Beginning of a Dream: Nanashi (Sun Route)

[yumemiruuu]

 

SUN ROUTE
6: Escape from Pursuit
7: After the Trouble
8: What was Stolen

Sun Route Chapter 1: Escape from Pursuit 

Nanashi: We're being watched. Maybe around 4 or 5 people.

Nanashi: They're pretty good.

Emma: … Eh?

Instantly, the tension rose and I felt breathless.

Nanashi: ….

Nanashi took a glance around before taking my hand.

Nanashi: Emma, keep up!

Emma: … Alright!

As I ran off with Nanashi in hand, I felt someone chasing behind us.

____

Criminal 1: Damn it! Where did they go!?

Criminal 2: They should be close by! Split up and look for them!

Nanashi: Hmm… They're a stubborn lot. It's going to be a matter of time until I get caught.

Emma: W-Why are they chasing after us?

Nanashi: No clue. But, it doesn't look like the previous man's henchmen. It's clearly a thought out move from an organization.

Nanashi: Hmm… I think I got a general gist of what's happening.

Emma: This isn't the time for jokes—!

Nanashi placed his index finger on my lips.

Nanashi: That's right. Now's not the time for jokes.

Nanashi: I'll act as a decoy so you can run straight to Houndsweeper.

Emma: But what about you…

Nanashi: I'll be fine. I can manage on my own.

Emma: —!

Nanashi: You know how fast I can run, right?

Emma: … Yes.

Nanashi's words made me realize my presence would only be a burden.

Although I was frustrated, I put my feelings aside and nodded.

Emma: I understand. I'll leave this to you.

Nanashi: … Sorry about this.

After giving me a pat on the head, Nanashi headed to the path leading to the main street.

Nanashi: I'll go back to you when I've shaken them off.

Nanashi: After I jump out of here, they'll be sure to chase me. After a while, you should leave when the coast is clear.

Emma: Alright. Be careful.

Nanashi: I'll be fine~

Nanashi: When I come back, it would be nice if you'll greet me with a happy face and go "welcome back" before hugging me ♪

Emma: W-What are you talking about during a time like this?

Nanashi: Fufu, well then, I'm off.

Nanashi: Take care of yourself. Don't do anything rash.

After saying that, Nanashi ran out of the alleyway.

Criminal 1: Oi! Over here!

Multiple footsteps chased after Nanashi as I stood still in hiding.

Emma: (... It should be around time.)

After confirming that the coast was clear, I slowly step out of hiding but then—

Emma: Ah…!

Something slid out of my bag.

Emma: (It's the pocket watch Nanashi gave me!)

[Flashback Start]

Nanashi: Let's call it a token of our friendship, shall we? I'm sure we'll be working together a lot in the future as well.

[Flashback End]

I hurriedly chased after it and closed the lid that had opened upon impact on the ground.

Emma: (Huh? There seems to be something stuck in the lid…) 

After pulling it out, I discovered that it was a note with a list of things written down.

Emma: (...! This is…!?)

All the words written down were unfamiliar to me. But, some of the names clearly referred to weapons—

Emma: (Why is this thing in a pocket watch…!?)

Emma: … Gh!

Before I had time to think, I felt a violent shock at the back of my neck.

???: This girl had it. You were right to not go after the other guy.

I barely understood what happened. My consciousness slowly faded into the distance—

Sun Route Chapter 2: After the Trouble

A cold sensation against my cheek brought me back to my senses.

Emma: (This is…)

Emma: …!?

When I tried to sit up, I realized my limbs were tied together. My belongings and keys were nowhere to be found.

I looked up to see five men in black surrounding me, at the center is presumably their boss who was looking down on me.

Boss: Oh, you're up. You got yourself into a lot of trouble this time missy.

Boss: All we were planning to do is getting the watch back but now that you've seen it, we can't let you go easily now.

Emma: (... The names in the note are weapons.)

Emma: (I remember Lykos mentioning that weapons in Grey City are being developed and can't be shown publicly.)

What if the craftsmen get swept up in all of this? With that in mind, I tried asking the boss to get as much information as possible.

