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Ch. 2: The Prince's Smile

Taken along by Tiga, the castle and town flew by as I took it all in, then we arrived at a vast meadow of vibrant green.

 

Such a beautiful green…and the air feels so nice.

 

Tiga: "Before we head back to the castle, I wanted to make a side trip. C'mere."

 

Tiga nimbly jumped down from the horse, then held his hands out to me.

 

OO: "Th-thanks."

 

I hesitated and took his hands, then with some force he pulled me off…-

 

OO: "…"

 

The next thing I knew, he was holding me in his arms.

 

OO: "S-sorry…"

 

At that, Tiga laughed.

 

Tiga: "Right, let's take a little break. Thanks Bran."

 

He lightly patted the pure-white horse's back and smiled at it.

 

That smile was so gentle that it warmed my heart.

 

Tiga: "Do you wanna pet him?"

 

OO: "…eh!?"

 

I wondered if it was in response to what Tiga had said, but the horse turned its head to look at me.

 

Tiga: "Look, he's even waiting for ya."

 

OO: "Y-yeah."

 

I timidly put my hand on the horse's back, and its eyes seemed to say it felt good.

 

It's a cute horse.

 

Tiga: "Seems like he's taken a liking to ya."

 

OO: "I'm glad."

 

Tiga: "I know, you wanna try riding by yourself?"

 

OO: "Eh? By myself?"

 

Tiga: "It'll be fine, I'll teach you."

 

[CHOICE]

  • Yeah (SUN)

  • I'm scared… (MOON)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tiga patted me on the back as he spoke, and then I came to ride the horse alone.

 

What do I do, I'm so nervous.

 

Tiga: "Here, lemme help."

 

With Tiga supporting me, I was somehow able to straddle the horse, and I nervously picked up the reins when…-

 

Tiga: "OK, we're gonna walk."

 

Tiga grabbed the end of the reins, and guided the horse.

 

The horse trotted a short distance and I gradually came to enjoy it.

 

The wind feels really good…this is fun.

 

Tiga: "Well? You enjoying it?"

 

OO: "Yeah!"

 

Tiga: "Alright, here we go."

 

OO: "Eh?"

 

Then suddenly, Tiga let go of the reins and stopped walking.

 

OO: "T-Tiga!?"

 

I sat there dumbfounded as the reins were suddenly in my control.

 

OO: "What…what do I do!?!"

 

The horse kept going at the same slow pace, but I could only panic.

 

Tiga: "Hold the reins tight, and straighten your back."

 

Walking next to us, Tiga told me what to do, but…

 

Even though I understood what to do, my body wouldn't listen to me.

 

I'm scared…!

 

I leaned forward with the horse's rhythm and accidentally kicked its flank.

 

Tiga: "Not that…!"

 

As if taking that as a signal, the horse started galloping, flying through the air.

 

Will I get thrown off…!?

 

As I clung to the horse, my face paled with dread…-

 

I heard Tiga's whistle cut across the meadow.

 

OO: "…?"

 

The horse gradually slowed down and cantered back to where Tiga was.

 

Th-thank goodness.

 

Arriving safely to where Tiga waited, he smiled innocently at me.

 

Tiga: "You OK?"

 

Unable to come up with a good answer, I took hold of Tiga's hand and got off the horse quickly, like I was trying to run from it.

 

Tiga: "Kicking the flank is a signal to make the horse gallop. Sorry for not explaining that. But it felt good right?"

 

OO: "I-I was scared…!"

 

Tiga: "Haha! I was really surprised when you suddenly took off."

 

As Tiga stroked the horse, he flashed me a smile as brilliant as the sun.

 

Tiga: "I'll teach you even more about riding!"

 

I can't be mad when he looks at me like that.

 

I didn't know if it was because of the fear I been feeling a moment ago, or Tiga's smile…-

 

But my heart was pounding obnoxiously loud.

 

OO: "Alright, I'll try."

 

Tiga: "Alright!"

OO: "But I'm scared…"

 

Tiga: "It'll be fine, I'll be with you."

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