nhp | (Sutamai) Event: ‘The Hidden Princess Kaguya’, Part 4

EVENT STORY INDEX

31.

-Hotel: Bedroom-

Man (Otani): … And so—

All the while feeling an unsettling something at the whereabouts of the ever elusive Kaguya…

The messengers of the moon did not return the letter that the third nobleman had received to him…

As they made their way to the fourth nobleman’s place.

Woman: … Hey.

Man (Otani): Yeah?

Woman: About what happens afterwards to the noblemen who forgot all about Princess Kaguya…

Does that come up later?

Man (Otani): … Well now, who knows?

You curious?

Woman: That’s why I asked. But whatever. Forget it.

Feel free to continue.

Man (Otani): You sure? No need to be shy.

Woman: Oh, don’t mind me. It’s ridiculous to even bother pressing someone who has no intention of answering. I hate that.

Man (Otani): Of course, how could I forget. Well, moving on with the story then.

… The fourth nobleman was not surprised by the visit coming from the messengers of the moon either.

He, too, had heard about the situation from Princess Kaguya to a certain degree.

Without needing to be asked, he began to recount his meeting with her.

Woman: ……

{Page flips}

* * *

-Young Noble’s Estate: Inside Quarters-

Scion (Hiyama): … Clothes, jewellery, poems—I presented her with everything that I could think of in succession.

But she did not accept any one of them.

Prince (Kaname): ……

Scion (Hiyama): She would politely decline, saying that she could not accept such gifts.

So all the things I sent out with my messenger were humiliatingly brought back to me every time.

Then, after about a month of that ongoing exchange…

I decided that if things continued at this rate, I would make no progress.

Thus, I went to see her in person.

34.

-Kaguya’s House-

Kaguya: … I’m not sure if it’ll be to your taste or not, but…

Here you go.

Scion (Hiyama): Thank you.

Oh? This is quite the light-coloured barley tea you have here.

Kaguya: … That’s because it’s plain hot water…

Scion (Hiyama): Hot water? I’m not suffering from any particular illness at the moment though…

Kaguya: … If you’re able to get by in good health, then that’s all that matters.

So, um. What is it that you want to talk about…

Scion (Hiyama): Oh, yes. That’s right.

What will you accept?

Kaguya: Huh?

Scion (Hiyama): You won’t take clothes made from silk, or handcrafted wooden combs, or rouge, or folding fans.

I’m not going to say that this has nothing to do with my marriage proposal, but…

In the future, just because I’m turned down, that doesn’t mean I plan on pressuring you to give it all back either.

You should tell me what it is that you desire.

Kaguya: N-No, um, really. Your feelings alone are enough—

Scion (Hiyama): And this dwelling of yours—it’s small, is it not?

If you fancy this location, then you could get me to build you a commodious estate here.

Kaguya: G-Get you to b-build—huuuuuh!?

That’s just outrageous!

It’s true that compared to the residences of all you noblemen, there’s no other way to put it than to say it’s small.

But I’m very attached to my house, and I’m living without any inconvenience, so please, please, don’t trouble yourself!!

Scion (Hiyama): Is that so? Well then, what will you accept?

I can’t leave if you don’t answer.

Kaguya: !!???

I-In that case… um… let’s see…

… Errr…

… Oh!

Scion (Hiyama): Yes?

Kaguya: How about flowers?

Scion (Hiyama): … Flowers?

Kaguya: Yes…

Scion (Hiyama): *Chuckles* Well then, shall I plant cherry blossom trees all around this house?

Kaguya: !?

No, something much more humble! Like the ones that grow in the wild, which can be easily cared for, will do just fine!

Scion (Hiyama): Field flowers… You ask for rather difficult things.

Kaguya: What…

Scion (Hiyama): However, no matter.

You’re saying that you will accept humble flowers that can be easily cared for then?

Kaguya: Y-Yes… As long as they really are humble…

Then I’ll gratefully take them in.

Scion (Hiyama): … Alright.

Kaguya: ……

* * *

I had heard it from her mouth directly that she would accept my gifts.

But just when I had thought that those days of having my presents returned, were now finally behind me…

The messenger that I sent out to Kaguya’s place, once again, came back carrying a package.

-Young Noble’s Estate: Inside Quarters-

Messenger: … I have returned.

Scion (Hiyama): Don’t tell me she didn’t accept the flowers either?

Messenger: No, my lord! She definitely accepted the items this time around.

Scion (Hiyama): … Well then, what is it?

Messenger: This was left in my care by Lady Kaguya.

She said that she wanted me to deliver it to you as thanks for the flowers.

