Kanoto - Prince of Kuyou - Main Story

Kanoto - Prince of Kuyou - Main Story

Chapter 1 - Sudden Touch

Calendar Kingdom, Kuyou... 

Around the time January was approaching, deep within the forest at a spot where the sunlight isn't really shining in... Kanoto-san had just woken up on top of the soft grass and slowly got up. 

Kanoto: Mm...? 

As his half-awake eyes were teary, they sparkled like all the shiniest things in the world altogether. The elegance of his beautiful looks made me forget to blink as I was staring vacantly at him. 

(Pretty...) 

I became captivated by his beautiful eyes as the sunlight shined on them through the trees. 

MC: ...

As it felt like they were taking hold of my heart, my shoulders shook. 

Kanoto: ...Mother? 

(Eh...?)

When Kanoto-san got up with shaky steps, he walked over here. 

Kanoto: Ah...

Kanoto-san stumbled when he tripped on a slightly big rock. 

(Oh, no...!) 

When my body moved by reflex, I held up Kanoto-san. I felt his beautiful figure through the kimono he was wearing.

Kanoto: ...

At that moment, Kanoto-san touched my chest by accident. 

MC: ...!!

Although, as Kanoto-san's hand was on my chest, there was no sign of him moving it. 

(W-W-Why?) 

As I was feeling really confused, I was unable to resist...

Kanoto: ...Just like what I heard. Women are soft...

When he murmured those words that were filled with curiosity, I didn't feel any ill intent at all...

Chapter 2 - First Time Seeing a Woman

In the forest during the calm early afternoon...

(W-Why...!?) 

As Kanoto-san's hand was on my chest, I became perplexed... 

Kanoto: Hey, where else is soft on a woman? 

MC: ...Eh? 

He finally removed his hand from my chest, but I was so shaken up that I was unable to speak well. 

(Just what is with Kanoto-san...)

Just as I blinked, a man in the same kind of kimono as Kanoto-san ran over here in a panic. 

??: Kanoto-sama! Are you all right...!

The man that was a servant seemed to have understood everything from just looking at me. 

Servant: Kanoto-sama must've done something rude...! My apologies, MC-sama. It's because you're the first woman that Kanoto-sama has ever met. 

MC: Eh...? 

Unable to believe that just now, I said that softly. 

Kanoto: You, a woman... You're different from Mother... 

Servant: The Rooster Clan has a male lineage and the wife of the late master has doted on Kanoto-sama. He's been raised within the castle and has never gone outside this whole time... Which is why he has resulted to this now. Even so, he's quite ignorant of the world... My deepest apologies. 

When I took a glance at Kanoto-san, he was smiling innocently at me. 

(It's true...) 

Servant: As thanks for saving him, we'd like to invite you to our kingdom, would you like to come? 

MC: Yes. If that's what you want...

Servant: Then, I'll formally get in touch with another servant... 

Kanoto: Please come. 

Kanoto-san invited me with a bright cheerful smile. 

(I'm surprised, but... It makes me happy that he's being straightforward like this.) 

My heart was a little noisy from what happened so suddenly, but I nodded in agreement...

......

Then, a few days later, when I accepted the formal servant's invitation, I headed to the town of the Calendar Kingdom, Kuyou. 

Kanoto: MC...

When Kanoto-san greeted me in the hallway, he was a little different from when we met before. 

MC: It's been a while, Kanoto-san. 

Kanoto: Y-Yeah. 

Instead of being bold like the first time we've met... Right now, he was acting like a child that was playing hide and seek as he was hiding behind a servant and was looking at me bashfully. 

(Is something wrong...?) 

Kanoto: About before, um... I'm sorry. I heard that I shouldn't be touching you. Mother told me that. I just thought that... you were like Mother. 

(Ah... He's embarrassed by that. How cute.) 

Him reflecting on that made me break into a smile. 

MC: It's okay, I was surprised at first, but I'm not worried about it anymore. 

My words made Kanoto-san's eyes brighten up. 

