love conquers all | kirisuna

Chapter VI - Stranded Night

"A-Asuna...." she answered. "My name is Asuna."

Upon hearing the girls' answer, a warm smile appeared on the prince's face. That's a beautiful name, he thought. I'll make sure to remember that.

"Ah, I see," he extended his arm. "Well, my name is-"

"I didn't ask." Asuna glared at him, fire igniting in her hazel eyes.

"What?"

"I said I didn't ask your name. Listen, this will be the first and the last time we meet."

The poor boy looked at his extended arm and was embarrassed for a moment so he slowly retrieved it and hit it behind his back.

"That's a little bit rude." He mumbled. Because of the heavy rain that both of them were ignoring, Kazuto thought that Asuna hadn't pick any of what he just muttered and raised his head to gaze at the deep black sky, raindrops spattered as they hit his face. But he was wrong, she heard every single word he said.

"What did you say?" Asuna's eyebrows furrowed as she walked closer to him. Ruffles of the water could be heard in every single step. Once her face was close to his, she placed both her hands on her waist and looked directly at his onyx eyes.

"N-No! Nothing!" He stepped back, both hands vigorously shook in front of him. "I-I mean if you get saved by someone you thank them a-and s-sometimes m-maybe even.....t-treat them an m-m-meal or..."

If they were on a surface, Asuna could have stopped his feet by now but there aren't chances to do that while standing in the shallow water. Faces inches away from each other, Asuna backed away in an instant.

"I didn't ask you to save me so there's nothing I should thank you. Don't even dream of me treating you a meal."

She walked to the surface with her tightly clasping his black coat in front of her chest then walked straight under the bridge to shade from the rain.

"A-Asuna, oy, where are you going?" he caught up with her pace until both of them are under the same shade.

Thirty minutes have passed and the rain didn't even slow down. Each raindrop would make a sound that filled the silence between them as it continued to pour heavily. Both still drenched from the fall from the river and the unexpected rain, Asuna started shivering despite being covered by the now damp black coat lent from the boy sitting from a distance. If it wasn't for the rain, they wouldn't have to be stuck there; but thanks for the rain, the silence wasn't so awkward.

"I don't think the rain would stop anytime soon." Kazuto gazed upon the dark skies as a strong rustling of the leaves could be heard. "A storm is coming, we should get going." He turned around to find Asuna lying on the ground beside the dying ember, tightly hugging herself. He watched as her pale lips tremble from the cold. Kazuto was cold himself, especially without his coat but he experienced far worse than this storm.

"Hey, are you okay?" Kazuto walked closer to the girl but he didn't get any response.

"O-Oi, Asuna.." He shook her shoulders. "We gotta get out of here. A storm is coming."

Asuna squinted her eyes open. Although her voice was a bit strained, she tried to move her trembling lips and voiced out in a hoarse voice. "G-Go...Just...leave me..."

He slightly shook his head and placed a palm on her forehead, moving her forelocks away. "Your fever is high. We have to get you home before the storm comes or we'll be stuck here in the cold. Do you live close?"

Asuna was silent for a moment. She'd want to go home, get something hot to drink, sit by the fireplace, and lie in her bed but she could barely stand. Her situation is terrible. Having to experience her first cold under a bridge with a stranger, a guy. She is lying on the ground, drenched, and using his coat as a blanket, and now this stranger is trying to take her home? A Princess who traveled alone to another kingdom, brought tenths of men down with her sword, raised with pride and nobility, is helpless, merely receiving help from a stranger, without defense, not even the strength to protect herself. What more shame could there be? But she is a girl after all, no matter how you look at it. She had the pride to refuse him, to save herself from that shame but considering her situation, pride has no room anymore. She's never had this sickness before. She's scared.