Ch. 6: However You Are (MOON)
As the final match started, Eins readied his sword.
OO: "You can do it Eins!"
Eins: "OO!"
I wonder if my voice reached him…
Eins: "What’ll I do if I can’t show her here! Behold my true strength!"
Eins cried out and raised his arm overhead.
…
……
At the time when we returned to the castle, the stars were twinkling in the sky.
I wonder if Eins is alright…
We had returned to the castle and Eins went straight to his room without saying a word.
I went over and knocked softly.
OO: "Eins…"
Eins: "Go away. I’m too ashamed to look at you."
OO: "Don’t say that. You tried your best, didn’t you?"
Eins: "……"
Eins quietly opened the door and showed his face
OO: "May I come in?"
Eins: "Sure…"
As I entered the roof, Eins looked crestfallen as he slumped onto the sofa.
Eins: "…in the end, I wasn’t able to show you how cool I am. Even though you cheered me on…"
OO: "Eins…"
Eins hung his head and I moved closer, taking a peek at his face.
OO: "You were very cool. You kept trying with all your might. I really like people who try so hard…"
Eins: "…like? That means you like me! But it’s different than how I feel about you! You like me as a friend right? My feelings are bigger…deeper… It’s LOVE!"
Eins shot up from the sofa and looked at me.
OO: "L-LOVE…?"
Eins: "I love you."
Eins’ earnest gaze pierced me.
Eins: "That’s why I wanted to show you how cool I am, but things didn’t go as planned…!"
Eins loves me…? T-then…
OO: "It’s almost time."
Eins: "That’s right, almost time!"
OO: "I hope you can show everyone how hard you’ve been working!"
Eins: "That’s right! I hope I can show everyone!"
OO: "…aim for victory, and do your best."
Eins: "That’s right! I’ll do my best!"
OO: "T-then it’s my fault you were so nervous…?"
Eins: "N-no! Definitely not!"
Eins hurriedly grabbed my shoulder.
His earring swung slightly.
Eins: "It’s not your fault. It’s cause I was weak…"
Eins…
Eins blushed bright red and he hid his eyes as if embarrassed. I felt a warmth fill my heart.
…Me too. I can’t look at anything but him. Hoping he’d win, and wanting to see him smile…I…
I found the words to express my own feelings.
OO: "…Me too."
Eins: "Eh?"
OO: "Me too…the feelings I have for you are the same as yours for me. That…L-LOVE…?"
Eins: "OO… A-are you serious!?"
OO: "Yes…"
Eins: "Me…you love me!?"
OO: "Yes."
I said it clearly and Eins smiled happily…
OO: "…!!"
He held on to me tightly.
OO: "E-Eins…"
In his eyes, beneath his red hair, I saw myself reflected.
Gradually, those eyes drew closer…
OO: "…..."
Eins: "……"
W…what…?
I carefully opened my eyes and just before our lips could touch, I saw him making a grim face.
Eins: "No…this isn’t right! I’m too uncool!"
OO: "E…Eins?"
Eins: "Honestly I had intended to confess to you after stylishly claiming victory! But now…! In the end, I’m grumbling about loss while professing my feelings! I can’t believe how much of an idiot I am!"
Shaking his head, Eins let me go.
Eins…
Without thinking, I grabbed his hand.
OO: "That’s not true… I think you’re cool no matter what."
Eins: "OO..."
Again Eins grabbed me around the waist and pulled me in close.
Eins: "…you think I’m cool no matter what?"
OO: "Yeah…"
He looked down at me with a passion in his eyes.
OO: "Eins…"
Eins: "I have to be the most uncool guy in the whole world right now! Losing the match, forcing my confession, and letting myself be comforted by the woman I love! And yet, you’re still alright with me!?"
OO: "…Yes."
I answered with a smile and…
He kissed me tenderly.
Eins: "I love you … OO!"
OO: "Eins... Nn."
He gripped my shoulder and this time kissed me with passion.
While feeling Eins’ arms around me…
I thought of how I wanted to see even more smiles from this impossibly awkward and kind person.
END