Ch. 8: True Feelings (MOON)
The kitten was running around, the bell around its neck jingling.
A few days had passed since the fire, and everyone in the castle had been completely won over by the kitten.
It’s still a secret from the king though…
At Sai’s request, all the people in the castle worked together to keep the kitten from the king.
But I feel like Sai’s been avoiding us since the fire.
He’d turned the care of his injury over to a doctor, and I couldn’t learn how he was doing.
He didn’t come to eat dinner either...I wonder if he’s alright.
I decided to bring the dinner to Sai’s room.
With the castle chef’s specially prepared meal in hand, I knocked on Sai’s door…
But there was no answer.
OO: “Sai? I brought dinner…”
I called out, but still no answer.
He should be in his room. I guess he really is avoiding me.
OO: “...Sai, I’ll come back again later.”
I spoke quietly, and as I turned to leave…-
Sai: “...help me.”
I think I just heard something.
I put my ear to the door and called out.
OO: “...Sai?”
Sai: “...OO, help me.”
OO: “Sai!”
I opened the door in a panic…
...!
Inside Sai’s room, many kittens were happily running about.
Seeing that scene play out, I stood there blinking for a while.
We only brought one kitten back didn’t we…?
I couldn’t really grasp what was going on…
Sai: “Looks like it made some friends...and I can’t get them back outside.”
Sai looked at the cats worriedly, and it seemed like the kitten we’d found had brought all of its friends inside.
I feel bad that he’s troubled by this but…
OO: “...haha.”
I couldn’t stop myself from laughing.
It’s kind of cute…
Sai: “It’s not something to laugh about…”
Sai was covered in cats, and he let out a deeply troubled sigh.
OO: “How’s your burn? Does it still hurt?”
Sai: “It doesn’t hurt at all now.”
Sai showed me his burned arm.
It looked completely better.
OO: “I’m glad…”
Sai: “Sorry for worrying you.”
I shook my head emphatically.
OO: “I...wanted to thank you, for saving me Sai.”
Sai: “You don’t need to...I can’t forgive myself for letting you get into that dangerous situation. If I’d only gone with you to the stable in the first place…”
...eh?
OO: “Sai…?”
Sai suddenly looked shocked, as if he hadn’t been intending to say that.
He’s been blaming himself...is that why he was avoiding me?
OO: “That’s not true! I went into the stable on my own without even thinking about what could happen… I caused you to get burned… I’m the one who should apologize.”
Sai: “...”
OO: “Please, forgive me.”
I was tormented by the fact that my own foolishness had caused Sai to get hurt.
I couldn’t bear the feelings welling up inside me as I begged his forgiveness.
Sai: “There’s...really nothing for you to apologize for.”
OO: “Then, is there anything you want me to do?”
Sai: “...something I want you to do?”
I want to do something for Sai...
OO: “Isn’t there anything? Just say the word and I’ll do it.”
Sai: “...”
Sai closed his eyes and thought for a moment…
Sai: “Then...let me touch you.”
OO: “Eh?”
That was not what I’d expected to hear, and I stared at him.
Touch…?
Then…
I was bewildered, but Sai took my hand and had me sit on the bed.
Sai: “You’re sure anything is ok…?”
OO: “...”
I timidly clasped my hand around Sai’s.
Sai: “...that’s not enough.”
Sai…?
He was acting different than usual, and my heart started beating faster.
Sai interlaced his fingers with mine.
Sai: “...”
Then he took my intertwined hand and rested it against his cheek.
Sai: “You’re warm… When we’re close and touching like this, it feels nice.”
Sai’s gentle voice reached my ears.
Sai: “During the fire, I was worried when I couldn’t touch you. You’re so reckless...and when I got close to the fire and didn’t see you, I got really worried.”
Sai softly kissed my hand as it rested against his cheek.
OO: “...”
Sai: “This time, I’ll protect you better…”
Saying so, he softly kissed my eyelid.
OO: “...!”
My cheeks heated up.
He placed his lips on my hair, and as it seemed as if our lips would meet…
Kitten: "Meow~”
The kitten we’d rescued jumped up between Sai and I.
Sai: “...you should learn to read the mood.”
My body suddenly relaxed, having been frozen by nerves.
OO: “Haha...it was probably feeling left out.”
Sai: “...what am I going to do with you?”
OO: “There there, we’re sorry.”
I dropped my gaze as I picked up the kitten…
Suddenly, my chin was lifted up, and a soft sensation touched my lips.
OO: “...!”
Sai: “We’ll continue when it’s just you and me...ok?”
He smiled mischievously and gently stroked my head.
I felt as if I would be sucked into the brilliant blue of his eyes...
I had to remind myself to breathe.
END