"Is it very far to the festival venue?"
"It's not that far, but I plan to take a carriage, as it will be too dark by the time the fireworks end."
"Ah, wait! You're not planning to go wearing just that thin coat, are you?"
I grabbed his arm as he reached for the thin black coat hanging on one side of the room.
“Yeah, why?”
"Why? It might be hot now, but it gets so cold at night!"
"I even wore this when I went out for a walk at night."
"That was just a quick outing. You won't be able to wear that today since you're going to be out and about. Please wear something a bit thicker."
“I’m fine because I have a fever.”
“I’m not okay.”
I raised my hand firmly, left the room, and called for a servant. As I looked for a thick coat, the servant moved quickly to bring one, and Thierry glanced at me once before putting it on.
"If it feels stuffy, just take it off for a moment and put it back on."
"Holding you is enough for me."
I just smiled at those words and adjusted the collar of his coat.
"If you didn't wear this, it wouldn't even be a chance."
"...No, I absolutely won't take it off."
As we left the villa after a brief struggle, it was already getting dark outside.
Walking slowly down the street, I took in the village composed of tranquil buildings. The walls were built of gray bricks, with red bricks mixed in for the frames of the windows and doors; rather than being jarring, this served as a focal point, making the village look harmonious.
"I guess I should have come out during the day as well."
"Shall we come again later?"
"I'll see how things go. Ah. Should I secure a spot now if I want to see the fireworks?"
Before I knew it, the sky was a mixture of red and purple, and people were gathering one by one at the night market held alongside the fireworks. The streets, filled with a jumble of various noises, were incredibly chaotic.
'Ah. It looks like I’ll have to scream at the top of my lungs just to be heard.'
I scanned my surroundings awkwardly. It was a festival, so it was only natural that there were many people, but this crowded place was completely unfamiliar to me, so I couldn't adjust.
It was the very moment I was about to press my body closer to Thierry, raising the corners of my mouth slightly. Thierry pulled my shoulder, which he had been wrapping his arms around, a little closer so that I was half-hugged in his embrace. Then, he lowered his head and whispered in a low voice into my ear.
"I’ve found a good spot. How about walking? If it’s uncomfortable to move, shall I carry you?"
"No, it's enough."
I hugged his waist and shook my head slightly. His hand, wrapping securely around my body, was so tender that I could no longer feel the wind that had turned chilly.
“Aren’t you hungry?”
"Hmm, I'm not exactly hungry, but that place looks crowded. Shall we go take a look?"
"Okay."
"Wow, it looks like fruit preserved in sugar. I've never seen it before."
"It's a fruit that grows only in this region. Was its name Lafru?"
"Ah! I see. It was so sour I couldn't eat it as is. Is that why you preserved it in sugar?"
“I guess so.”
"Shall we order just one?"
"Yes."
The line moved quickly. It was our turn in no time, and while Thierry paid, I grabbed the cup of fruit. The red flesh was smeared with sugar, but the fresh scent remained.
"How is it? Does it suit your taste?"
"I'm about to try it now."
I picked up a small piece of fruit and popped it into my mouth. Thierry was looking at me with a smile on his face, and he didn't even blink, as if determined not to miss the slightest change in my expression.
"Wow."
"Looks like it suits your taste."
"Yes! It's really delicious. Your, ah..."
Thierry raised one eyebrow.
"Anyway, try this."
"Again."
"Yes?"
"You need to be precise. Are you talking to me right now?"
I blinked my eyes. It was a sudden and unreasonable demand, but his intention was so transparent that I was left speechless and accepted it.
Do you want to call me 'you,' or just skip all that and call me 'honey'?
Strangely, I felt like I could hear his words in my head.
"Ha..."
" ...Do you hate it enough to make you sigh?"
I suddenly realized my mistake. As I snapped up the head I had involuntarily bowed, I could clearly see his uncharacteristically sullen expression. My startled face was reflected in his red eyes, which looked gloomy as if he were wounded.
"No! You know I'm just shy. It's absolutely not that I dislike it."
"...If it's too much of a burden, you don't have to do it. It can't be helped."
No, why are you suddenly acting like this?
