Ouka - Prince of Hourai - Moon End

Ouka - Prince of Hourai - Moon End

Chapter 7 - Time Approaching

When Ouka-san went to bed again, I haven't been able to see him as the days passed. 

(I... I wonder if there's anything I can do.) 

I blamed my own cowardice as I stood in front of Ouka-san's room. At that moment, a maid came out of his room. 

MC: U-Um... Is Ouka-san okay...? 

Maid: Yes... I think. 

The maid looked at me with a confused expression. 

MC: His fatal illness... What kind is it? 

Maid: ...

MC: I'm... I'm worried about Ouka-san. 

I ended up saying how I felt. When I remembered his beautiful fleeting smile, I became overwhelmed. 

Maid: The reason why Ouka-sama is in pain... Isn't because of a serious illness... It's a curse. 

MC: A curse...? 

At that moment, a servant came out of Ouka-san's room. 

Servant: MC-sama... Ouka-sama is calling for you. Would you come in? 

MC: ...! Yes!

(A curse... What does that mean?) 

After hearing those heavy sounding words, uneasiness took hold of me. While trying to hold down those feelings, I walked into Ouka-san's room... 

Chapter 8 - Just a Small Wish

-Flashback-

Maid: The reason why Ouka-sama is in pain... Isn't because of a serious illness... It's a curse. 

MC: A curse...? 

-Flashback-

With uneasiness holding me, the sliding door to Ouka-san's room opened... 

Ouka: MC-san... 

When I entered the room, Ouka-san got up halfway as he softly smiled. 

Ouka: MC-san, you must've been worried...!

Just as he said that, he started to cough roughly. 

MC: Ouka-san...!

I supported him when I got next to him. When sweat was seen on Ouka-san's head as he was coughing, the servant faced me. 

Servant: Ouka-sama! I knew it... MC-sama, my apologies, but today... 

Ouka: ...I'm okay. 

Servant: Still!

While grasping his chest, Ouka-san said that with certainty in his eyes. 

Ouka: I need to talk to MC-san. About... my curse. 

Servant: Ouka-sama... 

After saying that, the servant followed his order. 

Ouka: My apologies... But, I want to be alone with her. 

Servant: ...Understood. Still, please don't push yourself again. 

Ouka: ...Thank you. 

The servant left the room with a worried look. Then, it was just me and Ouka-san. 

MC: Ouka-san... By curse. 

Ouka: ...

When Ouka-san quietly smiled, he gradually began to talk... 

Ouka: Before I was born, Father was in love with a woman other than Mother. Although, that love was opposed by those around them... Because of the situation and their social statuses. It all couldn't be accepted because of the circumstances. 

Ouka-san said that as he clenched his fist. 

Ouka: Father too... He just lets go of that love so easily. That woman got mad when Father betrayed her, so she casted a curse on me when I was born. 

MC: That woman is... 

Ouka: The shaman, Shiju. 

MC: Shiju-san is...!

Surprised at the same time, I remembered when I asked about Shiju-san with Ouka-san. 

(So... That's why he avoided talking about Shiju-san.) 

MC: So, the curse... What kind is it? 

Ouka: If I fall in love... I'll die by the curse. 

Ouka-san looks at me with a sad smile... 

Ouka: I... I have fallen for you. 

MC: ...!

(Ouka-san loves me...?) 

My heart started going fast after he said that. 

Ouka: The curse's effect... It's coming in now. 

(No way... What he said... is doing that kind of thing.) 

While feeling both happy and sad at the same time, it felt like my heart was being split in two. 

MC: ...

Feeling uneasy, I looked down. 

Ouka: ...I knew it. 

Ouka-san gently placed his hand over mine. 

Ouka: You're making that sad face because of this conversation... It's like what i thought. But, I wanted to tell you. 

Ouka-san held my hand strongly. 

Ouka: Please don't make that kind of face. If you could... I want you to smile. 

As his hand was holding mine gently, I nodded. When I showed Ouka-san a smile, tears came out. 

(No matter what... He's a kind person.) 

Ouka: Won't you stay by my side... 

My fast heartbeat and the budding feelings inside me made it clear. 

(I want to stay by his side too...)

Just as those words were about to come out, I frantically swallowed them down. 

(I don't want Ouka-san to disappear. I want to be with Ouka-san...) 

The conflicting feelings caused my chest to tighten. When I was caught by Ouka-san's gaze, I gave him a smile with all my might... 

Chapter 9 - The Determination of the Scattered Flowers

Ouka: Won't you stay by my side... 

With Ouka-san's hand on mine at the moment, I was about to answer him. Then...

??: Ouka.

A dignified voice shook the room's atmosphere. When we turned towards it, the sliding door opened and the king appeared. 

Ouka: Father... 

Ouka-san said that frailly. The king continued to speak. 

King: Ouka, I'm sorry. Because of me... 

After hearing that, Ouka-san smiled sadly. 

Ouka: There's no need for you to apologize. 

When he whispered that, he looked down as if he was hesitant to say that. The moment when Ouka-san opened his eyes again, there was a hidden determination within them. 

Ouka: Won't you forgive me for being unable to inherit of what's left of you and protecting this kingdom? 

King: By that, you mean...? 

Ouka: I chose to live for feelings towards MC-san. 

Ouka-san held me gently. 

Ouka: Please, MC-san... Won't you stay by my side? 

When he asked me that again, I've decided not to lie about my feelings. 

MC: ...

As he looked at me, I quietly nodded. 

