episode_0073

After running and playing for a long time, it was already deep into the night.

I bought a refreshing apple juice from a street vendor and shared it with Fosao.

“Ah-. The festival was really fun!”

“Uh-huh….”

“I almost missed something so fun. Thank you so much for recommending it.”

“Hehehe… I thought Tia would en, enjoy it. It, it’s a relief.”

This place was quite high up in Deseo.

Leaning on this railing, the distant harbor was visible at a glance.

This city had a lot of light, so it was really bright.

Moreover, today was the last day of the autumn festival.

No matter where you looked, people were everywhere.

It was the perfect spot to take in the last view of Deseo.

“Hehe- This is nice-.”

At that moment, as I spread my arms wide and welcomed the cool night breeze.

Whoosh-!

From the ‘Red Castle’ visible in the distance, a flash of light shot up into the sky.

“……Huh?”

A straight flash of light cutting through the night sky.

Soon after.

Boom-!

A huge light burst forth in the night sky.

“Ah-?!”

“Tia!”

Fosao tightly embraced my swaying body.

“Wh-what was that just now?!”

“Don’t be surprised. Th-that’s called a ‘firework’.”

“Firework?”

“Uh-huh… It’s a kind of g-game. Look. The light is pretty, isn’t it? Hehehek.”

Whoosh-! Pop-! Bang!

Fireworks continuously soared above the palace.

And burst spectacularly in the night sky.

As if colorful light spread and then disappeared on a black handkerchief.

It was so fascinating that I stared blankly at the sky.

Boom boom boom-!

“Wow-!”

The moment the fireworks all burst at once.

The entire city became bright enough to turn pure white.

“It’s beautiful!”

I was holding onto the railing, gazing intently at the fireworks.

Suddenly, a warm sensation covered my hand.

It was Fosao’s hand, thick with hair on the back.

Startled, I looked to the side.

But Fosao was also watching the fireworks, just like me, gazing at the night sky.

……Perhaps there’s no need to move my hand.

I decided to just leave it.

Pop! Boom!

Fosao withdrew his gaze from the sparkling sky.

And looked at me, saying.

“Pretty, isn’t it?”

“Yes!”

“Hehet. You’re pretty too. Ti, Tia.”

“……Yes?”

Flustered, I unconsciously put my hand on my chest.

Right at that moment.

The sapphire brooch hidden beneath my shirt was lightly touched.

The brooch, which had been tucked next to the ruby necklace, had a very large gem, so it could be felt even through clothes.

“…….”

Thump.

Why was this happening?

Why had my heart been floating like this all day, unable to settle down?

Because I saved Dienbus?

Because I was now leaving Deseo to go home?

That was also true, but…….

“…Ha, haha-. That’s quite something!”

I crossed my arms and scratched my cheek.

“That last one was pretty good. Yes. If you compliment women well like that… Fosao, you’ll be able to gain favor quickly too.”

“Re-really?”

“If I say so, then it’s so!”

Fosao grinned.

“Th-thank you. Tia.”

“…….”

After enjoying the bursting fireworks until the very end.

We returned to the lodging.

That day, I organized my bag until dawn.

Fortunately, there was no longer a need to pass through Mesrode, so the luggage was much less than expected.

Since we would arrive in 4 days by boat.

Just that much was enough to prepare.

I neatly packed souvenirs like the Charrak starflower and the Provost statue.

The dress I wore at the banquet was also folded neatly and put away.

After a final glance over the luggage.

Thud.

I closed the bag.

* * *

Whoosh!

The memory illusion scattered.

I stood before the closet, holding a white dress.

Was Tia’s memory held within this dress only up to this point?

With trembling hands, I clutched my chest.

Slowly, I sank to the floor.

“…….”

What exactly should I call this feeling?

I was genuinely happy about Tia’s success.

Yet, on the other hand, I felt extremely stifled and anxious.

As if my breath was caught in my throat.

Or as if a heavy stone lay upon my heart.

I wanted to vomit, but I felt it wouldn’t make things better.

I… could feel Tia’s emotions within the memory illusion.

At that time, Tia liked Fosao.

