Ch. 6: Beside You (SUN)
Lady Kazuki and her men were banished from the country.
Byakuyo: "Father is just furious too. Naturally the marriage interviews will start over from scratch now too. But more importantly…I'm really glad I could protect you. I'm real sorry I put you through something so dangerous."
OO: "I-I'm alright."
Byakuyo: "You are such a liar."
OO: "Eh…?"
Byakuyo gently touched my cheek with his long, delicate fingers.
As he stroked my cheek and looked at me affectionately, Byakuyo spoke in a whisper.
Byakuyo: "You know, girls are supposed to let the men protect them. So when you're scared, it's OK to say so. I am a man after all. You can rely on me, and count on me to protect you."
OO: "Byakuyo…"
Byakuyo: "OK?"
OO: "…yes. I was scared."
I said as much, and Byakuyo gently placed his hand on my head.
Byakuyo: "Everything will be fine. Because I'm with you right?"
The look in his eyes was so gallant, it made my heart pound.
Byakuyo: "And when you look at it that way, I do have a strong interest in the sword, bow, and martial arts."
OO: "I was surprised with how strong you are Byakuyo."
Byakuyo: "Fufu, I have to show my cool side in front of cute girls don't I?"
Byakuyo said it so frivolously, then patted me on the head.
OO: "I think you were very cool."
Those were words from my heart.
He's fun to be around, and kind…and strong.
My heart filled with all the different sides of Byakuyo that I'd seen.
However…-.
But my job is over now, so I'll have to be leaving.
That evening, I couldn't seem to fall asleep, and I greeted the dawn without having caught a wink.
That following day, I brought out my packed luggage beneath the morning sun.
OO: "Thank you for everything."
I said my thanks and bowed my head to the castle workers, and the loneliness I felt intensified.
But now that I had been able to put a stop to the marriage interview without any trouble, there was no reason for me to stay.
Good bye Byakuyo…
At that time…-.
Byakuyo: "Stop right there!"
I heard the sound of hoof beats, and a voice called out for me to stop.
I looked up in a panic, and saw Byakuyo sitting astride a horse and holding his hand out to me.
Byakuyo: "Get on OO."
OO: "Byakuyo!"
I firmly grabbed his hand, my chest filling with emotion, and he pulled me up onto the horse with such strength that it felt like he was trying to whisk me away…-.
And then we arrived at our destination: the base of the largest mountain in the country.
Byakuyo: "This is Koubai Mountain. It's said that our country's god of war lives here."
OO: "It sure is a large mountain."
Byakuyo: "If you go up just a little ways, you can see quite a beautiful site. But first…"
There was an unusual meekness to Byakuyo's face then.
Byakuyo: "Were you intending to keep your leaving a secret?"
OO: "I-I'm sorry."
Byakuyo: "Then, I couldn't properly say my farewell, or give you my thanks."
Because if I saw him again, I wouldn't want to leave.
Byakuyo: "Hey…are you really leaving?"
His words took my breath away.
The truth is I want to be with him.
The words stuck in my throat, but…-.
Byakuyo: "…don't go."
Eh…?
Those words lightly tickled my ear like the wind, just for a moment.
However I was sure that those words were spoken in a deeper voice that resounded in my heart.
I turned to look at Byakuyo as he held the reigns of the horse in such a way that it was like he was trying to embrace me.
OO: "…"
He gently lifted up my hair and placed a soft kiss on my forehead.
Byakuyo: "I said I would be the one to protect you, didn't I? I can't keep my promise if you leave."
OO: "Byakuyo…"
Byakuyo: "And if you're not here…I'll be lonely. Wouldn't you?"
OO: "…yes, I'd be incredibly lonely."
In response to my answer, Byakuyo slowly fixed me with a serious gaze.
Byakuyo: "I just can't leave you alone."
He pulled me in with his strong arms, and I buried my face in them.
This fragrance…
It was the sweet smell of plums, just like when we'd met. Byakuyo's scent.
The one who wrapped me in that fragrance was a strong, kind, masculine person.
I always want to be here in his arms.
I lay my cheek against his chest, and he gently stroked my head.
Beneath those large hands, the flower of love blossomed within my heart.
END