Ch.172Chapter 172: Arrival Day (1)

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It had been a while since Cal escaped from his nightmare.

During that time, the train continued its uninterrupted journey, and the scenery outside the window changed moment by moment.

Just a few days ago.

This train we boarded was powering through the coldest region of this land.

As if announcing that it was the dead of winter, we had been cutting through fierce snowfall rarely seen in other parts of the central continent.

Breaking through the strong winds carrying that snow was just a few days ago.

But as the train continued its journey past the islands toward the Duke of Ranos’s territory.

The window began to reflect scenery that revealed the central continent’s characteristically hazy sense of seasons.

Not a barren wasteland where trees could barely grow.

But a landscape lush with verdant greenery, showing that it harbored proper life.

I was somewhat surprised by the natural environment changing in just a few days.

But now, I needed to push that surprise aside.

Because I had to take care of the grateful and precious person sleeping with his head on my thigh.

I looked down at Cal’s sleeping form.

I vaguely recalled how, while half-asleep earlier, he had called me an angel without wings.

Though I don’t know what Cal might think.

To me, Cal, who was now lying with his head on my thigh, was also an angel without wings.

Hoo- Hoo-

His steady breathing, etching itself into my ears, tickled my heart even though it wasn’t directly touching me.

And his red hair against my thigh, merely by that contact alone.

Was giving me a warm heat that matched its red color.

If a person who gives such warmth to another isn’t an angel, then it would be right to declare that there are no such things as angels in this world.

As I gazed at him lost in thought, I noticed small changes occurring on his face.

The cold sweat that had beaded on his forehead when I first saw him in the sleeping compartment had disappeared.

And his expression, which had been painfully contorted by something unknown, was now showing ease.

That’s a relief.

It truly is a relief.

It was so fortunate that I didn’t have to face his sad, frowning face anymore, unable to escape from his nightmare.

“Phew…”

As I let out a sigh of relief.

As if matching my sigh.

Hoo- Hoo-

Cal’s steady breathing tickled my ears.

His closed eyes moved slightly as he exhaled, signaling that he was gradually waking from sleep.

Now… I should wake him up, right?

A regretful moment approaches.

It was so peaceful, incredibly peaceful.

A part of me wished this moment could last forever.

“That… wouldn’t work, would it?”

As if muttering to myself.

In truth, I knew it wouldn’t work.

Though we said we’d arrive today.

Judging by the momentum of the train racing along the tracks.

We’d reach our final destination in about four or five hours.

And before that, I needed to wake this person up so he could prepare for the end of our journey.

So I tried to gather up my regret while barely restraining my desires.

“Sigh…”

…I couldn’t gather it all.

Seeing the concentration of regret in the sigh that escaped my lips.

I confirmed once again that I didn’t want this moment to end.

But…

Since I know that the world doesn’t flow according to likes and dislikes alone.

“Cal, wake up.”

I carefully called to Cal with a voice filled with as much tenderness as when he had spoken to me.

The corners of his eyes began to twitch slightly.

“Cal, wake up.”

When I called him again with gentleness.

His consciousness, submerged in sleep, seemed to gradually awaken.

Hoo-!

His previously steady breathing became slightly rougher.

Since this was a common sight for people just before waking up.

I could easily tell that Cal would open his eyes soon.

Now, just a little more.

So, one more time.

“Cal. Let’s get up, we’re almost there.”

I called out with tenderness.

Compared to the tenderness he had shown me.

It was far too inadequate.

“…Mmm.”

As a faint moan escaped Cal’s lips, which had shown only minimal response until now.

His closed eyes finally opened slowly, as if rising to the surface from underwater.

I wondered if even a starry night sky could be prettier than this.

Despite the drowsiness that surrounded him having just woken up.

Cal’s black eyes held a beauty that wouldn’t be inferior to anything else of similar color in the world.

….

Ah.

Facing something so beautiful.

I forgot to remove his head from my lap.

#

Before I could even register the amazing sight before my eyes.

My consciousness, which had been submerged in sleep, surfaced due to the call.

Due to a tender voice—the tenderness I love most in the world.

Unlike the sorrowful voice I had heard just before.

I could tell that the voice calling me now was infused with all the tenderness in the world.

How could the same voice evoke such contrasting echoes in my heart?

…Huh?

The same voice?

“…”

What is it?

I remember that I was dreaming until just now.

But I can’t recall what the dream was about.

It seemed like I had witnessed something so overwhelming.

A sight that would make tears well up in my eyes.

But as my consciousness, which had been submerged in sleep, awakened again.

That sorrowful feeling became meaningless.

Nothing came to mind.

What I saw.

What I heard.

What I felt.

There was something vaguely rising in my chest.