No, it wasn’t just a simple liking.

It was clear affection.

Even when Mr. Aban made the absurd suggestion for them to ‘become husband and wife’.

She only hesitated for a moment, then readily accepted without refusing.

Of course, I knew.

That all of this was for me.

Tia and Fosao didn’t actually get married.

Tia had no such intention either.

I knew very well that they had simply pretended to be a fake couple for a short time, out of necessity to attend the banquet.

And didn’t they spectacularly succeed, as if to show off?

It was a great achievement, one that deserved unending applause.

But then.

……Why did I hate it so much?

I looked up at the dress hanging in the closet.

Tia.

When you come wearing this to the baptism.

Could I truly smile and dance with you?

I don’t know.

Like a real couple.

Your appearance—choosing clothes with Fosao, linking arms with Fosao, laughing and talking with Fosao… it felt so unfamiliar.

Somehow, I don’t think I’ll be able to smile.

I understand everything, Tia.

I understand all your efforts.

But tell me.

Why did you say ‘Good night, my dear’ to that man?

Why did you think ‘I want to stay like this longer’ while enjoying the autumn festival?

That… had nothing to do with me from the beginning.

It wasn’t even for me.

Answer me, Tia.

What exactly was the meaning behind that?

I turned my head.

The sapphire brooch on the shelf was visible.

Tia had placed that brooch there.

Higher than the starflower, higher than the Provost statue.

As if it were the proudest and most precious of these souvenirs.

“…….”

Unconsciously, I reached out my hand.

Tia would have had to step on a chair to reach it.

But I could easily take it out by just lifting my heels.

I shouldn’t look at it.

I knew it would become more painful if I did.

But I wanted to confirm.

What ‘Tia’s true feelings’ were.

Clink.

The moment I grasped the sapphire brooch.

Intense memories flooded into my mind.

* * *

Clink.

I took off the necklace and placed it on the adjacent shelf.

In the pale moonlight, the deep blue sapphire sparkled brightly.

“It feels like a dream.”

Lying in bed, I looked at Deseo’s night sky reflected in the window.

Dark clouds drifted through the glow of the pure white full moon.

I stared blankly at the picturesque scene and said.

“Autumn passed like the wind. And… now it’s the last day.”

Fosao’s voice was heard from below the bed.

“Y-you worked hard. Tia.”

“I… did well, didn’t I?”

“Yeah. You did well. You c-can be proud.”

A lighthearted feeling.

My heart was filled with moonlight, and I felt happy.

It was truly fortunate to be able to sleep with this feeling.

“You worked hard too, Fosao.”

“I d-didn’t do anything.”

“You sharply reprimanded the arrogant nobles with your fake coughs at the banquet, didn’t you?”

“That’s true. Hehehet….”

“You’re good at business too! Honestly, I was surprised. I didn’t know you had such insight to start a steel business. I see you in a new light.”

Fosao replied in a small voice, seemingly embarrassed.

“It’s nothing much… that kind of thing….”

“There you go again-. I told you confidence is important for men, didn’t I? Use this as a strength to meet women.”

“T-too late. Now… there’s no woman who would like s-someone like me.”

“No!”

A loud voice came out of me unconsciously.

But I quickly became embarrassed and burrowed back under the blanket.

“……Even though I’m a woman, I think Fosao is good enough.”

A brief silence fell.

Fosao asked in a small voice.

“Re-really…?”

“…Yes.”

“…….”

Suddenly, he became silent.

Di-did I say something unnecessary?

Suddenly, my body felt hot.

My face flushed so much that it felt like it would burn if I touched it.

My heart thumping, I tightly clutched the edge of the blanket.

…What on earth should I say-?! The atmosphere is so awkward!

Should I just fall asleep like this?

The moment I squeezed my eyes shut.

“Um… Tia.”

“Y-yes?!”

“Believing Tia’s words… I-I’ll try to meet a woman once. I… I do want to get m-married, after all….”

“Exactly! That’s the attitude! I’ll cheer you on!”

“B-but before that….”

A timid voice was heard from behind me.

“I r-really want to try a real massage….”

