Apollo - The Enchanting Cherry Blossoms in the Moonlight - Main Story

Apollo - The Enchanting Cherry Blossoms in the Moonlight - Main Story

Chapter 1 - Reunited in the Courtyard

Soga Kingdom*, April... The beautiful spring sunlight filled the castle courtyard. When I got invited to the "Ancient Cherry Blossom Banquet" that was approaching soon, I visited the Soga Kingdom.

T/N: Azuma's kingdom

(A ceremony that shows that spring has arrived...) 

A long time ago, a messenger from Hourai* desperately spent day and night to make a withered cherry blossom tree grow with inspirations from Soga: 

T/N: Ouka, Hikage, Kaede and Touya's kingdom

(The Ancient Cherry Blossom Tree sounds impressive, but the cherry blossoms that are blooming here are very beautiful too.) 

As I was looking at the cherry blossoms that were blooming gracefully in the courtyard... 

(Eh...?) 

Suddenly, along with getting a strange feeling, I thought I heard someone calling out to me from somewhere. 

(What was that...?) 

Without thinking, I took a step towards that voice and... 

??: Where do you think you're going? 

MC: ...!

Just as I heard that strong-willed voice, my arm was grabbed tightly. When I turned around... 

Apollo: Making a dull face as usual. 

MC: Prince Apollo...!

The one who grabbed my arm was Prince Apollo of Flareruge, the Sun Kingdom. 

Apollo: It's been a while, MC. 

As his strong lionlike gaze pierced through me, I stiffened up before I knew it. 

Apollo: I came here to get away from my father, but... Encountering you makes things interesting. 

When he smiled arrogantly, Prince Apollo lets go of my arm. 

Apollo: What's wrong? What are you spacing out for? 

As cherry blossom petals were fluttering behind him, it showed Prince Apollo's majestic nobility. I couldn't take my eyes off that divine look he was showing... 

Chapter 2 - A Noble's Way of Life

As the cherry blossom petals were lightly fluttering around Prince Apollo... 

Apollo: I came here to get away from my father, but... Encountering you makes things interesting. 

With a daring grin, Prince Apollo looked at me amusedly...

MC: ...It's been a while. You must've been here for a while. 

Apollo: Yeah. 

Without taking his eyes off me, he smiled deeply. 

Apollo: I thought about returning to my kingdom soon, but I changed my mind. 

The moment Prince Apollo was about to reach out to me again... 

MC: ...

A gust of wind blew and made the branches in the cherry blossom tree sway. 

(...What is this feeling? Also, just earlier, I thought I heard someone's voice...) 

Getting a strange, yet uncomfortable feeling, I stiffened up...

Apollo: The cherry blossoms, huh... 

Just as I heard his soft tone, my uneasiness went away. When I looked beside me, Prince Apollo was looking up at the fluttering cherry blossoms. 

(Prince Apollo...?) 

As he narrowed his eyes with a strong look in them, my heart skipped a beat a little. 

Apollo: How noble. 

MC: Eh...? 

I couldn't understand what he meant when he said that so suddenly. 

Apollo: Instead of living in shame, they just bloom beautifully for a moment and fall... Don't you think that's noble? 

As Prince Apollo was being unusual with that compliment somehow, I stared at him. 

MC: ...Yes. 

Apollo: To me... 

I waited for him to continue speaking, but... Instead, time just silently went by.

Apollo: ...

As I looked at the side of Prince Apollo's face, I thought about his responsibilities. His father feared Prince Apollo's power of summoning flames, so he did something to his heart. Whenever he uses his power, it'll affect his heart, which restrains him... 

(I wonder... what he's thinking of.) 

Then, at that moment, I got that strange feeling again. 

"Come over here..."

As that creepy voice echoed in my head, I...

///Choices///

- Get closer to Apollo (☽)

Immediately... I got closer to Prince Apollo. 

Apollo: Oh... 

MC: ...!

When he strongly held my shoulder with his arm, he closed the distance between us instantly. 

- Shiver (☼)

When I shivered without realizing it... 

Apollo: ...What's wrong? 

MC: Ah... 

Prince Apollo held me with his robust arm. 

///Choices///

Apollo: The sun isn't out... So, it's a little chilly. 

Prince Apollo looked at me within the close distance. As i was trembling from his eyes that could see through everything, my heartbeat went fast...

Apollo: What is it this time? Are you feeling hot now? ...Your cheeks are red. 

MC: ...!

When he narrowed his eyes amusedly, my cheeks became warm. 

(It's embarrassing, but...) 

I realized that the strange feeling I got just now was gone. 

(Prince Apollo is always toying me around... But, having him by my side like this... somehow reassures me.) 

When I gently placed my face on his chest, Prince Apollo increased his grip in his arm that was holding me. 

MC: Prince Apollo... 

Apollo: Just Apollo is fine. You're my queen, how many times do I have to tell you that until you understand? 

When he said that firmly, my cheeks became hotter. I could feel his warmth from his chest that I was touching... 

Chapter 3 - Drawn Towards the Voice Calling

After Apollo and I spent time in the courtyard, that night... With the Ancient Cherry Blossom Banquet coming close, the town of Soga was shining brightly when it became night. As the town was lively as if it was a pre-party, I was walking beside Apollo. 

