Ch. 8: I Don't Want to Lose You (SUN)
The stars twinkled calmly, as if nothing had even happened.
Sai: "…maybe I'll keep it in the castle."
OO: "Sai, why are you suddenly alright with taking the kitten in?"
As we made our way to the castle, I looked up at him."
Sai: "…because of you I guess."
OO: "What…does that mean…?"
Sai: "You and this kitten can't seem to stay out of trouble."
OO: "Eh…"
Sai chuckled and looked me straight in the eye.
Sai: "You know, up till now, I haven't really had any deep connections. No matter what it was…I would keep one step away, and I thought that distance was good."
OO: "Sai…"
Sai: "But really, I was just avoiding things that were difficult."
Butler: "He doesn't really worry about others, like there's a line there that he won't cross."
I suddenly remembered what the butler had said.
Sai: "But every time I look at you or the kitten, you're doing nothing but getting into dangerous situations."
OO: "W-well that's…-"
Sai smiled kindly at me.
Why does my chest ache?
The kitten purred from inside Sai's arm.
Sai: "I'll look after you from now on."
Kitten: "Meow~"
I watched as he pet the kitten, and I naturally broke into a smile.
OO: "I'd like to get a bell for it."
Sai: "Good idea. Since we're out, let's drop the kitten at the castle and go buy one."
OO: "Alright!"
…
……
Sai and I went into the city right near the castle and began the process of choosing a bell for the kitten.
I was filled with happiness as I watched Sai seriously determining which bell to choose.
…that reminds me…Sai said he was afraid of fire.
There hadn't been a trace of that fear in him when he saved me, and I'd only remembered it now.
OO: "Sai."
Sai: "Yeah?"
OO: "Thank you so much for earlier. And…I'm sorry."
Sai: "Don't worry about it. I'm glad we're safe."
OO: "You're afraid of fire. And yet…"
Sai's eyes opened wide in amazement, and he smiled.
OO: "…?"
Sai: "In that moment, I wasn't afraid."
Eh?
Sai's face was slightly red as he said it, and he looked away.
Sai?
Sai: "Do you want to walk a little more?"
OO: "…sure."
I walked through the town beside Sai, carrying the bell we'd purchased.
I was only walking next to him, but my heart was pounding obnoxiously loud.
Sai: "OO."
OO: "Sai…?"
Suddenly, Sai took my hand and led me to the outskirts of the town.
OO: "S-Sai…?"
Sai was silent as he slowly brought my hand near his face.
Sai: "…"
OO: "…"
Sai: "OO."
Sai grinned broadly, and gently kissed my hand.
OO: "…"
It was sudden, and the beating of my heart went wild.
Sai: "In the fire, I was so afraid of losing you. I…I've always avoided connections with other people before. But now…I want you near me…I want to protect you."
OO: "Sai…"
His hand lightly brushed against my lips.
Sai: "I can't just let you loose, seeing as how you'd only get into trouble."
His face slowly drew closer…-
OO: "…"
Our lips brushed, as gentle as the wind.
I shyly moved to put both hands over my mouth, but he grasped those hands.
Sai: "Once more…"
With a little more force, he kissed me.
OO: "…"
Our lips parted slowly, and I was caught up in his arms.
Sai: "I've never felt like this…"
Sai's heart was beating in time with mine.
I was aware of it as I wrapped my arms around his back, still held in his arms.
Sai, and me…-
The emotion that bloomed in my heart then enveloped my entire body.
Sai: "OO…"
Each time he called my name, in a voice that couldn't be any kinder, my heart pounded.
The comfortable warmth from Sai's chest spread throughout me.
END