Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Nayuta - Prince of Kaiten - Main Story
Chapter 1 - The Carefree Prince
Kingdom of Hot Springs, Kaiten, October... The spirited town with lined up buildings was crowded with people that were visitor to take baths.
(So many hot spring inns... It feels kind of nostalgic.)
The phantom hot spring village that's famous for curing various kinds of illnesses and injuries...
(I need to hurry.)
I came to this kingdom when I got a request to wake up the prince that has turned into a ring...
......
When a servant showed me in, there was a ring placed on top of a cloth with heavily golden embroidery. With meek expressions, the servants that were looking at the ring were...
(Huh... They're all women?)
All the servants in refined kimonos were all women.
(Somehow, the atmosphere feels strange...)
MC: ...Here I go.
When I pulled myself together, I put my hands together in front of my chest...
Servant: Princess. Pardon me for interrupting, but before you do that...
The servant reservedly handed me a cloth.
Servant: My apologies, but won't you please cover your eyes?
MC: Eh?
As I was in a daze, the servant earnestly bowed.
Servant: Please...
MC: I-I understand.
When I leaned in, I did as I was told and used the cloth to cover my eyes with.
As my vision was covered, I put my hands together and offered a prayer...
??: Mm...
Servant: Oh! His Highness is...!!
??: ...! Did I... go back to normal?
Among the shouts of joy, I heard a man's voice.
Servant: Prince Nayuta! You did...!
??: Uwah! Wait, wait, right now, I should-
MC: ...?
(What's going on...?)
After a while when I heard the man sound so panicked...
Nayuta: Hey? Sorry! Hey, take off that blindfold.
When I took off the blindfold, a man with a mischievous smile was sitting with his legs crossed on top of the futon.
Nayuta: My name is Nayuta. The prince that serves as the head of this hot spring village, Kaiten.
I stared at the two tails that were wagging.
MC: Nice to meet you, I'm...
Nayuta: ...Fuwah.
Before I could finish speaking, he yawned widely.
MC: Ah... Um...
Nayuta: Ah! Sorry. I couldn't help myself.
When he looked at me with a friendly smile, I couldn't bring myself to speak anymore...
Chapter 2 - The Scent of the Sun
When I became captivated by Nayuta-san's friendly smile...
Nayuta: So, you're name is?
MC: Ah...
As Nayuta-san was sitting with his legs crossed, he smiled at me.
MC: I'm MC.
Nayuta: I see. Thanks, MC.
Servant: ...Your Highness... What a relief.
Nayuta: Everyone, I must've made you all worried.
When Nayuta-san got up, he looked around at the servants one at a time.
(Still... There's really nothing else, but women.)
I looked around the room that was filled with just women and...
Nayuta: There aren't a lot of men in my household.
MC: Eh...
Nayuta: Even though my household has a long-life span, men are rarely born. So, I've been taken care of so dearly. Well. Hey, hey, don't cry in front of our guest. Sorry, MC.
As the servants were unable to hold back their tears, Nayuta-san smiled troubledly at them.
(What a mysterious smile... I just end up looking at it.)
As I was looking at him absentmindedly, his face suddenly approached me.
MC: ...!
Nayuta: You have a nice scent. You smell just like the sun.
MC: U-Um...
When he took a sniff of my nape, I stiffened up before I knew it.
Nayuta: Pardon me. I'll show you around my kingdom, so come with me.
Without listening to my response, Nayuta-san aimlessly headed towards the exit. With the peculiar scent of hot springs lightly drifting, I got a somewhat warm feeling inside me.
(What a strange person...)
As his tail was wagging happily, it made Nayuta-san look like a cat...
......
Along with Nayuta-san, we arrived at the hot spring village.
Nayuta: Here.
Without touching me, he held out his hand to me.
///Choices///
- Silently take his hand (☼)
When I took that hand, Nayuta-san looked at me softly.
Nayuta: Your hand is warm.
- Be perplexed (☽)
As I wasn't sure if I should take his hand...
Nayuta: Come on, put it here.
He grabbed my hand.
///Choices///
When I suddenly became surprised, my heart throbbed loudly.
Nayuta: Ah, the sun feels really nice. I feel like taking a nap. Even though I was thoroughly sleeping.
While looking up at the sky, Nayuta-san stretched out in comfort.
(He really is like a cat.)
Nayuta: What's wrong?
