Ch. 5: The Gentleness Felt in His Hand (SUN)
As the evening sun illuminated the courtyard, Stimma looked at me in surprise.
OO: "I'm sorry…I happened to overhear."
Stimma: "No, it's fine."
Stimma shrugged and smiled weakly.
Stimma: "OO, would you sit here?"
OO: "Sure…"
I sat down on the soft grass, and Stimma let out a deep sigh as he sat beside me.
Stimma: "…that was my cousin I was talking to just now."
OO: "Lied, right?"
Stimma: "Yeah…you know, I…"
Stimma frowned, as if he was having difficulty bringing something up.
Stimma: "I…I'm actually pretty anxious about becoming king."
OO: "Anxious…?"
Stimma: "You know, I've always behaved like the eldest son should, but when it comes time that I need to say something, I can't.
When it comes to that kind of stuff…how do you say it, I'm worthless. Though Lied's teaching me."
L-Lied…
Stimma: "Hey, Lied…-"
Now that I think about it, that's how he was before too… Stimma looked like he wanted to say something to Lied.
Stimma: "When I become king, it'd be really reassuring to have him by my side for support! I planned to bring it up but…in the end, I still can't say it. He doesn't seem to have much interest in politics and that kind of stuff…I want to ask him what he thinks, but somehow, I can't."
OO: "Stimma…"
Stimma's shoulders slumped.
His sleek fair cascaded over his face, tinged with the golden light of the sun.
He looks like a puppy…
Without thinking, I reached my hand out and gently stroked his soft hair.
Stimma: "OO…?"
Stimma looked at me, his eyes wide.
OO: "I…I'm sorry. I'm just happy you came to me and... I wondered if you felt the same."
Stimma: "… this is the first time I've had my hair stroked."
OO: "Eh…?"
Stimma: "I've always been the one doing it to others. It feels really comforting."
Stimma seemed pleased and smiled.
OO: "I'm glad."
He said that, and smiled, and then…
He thumped his head down on my shoulder.
OO: "Stimma…?"
Feeling his warmth on my shoulder, my heart started to pound.
Stimma: "OO…I wonder if I can really be king."
OO: "It'll be fine, I'm sure you can do it."
At my answer, he smiled happily.
Stimma: "Hey, OO…"
OO: "Yes?"
Stimma: "Is it alright for me to stay like this a little longer?"
I caught Stimma's gaze, but he quickly looked away.
Through his hair, I saw his ears start to turn red.
He's kind of cute.
OO: "Sure, however long you want."
…in the beginning, I saw him as a dependable older brother, but…
Smiling to myself, I stroked his head.
The stars started to glimmer in the sky as it began to change to a dark indigo blue.
END