Ch. 7: An Unsettling Evening
The bamboo rattled in the wind as the moonlight shone down on the garden…-.
After that, Subaru and I had returned to the castle, and I thanked him.
After returning to the guest room, I wanted to fall asleep right away, however…
(…I can’t sleep at all.)
I had slipped out through the sliding door and was exposed to the wind, yet my mind kept going back to Subaru.
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Subaru: “…nah, it’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
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(Subaru had something on his mind back then. I wonder if something happened…)
I couldn’t control the strange sense of uneasiness I felt as I gazed up at the moon…
Subaru: “…you’re still awake?”
I turned to look down the corridor and saw Subaru standing there.
The moonlight shone on his eyes, emitting a golden light in the darkness.
OO: “What about you Subaru? What are you doing up at this time?”
Subaru: “…just something business. Hurry and get to sleep. The wind’s going to get colder.”
He walked by me, making as if to leave just like that.
I watched him melt into the darkness of the night, and my heart heaved…
OO: “Please wait…!”
Before I’d realized it, I shouted out for him to stop.
Ch. 8: Profile in Moonlight
The clouds drifted in front of the moon, causing the corridor that had been bathed in moonlight to grow dark…-.
Subaru looked back at me from the darkness after I called for him to stop.
(If he keeps going that way, he’ll reach the castle gate…)
OO: “Are you going into town right now…?”
Subaru: “…”
OO: “I heard that the town is dangerous because of the increase in bandits. If you go out now…-.”
The golden eyes turned towards me reflected a powerful light…-.
(It’s almost like he’s prepared himself for something…)
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Subaru: “Still, that guy…”
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(I wonder if it has something to do with the man we bumped into earlier today. Subaru’s expression since then has been grim. Could it be that…)
OO: “Are you going to where the bandits are…?”
Subaru: “…who knows.”
Subaru replied with only that and a carefree attitude as he turned his back on me.
(Subaru’s going to leave…!)
Wanting to hold him back, I quickly grabbed tightly onto his clothes.
Subaru: “! You…”
(I shouldn’t be meddling in the affairs of this country when I don’t know what’s going on. But still…)
My heart was full of the desire for him to not go alone into a dangerous situation.
Full of frustration, I refused to let go of him…-.
Subaru: “…man, you’re such a problem.”
He made a slight click with his tongue, and I felt a stinging pain in my chest.
OO: “I’m sorry…”
I resigned myself to getting shaken off, yet it didn’t come…
My head was slightly down, yet far from his hand pulling us apart, he gently touched my cheek.
OO: “Eh…?”
Subaru: “…I can’t go anywhere when you’re making a face like that.”
It was like he was trying to reassure me as he awkwardly stroked my cheek with his fingers.
OO: “Subaru…”
Subaru smiled slightly, and he removed his hand from my cheek.
Subaru: “…you heard me old man. Which means I won’t be running off on my own.”
OO: “Eh…?”
I turned my gaze in the direction Subaru had spoken those words, and the king appeared around the corner of the corridor.
King: “I really would have disinherited you, my foolish son, if you’d gone off on your own this time.”
Subaru: “…is that so.”
The king glanced at Subaru, then turned his attention to me.
King: “Princess, you have my gratitude for worrying about my son.”
I shook my head, and noticed the king seemed to look relieved…
(The king was worried about Subaru too.)
Subaru: “…”
Subaru clenched his hand tightly, then once more turned to look straight at the king.
Subaru: “Till now, I’ve wielded my fists in the way I believed. I would act only on my own desires, no matter what anyone else thought. That was my plan but… just this once, I can’t say that. Cause this time, there’s a worrywart here who looks like she’s about to cry.”
(Does that mean…)
He looked at me with a kind gaze, and my heart leaped in my chest.
But almost immediately, that sharpness in his eyes returned, and he set his eyes on the king once more.
Subaru: “Old man. Would you give me command of some soldiers so we can go take out the bandit’s stronghold?”
Suddenly, there was a break in the clouds, and the corridor was once more filled with soft moonlight.
That moonlight outlined Subaru’s intense, resolute face, making it stand out against the dark.
Ch. 9: Just Waiting Impatiently
Subaru: “Old man. Would you give me command of some soldiers so we can go take out the bandit’s stronghold?”
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The next day, Subaru received a contingent of soldiers from the king and set out…-.
(I wonder if Subaru will be alright.)
While I waited for him to return, I stood in the garden attached to the castle.
I placed my hand over my chest trying to convince myself even as my anxiety was overwhelming…
(…no, he’s definitely going to be okay.)
Shaking off those other thoughts, I chanted a prayer deep in my heart for the millionth time when…-.
