Ch. 6: Courage's Resolve (MOON)
Shigure: "OO…h-hang on tight…!"
OO: "R-right!"
Shigure was holding the puppy and I, and running through the forest with everything he had.
However, an unknown number of wolves were now following behind us, and Shigure's pace was gradually starting to slow.
At this rate we'll get caught!
On top of that, the puppy in my arms had started trying to break free.
OO: "Please, just calm down…-."
Huh?
The puppy was crying out, almost whining at the wolves that chased us.
Hearing its cries, the wolves raised their howls in response.
C-could it be…
OO: "Shigure…!"
Shigure: "Wh-what…?"
Shigure's voice came out between pained gasps for air.
OO: "I think that wolf might be the puppy's mother!"
Shigure: "Eh…!"
OO: "I mean, it doesn't seem scared at all, and it's crying like that."
Shigure hesitated a moment, then stopped and lowered the puppy and I to the ground.
Then, the puppy turned towards where the wolves were coming from. It started to wag its tail, and then ran off towards them.
Like I thought…
The wolves stopped chasing us.
Wolf Pup: "Woof."
It barked its thanks, and the wolf family returned to the deeper parts of the forest.
Shigure: "Isn't that…great."
OO: "Y-yes…"
Shigure and I felt the tension drain from us, and we collapsed to the ground.
Shigure: "I never thought…the puppy was a wolf…"
OO: "Yeah that…really surprised me."
We looked at each other, and laughed.
Suddenly, the dagger still clutched in Shigure's hand caught my eye.
OO: "And I'm glad we got your dagger back."
Shigure: "…"
Shigure stared fixedly at the dagger.
OO: "Shigure?"
Shigure: "N-no…it's nothing. Let's go back to the castle."
Shigure stood up, and held his hand out to me.
The hand I grasped was no longer shaking, but I wondered why Shigure's expression seemed so distant…-.
…
……
A lot of things happened today.
I gazed up at the stars as I remembered everything that had happened.
Shigure tried so hard to protect me today.
I closed my eyes as I recalled the image of him running breathlessly.
Unable to sleep, I went out into the hallway intending to get some fresh air when…
Shigure: "…OO."
Shigure was staring absentmindedly out the window.
OO: "Shigure…?"
Shigure: "What's wrong? It's late."
My heart started pounding slightly as I came face to face with the figure I had just been imagining.
OO: "You too Shigure…"
Shigure: "Ah…yeah."
Shigure unexpectedly let out a deep sigh, and for some reason he looked at me apologetically.
Shigure: "I…ran away again…"
He put the dagger in his hand into his pocket.
Shigure: "I didn't stand up to the wolves…I ran away from a fight again."
His voice sounded as if it would soon fade away to nothing as he muttered quietly.
Shigure…
Shigure: "We were saved somehow today…but I let you get put into that dangerous situation. I'm pathetic."
OO:" That's not…!"
I accidentally shouted.
OO: "You protected me Shigure."
Shigure: "OO…"
OO: "You were really cool."
I didn't think before I said it, and I felt my cheeks heat up.
Shigure: "…thanks."
As I watched, Shigure's cheeks turned red too…-.
Shigure: "I'll…become strong. So someday, I can protect you, with this dagger…"
OO: "Shigure…"
Shigure's words were powerful, and they echoed deep in my heart.
Shigure: "But, being manly is kind of difficult…"
He gently put his hand on my cheek.
Shigure: "I want to be able to protect what's important…"
What's important…
A pleasant sensation spread out from where he was touching my cheek to the rest of my body.
He smiled awkwardly, and it shone brighter than the stars that twinkled in the night sky.
END