Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Subaru - Prince of Kuyou - Main Story
Chapter 1 - The Beastlike Man
Calendar Kingdom, Kuyou... Along with the verdant leaves rustling, I could hear the cheerful voices from the lined-up shops in the bustling street. When I received an invitation from the royal Tigar Clan, I came to visit their territory.
(What a nice lively town.)
As I was looking around, I walked towards the castle...
Townsman: Eek!
From a nearby alley, a man was kicked against a bunch of wooden boxes and rolled into the street.
??: You bastard! Try pulling the same stunt again and I won't be just taking you down!
Hearing that angry shout that was like a beast's roar made me tremble.
(W-What!?)
??: Move, you're in the way.
When I nervously looked up at the figure that was hidden in the back...
MC: Subaru-san...?
Over there was the prince of the Tiger Clan, Subaru-san. When his bright fiery eyes noticed me, they softened up a little.
Subaru: Hm? Come to think of it, you're...
MC: Ah... I'm MC.
Subaru: I know. Why are you here?
When he said that menacingly, I found myself forgetting to respond as I looked at him and at that moment...
Townsman: You violent prince!
After the man that rolled over here just a while ago said that, he ran off.
Subaru: Huh? Weren't you the one that was scared after falling over!
Subaru-san shouted that in annoyance towards the man that was running away.
Subaru: ...Tsk, who'd want to use their fists on someone like you?
His murmur that was like a beast's growl made me tremble before I knew it. As I was left there with him, I tried to think of a way to speak to him...
Chapter 2 - Sharp Gaze
The angry voice that was heard in the area disappeared among the bustling voices in town...
Subaru: ...That guy was quick to escape.
After Subaru-san murmured that with a stern expression, he started picking up the wooden boxes that fell over. Then, I saw some kind of cut on his hand.
MC: Ah, Subaru-san...
Noticing that blood was going down his arm, I ran towards him, but...
Subaru: Don't come any closer.
MC: !
When he looked at me with a sharp gaze, my feet stopped.
Subaru: Traumerei... What are you doing in a place like this?
MC: Ah... I received an invitation from the king.
When I answered unsteadily, Subaru-san furrowed his brow deeply.
Subaru: ...My old man. Geez, what was he thinking?
(Could it be that me coming here is an inconvenience?)
Just as I looked up to get a response from him, his gaze was sharp as usual...
Subaru: A princess like you shouldn't be wandering around so carelessly in a place like this. Don't you know that?
MC: I-I'm sorry.
When I ended up apologizing, Subaru-san furrowed his brow even more. Trying to gloss things over, I frantically searched for the words to say...
///Choices///
- Did something happen? (☼)
MC: Um, did something happen?
Subaru: It has nothing to do with you.
- The cut on your hand... (☽)
MC: Um, the cut on your hand...
Subaru: Huh? This sort of thing isn't a big deal. Don't worry about me.
///Choices///
Just as the distance between us became distant again, it left a regretful feeling in my heart.
Subaru: ...Tsk, just hurry and go someplace else.
As I wasn't moving, I watched Subaru-san disappear into the alley.
(He left.)
After I watched him disappear in a daze, a woman approached me worriedly.
Townswoman: Are you okay?
MC: Ah... Yes.
Townswoman: Honestly, he shouldn't have said something like that. He always gets too absorbed in fights whenever he comes to town. Just what is wrong with our prince?
MC: Prince Subaru does that a lot in town...?
Townswoman: Yes, brawls like that have been happening aimlessly in town. Since there's been an increase in bandits lately, we need to prepare ourselves.
MC: Bandits, you say.
I tilted my head to the side from the word that didn't match with the lively crowded town.
Townswoman: Yes. You should be careful too.
With that, the woman gave me some candy and returned to her shop.
(Lots of brawls, huh...)
-Flashback-
Subaru: ...Tsk, who'd want to use their fists on someone like you?
-Flashback-
(I never thought of him that way, but...)
Right now, I couldn't forget about Subaru-san being so rough. When I looked at the alley that he disappeared into, the silent darkness looked over here...