MC: ...! Nothing.
Nayuta: Even though you were smiling?
When he said that, I quickly pulled my cheeks.
MC: Uh, it's a nice village.
Nayuta: It's a phantom hot spring village after all. Not anyone can get in easily.
As I tilted my head tot eh side, Nayuta-san cleared his throat once and continued talking.
Nayuta: There's an immigration check. I inspect the guests to see if they really have to be here necessarily. Since we have rare hot springs that can cure illnesses. For generations, we, the nekomata household, have managed this place.
(Nekomata...)
As he was making a composed look, his two tails wagged.
MC: Ah... So, that's why you have two tails.
Nayuta: Haha. So, that's what you were curious about.
MC: Eh?
Nayuta: Isn't it usually the ears? Or why just the tails? Or does he have a cat form? I've been asked all kinds of questions like that though. You're an interesting person.
His tails happily wagged.
MC: Then, do you... have a cat form?
Nayuta: Hmm? Showing my cat form is embarrassing. A human android with the power of a nakomata! Or something like that. But, I only show my tails because they're convenient!
MC: Ah. Then, the blindfold from earlier was...
Nayuta-san lightly nodded in embarrassment.
Nayuta: ...It's because I don't show my cat form to guests.
At that moment, I felt a ticklish sensation touching my knee.
MC: ...!
When Nayuta-san's tail touched my knee, I trembled.
Nayuta: Haha, how cute.
His mischievous smile gave me a ticklish feeling. Along with a faint gentle feeling spreading, my cheeks became warm...
Chapter 3 - Lovesickness
As the faint scent of sulfur lightly stimulating my nose... My cheeks became warm from Nayuta-san's tail touching my leg.
Nayuta: Are you mad?
When he looked at me worriedly...
///Choices///
- ...No, I'm fine (☽)
MC: No, I'm fine.
Nayuta: Your face is red. But, it's nice since that reaction makes you more honest than everyone.
(...Everyone, does he mean the servants?)
- I was a little surprised (☼)
MC: I was... a little surprised.
Nayuta: Sorry! It usually does that.
(Usually...?)
///Choices///
Nayuta-san said that loudly to make that question go away.
Nayuta: Let's go! I'll take you to all kinds of hot springs!
......
Since then, we went somewhere that's slightly further away from the village. There was a comforting rippling sound of water coming from the small river that was flowing in the forest.
Nayuta: That's a hot spring too.
MC: Eh...! I thought it was a river.
Satisfied from my reaction, Nayuta-san spoke.
Nayuta: It's said that Kaiten is filled with hot water. That's the reason why there are all kinds of hot springs. They can cure illnesses instantly! Well, that's only a rumor though.
MC: Aren't they used for all kinds of illnesses?
Nayuta: That's correct. ...Well, even though I want to say that. There are some things they can't cure.
Despite that Nayuta-san was smiling, seeing the side of his face was making my heart ache for some reason.
Nayuta: But, well... As the prince, I can't help, but accept that.
MC: Nayuta-san...
Nayuta-san slowly turned towards me. There was a majestic look in his eyes.
Nayuta: There are a lot of people that need the hot springs in this kingdom. I watch over the hot springs to make sure that they're making most of the people better properly.
(So, he can make that kind of face too...)
My heart suddenly became noisy from looking at his serious expression. Then, he showed a smile once more...
Nayuta: Okay. Let's go to the next one.
His warm hand held mine casually.
Nayuta: I'll take you to a hot spring that you'll surely like.
MC: ...Okay.
I couldn't take my eyes off his constantly changing expressions...
......
The next place that we went to was an open-air bath that was surrounded by nature.
Nayuta: Okay! We've arrived.
There was white fog around the hot spring that was surrounded by hot water. When I slowly placed my hand in the water...
MC: ...It feels nice.
It felt nice as the sleek and warm water warmed up my fingertips.
Nayuta: Do you like it?
MC: Yes! Very much.
The warmth that I felt from my fingertips healed me up completely.
Nayuta: This is a hot spring that works on lovesickness.
MC: ...Love?
Nayuta: That's right. The thing that girls are interested in the most.
(Love, he says...)
Those words made my heart noisy. When I looked next to me, the sunlight that was coming down from the sky shined on Nayuta-san. Within the light, Nayuta-san softly smiled...
Nayuta: Want to go in together?
MC: Eh!?