I hurriedly gently cupped his right cheek. His face, smiling painfully with the corners of his eyes slightly downcast, looked so pitiful that it made my heart ache.
"It's not burdensome... I wish you wouldn't smile like that."
At that, a radiance flickered in his red eyes. They twinkled as if the starlight adorning the night sky had poured down in an instant.
"Will you keep inviting me from now on?"
"Yes."
"...Honey?"
“Well, that is”
"..."
"Okay. It's hard right now, but I'll definitely..."
His lips touched my palm.
"Okay. Make sure to keep your promise."
"Yes..."
"Weren't you going to put this in my mouth? Ah—"
“Ah. Yes.”
I feel like I'm under a spell. Is this right?
With a bewildered look on my face, I placed a piece of fruit right into his mouth. I stared blankly at his face, which was beaming as if he were simply satisfied with the situation.
Our lips briefly touched. As he licked his lips and pulled away, a sweet scent lingered at the tip of my nose.
“It’s delicious.”
Piyuung... boom!
Flames flared up behind him as he smiled languidly like a well-fed beast. Enough to make it impossible to pinpoint just one. It was clear that every sight that came into view was an indescribably magnificent spectacle.
Feeling my ears burning for some reason, I buried my face in his chest.
"What's wrong? Aren't you watching the fireworks?"
I didn't answer. It wasn't my first time interacting with him, and we had even done things worse than this, so why was I suddenly feeling embarrassed? It was such an inexplicable point that I kept my mouth tightly shut.
Then, his low whisper reaching my ear along with his hot breath made my nerves stand on edge.
"Should I go back home if you don't want to see it? I think I can see the flames clearly even from my bed..."
Ha, this is driving me crazy. I squeezed my eyes shut and let out a hollow laugh.
"How about this? I'll show you some other fireworks."
I will be really amazed.
***
Ever since I went to the fireworks festival, it had been a repetition of similar days. Well, I did end up watching the fireworks from bed, but since I did go, I didn't really have anything to say about that.
I continued my routine of playing with Rood while Thierry was working and occasionally going for walks on the forest path near the sponsored area.
Of course, it wasn't until a few more days had passed that I started going to the place I was supposed to hide. I tried my best not to go because Thierry was so worried, but seeing how pitiful Rood was—who kept loitering in front of the back gate as if he felt stifled staying only inside the garden area—I started going there the day before yesterday.
"Why don't you want to go toward the beach? Do you hate water..."
I murmured as I stroked Rood's head. I had gone for a walk along the forest path near the back garden yesterday, so I was thinking of going to the beach today, but Rood's reaction wasn't very good, so I had just returned to the back garden.
It would be nice to take a walk and step on the sand on the beach, but since he doesn't even glance in that direction, I'm starting to think I should just give up.
"Not today. You went yesterday."
I looked down at Rood, who was whimpering while looking at the inner door of the garden, and lightly touched his nose with my index finger.
"You can't just stare at me like that."
I tried hard to turn my head away, as if to ignore Rood, whose black eyes were shining cutely.
Thierry was sulking because of what I did yesterday, so I had quite a hard time last night trying to cheer him up. Actually, putting aside the fact that I might run into that man, he was worried that the forest path was dangerous because there were many traces of wild animals, so I didn't want to upset him again.
I looked up at the sky. The weather, which had been fine in the morning, was turning cloudy after lunch.
"I think it's going to rain. I can't go anywhere because of the weather..."
I stroked Rood's fluffy fur out of habit.
It looks like I won't be able to stay in the back for long and will have to go inside soon. Should I just head in now? The wind feels a bit chilly, so I shrugged my shoulders slightly and looked down at Rood.
"Huh? Rood! Where are you going!"
Suddenly, Rood slipped out of my hand. Startled, I stared blankly for a moment at Rood's rear end as he ran toward the door, my eyes wide open.
Bang-!
The door opened weakly because of Rood, who rushed in without hesitation.
"Gasp, Rood! I told you it won't work!"
This is driving me crazy. Should I chase after him right away? Or should I wait for him to come back? I hesitated, then rose from my chair.
I was staring blankly at the door swaying in the wind, and just as I was about to take a step, a low voice grabbed my ankle.
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