Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Amano - Prince of Akagura - Sun End
Chapter 7 - The Rift with the Neighboring Kingdom
-Flashback-
Amano: This divine bow that's been passed down in the royal family of Akagura for generations is just as it's old title says, the bow that was gifted by God.
---
Amano: For such a sacred bow that's for protecting people being used for pointless subjugations...!
-Flashback-
Another word that he says makes my heart throb at the same time.
-Flashback-
Amano: I worry that if the life of someone dear to me disappears...
-Flashback-
A few days later... I still couldn't forget Amano-san's face from that time.
(I wonder if Amano-san is okay.)
As I was looking outside the window in a daze, I thought about him. Ever since this morning, the messenger from the neighboring kingdom visited to see Amano-san.
(I'm curious, but... It's not my place to say.)
Even so, to distract myself from those strong feelings, I headed to the courtyard to see the wisteria trellis...
By the time I was in the hallway that led to the courtyard...
MC: !!
There was the loud sound of a door opening...
Messenger: Don't you know that this is going to cause a rift between both kingdoms if this keeps up!!
The same messenger from the other day straightened himself up and left the room with big steps.
(They were supposed to be having a conversation... Just what happened!?)
When I slowly looked in the room from afar...
Amano: ...
Amano-san was staring at the messenger as he left the castle irritated.
(Amano-san...?)
On his face, he was making a stern expression that I've never seen before...
Chapter 8 - A Bitter Decision
The stars in the night sky were twinkling in suspense...
I couldn't sleep, so I was passing the time by myself.
(Amano-san...)
With some kind of clinging feeling, I was looking up at the sky that was filled with stars outside the window.
(Just what happened?)
I remembered the unusually strong look in his eyes that I saw from the front of the room.
(It must've been scary...)
At that moment, I heard two soft knocks against the door.
Amano: ...Are you awake?
MC: ...! Amano-san!?
I immediately ran from the window to the door and let him in.
MC: Amano-san...
(Why did he come here this late at night?)
Even though I had so many things to ask, I couldn't bring them up well.
Amano: ...
When he silently sat down in a chair, he entwined both of his hands together and placed them on his forehead.
MC: ...
Only a heavy silence was drifting. Then... After taking a deep breath, Amano-san raised his face. His fiery golden eyes looked straight at me.
MC: ...
Just as I flinched for a moment from how sharp they looked...
Amano: Soon, a subjugation expedition will be going to the neighboring kingdom to take care of a large monster. I... It's been decided, so I have to obey the ambassador of that place.
MC: Eh...? By ambassador, does that mean you have to participate in the subjugation too, Amano-san!?
Amano: Yes.
When he answered firmly, I became speechless.
(But, he said that he doesn't want to do these aggressive subjugations.)
Looking at me becoming perplexed, Amano-san continued talking.
Amano: In the end, the neighboring kingdom has gotten impatient... If we don't bring out our military strength in the next expedition, they'll break up our alliance.
MC: ...!
Amano: Even so, this kingdom doesn't have any military forces to spare for the expedition. If we handle this poorly, the town's defense will be undermanned.
MC: You don't mean, you're going by yourself...?
Amano: Yes.
MC: No way...!!
Amano: Still, as the leader of this kingdom, I want to set aside the bad relations with the neighboring kingdom for the people!
MC: ...!
When he said that with an unusually loud voice, my body trembled.
Amano: ...!
Just as he pulled me with his strong arm, I was being hugged by Amano-san the next moment.
Amano: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you...!
Not knowing what to do... Amano-san's hand stroked my hair roughly a little.
MC: ...
(He really doesn't wish to do the subjugation...)
My heart felt like it was about to split from thinking about his feelings. Even so, I didn't say anything and softly wrapped my hands around his back.
Amano: ...I'm sorry, it's okay now.
Amano-san slowly releases me from his arms. Then...
Amano: MC.
His nice sounding voice that said my name directly hit my heart.
Amano: May I ask you something?
His serious eyes that were filled with hope made my heart noisy. Along with nervousness, my heart was lightly throbbing from a different kind of uneasiness...
Chapter 9 - Exchanging Promises and a Flower
In the room during the silent night, Amano-san looked at me with his strong eyes...
Amano: May I ask you something?
MC: If... it's something I can do.
Amano: ...Thank you.
When he said that softly, he took something out from near his chest...
MC: This is...
Amano: Yes. I picked these from the garden earlier.
In his hand was a single bundle of lovely wisteria flowers. The wisterias that have become slightly wet from the nightly mist were in bloom as he held them carefully in his hand.
Amano: I want you to hold onto these flowers. While you're waiting for my return, I want you to pray for me.
He let me take hold of those flowers gently. My fingers became wet from the cool nightly mist.
(Why...)
That coldness made my heart tighten for some reason.