Nayuta: No?
Nayuta-san asked me that as if it was nothing. As white steam was rising from the hot spring, Nayuta-san showed a somewhat charming smile...
///Choices///
- Say nothing (☽)
MC: ...
Unsure on how to respond, I became silent.
Nayuta: You really don't want to? I was joking though.
As he made a disappointed smile, his tails went down.
- I'm sorry (☼)
MC: I-I'm sorry. That's too sudden...
Nayuta: Just kidding, I was joking.
With a carefree smile, his tails happily wagged.
(A joke...)
///Choices///
Nayuta: Sorry. I couldn't help myself since your reaction was so refreshing. Okay, I'll take you to the next hot spring.
When Nayuta-san got up beside me, he started walking.
(A joke... Huh... What is this feeling?)
While holding back the strange hazy feeling, I followed Nayuta-san from behind...
......
After that, Nayuta-san showed me all kinds of hot springs.
Nayuta: Which hot spring did you like?
MC: Let's see...
The hot spring that works on lovesickness came to mind.
(Does it really work though?)
Before I knew I knew it, I was looking at the side of Nayuta-san's face as I was walking beside him.
(What am I thinking...)
Just as I was about to turn away quickly...
Nayuta: Did you like the hot spring that works on lovesickness?
MC: Eh...!
I became flustered when he guessed right on what I was thinking.
Nayuta: I knew it. That's what girls like. Not just the guests, but all the kingdom's servants too.
(Everyone...)
What Nayuta-san said made a slight pain run through my heart again for some reason.
(...I wonder why.)
The sweet feeling that was budding within my heart was becoming too much for me...
Chapter 4 - The Person You Like
On the stoney path, our shadows grew...
Nayuta: ...MC?
When he looked at my face, I quickly looked for the words to say.
MC: Ah... Why does it work on lovesickness?
Then, Nayuta-san's expression suddenly stiffened...
Nayuta: ...You want to know?
)Eh...?)
Without hearing my response, he walked feebly.
(Nayuta-san?)
I quickly followed Nayuta-san as his back was facing me...
Nayuta: We can take our time to talk about it during dinner.
After saying that, we walked towards a public bathhouse.
(...Just when I thought he was smiling, he made a serious look. Just when I thought we were getting closer, he slowly distanced himself.)
As I was curious about Nayuta-san, he snatched my heart away completely...
......
We walked through a place that had a red colored setting.
Nayuta: About what we were talking about earlier...
(About the hot spring that works on lovesickness?)
The moment he talked about that topic, Nayuta-san's face turned serious.
(Did something happen...)
Nayuta: The temperature and components of that hot spring are perfect for the skin, so it was originally a hot spring that was good for the skin... Since it was good at making you beautiful and giving self-confidence in love, I called it a hot spring that works on lovesickness.
MC: Ah... So, that's why.
(It doesn't grant anyone love to make them get married firsthand. It makes you more beautiful and gives you the self-confidence that makes your love turn out well...)
MC: I see...
While finding it hard to understand, I said that.
Nayuta: Huh?
Nayuta-san made a surprised look.
Nayuta: That didn't disappoint you?
MC: ? Yes...
Nayuta: I see.
With a hand on his chin, he looked at me with great interest...
Nayuta: That's a new reaction. Most people become disappointed.
MC: What do you mean?
Nayuta: Most people thought that entering the hot spring would grant them love.
(Come to think of it, I thought of that too at first.)
MC: ...I'm sure that you can't do anything about lovesickness yourself. Still, I think the effects that the hot spring holds are nice.
Nayuta: ...
After hearing my words, Nayuta-san made a gentle look.
MC: Um...
Nayuta: Is there someone you like?
My heartbeat became fast from that sudden question.
(...Someone I like.)
In front of me, Nayuta-san was looking at me. As the sun was shining on his face, his beauty took my breath away.
MC: ...There isn't.
After thinking, I responded with that.
Nayuta: What? I thought there was. Then, how about me?
MC: Eh...
My heartbeat increased greatly.
///Choices///
- Is that... a joke? (☼)
MC: Is that... another joke?
When I tried asking that with all my might, Nayuta-san suddenly made a serious look...
Nayuta: Which do you think it is?
As he was looking at me, he made an unusual smile.
- Be silent (☽)
MC: ...
(Why did he say something like that?)
Nayuta: Don't you think I'm pretty fun?
