black cat changed course, now aiming for me instead of Shin.
Shin: “Kk…!”
Shin moved, ready for the black cat, but he was just a moment too late…
OO: “…!?”
The form of the black cat seemed to have disappeared as an uncomfortable sensation filled my body.
Shin: “Hey! What’s wrong!?”
Shin rushed over to me and supported my swaying body.
(I’m alright…)
At least, that’s what I wanted to say, but…
Shin: “!”
My hand moved of its own accord and swiped at Shin’s cheek.
It cut through his silver hair, which gently fell.
(Why…!?)
My body moved again, changing direction against my will.
At some point, sharp claws had grown from my fingers and slashed at Shin’s throat.
OO: “Too slow Rat Prince!”
My mouth moved on its own, and a voice that was not mine came out, laughing cruelly.
Shin: “So she’s possessed by the spirit…”
(Possessed? Then my body is…!)
I wanted to close my eyes in fear, but I could not…
I wasn’t even allowed to turn away. I could only look straight back into his piercing gaze.
Ch. 8: Unmoving Body
The air was charged around us as the wind blew.
Shin: “So she’s possessed by the spirit…”
Spirit: “Keke…”
(I can’t move my body…!)
At that point, I saw the retainers, who must have heard the commotion, rushing towards the garden.
Retainer: “Lord Shin!”
Shin: “Don’t lay a hand on her. Instead… tell the soldiers a spirit has appeared and to fortify the four cardinal directions protecting the town as soon as possible.”
Retainer: “But…!”
Shin: “Go!”
The retainer ran off in a flash as Shin instructed.
Spirit: “Hoh, even though a spirit has possessed this girl you care for, you still haven’t lost your composure. The Rats really are ruthless.”
(What does that mean…?)
I could only be surprised at the words that came out of my mouth…
As if realizing that, the spirit started to laugh strangely.
Spirit: “Kekeke… woman, are you surprised? A word of advice: leave the Rats alone. They’re greedy bastards who chased out my family, the Cat Family, because of their social standing. That man despises everyone, and sooner or later you’ll suffer the same fate, you see?”
(You’re wrong… Shin isn’t that kind of person…!)
I shouted those words in my heart, but the spirit just laughed at me.
Shin: “I see… so that must mean you are the shadow of what is left of the Cat Family. How ridiculous to vent your anger like this.”
Spirit: “What was that…?”
Shin took a step closer, keeping his sharp gaze fixed on me.
Shin: “Your family lost their position because there were so many just like you, incapable of discretion. It’s as simple as that.”
Spirit: “Shut up…! Damn Rats!”
(No! Stop…!)
But my thoughts were in vain as my feet pressed firmly into the ground, then I leapt at Shin.
As if waiting for that, Shin grabbed me with both arms.
Spirit: “…!”
My body flipped and was forced against the ground.
Spirit: “You… let go!”
The spirit fought violently, trying to break out from under Shin.
But his arms didn’t let go and he painfully seized hold of my wrists.
Spirit: “What are you doing!? You plan to kill this girl!?”
Hearing the spirit’s words, my heart froze over like a chunk of ice.
(Shin…)
Shin: “…”
Spirit: “What’s wrong? Why do you hesitate? You really can’t lay a hand on this girl huh… kekeke… ahaha!”
As he pressed on both of my arms, Shin looked down at me with a terrifying calm.
Shin: “Don’t underestimate me.”
At the composure in his voice, I felt a chill run up my spine.
Spirit: “Kk…!”
As if in response to those words that he so casually threw at me, the spirit used all my strength and shook my hands free from his grip.
Shin: “!”
I only cut Shin’s sleeve as he jumped out of the way.
Spirit: “I had planned to play with you a little longer but… I can’t just let that insult from earlier slide.”
(No…!)
Spirit: “Why do you want me to stop when this man tried to kill you!?”
The spirit laughed at me like I was an idiot, then aimed its sharp claws at Shin.
(But still…)
I frantically tried to resist, not wanting to see Shin hurt.