Emma: The note hidden in the pocket watch contained a list of weapons. What on earth are you are you going to do—

Boss: It's a list of weapons that's gonna be smuggled to another country's military. If word gets out, they'll have to kill you, won't they?

Emma: … You were planning on getting rid of me in the first place, weren't you?

Boss: That's a nice head you've got on your shoulders. That's right.

Boss: One of my men got beaten up by the guy you were with earlier. After I lure him out with you, I'll take care of both of you.

Boss: Oi, lock her up in a warehouse.

At his signal, two men started getting closer to me.

Emma: … Let go of me!

Man in Black 1: Quit yappin' and come with me!

He grabbed me by the arm and pulled me up, taking me by surprise.

Man in Black 2: That's no good. You're not very good with asking people out, are you? You have to be gentler.

Emma: !?

At that moment, one of the men in black threw something towards the boss. A burst of sound was heard and a bright light covered my vision.

Emma: (It's bright—!)

Along with the sound of ruffling and fluttering of a coat, I heard the man holding my arm scream out in pain.

The ropes restraining my limbs were severed in an instant.

Nanashi: I'll be taking this girl back. 

Emma: Nanashi…!?

As the bright light began to fade away, I found Nanashi looking at me with visible concern.

Nanashi: I'm sorry if I startled you.

Nanashi: I wish I came out sooner but I had to wait for the chance.

Emma: … No, it's fine. Thank you. I didn't realize you were in disguise.

At the first sight of Nanashi's smile, I couldn't help but feel relief settling in.

Nanashi: … As I previously said, that dream totally came true just now, didn't it? ♪

Emma: Now's not the time…!

Boss: Y-You! When did you—!?

Nanashi: Hmm, a long while ago? I borrowed clothes from one of your people who was chasing me down.

Nanashi: The hat that came with the uniform was great for hiding my face, by the way.

Nanashi: Maybe it's a fashion choice to look cool but maybe you should reconsider that.

Boss: You've gotta be kidding me—!!

Nanashi: … No, not at all.

Emma: (... Nanashi?)

The man froze in place, flinching at the cold aura Nanashi was giving off.

Nanashi: Even though I'm the one who steals all kinds of things from people. 

Nanashi: It's quite upsetting to have something you care about be stolen away from you.

Nanashi: I want to rip your arms off so you can never do that again.

Boss: H-Hey… What are you all doing!? Kill him!

The boss came to his senses and everyone attacked Nanashi at once.

Man in Black 3: Ugh…

Emma: (I assumed Nanashi was strong but this is—)

With furrowed eyebrows, five men collapsed at Nanashi's feet. 

The boss was the only conscious one left with his hands tied to a pillar.

Nanashi: You people lack imagination. What do you think happens in the countries you sell these weapons to?

Nanashi: Excessive power like that is bound to bring destruction to everyone including themselves. 

Boss: Damn it…! Watch your back—I'll have my friends kill you!

Nanashi: Right. Hopefully. That'll save me from the trouble of searching.

Nanashi: You're no match for me. I may look like this, but I've got a lot on my shoulders.

Nanashi gave him a sharp look and, with this, the boss finally shut down.

Sun Route Chapter 3: What was Stolen

Nanashi walks towards me, cutting off his conversation with the boss.

Nanashi: Sorry to keep you waiting ♪

Emma: …. Whoa!?

As soon as he came near me, he picked me up and I couldn't help but let out a flustered noise.

Emma: I-I can walk on my own!

Nanashi: Thank you.

Emma: … Eh?

Nanashi: You did your best trying to get information out of the guy. Turns out it's a problem that can't be ignored on a national scale.

Emma: … Truthfully speaking, I wasn't thinking of something as big as that. I was just worried that the craftsmen might get swept up in something.

Nanashi: That sounds like you alright.

Nanashi: But I think you were a little bit too direct. I admire your bravery, though.

Nanashi: If you're gonna be Houndsweeper's guildkeeper, you've gotta work on that.

Emma: …. Sorry. I'll do better.

