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Ch. 5: Fear of Fire

The next day…-

The wind blowing through the window felt nice.

I wonder if I burned it.

I was grilling some fish to bring out to the kitten near the stable.

 

Sai: "W-what are you doing OO!?"

 

Sai had come to see what I was doing, but he stood there trembling with his gaze fixed on the frying pan.

 

OO: "Sai! I'm just grilling some fish for…-"

 

Sai: "That's dangerous!"

 

OO: "Eh?"

 

I took my eyes off it for a second, and the flames got a little bigger.

 

OO: "Ah, sorry, I got distracted."

 

The flames went down and I looked at him, but his face was pale.

 

 [CHOICE]

  • Ask (SUN)

  • Watch him in worry (MOON)

 

 

Sai had suddenly looked unwell, and I watched him in concern.

 

Then, Sai slowly started to speak.

 

Sai: "…actually, I'm not good with fire."

 

Fire…?

 

OO: "I see…"

 

Sai rolled up his sleeve and …

 

OO: "…!"

 

I saw a scar from a terrible burn.

 

OO: "That's…"

 

Sai: "I got burned when I was little. Leave the fish to the cooks ok? It'd be terrible if you got hurt."

 

Sai spoke, his voice filled with worry.

 

OO: "Um…well, it's already grilled so it'll be fine for now. Will you come over with me? I'm sure the kitten will be happy if you do."

 

As I moved the finished fish over to a plate, I spoke in a lighter tone to try and change the mood.

 

Sai: "…no, that's alright."

 

His face was pale as he settled his breathing.

 

OO: "Alright…well, then I'll go out."

 

Not wanting to push the issue further, I headed towards the stable alone.

 

 

……

 

When I reached the stable, the stars had already started to twinkle in the sky.

 

It got late…

 

Carrying the fish, I arrived at the stable and saw some boys playing with fireworks outside.

 

Boy 1: "Hey miss! Let's do fireworks together!"

 

OO: "Hold on a minute. I have to give this kitten some food and then…-. Ah…watch out!!"

 

Boy: "Eh?"

 

I called out, but it was too late.

 

The boys had been distracted by me, and the fireworks they had were pointed at some straw near the stable.

 

The dry straw caught fire, and in an instant the stable was ablaze.

 

OO: "…!"

 

The boys stood frozen in fear.

 

OO: "Get away!! Hurry, get some water…!"

 

At my words, the boys ran off.

 

OO: "The kitten…it's gone."

 

I looked around but didn't see it.

 

Boy: "If you're looking for the kitten, it's inside…"

 

The remaining boy told me as much, his voice trembling.

 

It's in the fire!?

 

With that realization, I snapped and ran into the stable.

 

 

Maid: "Oh…? The sky is red…"

 

At that, Sai rushed over to the window.

 

Sai: "…it's coming from the stables!?"

 

OO had taken some fish out to there.

 

Sai: "…!"

 

Sai flew out of the room…-

 

The horses were running wild as Sai approached the blazing stable…-

 

Some boys were using buckets to throw water towards the blaze.

 

Sai: "…"

 

The sky above warped with the intense heat of the fire.

 

Sai: "Where's OO…!?"

 

Sai asked the boys, trying to keep his trembling body in check.

 

Boy: "Prince…she went inside."

 

The boys burst into tears.

 

Sai: "…!"

 

 

OO: "Where are you!?"

 

The flames had already started to light the ceiling ablaze.

 

I have to find it quick…!

 

I steeled myself so I wouldn't lock up in fear and searched for the kitten.

What's wrong?

OO: "You don't look so good…is something wrong?"

Sai: "…"

Sai looked away and appeared to be hesitating to speak.

What’s going on?

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