Apollo: They have good taste. Not bad. 

(I'm happy to be spending time with Apollo like this.) 

Just as my heart throbbed from seeing Apollo being unusually relaxed at that moment... 

Townsperson 1: Hey! That cherry blossom tree is blooming. 

Townsperson 2: What...!

When we heard those stern shouts, Apollo and I looked at each other. 

MC: What's happening...

The unsettling atmosphere that was drifting made me uneasy. 

Apollo: ...Something must've happened. 

Apollo immediately had his servant look into it. 

Servant: There's been some talk about flowers blooming on the oldest cherry blossom tree outside of town... It's been 100 years since the cherry blossom tree had a flower blooming, which is why they're all uneasy. 

Apollo: ... 

(What a mysterious cherry blossom tree...) 

Just as the mild nightly breeze touched my skin, my heart jumped. 

(I want to... go over there. No. I need to go over there... I wonder why, I can't help, but be concerned about it.) 

Getting all worked up for some reason, I...

///Choices///

- I want to check it out (☼)

MC: Apollo... I want to check out the cherry blossom tree. 

Apollo: MC? 

He made a puzzled look for a while, but... 

Apollo: ...Fine. 

- I'm concerned (☽)

Apollo: MC? 

Just as he thought I was acting strange, Apollo made a stern look. 

MC: Somehow... I'm concerned about it. 

After Apollo looked like he was thinking about something for a while... 

Apollo: In that case, we should go. 

///Choices///

That's what he said. 

After that, we walked towards the cherry blossom tree that a flower had blossomed on for the first time in hundreds of years. 

Over there was... With a mysterious appearance, there was a large cherry blossom tree. As it looked completely beautiful with the moon shining on it... It was cladded in a mysterious pale light. 

Apollo: How strange...

The moment Apollo said that with a sigh. 

(Eh...?) 

When my consciousness suddenly became dim, my body instantly lost it's strength. 

"Come here."

(The cherry blossom tree... is calling for me?) 

Tempted, I took a step towards the tree.

Apollo: MC!

Apollo grabbed my arm as he said my name. Although, he sounded somewhat distant as it felt like I was heading to another world. 

MC: ...I... need to go...

I felt myself being drawn towards the cherry blossom tree, but... Apollo held both of my arms tightly and wouldn't let go. 

Apollo: Look at me, MC. 

As I was facing him upfront, he held both of my cheeks firmly.

Apollo: MC. 

He said my name strongly. 

MC: ...I...

I became reflected in his eyes that were crimson like flames. As if I was being guided by a swaying flame, I started to regain my dim consciousness. 

Apollo: Do you know who I am? 

MC: ...You're... Apollo. 

When I responded vaguely, Apollo smiled.

Apollo: That's right. I'm the man who's going to become your husband. 

MC: ...!

At that moment, my hazy consciousness cleared up. 

MC: I... Just now. 

Apollo: The bad feeling is spreading. Let's get out of here. 

Apollo firmly held me close and started walking. Although, at that moment... 

Apollo: ...

MC: Apollo...!? 

Suddenly, Apollo held his chest as he grimaced.

///Choices///

- Support Apollo (☽)

I went to support Apollo in a panic, but...

Apollo: Kuh... My body... 

I was unable to do so because of the weight of his body and ended up stumbling. 

- Are you okay!? (☼)

MC: Are you okay!? 

Apollo: Kuh... 

Apollo clenched his teeth in pain. 

///Choices///

Apollo: What is this... 

As he was breathing in pain, Apollo turned towards the cherry blossom tree behind him. 

Apollo: ...The cherry blossoms...?

As the cherry blossom tree swayed from the ominous nightly breeze... It emitted a fearsome malice. 

Apollo: ...Guh... Dammit!

When Apollo held up his right arm, the area started to shake like a heat haze. 

MC: Apollo! You mustn't! Please stop...!

If he uses his power, it'll affect his heart and destroy him. Using his power in this kind of situation now was too dangerous.

Apollo: ...Guh. 

When I immediately grabbed his right arm... The flames that he summoned calmly settled down. 

MC: Anyway, let's leave this place. Hold onto me...

Apollo: ......

As I supported Apollo as he was in pain, we somehow got away from there, but... The branches in the cherry blossom tree swayed noisily as if it was shaking happily... 

Chapter 4 - The Cherry Blossom Tree's Shady History

The next day... Apollo wasn't feeling well, so i went to his room to check on him. 

MC: ...Are you okay? 

Apollo: Yeah, it's no big deal. 

His condition seemed to have gotten better, but his complexion was still pale. 

MC: ...

-Flashback-

MC: ...I... need to go...

-Flashback-

(Why... did I do something like that?) 

When I remembered what happened last night, I trembled a little. 

Apollo: ...I had my servant look into that cherry blossom tree. It has a shady history. 

MC: Eh...? 

Apollo: ...How pointless. 

After he said that, Apollo told me about the cherry blossom tree. A long time ago, a man and woman of different social statuses fell in love and would secretly meet each other underneath that cherry blossom tree... 

