Inami - Prince of Kuyou - Sun End

Inami - Prince of Kuyou - Sun End

Chapter 6 - Gaze Filled with Expectations

-Flashback-

Inami: MC-chan? Is something wrong? 

MC: Ah... No, it's nothing.

-Flashback-

Inami: But, it doesn't look like nothing. Your face is red. 

When Inami-kun placed his hand on my cheek, my heart throbbed. At that moment, something moved towards our feet... 

MC: ...A ball? 

Inami: Yeah. 

After he skillfully kicked the ball up a few times, he lightly kicked it in different direction. 

Boy: Thank you, Inami-sama! I'll be in this year's keri-waza* tournament too!

T/N: A type of martial arts that mainly uses feet

Inami: I see. Good luck. 

MC: Keri-waza tournament? 

When I tilted my head to the side after hearing that, I slowly turned towards Inami-kun. 

Inami: In the new year, there's a gathering where people play by kicking a ball. 

MC: I see... That sounds like fun!

Inami: Yeah, we always do it every year... I know. Hey, MC-chan, you should come see it too. 

As I looked at his eyes that were filled with expectations... My heart throbbed loudly once more... 

Chapter 7 - The Ball Within a Closing Distance

The keri-waza tournament was a tournament that the Ox Clan does in the new year since long ago... Everyone goes around in a big circle and plays by kicking a ball in a certain order without letting it hit the ground. 

Inami: It starts out with a lot of people at first and if someone drops the ball during their turn, they have to leave the group. Then, whoever is left in the end is the winner. 

MC: Will you be participating too? 

Inami: Of course, I'm the royal sponsor after all. I'm pretty strong. 

As he kicked the ball in a simple manner, he broke into a smile. 

MC: Then, I guess I'll come watch. 

Inami: Okay. Since you'll be coming, I'm going to have to put my all into it. 

When he happily looked at me with a smile, my cheeks became warm. 

Inami: Since it's been a while, I'm going to go practice for a bit until the tournament. 

After Inami-kun said that, I couldn't tell what he was thinking as I looked at his face. 

Inami: MC-chan, won't you come practice with me? 

MC: Eh...

I blinked from his unexpected words. 

Inami: I don't like to practice alone. 

MC: Thank you, but... I'm not sure if I can do it. 

Inami: It's all right, I'll teach you. 

As Inami-kun looked at me with a gentle smile, I lightly nodded... 

......

The next day... In order to practice for the tournament, I went with Inami-kun to a meadow outside of town after I changed my clothes. 

MC: Ah...

Thanks to Inami-kun's precise instructions, I was able to kick pretty well. Even so, Inami-kun was able to get it no matter where the ball was kicked off to. 

Inami: There... we go!

As he said that while training, he showed some skillful footwork. 

(Inami-kun is so cool.) 

When I thought of that, the ball quickly went towards me as my guard was down... 

MC: !

Just as it was about to hit me, I frantically kicked the ball into the air and made it land on top of the grass. 

Inami: Didn't you see that just now? 

When Inami-kun approached me with a smile, I lightly nodded without thinking. 

(I can't speak with Inami-kun looking at me...) 

MC: I-I'm sorry. 

Inami: I'm the one who should be apologizing. You're tired, right? Let's take a short break. 

As we sat down next to each other on top of the grass, the soft breeze cooled us down. 

Inami: All of the men in my clan will be coming to this tournament. Didn't I mention that there used to be a lot of rowdy people? A long time ago, the keri-waza tournament was a martial arts tournament. 

MC: A martial arts tournament? 

Inami: Yeah, an official fight by using feet. The winner would also be appointed with an aide. Although, the injuries wouldn't stop from the new year... 

Inami-kun rolled the ball with his hand as he smiled wryly.

Inami: So, there has been a competition of keri-waza since back then. 

MC: I see. 

(Listening to him talk about his clan like this makes me happy.) 

Feeling relaxed, warmth was spreading throughout my heart. 

MC: Good luck. I'll be rooting for you. 

When I said that with a smile, I just remembered something. 

MC: Um... I was probably not much help with your practice. 

As I smiled uneasily, he placed his hand on mine. 

Inami: That's not true. 

Inami-kun gently narrowed his eyes as he looked at me. 

Inami: I wonder why. With you cheering me on, it feels like I won't lose. 

(...What does he mean by that?) 

When his words caused a disturbance in my heart... As his warm hand was over mine, I felt pain... 

Last Chapter - Among the Voices of Blessings

After a few days of training... The day of the keri-waza tournament has arrived with the bright sunlight downpouring from the sky. 

Inami: Do your best!