Amano: ...Is that too hard for you?
MC: No! That's not it. But...
Feeling uneasy on what to say, I only looked at Amano-san.
Amano: I'm so hopeless... I wasn't intending on making you make that kind of face. I'm feeling uneasy myself. Despite that I've strongly made that decision... The faint doubt that's left in me... I won't let it make my arm that pulls this bow go amiss...
MC: ...
Unable to look at his eyes that were looking down sadly, I shook my head.
MC: ...I'll wait for you. So, please come back safely.
Amano: ...MC.
His hands lightly hugged my body again.
MC: Ah...
When he lifted up my bangs, he placed a gentle kiss against my forehead.
Amano: Please, pray for me... That's enough for me.
The words that he whispered in my ear made the inside of my heart burn up strongly more...
The next day... Once Amano-san was ready for the subjugation, he departed Akagura. With the wisteria flowers that he left me with in my hands, I saw him off...
Last Chapter - The Flower of My Humble Self
A long time has passed ever since Amano-san left for the expedition...
(Amano-san...)
While I was waiting for his return... I kept my promise with him as I continued to stay at the Akagura castle. Although...
With nothing to do, I moved my gaze towards the opened book in my lap. In the book, I inserted a pressed flower bookmark that I made with the flowers that Amano-san gave me on the last night he was here.
(Even though the flowers have already withered up...)
When the time to see the wisterias in bloom has ended, fresh green leaves were budding.
(Amano-san... Please hurry and return safely.)
Just as I looked up at the sky with wishful feelings again.
MC: !?
I heard some faint cheers from outside of the castle.
(Just now was...)
Before I knew it, I hurried out of the room...
Holding back various thoughts that were in my head, I ran through the hallway.
(Amano-san...!)
The cheers that I heard were gradually getting louder as I headed towards them excitedly. Just as I turned at the corner of the hall and headed towards the courtyard.
Amano: !!
MC: ...Amano-san!
Amano: MC!
When I saw the person that I wanted to see, the corner of my eyes became warm.
Amano: I'm sorry... You must've been waiting for so long.
My feelings started to overflow endlessly from his usual gentle smile...
MC: ...
Forgetting about the people around us, he ran over and embraced me deeply in his arms.
MC: Were you okay?
Amano: Yes... It was really troubling though. Even so, seeing your face now has made me forget about it all. MC...
Once again, he strongly hugged me in his arms. But, after a few seconds, he lets go of me and took out an arrow from the arrow barrel that he carries on his back.
MC: Amano-san?
Amano: Please wait for a bit. I'm going to report to God that it's okay by sending this arrow to the sky.
When he got into position with the bow and aimed it towards the sky, he drew the arrow. His beautifully upright soul was dwelling within that form.
(How beautiful...)
The next moment, when he released the black arrow, it cut through the sky as it went to the heavens.
MC: !! Wow... It made the cloud split!
Amano-san looked radiant as he was looking up at the arrow that disappeared in the sky.
Amano: This is good... Now...
I heard his voice clearly as he murmured that...
......
Afterwards... After getting rid of the stains from the long journey, Amano-san came to my room. With him just standing next to me, everything that happened up till now has felt unreal as I was looking at the beautiful scenery outside the window.
(Yes, feeling this way towards Amano-san must mean...)
Once I reconfirmed my feelings...
Amano: MC...
MC: Eh?
The moment I turned towards him when he called out my name, he was right in front of me as he hugged me.
MC: Amano... -san...?
When I looked at his golden eyes as the sunlight was shining on them, they were shining with a strong passion.
Amano: When I thought about you waiting for me, all my distress went away. There were some scary things and I was hesitating a lot. But, I remembered your warm smile every time.
MC: Me...?
Amano: Yes. Your smile is so mild-mannered like a flower that's blooming in a field, but also sweet and adorable. The time when we approached that wisteria trellis and I put a flower in your hair... I couldn't become anymore attracted to you.
MC: Amano-san... Me too.
Sometimes his hand would touch the part of my hair where the flower was in.
Amano: What I want to protect more than anything...
His fingers moved lovingly as they combed through my hair...
Amano: Thank you for waiting for me... That made me happy more than anything else. MC.
MC: ...
The moment he gently held me by the waist, he placed his lips over mine. When I closed my eyes, my heart became enveloped by his gentleness.
Amano: ...I would be lying that all the doubts in my heart have disappeared completely. But, if it's for you... I would pull this bow anytime without hesitation... MC. From now on, won't you stay by my side and guide me?
MC: ...Yes. Amano-san.
When I quietly nodded, he kissed me deeply again as if he was confirming my existence.
MC: Mm...
The bow that was placed near the edge of the window shined beautifully as the sunlight was shining on it. That divine light made it feel like it was watching over us gently...
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