Vicky - Prince of Ribitt - Moon End

Vicky - Prince of Ribitt - Moon End

Chapter 7 - The Sad Truth

We sat next to each other in silence as there was the sound of the waves. After Vicky-san sighed deeply, he smiled at me. 

Vicky: I wonder if he hates me right now. Like I thought, I'm hopeless. Up till now, Kerota has been enduring it while I was having fun. 

(Like he thought...?) 

Vicky: Or maybe, Kerota felt sad about being unable to stay apart from me. 

(Why is he talking like that?) 

In my mind, I felt the same uncomfortable feeling from yesterday. 

-Flashback-

MC: No... You just seem like a different person from earlier somehow, Vicky-san. 

Vicky: Really? 

-Flashback-

(The times when Kerota was around, he was so reliable... When he's by himself, he has to pull himself together...) 

-Flashback-

Vicky: ...You won't disappear after all. 

-Flashback-

(Could it be that Vicky-san... Did that on purpose...? If he did, then was it because he wanted to make sure that Kerota can't stay apart from him...? But, Kerota...) 

-Flashback-

Kerota: Be grateful to me. You just can't do anything without me!

-Flashback-

I remembered how kind Kerota looked when he said that bluntly. Then, Vicky-san looked at the water surface for a while... 

Chapter 8 - True Face

As the wind made the tree branches shake... I tightly clenched my fist when I looked at Vicky-san's sad smile. 

MC: Vicky-san, why do you think you're hopeless? 

Vicky: Eh...? 

MC: ...You're not. You're not like that, Vicky-san. 

Vicky: MC...? 

MC: You just can't do anything without me, those were the exact words that Kerota said happily. 

Vicky: ...You're so kind. I'm sorry that I didn't take you into consideration. 

Despite that Vicky-san's wholehearted appeal, his smile was looking more sad... 

(That's not what I meant...) 

Vicky: How about we take a little walk for a change of pace? Well, that's what I'd like to say since I can't go off while Kerota's in the lake. I think I saw a tree that's shaped like a snail. Let's go check it out. 

As Vicky-san said that cheerfully, he walked off with his back facing me. 

(I'm pretty sure that's how he hides his feelings.) 

That kindness of his made my chest tightened. Before I knew it, I grabbed the hem of Vicky-san's clothes. 

Vicky: What's wrong? 

MC: I'm happy that you're concerned about me, but... You seem to be a little sad. 

Vicky: Eh? 

MC: People were really happy when you did things for them. It made me think that it was good that you were there. But... When you smile during the most painful times... You don't need to push yourself in order to attend to other people's needs. If you're in pain, just say it... Don't just smile so earnestly. 

Vicky: ... 

MC: I'm sure that's what Kerota thinks too. 

Once I told him how I felt, I looked at him seriously. As he quietly looked back at me, he slowly closed his eyes. 

Vicky: ...I smile during the painful times because I feel hesitant. 

MC: Eh...? 

Vicky: It's because I didn't want to be a burden. I help people to make them happy. 

His heavily soft voice hit me straight in the heart. As I felt his indescribable sadness, I greatly shook my head. 

MC: Don't forsake yourself like that... That's the kind of thing that makes Kerota sad. 

(Including me...) 

As my feelings were about to overflow, I closed my eyes tightly. After a while, Vicky-san gently touched my right hand. 

Vicky: ...Then, just for a little while. Will you pamper me? 

Feeling happy, I slowly nodded. Then, he pulled my hand a little strongly and slightly tilted his head to the side. 

Vicky: ...I can't walk. Give me support. 

MC: Eh? 

Vicky: Just kidding. 

MC: ...!

Vicky-san made his usual smile. The next moment, his smile went down... As tears were about to form in his eyes, he hid them with his long fingers. 

Vicky: ...Thank you. Your hand is so warm. ...Don't look at me. 

He made an embarrassed look as he covered his face. 

(This is Vicky-san's true face...) 

His bangs lightly swayed from the wind. While my heart was being noisy... 

Chapter 9 - Friends

The round lake surface made ripples as fish were picking at the beautiful tree leaves. As we were holding hands, we walked around the lake with the warm wind blowing. 

Kerota: Ah~... Bye bye, beautiful fish-cha~n...!

When we looked over to the side of the lake, Kerota jumped towards us. 

Kerota: ...Seems like I went pretty far. 

Kerota landed on Vicky-san's shoulder and crossed his arms sadly. 

Kerota: Um... Sorry about earlier. 

Vicky: ...Kerota... 

Kerota: I said too much. It wasn't your fault. 

After hearing that, Vicky-san smiled. 

Vicky: Kerota, what are you talking about? 

I looked at him when he hid his sad feelings as usual. 

(Vicky-san...) 

When Vicky-san caught my gaze, he sadly closed his eyes. Then, after taking a deep breath, Vicky-san looked at Kerota. 

Vicky: ...What I really wanted to say is, well, I was putting up with it a little too much... Probably. 

Kerota widened his eyes in surprise. 

Kerota: ...Sorry. 

Then, Kerota gave a huge happy smile to Vicky-san. 

Kerota: Well~, since we've been together for so long, we fight because we're friends!

