Ch. 5: Now, I Want to Give You This Voice (SUN)
I walked into the garden, pulled along by Flu.
The garden was a cluster of green arches and walls, making it seem like a maze.
I wonder how far we'll walk…
I thought that as my eyes were fixed on Flu's back when…
We arrived in a small, open area with a single bench.
OO: "This place is beautiful…"
Flu: "Ah…I'm sorry…"
Flu let go of my hand in a panic, and turned his face away from me.
I could tell his face was turning red.
Flu: "With you…more…um…you…"
Since his face was turned away while he talked, I couldn't catch a single word he said.
OO: "…I'm sorry, but I can't really hear you."
His face shot up in surprise, then he put his hand on my shoulder.
My heart started to race as I stared straight into his eyes.
Flu: "OO."
His eyes slowly got closer.
OO: "Eh…?"
He was so close we were nearly touching, and my heart started pounding even harder.
OO: "…"
I reflexively closed my eyes.
However…-
Flu: "Can you hear me…if I'm like this?"
I heard his voice right next to me, and felt his warm breath on my ear.
OO: "Y…yes…"
Flu: "I just wanted to talk with you more…because I want you to hear me clearly."
OO: "Flu…"
Flu: "If we're here, there's no one interrupt us."
I could sense the smile in his words, and it tickled my ear.
I looked in the direction of his voice, and saw that he was smiling, though his eyes were downcast.
OO: "Me too. I want to talk with you more Flu."
Flu: "I'm glad…"
OO: "But…"
Flu: "But?"
OO: "Being this close…it's kind of…making me nervous…"
Flu: "Ah…"
Flu's face turned red as he rushed to back away.
Flu: "I'm sorry…"
OO: "It's fine…"
My face feels hot…
I put my hands to my cheeks in an attempt to hide the flush I felt.
Suddenly, our eyes met, and we both laughed.
OO: "I'd like it if you told me more about this garden."
Flu was kind and shy.
Flu: "Sure. For as long as you'd like…"
I carefully listened to his voice.
That whisper gently drifted into my heart.
END