MC: Thank you for inviting me today. 

Kanoto: You're a good person... I want to talk to you more. It makes me happy. 

He finally appeared from behind the servant... 

(Kanoto-san... He probably has never talked to a girl before.) 

In the reassuring moment, I remembered how I was the one that was feeling a little nervous. 

Kanoto: Hey, can we talk? 

MC: ...Sure. Then...

(...What should we talk about?) 

///Choices///

- Do you like confections? (☽)

MC: Do you like confections? 

Kanoto: I love them. Especially the sweet ones. 

MC: Me too. We're the same then. 

Kanoto: Yeah, the same. 

- Do you like animals? (☼)

MC: Do you like animals? 

Kanoto: Yeah, I do. But, I'm not that good with them since they can be scary. 

MC: Same here. 

Kanoto: In that case, I'll help you. 

MC: Thank you. 

///Choices///

Kanoto-san's long eyelashes trembled as he smiled brightly. I became captivated by his beautiful face that was like a stolen work of art. 

(He really is beautiful...) 

After that, we were talking and then... Suddenly, Kanoto-san's soft hair swayed when he jumped into my arms. 

MC: ...!

He smelled fluffy and sweet like candy. 

Kanoto: I like you. 

T/N: DAAAAWWWW X3

Kanoto-san murmured that like a tiny bird chirping. Before I knew it, I pulled my hand back just as I was about to pet his head. 

(Would that... be rude? But, he's so cute that I want to pet him... He's like a baby bird.) 

As Kanoto-san's fluffy hair swayed, he looked at me with his pure beautiful eyes. His straightforward kind words and innocent touch warmed up my heart... 

Chapter 3 - Like a Baby Bird

When Kanoto-san became attached to me like a baby bird as he talking to me... 

Servant: My apologies for interrupting your conversation. If you'd like, you should go check out the town of Kuyou. 

Kanoto: I see! I'll take you there. 

(Eh, even though he's never gone outside of the castle...) 

MC: Kanoto-san, are you okay with going outside? 

Kanoto: I'll be fine. Since you were coming here, I learned about the town. 

After the servant looked at Kanoto-san worriedly, he handed him a map. 

Kanoto: I received a map... Don't worry. I want to see your happy face. 

Kanoto-san tightly gripped the map proudly. 

(He was studying... for my sake.) 

MC: Then, where should we go? 

Happy about Kanoto-san's feeling, I said that at the spur of the moment. 

Kanoto: The forest where we first met. It's really beautiful, so let's go there. 

Kanoto-san happily proposed that. I...

///Choices///

- I'll be in your care (☼)

MC: That sounds nice. I'll be in your care then. 

Kanoto: I'll do my best to take you there. 

I broke into a smile from that determined look. 

- I'm looking forward to it (☽)

MC: I'm looking forward to it. 

Kanoto: Me too. 

When we smiled at each other, I felt a warm air drifting between us. 

///Choices///

Once we left the castle soon after, we were amazing by the town that was overflowing with energy. In the beautiful streets that had tilted rooftops, the people that were going back and forth had lively expressions. 

(It looks like the entire town is filled with excitement...) 

When I looked at Kanoto-san, he got lost as he was looking around the area. 

Kanoto: Huh? Here? There? Where? 

As he compared the area around him with the map, he furrowed his brow troubledly. 

(Could it be that he doesn't know how to read a map...) 

MC: Kanoto-san, can I see the map too? 

Kanoto: Yeah! Sure. Here. 

MC: Thank you. The fastest way to get to the forest... It's like we're on an adventure.

Kanoto: An adventure! That sounds like fun. Let's go. 

His confused face from earlier instantly turned lively. 

(His expressions are constantly changing, how cute.) 

When I thought of that as I opened the map, I carefully checked our current location and our destination. 

(To get to the forest from here, we take the path on the left...?) 

As we started walking, Kanoto-san followed me from behind. 

Kanoto: This way, huh? 

MC: Uh... 