The gates opened, and voices called out announcing the return of Subaru and his soldiers.
OO: “!”
That voice seemed to snap me back to myself and I ran towards the gates…
I saw Subaru, supporting a wounded soldier on his shoulder.
Subaru: “OO…”
Handing the wounded soldier over to a servant, Subaru stepped towards me.
OO: “Subaru…!”
My heart ached as I saw the injuries on his face and arms, but I hugged him without thinking.
Subaru: “! Hey…”
He didn’t try to pull away and instead gently wrapped his hands around my back.
Subaru: “You’re cold… were you waiting outside this whole time?”
OO: “Sorry, I was just worried…”
Subaru: “Geez, did you think I’d fail with that many soldiers with me?”
OO: “That’s not it! But…”
I frantically shook my head, and Subaru’s large hands lightly patted my back.
Subaru: “…what am I going to do with you?”
The voice that came from above me was so incredibly gentle…
As I listened to that voice, I could feel the warmth coming from his body.
Ch. 10: Noble Gentle Beast
In the evening glow, a soft light spilled through the sliding door onto the tatami mat…-.
After Subaru had finished his report to the king, I had gone with him back to his room.
Subaru: “I told you it’s just a few scratches…”
OO: “Even if you won’t see a doctor, you can’t not get them treated.”
I paid little mind to the annoyed-looking Subaru as I continued to treat his injuries.
(But since Subaru is a good person… he’s letting me do as I please.)
The news of Subaru’s taking command of the soldiers and subjugating the bandits had already spread through the town.
(I’m sure the people in town will now understand what type of person Subaru is.)
I smiled happily as I thought of how the people would come to know how much he thought about the town.
Subaru: “…you sure look happy.”
At some point, his golden eyes had come to rest on me, and I felt my cheeks heat up.
OO: “While you were giving your report, I heard people in the town shouting words of gratitude. The fact that you protected the town from the bandits has become a common topic of discussion.”
(Seeing how Subaru cooperated with the soldiers, if the misunderstanding about his character can be cleared up just a little…)
OO: “That made me happy, so I ended up smiling.”
Subaru: “Why the hell would something like that make you happy?”
There was a laugh intermixed with his sigh, and I could see his expression so much more clearly than I ever had before when he would conceal it.
(Last night… if he had gone off like that on his own, we probably wouldn’t have this time together now.)
Subaru: “…I’m not gonna let you go anywhere if you look at me like that.”
OO: “Thank you Subaru. For considering my feelings last night.”
At my words, Subaru looked down as if he were thinking back on something.
Subaru: “…I should be the one thanking you.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Subaru: “Because you held me back last night… I was able to wield my fists to protect that smile of yours.”
OO: “Subaru…”
His clenched fist relaxed, and his gaze dropped to his own large hands.
Subaru: “You’re the one that made me realize my fists aren’t just for hurting people. From now on, I plan to use these fists to protect.”
That large hand reached out for me, and as if beseeching me, it wrapped around me wrist and pulled me closer.
Subaru: “So, would you stand at my side? From now on, and forever?”
The strength with which he pulled me near was apparent, but I could tell that he was being considerate of me…-.
(He’s a strong, kind person. I don’t know when I came to feel this way about Subaru…)
My heart suddenly started pounding, telling me exactly what it was I felt for Subaru.
OO: “…I will. From now on, please let me by at your side.”
Putting my feelings into it, I placed his lovely hand, riddled with wounds, against my own cheek.
Then…-.
He used that large hand to lift my chin, and his sharp fangs flashed as he smiled at me.
Subaru: “You know, you do adorable things like that and I’m gonna have to eat you.”
His voice had a hint of teasing to it, telling me he was letting his guard down.
OO: “But you wouldn’t do that Subaru.”
Subaru: “Oh yeah?”
OO: “With your strength, you wouldn’t have expressly warned me if you were actually going to.”
(Even still, Subaru wouldn’t. He’s a kind person who doesn’t like hurting others.)
OO: “I love the Subaru who is kind.”
After he thought over it for a moment, he broke into a pleased grin.
Subaru: “….man, you’re the only one who can say stuff like that to me. I’m not as nice as you say I am. But… it’s not so bad… trusting in others like that.”
Subaru suddenly smiled, and I felt his hot breath brush against my lips. My heart went into overdrive as I realized how close we were.
I thought I saw a suspicious glimmer in his eyes, and he pressed his lips to mine in a biting kiss.
OO: “…!”
There was such strong desire in the kiss that I couldn’t even breath as I clung to him.
Subaru: “Ha, it was careless of you to get so close. …if you don’t resist, I really will eat you up. You good with that?”
