nhp | (Sutamai) Event: ‘The Hidden Princess Kaguya’, Part 5

EVENT STORY INDEX

44.

-Emperor’s Palace: Inside Quarters-

Emperor (Kujo): … I see.

So that’s why you came here then.

Prince (Kaname): Correct.

If the story about you lending her a hand so that she could be far away from here is true…

Then there are several things I’d like to ask you.

Messengers (Maki & Kagura): ……

Emperor (Kujo): It’s a fact that I did help her out.

Messenger (Arakida): !

Emperor (Kujo): Some time ago, she paid me a visit on her own.

She had said that there was a place she wanted to head to without anyone knowing.

Prince (Kaname): … And then?

Emperor (Kujo): I acknowledged her words, and gave out orders to others so that they would grant her whatever she was after. There’s nothing more to it than that.

Of course, I know not of who out of the people serving in this palace actually heard her requests either.

She had said that it would be in my best interest to remain unaware of the particulars. Everything was according to her wishes.

Perhaps it’s because she saw through that you all would come visiting me like this.

Messenger (Kagura): ……

Emperor (Kujo): Do not pursue Kaguya.

Prince (Kaname): … Is that an order? A human, commanding us?

Emperor (Kujo): It’s a warning. She does not wish to return to your side.

Messenger (Arakida): …!

{FWOOSH}

Emperor (Kujo): ……

Messenger (Arakida): Where is Lady Kaguya?

Emperor (Kujo): As I said, I know nothing.

Messenger (Arakida): Then summon the ones who do know to come here at once, this instant.

If you don’t…

Emperor (Kujo): Is that blade of yours only meant for threats? If you intend to kill me, then go right ahead.

Messenger (Kagura): !

Emperor (Kujo): At any rate, I don’t have that long to live.

Messenger (Maki): ……

Prince (Kaname): … Sheathe your blade.

Messenger (Arakida): ……

Prince (Kaname): This person doesn’t know anything. Stand down.

Messenger (Arakida): ……

{Puts away blade}

Emperor (Kujo): ……

Prince (Kaname): From what I heard of your story just now, it doesn’t sound as if you held any special feelings for Kaguya.

Emperor (Kujo): She only came here once, neither before or after.

And I only exchanged words with her briefly.

There was slightly not enough time to fall in love.

Prince (Kaname): All the more, I don’t understand then.

Why would a person of your position lend a hand to someone, who not only turned up out of the blue, but was also a complete stranger?

Emperor (Kujo): … She is the only woman whom my younger brother cherished with his whole heart.

Is there a reason why I ought not to help her?

Prince (Kaname): … Your younger brother?

47.

-Emperor’s Palace: Inside Quarters-

Emperor (Kujo): If, up until coming here, you’ve paid a visit to all the noblemen that she was on friendly terms with one by one, then you would have already met with him.

Well, not that it’s any of your concern as to who that is.

Prince (Kaname): ……

Emperor (Kujo): Due to circumstances, it hasn’t been announced that he is one of the legitimate successors to the throne.

There’s a limit to what he can do, and yet he never asks a thing of me. From a younger brother such as that, it was the first time he had called on me for a favour.

“If she ever comes to you for help, I want you to grant her her wishes” is what he said.

Messengers (Maki & Kagura): ……

Emperor (Kujo): I merely acceded to that request.

Prince (Kaname): … Right.

Then I suppose I should let you in on something.

Emperor (Kujo): Let me in on something?

Prince (Kaname): … People of the moon unconditionally captivate Earthlings.

Princess Kaguya, in particular, had a lot of power in that regard.

Emperor (Kujo): ……

Prince (Kaname): What’s more, we’re also easily drawn to you humans.

So in the time spent side-by-side together…

It’s not unreasonable to end up being deluded into thinking that you’re romantically attracted to one another.

The affection that we feel is an emotion close to that of “fondness”. It is by no means, a love directed towards just one single person.

Messenger (Arakida): ……

Emperor (Kujo): … What’s your point?

Prince (Kaname): The person that your younger brother cherished isn’t a “human woman”.

That love of his wasn’t something born from his heart.

Emperor (Kujo): ……

Prince (Kaname): Like with how the tides are pulled in by the waxing and waning of the moon, he was completely bewitched with her, is all.

Everything that you did to assist her is also without cause.

