Keith VS Kagari
The Beast Tempts the Little Rabbit Episode 1
If I were to head to Jade on an errand to buy books for the ownerā
("Enjoy the seasonal flowers in the flower-viewing event!" ...So that's why it's so lively here.)
Every flower Iād seen was rare, and it filled me with excitement.
(There are so many delicious-looking stalls, and I'm starting to get hungry.)
(I've finished the task the owner asked me to do, so maybe I should just enjoy the event as it is.)
Emma: "Ah...!"
Man: "My bad."
Suddenly, a man running from behind collided with me, causing me to stumble.
Emma: "No, I'm the one who should apologize!"
The man nodded and then hurriedly disappeared into a large mansion along a deserted street.
(I think might have been in the way. I need to be more careful.)
(Huh...?)
I suddenly caught a sweet scent, different from that of flowers, and stopped in my tracks.
Curious, I search for the source of the scent and came across a mobile vendor with a sign that read "DORAYAKI" in large letters.
(Dorayaki is a traditional sweet from Kogyoku, right? I remember Owner made it for me once.)
(It feels strange to see it in Jade.)
My stomach grumbled, expressing its hunger.
(I haven't had it in a while, maybe I should have some.)
Emma: "Excuse me, Could I have one dorayaki, please?"
ā¦..
???: "One dorayaki, please."
Staff: "Sorry, buddy. The lady there just bought the last one."
Staff: "Come back tomorrow!"
???: "I see, got it."
???: ... Dorayaki.
???: "...Hm?"
......
Emma: (Why is this happening...)
???: "..."
(Who is this guy?)
Though I was supposed to be enjoying the event, savoring my first dorayaki in a while and strolling through the town,
I now found myself cornered by a man I didn't recognize.
(Could it be that I just donāt remember him...? Despite him being so eye-catching?)
With his fiery red hair tied up, expressionless emerald eyes, and the sweet, yet fleeting scent that enveloped him, there's no way I could forget him.
The man with the emerald eyes, who had been staring at me intently, slowly brought his well-defined face closer.
Emma: "Hey, there's a suspicious person here!"
???: "Suspicious? That's rude. I was just trying to stop you because you started running."
Emma: "Anyone would run if they realize they're being followed."
I try to escape, but he grabs both of my hands and holds them against the wall, blocking my way out.
Silently apologizing in my mind, I kicked the man with the emerald eyes between the legs as hard as I couldāor so thought.
???: "If youāre going to do that, create an opening first."
(Huh? This guy is NOT normal.)
In an instant, the man with the emerald eyes tangled his leg around mine, thwarting my movement.
Words of desperation raced through my mind.
???: " Also, your gaze dropped too low. What good does it do to let your opponent know that your next move is to kick them?"
Emma: "S-sorry?"
(No, wait, why am I being coach right now?)
???: "More importantly, did you forget something?"
Emma: "Huh? Forgotten something...?"
???: "What are you doing?"
(That voice...!)
I turn my face towards the familiar, low, calm voice.
Standing there like a godsend is Prince Keith, the first prince of Jade.
Back when he visited Rhodolite as a royal guest while I was serving as a Belle to select the next king,
I remember being comforted and saved many times by his sincere and boundless kindness, despite his lack of confidence.
(But, Prince Keith has a secret that he can't tell anyone...)
Prince Keith cautiously closes the distance between us.
The usual gentle and calm atmosphere fades away, and is replaced by a glare towards the man with the emerald eyes.
Keith: "I heard your voice and came here. You, move away from her."
(Iām saved...)
Emma & ???:
"Prince Keith..."
"Keith, huh?"
(... Huh?)
Keith: "Huh? Kagari? And Emma?!
(Kagari...? Does that mean he knows Prince Keith?)
Keith: "Why are you two in Jade...? No, more importantly, why are you in such a position...?"
Keith looks back and forth between me and the man with the emerald eyes, and suddenly begins waving his hands in a flustered manner.
His cheeks seem to be slightly flushedā¦ I have a bad feeling about this.
Keith: "I'm sorry, I had no idea you two were acquainted like that, I... I... I've interfered."
(I knew it, he did misunderstand!)
Keith: "Just ignore me like the annoying weed I am."
Keith: "Or rather, I should disappear as soon as possible, right? Uh, um, best of luck to you both!"
Emma: "Wait, Prince Keith, it's a misunderstanding. Please help me!"
Keith: "Huh?"
...