Kanoto-san stopped walking at the exact same time that I stopped. 

(How cute... It's like having a newborn chick following me from behind.) 

Feeling happy, we continued walking down the path...

......

After walking for a while, a cold wind suddenly blew and made me shiver. Although... 

(Ah!) 

When the strong wind flipped up my skirt, I held it down in a panic and... 

Kanoto: Are you cold there? 

Kanoto-san asked me that with a curious look. 

MC: ! I-I'm fine.

Kanoto: Hmm. But, you're moving around. Are you wearing something under there? 

As Kanoto-san became curious about my skirt, he showed no signs of shame when he grabbed the hem of it. 

MC: ...!

I held Kanoto-san's hand in a panic. 

Kanoto: ...? 

He looked at me blankly with a completely innocent face... 

MC: That's... a shameful thing to do. 

I told him that as gently as I could. 

Kanoto: Ah, I'm sorry... Did I do something again? 

Kanoto-san immediately pulled his hand away and tilted his head to the side. 

Kanoto: Am I ignorant of the world? 

MC: Eh...? 

Kanoto: Hinoto-nii and Kanoe-nii told me that. It's the result of being raised so dearly... That's what they said. Is it true? Am I a bad child? 

///Choices///

- You're a good child (☽)

MC: You're a good child. 

Kanoto: Really!? 

MC :Yes. You're doing your best to learn after all. 

- You're not bad (☼)

MC: Even though you were raised dearly, you're not bad... 

Kanoto: Is that true? 

MC: Yes. It's fine since you're learning all sorts of things about the world like this. 

///Choices///

Kanoto: I want to know more. If I do, will I be a good child even more? I don't want to cause you any trouble. 

MC: ...!

As he looked straight at me, there was a ticklish feeling in my heart. 

MC: From here on, let's make you learn some more. 

Kanoto: You're right. Let's do that. 

The moment I became surprised by his breathtakingly beautiful smile... 

MC: ... 

A cold wind blew again and made me shiver.

Kanoto: Oh, no!

Kanoto-san held my hand in a panic. 

(...Eh?) 

Kanoto: If we do this, you won't be so cold. 

His pale hand was surprisingly warm... 

(There's a tightening feeling in my chest for some reason...) 

MC: ...Okay. 

Then, we started our adventure again and headed to the forest while holding hands. It felt like the warmth from Kanoto-san's hand was protecting me from the cold wind...

Chapter 4 - The Order of Festivals

As Kanoto-san and I were on our way to the forest, the hustle in town started to become louder. From what I can see, people were busy as they were running all over the place. 

(What's happening?) 

MC: Is something going on? 

Kanoto: Yeah, there is!

When I asked that, Kanoto-san happily answered. 

Kanoto: It's the New Year's Eve festival. A ceremony for the end of the year. The role for it changes alternatively among the 12 clans. That's how it's been arranged. 

(So, there's a big festival for the end of the year.) 

Kanoto: This year, it's the the Sheep Clan, Hinoto-nii. Next year is the Monkey Clan, Kanoe-nii. And then, it'll be me. 

MC: So, it's almost your turn. 

Kanoto: Yes. I've been staying in the castle a lot. But, I'm going to study and practice for the ceremony. 

Kanoto-san made a serious look that he's never shown before. 

Kanoto: I'm from the Rooster Clan after all. I've been looking forward to thinking about what I should do for my own generation. 

Kanoto-san had a proud look on his face as he said that. 

(He looks a little mature... It's making my heart race for some reason.) 

MC: It's still early, but... I would love to see the festival that you'll be in charge of. 

Kanoto-san became a little embarrassed from what I said and softly spoke. 

Kanoto: Thank you. I don't know about the outside of the castle, but you made me learn about a lot of things. I'm glad that I met you, MC. I'm sure that with you around, I can manage the festival in the upcoming year. 

(With me around?) 

When I blinked repeatedly from those sudden words...

///Choices///

- I'd be happy to help (☼)

MC: I'd be happy to help. 

