Mogeko Castle: Stargazing [eng]

 

She wasn't sure how long they ran. Maybe an hour or maybe all day – who could say? Yonaka wasn't even sure when she came to the castle. She recalled Somehow Strange Mogeko told her that this world was way different from her familiar one. Thinking about that, girl started to think, if his words were about time too.

It was possible. Or not?

Doesn't matter, she thought, shook her head.

It started getting darker. Yonaka looked over her shoulder and sighed. All around, there were only trees – nothing else. No trace of the castle they left behind. Just trees, which seemed to surround them, pressing in from all sides. Shadows were dancing around and that made Yonaka felt uneasy. She was tired, hunger and needed to rest, but didn't complain, taking steps in silence. After all, she wanted it herself, didn't she? She had made her decision and she was going to stick to it.

She was trying. She really was, but all emotions and doubts were starting to overwhelm her.

And then… she tripped.

Yonaka fallen. With a little groan, she landed on her knees. Then she started to realize she was shaking.

"Missy."

"I… I'm sorry", she said, held her head up. With a tired smile, Yonaka looked at Defect Mogeko. "I'm so clumsy. I'm fine, just…"

"We could rest for a while if you want", he suggested, looking at her. "I don't think they are after us. Well… for now. But we still can rest."

Yonaka was about to refuse, but she didn't. Something in worried sight of her protector made her calm. He didn't lie. Oh, and was here. Just gave up everything to elope with her. Thinking back, that was crazy to asked about something like that. She still didn't believe he agreed, but… Yeah, here they were.

"Mr. Defect Mogeko", whispered with doubt.

"What?"

"One again… Thanks."

He blushed and didn't answer. Yonaka smirked seeing that, then turned her face away, not wanting to embarrass him.

"… Sure you're okay?"

"Huh? Ah, right…" She realized that still kneed on ground, so she got in her feet in rush. "I can walk."

"Didn't you want rest?", he asked, rising his eyebrow.

"I don't like this place. It's getting darker and…"

"And what? You're watching too many movies, just like I said before". Defect sighed, but didn't fight with her. Instead, he pointed something between trees. "Here. I'm not perfectly sure, but it seems to be more space out there."

He was right. Just a few meters away, the forest has thinned out. With a sighed of relief, Yonaka left trees behind and stepped on a full open meadow. Her eyes started to wide open as she saw darkening sky. She took a deep breath of air filled with the scent of flowers. It was nice after the time spent in dusty, full of blood and rot castle.

Yeah, in this place she'll be able to rest.

Yonaka fallen at her kneed, then just laid on wet grass. She heard soft steps when Defect Mogeko came closer. He looked at her from up, without saying a word.

"… for a while… We can rest for a while", she mumbled to made sure.

"Yeah…"

That was relief. To be honest, she felt like in a dream, but that wasn't that bad. Everything seemed to be better than keep running from mogeko and his subordinates.

Looking up, she finally felt peace. She knew that was only for a moment – they'll have to flee soon – but for now… That was enough.

"You know… I like night. I mean…" She smiled. The night sky stretched out before her eyes. Yonaka was sure she'll be able to see stars after a quarter or two. Her heart started to pound more when she was thought about that. "I'm uses to lying down like that in our garden and just eating candies under the stars. Or rather… I used to doing that. What a shame, I haven't any sweets. I've got… only prosciutto."

She laughed. Oh, I'm talking nonsense, right?, she thought, but Defect seemed to didn't care. To her surprise, he joined her on the grass.

The sudden closeness felt oddly… appropriate to her. Yonaka thought she might like it.

"What else?", he asked.

"Huh?"

"What else you like to do?", he specified.

"Ah… Stargazing?" She shrugged. "Since we haven't got any candies… But I think stars could look like some of them. And clouds like cotton candy".

"You are hungry, aren't you?" He smirked. "But stars… I was stargazed before you came. You know, back then… I had nothing better to do anyway."

"Besides dying?"

"Yeah… Beside this. And then…"

He stopped. Yonaka tensed, ready to swear he was going to tell her something important. She was about to ask him what was happened, but she doubted. Maybe better was to wait.

"Missy?"

"Y-yes?", she answered quickly.

He kept silent for a few more seconds.

"I heard that if you'll see falling star, your wish become true. Do you believe it?"

"Of course I do."

He nodded. Didn't add anything more, but he hadn't to. Yonaka thought she understood.

She could only guess did he saw falling star that night. Who knows, maybe she and the key she gave to him, was more than he could ask. They were barely know each other, but still… Here they were, eloping together. And ware watching night sky.

Then Yonaka thought that her wish became true too. She didn't want to die. Oh, she loved her brother so much, but she didn't ready. On arrival at the castle as well, but paradoxically that was best what she could be done.

They both found peace.

She didn't dare ask for anything more.