GDT | Chapter 1.5

Instead of bringing a difficult book, Yurkia had sat across from Ruberteo in a warm room and suggested they learn how to talk.

“Let’s think about how to express the feelings we’re having right now.”

“……”

Ruberteo fidgeted with his hands. Expressing feelings… When had he last done that? It felt like a long, long time ago.

“People say the first emotion you feel is sadness. Do you know why?”

Even though there was no answer, Yurkia kept talking, asking and answering his own questions.

“It’s because babies cry when they’re born. That’s why people say the first emotion is sadness.”

“……”

“But I think differently. I think it’s… fear, not sadness.”

He gently stroked the back of Ruberteo’s hand with his thumb as he spoke. His soft, steady voice was so soothing that Ruberteo almost dozed off.

“A brand new place, surrounded by strangers. People shouting, ‘Princess!’ or ‘Prince!’ All those loud noises at once—how scary must that be?”

Yurkia watched Ruberteo blink as he listened, and continued,

“The next emotion is joy. You feel full and loved as you drink your mother’s milk. That’s how people naturally learn to recognize and express feelings from their environment.”

Yurkia let go of Ruberteo’s hand for a moment and placed his own hand over his heart. Ruberteo watched every gesture, listened to his voice like a sweet melody.

“Let’s try expressing how we feel right now. My heart is pounding. I think this feeling is joy.”

“……”

“I’m happy to be with you, young master. That happiness is making my heart beat faster.”

How about you, young master? It was a gentle question, never rushed. He just gave Ruberteo time.

“…My fin…gers…”

When the second hand had made a full circle, Ruberteo finally spoke. He was pressing his fingertips together.

“My fingertips… feel tingly.”

It was a slow, awkward, but clear answer. If Ruberteo could go back to that lesson now, he’d tell Yurkia, who asked about his feelings:

It felt like my heart was beating in our joined hands. And with those hands, I wanted to hold you.

***

“Umm…”

Yurkia stared blankly at the unfamiliar face in the mirror. The flashy blond hair was nowhere to be seen, and instead, a man with long brown hair was standing there.

“This feels weird…”

He absentmindedly fiddled with his hair, then glanced out the window. Beyond the big window, there was a village a little ways off.

‘Still, if I want to go out, I have no choice!’

Today’s the long-awaited festival day! Yurkia clenched both fists tightly. He couldn’t help but smile at the thought of finally being able to show the festival to Ruberteo.

He’d been cooped up in the mansion all this time, so how fun would the festival be for him? Maybe he’d finally get to see that smile he hadn’t seen in three years.

“It’ll be pretty…”

“What will?”

“Ahh!!”

Startled by the voice from behind, Yurkia jumped and quickly turned around. There stood Ruberteo, who had applied the same dye to his hair as Yurkia.

“T-Teo? You… black suits you, too.”

It was true. The hair that used to be as white as the snow outside had turned black.

Maybe he’d even dyed his eyelashes, because every time he blinked his big eyes, his long, straight black lashes fluttered. Even with the color changed, his face was still so handsome that Yurkia found himself staring blankly until Ruberteo, standing like a statue, finally spoke.

“Teacher, you…”

“Hm?”

“You look best as yourself.”

With that, Ruberteo turned away. Yurkia’s mouth dropped open. Seriously. Would it kill him to just say I look handsome, even as a joke? Pouting, Yurkia grabbed his coat and headed outside.

“Well, I guess if you lived with your face, mine might seem ordinary, but in this situation, it’s polite to give a compliment.”

“But… I’m just telling the truth.”

At Ruberteo’s words, Yurkia stopped and looked at him. When Ruberteo’s body was suddenly right in front of him, Yurkia flinched and stepped back, but Ruberteo reached out and gently took a lock of Yurkia’s hair.

“You look pretty as you are.”

“…R-really?”

So that’s how it is. Well, I guess I did feel awkward too! Feeling a sudden tingle at his toes, Yurkia quickly pulled his hair free and turned away, hurrying toward the carriage.

Watching Yurkia’s back as he walked away, Ruberteo rubbed the fingers that had just been holding his hair.

“Why does he say things like that…”

He says it like it’s nothing. And with that face, even I got flustered for a second.

Clearing his throat, Yurkia told himself not to get distracted by that face and looked at Ruberteo, who had come up beside him. His neck was exposed to the cold.

“Teo, bend down for a second.”

Yurkia gestured to Teo. When Ruberteo bent slightly, Yurkia wrapped the scarf he’d brought around Ruberteo’s neck.

“It’s colder than I thought today. You can’t catch a cold, so wear this.”

“…What about you, Teacher?”

“I’m an adult, so I’ll be fine.”

I’m tougher than you! he said, raising his arm confidently before hopping into the carriage. Ruberteo, touching the soft scarf that felt like Yurkia’s hands, followed him inside.

“To the plaza, please.”