Nanashi: Fufu. When you answer so earnestly like that, it throws me off.

Putting on a wry smile, Nanashi turns to look at me.

Nanashi: Shall we go home? I'm sure you're plenty tired after this Blue Orb fiasco.

Emma: But what about these people…

Nanashi: I already called Daste and Alma for back-up just in case. They should be here soon so I'll leave it to them to clean up.

Nanashi: And don't worry, I know where your belongings and keys are.

Emma: … Alright.

The warmth in his voice was gentle and soothing, and I can't help but feel my eyelids getting heavier.

Since when did Nanashi become someone I felt safe with? I couldn't help but wonder. Soon, I rest my body against him and let sleep drift my consciousness away.

_____

Emma: Nanashi! Thank you for coming to my rescue!

Nanashi: It wouldn't do if my prized possession got stolen away, that would ruin my reputation as a thief. 

Nanashi: You, as well as your heart—I've taken it back. 

Emma: Yeah… I've become—

______

Emma: —!?

Emma: (... A dream?)

When I woke up, I was greeted by a familiar sight.

Emma: (I'm in the hideout? Ah, right… I fell asleep like that…)

Emma: (Looks like Nanashi carried me to bed. I'm surprised I didn't wake up.)

Nanashi: Good morning ♪

When he called out my name, I found him sitting on a chair next to the bed.

Nanashi: Did you sleep well?

Emma: Yeah… I fell asleep, sorry. It must've been troublesome carrying me all the way here.

Nanashi: Not at all ♪ Anyway… What were you dreaming about?

Emma: !

Nanashi: "I've become—" what?

Emma: D-Did I say that? I don't remember at all…

I manage to block his curiosity and divert the conversation somewhere else.

Emma: What happened in the end? Why was that pocket watch used to smuggle weapons?

Nanashi: First of all, the guys who kidnapped you are part of a large worldwide smuggling ring.

Nanashi: The junk shop owner we visited was part of that ring.

Emma: Huh!?

Nanashi: It turns out he was communicating with a supplier through sneaking them in junk so it'd be harder to trace.

Nanashi: But… I guess it was a guilty conscience taking over but the owner got frightened.

Nanashi: So he didn't stop us from getting the watch.

Emma: So does that mean… he wanted to get rid of the list?

Nanashi: That's right. He was probably stalling for time.

Nanashi: The organization's first priority would be getting the watch back so his idea was to flee during that time.

Nanashi: It's a real nuisance, isn't it?

Nanashi: Oh, but, rest assured that they'll all be dealt with accordingly.

Nanashi: I'm sure this incident will shake up the other organizations in the ring. We stumbled into the problem by coincidence but we did a pretty good job~

Emma: That's good but…

Nanashi: …?

Emma: (I don't know what would've happened to me if Nanashi didn't come to my rescue.)

Emma: As Houndsweeper's guildkeeper, I'm not strong enough.

Emma: I have to work harder.

I murmured to myself until I felt Nanashi's palm cup my cheek.

I felt his lips touch my cheek.

Emma: !?

The gesture sent my heart racing.

Nanashi: I like that you're a hard worker.

Emma: N-Nanashi?

Nanashi: But don't be reckless. I've been on the edge of my seat this whole time.

His voice was troubled.

Emma: … I'll be more careful. I'm really sorry.

Nanashi: Don't apologize. It was my fault for leaving you all alone.

Nanashi: Though, I suppose…

I heard another giggle come from him as he leaned in for another kiss on my cheek.

Confusion and embarrassment took over me and I could hardly think straight.

Nanashi: This is my apology for worrying you.

Emma: ….

Nanashi: … Fufu. You don't hate it, do you?

Normally, I would've pushed him away lightly and complained.

Emma: (Why won't I move?)

I remain frozen in place, his slender fingers caressing my cheek.

Nanashi: I wonder if I was able to steal a little bit of your feelings for myself.

Emma: (I wonder if that's the case…)

I couldn't stop my pounding heart and at the same time, I still couldn't bring myself to shake him away.