Ch. 7: A Red Face Disappearing Behind a Sliding Screen
Hanare: “You’ve got it wrong! Please wait!”
At Hanare’s sudden outburst, everyone froze.
Teacher: “Is… is something the matter?”
OO: “Hanare…?”
Hanare: “Regardless, I’ll be heading to practice immediately, so Master, please go on ahead. And OO… I’m not sick. Please don’t worry.”
OO: “But…”
(I wonder if that’s true…?)
Hanare covered his reddened face with his hand and turned away from me.
OO: “Um…”
Hanare: “Anyway, I’ve got practice, so you’ll have to wait till after if you have business with me.”
Hanare still wouldn’t look at me as he slammed the sliding door shut.
(Hanare…)
It was almost like the tightly shut door was a wall around Hanare’s heart…
I was sure my words wouldn’t reach him, and I could do nothing other than stand there frozen.
Ch. 8: A Profile Dyed by the Setting Sun
When the sky was being dyed a deep red…-.
Hanare: “…OO.”
OO: “…are you alright?”
I was visiting Hanare at his room after his practice.
Hanare: “I’m fine.”
He gave an answer, but in the end, he still wouldn’t look at me.
(Hanare… I wonder if I’d even be able to have a conversation with him under these circumstances….)
I smiled at him even while my heart was aching.
OO: “Alright then… but please don’t push yourself too hard.”
Hanare: “…!”
Hanare suddenly grabbed my hand as I turned to leave.
OO: “…! Hanare…?”
Hanare: “…that’s not it.”
The beauty of Hanare’s face in the setting sun took my breath away.
OO: “…”
(I… don’t know what to think of Hanare.)
I felt awfully hot where our hands were touching…-.
Hanare: “I realize that I misunderstood in thinking that you had fallen in love with me… I was just… feeling sorry for myself. So, I’m not ill or anything.”
OO: “You were upset…?”
As I asked the question, the force where he gripped around my wrist tightened.
Hanare: “It’s just that I… no, it’s really nothing.”
After he changed his mind about what he was going to say…
Hanare: “I’m upfront and honest with what’s on my mind… and that usually causes trouble for those around me. I don’t want to say something and have it cause trouble for you.”
His clear eyes looked straight at me.
I felt myself filled with a happiness I couldn’t put into words as I saw his feelings expressed in his gaze.
(I feel the same… about Hanare.)
Hanare: “Still, I thought if I could get out the general idea of what I was thinking, then this time there wouldn’t be any misunderstandings…-. Aah, damn… I’m so embarrassed.”
OO: “Hanare.”
I wanted to tell him my own feelings that had finally taken a shape I could understand… so I looked up at him directly.
Hanare: “OO…?”
OO: “This time… will you listen to what I have to say?”
The words from before still lingered in my ears and came back to me.
————————
Hanare: “I guess… I was the one to misunderstand. But I like you, so…”
————————
OO: “What you said before made me happy. It’s just that, how could a person as beautiful as you feel that way about me…? That’s what I thought.”
I could tell my feelings were growing stronger the more I spoke.
Hanare: “…then I’m not a bother to you?”
OO: “You shouldn’t ever think you were being a bother to me. After all, I…-.”
(It’s embarrassing… but I have to tell him properly.)
In that moment…-.
OO: “!?”
Suddenly, Hanare wrapped his arms around me.
Hanare: “Ah…”
But he immediately pulled back in a panic.
Hanare: “Sorry! …geez, I didn’t want to do things out of order like this.”
Having caught his breath, Hanare’s eyes were serious as he continued to speak.
Hanare: “I like you.”
Those incredibly honest words and straight-forward expression charmed my heart.
Ch. 9: Straight-Forward Words
Hanare: “I like you.”
Hanare’s sincere words struck a chord in my heart.
OO: “I… like you too.”
Hanare: “I see… I’m glad.”
Hanare looked happier than I’d ever seen him, and that made me happy as well.
As Hanare slowly reached his hand out towards me…-.
Servant: “Um, is this a bad time?”
A servant spoke up quietly from the doorway.
OO: “!”
Hanare: “Was… the door open!?”
Servant: “My deepest apologies for intruding. I thought I would come and report that the costume had been delivered…”
The servant’s face was red as they apologized sincerely to Hanare.
Hanare: “…I see. Alright, I’ll come now.”
After taking a deep breath to calm himself, Hanare brought his face close to mine…
Hanare: “OO, I only have practice in the morning tomorrow. So, I want to spend some time after with just the two of us. Is that alright?”
My heart was pounding as Hanare spoke in a quiet voice.
OO: “…of course! I’m looking forward to it.”
Hanare: “Me too.”