Emma: "I'm sorry for calling you a suspicious person when you were just trying to return my wallet."
In a cafĆ©āafter the waiter finished taking our orders and left, I immediately bowed deeply as if grabbing onto the table.
Kagari: "It's fine, raise your head."
Keith: "Kagari?"
Kagari: "Sorry for trailing you and cornering you against the wall."
Kagari: "If there's ever a next time, I'll call out to you even if you're eating dorayaki."
Emma: "Ah, so that's why you didn't call out immediately. Thank you for your consideration."
Keith: "Even after all that... Emma, you're truly a generous woman. Thank you."
After showing a relieved expression on his face, Prince Keith clears his throat softly.
Keith: "Now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, let me properly introduce him."
Keith: "This is Kagari Amagase, the second prince of Kogyoku."
Keith: "Jade and Kogyoku have had exchanges since ancient times, so Kagari and I have known each other since childhood."
Emma: "I see!"
(That's why their interaction seemed so relaxed, like they're comfortable with each other.)
Keith: "If I remember correctly, wasn't it when the king had you brought from Kogyoku to train me, Kagari?"
Kagari: "Yeah. You had spirit, but you were surprisingly weak."
(I've seen Keith training with Licht before, so it's hard to imagine him being weak.)
Keith: "Those hellish training sessions were unique, both then and now."
Keith: "Those memories are nostalgic..."
From his wry smile, I could tell the training had been extremely harsh.
Keith: "In return for the training, I taught Kagari about medicinal herbs."
Kagari: "Kogyoku is always bustling with injured people, so knowledge of medicinal herbs comes in handy."
(Kogyoku is still a country constantly at war.)
(And Kagari is also feared as a demon.)
From appearances alone, you wouldn't guess it, but his expressionless emerald eyes reflect nothing, which made him a bit intimidating.
Keith: "Kagari, this is Emma, a friend I met in Rhodolite."
Keith: "I know it might sound presumptuous for a giant guy like me to call someone like you my friend."
Emma: "If anything, I might be the presumptuous one. But I'm glad you consider me a friend, Prince Keith."
Keith: "R-really? That's... I'm glad."
His shy smile made me smile in return.
(Prince Keith always brings comfort no matter the situation.)
Kagari: "Rhodolite... Ah."
Kagari: "So that sweet scent earlier was the smell of roses. They bloom year-round there."
Kagari: "Cherry blossoms also bloom all year round in Crimson Palace. We're like flower buddies."
Emma: "Right, I guess so."
Keith: "Oh, that sounds nice. Since Jade is also abundant in nature, maybe we could join the club?"
Kagari: "If you join, it'll be more like being plant buddies than flower buddies."
Keith: "That suddenly took away the cuteness... It's sad, but I'll decline joining."
(Prince Keith seems quite disappointed...)
Waiter: "Sorry for the wait."
(Wow...)
The waiter leaves, and I glance at the table.
In front of me is a mille-feuille, in front of Prince Keith is a thick galette with various flavors to enjoy,
And in front of Kagari is a stack of dorayaki.
(I thought the "Dorayaki Tower" was just a joke of a name, but it's quite literal.)
Emma: "I never imagined there would be such whimsical sweets in Jade."
Keith: "The pastry chef here is from Kogyoku, you see. They put it on the secret menu at Kagari's request."
Emma: "I see... What a thoughtful gesture."
Kagari: "Thank you for the food."
After saying a silent prayer, Kagari begins to slice the dorayaki with a knife and quietly starts eating.
His flawless eating style mesmerized me, as he maintained a perfect balance even though it looks like it might collapse at any moment.
Kagari: "Princess."
Emma: "Huh? Princess? Did you mean meāugh!"
Keith: "..."
In the blink of an eye, the dorayaki is stuffed into my mouth.
Despite feeling flustered, the gentle sweetness of the red bean paste spreads in my mouth as I chew.
Kagari: "Which do you prefer, the dorayaki you had from the mobile vendor or this one?"
Emma: "I, I like them both. By the way, the dorayaki I had was also with smooth red bean paste."
Kagari: "......I'll buy some tomorrow."
(Maybe they were sold out, and he couldn't have any.)
(Kagari is... unpredictable in both thought and action.)
Keith: "Dorayaki is highly effective for Kagari, so it's good to remember just in case something happens."
Emma: "Understood. I'll make sure to remember it well."
Keith: "Right. Emma told us why she came to Jade earlier, but what about you, Kagari?"
Kagari: "Iām searching for someone."
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