When he showed a bright smile, my heart became noisy.
///Choices///
As I was unsure if he was joking or being serious, I couldn't bring out the words.
Nayuta: It doesn't matter if we've just met. Like this.
Nayuta-san slowly closed the distance between us.
Nayuta: ...
At a breathing distance, Nayuta-san's face was getting closer...
MC: ...
The moment I closed my eyes tightly, I sensed Nayuta-san backing away.
Nayuta: Come on, let's go eat some food.
The next moment, Nayuta-san was already walking half a step apart from me.
(He was... joking again. I'm only being toyed with by Nayuta-san's words this whole time...)
Although, I couldn't bring myself to hate him no matter what. The feeling that was budding within my heart was only getting bigger...
Chapter 5 - The Feeling of Parting
When the moon has risen in the night sky... Nayuta-san escorted me to my room.
MC: Today... was fun.
Nayuta: I had fun too.
My heart felt pain again from Nayuta-san's innocent smile.
(I... Just as I thought.)
As I was looking away from his face, his tail entered my vision as it was lightly wagging.
Nayuta: Hmm?
MC: Ah, uh...
///Choices///
- I want to have a tail too (☽)
MC: I want to have a tail too...
Nayuta: If you did have one right now, what would it be like?
MC: I think it would wag around like yours.
Nayuta: That sounds nice!
- It's such a nice tail (☼)
MC: I was just thinking that it's a nice tail.
Nayuta: Oh, you were thinking that?
MC: Yes.
Nayuta: Even though people don't understand it, it's really convenient.
///Choices///
His two tails started to wag happily even more.
Nayuta: See you tomorrow then. I want to hear more about you.
After saying that, his tail coiled around my arm so smoothly.
MC: ...!
When I suddenly became surprised, he looked as if nothing had happened.
Nayuta: Well, goodnight.
As he left, I watched him from behind in a daze.
(What was that... just now?)
The sweet numbness that I got from the sensation of his soft tail took hold of my heart...
......
When I tried to close my eyes underneath the futon, I only thought about Nayuta-san.
(What do I do, I can't sleep.)
No matter how much I closed my eyes, I could only think about his various expressions...
(Even though I've only spent one day with him.)
-Flashback-
Nayuta: It doesn't matter if we've just met. Like this.
-Flashback-
(How did I become charmed by him this much...)
While thinking of him, the sleepless night went on...
......
The sunlight that was shining in from the window brightened up the room... When I opened my heavy eyelids, it was completely sunny outside.
(...I fell asleep without realizing it.)
As I got up with a yawn, something lightly fell.
(What's that?)
When I picked it up and looked at it, it was a note from Nayuta-san.
"You looked so comfortable that I didn't want to wake you up. Once you're awake, let's meet up again."
(Nayuta-san was in my room...!?)
The smile of the aloof Nayuta-san entered my mind.
(He... saw my sleeping face, didn't he?)
I instantly became embarrassed. As it felt like I was being controlled by these feelings, I started to get ready to go out in a hurry...
......
Once I prepared myself, I hurried to where Nayuta-san was...
??: Thank you so much.
An old lady that was bent down shook hands with someone as tears were going down her face.
(Is that... Nayuta-san?)
The man that had his back facing me was Nayuta-san.
Nayuta: I'm glad that you're healthy enough to walk too, Ma'am. Be careful on your way back!
After the old lady bowed many times, she left. Nayuta-san waved at her until he was unable to see her.
(Nayuta-san looks really happy.)
As I was staring at him, my eyes met with his when he turned around.
Nayuta: Ah, morning!
MC: Good morning. Did that old lady come here to take a bath?
Nayuta: That's right.
Nayuta-san turned towards the old lady that left.
Nayuta: Like that, sending people off from this kingdom is what makes me the happiest. It's sad, but I'm happy.
Just like what he said, his expression was a mix of pain and joy...
MC: Nayuta-san...
Nayuta: That's why I want to make a lot of memories with you.
(Eh...?)
Nayuta: Enough that'll make you remember them even after we part. I can't leave this kingdom after all.
Nayuta-san's words pierced my heart.
(The people that visit this kingdom... They'll always leave someday.)
The slighlty cold breeze made his hair flutter sadly.
(Including me...)
Nayuta: Now then, where shall we go today?
Before I realized it, Nayuta-san's tail softly touched my arm...
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