Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Avi - Prince of Alstoria - Main Story
Chapter 1 - The Periwinkle Flower
Kingdom of Knights, Alstoria, April... As thanks for saving Avi, I was properly invited to the castle of Alstoria.
Within the warm sunlight, I was walking beside Avi behind the butler. In the luxurious castle, there were high quality furnishings and the halls were decorated with dried flowers.
MC: Ah, this flower.
When I looked at the courtyard from the window, there were a lot of periwinkle-colored flowers that were the same as the dried flowers in bloom.
Butler: We have all sorts of them blooming in the garden. Aren't they beautiful?
MC: Yes. Their color is really beautiful. Aside from being dried flowers, I'm sure that they look nice being fresh.
As I responded kindly, I felt warm...
Avi: What are you smiling for?
With his hand on his waist, Avi looked down at me with an odd expression.
MC: This flower is nice as a dried flower, but there must be other ways to use it as a pretty decoration.
After I said that energetically, Avi spoke and...
Avi: ...They'll die more quickly that way.
MC: Eh?
For a moment, I thought I heard him wrong. Avi, that's usually straightforward and strong, it wasn't like him to sound so sad.
MC: Avi?
Curious about him sounding like that, I looked at his face and...
Avi: Hey, let's hurry and go. Father is waiting.
Just as I made a surprised look, he went back to talking the same as usual the next moment.
MC: Y-Yes!
I hurriedly followed his large back from behind, but...
(They'll die more quickly.)
I couldn't get Avi's words out of my ears...
Chapter 2 - Avi and Fluff
-Flashback-
Avi: ...They'll die more quickly that way.
-Flashback-
The next day, I was observing the chivalry groups sword training.
Avi: Haa!
In the midst of his dignified voice echoing throughout the area, his red hair shined brightly with the morning sunlight on it. With quick efficiency, his movements were elegant. Seeing his beautiful and intense swordsmanship skills made me speechless.
Avi: ...Next! Do you guys think that the chivalry group can protect the kingdom like that!?
When Avi said that intensely, the guards readied their swords and Avi took them down one after another.
(He's really strong...)
The moment I was watching Avi in a daze...
MC: ...!
Something soft lightly tickled my right hand. When I looked towards it in surprise, there was...
MC: A-A dog?
A white fluffy dog was looking up at me as it was wagging it's tail energetically.
(The castle's dog? How cute.)
MC: Where did you come from?
As I was petting it, it looked at me with a wooden boomerang in it's mouth.
MC: Is that your toy? Do you want me to throw it?
It wagged it's tail even more.
(...Okay!)
MC: There! Go get it!! ...Ah.
Even though I threw the boomerang strongly, it didn't fly well and instantly fell to the ground.
(I-It looks disappointed.)
The dog... It whimpered sadly.
MC: S-Sorry! Let's me try again...
Avi: You suck at this.
MC: ...Avi!
Avi was suddenly behind me as he said that in amazement. When the dog saw Avi, it started to wag it's tail happily again.
MC: Sorry. I was being loud during your training.
Avi: It's no big deal. I'm taking a little break right now. Do you like dogs?
MC: Yes, I love animals. This one is cute too.
Avi lightly nodded. The dog cuddled up to Avi as it was wagging it's tail so much that it looked like it might fall off.
Avi: This guy is fluffy. So, his name is Fluff... In this kingdom, it means cloud.
The moment he said, Fluff, the dog happily barked. Avi looked at Fluff sadly.
(This is the first time I've seen Avi make that kind of face.)
From that expression, I...
///Choices///
- Did something happen? (☼)
MC: Did something happen?
When I said that, Avi showed a surprised look.
Avi: ...Nothing at all.
Although, Avi seemed somewhat sad as he looked at Fluff.
- Isn't he your dog? (☽)
MC: Isn't he your dog?
Avi: ...No.
When Avi responded sadly for some reason, he looked up.
(Avi...?)
///Choices///
As Avi was standing beside me, Fluff went on top of Avi's foot and wagged his tail wholeheartedly.