He asked that as we broke the kiss, and I felt my red cheeks grow even hotter.
Following my heart’s desires, I nodded slightly, and he gave a troubled smile.
Subaru: “…damn, you’re a sweet one.”
The hand that held my chin now moved to my cheek and stroked it lovingly…
Feeling that gentle warmth, I once more accepted his biting kiss.
END
Secret Story: Whom This Hand is For
A calm breeze caused the leaves on the trees in the garden to rustle, playing their gentle tune…-.
I finished my report after safely taking down the bandits and left my father’s room.
(Damn, OO and my old man, they both worry too much.)
A sigh escaped me, and the wind that passed through the courtyard carried it away.
I looked out to the courtyard, and a strange, refreshed feeling fell over me…-.
(It’s been a while… since I felt like this.)
The scene last night, which was just like this, when OO grabbed onto my clothing in the hallway flashed through my mind.
(If I’d felt like it, I could have shaken off her slender arm. But… she was making that face.)
Her expression had looked as if she were about to cry at any moment, and her hand was trembling slightly…
Her heartfelt appeal had weighed so heavily on my heart just as she wouldn’t let me go.
(Oh yeah, it was the same as when we were taking care of the bandits…)
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Subaru: “I’ll cut through as the vanguard from here on, and you all back me up!”
Soldier: “But, Lord Subaru, going on your own…”
Subaru: “…I’ve thought it through. I don’t intend to just rush in there alone at random.”
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(OO’s face came to my mind at that time too. She’s so weird… looking like she’s the one who got hurt if I get injured.)
I felt a prickling sensation near my heart, and once more I started walking towards my own room.
(…I want to see her.)
As I grumbled that thought deep in my heart…-.
I blinked as I saw the very woman I had just been thinking about standing in front of my room.
Subaru: “Hey, what are you doing here?”
I eventually called out to her, and OO’s attention snapped towards me.
OO: “Um, I brought this…”
I noticed the medicine box in her arms, and my expression instinctively relaxed.
(…damn, I’m no match for her.)
It wasn’t like me to smile like I was, so I covered it with my hand and invited her into my room.
…
……
I saw my own hands in a new light as the setting sun spilled over them…-.
As I accepted her medical treatment, I thought back on the things that had happened since I met OO.
Subaru: “You’re the one that made me realize my fists aren’t just for hurting people. From now on, I plan to use these fists to protect.”
Before, I had believed that completely, and now those distant memories remained in my heart.
(I never thought I’d have another chance…but I got it back, just a little, with this hand. If you’re here, maybe I can… be noble again.)
Subaru: “So, would you stand at my side? From now on, and forever?”
Something flickered in OO’s eyes as she took in my words.
OO: “…I will. From now on, please let me by at your side.”
As if she were entrusting herself to me, she placed my hand on her cheek.
(If you do that… you don’t even realize how you fan the flames inside me.)
A feeling of love filled my heart and overflowed into my expression, and I reached out my hand as if searching…-.
I pulled her in tightly and smiled as if something was driving me on.
Subaru: “You know, you do adorable things like that and I’m gonna have to eat you.”
I flashed my fangs, and she blinked, however…
OO: “But you wouldn’t do that Subaru.”
Subaru: “Oh yeah?”
OO: “With your strength, you wouldn’t have expressly warned me if you were actually going to.”
Unlike when we’d first met, this time she looked straight at me without a trace of fear.
(Well, yeah, I could, but I don’t intend to. Not to the woman I love…)
OO smiled, as if she could see straight through to my heart.
OO: “I love the Subaru who is kind.”
(! People like you really are…)
My chest was burning, as if it were on fire, as she directed those thoughts straight at me.
Subaru: “….man, you’re the only one who can say stuff like that to me.”
(Ah, damn it… I love you.)
Her face when she’s scared, her feet when she approaches me, her hands when she shyly reaches out to me, and her lips as they say words just for me, I love all of them.
Subaru: “I’m not as nice as you say I am. But… it’s not so bad… trusting in others like that.”
(That’s precisely why I’ll treasure you… so that you don’t get hurt.)
Contrary to those feelings, my desires that burned inside me longed for her.
Perhaps because she trusted me as she looked up at me, she was full of openings…
(How is it that I love you even when you’re like this?)
My fists, always clenched tight, opened so that they could touch the woman I loved…
I simply gave in to my desires and pulled her in close as I kissed her.
OO: “…!”
I supported her body as she clung to me, and I could feel the warmth of her hands.
(So that I can use these hands… to protect you and the people, I need you.)
In order to convey those feelings that I couldn’t put into words, I deepened the kiss.
I put all my strength into holding her close, as if praying that I would never lose something precious to me again.
END