With that, Hanare turned and left the room with a spring in his step.
Ch. 10: Sudden Words
Hanare: “OO, I only have practice in the morning tomorrow. So, I want to spend some time after with just the two of us. Is that alright?”
————————
The next day…-.
The sky was clear and blue, and a pleasantly calm breeze blew.
The two of us had gone out into the town of Kuyou together, and then I heard a quiet voice from the roadside.
Townsperson 1: “Oh my, isn’t that…”
Townsperson 2: “Haha… looks like Lord Hanare finally got himself a girl.”
Hanare: “…”
Hanare’s face flushed slightly under the gazes of all the townspeople.
(We’re out incognito but still… Hanare is so tall he can’t help but stand out.)
We sat down at a teahouse on the outskirts of the town, and the shopkeeper came out with a grin on their face.
Shopkeeper: “Oh, Lord Hanare. And who is this young lady?”
Hanare: “My lover.”
After speaking so boldly, he immediately looked a little surprised at himself and turned towards me.
Hanare: “…was that okay?”
OO: “Yes… it makes me happy.”
Both of our faces were red, and the shopkeeper just raised an eyebrow while smiling.
Shopkeeper: “I’ll bring you two out our famous kinako mochi*.”
Hanare: “It’s really okay?”
Just as quickly, Hanare’s face blossomed into a smile.
(He’s so cute…)
Hanare: “…I love this shop’s kinako mochi. I want to eat it with you.”
OO: “Alright.”
After a little while…-.
The shopkeeper brought out the kinako mochi and some tea.
Hanare: “Today it’s especially delicious.”
I felt it was a bit of a luxury seeing the large mochi balls completely covered in kinako.
Hanare: “The breeze feels good, and the mochi is delicious… it’s a good day.”
The gentle breeze ruffled his hair, and Hanare closed his eyes with a pleased expression on his face.
(I didn’t know Hanare could look like this.)
In the beginning, I thought his expression didn’t change much, but looking at it from this close, I understood that his expression could shift and was always very honest.
(Such a kind face…)
Hanare: “…”
Suddenly, our eyes met.
OO: “Ah…”
(I wonder if I was staring at him too long…?)
I felt uneasy at my inner thoughts and…-.
Hanare: “Aren’t you going to eat? They’ll get hard if you don’t eat them quickly.”
OO: “Eh, the mochi?”
I looked and saw his plate was already completely empty.
(Maybe…)
OO: “…do you want half of mine?”
Hanare: “Are you sure?”
(Ah, he looks so happy.)
OO: “…of course!”
Joy, surprise, and embarrassment…
I loved every single one of Hanare’s expressions…-.
…
……
After that…-.
We went around the town and came to a garden with a stream running through it.
Hanare: “This is one of my other favorite places. When I want to relax, or when I want to think… I come here, and I forget about the time. That’s why I wanted to bring you here.”
OO: “Thank you. I’m happy you brought me.”
He replied with a smile, then his expression turned serious…
Hanare: “…I want to touch you.”
OO: “Hanare…”
This time, I was able to respond honestly to his sudden words.
OO: “…alright.”
I nodded slightly, and Hanare smiled in delight.
Hanare: “Then, just a little, okay?”
Saying as much, he pulled me into a hug…-.
With a thump, my heart started to pound, and our foreheads met.
Hanare: “You really are quite cute.”
OO: “Eh… where did that come from?”
I thought I had become used to this… but Hanare’s words still surprised me.
Still, this time I thought it was a strangely pleasant sensation.
Hanare: “Sorry. I usually just blurt things out like that.”
Seeing my surprised expression, Hanare smiled bitterly.
Hanare: “I thought it from the first time we met. That you were cute… then on top of that you were so worried about me… I thought you might have fallen in love with me at first sight as well.”
OO: “From the beginning…”
(Does he mean since I first woke him in the forest…?)
He spoke those next precious words with a gentle smile on his face.
Hanare: “I love you.”
Those words whispered so close made my heartbeat obnoxiously loud…
Hanare: “…hey, would it be alright if I kissed you?”
OO: “…”
(When he says it so honestly and so close…)
My face went red from embarrassment and nerves… and I couldn’t get out a proper answer.
Hanare: “No…? But it’ll be alright. I’ll go slow.”
OO: “Hanare…”
I took in a breath and closed my eyes.
Hanare: “Can I…?”
I nodded slowly at the question.
In the next instant, a soft breeze blew around us.
Hanare: “…”
Then as the wind left, I felt his lips on mine…
(Such a tender kiss…)
With just that soft kiss, barely touching, I was able to understand without words his intimately genuine feelings.