Spirit: “…! This woman…!!”
For just an instant, my body stopped moving.
Shin: “…retreat!”
In that short interval, Shin seemed to understand what had happened and turned to run with his remaining retainers.
Spirit: “I won’t let you escape!”
(No… run…!)
Unable to stop my body with my will like I had before, the spirit just laughed and pressed its feet firmly into the ground.
Ch. 9: Cornered Rat
Shin and his retainers retreated, fleeing towards the castle…-.
Behind them, the spirit possessing my body gave chase.
(Run Shin…!)
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop. All I could do was desperately watch over him as I continued to draw closer.
Spirit: “How unsightly for you to run! Rat Prince! It suits you as a rat to run from the cat.”
(Stop it…!)
No matter how I tried to shout, only a course laugh came out of my mouth.
Retainer: “Lord Shin!”
Shin: “Just run! Hurry to the treasure house!”
Spirit: “Weapons to defeat us spirits huh… but are you sure about that? Do you know what would happen to this girl’s life?”
Shin continued to run, unfazed by the spirit’s provocation.
But it was still in vain as the spirit possessing me gradually closed the distance towards him.
Then suddenly…-.
Shin: “…!”
Sharp claws tore into Shin’s back.
(…!)
Bright red blood seeped out of his clothing.
Shin: “…”
Shin staggered, and the spirit raised its claws again.
Retainer: “Lord Shin!”
Shin: “…stay back!”
Shin’s sharp voice held back the retainers, armed with their weapons.
Retainer: “But…”
Shin: “Don’t make me repeat myself.”
I slowly approached Shin as he stood.
Spirit: “End of the line.”
(I won’t let you…!)
Spirit: “!? Woman, you bitch… trying to stop me.”
I desperately tried to bring my body back under my control and looked at Shin.
OO: “I won’t let you… hurt Shin.”
Shin: “OO…”
OO: “Hurry… get to the treasure room!”
I was somehow able to get those words out, but that was all before my body was once more under the control of the spirit.
Ch. 10: His Goal
The town was dark after the sun had set, and the footsteps of Shin and the others echoed alongside their heavy breathing…-.
Shin: “…”
He staggered as he ran, likely from pain at the blood oozing from his back.
(Shin…!)
I couldn’t get my voice to scream like I wanted, and instead an unpleasant laugh slipped out.
Spirit: “Keke… how unsightly… but this is the end. Just relax.”
The spirit sidled up next to Shin and raised its claws overhead.
But…-.
Spirit: “! This body… won’t move!?”
My body stood stock still, arms raised overhead but unable to move even a finger.
Shin: “Phew…”
Shin’s mouth drew up into a bold grin…-.
Shin: “…seems it all went smoothly.”
Shin looked at me with a cool smile, even though he had been panting and gasping just a second ago.
Spirit: “What… what is this!?”
Shin: “You have my thanks for helping with the prayer.”
Spirit: “What!?”
Shin: “The Sacred Beasts of the cardinal directions, whom we enshrine… and the power of the Sacred Beast who sits above them all… I was dubious but it seems it was true.”
Spirit: “!! I see, this is…”
The spirit, using my eyes, looked around.
————————
Shin: “In this country, there are Sacred Beasts for the four cardinal directions, and at the center, there is a golden Sacred Beast who governs them all. We lift up our prayers to the four Sacred Beasts, and the power of the central Sacred Beast increases. A power that purifies the spirits.”
————————
Shin: “My servants seem to have done as they were told.”
(Ah…)
————————
Shin: “Tell the soldiers a spirit has appeared and to fortify the four cardinal directions protection the town as soon as possible.”
————————
Shin: “As expected of the brave Cat Family, to not be afraid of the Sacred Beasts… aah, or could it be that you had completely forgotten?”
Spirit: “Kk…! Bastard, did you get injured on purpose…!?”
With that smile plastered to his face, Shin simply brushed himself off.
