Vicky - Prince of Ribitt - Sun End

Vicky - Prince of Ribitt - Sun End

Chapter 7 - What I Want to Say

The peaceful sound of the waves stood out even more in the silence between us. As I thought about how Vicky-san feels, I couldn't contain myself. 

(He needs to hear it from Kerota. Because... He was smiling happily like that. Also...) 

Once I resolved myself, I stepped into the lake. 

Vicky: MC? 

MC: Kerota, where are you? 

The water in the shoal of the lake was cold as it made me flinch. Although, I forced myself to look up and headed to where Kerota jumped off to. 

Vicky: MC, come back. You don't need to do something like this. As long as this curse remains, Kerota can't part from me even if he hates it. 

Vicky-san followed me from behind. 

MC: That's... no good!

(Don't say something like that. Kerota is...!) 

MC: Ah...!

Just as I turned around, I suddenly fell into the deep end. 

Vicky: MC!

(It's okay, I can swim...!) 

I moved my hands towards the lake surface, but my clothes became heavy from being in the water that the light became more and more distant. When Vicky-san was following me, he was making a teary expression. 

(Vicky-san, Kerota is...) 

-Flashback-

??: Stupid Vicky!!

-Flashback-

(...So. Please don't make such a sad face.) 

A strong hand grabbed my hand. Then, all I could see was bubbles that were ascending...

Chapter 8 - A Bright Light

When a gentle breeze touched my cheek, I slowly opened my eyes. Within the bright light, someone was holding my hand. 

Vicky: MC!

MC: Vicky-san...?

(I...? That's right, I was going after Kerota...) 

Someone in nurse-like clothes placed their hand on my forehead and left the room. 

Vicky: What a relief...! You swallowed up a lot of water. 

As Vicky-san had his hand on his face, he took many deep breaths. 

MC: Are you okay...?

Vicky: ...I'm not. It's been so long since I've become exhausted from swimming. 

MC: I'm sorry... Thank you for saving me. 

Suddenly, when Vicky-san hugged me, I became speechless. 

MC: U-Um...? 

Vicky: You're so. 

(Vicky-san is... trembling?) 

Vicky: I thought that my heart was going to stop. 

When he said that shakily as his voice was dwindling, I gently stroked his back. When he placed his head on my shoulder, his soft hair tickled my cheek. 

MC: I'm sorry. 

Vicky: ...Why did you do something like that? 

MC: That's...

-Flashback-

Vicky: Well, as for Kerota, he can't part from me even if he wants to.

---

Vicky: As long as this curse remains, Kerota can't part from me even if he hates it. 

-Flashback-

MC: ...It's because you looked so sad. 

Vicky: Me? 

MC: Yes... That's why I wanted to get the truth from Kerota. 

When Vicky-san raised his face, he stared at me. 

Vicky: What do you mean by get the truth? 

When I took a deep breath, I looked straight at him in the eye. 

MC: Kerota is always saying that it's a bother. But, the first time I've met Kerota... During the time you were sealed in the ring... erota desperately called for me to save me. If he really could've been freed from the curse while you were sealed in the ring, he could've gone anywhere else... 

Vicky: Eh...? 

MC: At that time, didn't Kerota go back to your side on purpose? That's why, I... 

Vicky: ...It can't be. 

Vicky-san's eyes trembled. His eyes that had long eyelashes bordering around them slowly turned towards the outside of the window. 

Chapter 9 - At That Moment

Vicky: ...It can't be. Because Kerota has always hated the curse. 

Vicky-san murmured that as if he was speaking to himself. I held his hand and gripped it tightly. 

MC: You're wrong about him wanting to be separated. You're a wonderful person, Vicky-san. Why won't you believe in yourself... or Kerota? 

Vicky: ...!

Vicky-san widened his eyes in surprise... Then, he moved his gaze towards the outside of the room. 

Vicky: Kerota... Kerota, are you there? 

Kerota: ...What do you want, Stupid Vicky? 

When there was a soft voice coming from outside of the room, Kerota showed his face from the door. 

MC: !

Vicky-san silently walked towards Kerota. Then, he stopped in front of Kerota and softly got down on one knee on the floor. 

Vicky: ...This whole time, I've been scared to ask. I... Will I see you even when the curse is gone? I don't want to... say goodbye.

(Vicky-san...!) 

His voice was shaking, but... Vicky-san was looking straight at Kerota. When Kerota sighed deeply, he unnaturally crossed his arms. 

Kerota: I've always been waiting for you to realize that... Vicky, your indecisiveness has always been a pain. I'll always see you whenever I can. Even with the curse gone, we're friends after all. 

