Rufus - Prince of Trugville - Main Story

Rufus - Prince of Trugville - Main Story

Chapter 1 - Tired of Waiting for the Princess

Around the time when MC and the others stopped by in a small town after leaving Kaiten*...

T/N: Nayuta's kingdom

In a plaza that was overflowing with lively voices, Rufus was standing still like a shadow. Rufus' hair swayed from the wind that was blowing gently. 

Rufus: ... 

While watching some kinds enjoying themselves as they paid no mind to him, he fiddled with a book out of boredom. Curious about Rufus, one of the boys ran up to him. 

Boy: Mister, what are you doing? 

Rufus: I'm waiting. For a princess. 

Boy: A princess!? 

Rufus: Yes, who knows if the kind princess that can't leave people alone will come get me. 

Boy: Eh~? She'll come! Isn't she kind after all? 

Being look at with pure eyes, Rufus smiled with a sigh. That smile suddenly turned into something distorted... 

Rufus: Then, let's play a game. If the princess does come here, it's your win. 

Boy: Okay! She will come!

Rufus: Who knows? If you lose... 

When Rufus placed his hand on top of the boy's head, he gently combed through his hair. A black mist slowly oozed out from his fingers... 

......

Touched by the charming atmosphere of the town, I felt at ease a little. Shaking off that feeling, I looked for Rufus. 

(Where could Rufus have gone off to?) 

Even though I know that we've become allies, not having him within my sight makes me uneasy. At that moment...

Boy: Okay! She will come!

When I heard a cheerful voice, I turned towards it. Then, I saw Rufus smiling at a boy. 

MC: Rufus? 

When I spoke to him, Rufus narrowed his eyes amusingly. 

Rufus: Ahaha... Too bad, I lost. 

The moment the wind made the plants sway... I saw a black mist faintly lingering in the air... 

Chapter 2 - A Date as an Apology

Rufus: Ahaha... Too bad, I lost. 

As the sunlight shined through the swaying trees, it vaguely bordered around Rufus' face... 

(Just now, I thought I saw some black mist...) 

Although, when I strained my eyes, I saw nothing, but the clear sunlight that was shining down. 

Rufus: Come on, get going already. 

Rufus whispered that gently as the pushed the boy's back. 

Boy: Bye!

Once the boy went past me, he joined in with the other children. 

MC: That boy was? 

Rufus: Who knows, he just came up to me on his own. I was playing a game with the kid to kill some time. 

(Rufus playing with a child...) 

Surprised, I looked at the children that were running around merrily. 

///Choices///

- What kind of game? (☽)

MC: What kind of game? 

Rufus: A game where I take someone's dream if the princess doesn't show up... I guess? 

MC: !

- I'm surprised (☼)

MC: I'm surprised... 

I ended up saying that honestly... 

Rufus: I have 3 younger brothers*, what's so surprising about that? Well, I already forgot about the times I've played with them though. 

T/N: Adam, Ivan and Cyril

///Choices///

Enjoying my reaction, Rufus squinted his eyes. 

(I wonder what he's thinking of.) 

Wanting to know how he feels, I looked at him and... 

Rufus: So? Did you come out here looking for me? 

MC: ! T-That's not what I was... 

Taking in the words that diminished as I was saying them, Rufus' face suddenly got closer to me. 

MC: Uh... I couldn't find you, so I was wondering what you were doing... 

Rufus: Like I could be having fun by beating up somebody again? How mean. Even though I said that I would be your ally. 

MC: I'm sorry... 

When I apologized while feeling guilty, Rufus placed his hand on my waist and strongly pulled me towards him. 

Rufus: Since you've hurt my feelings, go on a date with me. 

MC: Eh...? 

Rufus: It's fine, right? Won't you feel troubled and uneasy if I just disappeared? 

He slowly traced my lips with his long index finger. 

MC: L-Let go of me...

When I tried to get away from him in a panic, I couldn't move an inch... As I stirred around, Rufus grinned amusingly. 

Rufus: In that case, stay with me. I won't disappear on you if I have you in my clutches like this. 

As Rufus said that, I felt his warm breath on my cheek. Just as I hung my head down, I saw a book that he was carrying around his waist. 

MC: That's... 

Rufus: ...

(It's Tell-san's book...) 

-Flashback-

Avi: Rufus, take this. 

Rufus: ! This book... Come to think of it, I was going to read it. 

Avi: Here's a message from Tell, "I'll be waiting for your thoughts". 

-Flashback-

MC: ...Were you reading it here? 

Rufus: Then, let's go. 

Instead of answering my question, Rufus walked off. As I was unable to shake off everything that happened up till now, it all felt unreal... While I was surprised from how soft he was being right now, he pulled my hand... 

Chapter 3 - Searching for Something Beautiful

With Rufus pulling my hand, we arrived at a street that was filled with stalls... Passing through the lively voices, the two of us continued walking aimlessly. 

MC: Rufus, where are we going? 

Rufus: Where to, I wonder? As long as I'm with the princess, I can go anywhere. 