At Yurkia’s request, the carriage started smoothly. Excited to be going out for the first time in a while, he looked out the window and spoke.

“This reminds me of when I first came here. Honestly, I thought about running away back then. I get scared easily, you know?”

He’d really considered jumping out of the carriage back then. If he had, he never would’ve met Ruberteo. Thinking he was glad he hadn’t run, Yurkia chuckled softly.

“But I like it now. Though, I still hate the cold.”

Maybe I’m talking too much by myself? I should calm down. Clearing his throat, Yurkia tried to settle his excitement and turned to the quiet Ruberteo.

“How is it? Isn’t it nice to be outsi—”

He was about to ask, “Isn’t it nice?” but clamped his mouth shut when he met Ruberteo’s gaze.

Why… does he look angry? Did I say something wrong? As Yurkia nervously watched Ruberteo’s shadowed face, the carriage suddenly jolted.

“Ah…!”

His stiff body lost balance and pitched forward, but Ruberteo’s hand caught him.

“Are you alright? I’m sorry… we hit a rock…”

“I-I’m fine! And, uh, thanks.”

Trying to straighten up with an awkward smile, Yurkia found himself stuck in a weird position because Ruberteo’s hand was still holding him tightly. Their eyes met.

“…Is there something you want to say?”

“…You can’t run away.”

“Huh?”

“The Northern Region is dangerous.”

“No, well… I told you, I’m not running away anymore.”

“Really?”

What’s with him? Ruberteo’s grip on his shoulder tightened, like he wouldn’t let go until Yurkia answered, so Yurkia hurriedly replied. Of course!

“I told you. I like it here now. Besides, where would I go without you?”

“……”

“I have to take responsibility. You’re my student.”

At his answer, Ruberteo finally let go. Whew, Yurkia sighed in relief and sat down properly, rubbing his sore arm as he glanced at Ruberteo. Maybe he hadn’t actually been angry. Ruberteo was just calmly looking out the window.

‘Maybe he got anxious because I said I wanted to run away, after we’ve grown close.’

He’s still young. So young. Thinking he was cute, Yurkia straightened his wrinkled clothes and, seeing the village getting closer, shouted,

“We’re here!”

“You’ll fall again if you’re not careful.”

“There aren’t any rocks on this paved road. Is there anything you want to do first?”

“Not really, Teacher. You tell me.”

Oh, right. This is his first time out. Yurkia smacked his lips at his own dumb question and said,

“Then should we eat something first? We left without eating anything.”

“Okay.”

“I asked the butler what’s famous in the village before we left. He recommended a restaurant, so let’s go there first!”

With a smile brighter than the lights in the village, Yurkia grabbed Ruberteo’s hand and pulled him along. There wasn’t much conversation, just Yurkia’s one-sided chatter, but the mood wasn’t bad.

The food at the restaurant the butler recommended was perfect, and the music drifting through the streets was fun, too. The festival was called the “Ice Flower Festival,” and fitting the name, everyone had an ice flower brooch pinned to their chest.

“Hmm…”

Thinking they should wear the same thing as everyone else, Yurkia led Ruberteo to a shop and carefully picked out brooches. Not too big, not too small, and not broken—he was looking for the perfect one.

“Oh my, all the goods here are great!”

“Haha, of course I know. But since I’m giving it to my student, I want to pick something really nice.”

“Oh my, you’re a teacher? You must be close with your student, coming to the festival together.”

Grinning at the shop owner’s words, Yurkia picked the brightest, most beautiful brooch and handed over a gold coin. Do I really look close with Teo?

‘Thank goodness. I was worried we’d look awkward.’

And Teo seems to be enjoying himself more than I thought. I’m glad we came out. As he turned around, Yurkia squeezed his eyes shut as a hand reached toward his face.

“T-Teo?”

“Just a second.”

Ruberteo fixed something to Yurkia’s ear and slowly let go. The touch of his fingers on the tip of Yurkia’s ear tickled, so Yurkia reached up to rub his ear, but his hand brushed against something, making his eyes go wide.

“What is this?”

“You don’t have to wear a brooch on your chest.”

Ruberteo was looking at a spot across the way. There, unlike everyone else, some women had ice flowers tucked behind their ears.

Ah, so that’s what this is. But still, this is a bit…

“Does it… not suit me? I just thought it might look weird…”

“Don’t take it out.”

Yurkia awkwardly lowered his hand at Ruberteo’s firm words. Well, maybe it doesn’t look bad?

“This is embarrassing…”

“…It looks good on you.”

“…Huh? Wh-what did you say?”

“Give it to me.”

“Wait!! What did you just say?”

He said it looks good, right? That’s a compliment, isn’t it? For the first time, Ruberteo had said something positive to him, and Yurkia got so excited he forgot to even take out the ice flower from his ear and clung to Ruberteo.

“Say it again! Who knows when you’ll say something like that again!”

“…I think I say it often.”

“No way! I’ve never heard it!”