Ch. 8: Overflowing Emotions (MOON)
The trees of the forest seemed to rustle in concern…-.
Haku: "…"
Haku and I were completely surrounded by the thieves.
Thief 1: "Prince Haku…today's the day you're comin' with us."
Thief 2: "We'll get a huge ransom for you from the country."
Haku: "…how ridiculous."
That's what I thought I heard Haku mutter as he drew his dagger and ran towards the men.
In that same instant…-.
OO: "Eh…!?"
Another man appeared from the shadows of the trees and grabbed me from behind.
Haku: "…!"
OO: "…"
He tightly wrapped his arm around my neck, and I couldn't breathe.
Thief 2: "Prince Haku, don't move…"
Haku: "OO…!"
Haku…!
OO: "…"
The words caught in my throat and only a breath escaped.
Thief 2: "You'll come quietly. Otherwise… …!?"
Haku dashed towards me, fast as the wind, and sent the man holding me flying.
Haku: "Don't touch her…!"
Haku's face was twisted in fury.
Released from the man, I felt as if I'd collapse on the spot when…-.
Haku: "…!"
Haku caught me and held me up.
Haku: "Are you okay…!?"
OO: "Y…yes…"
I was suddenly able to breathe again and answered amidst a fit of coughing…
Haku: "…"
Haku's expression changed into something quite frightening.
Haku: "You…!"
He gently lowered me down, then Haku turned his ferocity on the thieves.
Thief: "…!"
In the face of Haku's overwhelming strength, the thieves were all cut down.
Wow…
Haku: "…unforgivable."
The thieves were bleeding, so much that they were unable to move, and yet Haku continued his attack.
Haku: "…more…I'll make you hurt more…!"
Thief 1: "Ee…"
The thief's face froze in terror.
OO: "Haku…! That's enough…!"
Haku: "…!"
At my voice, Haku suddenly came to his senses.
Haku: "…"
Every single one of the thieves was on the ground.
Haku: "OO…I'm glad. I could protect you."
Haku said it with a smile, but his eyes seemed somehow hollow…-.
OO: "Um…are you alright?"
Haku: "Yeah…this is happiness, right? I'm happy I could protect you…and then that feeling before… hahaha…!"
Haku's laugh seemed inappropriate for the situation, and it echoed in the quiet forest.
Haku…?
Haku: "Can you stand? We'll go back to the castle."
Haku's expression was so scary; something new had been created…
At that time, I could sense within my heart that something in Haku had changed…
The butler and maid saw us as we returned, then shouted in shock.
Maid: "Lord Haku! Lady OO…! How did your clothes get so dirty…!?"
Butler: "What on earth happened!?"
Haku: "Today, I experienced anger."
Haku reported in delight as the butler and maid were in a panic.
Haku: "Getting angry is nice…I felt myself get stronger than usual when experiencing that emotion. I see, so Mother also had that same feeling…hehe."
Haku…
I recalled Haku's fearless laughter from earlier.
Haku: "What's wrong…?"
Haku studied my bewildered expression curiously.
Haku: "Are you hurt somewhere…?"
OO: "I'm alright…"
My voice came out shrill as I managed an answer, then…-.
OO: "…!"
Suddenly, Haku pulled me into an embrace.
OO: "Haku…?"
Haku: "I won't forgive anyone for putting you through something so dangerous…After all, from now on, I'll always protect you."
He traced his finger through my hair and there was a faint smile in the way he spoke.
Haku: "This is…when something is important, right? You taught me that."
Haku held me with such force that I felt like he'd snap me in two.
Haku: "This…is what it means to like someone right?"
OO: "Eh…"
Held in Haku's arms, I searched my own feelings.
I wasn't sure if what I felt was relief or fear at the strength of those arms…
I don't know…
Haku: "I see…I like you. And you…?"
As I held onto those feelings that couldn't be put into words, the one thing I was sure of was that the beating of his heart was incredibly fast…
Haku: "OO…"
His lips kissed the nape of my neck.
These are Haku's feelings…?
OO: "Haku…what are you feeling right now…?"
Haku: "My heart feels full. It's a very nice feeling."
Then…I'm glad…
I couldn't bring myself to reject Haku's arms…
And he gently placed his fevered hand over mine.
END