nhp | (Sutamai) Event: ‘The Hidden Princess Kaguya’, Part 3

23.

-Young Noble’s Estate: Inside Quarters-

I had doubts about proposing to someone whose face nor voice I didn’t know, all the while saying that I wanted them to become my companion for life.

However, if that was just the way it was according to others, I had no intention of opposing it any further.

In my reluctance, I sent out my offer of marriage.

Thereafter, it was only a matter of time.

Kaguya: ……

Scion (Seo): ……

—Before she came paying me a visit in person at my estate, bringing my letter with her.

Scion (Seo): (… Even when saying it’s not that far away, I hear that her dwelling is over on the other side of the mountain.)

(Did she cross that all by herself…?)

Kaguya: I apologise for dropping by unannounced today.

Scion (Seo): Oh, no… That doesn’t bother me.

Regarding your reply, I’ll send out my messenger once again, so at that time…

No, forgive me. Perhaps my writing was poor.

Kaguya: … No, about that…

I must sincerely apologise on my end.

But this letter wasn’t something that I could read in the first place, so…

Scion (Seo): (… Ah, yes. I had thought as much.)

I could very well picture a lady living in a rural village among the mountains to not have learnt how to write words.

But I was told that such concerns were not needed for a “special maiden”, and so I had accepted it just like that.

Now of all times, I was having slight regrets.

Scion (Seo): I see… That is, I’ve done something rude then.

Kaguya: Huh?

Scion (Seo): I didn’t take you into account nor betake myself to see you.

I completely settled an important matter in a piece a paper according to my own convenience.

Forgive me.

Kaguya: ……

Scion (Seo): Well then, did you come here today to give me your answer?

Kaguya: No, I… I guess you could say that in a way.

But that’s not all. I came here because there’s something I wish to discuss with you.

Scion (Seo): Something you wish to discuss?

Kaguya: Just as I mentioned a little while ago, I can’t read or write.

But after having the honour of seeing what I’ve been given…

I thought that upon properly taking in the words strung together here—

I would want to answer with a letter composed of my own feelings.

Scion (Seo): … What?

Kaguya: I realise that I’m being difficult, but I’m here with a request.

Could you perhaps… teach me how to write?

Scion (Seo): ……

Kaguya: … I guess I really am being a nuisance. I’m sorry. Please excuse me.

Scion (Seo): Oh, no—that’s not it.

If you’re fine with me, then I have no issue whatsoever with teaching you.

Kaguya: Huh?

Scion (Seo): Not that I mind, but I hear rumours of you have reached even the Capital.

Have you not also received other similar letters?

Kaguya: That’s, well… yes… There’s certainly more than just the one here.

Scion (Seo): If so, then why come to me?

Kaguya: The thing is…

Scion (Seo): … Oh, I see.

Maybe it’s because this place is the closest?

Kaguya: No! Um, I’m definitely grateful that it’s not as far out, but…

That’s not the reason.

Scion (Seo): Go on?

Kaguya: … Out of all the letters I received…

Your words were the most beautiful, and gentle, and had a warm feeling to them.

Scion (Seo): ……

26.

-Young Noble’s Estate: Inside Quarters-

Scion (Seo): … And that was my first meeting with her.

It’s not as if it were that long ago, but somehow, it feels nostalgic.

Prince (Kaname): … From your point of view, what sort of person was Kaguya?

Scion (Seo): Let’s see now… She was earnest in everything she did, and was honest and kind.

She was someone who, by simply being there, everything around you would start appearing brighter.

Messenger (Arakida): ……

Prince (Kaname): I see…

Scion (Seo): Thereafter, this is where I taught her how to write, just as she wished.

Lady Kaguya was a hard-worker. By the time three months had passed, she had completely learnt how to generally read and write.

But even after that, she would come here once every week, without fail.

Gradually, I too began thinking along the lines of anxiously awaiting her visit.

Those tranquil times with her became something dear to me.

Messengers (Maki & Kagura): ……

Scion (Seo): … Now that I know it was but a short time not meant to last—

I think of it all the more lovely.

Prince (Kaname): … And that is?

Scion (Seo): The letter I received from her.

Messenger (Arakida): (… A letter from Lady Kaguya…)

Scion (Seo): ……

When she was right in the middle of writing practice or even after being done…

She would often light-heartedly comment, “one more time”.

But for some reason that day, she stubbornly tried not to say it.

