The sunlight fell through the window onto the rows of bookshelves…-.
In the Land of Books, at the Rivaille Library, three princes browse the shelves.
Haku: “What about this one?”
Haku moved with ease on the ladder leaning against the shelf and handed down a book.
Opening the picture book he offered, there was an illustration of a bluebird.
Michiru: “No, the one I’m looking for wasn’t that big…”
Sefir: “I see, so your friend was a smaller species then.”
Sefir held his jaw in careful consideration as he stood beside Michiru, who was shaking his head.
Hoping for help in finding a clue as to the location of his precious friend, a bluebird, Michiru had come to the library. Sefir and Haku both offered to help in his search.
Sefir: “Let’s try another picture book.”
Haku: “…alright.”
Haku nodded once, then started to scan the rows of spines on the shelf.
Haku: “By the way, Prince Sefir, didn’t you have business to attend to at the library?”
Sefir: “Oh no, I just enjoy reading on my days off and decided to come here. But Prince Haku, didn’t you have something you needed to do?”
Haku: “I just wanted to read in a quiet place.”
Sefir: “Haha… then we’re the same.”
Michiru: “…I’m sorry for interrupting your reading time.”
At their conversation, Michiru looked down apologetically.
Haku: “I don’t mind. Besides… I haven’t read many picture books, so this is informative.”
As Haku’s words came down from above, Michiru looked up and blinked.
Sefir: “Please, don’t trouble yourself over it. The two of us wanted to help you find your precious friend.”
Michiru: “My precious friend… thanks.”
Michiru tightly held the empty birdcage in his arms.
Michiru: “It’s a kind bird, who loves the forest, and was always with me… it was my first friend.”
Sefir: “Your first…?”
Haku: “What is it?”
Sefir: “Nothing… I was just thinking how your first friend always holds a special place in your heart.”
Michiru: “Is it… the same for you, Prince Sefir?”
Sefir: “…yes, I believe it is.”
Sefir crouched down to meet Michiru’s eyes, then smiled kindly.
Sefir: “Let’s return to searching for clues. If the three of us work together, I’m sure we’ll find something.”
Michiru: “…yeah. Thank you, Oniichan.”
A small light flickered in Michiru’s eyes, and he smiled slightly.
In the library shrouded in the scent of paper, three princes searched through the books, their voices a quiet echo.
And the gentle sunlight seemed to watch over and protect their kind smiles.
END