But no matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t figure out what it was.

It seemed like a sight I shouldn’t forget.

A dream that scattered like smoke as soon as my consciousness surfaced.

As emptiness and bewilderment filled my chest.

I was about to sigh unconsciously.

“Did you sleep well?”

The gentle voice that settled in my ears.

Made me hold back the sigh that was about to escape my lips.

As I turned my head toward the source of the tenderness with my newly opened eyes.

There was a blue light shining amidst a field of golden waves.

As if molded from melted pure gold.

Long, beautiful golden hair without a single dull spot, and.

Blue eyes revealing a chilling clarity amidst that golden hair.

These were the characteristics of the person who warmed a corner of my heart just by looking at them.

And there was something that made these two elements stand out even more.

“Good… morning.”

It was the faint smile she showed while greeting me.

My heart, which had been gloomy from trying to recall something I couldn’t remember until just now.

Regained its comfort upon facing that golden smile.

Therefore.

“Hello.”

As I greeted you, who had made my heart comfortable.

I tried to slowly raise my body, which had become disheveled from sleep.

But my gradually clearing mind.

Was telling me that I wasn’t in a state where I could just get up because I wanted to.

What state was I in, you ask?

“…I tried to wake you up but you wouldn’t get up, so I thought this might work.”

When did the tender voice that greeted me disappear?

Now, from Shizu’s voice filled with embarrassment as she tried not to make eye contact with me, I could tell.

The back of my head was currently resting on Shizu’s thigh.

Yes, a lap pillow.

Just like she often did for me in Night Haven a few days ago.

Shizu had used her lap to provide comfort for my head.

A comfort different from just a soft pillow.

Even now, as my consciousness awakened from deep sleep.

It was making my body and mind comfortable.

But the more I became aware of the current situation.

Due to the warm feeling tickling a corner of my heart.

I could feel my face becoming increasingly red.

Why wouldn’t it?

Even though it had become more frequent lately.

I had shown my defenseless sleeping form to someone precious for quite a while.

Who wouldn’t feel embarrassed about that?

It’s my desire to always show you only cool and good sides of me.

I know well that things don’t go according to desires.

But regardless of that truth, I didn’t want to show you my embarrassed appearance.

“…”

I silently extended both arms toward my face.

Even though I was still dull from just waking up.

It was an action taken with the intention of covering my face with my palms to cool down the heat that had rushed to it.

“…Sorry, did I startle you?”

As Shizu first apologized after seeing my (disheveled) appearance.

I stopped the movement of my hands that were about to cover my face.

“…Thank you for waking me up.”

I first expressed gratitude to soothe her heart.

Thinking about it, I wondered if I should apologize for not being the one to wake her up first as I always did.

But as my small expression of gratitude left my lips.

I could see a strange sight unfolding before my eyes.

Although she had shown regret, Shizu’s complexion, which had been calm, was now.

Flushed with a blush no less intense than mine.

“…ing.”

A voice smaller than a crawling mosquito was coming out.

Even with my recently improved sensory organs.

“…nkful.”

It was a voice so small that I could barely hear the last syllable.

I wondered why she was speaking in such a small voice to me.

I had my doubts, but.

To my ears, which had remained silent until your embarrassment subsided.

“I’m… more thankful.”

Only then did your voice, clearly stating what you wanted to say, reach me.

More thankful…

I’m the one who should be more thankful.

Even when I express my gratitude like this, the very existence of you who accepts it with a smile.

Is in itself a source of gratitude for me.

You know what?

During the time when I lived in a dark palace, now quite far away as we travel by train.

I only thought about asking for your forgiveness.

Even though I knew it wasn’t possible.

Because of my irreversible mistake and.

Being suppressed by something that forced me against my will.

I couldn’t even say a single word of apology that you wouldn’t accept anyway.

I couldn’t even imagine expressing gratitude.

Compared to those dark and sad times.

Just having you looking at me like this.

Makes me happy.

And on top of that, being able to hear you say thank you.

I realize that compared to the past, I now live feeling an overflowing happiness.

So, Shizu…

“Cal? Is there something on my face? You’ve been staring silently for a while… Ah?!”

From now on, I’ll continue to tell you that I’m more thankful.

With that determination in my heart.

I reached out my right arm and stroked your head as you looked at me tenderly.

With each stroke.

“Ca…Cal, it tickles…hehe.”

Your voice, letting out a light laugh as if the sensation from my palm was ticklish, and.

The indescribably sweet scent emanating from your hair.

Awakened my drowsy mind that had just emerged from sleep.

Screeeech-!!

Even the friction sound from the braking system activated as the train entered a curved section.

Sounded as sweet as a lullaby.

The morning that signaled the end of our journey began with these golden waves.