MC: He seems to really like you, Avi. He's only looking at you for some quite time.
Avi: ...Really?
After he said that, I noticed that Avi was making a somewhat distant look.
MC: Aren't you going to pet him?
Avi: ...I'm in the middle of training.
After Avi became silent the next moment, it felt like he was murmuring something to himself. Even his usually stern face has stiffened up...
Avi: See ya.
Once Avi turned around, his feet stopped soon after.
MC: ?
Then, when he turned towards me, he lightly smiled...
Avi: Go play with him. With something other than the boomerang.
MC: ...G-Geez!
Despite his teasing words, the smile on his usually stiff, gallant face made me feel really happy. Although...
-Flashback-
Avi: ...They'll die more quickly that way.
---
MC: Aren't you going to pet him?
Avi: ...I'm in the middle of training.
-Flashback-
When I noticed that something unknown was holding Avi, I became very curious about it...
Chapter 3 - Hidden Feelings
After training ended, Fluff became completely attached to me and was walking with me in the hallway.
-Flashback-
MC: Aren't you going to pet him?
Avi: ...I'm in the middle of training.
-Flashback-
MC: Once training is over, let's play with Avi a lot.
Fluff energetically barked from my words. At that moment...
MC: ...!
While I was passing by a room, I heard something loud from inside.
MC: W-What...?
Feeling uneasy, I opened the door to the room halfway. Then...
A strong wind was blowing in from the window and was making the curtain flutter. From what I saw, what fell unnaturally to the floor was a big wooden board.
MC: Fluff, the wind probably made it fall, so let's put it back up.
When I entered the room, I picked up the large square wooden board and looked at it.
(This is...)
It was an old portrait that was covered in dust. There was the majestic king and the beautiful queen was holding a beautiful periwinkle bouquet.
(The boy that's smiling broadly is... Avi?)
Even the boy was happily holding the same bouquet as the queen. Also, what was painted was a white dog that looked like it was cuddling up next to the queen.
(This dog is...)
At that moment...
Avi: Hey, what are you doing in here?
MC: Avi!
When I turned around, there was Avi, finished with training as he was looking at me with his hand on the room's door.
MC: I heard something from inside as I was passing by.
Avi: You heard something? That's...
When Avi noticed the portrait, he widened his eyes in surprise.
MC: It looked like this painting fell from the wind, so I was thinking of putting it back up.
Avi: ...It's fine, you don't need to do that.
After he said that softly, he took the portrait from my hand, turned it around and placed it against the wall.
(Ah...)
-Flashback-
Avi: ...They'll die more quickly that way.
-Flashback-
(It's the same expression from that time...)
As I felt pain from Avi making that expression, I...
///Choices///
- Get worried (☽)
MC: Avi? Um, are you okay?
Avi: Okay about what?
MC: ...What, you say.
I was unable to continue the conversation from there.
- Smile (☼)
MC: Avi, that painting is really nice.
To cheer him up, I smiled.
Avi: ...Yeah.
Although, his expression turned even gloomier.
///Choices///
(What should I do... What can I do to make Avi smile?)
MC: You seem to like the flowers that you're holding and this person... Is she your mother? She looks nice. The white fluffy dog too, it looks like Fluff... Could that be Fluff's mother? How old were you in this painting?
Not wanting to see Avi's sad expression, I continued talking and then...
Avi: ...-sts...?
MC: Eh?
Avi: Do you enjoy prying into people's pasts?
As he wasn't looking at me, the words that he softly muttered pierced my heart.
MC: I-I'm sorry, that's not what I was trying to do...
Avi: ...
Suddenly, Avi strongly held up the portrait.
Avi: This painting was left here, so there's no meaning to it. Won't it end if I destroy it...!
MC: No! Avi...!
To stop Avi from throwing the portrait to the floor, I held onto his body.
Avi: ...!!
At that moment, Avi lost his balance and collided with a shelf... When the flower vase on the shelf fell, it broke into pieces.
MC: Ow...
Avi: MC!