Since all the men from different clans were participating in the tournament, their families were cheering them on from within the crowded area. In the children's group, we cheered on the boy that we talked to in town. 

(Once this is over, it's going to be Inami-kun's turn...) 

While he was cheering next to me, I couldn't watch due to feeling nervous. After the children's keri-waza has ended, Inami-kun got up. 

Inami: Alright, I'll be going now. 

MC: Okay. I'll cheer you on...!

When I said that enthusiastically, Inami-kun smiled lightly. 

Inami: ...Thanks. I'll do my best. 

MC: You'll win for sure since you're so good at this. 

Inami: ... 

I stopped talking when I got absorbed by his big jade eyes. 

MC: Um... Inami-kun? 

When I finally spoke, he petted my head as usual... Right before he stopped, he slowly bent down. 

MC: ...? 

Inami: MC-chan, um... 

My heart throbbed when he made an unusually serious expression. 

Inami: Once I win... There's something that I want to say. Only to you. 

(Something that he wants to say...?) 

As my heart was becoming noisy, I felt some kind of sweet premonition rising... 

MC: ...Okay. I understand. 

I responded to him with all my might. Then... 

(It's starting...) 

In the castle courtyard, the tough looking men changed into light clothing and gathered around. 

Referee: Now then... Begin!

Right at the same time of the referee's signal, Inami-kun kicked the ball up. 

Audience: Inami-sama! You can do it!

As usual, the ball was being trifled with stability and was in no position to stop. Although, as time went by, most of the participants from the beginning were dropping out. In the end, there was only Inami-kun and one other guy. The match dragged on as they continued kicking the ball here and there... 

MC: Inami-kun, you can do it...!

Inami: !

When I gave him that cheer while gripping my hands, I noticed him giving me a smile. Then... 

Opponent: Dammit...!

The opponent made a regretful look after he missed the ball that Inami-kun kicked it up so high. Right after a moment of silence... 

Referee: The winner, still continuing from last year... Prince Inami!

After the referee announced that, there was an uproar in the area. 

Opponent: Every year, I lose to Inami-sama! I was even training for this year... 

Inami: Yeah, it's true that I was strong last year. But, that was because I've been doing a fair amount of training as well. 

Opponent: Really? I've always thought that you didn't have the time to do so, but you do. 

Inami: Actually, I was only practicing a little. Then, I got stronger. ...I had a reason for winning no matter what. 

When Inami-kun looked over towards me, my heart skipped a beat. My heart started going fast as he ran over here. 

Inami: MC-chan!

MC: Inami-kun, congratulations. You were really cool. 

Inami: Yeah, thanks. It's thanks to your cheers that I won. 

Even though Inami-kun said that... 

MC: But, didn't you win last year too? 

Inami: Haha, that's true... 

When Inami-kun suddenly made a soft look... His hand reached out towards me. 

Before I knew it, I was being held against his warm body. 

Inami: I wanted to win this year no matter what. Because you were there. 

MC: Eh... 

Inami: When I heard you cheer for me earlier... That was enough to make me strong... I wanted to show you how cool I am. I seem to have fallen for you. 

My heart throbbed from his sweet calm words. 

MC: No way... 

Inami: No way? Is that what you think? 

I can see my face turning red as it was being reflected in his jade eyes. 

MC: B-But... That's what it seems like to me. 

Inami: Really... Is that the way I've been behaving? 

MC: It seemed that way since you're so nice and close to everyone... 

After I said that anxiously, he smiled troubledly. 

Inami: Everyone, huh? But, isn't that how you think about me? 

He touched my body as he hugged me tightly in his arms. 

Inami: I want to be with just you like this every day. 

MC: ... 

Inami: Being by your side feels comforting and warm. I love you. That's what I wanted to say to you. 

As my hands were against his chest, I felt his fast heartbeat. While feeling really happy, I nodded with my face all red. 

MC: ...Yes. I can see that. 

Inami-kun quietly smiled towards my response... Just like the day when we first met, he suddenly picked me up. 

MC: Inami-kun...!? 

Due to his actions, the people around us started cheering. 

Audience: Inami-sama! Congratulations on your victory!

Inami: Yeah. Everyone, thank you!

Audience: Congratulations to the princess as well!

MC: ...!

I felt embarrassed with everyone looking at me as I was being held up by Inami-kun. Although... 

Inami: Thank you, MC-chan. 

As he was looking up at me lovingly, I couldn't bring myself to tell him to put me down... 

Inami: Hey, come over here more. 

MC: Eh? 

When he said that at that moment, I felt a warm sensation against my cheek... It was a kiss filled with warmth and affection. While my face was turning red, Inami-kun was smiling... Cheers of blessings were thrown at us from everyone in the area... 

Main Story

Moon End