Kaede - Prince of Hourai - Sun End

Kaede - Prince of Hourai - Sun End

Chapter 6 - Setting a Smile Free

Art Dealer 1: Prince Kaede is running dry.

Art Dealer 2: It's a such a struggle for an artist to mature their own talents, so it wasn't that beautiful.

Art Dealer 1: It's a futile resistance for an artist with dried up abilities if they can't create beautiful things. 

When I overheard the art dealers' talking about Kaede-san's art as if they have given up on him by chance, my lips trembled in frustration. 

MC: Um... 

Just as I was unable to take it and was about to catch up with the art dealers, someone grabbed my arm from behind. 

MC: !

When I turned around in surprise...

MC: Kaede-san...!

(No way... Did Kaede-san hear their conversation too just now...!?) 

MC: Kaede-san... 

(What do I do, even though it's so troubling...) 

MC: I... No matter what other people say, I think your art is wonderful! Like that painted folding screen, it's really nice. So... 

Overflowing with bitter feelings, I told him how I felt desperately and... 

Kaede: You don't have to make that face. 

MC: Eh...

Suddenly, Kaede-san gently caressed my face. 

Kaede: It's okay, I know. On the contrary, hearing the truth like this somehow makes me feel refreshed. Also, I got the Traumerei Princess' approval. 

Showing no signs of arrogance, Kaede-san made a smile that had a fighting spirit in it and nodded at me. 

Kaede: I'm going to look back into creating speechless works of art. 

MC: ...Okay!

When he made a bright refreshing smile that was free from all doubt... My heart skipped a beat a little...

Chapter 7 - The Ring's Light

While he was making a genuine piece of art, Kaede-san hasn't shown himself in front of me until the next day in the early afternoon... 

As a cold breeze made the red tree leaves scatter around gently, it stirred up sad feelings... 

(Kaede-san... You can do it.) 

Holding back that sadness, I continued thinking about Kaede-san...

......

By the time the sun was going down, I hurried to Kaede-san's room when he called me over. 

Kaede: Right now, I'm going to show you two pieces of art, so let me hear your thoughts on them. 

Kaede-san said that more seriously than usual with a stern look. 

Kaede: First one is this.

Kaede-san unravels a hanging scroll that had a painting of flowers and birds on it in front of me. 

MC: Uh...

(I wonder if I should tell him my honest opinion...) 

When I felt how serious he was being, I became hesitant to speak as I became even more nervous.

Kaede: You don't need to hold back. I want to hear your honest thoughts. 

MC: Okay... 

(It it'll help Kaede-san...) 

MC: This painting... When I'm standing in front of it, I feel... a strong gentleness. It's like how children are reaching out towards the sky so innocently...

Kaede: ...I see. Then, how about this one? 

Kaede-san showed me one more piece of art. 

MC: This one is... It's beautiful, but I feel a cold sense of rejection... It's scary. 

Kaede: I see... The first one I showed you was something I got so immersed into making completely. The other one I showed you was something I made from the pain I've been feeling lately...

As Kaede-san was thinking carefully with a meek expression, I looked at him uneasily and...

Kaede: Yes... I think I understand. 

MC: !

(That's good...) 

Just as I became relieved, Kaede-san looked at me. 

Kaede: You're... No, it's nothing. 

MC: Kaede-san? 

When he averted his gaze from me, Kaede-san smiled amusingly. 

MC: Could it be that you're teasing me as usual? 

When I said that as his smile was making me happy... 

Kaede: It's not like that. 

Kaede-san's beautiful eyes narrowed mischievously. 

Kaede: But, right now isn't the time to be talking about it. 

MC: What do you mean? 

Kaede: You want to know? 

Suddenly, Kaede-san's face approached me. 

Kaede: ...Shall I tell you? 

His face was getting closer to the point where I could feel his breath. 

MC: ...

As my heart was being very loud, I waited for him to continue his words, but...

Kaede: It's a secret. 

Just as he whispered that in my ear, Kaede-san's face suddenly backed away.

Kaede: Your face is like an autumn leaf. 

When I looked at Kaede-san as he chuckled with a smile, my face turned red even more... 

Since then, Kaede-san has shut himself in his work room and before I knew it, 3 days have passed...

Kaede: It's still not complete, but... 

After he said that as I went into his room, there was a beautiful painted folding screen that had the feeling of a bright light.

MC: This is...

Kaede: What do you think? 

When Kaede-san asked me that with a slightly more nervous look than usual, I was silent. Once I cleared my throat, I told him my thoughts. 

MC: It's really... nice... I have no words to explain it...

Kaede: I see... It's the light that your ring holds. 

MC: Eh... Mine? 

Kaede: I wanted to show everyone the light that I saw from the moment you woke me up. 

MC: I see... 

When I became happy about the theme was something that ties both me and Kaede-san together, I felt myself becoming emotionally moved. 

Kaede: I'm thinking about displaying this in the art exhibition. 

When I looked up at the painted folding screen, Kaede-san made a very bright and gentle smile...

Last Chapter - Feelings That Can't Be Formed

-Flashback-

Kaede: I wanted to show everyone the light that I saw from the moment you woke me up. I'm thinking about displaying this in the art exhibition. 

