Ch. 3: White Sunlight
The lazy afternoon sun filled the room with light.
Raith looked at my hair, as if it was something dazzling.
How long is he going to do this…
My chest ached and my heart was beating fast, so I looked away.
Then…
OO: "Ah…"
I noticed Raith’s room was full of beautiful paintings and sculptures.
Raith: "Do you like them?"
[CHOICE]
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They’re very beautiful (SUN)
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Stiffen at his voice (MOON)
Raith: "These are all my works."
OO: "Eh!? That’s amazing…!"
Raith: "You think? Everyone just says I’m fooling around."
OO: "No way! They’re so wonderful."
I was drawn closer to one painting.
The canvas had green on white inlaid with a vivid orange…
OO: "Beautiful…what is this…?"
Raith: "…sunlight through the trees."
I hadn’t realized but Raith was suddenly behind me.
He reached out his hand from behind and lovingly caressed the white background.
Raith: "If you sprawl out in the evening sun, the light through the trees is even more beautiful."
I felt Raith’s chest against my back and my heart sped up.
Raith: "I thought I’d put on the finishing touches tonight."
I continued to look at Raith’s fingers, unable to turn around.
Raith: "Today the sunlight is white. I should be able to finish it off beautifully."
White sunlight…?
I looked closer at the canvas and…
He’s right.
The white portions of the canvas could be seen as sun coming through the trees.
The world that Raith sees is so beautiful…
Forgetting he was right behind me, I bumped into his chest again.
[CHOICE]
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I’d like to see more (SUN)
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I’d like to be like you (MOON)
Raith: "I have nothing but time. My brother’s already have children, and as the fifth son, there’s no point in concerning myself with the throne. I…I’m a pretty useless prince."
OO: "That’s not…"
Raith: "Well, it’s nice to be carefree. Thanks to that I can live surrounded by art. If you ask my father, I’m just goofing off. He’s always upset, telling me to deal with things like diplomacy or the military to support the country."
So that’s how it is…but I think fine arts are important too, not just diplomacy and military.
I turned to look behind me at Raith, and his expression seemed a little sad.
But when he realized I was looking, he quickly put on a smile.
Raith: "…I’ll change my clothes."
Saying so, he went to the back of the room.
Raith…
Suddenly, I remembered the sound of his violin as he’d played in the town.
Everyone seemed to be having so much fun…
I looked outside the window at the white sunlight.
OO: "I’d like to see more of your pieces Raith."
Raith: "Go ahead. There are plenty here."
Raith sounded embarrassed.
OO: “I’d like to be like you, and see the world that way.”
Raith: “Why?”
OO: “I think because…the world reflected in your eyes is so beautiful.“
Raith breathed out.
OO: "They’re very beautiful…"
Looking around, the language of nature was scattered about.
Raith smiled in delight.
At Raith’s voice, I remembered the tension from a moment ago, and I couldn’t respond.
But I was still able to nod my head.
Raith: “Thanks.”
Raith stood alone, and spoke quietly.