Kanoto: You are. Even now. 

When he said that confidently, I felt my cheeks becoming warm. 

- I want to help you (☽)

MC: I want to help you. 

Kanoto: You are. Even now. But, I'll be even more happy if you do more. 

When he said that sweetly, my heart tightened from his cuteness. 

(If he says it like that, it'll make me want to give him something...)

///Choices///

Kanoto: Right now, I'm still insufficient. I need to know more. I want to know more. 

His passionate feelings in his faltering words were conveyed to me. 

(Even though he's a cute boy, he's a splendid prince on the inside.)

Kanoto: I'll do my best. 

I was unable to look away from his clear eyes that were looking straight at me. 

MC: ...Yes. 

As I was receiving his determination, I returned a smile. Then, Kanoto-san softly smiled. 

(Pretty...) 

When I looked at that face, my heart pounded even more...

Chapter 5 - Where...?

As Kanoto-san and I were on our way to the forest... 

Kanoto: MC... What's this? It's round and warm. 

MC: This is... baby castella*? I think? 

T/N: Mini cakes that are made in takoyaki pans

Kanoto: Baby castella? ...Ah, and that? 

MC: That's... 

Curious about the town, every time Kanoto-san became interested in something, he asks me a question. As Kanoto-san was being cute like that, we ended up making a lot of detours...

......

In the end, the veil of night arrived before we got to the forest and the paper lanterns all over town were starting to light up. 

Kanoto: Then, do you like sweets? 

As we were walking, I continued answered Kanoto-san's questions. 

(Is he curious about me? Or is it because I'm the only woman that he's ever met for the first time?) 

MC: Let's see. I become happy when I eat them. 

Kanoto: Happy...? 

MC: Yes... My heart becomes warm and gets filled with a happy feeling. 

Kanoto: That's... I know about it. 

MC: Eh? 

Kanoto: I become like that too. Even now. 

Kanoto-san's eyes started to shine like an opened jewelry box. 

Kanoto: Looking at you makes my heart race. Why? 

(That's...)

Kanoto: Why is that? 

Kanoto-san innocently tilted his head to the side. The tips of his fluffy and soft looking hair swayed. 

MC: ...That's...

As I was unsure on how to respond, I hung my head down...

///Choices///

- Love...? (☽)

MC: It's probably because... of love. 

Kanoto: Love? 

(W-What do I do...?) 

As I was troubled on how to answer him, my cheeks became warm. 

- Stay silent (☼)

MC: ...

Kanoto: MC? 

MC: I'm sorry, I don't know how to answer that... 

///Choices///

Kanoto: Is it troubling you? 

MC: ...

Unsure on what to say, I was unable to raise my face easily. 

(What do I do... How am I supposed to explain the feelings of love...) 

Once I finally figured it out and looked up, Kanoto-san that was just in front of me has suddenly disappeared. 

MC: Eh...

I looked around in a panic, but he was nowhere to be seen. 

MC: Kanoto-san!!

As I shouted that, I walked around the area for a while, but I couldn't find him at all. 

(What do I do... Since he doesn't know the streets well... I'm sure that he's feeling scared right now.) 

When I thought of that, I was unable to sit still. 

(What if he went ahead to the forest by himself...) 

With that idea, I immediately headed to the forest... 

When I finally arrived at the forest, it looked different at night than in the daytime. The cold atmosphere creeped up my feet as the cries of unfamiliar animals echoed from afar. 

(Scary... But, I'm sure that Kanoto-san is scared more.) 

After I thought of that, I proceeded to move my feet that were frozen from fear. 

MC: Kanoto-saaan! Kanoto-saaan!

As I called out his name, it disappeared into the darkness of the deep forest. In the dark forest, I could only rely on the light of the lit paper lantern. 

(What do I do...) 

The moment uneasiness was beginning to spread within my heart... 

MC: Ah!

Just as my foot slipped on a rock that had a pile of fallen leaves on it, I fell off from a cliff... 

Sun End

Moon End