Avi stopped his movements. He tossed the portrait aside and held my shoulder tightly. As it felt like my arm was about to be torn off, I clung onto Avi and our gazes met.
Avi: You're hurt...!
MC: I-I'm fine! It's just a small scratch on my leg!
Avi looked like he was the one that had gotten hurt.
///Choices///
- Caress Avi's cheek (☽)
MC: Avi...
As that expression made my heart tighten, I touched Avi's cheek.
Avi: ...
- Smile (☼)
MC: I'm fine, Avi. Don't make that face.
Not wanting to make Avi worry, I smiled.
Avi: ...MC.
///Choices///
MC: I'm really sorry. I-
Avi: Fine. I get it, so let's treat your injury first.
MC: Ah...
When Avi lightly picked me up, my cheeks became warm.
MC: A-Avi! I can walk!!
Avi: I'm the one who got you hurt. I won't calm down unless I do this.
MC: ...Avi...
Avi quickly walked in the hallway. Through his clothes, I could feel Avi's well-trained body.
(What... is he thinking of?)
As I felt like asking that question, I placed my head against Avi's chest...
Chapter 4 - Wanting to Get Along
Avi: She's hurt. Give her some treatment immediately.
When I injured my leg after questioning the portrait, Avi took me to a room while carrying me this whole time.
Maid: Eh? A-Avi-sama?
The maid widened her eyes when she saw me and Avi.
Avi: What are you spacing out for? Treat her leg immediately. We can't leave it like this.
Maid: Y-Yes.
The maid hurriedly started giving my leg some treatment. Avi was still beside me, but...
Avi: It looks okay now.
When Avi saw my injury starting to get disinfected, he turned around soon after.
///Choices///
- Say thanks (☼)
MC: Avi! Um, thank you.
Avi: Why are you thanking me?
MC: Because you were worried about me?
Avi: ...I'll leave her to you.
After Avi said that to the maid, he left the room without turning around.
- Stop him by calling out to him (☽)
MC: Ah, Avi...!
When I called out to him, Avi looked like he wanted to say something as he turned around a little.
Avi: ...
Although, without saying anything, Avi left the room.
(Avi...)
///Choices///
After that, the maid asked me all sorts of questions since she was surprised to see the late bloomer, Avi, worrying about me.
(But... I'm not someone special to Avi. It looks like he doesn't like talking about his past and I'm sure that I touched an emotional wound.)
Avi's pained expression gave me pain for a long time.
-Flashback-
Avi: This painting was left here, so there's no meaning to it. Won't it end if I destroy it...!
-Flashback-
Ever since we've first met, Avi has been protecting me this whole time by my side. Since Avi has been with me this whole time, I was wondering if it was possible for me to get to know him more.
(I want to know more about Avi...)
That evening...
As I was remembering Avi from noon, I couldn't sleep no matter what.
(...I can't sleep. I'll try getting some fresh air for a bit.)
After tossing and turning many times, I went down to the courtyard.
The courtyard at night was really beautiful. As the moonlight was shining on the periwinkle flowers, they emitted a pale light.
(The periwinkle flowers...)
I felt a sharp pain from remembering Avi.
(I pried into Avi's past and feelings so rudely. I want to see him... and apologize.)
MC: ...Huh?
The moment I felt pain from thinking of Avi, something white passed by the corner of my vision.
(Fluff?)
Fluff passed through the garden and went through the gate.
(Is he going outside? At this time of night...)
I remembered Avi's sad expression from when he was looking at Fluff.
(If something happens to Fluff, Avi might get sad again.)
I quickly went after Fluff in a panic.
Meanwhile...
He couldn't forget about MC's injury on her leg. As Avi was resting his chin in his hand near the edge of the window, he sighed.
Avi: I should've given her treatment properly... That girl.
Unable to sleep, he didn't move the page in the open book for quite some time. As Avi was making a melancholic look, he sighed many times.
Avi: ...I need to be clear and apologize... I wonder if she's awake.
Avi left his room to see MC.
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