“……?”

A real massage?

I didn’t understand what he meant, so I kept my mouth shut, but Fosao slowly rose from the floor.

“I… I’ve n-never actually given a real massage before.”

“You’ve been giving me massages until now, though.”

“…My, my point is ‘full-body massage’…”

Full-body… massage?

You mean you’ll massage my entire body?

Fosao explained haltingly.

He said that a massage was originally similar to a course meal.

According to the tradition passed down from exotic lands, it should flow continuously like water, in the order of arms and legs, back and shoulders, stomach and chest, without stopping.

But until now, he had only given partial massages according to my requests.

The stomach and chest massage I received before was a process belonging to advanced techniques.

He explained that showcasing all techniques, including this advanced one, on the entire body was what a ‘full-body massage’ truly was.

Fosao said that although he had diligently learned massage techniques, he had never once performed a full-body massage.

This was because women didn’t even approach him in the first place, and men only received massages up to their back and shoulders before leaving.

Thus, performing a ‘full-body massage’ had become his lifelong ambition.

He had thought a lot about asking me, but he hadn’t been able to bring it up until now, fearing I might dislike it.

Thump!

Suddenly, Fosao knelt before me and prostrated himself flat on the floor.

“Please, Ti… Tia. I really want to try a full-body massage.”

“G-get up! Of course, I’d like a good massage! But…”

I scratched my cheek.

“Um… I’m not wearing anything right now… so I’ll put something on and come back…”

“No!!!”

Suddenly, Fosao yelled, still prostrate on the floor.

Startled, I gasped and inhaled sharply.

“W-well, according to tradition… it’s ri-right not to wear anything. It’s also more ef-effective…”

“Don’t lie.”

“I-it’s true!”

I didn’t know much about massages, so I wasn’t sure if it was true.

However, after hearing Fosao’s explanation that the effect of acupressure decreases when wearing clothes, I could somewhat understand.

The good feeling came from the pressure of bare skin touching and gently pressing.

If the fabric rubbed, the sensation was quite unpleasant.

“Tia. S-so now…?”

Fosao stood up from his spot.

“…….”

Thump. Thump.

A huge shadow approached me.

And slowly began to reach out a hand.

I was suddenly struck with fear.

A ‘full-body massage’ naked, no less.

Although I wanted to fulfill Fosao’s lifelong ambition, I felt this was not right, no matter what….

“Um… Fosao…”

I managed to open my mouth.

The approaching hand abruptly stopped in mid-air.

“I, I’m not quite mentally ready yet…. Could we… do it another time?”

“Ah. Uh-huh.”

Fosao dropped his hand and bowed his head deeply.

“S-sorry. It was too much, wasn’t it? I… I haven’t met a w-woman in so long… I didn’t know how to a-ask.”

Sadness could be felt in his deflated voice.

“Tia said she’d help… so I t-tried to be brave and ask once… but, but I guess I… am a strange guy after all.”

“N-no-!”

“If it made you uncomfortable, s-sorry. I’ll just sleep…….”

“Ah….”

Ugh- Seriously-!

Although I had promised to help Fosao be brave even in front of women….

I hadn’t expected this far!

Thud.

Fosao lay down on the floor again.

“…….”

Seeing that large back, helplessly hunched, I felt a sense of pity.

How long had it been since he’d met a woman?

While I felt nothing now, other women probably still found Fosao repulsive.

Because he was old, fat, balding, stuttered, and even smelled bad.

Having been rejected by women for so long.

He must have given up on the idea of marriage early on.

For Fosao to meet women more comfortably, I first needed to break down that wall in his heart.

And properly teach him.

That ‘women’ weren’t just cold and aloof beings.

I let out a short sigh.

And said softly.

“…Alright.”

Silence.

Normally around this time, in a room filled with Fosao’s loud snoring.

I would usually be sleeping soundly, accustomed to that snoring.

Now, only Fosao’s rough breathing and my faint breathing overlapped.

“You can… do it like this……”

Rustle-.

I felt shy.

So shy that I pulled the blanket up and buried my face in it.

“Please… turn off the light.”