Hikage - Prince of Hourai - Sun End

Hikage - Prince of Hourai - Sun End

Chapter 6 - To Keep You from Getting Lost

During the raging rain that was downpouring on the day before the last day of the festival, I prayed for it to clear up. 

Then, when the final day arrived... 

Thankfully, the raging storm has passed and it became refreshingly clear throughout the sky. As Hikage-san and I were holding hands excitedly, we headed to the festival. 

MC: Wow...!

Hikage: Heh, the mikoshi* sure is flashy again this year!

T/N: A palanquin that is carried during parades in festivals

Since it was the last day of the festival, it looked livelier than before. The place became enlivened with loud large crowds of people as they were drinking, singing and dancing. 

Hikage: MC, let's go check the stall over there. 

MC: Okay. 

As he pulled my hand that was connected to his, I saw on his face that he was smiling very happily. That smile was bright like the summer sunlight. 

(But, today is my last day of being with Hikage-san...) 

When I thought of that, I became very sad...

Hikage: MC? 

Without realizing it, I was gripping Hikage-san's hand tightly. 

MC: Ah... I-I... 

Hikage: ...? Don't worry, I'll hold your hand tight, so that you won't get lost. 

Getting the wrong idea, Hikage-san raised a brow oddly as he said that. Right now, his cheerfulness only made my heart tighten... 

Chapter 7 - The Large Flower in the Night Sky

 The town was overflowing with the joyful voices of the people. 

(Once today ends, I'll have to leave Hikage-san...) 

The sadness in my heart became stronger than before. 

(I wonder... what Hikage-san thinks.) 

In front of me, I watched Hikage-san ordering some shaved ice as he was talking to the owner of the stall. 

(I want to try asking him...) 

When I thought of that, I took a step forward with just a bit of courage just now. 

(It'd be nice if Hikage-san feels the same way as me.) 

With the shaved ice in hand, Hikage-san raised a brow when he looked at me. 

Hikage: What are you looking at me for? Do you have something to say to me? 

MC: ...!

Hikage: Hey now, that strange modesty of yours is one of your bad points!

He poked my forehead...

MC: Ow...

Hikage: Eh!? S-Sorry! Did it hurt that much!? 

When he rubbed my forehead with his hand in a panic, he was breathing like a small child. 

(His face is close...!) 

MC: I-I'm okay, it's just that...

Hikage: What? 

MC: I was just feeling sad because I'm going to have to leave tomorrow. 

Hikage: ...

After I told him that, Hikage-san's expression darkened a little. But, he smiled cheerfully to drive away those feelings. 

Hikage: Right now, let's not think about the depressing stuff! Let's just enjoy the festival to the fullest!

MC: ...Okay. 

(Right now, I want to enjoy spending time with Hikage-san.)

As Hikage-san was acting his usual self, I didn't say anything else. 

......

Then, as the sun was leaning towards west, there was a gradation of orange and ultramarine in the sky. 

As the sun was setting, we arrived at the venue for the fireworks finale. At a specially prepared spot that people can't usually get to, we were waiting impatiently as the sky was changing color. 

Hikage: You definitely need to have some alcohol in a festival!

While looking up at the sky, Hikage-san filled himself up with alcohol as he poured it down his throat. 

MC: Are you okay? You've been drinking a lot since earlier. 

Hikage: I'm okay! It's no different than drinking water... 

At that moment...

MC: ...!

Along with a loud explosion sound, large flowers appeared in the sky. The particles of light shined on us as they scattered around in the sky. 

MC: Pretty... 

Hikage: Yeah. 

In an instant, dozens of fireworks were going up one after another. Before we knew it, the sky became flooded with light... 

(It really is pretty...) 

We were engrossed in the summer night symphony that has noise and light mixed together while forgetting to blink.

Hikage: MC. 

During the interval of the noise, I noticed him saying my name. 

MC: Hikage-san...? 

While he was sitting beside me, he placed his fingers over my hand. Due to the sound of the fireworks making the atmosphere vibrate, it felt like his hand was shaking a little. 

