Shooting Stars: Chapter 5
Later that night,, it seems I had fallen asleep while leaning on Xavier. When I wake up in my bedroom the next day, it is already almost noon.
I decide to see if Xavier is already up. When I reach his bedroom door, the door is half open, and he is already dressed in formal attire before his mirror.
MC: Xavier? This get-up is…
I walk over to his side and recognize that this is the formal suit he only wears when meeting the King.
MC: You decided to go back?
Xavier: There is no use in always avoiding it.
Xavier: This time, I'll return to see him.
MC: If you don't want to, you also shouldn't force yourself.
Xavier doesn’t say anything; he only picks up the sword that is hanging beside the mirror.
Seeing the star pendant on the hilt, my heart sinks a little once again.
Once he goes back this time, I have no clue when we'll see each other again.
MC: Before our duel, I said I also had a request.
MC: So, before you leave, can you answer me one question?
Xavier: Ask away, you can even ask ten.
Having made up my mind, I lift my head and open my mouth—
MC: That star tassel, who gifted it to you? The person you like?
Xavier looks at me for a moment and suddenly smiles.
Xavier: You finally asked.
Xavier: Mhm, it's from the person I like.
Though I already expect this to be the case, he actually calmly admits to it, making me grow unsettled.
MC: Then— Then she, is she someone you really like?
Xavier: Mhm.
MC: …How much do you like her?
Xavier: All along, she has been the person I’ve liked the most.
I quickly twist the corner of my clothes, beginning to regret asking this stupid question.
MC: So you like her that much…
Xavier: But a long time ago, she already left me, so I have been looking for her ever since.
MC: So every time you join the patrol team, it's also to look for her?
Xavier: Ah? That's not it…
MC: Then you always keep the tassel close to your person; is it so that you don't forget her?
Xavier: Actually I've never forgotten her.
Xavier: She was the one who forgot about me.
MC: How could she forget about you?
This is clearly a sorrowful matter, but for some reason, Xavier doesn't seem too sad when recounting this.
Xavier: Yeah, even though we’ve met again after that, she doesn't remember me at all, nor does she remember having gifted me this tassel.
Xavier: And frequently looks at me, with an expression that—
As he speaks, he glances at me, with a hint of unexpected dissatisfaction.
Xavier: Is full of ignorant surprise.
MC: She even acts that way?!
This version of Xavier, seems a little pitiful…
I don’t regret asking any more. Instead, I feel courage welling up from furious indignation for him.
MC: …Xavier, I want to give you some advice.
Xavier: What is it?
I grit my teeth, making up my mind.
MC: You… should stop liking her!
Xavier: Why?
MC: Because… Since she already doesn't remember you, you can also go and pursue your own happiness.
MC: There are many girls who like you in the School, for example in my School, there's Lillia, Joanna…
MC: There's also the junior from your School, Sarah… They're all pretty decent choices.
Xavier: Oh, so you actually want me to , and fall for another person…
Xavier takes a step closer to me.
Xavier: Then aside from them, is there anyone else?
MC: There's… the aunties who help out at the dining hall, the big sister at the bakery outside…
Xavier takes another step closer.
Xavier: —Anyone else?
MC: You want more? Are you dissatisfied with all of these?
I am forced to move back and sit on the edge of the bed. Xavier leans over and supports himself with one hand by my side.
Xavier: They're all good, but coincidentally, none of them are my type.
MC: …Oh, then there’s nothing we can do.
I lower my eyes to avoid his gaze, looking elsewhere with a guilty conscience.
MC: But, I heard Jeremiah say, the royal family is already selecting a princess… are they choosing for you?
Xavier: No idea.
MC: But Jeremiah also said…
The already close distance between us is further shortened by Xavier, until he is almost touching my nose.
Xavier: You like Jeremiah?
MC: Ah?
Xavier: Everytime you open your mouth, it's to talk about him. If you like him, I'll go see him before I leave.
MC: See him for what?
Xavier: A chat.
Hearing his tone of voice, this likely isn’t a , but one that uses violence! I rush to hold Xavier back.
MC: Don't you hurt him! I was the one who forced him to tell me those rumors.
Xavier: You're so concerned about him.
MC: He doesn't have bad intentions, and he's dim-witted and always needs my help, so it's only right to be a little concerned…
Xavier: So you like the dim-witted kind who’s always asking for your help.
MC: …How did you come to this conclusion?
Xavier narrows his eyes and looks at me for a while, then sits on the edge of the bed beside me.
Within my line of sight while I’m still confused, he takes off the brooch that was on his chest.
Xavier: Help me put it on.
MC: Weren't you already done putting it on earlier?
Xavier: I put it on myself, but couldn't see its position clearly, and put it on crooked.
Xavier: Help me out.
MC: …Then don’t move.
I take the brooch and move closer to Xavier.
Xavier: Can you see its position clearly?
MC: Of course…
Having known Xavier for so long, it seems like this is actually the first time I’m in such close proximity to him.
Maybe the clasp of that brooch was designed to be really tight; it even makes me a little nervous.
Xavier: Aren’t you also putting it on badly.
MC: …You and I aren't even the same.
MC: …You're so foolish, and can't even put on your brooch properly; what will you do if your princess you in the future?
Xavier: Who knows, the princess could be as foolish as me, and also not know how to put it on.
My hands tremble for a moment, and there’s a brief prick of pain on my fingertip.
MC: Ha—!
Xavier: …And even have her finger pricked by the brooch.
Xavier’s hand, clad in a white glove, gently pinches my fingertip.
Xavier: Why are you always getting injured.
MC: The cause of all this trouble is now acting all innocent?
The bleeding stops, and I retract my hand, pretending to be unaffected as I stand up.
MC: Being royalty is so troublesome, it's still best to be a knight.
MC: In a few days, you'll officially be the crown prince, and eventually, you'll become the King of Philos…
MC: So I have to work hard too. If I pass the Lightseeker selection next month, I can become a real knight.
MC: When that time comes, it'll be my turn to protect this King right here from any harm.
Xavier: Is that so…
Xavier: Then if I really become King, what gift will you give me?
I give it a thought…
MC: …I'll also give you a little star, how's that?
Xavier: A little star?
I tap the hilt of Xavier's sword.
MC: Yesterday, during our duel, I think I accidentally broke your tassel…
MC: I'll compensate you with another one, alright?
Xavier: Then I want a handmade one.
Without waiting for my answer, Xavier gets up and fastens his sword.
Xavier: Time’s up, I should leave.
MC: In such a hurry?
Xavier: Originally, I should already be at the palace by now, but because I was waiting for a certain someone to wake up after oversleeping, a later departure can’t be helped.
MC: Wait! Your cape—
Xavier, who is already at the door, turns back to look at me, his outline soaked in the gentle afternoon light.
Looking at his face, I suddenly realize with unprecedented clarity that the person standing in front of me, Xavier, the young Prince of Philos, the future crown prince—
Is the person I will swear to forever protect.
I pass the cape into his hands.
MC: This time, when will you be back?
MC: Or should I say, this time, will you still be coming back…?
He drapes the cape over his forearm and smiles at me.
Just like he always does every time he leaves me.
Xavier: When you wish to see me, I'll be back.
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