The Doll and The Prince - v3 Chapter 4 (Patreon)

Rikimaru (2)
High school is over. Once February arrives, I don't have to go to school anymore, and since my future plans are set, I have free time. I want to go to driving school because I need a driver's license, but being born in March, I can't go yet. I'm free until I turn eighteen.

Despite having free time, I can't focus on training. Because there's no one to spar with. I've become strong. Yet strong for what?

Naruhito.

We promised to do it again, didn't we? We were always the best opponents for each other.

Now we could have an even better match. I'm sure of it.

The last time we met was when I helped Lord Hiiro move to the detached villa.

Even though there was so much noise around, he collapsed as if losing consciousness, quietly crumbling like a broken puppet.

Seems like he can't muster any strength.

No matter how noisy it gets around him, he won't wake up. If he does wake up, he will feel sorry and be downcast.

Going to the bathroom and eating are about all he can manage.

What's this? Like a baby? Like an old person? No. He’s fifteen. Didn't he say he’s fifteen?

"Naru seemed lonely."

My mother, who visits the detached villa every day to check on Naruhito, said.

"He didn't say anything like that, did he?"

Anyway, he doesn’t talk much, so who knows if he even understands what it means to feel lonely.

"He doesn’t have to say it; I can tell. His eyebrows furrow when he hears your name, Rikimaru.”

What's this? Am I the only one who doesn't understand? Hiiro-dono and Naruhito are easy to understand, right? Why can't I understand?

"Just say it out loud..."
"Even if he says it, you won't hear about it when you are not there.”

I reluctantly heeded my mother's words. I arrived in the evening, but they let me into the detached villa easily.

My older brother was standing in front of Naruhito's room. Since it's also His Highness's room, is His Highness in there?

"Go in."

Unable to resist, as I was thinking of trying again another time, my older brother opened the door for me. I hesitated but entered.

The canopy of the bed was lowered. Isn't His Highness sleeping? Is it okay to disturb him?

"Naruhito."

I thought I said it in a small voice, but it echoed surprisingly loud, and it startled me.

"Rikimaru?"

A quiet voice responded. I slightly pulled back the fabric around the bed, and Naruhito was lying next to His Highness. I quietly lifted him as he raised his right hand. I put the bed's fabric back, held Naruhito, and gently sat down on the sofa, facing him. Even in the dim room, I could see his face clearly at this distance.

What's this? He looks so happy. He seems delighted.

"How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay."
"I see."

After that, I chatted away about how school was over, how I planned to attend driving school to get my driver's license, and how I would start working as Prince Akemi’s guard from April.

After a while, Naruhito, who had been smiling, began to blink sleepily with his right eye. He seemed to be trying hard not to fall asleep.

"I'll come again."
"Yeah."
"I'll come tomorrow too."
"Yeah."

I held Naruhito tightly in my arms as he closed his eye.

God, I don't need speed or strength.
Please give me a brain capable of coming up with a cure for Naruhito's body.

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