Vicky: Friends...? 

Vicky-san was surprised as he repeated that word. When Kerota hit his cheek, he spoke up happily with a smile. 

Kerota: Hey, let's go, you two. By the way, when were you guys holding hands? 

MC: Ah...! 

When Kerota looked at us, I let go of his hand in a panic. As the wind touched my cheek, it felt really ticklish... 

Last Chapter - Kerota's Wish

As the beautiful moon was shining, the birds traveled across with their huge wings... 

During our journey searching for the next song, we relied on the stars as we walked in the deep forest. 

Vicky: The next town should be... Over there. 

Kerota: Let me see! You never take us to the right place once!

Kerota took the map from Vicky-san's hand. 

Kerota: ...You're right. 

Vicky: Kerota is so meddlesome~

Kerota: Who's fault is that!?

Vicky: Oh, you want to fight? 

Kerota: You... I don't want to hear you say that so proudly!!

As I watched the two of them talking to each other as usual, I smiled. 

(Vicky-san and Kerota seem to be having fun. But... At this rate, we won't make any progress. I have to change the subject somehow. Ah...) 

MC: What a pretty flower. 

I pointed towards a flower that was high up on the top of a cliff. 

Kerota: What, do you want it? Okay, I'll just jump and... 

Vicky: It's fine, Kerota. I'll do it. Just tell me to "get it". 

MC: Eh, but... It's really high up and it's dangerous because it's dark... 

Vicky-san looked at me as he crossed his arms. 

(Could it be that...) 

-Flashback-

MC: People were really happy when you did things for them.

-Flashback-

MC: ...Please get it. 

When I said that softly, Vicky-san happily smiled. 

Vicky: ...Seriously. You wanting my help makes me happy. 

After Vicky-san said that, he jumped up high and got the flower. 

Vicky: Here. 

MC: Thank you. 

Seeing him smiling happily made me smile as well. When I sniffed the flower at that moment... 

Vicky: MC... 

Vicky-san gently kissed my hair. 

MC: ...!

Kerota: Ooohh... 

When I looked up, I saw that Vicky-san was surprised himself. 

Vicky: Huh? I... 

Vicky-san touched my cheek and then...

MC: Ah...!

There was a bright light surrounding Vicky-san and Kerota. 

Kerota: Vicky! Could this be...!

Vicky: Yeah, Kerota!

(The curse is being lifted...!?) 

As they smiled at that moment, the tremendous scene took our breaths away. 

Vicky: Kerota!

Kerota became slightly transparent and was about to blend in with the dark night... 

Kerota: I see... So, that's what it was. Once the curse is lifted, I'll disappear. 

Vicky: No! Kerota...!

Kerota: Even if you say that... 

Vicky-san desperately held Kerota. 

Kerota: Hey... When I saw you. At that time and place... I was glad. 

Vicky: Kerota! Don't go...! I still want to be with you!

Kerota: ...I see. That makes me happy... Stupid Vicky. 

With those final words, Kerota disappeared from the world... 

Vicky: Kerota...!

Vicky-san looked around and desperately looked for Kerota. 

MC: Vicky-san...!

When Vicky-san fell to his knees, I gently hugged him. 

Vicky: It's no use... 

Although, he gently refused my hand and placed my hand against his face. 

Vicky: I heard that the Melody of Blessings... The moment when I kissed your hair... I realized it. The sound of blessings was... My heart beating from thinking about you... 

MC: ...!

Vicky: Is it because I fell in love...? It's my fault that Kerota is...!

(Is it my fault...?) 

That happy confession only made my heart ache... 

MC: Kerota... 

The next moment, I couldn't stop the tears from falling. When I looked away with tears in my eyes... I saw a necklace at the spot where Kerota was. 

MC: Vicky-san, this is... 

Vicky: This is... 

When I showed the necklace to Vicky-san, he widened his eyes in surprise. 

Vicky: Kerota...? 

Vicky-san looked up at the sky for a while and then, he gently hugged me. 

(Eh...?) 

I heard Kerota's song and listened to it carefully. 

Vicky: Can you hear it too? 

When I nodded, Vicky-san hugged me tightly. 

Vicky: Kerota... Are you still here? Then, tell me. Is it all right for me to live? 

I couldn't hear an answer from Kerota's cheerful song... 

Vicky: ...Hey, tell me.

(Vicky-san...!) 

My heart ached when he shouted. 

(What can I do...) 

-Flashback-

MC: People were really happy when you did things for them. It made me think that it was good that you were there.

---

Vicky: ...Seriously. You wanting my help makes me happy. 

-Flashback-

As I thought of his smile, I frantically brought him closer to me. After taking a deep breath, I softly placed my hand over his fingers. 

MC: Vicky-san... Will you stay by my side? 

Vicky: Your side...? 

MC: Yes... Let's continue the journey together. There are so many things around us... With Kerota, the three of us. 

When I told Vicky-san my wish, he quietly held my hand. 

Vicky: ...I see. Let's stay together forever. 

MC: ...Yes. 

Vicky: Forever... 

The bright moonlight quietly shined over the deep forest. 

When I closed my eyes, Kerota was singing happily within that light... 

Main Story

Sun End