Shin: “I don’t have any recollection of that. I simply got careless at the moment I thought I had claimed victory… isn’t that normal?”
Spirit: “You bastard…! I’ll kill you…!!”
Suddenly… Shin’s expression changed.
It exposed a violent rage, and he flung back his robe.
Shin: “You’ll kill me? That’s my line. I will erase your very existence so not even your regret remains.”
(Shin…)
Those words he spoke low in my direction clenched around my heart.
Shin: “Spirit, you said I was ruthless for not losing my composure. But I too have a heart… and my blood now boils with rage. At the fact that you took advantage of me, and that you were the one to cause harm to OO.”
Shin’s silver eyes stared fixedly at me.
Spirit: “Bastard…!”
In that time while the spirit ground its teeth in frustration, Shin looked deep into my eyes.
At that instant… his expression suddenly changed, and his eyes softened.
Shin: “Just a little longer. Hold on.”
(Shin…)
I looked at him desperately, giving him my answer in my heart.
As if knowing what I wanted to say, Shin smiled.
Shin: “I am Shin, Prince of the Rat Family. Sacred Beasts who protect this land, wake from your slumber and grant me your power!”
A bright light emitted from the shrine as if in response to Shin’s call.
Shin: “…now, hurry and rise. I hate indecisive people.”
Spirit: “! This light…!”
I gradually felt the heavy presence disappear from my body…-.
Shin: “OO!”
I collapsed, having no strength left in my body, and Shin held me close.
OO: “Shin…”
Shin: “I’m sorry… for letting you go through all that.”
I was wreathed in Shin’s scent.
(Such a gentle scent…)
My heart now relaxed, I reached out my hands and wrapped my arms around his back…-.
Shin: “!”
My fingertips touched the dampness there, and I hurriedly pulled them away.
OO: “Shin, you’re hurt… because of me…-!”
Shin: “No. You didn’t do this.”
OO: “But…!”
I pulled back to argue, but he stopped the words by placing his lips over mine.
OO: “…!”
Shin: “You don’t need to say anything else.”
He once more pressed me against his chest and kindly stroked my head.
As if he cherished me very, very much…
(I… and Shin…)
My heart was pounding painfully, and I could feel my cheeks heating up.
OO: “Shin… why didn’t you go to the treasure room?”
Shin: “I certainly could have gotten a weapon from the treasure room… and it would have been the most effective choice given your body’s weakening state from chasing after me so doggedly. But I didn’t want to do that. …if I’m being honest, it would have been an even match.”
(It was so he didn’t hurt me…)
Shin: “I wonder when I actually decided to pray.”
He laughed in a way that was self-deprecating as he took my arms.
Then, he gently wrapped them around his own neck…
OO: “I can’t, your injury…!”
Shin: “I told you, it’s not a problem. More importantly, your voice.”
OO: “Huh…?”
Shin: “Let me hear your voice. Your voice… which I love so much.”
His earnest smile filled my heart.
OO: “Yes…!”
I wrapped my arms around his neck, leaving myself to his care.
Shin: “I always see you, even when I close my eyes. As a man, I take pride in the fact that I can always do more… but at this point, I don’t know what to do.”
Holding me tightly, I could hear Shin’s heartbeat…
With each beat, I felt I could touch his heart, and holding on to that happy thought, I closed my eyes.
END
Secret Story: A Sweet Moment
After OO had been exorcized from the spirit possessing her…-.
As I watched her about collapse, I reflexively reached out my arms.
OO: “Shin…”
Her voice was weak, but there was a clarity in her eyes, and I knew she was back.
(Somehow… it worked out.)
Shin: “I’m sorry… for letting you go through all that.”
I was surprised at myself when the words I held in my heart flowed out.
She shook her head, and reservedly wrapped her arms around my back.
Shin: “!”
From just the touch of her slender fingers at the injury on my back…
She frantically pulled her hands back in shock.
OO: “Shin, you’re hurt… because of me…-!”
Shin: “No. You didn’t do this.”
OO: “But…!”