Scion (Hiyama): As thanks… What’s inside?

Messenger: That is…

It appears to be in-season wild vegetables.

Scion (Hiyama): ……

Wild vegetables?

Messenger: Precisely, my lord…

Scion (Hiyama): Wild vegetables…

Messenger: I am told that you can harvest in abundance all sorts of vegetation in that mountain.

Apparently, this is what Lady Kaguya herself has gathered. She says that the taste and scent of it is very pleasing.

Scion (Hiyama): She did…

… I see. So they’re wild vegetables.

I look forward to having them.

37.

-Young Noble’s Estate: Inside Quarters-

Messengers (Kagura & Maki): (… Wild vegetables…)

Scion (Hiyama): From then on, Kaguya would give something back in return each time.

They were almost like seasonal tidings, and beyond that, I could see her everyday life in a place that was far out from here.

Prince (Kaname): … Right. So was she happy about the flowers?

Scion (Hiyama): Yes. She was pleased with each and every one of them. But she had said that the Chinese bellflowers were her most favourite.

Prince (Kaname): Chinese bellflowers…?

Scion (Hiyama): Do they not blossom on the moon? She, too, had said that she had never seen them before.

I’ve also planted them in my gardens. It’s those purple ones blooming there.

Messenger (Arakida): ……

Scion (Hiyama): … When it came to the marriage, she stubbornly did not consent.

Nevertheless, she never refused me personally.

I was pulled in by her charm every time I followed her with my eyes, and I had no intention of giving up.

I had planned on having her after doing everything possible, and to the best that I could, even if I had to dedicate my whole life to it.

Prince (Kaname): … You had planned on it. Does that not apply anymore?

Scion (Hiyama): … If I were still thinking that way even now…

Then don’t you reckon you all would have chanced upon her here?

Messenger (Kagura): ……

Scion (Hiyama): Indeed, there’s nothing more meaningless in this world…

Than to speak of an “if” that doesn’t even exist. But…

Messenger (Kagura): ……

Prince (Kaname): ……

* * *

Kaguya’s steps were quiet that night as well.

-Bamboo Thicket-

Every now and again, she would gaze up at the moon as she walked. Her face from the side wore a sorrowful look.

Kaguya: ……

Scion (Hiyama): ……

I had known from the start that her wanting to tell me something in private wouldn’t exactly be a pleasant talk.

But whatever it was, I had thought nothing more of it.

That is, until she came to a stop and opened her mouth to speak about the thing in question.

Scion (Hiyama): … I couldn’t hear you.

Kaguya: … Tonight…

I came here to say farewell.

Scion (Hiyama): …!

She repeated her words of goodbye. I could tell by looking at her face that she wasn’t playing around with me.

In the first place, she wasn’t the sort of person to make a fool out of someone with this kind of talk.

Kaguya: Everything I’m about to tell you is the truth.

… I won’t mind even if you don’t believe me.

But regardless, I wanted for you to hear me out at all cost.

Scion (Hiyama): ……

40.

-Bamboo Thicket-

Every time her hushed voice rang out in the brilliant moonlit night, it would fade to nothing.

I had no doubts about the story that was steadily being told to me. Which was why, however…

Kaguya: … Thank you so much for your hospitality.

Take care.

Scion (Hiyama): ……

—There was no way I could so readily accept it.

Scion (Hiyama): … I refuse.

Kaguya: Huh?

Scion (Hiyama): Did you think things would just end if you declared farewell?

Kaguya: !

Scion (Hiyama): Were my feelings only conveyed to that extent?

Kaguya: … That’s… not it…

Although I was experiencing a wretched burning, as if the insides of my body—my stomach, my heart—were boiling…

The hand of hers that I had grabbed was cold.

Scion (Hiyama): You’re not in love with me, so I’m not going to demand that you marry me.

But my feelings are already made up. I don’t plan on retreating.

At the very least, I have no intention of letting you go off somewhere while you still understand nothing.

Kaguya: ……

Scion (Hiyama): Do I terrify you?

Kaguya: … No.

Scion (Hiyama): Do I repulse you?

Kaguya: How can you?

Scion (Hiyama): Then, why.

Kaguya: ……

Scion (Hiyama): … Don’t think that you can go anywhere without answering me.

Kaguya: … Please, I ask that you release me.

Scion (Hiyama): …!

While saying that, she did not try to shake off my hand, and the unbearable feelings I held for her grew violent.

“Go on and hate me. If you want to run away, then you should do so right now, this instant.”

But because she didn’t hate me or run away, she was essentially telling me to see her off quietly.

Scion (Hiyama): … I’ll prove to you that I can get my hands on whatever it is that you say you want.

