Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Eins - The Message in the Clock - Main Story
Chapter 1 - When Time is Pointed Towards the Sky
Kingdom of Time, Lyspur, January... The bell in the clock tower was ringing heavily as time was going by. As it was almost time for me to meet with Eins-san...
(I wonder if Eins-san is doing well.)
"The Time Moving Ceremony", that celebrates the founders and creators of time, the Kingdom of Time gets together and bestows time to the people as a way to show gratitude towards the founders. Along with an invitation to this ceremony, there was a letter from Eins-san to meet with him.
-Flashback-
Eins: "Once the clock tower points towards the sky, I'll be in front of you! Wait for me, MC!"
-Flashback-
Remembering the contents of the letter that sounded just like him, I broke into a smile. At that moment...
Townsperson 1: Will the ceremony be okay this year?
Townsperson 2: It'd be nice if it ends peacefully though.
What some people that were passing by said made me uneasy. I've heard of the unstable situation in the Kingdom of Time because of how they're each fighting for succession rights.
(Will it be okay...?)
Getting worried, I waited for Eins-san... Just as the clock pointed at noon, it rang to notify everyone what time it was. As the sound of the bell signal echoed, the doves that were frolicking around flew off all at once.
MC: ...!
Strongly frightened by the birds, I covered my vision with my arm that instant. As the flapping sounds gradually went away, I opened my eyes and...
Eins: Sorry to keep you waiting! MC!
Before I knew it, from among the fluttering white feathers, Eins-san was standing there.
MC: Eins-san...!
Eins: Yeah, it's me!
As he waved his hand up high, Eins-san smiled broadly.
Eins: Didn't I tell you that this kingdom is amazing? That's why I chose this place to meet up with you!
Eins-san ran towards me as he was covered in white feathers. His smile that showed how restless he was made my heart go fast...
Chapter 2 - An Enjoyable Time
As the melody of a music box was mixed in among the crowded town, the area looked more gorgeous than usual... The sounds of clocks were ringing all over town for the Time Moving Ceremony.
Eins: There's more people than usual.
When he offered his hand to me, I placed mine in it and he held it tightly.
Eins: Okay! Now we won't get separated!
MC: Yes...!
Eins: It's a big ceremony. So, doesn't it feel like there's a festival in the kingdom? The ceremony itself is amazing too. There's a lot of things to eat!
(A lot of food?)
When I looked up at Eins-san, he looked a little tired.
(Could it be that he's been busy with preparing for the ceremony?)
MC: I'm sorry, you must've been so busy preparing for the ceremony...
Filled with guilt, I apologized and... To stop me, Eins-san grabbed both of my shoulders.
Eins: There's no reason for you to apologize. Spending time with you is a huge blessing for me! Also, preparing for the ceremony is fun. Zero is taking care of everyone now. Joining forces with friends is fun no matter what.
(With Zero-san...)
He looked at me with a firm serious expression.
-Flashback-
Townsperson 1: Will the ceremony be okay this year?
-Flashback-
(The townspeople were saying stuff like that.)
Those strong words drove my uneasiness from earlier away. As I felt warmth in my heart, Eins-san slowly removed his hands from my shoulders... At that moment, I saw something fall out of his pocket. When I calmly picked it up...
MC: ..."Ways to Progress with Lovers and Friends"?
It was a worn-out guidebook from this kingdom that's been read thoroughly.
(Wow... Each page has been marked to the very last detail. This is...)
Eins: Aaaah...!!!
Before I could even turn towards that sudden odd scream, the guidebook was taken out of my hand quickly.
MC: Eh...?
As he went fast like an engine, the guidebook slipped out of Eins-san's hand and fell onto the ground.
MC: E-Eins-san!?
EIns: Um... T-T-This is! I was just reading this to know more about the kingdom! It's not like I was reading this yesterday without any sleep just so that I can show you around!!
Despite I knew that was clearly a lie, his face was turning bright red...
(It was Eins-san's book...)
///Choices///
- I'm sorry (☽)
MC: I'm sorry.
Eins: You're apologizing!? Could it be that you're not interested in any of the places that I've chosen!?
MC: That's not what I meant...
- I'm happy (☼)
MC: That makes me happy.
Eins: Kuh... Looking so cute with a smile on your face! It's too bright that I can't even look at you!
///Choices///
Eins: It can't be helped now that you've seen it, but we're going to go around to all the popular places in the kingdom. We'll be going to the clock tower last!
Ahead of what Eins-san was pointing at, I saw a huge clock tower.
MC: Okay!
When we held hands again, we started walking through town. Just as we took a step forward, my expectations were rising. Although...
Eins: Hm? That's...
Eins-san stopped when two men walked in front of us.
MC: Eins-san, do you know those people?
Eins: Yeah. Dealing with those guys at a time like this...!
When Eins-san looked at the men, he clenched his left hand. His unusual serious expression somehow gave me a feeling that something bad was about to happen...
Chapter 3 - The Moment When Trouble is Approaching
While Eins-san and I were hiding among the crowd, we followed the men. A cold breeze blew and made me stiffen up with nervousness...
MC: Eins-san, who are those people?
When I whispered that, Eins-san groaned as if it was difficult to talk about.
Eins: Looks like I have to tell you. It's about the frightening situation in this kingdom.
(I had a feeling, so it has something to do with the retainers fighting over the dispute for the succession of the Kingdom of Time...?)
Despite that I didn't want to think that, the bad feeling only filled up my mind.
Eins: Those guys... They're part of a mysterious secret organization that wants to steal time.
(Eh...?)
MC: Eh? A secret organization...?
I spoke out my thoughts questioningly before I knew it. While Eins-san was looking at the men, he kept a serious look on his face.