(No matter how many times I say it… you’ll still feel at fault I suppose.)
Thinking that, I placed my lips to hers to silence her words.
OO: “…!”
Shin: “You don’t need to say anything else.”
I’d done it to calm her down, but…
Regardless of the intention, I felt a delicious ache in my chest.
(What is wrong with me?)
I couldn’t stop the love trying to break out, so I held her closely to my chest.
I stroked her head over and over… and her cheeks were dyed red.
(How… cute.)
It told me of the affections she harbored for me, and my expression softened.
Then…
OO: “Shin… why didn’t you go to the treasure room?”
Wanting to pretend I hadn’t heard what she’d asked, I wavered for a moment over the answer.
Shin: “I certainly could have gotten a weapon from the treasure room… and it would have been the most effective choice given your body’s weakening state from chasing after me so doggedly. But I didn’t want to do that. …if I’m being honest, it would have been an even match.”
(Yes, what I feared the most was hurting you.)
Shin: “I wonder when I actually decided to pray.”
(The desired end result was achieved, but it wasn’t like me at all. However…)
As if verifying again that she was here, I lifted her arms to wrap them around my neck.
(There was no other choice. I couldn’t hurt you, no matter what.)
OO: “I can’t, your injury…!”
I grasped her arms as she tried to pull them away in concern, holding her fast.
(I wonder why I still want this from you.)
Shin: “I told you, it’s not a problem. More importantly, your voice.”
OO: “Huh…?”
Shin: “Let me hear your voice. Your voice… which I love so much.”
OO: “Yes…!”
She gently gave herself over to me, and I felt her warmth to the extent that I completely forgot about the pain of my injury…-.
…
……
A few days after the incident…-.
I sat on a carpet of flowers, eating sesame dango with OO.
Shin: “It’s good.”
The thick taste of sesame on my tongue was very satisfying…
OO: “I’m glad.”
She smiled with her whole face as she replied.
A calmness filled my heart, making my body feel gradually lighter.
(My desire to be with OO… was born from this feeling. It’s pleasant to be beside her. Even though I laughed and thought it strange when she asked if I was alright on my own.)
I was a little annoyed at feeling as if I had somehow been manipulated by someone else.
But still…
OO: “I’ve also come to love these dango.”
I couldn’t find the words to say as she smiled at me innocently.
Shin: “…ah.”
(Goodness, what a strange woman. This heat that seems to be burning my chest means I…)
At that time…
OO: “Ah, what a pretty butterfly…”
She stood and watched a brilliantly blue butterfly.
Then, the wind blew, shaking the flowers and causing the petals to burst up into the air.
The colorful petals fell around us like snow.
OO: “Beautiful…”
Her eyes sparkled as she reached out to catch the falling petals.
I was completely fascinated by that beautiful vision.
(…when we return, I will paint. I want to put this scene down on paper.)
Her smile was refreshing, like a spring breeze, and I burned that image into my memory…
OO: “Here Shin.”
In delight, she held her handfuls of petals over my head and let them fall.
I wasn’t looking at the colorful petals; I could only look at OO.
(If I have the chance to see you… I will go to the ends of the earth for it.)
On the other side of the dancing petals, her gaze and mine met.
Without thinking, I took her hand and pulled her into an embrace.
OO: “…!”
Holding tightly to her small frame, I confirmed her warmth.
OO: “Shin…?”
Keeping my feelings from overflowing, I gently brought my lips near her ear.
Shin: “…I want you.”
Her cheeks reddened as she looked up at me, then she averted her gaze in embarrassment.
That response filled me with satisfaction.
(…I have indeed become thoroughly attracted to you. You feel the same, right?)
Shin: “OO…”
I lifted her chin with my finger and snatched away her wetted lips.
(No matter how many times our lips meet, it isn’t enough.)
OO: “…”
(I want to know you more.)
I deepened the kiss even more, as if to steal away her very breath
(I don’t need… to be alone anymore.)
I pressed her down atop the flowers and indulged in this sweet moment.
END