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."