END
TL Note: Kinako mochi is a type of mochi, or sticky rice cake, sprinkled with sweetened soy flour.
Secret Story: I Want to Tell You
Beneath the refreshing, clear sky, a pleasant stream ran nearby…-.
Hanare: “This is one of my other favorite places. When I want to relax, or when I want to think… I come here, and I forget about the time. That’s why I wanted to bring you here.”
OO: “Thank you. I’m happy you brought me.”
I watched as OO smiled at my words.
(Aah, she really is cute.)
Since the first time we’d met, I’d had the desire to hold her, and that hadn’t changed.
However, that initial feeling of attraction had grown so much more over time.
(So then, it should be fine… if I don’t hold back anymore, right?)
When there had been the initial misunderstanding about how she felt about me, it had felt like a hole had been torn open inside me…
———————–
OO: “I… like you too.”
———————–
Finally, I was able to properly know her feelings.
Hanare: “…I want to touch you.”
OO: “Hanare…”
After she looked at me with a hint of surprise, she shyly nodded.
OO: “…alright.”
Hanare: “Then, just a little, okay?”
Gently, I embraced her, and placed my forehead against hers.
Hanare: “You really are quite cute.”
OO: “Eh… where did that come from?”
(Ah… I did it again.)
Hanare: “Sorry. I usually just blurt things out like that.”
I sorted out my own thoughts and feelings to the best of my ability, and started to speak.
Hanare: “I thought it from the first time we met. That you were cute… then on top of that you were so worried about me… I thought you might have fallen in love with me at first sight as well.”
OO tilted her head slightly, and her eyes went wide.
OO: “From the beginning…”
(When I awoke in the forest… I fell in love at first sight.)
Hanare: “I love you.”
Her expression became bashful at my words.
The redness that blossomed on her cheeks was so unbearably lovely…
Hanare: “…hey, would it be alright if I kissed you?”
OO: “…”
Her eyes wavered as if in confusion.
(Ah…)
I tightly clamped down on the feelings filling my heart.
Hanare: “No…? But it’ll be alright. I’ll go slow.”
(I don’t want OO to be troubled… by me rushing things. …but I’m just a little lonely.)
OO: “Hanare…”
She called my name, her voice thin.
Then, she slowly closed her eyes.
(That means…)
Hanare: “Can I…?”
As she nodded slightly in response, I could no longer bear the feelings overflowing inside of me…-.
…
……
The next day…-.
I had thrown myself into my practice more than I ever had before.
(OO… I want to touch her more.)
Holding onto those strong feelings, I stepped and danced across the floorboards in the training hall.
Though my body moved fluidly, my heart was filled only with her…
Teacher: “…”
After finishing the routine from beginning to end, silence fell on the training hall.
Both the musicians, and even my strict master who would usually scold me…
Hanare: “Eh…”
I looked around doubtfully, feeling as if I’d just awoken from a dream, when my master began to clap.
Teacher: “…that was beautiful Lord Hanare. Your practice was full of even more passion than usual… but this was a marked improvement.
It was quite rare to get praised by my master, who was so relentless in his craft.
Teacher: “Your charm when dancing has improved, and it felt as if you were masterfully concealing something inside. Then you finished the dance beautifully.”
Hanare: “…thank you very much, Master.”
I flinched slightly at his analysis.
Teacher: “…I wonder if it is because of Lady OO.”
I stared at him as he kindly spoke her name.
Then, I gradually felt my face start to heat up.
Hanare: “That could be it. No, I think it is.”
Saying as much, Master smiled and looked at me kindly.
At that time, the door to the training hall opened slightly.
OO: “Pardon the intrusion. Um, I was just bringing refreshments…-.”
The face that peaked through the door was none other than OO…
OO: “…ah, did I interrupt?”
Seeing all eyes on her, OO flinched and shrank away.
Hanare: “No, you aren’t interrupting anything.”
I responded immediately.
Then, Master clapped his hands loudly once more.
Teacher: “It’s past time for a break. Thank you Lady OO.”
Possibly reading the situation and deciding to help, everyone else quietly left the training hall.
OO: “Um… was that really alright?”
Hanare: “Yeah. We were just talking about taking a break. Anyway, OO…”
I looked straight at her as she tilted her head to the side.
Hanare: “Thank you. This is all because of you.”
OO: “Eh?”
(Aah, I did it again… but…)
Hanare: “Never mind, it’s nothing. I’ll let you know when I’ve improved.”
OO: “…right. I’ll be waiting.”
Before long would come the prayer ceremony…-.
I prayed that OO, smiling gently, would see my feelings for her in my dance…
As an invigorating breeze blew through the training hall, I engraved a new resolution on my heart.
END