Messengers (Maki & Kagura): ……

Emperor (Kujo): … Pfft… Haha!

Messenger (Arakida): What’s so funny?

Emperor (Kujo): It’s just as you would expect from those residing in the Heavens. You speak as if you’re quite above us all.

If you say that you are not human…

Then you can’t possibly understand anything about our hearts.

… You can’t even see what’s in her heart when she’s of the same kind as you.

Messenger (Arakida): !

Emperor (Kujo): Or are you pretending that you can’t see it?

Messenger (Kagura): ……

Emperor (Kujo): Or is it that you’ve come all this way ignoring it? Either way…

It’s a rather cruel thing.

Messenger (Maki): ……

Prince (Kaname): … It’s pointless for you to even give it thought.

Because you humans are unlikely to understand us.

Emperor (Kujo): ……

{Bells jingle}

* * *

Prince (Kaname): ……

Messengers (Maki & Arakida): ……

Messenger (Kagura): … Your Highness.

Prince (Kaname): What is it?

Messenger (Kagura): That man wasn’t enamoured with Lady Kaguya or anything.

He was just aiding her out of love for his younger brother.

Prince (Kaname): That’s what he had said, yes.

Messenger (Kagura): … If that’s so, there was no need to erase anything, was there?

Messenger (Maki): ……

Prince (Kaname): … What they say isn’t the whole truth.

Humans are different to us. They’re liars.

Messenger (Kagura): ……

Messenger (Arakida): ……

After having proclaimed that, nothing more was said in response.

The entire time, no one uttered a word as they crossed the sky to where the last person was. That was when it reached them…

Prince (Kaname): (… Huh?)

Messenger (Arakida): ?

Messenger (Maki): … Your Highness?

—The scent of night-blooming cereus, carried by the wind.

50.

Messenger (Maki): The last person’s estate is still a bit further up ahead—

Messenger (Kagura): … Isn’t this…

Messenger (Arakida): … Lady Kaguya’s…

Prince (Kaname): … Over there.

Messengers (Maki & Kagura): !

Messenger (Arakida): What are you doing? We’re going after him.

* * *

-Hill of Chinese Bellflowers-

The destination that I landed at was ablaze with purple flowers.

Prince (Kaname): (These are… Chinese Bellflowers.)

From memory, they were the flowers that the fourth person had said she had adored.

In my restlessness, my legs began to quicken on their own.

I let her faint presence guide me, and there, at the place I arrived at was…

Scion (Otani): … *Sigh*.

Prince (Kaname): ……

A lone man, quietly gazing up at the moon.

Scion (Otani): You’ve come. I’ve been waiting, you know.

Prince (Kaname): ……

His sleeves billowed in the wind to match his carefree behaviour.

And when it did, the scent of flowers gently wafted by once more.

Prince (Kaname): (… Oh.)

Scion (Otani): Strange, isn’t it?

It’s not a strong smell, and yet it persistently won’t go away.

Prince (Kaname): ……

At those words, I realised…

That the scent, and the presence I had followed was no more than something that was left behind.

Messenger (Arakida): …?

Messengers (Maki & Kagura): ……

Scion (Otani): So you’re the Moon Prince who’s come to fetch her.

Prince (Kaname): … And you’re the final person, then?

Scion (Otani): Oh, so you didn’t come here knowing that?

That’s right, I’m the last one.

Messenger (Arakida): !

Scion (Otani): I’ve heard everything. I’m ready to talk.

It’s already gotten this late too. You won’t mind if I jump straight into it, will you?

Prince (Kaname): … Go ahead.

Let’s hear it.

Messenger (Maki): ……

Scion (Otani): Well then, about the time I met her…

But before that, maybe it’s better if I start talking from when I first saw her?

Messenger (Kagura): … You saw her?

Scion (Otani): I believe it was right around this hour.

Unable to fall asleep that night, I went out into the gardens, thinking that I might as well indulge in some stargazing.

That was when I saw someone bathed in the moonlight descending from the sky onto the mountains in the distance.

Prince (Kaname): !

Scion (Otani): Thereafter, I relied on the sight I witnessed, and immediately sent out people to the area where whoever that was had landed.

Ever since that night, I had heard of there being a girl who randomly turned up and settled down in the village.

So I went to see her right away.

The first person to ask for her hand in marriage was probably me.

Messenger (Kagura): ……

Scion (Otani): Up until then, I had never been turned down by any high-born lady.