Chapter 3 - The Way of the Tiger
The scent of bamboo was lingering up towards the faint evening sky... Once I've arrived at the castle, I was walking down the hallway with a servant that was giving me a tour.
??: Subaru, did you cause another disturbance again?
(Subaru-san?)
Just as I heard that name, my feet stopped near a sliding door that was open carelessly.
Subaru: If that's why you called for me, then I got nothing to say to you.
In the room, Subaru-san has yet to notice me as he was looking at the man.
King: Hold it. I've told you that you need to cut it out and be more aware as a prince.
Subaru: ...Huh? I've told you this before. I don't have what it takes to be a prince, so I don't care about taking over the throne.
The way he murmured that self-mockingly sounded somewhat painful.
(Why would he say that...)
As I wasn't moving, Subaru-san noticed me just as he was about to step out.
Subaru: ! You were here?
MC: Y-Yes. I was given a tour just now...
Subaru: Tsk...
He looked away from me uneasily and walked past me quickly.
MC: Ah...
Before I could continue speaking, Subaru-san left with loud footsteps. Changing positions, the stern man showed his face from inside the room.
King: If it isn't the Traumerei Princess. I was unaware of your arrival and ended up showing you such an improper scene.
MC: No, it's okay.
King: My son may have a foul mouth, but he's really not a bad person. Please don't think too badly of him.
MC: ...Okay.
After I said that, I looked towards the path where Subaru-san left at. Instead of thinking that he was scary, I felt sad from what he said earlier...
(I'm kind of curious...)
MC: Um... If it's all right, can I talk to him for a bit?
Surprised by my request, the king blinked many times.
......
The leaves that were floating on the surface of the pond wandered around aimlessly while swaying. After I went around the hallway, I went out into the courtyard and there was Subaru-san at the corner of the garden.
Subaru: ...
Ahead of his gaze was some kind of engraved stone monument that was standing there. As he was looking at it seriously, I became hesitant to speak to him...
(How should I speak to him?)
///Choices///
- Watch him for a bit (☽)
(It'd probably be best if I don't bother him...)
Subaru: ...Hey, how long are you going to be standing there?
His golden eyes that were focused on the stone monument were looking straight at me.
- Speak boldly (☼)
MC: Um, Subaru-san...
His golden eyes that were focused on the stone monument were looking straight at me.
Subaru: Huh? What do you want?
///Choices///
Subaru: ...Do you need something?
Despite his sharp words, he looked at me while waiting for my response.
MC: Um, I wanted to talk to you for a bit, Subaru-san.
Subaru: Talk to me?
He frowned, but it made me feel more uneasy than uncomfortable.
Subaru: ...I see.
After saying that, he went back to looking at the stone monument.
(He didn't tell me to leave... So, I guess it's okay for me to stay here.)
Accepting that, I walked up next to him and looked at the writing on the stone monument.
MC: "Swing your fists for the weak. That is the way of the strong noble tiger"...?
I read the words that were written on it out loud. Trying to understand what that meant, I looked up at Subaru-san questioningly.
Subaru: ...These words have been passed down throughout my clan.
After a short pause, Subaru-san gave in and explained.
///Choices///
- They must be important (☽)
As he looked at the stone monument softly, his emotional attachment towards it was conveyed to me.
MC: They must be very important to you, Subaru-san.
Subaru: ...I wonder about that.
- They're nice words (☼)
(Using your strength to protect the people as a royal... That's what it means.)
MC: They're nice words.
Subaru: ...You think so?
///Choices///
As he quietly looked at the stone monument, a warm breeze blew past us and made Subaru-san's hair sway lightly.
Subaru: Our royal clan has been told to follow these words.
(That's why, at that time...)
-Flashback-
Subaru: ...Tsk, who'd want to use their fists on someone like you?
-Flashback-
(I don't know everything about the situation at that time, but... At the very least, Subaru-san was intending on carrying out what was written on the stone monument.)
I felt happy from understanding him a little...