(He's avoiding the question again...) 

Before I knew it, I squeezed his hand that was holding mine... Looking unhappy, Rufus looked at me over his shoulder. 

Rufus: Let's see, how about we "look for something beautiful"? 

MC: Look for something beautiful... 

(I heard something like that from Lawrence's story in the book that Tell-san handed to us...) 

-Flashback-

Gerald: "Demon, I will find something that's more beautiful than the princess!"

-Flashback-

MC: Did you finish reading Tell-san's book? 

Rufus: More or less. But, I didn't get it. Someone having a loving heart and being happy until they die. Is that sort of thing even possible? 

MC: I don't think Lawrence was that happy. He was happy from meeting someone that he loved and that was an irreplaceable moment to him... 

Rufus: ...Pursuing something like that till the very end. 

Thinking of something, Rufus smiled troubledly. 

(Why is he making such a strained expression...?) 

Feeling a faint pain, I looked at Rufus... 

Rufus: Huh? Sweet, they're selling chocolate. 

As if he was avoiding the topic, he pulled me towards a stall that we were passing by. Rufus excitedly started looking at the glossy chocolates that were arranged on a shelf. 

Rufus: There were these kinds too? Wow, awesome. Nuts, milk... Do they all have different flavors? 

Shop Owner: Yes, each flavor is enjoyable. 

Rufus: For real~... Now that you say that, I want to eat all of them. There's even a chocolate drink! Damn... I could live here already. 

As Rufus' eyes were shining from the chocolates in front of him, I... 

///Choices///

- He's like a child (☽)

MC: Fufu... He's like a child. 

Rufus: How can you say that so casually? You really do hurt me. 

- He's kind of cute (☼)

MC: Rufus... He's kind of cute. 

Rufus: ...That's the first time someone has told me that. I don't think any man would be happy being told that. 

///Choices///

Rufus frowned in embarrassment. I could tell that he was feeling embarrassed. 

(To think that he could make that kind of face...) 

When he showed that expression for the first time, I stared at him. Then... Rufus took one of the chocolate samples and pushed it into my mouth. 

MC: ...!

Rufus: Come on, open your mouth. Say, ahh. 

The chocolate that he pushed into my mouth melted sweetly. When he wiped some chocolate off my lips with his finger, he licked it on purpose. 

Rufus: This is my most favorite flavor♪

MC: Rufus...!

Rufus: Ahaha, it's so good. 

(Geez...) 

As he was smiling happily, I couldn't bring myself to get mad at him. I only felt the sweetness of the melted chocolate. 

Rufus: Ah, could this be the first "something beautiful"? 

Rufus held up the glossy chocolate in the light. 

MC: ...Yeah. I'm sure of it. 

As I narrowed my eyes from how bright it was, he looked so pretty that I said that so naturally. 

Rufus: Hey, what do you think is beautiful, Princess? 

MC: Eh? 

When he suddenly asked me that, I... 

///Choices///

- The red heart-shaped chocolate (☼)

In the stall, I pointed at the red heart-shaped chocolate that stood out. 

MC: This heart-shaped chocolate... I guess? 

Rufus: Hmm... This heart-shaped chocolate is nice. Doesn't it feel like it's filled with my love? 

- The candy that looks like glass balls (☽)

When I looked around, there were some round candies that were packed in a bottle sparkling brightly at the front of another stall. 

MC: Those candies that look like glass balls... I think they're beautiful. 

Rufus: I see... Then, shall I feed you these candies? I'll do it slowly until they melt. 

///Choices///

MC: ...Weren't we talking about beautiful things just now? 

Rufus: Ahaha, that's right. 

Just as I was about to hide my warm cheeks with my hands, Rufus grabbed my wrist. The next moment, his face got close to me again. 

Rufus: Tell me more. About what you think is beautiful. Do it firsthand, I want to feel it gently, okay? 

As I got caught by those happy looking eyes, they shined charmingly... 

Chapter 4 - A Mismatched Pair

Rufus: Tell me more. About what you think is beautiful. Do it firsthand, I want to feel it gently, okay? 

When Rufus said that, I looked around town while walking. 

(He told me to tell him what's "something beautiful"...) 

Rufus: Hey, don't hesitate, hurry. Or maybe, are you the kind of person that likes to keep someone in suspense?

When he said that as his hot breath tickled my earlobe, my cheeks became warm again. 

(He's definitely teasing me again...!) 

Feeling stiff, I pulled myself together. Then, I saw various colorful flowers in bloom on the path up ahead. 

MC: Ah... 

(Something beautiful...) 

Rufus: You look like you're about to say that those are beautiful, Princess. 

Pointing at the flowers in bloom, Rufus smiled amusingly. 

(He said it before I could...) 

Feeling a little frustrated, I looked around the area. It felt like the various large and small stalls continued on in the street. 

MC: Let's try going over there...!

I boldly pulled Rufus' hand myself. 

Rufus: Ahaha, you're suddenly aggressive. 

