Naruhito (12)
Hitachimaru and Gramps’ combat training was impressive. They do it with enthusiasm in a corner of the garden.
Hiiro, who occasionally joins in, is quickly knocked away.
Oh, Hitachimaru got blown away. Watching it made me eager, so I also tried a roundhouse kick at Gramps. It seems that with only one eye, it’s difficult to grasp the depth perception, and I got too close. My thigh hit Gramps’ well-guarded thick arm, and I couldn’t bounce off properly, falling straight down.
I was supposed to land gracefully after turning around, but it didn’t go well, and I fell.
I took a strong hit to my back. It hurts.
It seems my balance was disturbed due to the lack of my left hand.
As I laid there, unable to get up, Gramps quickly lifted me up.
“I am surprised. You’re strong.”
“You fool. Don’t rush in at a speed where we can’t hold back. You’re fast. Where did you hit?”
Hitachimaru lifted my back.
“It’s nothing much. It’ll hurt tomorrow, though~”
“It hurts now.”
“It’ll hurt more.”
“Eh~ no way.”
“It’s probably the eye after all. It’s difficult with one eye, right? You just have to get used to it.”
“Yeah.”
“As for the hand, maybe you can balance with a prosthetic. But I’ve heard it’s better to get used to not having it because prosthetics are heavy.”
While the three of us were talking, Hiiro came back. Seeing me in Gramps’ arms,
“What happened?”
He asked while reaching out to me. When I moved into Hiiro’s arms and stuck to him, my head became dizzy.
“What’s wrong? What were you doing? Call Ikumatsu.”
Gramps, Hitachimaru, and I were scolded by Ikumatsu. It was still no good to move that much. It felt like I could do it, though. Because my back hurt, I laid on the bed face down.
“It’s good that you feel well, but you have to take better care of your body.”
Yeah.
In the room where we’re alone, Hiiro’s voice was comforting.
“You’re going to marry me, right? Since we’ll be together forever, you have to live a long life. If there’s no Naruhito around, I’ll be sad.”
Hm?
“What will you do if I die, Naruhito?”
“I’ll die too.”
“Why?”
“Because you won’t be here.”
“Why would you die if I’m not here?”
“…?”
There’s no point in living without Hiiro.
“Without me, Naruhito would be sad. You would be lonely.”
I see.
“I feel the same. I’d be sad without you, Naruhito. So, you cannot die so easily. Don’t give up on living. Can you promise?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Then.”
Saying that, Hiiro put a ring on the ring finger of my right hand. It had a small gem with a color between orange and red embedded in it.
“Since you don’t have a left hand, wear it on the right. Natural amber, a scarlet gem, my symbol.”
Then, he put the matching ring on his left ring finger.
Sparkling.
Otoha was wearing one too.
Beautiful.
Hiiro lifted me up and pressed his lips against mine. Staring at his long eyelashes,
“It’s a kiss of commitment. Close your eyes.”
Hiiro whispered.
The touching lips felt good, and we stayed connected for a long time.
It would be nice if I could melt into Hiiro from this kiss…