MC: Eins-san, um... By mysterious secret organization?
Eins: That's what I don't get! All I know is that those guys want to do something bad to this kingdom! I got to use the Time Stigma to protect the kingdom from those guys...
Trying to show me the top of his left hand, Eins-san made a look as if he was enduring some kind of pain. Although, without seeing the stigma, I looked back at Eins-san.
Eins: I need to keep it hidden now, but this hand bears a stigma that's been bestowed by a goddess. Back then, when I was swinging around the holy sword, Holy Eins, a goddess appeared...
(How much of that story is true...)
Coming back to reality, Eins-san's words wouldn't leave my head no matter what... That I wanted him to continue.
MC: A goddess... To you?
Eins: She wasn't scary or anything! My powers are... It's something that can't be handled easily, not even my brother or the people at the castle can take it!
(It overtook everyone...)
Despite the complicated relationships among the Kingdom of Time, Eins-san and the others are always so cheerful for some reason... Realizing the reason, I felt how reassuring Eins-san's smile was.
(Eins-san's words are a little strange, but...)
By being with him and the urge of wanting to help him rise, I...
///Choices///
- Let's hurry and let everyone know (☽)
MC: We need to hurry and let everyone know...!
Eins: Wait! Right now... let them know... Anyway, just wait!
- Let me help you (☼)
MC: Please let me help you.
Eins: No, that's... I'm happy... But...
///Choices///
MC: Eins-san?
As he wasn't making any sense, I tilted my head to the side.
Eins: Ooh!? Those guys are heading to the clock tower...!
Avoiding the topic, Eins-san hid behind a pillar in a panic.
Eins: Those guys are after the clock board. It holds the power to go into people's hearts. That clock board holds the power of time that'll let people see the past.
MC: Um... Eins-san?
Eins: MC, we're going to have to part from here.
When he told me that while facing me, I looked at him dumbfounded.
Eins: Even though we were on a date... I can't let you, who's precious to me, get put into any more danger!
Eins-san held the guidebook frustrated.
(Eins-san is going to do something about it himself...)
Just thinking that was enough to make me not want to part from him...
///Choices///
- But... (☽)
MC: But...
Even though I wanted to argue back, I couldn't bring out the words and just looked at Eins-san.
Eins: Kuh... So cute! I can't say anything when you're looking at me like that!
I'm going too (☼)
MC: I'm going too. Please, take me with you.
Eins: Even if you say that... Still, turning down a request from you... I can't do that!
///Choices///
Eins: Fine! I'll protect you. By using this stigma!
When he hugged me, Eins-san shouted that.
Eins: Once it's safe, I'll show you around town until then!
MC: Okay...!
While holding Eins-san's hand, we followed the men, but... Despite that, we became surrounded by those men before we knew it...
Chapter 4 - Thieves of Time
When Eins-san and I got captured by the men, they took us to the clock tower.
Man 1: Come on, hurry and walk.
With the man rushing us, Eins-san and I went up the spiral staircase. As the stairwell in the tower was silent and eerie... It sometimes felt like a groan was rising from below.
Eins: Getting you taken to the clock tower like this... I'm so sorry!
MC: It's okay...
(What can we do?)
With our hands tied behind our backs, we were unable to move freely... As Eins-san was walking right beside me, his warmth managed to give me some encouragement.
Man 2: Prince Eins, stay quiet for a while.
Eins: Kuh... Thinking that you can stop me, so that you guys can steal time! The secret organization... The secret organization, "Crossover"!
(Cross... over? That's their name?)
Although, the men didn't seem to get it and looked at each other.
Man 1: Crossover? What's that?
Eins: It's pointless to hide it! Once you're in front of my stigma, I can see through your true colors! Aren't you guys trying to disrupt the Time Moving Ceremony? I don't know why you would want to steal time... But, I will stop you!
The men flinched from Eins-san's outburst.
Man 2: I thought he was just a happy-go-lucky prince, but he's right on the mark. Until the Time Moving Ceremony ends, stay in this room. If you do, we won't harm you.
The man pointed towards the door that was in the middle of the spiral staircase.
Man 1: Without you participating in the ceremony, then Forrant's position will be-
Eins: Eins' Miracle Attaaaaack!!*
T/N: ROFL XD
Before he could finish, Eins-san tackled the man.
MC: Eins-san...!
EIns: It's my mission to protect this kingdom and MC! I won't let you guys do as you please!
Despite that he fell onto the ground, Eins-san looked up at the men bravely.
Man 1: Tsk... If you're going to get in our way, then we have no choice.
MC: ...!
One of the men grabbed my arm and pulled me towards them.
Eins: MC!
MC: Eins-san...
///Choices///
- Run away (☼)
MC: Don't worry about me, just run away...!
Eins: There's no way I can do that! No one's allowed to lay a single finger on MC, except for me!
- Don't say anything (☽)
When my words got stuck in my throat due to fear, I couldn't speak.
Eins: Don't worry. I'm coming to save you now, MC!
///Choices///
Eins: But, what am I supposed to do... I!
(It's my fault that Eins-san is in this situation...)
MC: Let go of me...!
Man 1: ! You, what are you...!?
To break free from the man's arm, I moved my body like crazy. Although, that action threw me off the staircase.
MC: ...!
Just as I felt my body floating lightly...
(I'm going to fall...)
My body was going towards the bottom of the tower. Although, at that moment...
Eins: MC!
MC: !!
Without any hesitation, Eins-san jumped down and reached out towards me.
(Eins-san, why...)
When he grabbed my arm, Eins-san held me securely. As his arms were holding me to the point that it hurts, I felt pain in my heart...
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