-Flashback-

A few days later since then...

Then the day of the art exhibit has finally arrived...

Art Dealer 1: Kaede-sama's painting this time is very wonderful!

Art Dealer 2: It stands out from all the others' works that are on display. 

When Kaede-san's painting that was highly praised by the art dealers was bought, it was given the highest price in the art exhibit. 

(That's good...) 

I watched Kaede-san from a distance as he was surrounded by a large crowd that were complimenting him. 

Kaede: ...

As Kaede-san was responding to the spectators, he's been moving his gaze around as if he was looking for something from the start. 

(Kaede-san? I wonder what's wrong...) 

At that moment, his gaze stopped at me. 

Kaede: So, this is where you were. 

Kaede-san walked towards me as he pushed through the spectators. 

Art Dealer 1: Ah, Kaede-sama. We were still in the middle of discussing your next work...!

Ignoring the art dealer that tried to stop him, Kaede-san arrived in front of me. 

MC: Kaede-san, um...? 

Kaede: This place is too noisy. Let's go. 

MC: Eh...

Kaede: Just come with me. 

When he pulled my hand forcefully, Kaede-san left the venue gallantly...

......

Kaede-san took me out from the venue and brought me back to the castle courtyard. It felt like we were in a world that was different than the noisy venue as there was a peaceful silence around us. 

Kaede: ...We can finally enjoy our time like this. 

When Kaede-san sat down on the porch, he sighed. 

Kaede: Continuing to force myself to smile in a place like that is so annoying. 

MC: But, is this okay, Kaede-san?

(Even though Kaede-san is today's star...) 

As I was worried, Kaede-san looked at me and narrowed his eyes in annoyance. 

Kaede: I gave them what they wanted to see, but that doesn't mean I'm going to go along with their pointless flattery. ...Or could it be that you have an ulterior motive in driving me away because you want to be alone? 

MC: ! ...I wasn't thinking that... 

When I quickly said that in return, Kaede-san made a wry smile. 

Kaede: ...Looks like it can't be helped. 

MC: Eh? 

Kaede: I was going to tell you until the art exhibition was over, but... I'm not good at these sorts of things... 

I was surprised from how unlikely it was for Kaede-san to be making an embarrassed expression. 

MC: Kaede-san...? 

Kaede: But, I can't run away from something important. 

Just as Kaede-san said that, he got up and stood right in front of me. 

(He's so beautiful...) 

His russet-colored hair shined brightly with the sunlight on it. When I looked at Kaede-san again, I became captivated by his handsome appearance. 

Kaede: ...I wanted to thank you this whole time. Thank you.

When he looked at me with a gentle gaze that I've never seen him make before, my heart skipped a beat. 

MC: That's... I didn't do anything that you should be thanking me for. 

As I felt my cheeks getting warm, I averted my gaze from him. 

Kaede: ...Even though I was able to confront my own troubles because I had you with me? Thanks to your support, I was able to get out of a slump. Even if you're trying to be modest, saying that you didn't do anything is a pretty excessive thing to say. 

MC: Eh...

Kaede: Besides, don't your words of denial increase the more I spend time with you? 

MC: I'm sorry...

Kaede: Geez, that wholehearted honesty of yours is what makes me envious. 

Just as I thought Kaede-san was going to sigh exasperatedly...

MC: ...!

Before I knew it, Kaede-san hugged me in his arms. 

MC: Kaede-san...? 

When the sudden action surprised me, I looked up at Kaede-san as he was looking down at me with a heated gaze... 

Kaede: In other words, what I want to say is... ...Well...

MC: ...?

As Kaede-san's gaze wandered around, he became hesitant to say his next words. This was the first time I've seen Kaede-san losing his composure and acting all anxious like this.

(Yet, somehow...) 

MC: Kaede-san? Your face is red, are you feeling unwell?

When I said that without thinking... 

Kaede: You sure are ridiculously oblivious... It's your fault that my face is red. 

Even though he was blaming me, he was glaring at me as there was a gentle look in his eyes. 

Kaede: I'll take as much time as I can to express my love to you, even if it makes me embarrassed.

MC: ...By love...

Kaede: Can't you tell what I'm saying? I love you. 

MC: ...!

With my face all red, I became speechless as I looked at Kaede-san. What lies beyond Kaede-san's embarrassed expression was his slightly mischievous, honest and straightforward love. 

Kaede: Ah... Dammit. 

After Kaede-san spat that out, he strongly hugged me. 

Kaede: Even though putting my feelings into shape was my specialty... I can't... do it right. 

MC: Kaede-san...

Kaede: If I get into another slump, it'll be your fault. 

MC: That's... ...Mm!

Just as I was about to respond back, he covered my lips with his own. 

(It's warm...) 

When our lips slowly parted, Kaede-san smiled as his face was red. 

Kaede: That won't happen... Since I'll be feeling some inspiration from here on. 

Once again, he placed his lips over mine. As the comforting autumn breeze swayed around us... Feelings of love were clearly blooming in my heart...

Main Story

Moon End