Ouka: ...! Thank you. 

After bowing deeply to the king, I looked up at Ouka-san. 

MC: M-Me too, I feel that way towards you as well...

Feeling happy wholeheartedly, Ouka-san smiled. 

??: So, you have fallen in love... Ouka-dono. 

Suddenly, a soft, yet deeply raged voice was heard in the room... 

Last Chapter - The Indigo Curse

??: So, you have fallen in love... Ouka-dono. 

With a frigid anger appearing in the atmosphere, Shiju-san was there. 

King: S-Shiju! Why are you here...!? 

Shiju: You felt the feelings of love? Your body should be teraing apart in pain... 

King: Shiju... I'm the one who was terrible to you. Please spare my son. 

The king begged her. When Shiju-san took a glance towards the king, she scowled. 

Shiju: ...How pitiable. 

As Ouka-san turned pale, I stood up to protect him from disappearing. 

MC: Shiju-san... Please. Undo Ouka-san's curse! I'll do anything...!

The moment when I pleaded to her desperately. 

Shiju: ...

(Shiju-san...?)

The next moment, Shiju-san's eyes trembled. 

Shiju: ...There are too many distractions here, so you can't die peacefully. Right, Ouka-dono? 

Suddenly, black smoke appeared and surrounded Shiju-san and Ouka-san. 

Ouka: ...!!

As the smoke went away, the two of them slowly disappeared. 

MC: Ouka-sa...

I quickly tried to grab Ouka-san's hand, but nothing was there. 

Shiju: ...Welcome to the shrine. 

Right before the smoke disappeared completely, that voice slipped into my ears. When I looked around in a panic, the two of them were gone...

......

Transported with magic, they arrived at Shiju's shrine on the hill. 

Ouka: Why... Why would you go so far to take me here? 

When he asked that in pain, Shiju murmured something to herself.

Shiju: This is where we first met. 

As the evening sunlight gently shined on the trees, the wildflowers bloomed sweetly. Ouka gently smiled at Shiju as she was quietly looking at the view. 

Ouka: I... You have my thanks, Shiju-dono. 

Shiju: ...For what? 

Ouka: Thanks to you, I got to know what true love is. 

Shiju's eyes widened greatly...

......

I was breathing heavily as my legs took me to that place. 

(Ouka-san...) 

While looking at Shiju-san's shrine, I continued running. I remembered her expression and voice. 

(I'm sure that... she's not a bad person.) 

For some reason, that's what I think. 

(Once I get past this forest, the shrine should be...) 

At that moment... 

Ouka: MC-san...!

MC: Ouka-san!? 

Once I heard Ouka-san's voice, I looked up. When I saw the black smoke that took Ouka-san again, it slowly cleared up... and there was Shiju-san and Ouka-san standing there. 

Ouka: MC-san...!

Ouka-san unsteadily came over to my side. 

MC: What a relief... You're alive, Ouka-san. 

As I hugged Ouka-san to make sure that he was here, he gently petted my head. 

Ouka: Yes. Even though I have fallen in love with you, I'm still alive. 

While hugging me, Ouka-san slowly turned towards Shiju-san. Shiju-san's gloomy expression was hard to figure out as she was looking over here. 

Shiju: ...Once you fall in love, the curse was supposed to take your life. Even so, you're still okay. 

Ouka: Aside from my feelings towards MC-san have made me live longer, I want my own feelings to bloom freely. 

Just as Shiju-san was about to continue, she gave me a questioning look. 

MC: When I thought that Ouka-san was going to die... My heart felt like it was going to break because of the bitter sadness... But, I was happy when Ouka-san accepted my feelings. If Ouka-san wishes to be together with me... I would like to be with him as well. 

The silent wind made the trees and flowers sway. After some time has passed, Shiju-san spoke. 

Shiju: ...I know. 

When she smiled, she began to chant a spell. 

Ouka: ...!

Ouka-san strongly held me. 

(Could that be the curse...!?) 

The next moment... 

Ouka: ...!

A gentle light surrounded us. 

(Pretty...) 

Then, when the light disappeared... 

Ouka: ...!? 

MC: Ouka-san...? 

After life has returned to Ouka-san', who was just pale, he was breathing rapidly. 

Ouka: Could it be that the curse was... lifted? 

Shiju: Wrong... I casted a curse. 

When Shiju-san said that, she turned around and started walking. 

Ouka: Shiju-dono, please wait!

Just as Ouka-san called out to Shiju-san, she looked over her shoulder and softly spoke. 

Shiju: This is where he vowed his love... It made me happy. 

(Shiju-san...?) 

Shiju: You two have vowed your feelings here, but if either one of you goes back on them... Death will fall upon the both of you. 

Shiju-san turned around and smiled. 

Shiju: Aside from fearing the curse... It would be nice if you lived for all of eternity. 

After saying that, Shiju-san was nowhere to be seen. 

Ouka: ...Shiju-dono. 

Ouka-san bowed deeply towards the area where Shiju-san disappeared from. After he raised his head, he looked straight at me. There was a strong determination dwelling within his eyes... 

Ouka: ...MC-san, it seems like we both have been cursed. 

MC: Ouka-san... 

Ouka: Thanks to you, I'm happy that I was able to get my wish. I vow... that my feelings of love towards you would never change... for all of eternity.

As we looked at each other, we smiled. It'll be okay, even if this lovely curse doesn't get lifted for life. 

The dawn sky looked very beautiful as it shined. It felt as if it was a sign about our future from here on... 

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