Apollo: In other words, it was an unacceptable love. 

Although, on the day they were planning to elope, the woman's parents commenced their plan to get the man killed. 

MC: That's...

Apollo: After that, the woman got married to another man that her parents chose. ...And ever since then. No flowers have bloomed on the branches of that cherry blossom tree. 

MC: I... see. 

The sad incident gave me pain. 

MC: But, why is it blooming now? 

Apollo: ..

Apollo became silent with a stern look on his face and... He picked up a single portrait and handed it to me. 

MC: ...! This is... 

Apollo: It's such a stupid story.

The woman that was drawn in the portrait surprisingly looked like me. 

MC: This is... the woman...? 

Apollo: Yeah. 

I... 

///Choices///

- Is that why I...? (☼)

MC: Is that why I was behaving that way...? 

Apollo: Seems like it. 

Towards my question, Apollo answered irritated. 

- I'm scared (☽)

MC: ...I'm scared...

Apollo: It's nothing to be worried about. 

To stop my uneasiness, Apollo put the portrait away. 

///Choices///

Slowly, the air around him swayed like flames. 

Apollo: Even after death, he won't let go... Such a disgraceful man.

After saying that, Apollo got up and started getting ready to leave. 

MC: Where are you going? 

Apollo: Isn't it obvious, I'm going to destroy that tree. 

MC: !

Apollo: I've spoken to the Prince of Soga. He said that even if you try to cut it or burn it, it won't fall, so my flames will surely turn it to ash. 

MC: But, your body will...!

(Despite that he's not in good condition right now...!) 

When I thought about his pained expression from last night, I desperately spoke up. Although... 

Apollo: That cherry blossom tree tried to take you away. I won't allow my queen to be taken away. 

When Apollo said that strongly, he showed a ferocious expression that no one would want to get close to. With his anger showing, a heated haze started emitting from his right arm a little. 

(He shouldn't... He still doesn't look so good...) 

Getting a bad feeling, my body trembled. 

Outside the window, the cherry blossom petals fluttered in suspense... 

Chapter 5 - The Voice Separating the Two

Apollo's anger filled the silent room...

MC: Apollo... Please, don't use your room. 

Apollo: I'll tell you this, I'm not letting this stand.

As his brow didn't move an inch, Apollo shut me down to stop me. 

Apollo: The man lost his life and was unable to protect his woman because he was powerless. He's grieving and moaning as he pleases. But, it's understandable why he's causing harm to others. I hate those kinds of people. 

MC: But, if something were to happen to you...!

When I shouted that at that moment.

MC: ...!

A strong wind burst through the window and made our hair flutter roughly as it blew. 

"I finally... found you..." 

MC: Eh? 

I heard a voice clearly. The next moment, I got hit with fear as a chilling feeling ran through my entire body. 

(I'm scared... I can't stop shaking...!) 

"Come here... This time... We'll be together..."

MC: No... I don't want to go...!

Being pulled by the unseen power, my body was moving towards the window on it's own. 

Apollo: MC!

Apollo held my body tightly. 

Apollo: Guh... Again...!

He grimaced as his breathing became rough. Even so, he wouldn't let go of me. 

(Why... I can't move my body at all...) 

Apollo: ...!

(Also, I can't think straight...) 

As my consciousness was slowly becoming dim, it became distant. 

Apollo: MC...! 

MC: ...!

The moment I felt my body being strongly pulled... 

MC: Ah...!

Apollo held my body strongly and pushed me down onto the floor. 

Apollo: ...Kuh. 

When a strong shock ran through my body, my consciousness shook. Then, at the same time... He gave me a deep kiss. 

MC: Mm......

My body tried to resist him on it's own. 

(Why...) 

Apollo: ......MC!

During the interval of the deep rough kiss, he said my name in grief. 

(I want to be with Apollo...!) 

The deep kiss, the feeling of his presence... My consciousness finally became clear.

MC: ...I...

Apollo: ...Have you calmed down? 

Apollo was breathing roughly. As he looked at me with a strong scarlet gaze, it pierced through my heart deeply. I... 

///Choices///

- I'm sorry... (☽)

MC: I'm sorry... 

Apollo: Don't apologize. Stay strong. 

He placed his hand on my cheek as he gave me a firm look. 

- Thank you... (☼)

MC: Apollo... Thank you... 

Apollo silently lets go of my hand. 

Apollo: As long as I'm here, you won't get taken away so easily. 

Looking at me with an unwavering flame in his eyes, my trembling heart calmed down. 

///Choices///

Apollo: Such a lowly trick... I need to hurry. 

Looking towards the window with a burning anger in his eyes, Apollo got up. 

MC: Apollo...

When I said that softly, he hugged me strongly to get rid of my worries.

MC: ...

Apollo: I don't mind hurting myself if it means that I'm protecting something. 

With a strong gaze, Apollo looked at his right arm. 

Apollo: What I protect are the people of Flareruge and of course... you. 

His deep sharp voice echoed in my mind. With an unexplainable feeling filling up my heart, I buried my face in Apollo's chest... 

Sun End

Moon End