The Day Before Setting Out
Looking at Gui’s bloodshot eyes, I could barely mutter a word due to fear. Did Gui eat something bad? He has never been so fierce to me before. I could not understand this change, and I was terrified.
“Yeah…” I finally managed to squeeze out.
“You’re going to disappear forever. You’re going to disappear forever, do you realize that?” Gui bellowed.
“I know.” I struggled free of Gui’s hands and protested, “But I must do this, for Kenshin, for Sunshine, and for the Dictator of Life!”
“Then what about me?” Gui suddenly shouted, “If you were to disappear, what would I do?”
I was stunned. So this is what Gui was so angry about.
“Have you never thought about me? Not even for a moment?” Gui’s eyes were filled with dismay. A teardrop slowly fell from his eye. I could not help but catch it in my hand. I stared at it, dazed. “Prince…” Gui suddenly hugged me tightly. Just when I felt that something was not right and was about to struggle out of his arms, he begged, “Don’t push me away! I know my strength is incomparable to yours, but please, please don’t push me away.”
Hearing Gui’s whimpering pleas, I really, really couldn’t bring myself to push him away. I could only stand there quietly, allowing him to hug me as he cried softly, letting his sobs wound my heart as memories of the past appeared before my eyes…
My beloved Highness, if you cannot remember Guiliastes’ name, then please call me by my nickname… Just call me Gui…
Prince is like a rose with thorns. If at first I had known about its thorns, then perhaps I would not have picked it up. However, I have already picked the rose up, smelled its fragrance and seen its beauty. If I put it down now, the suffering borne by my heart would be more painful than the pain of my bleeding hand, torn open by the thorns. Therefore, I cannot put it down.
No matter who you might be, I don’t mind. I firmly believe that who you are now is the true you, just as the person I am right now is the true me. Everything else is of no importance – be it gender, appearance, or even the facades we assume in real life… None of those are important…
If my tears can be used in exchange for your smile, then it’s more than worthwhile.
“I’m sorry, Gui, I’ve always broken your heart.” I gently ran my hand over his long, silky hair. Why am I always making this man cry? Shattering the heart of this man who’s always been quietly watching over me?
“I have never considered your feelings… I’m really sorry,” I apologized sincerely, deciding that I would never, ever ignore him like that again.
“I don’t care about anything else; as long as you don’t leave me or ignore me, I will be fine.” Gui’s arms which were already hugging my tightly, tightened again, as if fearing that I would simply disappear.
“Don’t worry, no matter how the situation turns out, I will never disappear from you, I promise.” Holding up Gui’s face, I gave him a light peck on his forehead before continuing, “If Prince was to disappear, I promise you that you will definitely meet the real me.”