Vicky: Kerota...!

When Vicky-san smiled at that moment... The two of them became surrounded by a bright light... 

Last Chapter - The Melody of Blessings

When the bright light slowly vanished among the calm afternoon... 

(What just happened...?) 

The two of them looked at each other in surprise. 

Kerota: ...Could it be what I think it was? 

Vicky: ...Yeah. Kerota, let's go. 

...... 

Vicky: ...Okay. 

Kerota: One, two... Go!!

With that shout as a signal, the two of them started running in opposite directions. 

(The curse is...?) 

Even when Kerota went off far away until we couldn't see him, he didn't go back to Vicky-san's shoulder. 

Kerota: We did it... WE DID IIIITTTT!

Vicky: The curse has been lifted...? 

The two of them ran up to each other and hugged. 

Kerota: But, why? What about the Melody of Blessings? 

(Come to think of it...) 

Vicky: ...I think I got an idea. 

Kerota: What do you mean, Vicky? 

Vicky-san softy placed his hand on his chest. 

Vicky: I... This whole time, I thought that I was alone. 

Kerota: Why? We've been together to the point that we hate it. 

Vicky: Being with you is fun... But, I became sadder than when I was alone. That's because I... thought that you would disappear someday. Since we're together because of the curse, we won't be together anymore when it gets lifted. When I told myself that... I always prepared myself to say goodbye. That it always made it painful for me to breathe. 

Kerota: ...Vicky... 

Vicky: But, when MC appeared, she gave me courage. Then, Kerota. When you said that I was your friend... I didn't feel alone for the first time. It gave me confidence. This is the first time that I've felt at ease. My heart doesn't hurt... The sound of my heartbeat feels so comforting. If I had to name the sound of this heartbeat... 

Kerota: The Melody of Blessings...?

MC: ...!

Vicky-san softly smiled. Although, the next moment, Kerota jumped onto Vicky-san's shoulder and gave him a strong dropkick on the cheek. 

MC: K-Kerota!

Kerota: What the heck, it was something like that! Stupid Vicky! You shouldn't have been so cowardly in the beginning!

After saying that, Kerota gently smiled. 

Kerota: A~ah... All the sounds that are coming together are making me cry... 

Kerota sang one song after another. 

Vicky: Yeah. But, it was fun... 

Vicky-san continued singing beautifully as it resounded in the sky. 

(What a beautiful melody...) 

Vicky: Hey, Kerota, my cheek hurts though. 

Kerota: It's my feelings that are hurt. 

Vicky: What's with that? 

Kerota: That's because I've been hanging out with an idiot for so many years. Owowowowowow. 

Vicky: ...But, we had so much fun. 

Kerota: You... Saying something like that. 

As the two of them were really enjoying talking to each other like when they were singing, I became filled with happiness. 

Kerota: ...Now then. 

Once the singing came to an end, Kerota jumped off from Vicky-san's shoulder. 

Kerota: I'm free~!! Wait for me, beautiful girl froggies~!

After Kerota shouted that, he turned around and went off into the distance. 

(There he goes...) 

Vicky: ...Hey, MC. He didn't say that he would be leaving me, right? 

While looking at Kerota from behind as he was far out, Vicky-san softly murmured that. 

MC: Yes... But, I'm sure that he'll come back soon afterwards.

As we watched Kerota giving a flower to a frog from afar, we smiled at each other. 

Vicky: It'll be okay if he doesn't come back right away. 

MC: Eh? 

Vicky: Because I have something to say to you. 

Vicky-san softly touched my cheek with his long finger. 

MC: ...? 

Vicky: ...Thank you. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have realized it at all. I thought that it was something that I shouldn't have said, but... I wasn't sure if asking him about it would do any good. 

After Vicky-san said that, he kneeled in front of me. 

MC: Um...? 

When he gently held my hand, he softly looked at me as his eyes were filled with self-confidence. 

Vicky: I... This whole time, I've never had any self-confidence. I thought that no one would love someone like me. Before I knew it, I stopped wishing to be loved... I told myself that no one, not even myself would expect anything out of me... But, because of what Kerota... and you told me. I tried believing in myself once more. 

As Vicky-san softly narrowed his eyes... He gently kissed the top of my hand. 

MC: ...!

Vicky: MC... I love you. 

MC: Vicky-san...!

Vicky: I... want to be by your side more. I want you to love me. I would put in the effort to be by your side. ...Is that okay? 

As my heart became noisily fast... I held his hand as a response. 

(I'm happy...) 

When he happily smiled, my chest tightened sweetly. As I listened to that heartbeat, I became very happy... 

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