Ch. 3: His Secret
I had asked to go to Vim’s favorite place, and we headed there…
OO: "It’s beautiful…!"
It was a beautiful field of flowers.
There were multicolored blossoms in full bloom, and a faint, sweet smell tickled my nose.
It smells nice…this place is amazing.
Vim: "You like it?"
OO: "Yeah! Very much!"
Vim: "I’m glad... She liked it here too."
Vim murmured quietly to himself.
[CHOICE]
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She? (SUN)
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Liked it? (MOON)
Would it have been better if I hadn’t heard?
Vim: "My feet carry me here a lot. Here, more so than in the castle or the village, I can calm down."
OO: "I see. Do you always come here alone?"
Vim: "I guess."
Vim gave a smile tinged with sadness and then stretched languidly.
The clear blue sky stretched on forever.
The beautiful flower petals, set against the blue of the sky, trembled slightly in the wind.
This is…Ah, this is wonderful.
Vim: "Hey, OO, don’t wander too far."
Vim called out to me as I was walking through the field of flowers.
OO: "OK!"
Vim: "It’s dangerous over that way, so let’s go this way."
OO: "Yeah, alright!"
My chest fluttered as I walked among the multicolored flowers.
…
… …
I went about picking flowers in a daze.
OO: "Hey, Vim! Look, aren’t they…"
I looked back to show him the bouquet of flowers, but no one was there.
OO: "Vim…?"
What now? I don’t see…
My eyes darted around, but I couldn’t see Vim anywhere.
I was on the side of the field of blossoming flowers, but my sense of direction had become confused.
At that moment…
That’s…?
In the plain near the field of flowers, I saw a small cave.
A dark atmosphere seemed to drift out of it, sharply contrasted against the beautiful flowers.
I walked into the cave, as if something were drawing me in.
After going in a little ways…
OO: "…!"
I found chains covered in rust hanging from the cave wall.
What is…?
Despite the fear I felt, I cautiously reached out my hand…
Vim: "OO."
Something grabbed my shoulder and I turned around. Vim’s breath caught and he stood there with a strange expression.
Vim: "I suddenly lost sight of you…to think you were in a place like this."
OO: "Y-yeah. Um, is this…"
Vim: "…"
OO: "Vim?"
Vim bit his lower lip before hesitantly opening his mouth.
Vim: "It’s nothing, let’s go."
Vim grabbed my hand a little forcefully.
It was then that the bruises on his wrists were clearly visible.
It couldn’t be…
OO: "Vim, is this…Are you…?"
Vim made a pained face and…
Vim: "…Yeah. On the night of the full moon, I come here to tie myself up."
To tie…himself up?
Vim: "Well, I guess if you’re in this country, you’re bound to hear the story anyway… My family are lycanthropes."
OO: "Lycanthropes?
Vim: "Werewolves. People that turn into wolves on the night of the full moon."
…werewolves!?
Vim: "But my family’s bloodline has become pretty diluted, so now I’m the only one who changes. My blood goes berserk so I tie myself up here."
OO: "…that’s..."
Vim: "Come on, don’t make that face. It’s always been like this."
Vim smiled as if it were nothing but…
[CHOICE]
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Press the issue (SUN)
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Show confusion (MOON)
Vim: "…people will get attacked."
Vim murmured.
OO: "But that’s …"
Vim: "So it’s no big deal, it’s always like this. Now come on, let’s go."
I wondered how many years Vim had been injuring himself, the red marks cutting deep into his arms.
OO: "Vim…"
Vim pulled tightly on my hand and I left the cave…
That evening…
Where…am I?
Suddenly, a beautiful raven-haired girl appeared before my eyes.
Below her eye was a large black mole that somehow made her look all the more attractive.
Who are…?
??: "Please…please save Vim."
Save Vim?
??: "He…because of me…"
A single tear fell down her cheek.
??: "Pl…im…"
OO: "Nn… …"
Something jolted my shoulder and I slowly came out of the dream.
Vim: "Hey…OO."
OO: "…Vim…?"
Vim’s golden eyes were wide with concern as he watched me intently.
OO: "She…?"
Vim: "Ah…no, nevermind."
Vim said awkwardly before going silent.
OO: "...liked it?"
Vim: "Ah...nothing..."
Vim looked as if he'd said something he shouldn't have, and his eyes fell to the ground as he sank into silence.
OO: "You act as if it’s no big deal…but you tie yourself up with physical restraints."
As I spoke, Vim’s gaze fell to the ground.
Vim had told me the truth, but I was unable to hide my confusion and his carefree expression changed...
Vim: "..."
Sensing my confusion, he let out a small sigh.