Ch. 4: Luke's Implementation
And so I continued with Luke’s strange practice…
Luke: “OO, thank you very much.”
He bowed low to me.
OO: “It was no trouble, though I wonder if I was able to get the roles right…”
Luke: “Now then…I shall go to Avi and Medi and put what I’ve practiced to the test. What will you do?”
OO: “Ah…I think I’ll walk around the forest a little more.”
Luke: “Very well. Then let us meet again.”
Luke smiled softly, and began to walk back towards Alstoria’s castle.
(Luke…)
Letting out a sigh, I sat in the shade of a tree.
Though I was curious about Luke, I gradually dozed off in the warm sunlight…
…
……
Luke: “OO.”
I slowly opened my eyes, and saw Luke’s kind eyes.
OO: “Luke…Ah, did it go well!?”
Luke: “Yes. I surprised them both with the way I spoke!”
OO: “I’m glad!”
(What on earth did he say?)
As Luke smiled in satisfaction, I smiled back.
Ch. 5: Luke's Existence
Before I’d realized it, the sky had started turning red.
Luke: “I’m very sorry for asking you to do something so strange.”
OO: “No, it’s fine.”
Luke: “I still cannot return to my country but…I believe I have a little more confidence in myself now.”
OO: “Luke, why are you travelling?”
Luke chuckled.
Luke: “It’s an embarrassing story but…I’m running away from my father.”
OO: “Running away…?”
Luke: “Unlike me, my father is very strict and superior…I’m always being compared to him, and it became stifling. I couldn’t take it anymore… so I set off on my own, searching for a way to gain confidence in myself.”
OO: “So that’s why…”
Luke: “I’m quite pathetic.”
His satisfied smile from earlier faded, and his expression was again tinged with sorrow.
(You’re not pathetic…)
OO: “Luke, would you let me listen to you play?”
Luke: “…it’s kind of embarrassing, but if that is what you desire.”
Saying so, Luke lightly put his flute to his lips and…
He played a soft melody, as if it was infused with the setting sun, and I slowly closed my eyes.
(I wonder what it is that makes it so beautiful.)
I opened my eyes as I listened to the sound of Luke’s flute, and the animals of the forest gathered around him.
Luke: “Hello there. You came again I see.”
With his performance finished, Luke smiled kindly at the animals.
That smile warmed my chest.
OO: “Luke…you don’t have to force yourself.”
Luke: “Eh…?”
OO: “I love the sound of your flute. It’s kind and gentle, and peaceful. Just like you. Sorry, it’s difficult to explain…”
Luke: “OO…”
And then…
Luke gently grasped my hands.
Luke: “Thank you. I’m really glad I was able to meet you. I’m probably less reliable than the others… but I will continue to protect you.”
Luke’s expression, lit up by the setting sun, looked very gallant and beautiful…
My heart thumped a little louder.
Luke: “Besides…If I’m not around, who would keep Medi in check?”
OO: “Haha…that’s true.”
We laughed together, wrapped in the soft light of the setting sun.
END