Subaru: ...These words are irrelevant to me.
MC: Eh?
Just as he murmured that, Subaru-san glared at the stone monument. As it felt like he was showing what was in his heart, the gentle breeze suddenly became stronger...
Chapter 4 - Clenched Fists
-Flashback-
Subaru: Our royal clan has been told to follow these words. ...These words are irrelevant to me.
-Flashback-
(Even though Subaru-san is the prince of the Tiger Clan...?)
It felt like Subaru-san's words were carrying his pain. When a gust of wind blew, it made the rows of bamboo sound sad.
///Choices///
- Did something happen? (☽)
MC: You think... they're irrelevant, did something happen?
Subaru: ...You're unexpectedly bold.
- Irrelevant, you say... (☼)
MC: Irrelevant, you say... I don't think that's true.
Subaru: Ha, you sound like you know everything.
MC: That's not what I'm...
///Choices///
Even though I said that without any hesitation, Subaru-san didn't seem to be angry... He narrowed his eyes as if he was remembering the distant past.
Subaru: ...Before I would follow these words. But... I couldn't bring myself to hurt someone with my fists.
Subaru-san looked at his own clenched fists vexingly. His hands that were filled with strength were trembling...
(Could it be that he hurt someone?)
I could feel Subaru-san's pain from his fists.
Subaru: I can't become someone that stands above people for this clan.
(That's why he says they're irrelevant, it's because he can't follow them. But, for the clan... He was thinking about the people that live in this land...)
Just as I thought of that, I felt that I understood Subaru-san a little as I was standing next to him.
(Subaru-san was thinking about other people, he's such a kind person.)
Subaru: ...What?
When Subaru-san looked at me suspiciously, I looked straight back at him.
///Choices///
- I've misunderstood (☼)
MC: ...I've misunderstood you, Subaru-san.
Subaru: Misunderstood? I don't get it, but now that you know, don't come any closer to me.
MC: No, that's not what I meant.
- I'm happy about knowing that (☽)
MC: I... I'm happy that I got to know something about you, Subaru-san.
Subaru: Huh? You... Weren't you listening to me?
MC: Yes, of course.
///Choices///
As he was looking at me with a sharp gaze, my shoulders were no longer trembling nor flinching.
MC: Subaru-san... You don't want to hurt the people of this territory nor anyone else.
Subaru: ...
(When we first met in town... I thought he had some kind of reason. Right now, I don't think that Subaru-san is the kind of person that would hurt someone.)
MC: You're so kind, Subaru-san.
When I told him how I felt wholeheartedly, I looked at him as he was being quiet... Looking like he was giving in, Subaru-san smiled a little.
(...He smiled.)
Subaru: ...Ha. You're the first person to have ever said something like that to me.
His eyes showed a gentle kindness that he's never shown before... As he was showing that smile, I felt a sweet disturbance in my heart...
Chapter 5 - Walking in the Poor Town
In the clear sky and long branches and leave, birds were singing while frolicking around. One day, I left the room that I was staying in and went to see the town.
(The weather is nice, so I might as well go take my time to see the town.)
While walking down the hallway with high hopes, I noticed a robust person walking ahead of me.
MC: Subaru-san?
When I called out to him, his tied-up hair swayed as he turned towards me.
Subaru: You.
Subaru-san furrowed his brow as I was smiling at him brightly.
MC: Hello.
Subaru: ...Are you going somewhere?
MC: I thought about looking around town after this.
Subaru: ...
As he was silent, he looked like he was thinking about something curiously...
MC: If you'd like, want to come with me?
Subaru: Huh?
(Ah... Maybe that was too sudden?)
///Choices///
- If you have time (☼)
MC: If you... have the time to.
Subaru: It's not like I don't...
- Never mind (☽)
MC: I'm sorry if that was too sudden. So, never mind.
Subaru: I didn't even say anything. Listen to me closely.
///Choices///
As Subaru-san was thinking with his gaze wandering around, he lightly sighed.
Subaru: ...Guess it can't be helped, I'll go with you.
