Ch. 6: Sakia's Decision (SUN)
Sakia: "About my poisons …some day becoming medicine…I thought I’d try."
Sakia…?
Sakia: "Here…"
Sakia poured the medicinal infusion into a cup.
Ick…it has the color of poison.
Sakia: "This should do it…drink it all…in one go…"
OO: "O…OK…"
As the pungent smell stung my nose, I drained the cup of Sakia’s medicine in one gulp.
OO: "…!"
Sakia: "Sorry…it tastes really bad…but I promise…it’s effective…"
OO: "Ah…"
For some reason…my body…feels light.
In the next instant, I was overcome with exhaustion…
Little by little, I lost consciousness…
…
……
My hand…is warm.
Sakia: "…OO…OO! Are you ok…?"
I slowly opened my eyes as a voice called out to me…
Worriedly, Sakia was looking down at me.
Sakia: "OO…are you ok now…?"
OO: "Yeah…I’m fine."
Sakia was holding my hand tightly.
OO: "You…held my hand."
Sakia: "Sorry…I was worried…was that bad?"
OO: "No, it was a relief…"
Sakia: "I’m glad…"
Sakia slowly let go and scratched his nose.
Sakia: "The medicine is really effective…but it makes people sleepy… It seems…it was a little too strong for you OO…sorry…"
OO: "Don’t worry about it, I’m fine now."
Sakia: "I guess I can’t…make medicine after all. I should have thought more…about your body when I mixed it…"
OO: "That’s not it."
The listlessness from before and the pain in my foot were completely gone.
OO: "Thanks to your medicine, I’m completely better!"
Sakia: "OO…"
Sakia suddenly placed his hands on my cheeks.
OO: "Sakia…?"
I felt like the heat passing through his hands was turning my face red.
Sakia: "You really…"
OO: "Eh?"
Sakia: "You really are kind… To see your face…and other people’s in delight… I want to make medicine to save people…not poisons that harm them…"
OO: "Right…!"
At that time, there was a knock at the door.
Maid: "Pardon me. Lord Sakia, the king has called for you."
Sakia and I went before the king.
Sakia: "Father…you called for me?"
King: "Yes, I’m glad you’re here. It seems there has been another order for your poison mixture."
Sakia: "…"
Sakia…
King: "What is the matter?"
Sakia: "Father, I wanted to talk to you about that. I…I don’t want our main industry to only be poison, but medicine as well."
Sakia spoke strongly from the heart, his usual pattern of broken speech gone.
Sakia: "Even if the wounds are healed with medicine…I can’t cleanse…the doubts… in my heart. I began to feel…that maybe I’m … like a poison."
Sakia…
Sakia stared directly at his father, the king.
OO: "Sakia…"
King: "Hoh…this is the first time you’ve told me your opinion like this. What curious turn of events could have brought this on I wonder."
…?
The king looked down at me kindly.
King: "…we’ll likely connect it with the development of other kingdoms, so you may do as you wish."
Sakia: "Th…thank you very much…!"
King: "However, I am not well versed in the knowledge of mixing medicines. So you will be placed in charge of this project."
Sakia: "Yes…!"
King: "Very well, see to it."
OO: "Sakia…you did it!"
Sakia: "Yeah…thanks to you OO…"
Sakia smiled brightly, and then probably overcome with joy, he suddenly lifted me up in his arms.
OO: "Sakia…! We’re in front of the king…!"
Sakia: "I don’t mind…"
Saying so, he smiled and looked directly into my eyes.
Sakia: "From now on…you’re my partner…"
Ah…
Sakia’s bangs divided as he looked up at me and I saw his eyes.
They were so brilliant and crystal clear, I felt like I was being drawn into them…
Embarrassed, I looked away.
END