Ch. 8: A Kind Kiss With Force (SUN)
The next day…-
I woke up in bed, and unlike the day before, I was able to get up without trouble.
Looks like I recovered by sleeping a lot.
I opened the window and felt the clear outside air, then there was sudden knock at the door.
Tiga: "How're you feeling?"
OO: "A lot better, thank you."
Tiga entered the room and came close, then patted my head.
Tiga: "Seems like rested like you were supposed to."
OO: "Yeah."
At Tiga's kind expression, I suddenly found myself smiling.
Tiga's smile makes me happy.
Tiga: "Alright, we're goin' out."
OO: "Out?"
Tiga: "I told you I'd take you to my treasured spot."
OO: "Right!"
Tiga took me a short distance away from the castle, to a field of flowers.
As far as the eye could see, there were a multitude of different colored flowers in full bloom, and that calm scene of nature calmed the heart.
It smells really good.
Tiga stopped holding me and got down from the horse, then the two of us sat on a bench.
Tiga: "I wanted to show you this."
Tiga…
OO: "Thank you, it's very beautiful."
The beauty of the flowers made my eyes sparkle, and I suddenly felt Tiga's eyes on me.
OO: "What's wrong?"
Tiga: "Forget what Luca said."
OO: "…"
Luca: "I mean, OO is the Princess of Träumere after all. Well, that's why I don't have any interest in that girl other than that. She's so unsophisticated, definitely not my type."
Remembering those words, they still made my heart ache.
Tiga: "It's my fault. Luca wants to get ahead of me, so he used you. I'm sorry."
OO: "…it's not your fault."
Tiga: "Even so. I just wanted you to know."
OO: "…Tiga."
Tiga: "At the river, I wanted to give you my jacket. But then that guy showed up and saw you like that…"
He muttered the last part, then said nothing more as he looked down.
He brought me here to cheer me up.
OO: "Thank you Tiga."
Tiga: "…what's that for?"
Seeing Tiga, embarrassed and indignant, I laughed without thinking.
I thought then that Tiga, who was always trying to make me feel better, was very dear…-
We returned to the castle, and Tiga escorted me to my room.
OO: "Thank you for today."
Tiga: "Take it easy. You're still recovering."
OO: "R-right."
Tiga: "See ya."
I want to be together.
As I thought that, I had already grabbed Tiga's hand.
Tiga: "What's wrong?"
OO: "Ah, um…I just wanted…to be with you a little longer…"
Tiga: "…"
What do I do, I can't see his face.
I suddenly heard the door close.
But I still held Tiga's hand in mine.
OO: "Eh…"
Tiga: "What're you surprised for? You're the one that wanted me to stay."
OO: "R-right."
Tiga said as much, and I couldn't seem to calm down.
Tiga: "First off, let's sit."
OO: "Yeah."
Urged on by Tiga, we sat at the end of the bed.
I kept him here…I'm so embarrassed and I can't see his face.
Tiga: "…sorry."
OO: "Eh!?"
Tiga: "I dragged you around so much that it affected your health."
Tiga's voice was sinking into darkness.
OO: "…you're wrong!"
I unconsciously raised my voice, and Tiga looked at me with round eyes.
OO: "When I'm with you, I'm really happy. Even when Luca's words hurt me, you cheered me up…I don't feel like I was was dragged around! So don't think that way…-"
Tiga: "You…"
As I finished everything I had to say, Tiga wrapped his arm around me.
He held me tightly, and I felt my heart leap.
Tiga: "How can you be so cute!"
OO: "…!"
At his words, I felt my cheeks heat up drastically.
OO: "Tiga…"
He touched his forehead to mine, and his beautiful red hair brushed my cheek.
Tiga: "Close your eyes."
Tiga's hand touched my lips, and I slowly closed my eyes.
In that instant…-
OO: "…!"
I felt Tiga's breath near my ear.
Tiga: "Did you think I was going to kiss you?"
I peeked at Tiga, who was smiling mischievously.
OO: "N-no! That's not…!"
Tiga: "…it's written all over your face that you were hoping for it."
OO: "I-I said that's not…!"
My face was burning, and I desperately tried to deny it but…-
Tiga: "Alright, just keep quiet for a bit…"
Tiga's lips cut off what I was saying.
OO: "Nn…"
Tiga…
My heart started beating so fast it was painful.
Our lips slowly parted, and this time he held me close.
Tiga: "You're so important to me. So… stay by my side."
Saying so, Tiga once again stole a kiss.
OO: "Nn…"
His beautiful red hair gently brushed against my cheek moved over the rest of me.
As I felt the pleasant heat from Tiga, I accepted all of his affections with my entire being.
END