MC: Hikage-sa-

Just as I was about to say his name again...

MC: ...

Something soft was pressed against my lips. What was slightly warmer than me was... 

(Hikage-san's... lips...!?) 

Underneath the night sky that had fluttering lights of various colors, I was kissed by Hikage-san... 

Last Chapter - The Sweet Midsummer Dream at Night

The sounds and lights of countless fireworks were being mixed together in the night sky. 

(Why...?) 

When he suddenly placed his lips over mine, my heart skipped a beat. Due to my loud heartbeat, I could no longer hear the sound of the fireworks. 

Hikage: ... 

Just as his lips that lightly touched me slowly backed away... 

In front of me, Hikage-san made a stern face with his eyes looking a little blurry as he held both of my cheeks in his hands... 

MC: ...

Hikage: MC...

Hikage-san said my name very softly. 

(Hikage-san, his eyes are red... His cheeks too... Is he drunk?) 

While he was staring at me, he smiled with a heated gaze I've never seen him make before. 

Hikage: You... You're so beautiful. With the lights shining in your eyes, they make them look like a bright kaleidoscope. 

MC: Um... What?

Hikage: Don't say something so tactless, we're in the middle of a festival right now... Don't you know that? 

MC: ...?

Hikage: From the start, the origin of this festival is to pray for the goddess and god that found the island to meet with each other. It's said to be a miracle for them to meet...

MC: Hikage-san...? 

(He's not the kind of person to be talking about this sort of thing...) 

Hikage: MC... 

MC: ...

When his fingers that were on my hand entwined with my fingers deeply, he placed his body against me and said my name in my ear. As the lights of the fireworks that were covering the sky entirely felt stimulating, they were sizzling hotly behind him. 

Hikage: Hey... Won't you stay by my side? 

MC: ...Yes. 

I lightly nodded. 

Hikage: That's... a promise. 

Just as it seemed like he was going to kiss me again as I felt his breath near my cheek... 

(The smell of alcohol...?) 

Hikage: ...

MC: Hikage-san...? Hikage-san...!? 

While snuggling against me, his body has fallen against me. 

MC: Eh... He's... asleep...? 

(Now that I look at him closely... His face is red... Was he that drunk?) 

MC: Even though you told me that you were okay. 

With mixed feelings of both relief and disappointment, my shoulders dropped dejectedly. 

Hikage: ...

As Hikage-san's body was leaning against me, he started making soft breathing sounds in his sleep... 

The next day... After I was done getting ready to leave Hourai, I met with Hikage-san. 

Hikage: ...I'm going to send you off. Ahh... I feel sick... I must've drank a little too much... 

MC: Are you okay? 

Hikage: I'm okay, I'm okay... Owow, I am completely hungover. 

MC: ...

(...Does he remember what happened last night?) 

The festival we saw, the one night of the kiss that was like a sweet midsummer dream at night... 

(He was pretty drunk, so... He probably doesn't remember.)

Hikage-san's behavior gave me a stinging pain in my heart. 

(I...) 

......

Without exchanging words, I didn't look at Hikage-san's face... 

Hikage: MC.

MC: Eh...? 

Hikage-san's voice sounded clear in my ears as it made his listlessness until now feel unreal. 

Hikage: What I said at that time, I was neither lying nor joking about it. 

MC: Hikage-san... You remember that time...? 

When I asked that, Hikage-san narrowed his eyes intensely. 

Hikage: Make sure to come back to me, okay? 

MC: ...!

The pain in my heart changed into happiness. 

Hikage: ...Your answer, MC? 

MC: ...Yes!

When I nodded as I said that loudly that instant, Hikage-san smiled as his shoulders trembled. 

Hikage: Good answer. 

Then, he scooped up my bangs and placed a soft kiss against my forehead. 

MC: ...You smell like alcohol. 

Hikage: Shut up... I was being serious back then and now. 

After saying that, he placed a kiss against my lips like last time. 

MC: Mm... 

(I want to be with Hikage-san in next year's festival too...) 

When he hugged me in his robust arms... As the waves that were hitting against the shore sounded comforting, I thought of that...

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