… There was no one more time for her and I by then.

Prince (Kaname): … What did you talk about in the end?

Scion (Seo): ……

… Yes, I suppose I ought to tell you.

That is my promise to her, after all.

Messenger (Maki): ……

28.

She probably wasn’t going to come by anymore. There would be no “one more time”.

While I had understood that in my head, I still carried with me a small inkling of hope.

But that was silently plucked away by the letter she held out to me.

-Young Noble’s Estate: Inside Quarters-

Scion (Seo): … I see.

So you’re leaving then.

Kaguya: … Yes. Thank you for taking care of me.

She said that it was her reply to the first letter, and also her farewell to me.

I couldn’t bring myself to tear open the envelope then and there.

Scion (Seo): … Yes, I see.

… I see…

Kaguya: ……

The bamboo screens creaked in the gentle breeze, and the setting sun casting over the floor stretched her shadow far out.

The day was coming to a close, and it was growing dark outside. My time with her was quietly reaching its end.

Scion (Seo): (… From the very start, I didn’t think that this would go on forever.)

(So when was it, I wonder, that I began to wish for it to not be over.)

… How peculiar.

Kaguya: Huh?

Scion (Seo): No, it’s fine.

I was talking to myself.

Kaguya: … Well then, I should get going.

Scion (Seo): Will you wait for just a moment?

Kaguya: Okay?

Scion (Seo): … This is for you.

Kaguya: … A letter…?

Scion (Seo): I wrote it while hoping that I would not have to see the day I hand it to you.

Somehow, I had a feeling that our parting would come all of a sudden.

I wasn’t sure if I would be able to convey my true feelings very well, and not be engulfed in momentary grief when that time came, after all.

Kaguya: … Your… true feelings?

Scion (Seo): Seeing you off right now fills me with immense sorrow.

But all the things adding up during my time with you is much more of a different kind.

Kaguya: ……

Scion (Seo): However, you should leave behind everything here that you can’t bring with you to where you’re headed now.

Even if you forget about me, I won’t mind.

This letter as well. After reading it, I want you to throw it in the fire.

… And if you wish it, I too, shall do the same with mine.

Kaguya: ……

I can’t very well burn something this important.

Scion (Seo): Those words alone are enough.

Kaguya: No.

Plus… even if I were to burn it, the memories you have given me will not disappear.

Scion (Seo): ……

Kaguya: You have always been a person of the words you compose.

Beautiful, and gentle, and warmer than anyone else.

Scion (Seo): … Lady Kaguya.

Kaguya: Please do take care.

Farewell.

Scion (Seo): … Farewell.

30.

-Young Noble’s Estate: Inside Quarters-

The sound of her modest footsteps progressively grew fainter, until eventually, they could no longer be heard.

Then at long last, I slowly opened up her letter to me.

Scion (Seo): ……

Her hair that she did up in a bun because it would get in the way—her face from the side where a few strands would fall onto her cheeks—

The way she would unintentionally stop writing, and then close her eyes at the sound of the insects she could hear…

All of that came rushing back to me from the words woven together in a handwriting very much like her.

Scion (Seo): … Thank you.

“I can’t marry you, but I’ll never forget about you or the words that you’ve taught me for the rest of my life.”

Scion (Seo): … I truly am glad…

To have met you.

* * *

{Bells jingle}

{Thud}

Scion (Seo): ……

Prince (Kaname): ……

Messengers (Maki & Arakida): ……

Prince (Kaname): … Can you read this?

Messenger (Kagura): More or less.

Prince (Kaname): What does it say?

Messenger (Kagura): It’s just as he said. There’s a reply to the proposal and a farewell…

…!

Messenger (Maki): …?

Messenger (Arakida): What’s wrong?

Messenger (Kagura): No, it’s…

Prince (Kaname): What is it?

Messenger (Kagura): … “I’m going somewhere far away.”

“I don’t think I’ll ever be coming back again.”

Messenger (Maki): ……

Messenger (Kagura): … With the last two people’s stories, Lady Kaguya has said that she was going somewhere far away. So then…

Messenger (Arakida): What are you implying?

Prince (Kaname): ……

It could be a “far away” that’s neither on Earth or the Moon.

Is that what you want to say?

Messengers (Maki & Kagura): ……

Messenger (Arakida): … What does this mean?

Prince (Kaname): What, indeed.

I’d like to ask the same thing myself.