Ch. 3: Vairy's Brother
A few days after the tour of the town…-
After that day, it seemed like Vairy was avoiding me. So I went by myself to the forest near the castle.
Village Man: "Didn't you hear? They're saying it's the curse of the werebeast."
I can't forget the expression Vairy made then…
?? "You alone?"
I turned around in surprise as a voice came out of nowhere. A lone man stood there.
His hair was dark red, and his eyes were jet black.
Aside from his long hair and slightly shorter stature, he looked very similar to Vairy.
For some reason, I felt frightened.
??: "Are you thinking I look like Vairy?"
Eh…
My heart leaped as it seemed like he had read my mind.
Jess: "Nice to meet you, I'm Jess, Vairy's younger brother."
Brother…?
Jess: "So you're the famous princess who woke Vairy."
OO: "…!"
He suddenly grabbed my arm.
Jess: "Honestly, you shouldn't have done that."
I could easily read the hostility in his eyes as he looked at me.
He held my arm so tightly I thought it would break, and my body flooded with fear.
I'm scared…!
OO: "…!"
I mustered as much strength as I could and somehow manage to pull free of his grip, but I pulled so hard that I fell to the ground.
Jess: "Oh dear… you alright?"
He said as much, then sneered as he walked towards me.
Don't come near me…!
Vairy: "What's goin' on!?"
I looked towards where the voice had come from and saw Vairy.
OO: "Vairy…!"
I called out, imploringly, and Vairy furiously rushed to my aid.
He then placed himself between Jess and me, as if protecting me.
Vairy: "Bastard, what the hell are you doing!?"
Jess: "Hey bro. Did you break the curse? I was thinking you were almost out of time and got worried."
Vairy's face quickly paled.
Jess: "Oh, is it possible she doesn't know…? …haha."
Vairy: "Shut up!"
Vairy looked like he was about to strike at Jess and I…
[CHOICE]
-
Stop him (SUN)
-
Don't move (MOON)
Jess: "See ya. I hope she doesn't hate you too much."
Vairy: "Wait…!"
Vairy called out, but Jess had vanished into the depths of the forest.
Relieved, I felt my heart start to calm down when…-
Vairy: "…sorry about my brother."
Vairy bowed his head apologetically.
He looks really pale…
OO: "Vairy…"
As I went to reach out my hand…
OO: "…"
Pain shot through my leg, and I crouched down.
Vairy: "Hey, what's wrong!?"
Anxiously, Vairy looked into my face.
I wonder if I twisted it when I fell…
Vairy: "It's a little swollen…man. Here."
Vairy turned his back to me and bent down, gesturing for me to get on.
[CHOICE]
-
Get on his back (SUN)
-
Be shy (MOON)
The little bit of his face that I could see from his back had turned red.
Is Vairy embarrassed?
I could feel the warmth through where our bodies came into contact, and my heart started to pound loudly.
I hurried to say something, hoping he couldn't hear it.
OO: "So…you have a brother."
Vairy: "We're not too close though, as you could see. …he doesn't really like me and my issues."
OO: "Your issues…?"
…does he mean the curse that his brother mentioned? I'm curious…but I'm sure he doesn't want to talk about it.
OO: "…thank you for saving me Vairy."
Vairy turned his head towards me in surprise.
Vairy: "…I couldn't hear that."
He quickly turned to face back around, but he looked like he was relieved.
Vairy: "…you smell good. Like the warmth of the sun."
OO: "What…?"
Vairy: "…! Crap, what am I sayin'…!?"
I felt the heat from Vairy's back rise, and I also felt my cheeks flush.
Vairy: "…when I'm with you, I feel like I'm going crazy."
…my chest feels light. I wonder what this feeling is…
The strange feeling filled my chest, and I couldn't bring myself to say anything.
I stood there rooted to the spot.
Jess: "You sure about that? You'll scare her."
Vairy: "…!"
Vairy looked in my direction and clenched his fist.
OO: "Vairy...!"
I called out without thinking, and Vairy stopped in surprise.
Vairy: "…sorry. For doin' that in front of you."
I hesitated a moment, then moved to Vairy's back.
OO: "…th-thank you."
…his back is so broad and warm.
OO: "I…I'm alright! I can walk on my own."
Vairy: "This'll be quicker than if I just give you my shoulder!"
Vairy grabbed my arm and easily pulled me onto his back.