Ch. 7: Sai's Injury (MOON)
Somehow I was able to make it out, Sai supporting me as I went.
OO: “...Sai, I’m sorry.”
Sai: “Are you alright OO?”
I was still hurting, but seeing the worried look in his eye, I nodded.
OO: “Thank you so much. Is the kitten…?”
Sai: “Don’t worry, it’s fine.”
The kitten was curled up in Sai’s arm.
I’m glad…
Seeing it like that, the tension that had filled me released.
Boys: “Miss, are you ok!?”
The boys ran up to me, holding buckets and their bodies soaked.
Everyone worked fast to fight the fire.
OO: “Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks.”
A large group of people had gathered in front of the stable to stop the fire.
Sai: “These boys gathered everyone together.”
The boys stood there, looking at me with worry.
Boys: “We’re sorry…”
OO: “It’s alright.”
The boys looked like they were about to cry, and I stroked their heads with a smile.
Gradually, the force of the fire lessened, and a dark plume of smoke rose into the air.
OO: “Thank goodness...it’s about over.”
Sai: “Yeah, it is.”
Suddenly, I caught sight of Sai’s arm.
It’s red...did he get burned!?
OO: “Sai, your arm…it’s all my fault!”
Sai smiled and moved his arm behind his back, as if trying to hide his injury.
Sai: “I’m alright.”
Sai…
Thanks to the efforts of the boys, little by little the fire was finally extinguished.
The kitten threaded itself around my feet.
I’m glad it’s over.
Sai: “Let’s take the kitten and go back to the castle.”
What Sai said was unexpected.
OO: “Eh!? Really? But... you said the king hates animals.”
Sai: “Yeah...but it doesn’t have anywhere else to go. I shouldn’t be found out if it’s just for a little while.”
Sai smiled at me, a little worried.
Sai: “Right, let’s all go back together.”
Sai…
Sai picked up the kitten, and it started purring in delight.
I’m happy that we can all go back together.
At that moment, the kitten brushed slightly against Sai’s arm and he flinched.
...he’s hurting from the burn!
Sai: “Sai you have to get that burn treated…!”
Sai: “I’m fine.”
OO: “Let me see it.”
I took the kitten from Sai’s arm and scrutinized his burn.
OO: “It looks redder than before...”
Sai: “Really, I’m fine.”
OO: “Let’s hurry back to the castle so you can get it looked at.”
Sai: “...it’s not that bad.”
Sai lowered his eyes, enduring the pain of the burn.
He looks like he’s in pain…
OO: “No, you need to get it looked at.”
I grabbed his unburned arm and started walking.
Upon our return to the castle, I had Sai sit on the bed and immediately started to treat his burn.
Sai...he’s afraid of fire, and he even got burned…
As I applied ice to cool the burn, I looked into his eyes.
OO: “Thank you so much for saving me Sai.”
Sai: “...”
OO: “Even though you’re not good with fire…”
Sai: “Long ago, I got a little burned and came to fear fire...but this time, I didn’t feel afraid.”
OO: “...?”
Sai: “I mean, you were more scared weren’t you?”
...eh?
Sai: “I’m sorry I couldn’t get to you sooner…”
OO: “Wh...what are you apologizing for?”
Sai looked down at the bed, hiding his expression.
Sai…?
His voice was low, and the ice I was holding slid from my fingers. It fell to the floor with a clink.