So I didn’t think that I would see myself receiving that sort of reply from her.

51.

-Village-

Kaguya: … Come again?

Scion (Otani): ?

Could you not hear me?

I said for you to be mine.

Kaguya: Be… yours?

Scion (Otani): Is this your first time being proposed to?

Kaguya: ……

… Oh, you’re proposing.

Scion (Otani): That’s right.

Kaguya: … You’re asking me to marry you?

Scion (Otani): Correct.

Kaguya: ……

Scion (Otani): (… Huh?)

She was a girl who gave slightly unusual reactions, was what I had thought.

But I’ve come up against plenty of eccentric ladies till now.

So I had believed that it was nothing to be surprised over or to even suspect.

… That was my undoing.

Kaguya: Ummm… Thank you for the offer, but I’m sorry.

Scion (Otani): What?

Kaguya: I’m happy with what I have.

Scion (Otani): You’re happy with… Is there already somebody else who will do?

Kaguya: No, that’s not what I was trying to say.

In any case, I’ll have to decline.

Scion (Otani): (… Decline, as in… What did that mean again?)

Her answer was so unexpected that, for a moment, I was left seriously mulling over that question.

But all of that shock and confusion…

Would disappear from the impact of what she said next.

Kaguya: For starters… I can’t honestly accept words that aren’t even real in intention.

Scion (Otani): … Not real… in intention?

Kaguya: !

Um… No, I… It’s nothing. Please forget what I said.

I need to hunt down a pheasant before the sun sets, so…

Scion (Otani): Hey, wait, you—

Kaguya: Please excuse me.

She then hastily bowed her goodbye and ran off.

Scion (Otani): ……

(… She’s fast… No, that’s not what matters here.)

(She thinks I’m not serious about her… Well, I guess that’s true. But why that—)

(Actually, most importantly…)

(… Did I just lose to a bird?)

… Hmm, I see.

* * *

-Hill of Chinese Bellflowers-

Scion (Otani): If I were to leave off having lost to a fowl, then I would definitely lose face.

I had planned to toy around with her for a bit to try and, somehow or other, persuade her.

Messenger (Arakida): Toy around with…?

Scion (Otani): Haha. What a scary face.

It sounds awful if I just end it there.

But for me in particular, there are fewer things that I don’t see as a pastime.

Of course, I had considered taking responsibility if she had wanted me to.

I wasn’t thinking of doing anything cruel such as teasing her, and messing with her, only to then toss her aside.

Messenger (Kagura): ……

Prince (Kaname): … Then what?

Scion (Otani): I tried every possible means, and gave every approach a go, but they were all shot down.

In the beginning, she would politely and awkwardly turn me away.

But maybe she eventually got used to it, enough that halfway through, she started being able to almost pleasantly reject me in a flash.

Messenger (Maki): ……

Scion (Otani): At first, my feelings only went so far as for me to think that this could be a way to kill some time.

But gradually, I began to honestly come to enjoy my time with her, and the way she didn’t hold back towards me.

… I started wanting her for real, to the point that I wouldn’t have been satisfied with calling it a game. When I realised that, I thought I was done for.

Messenger (Arakida): ……

Scion (Otani): That was when I knew there was no going back.

Even so, I worried over it quite a bit.

But tonight, those worries have disappeared completely.

Prince (Kaname): “Tonight”?

Scion (Otani): Yep.

… They’re gone, along with her.

53.

-Hill of Chinese Bellflowers-

How many times already has it been that she's come paying me a visit like this, I wondered.

Scion (Otani): … Now then, as much as I am reluctant to part, perhaps we should get going soon.

Kaguya: You’re right. It’s almost time.

Scion (Otani): Here, for you.

Kaguya: Um…

Scion (Otani): … Hmm?

On this hill circulating in Chinese Bellflowers too great in number to count…

We welcomed the setting sun as we spoke of nonsensical things. There, I handed her a single flower.

Everything was just as it always was.

Kaguya: Thank you.

But I’m sorry. I can’t take it back with me today.

If you’d like, please bring it home with you.

Scion (Otani): Why can’t you take it back with you?

Kaguya: I’ve decided to go somewhere slightly far away.

Tonight, as it is.

Scion (Otani): I see… That right? At this hour of all times?

Kaguya: Yes.

Scion (Otani): When will you be returning?