Feeling embarrassed from what he said teasingly, I looked at the stalls that were standing next to each other. Suddenly, at a stall, a decorative lamp that's casting a rainbow-colored shadow with the sunlight shining on it caught my eye. 

(Pretty...) 

MC: Rufus. This... It's "something beautiful". 

I watched the light that was swaying magically. 

Rufus: That? I prefer this.

Rufus pointed at the purple lamp that was hanging next to the one that I was looking at. 

MC: That's pretty too, but I could say that both of them are... 

Rufus: Uwah, our tastes are so different. I'm worried about the future. 

When Rufus said that disappointedly, I looked for another beautiful thing. 

///Choices///

- The golden handiwork (☼)

MC: That golden handiwork is beautiful with the sunlight on it. 

Rufus: I prefer silver. It goes with my clothes. 

- The laced embroidery (☽)

MC: Look, this lace is beautiful too... If you look closely, the thin embroidery of the flower patter looks really elaborate. 

Rufus: You're right, how beautiful. But, I prefer the pattern next to it. 

///Choices///

(Our tastes don't match at all...) 

Unable to come up with an agreement, I took a glance at Rufus and looked at the town again. 

MC: ...The way these vegetables are arranged, don't you think they're beautiful? 

When I pointed at the fresh vegetables that were aligned in front of a stall, I looked at Rufus' face. 

Rufus: Saying something so random won't persuade me. Also, I prefer to eat them. 

MC: I wasn't being random... 

Rufus: Ahahaha! Seriously, it's devastating how our tastes don't match. 

When I watched Rufus laugh amusingly, I smiled too as my shoulder dropped. 

MC: But, it's fun knowing that we don't match up... I guess. 

Rufus: Princess, you really are optimistic. 

Once again, Rufus and I laughed together. As that sound felt comforting, I felt really happy right now... 

......

As the sky started to turn red, bubbles floated up. 

Rufus: Would you call that "something beautiful" too, Princess? 

MC: Yes. They're so beautiful after all... 

Rufus: Then, I don't think they're beautiful. 

When I smiled from that response, I sensed that he was smiling beside me. Feeling the warm atmosphere, we gazed at the bubbles that were swaying in the air for a long time... 

Chapter 5 - Suddenly Revealing the Past

As the sunlight made dark shadows, night was slightly approaching town... While the two of us were walking, children happily ran past us as they were heading back to their homes. 

Rufus: In the past.. I would run around. With Yzak-nii-san. 

MC: Eh...? 

Rufus: Well, that's because I was running away from Yzak-nii-san. No matter what kind of face he would make while chasing me, he would hide the fact that he was having fun. 

As he continued speaking little by little, Rufus looked at the children from behind as they were getting further away. 

MC: What happened after that? 

Rufus: What do you think happened? 

When he asked that in return, I thought about Yzak. 

(Yzak must really worry about Rufus and the others...)

///Choices///

- He must've been really mad (☽)

MC: Did he become really mad? 

Rufus: He had other things to do than getting mad. 

- He would find you right away (☼)

MC: Would he find your hiding spot right away...? 

Rufus: That would've been the case. Yzak-nii-san would know what place I would pick after all. 

///Choices///

MC: ...Why's that? 

Rufus: ...I would hide myself for a long time until it got dark. 

MC: And Yzak...? 

Rufus: He would usually be at home. Everyone didn't pay any attention to me. Mom was bedridden and Adam would collapse quickly because of his condition... Well, I knew what was happening. It was kind of expected. 

Saying that as if it was nothing, Rufus had a smile on his face. 

Rufus: It was boring passing the time back then. 

(I understand, but why...) 

MC: Did you try...? 

Rufus: Try... Try what? 

MC: Uh... Like worrying about them. 

Just as I said those words that I didn't understand myself, I suddenly remembered what happened earlier. 

-Flashback-

MC: He was happy from meeting someone that he loved and that was an irreplaceable moment to him... 

Rufus: ...Pursuing something like that till the very end. 

-Flashback-

MC: Something that Rufus is pursuing... 

When I murmured that, Rufus' feet suddenly stopped.

MC: ...Rufus? 

Rufus: Ahh... I feel like an idiot for saying something so strange. 

MC: Eh? 

As the setting sun casted a shadow on his face, it hid his expression. 

Rufus: Princess, forget about what we talked about just now. I hate it when I'm being pried into. 

MC: ...!

A black mist rose like a heated haze from Rufus' body. 

MC: Rufus...? What's wrong? Did I do something? 

Rufus: ...Not really. I'm feeling a little irritated, so I'm going to go play for a bit... 

(Eh...?) 

At that moment... From within the streets, I heard a child screaming nearby. 

MC: Rufus, that voice just now...!

Although, when I turned around, he was no longer there... 

MC: Rufus? 

The black mist that strongly lingered at that spot sent a chill down my spine. 

(By play, don't tell me...) 

The piercing cry of a dream eater increased the bad feeling that I was getting. 

MC: Rufus!!

Holding back my loud restless heartbeat, I ran looking for him... 

Sun End

Moon End