MC: Are you sure?
Subaru: I won't be able to bear letting you wander around in such a strange place like before.
(Could it be that he's worried about me?)
Subaru: Let's go.
As I felt his awkward feelings, I followed him from behind...
......
Just like the first time I came to town, it was lively and was making me feel excited from just walking. While following Subaru-san from behind, we went through the crowd of people that were coming and going and some bamboo ware that were set up in front of a shop caught my eye.
MC: The Tiger Clan sure has a lot of shops that deal with bamboo merchandise.
Subaru: ...That's because we're in the remote countryside. Also, this area has a lot of bamboo forests.
After he said that, I understood as the breeze that carried the refreshing scent of leaves caressed my cheek.
MC: ...So, that's why there's such a nice scent all over town.
When I took a deep breath, I heard a soft laugh from beside me.
Subaru: That's not something to care about much.
(Did he... laugh just now?)
Just as I thought of that, Subaru-san looked at me softly, but... Due to the sunlight that was shining down, I couldn't see his expression well.
MC: Um, is there a shop that you would recommend, Subaru-san?
Subaru: ...I'm not sure if it's something a girl would like.
MC: Then, if there's a shop that you like, let's stop by there for a bit.
Then, just as I was about to start walking...
Subaru: Tsk, wait.
His large hand touched my wrist and stopped me softly.
Subaru: If you're fine with ornaments, then let's go to that shop over there.
MC: Eh?
Subaru: But, you'll be choosing things yourself.
After he lightly clicked his tongue, he started walking ahead quickly.
MC: Okay...!
His rough and awkward kindness gave me a ticklish feeling...
Chapter 6 - Holding His Hand
By the time the sun went down as we were looking around town, a long shadow was casted onto the ground... As I held up the hair ornament that I bought, it's wavelike braid made it understandably beautiful.
MC: I can see why you would recommend it, Subaru-san. Everything in that ornament shop earlier was all exquisite.
Subaru: ...I see.
Despite his blunt response, I was sure that he was happy a little...
(He knows the town well, so he must take very good care of the territory. But...)
In each shop that we stopped at, everyone would become scared when they're talking to Subaru-san that it made me uneasy.
-Flashback-
Townswoman: He always gets too absorbed in fights whenever he comes to town. Just what is wrong with our prince?
-Flashback-
(Even though he's a kind person, why do they think of him that way...)
The townspeople's reactions to one side of him that they only knew of made me sad.
Subaru: Hey, are there any other places that you want to go to?
MC: Ah, uh...
Just as I noticed that we were apart, I quickly ran over to him and at that moment...
Townsman: Move it!
MC: !
When a man carrying some luggage forced himself through from the front, I was about to move out of the way. Then, a strong hand suddenly pulled my shoulder.
Subaru: ...
When I landed on his robust chest, a light refreshing scent tickled the tip of my nose.
Townsman: Watch where you're going!
After hearing that angry shout, I flinched, but...
Subaru: Huh?
When he responded angrily, he sounded menacing above my head.
Townsman: ...A-Anyway! Be more careful next time!
Shrinking back, the man carrying luggage disappeared into the backstreets.
(Could it be that... Subaru-san was protecting me just now?)
Subaru: Geez, you shouldn't be so absentminded on the roadside.
When he slowly lets go of me, I felt his worried gaze.
///Choices///
- Thank you (☼)
MC: Thank you.
Subaru: You don't need to thank me. Geez, you're so helpless.
- I'm sorry (☽)
MC: I'm sorry.
Subaru: Don't be so quick to apologize. It's not like I'm mad or anything.
///Choices///
After sighing exasperatedly, Subaru-san looked towards where the man ran off to.
Subaru: More importantly, that guy...
When he narrowed his eyes as he murmured that, his expression became even more stern.
MC: Do you know him?
Subaru: ...No, it's nothing. Don't worry about it.
After saying that, Subaru-san looked towards the alley...
(I wonder what's wrong...)
Just like when we first met, his golden eyes made a sharp look like a beast's...
Add comment
Comments