Ch. 3: A Nap in the Shade of a Tree
A few days later…
I was strolling through the castle garden and spied a nice-looking spot of shade beneath a tree.
The sun through the leaves is really pretty. So bright and sparkly…
As if I was drawn to it, I walked to the tree and spotted a pair of white wings.
That’s…
OO: "…Dulfer?"
Duler: "Hey, so we meet again."
Dulfer was resting against the tree roots.
The light danced and sparkled over his radiant face.
Dulfer: "This is the best place in the garden for if you need comforting. You’ve got a good eye to have chosen it."
As he spoke, Dulfer held out his hand to me.
At his urging I took it, charmed by the natural gesture, and sat beside him.
OO: "Aren’t you lonely?"
He was surrounded by all those women before.
I had asked without knowing why, and Dulfer quietly shook his head.
Dulfer: "Not really, no one will come here anyway. And I was completely dumped."
OO: "Dumped?"
Surprised at myself, I covered my mouth as I realized I’d said something rude.
But Dulfer didn’t get upset. Instead he chuckled and smiled bitterly.
For some reason, he seemed awfully lonely, and that sight tugged at my heart.
[CHOICE]
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Are you alright? (SUN)
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Why? (MOON)
Dulfer: "They’ll probably stay away for a little while. Though I imagine it’s because I’m so uncooperative."
OO: "Uncooperative?"
Dulfer: "Yeah, they’re always saying I need to put myself in their position. And they tell me I’m the worst kind of man."
OO: "Eh…"
Dulfer: "There are a few women that say they want to meet alone, so I call them out in secret…but then they end up getting mad."
Mad? …does he…
OO: "Do you call them out together?"
Dulfer: "Of course I do. If they just take it in turns, we can all spend time together equally."
OO: "I suppose…that’s the reason why."
Dulfer: "Why do you say that? It’s not good to be unfair."
Dulfer looked really sad.
Dulfer: "You know, I just want everyone to get along and spend time together. I don’t see why that’s so hard…"
[CHOICE]
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It sounds a little selfish (SUN)
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It sounds like they’re easily lonely (MOON)
Dulfer: "Right? You get it."
I was relieved to see him smiling happily.
Dulfer: "Well…it seems there are other things that make people leave too."
Dulfer murmured as he spoke, and I wasn’t sure if I’d heard him.
OO: "Eh?"
Dulfer: "Nothing."
Dulfer slowly closed his eyes, then smiled kindly at me.
Dulfer: "It makes me happy that you’re trying to comfort me. You’re like the sun through the trees. When I get rejected by a girl, I take a nap here in the shade and look up at the sky. It always feels so nice and warm. Do you want to try? It’ll feel good."
Dulfer shifted his body and lay down, using the roots of the tree as a pillow.
Then he closed his eyes in bliss.
OO: "…in that case."
I lay down next to him, looking up at the sunlight coming through the leaves, and closed my eyes.
I could see the light dancing on my eyelids, and I was wrapped in a pleasant drowsiness.
I could hear Dulfer’s steady breathing beside me.
Is he…already asleep?
I was surprised when our breathing synced up…
And I slowly fell into the world of sleep.
OO: "Are you alright?"
Dulfer: "You’re here now, so I’m fine."
Dulfer smoothly stroked my head.
At the feeling of his warm hand, my heart began to pound.
I feel like I’m the only one whose heart flips like this.
OO: "Why?"
Dulfer: "Do you mean why was I dumped?"
He smiled gently, but it was also sad. Seeing that, something seized my heart.