I vow to protect you from everything that threatens you.

So don’t go.

Kaguya: ……

She shook her head and said not a word. That action needlessly filled the hand I was grabbing her slender arm in with force.

Scion (Hiyama): If you want to leave, then reject me outright.

Say that you can’t love me under any circumstances, no matter what happens.

Kaguya: …!

Scion (Hiyama): ……

I peered back into her largely quivering eyes, as if praying that she wouldn’t be able to escape at this point.

She tried to shake her head many times, and had attempted to say something.

But then, after a long pause, she slowly spoke.

Kaguya: … Even if I stay here…

I cannot love you as my husband.

Scion (Hiyama): ……

In the gap following her seemingly wrung out words, she breathed as if she were crying out, and my heart ached at that.

Kaguya: Under any circumstances, no matter what happens…

For as long as I live.

… I’m sorry…

The teardrop that fell from her eyes landed onto the hand I was holding her captive.

At that sensation, I could feel everything that I had been fuming about quietly lose heat.

All that remained was regret itself.

Scion (Hiyama): … Forgive me.

Kaguya: I’m sorry…

Scion (Hiyama): It’s not something for you to apologise over.

I understand now. I have accepted your feelings.

… I’m sorry.

I couldn’t find anything else to say but that.

At the same time, I grasped her trembling hands and covered them with mine own.

Scion (Hiyama): … Whatever happens from here on out…

I will always wish for your happiness.

Just that… from the bottom of my heart.

Kaguya: ……

I slowly released the hands that I had planned on never letting go.

Scion (Hiyama): I won’t come after you anymore.

You can leave at your own leisure.

Kaguya: … I, as well.

Scion (Hiyama): … What was that?

Kaguya: I feel the same way.

I will wish for your happiness with my whole heart.

Scion (Hiyama): … I see.

Thank you.

Kaguya: No. Please… take care.

… Farewell!

Scion (Hiyama): … Yeah.

{Scene changes to the full moon in the night sky}

Scion (Hiyama): Take care.

Without having even wiped away her tears, Kaguya had smiled anyway.

And I saw her off, all the while not knowing for myself what sort of face I was making.

The whole time, I was hoping that I was able to keep up a smile, if only a little.

41.

-Young Noble’s Estate: Inside Quarters-

Prince (Kaname): ……

Scion (Hiyama): Even now, when I think back to how I hurt her because I let my emotions get the better of me…

I become uncontrollably infuriated with myself.

Yet given all that… I couldn’t have not said anything.

I had to hope.

Messenger (Arakida): ……

Scion (Hiyama): Even if I were to no longer be able to recall her face in the future…

Or come the day when these regrets, along with my memories, were to fade and disappear…

I know that my heart would ache every time I looked to the moon, no matter what.

That is both my punishment and testimony.

Messenger (Maki): … Your testimony?

Scion (Hiyama): That she was here. That I caressed her with these hands.

It was no illusion—it happened.

Messenger (Kagura): ……

Prince (Kaname): Was that your last time seeing her?

Scion (Hiyama): Yes. Just like that, she left without turning back.

I’ve said my piece with this.

Prince (Kaname): Right.

Got it.

… Then in that case…

Messenger (Maki): On it…

Scion (Hiyama): … Oh, yes.

I’ll say one last thing.

Messenger (Maki): Huh?

Scion (Hiyama): I don’t know where Kaguya was trying to go, but…

She’s most likely getting help from the Emperor.

Messenger (Arakida): The Emperor…?

Scion (Hiyama): He’s a clever man.

If he lent her a hand, then regardless if you’re Heavenly Beings from the moon, it won’t be easy to track her down.

Prince (Kaname): ……

Scion (Hiyama): … Truthfully speaking, wherever she tries to go, so long as she’s on this earth and summons you…

You’re able to descend to wherever that is to pick her up. Isn’t that right?

Messengers (Maki & Kagura): !

Scion (Hiyama): She hasn’t called upon you all. Knowing that, just how far will you chase after her?

Messenger (Arakida): ……

Prince (Kaname): … Well now—

That has nothing to do with someone who’s not pursuing her.

Scion (Hiyama): … I see.

Of course.

I closed my eyes and what came to the front of my mind was the last smile I saw of hers.

Scion (Hiyama): (… I truly did you wrong that time.)

“Something of this level will not atone for what I have done.”

“But I won’t let them catch up to you yet. I won’t let anyone lay their hands on you.”

“So, please, let me believe…”

Scion (Hiyama): … Kaguya.

“—That you’re out there somewhere, with a smile on your face tomorrow as well.”

{Bells jingle}