Kaguya: ……

Scion (Otani): … So you’re not coming back.

Kaguya: … Do you mind if I borrow just a little bit more of your time?

There’s something I want to tell you.

Scion (Otani): … I hope it’s something fun to hear.

Kaguya: Ahaha. I wonder about that…

Are you fond of fairy tales?

Scion (Otani): Depends on the story, but I don’t hate them.

Kaguya: Then maybe you’ll be able to enjoy this one.

Scion (Otani): Really now? I guess I should have high hopes for it then.

Kaguya: If I said…

That I was a person of the moon, and that I came down from there, would you be surprised?

Scion (Otani): … No, I wouldn’t.

I saw for myself the moment of your descent.

Kaguya: What…?

Scion (Otani): It and you were the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life.

Kaguya: ……

Scion (Otani): It didn’t seem like you were going to bring it up, so if I said anything unnecessary, such as me knowing your secret…

I thought that maybe that would become a reason for you to return to the moon. That’s why I kept quiet about it.

… I suppose that day has come whether I would’ve said anything or not then?

Kaguya: … I won’t be returning to the moon.

Scion (Otani): Huh?

Kaguya: I’m going far away.

To a place where I’m more free.

Scion (Otani): ……

Thereafter…

She explained in simple terms the events that were likely to unfold from here on out.

Just when I was thinking that she was quite used to all this, she told me that she had already said her farewells five times before.

Her smiling face as she spoke of how this would finally be her last one was somewhat lonely-looking, but a part of her also appeared to be relieved.

Kaguya: No matter how many times I turned you down in every way…

You would always come back, time and again. To be honest, it was really troublesome at first, but…

Scion (Otani): But?

Kaguya: … You know, when you do that thing where you smirk as if you’ve seen right through a person’s heart…

There’s a word or two that I could comment with every time I see it.

Scion (Otani): Haha.

Kaguya: But despite all that… in the end…

Before I even realised it, I began to think of my time spent with you as fun.

This is also how I honestly feel.

Scion (Otani): ……

(… I already knew that. But if you say it like that at this timing…)

(Then isn’t it a little bit too unfair?)

Kaguya: I won’t be able to see you anymore, but please take care of yourself.

Try and keep how you involve others in your “playing around” to a reasonable level as well.

Scion (Otani): … You’re really going then?

Kaguya: Yes. I’ve already made up my mind.

Scion (Otani): I see. It’s going to get boring without you.

Well, if you’re set on it then what can you do, I guess.

See ya.

Kaguya: ……

As breezy as always, huh.

Is there anything else you’d like to say?

Scion (Otani): Even if you ask me that…

It’s not as if our relationship went that deep anyway.

Kaguya: … Well, I guess that’s true.

Scion (Otani): ……

Kaguya: Shall I see you off?

Scion (Otani): I’ll do that honour.

It worries me to think that you might be crying if I turn around.

I’m not all that fond of being sent off by a lady.

Kaguya: I’m not going to cry.

Scion (Otani): Figures.

Kaguya: Pfft—haha.

… I was right to have put off saying my farewell to you for last. I’m glad.

Scion (Otani): And whatever could you mean by that?

Kaguya: It’s exactly as I said.

Well then, goodbye.

Scion (Otani): Yeah.

……

(… What a load off my chest. Now I no longer have to brood over something that I typically wouldn’t think about.)

(If I get serious, I’ll lose myself. And if I continue to lose myself, then someday, I won’t be me anymore.)

(So this is fine…)

…… Tch.

{Running footsteps}

There was no way it would be fine.

{Grabs}

Scion (Otani): … Kaguya.

Kaguya: What…

{Embraces}

Kaguya: …!?

I had always kept myself at a distance that she was okay with.

But I knew that the simple truth of it was…

I was afraid, and just couldn’t bring myself to touch her.

Kaguya: … Umm…

Scion (Otani): … Kidding. Did that surprise you?

Kaguya: Huh…?

Scion (Otani): I don’t know where you’re going, and I won’t ask.

But if a lovely lady is on her own, then something like this might happen, so watch yourself.

Kaguya: ……

You’re right. Thank you.

Scion (Otani): Well then, for real this time. Farewell.

Kaguya: … Farewell.

After barely managing to stomach her goodbye…

I immediately turned and faced the other way so that I wouldn’t run in pursuit of her ever again.