CH 19

"Hey, Shu-chan. The moon looks beautiful, doesn't it?"

"Huh? Is it? I think it's pretty cloudy."

"No, that's wrong! It is said that 'Tsuki ga kireidesu ne (月が綺麗ですね)' is the Japanese translation of 'I love you'. It is based on an anecdote about Soseki Natsume's* translation of the English version of the sentence.

A stylish reply is 'I can die happy (Shindemoī wa (死んでもいいわ))'. This one is said to be based on Futabatei Shimei's** translation of Russian literature. Both stories lack authenticity, though."

"The guy says 'I can die happy'? How girly."

"Ugh... okay, you ask, then."

"Saki."

"What is it?"

"... The moon is beautiful, isn't it?"

" ...! I can die happy."

After the dance between His Majesty the King and the Queen ended, many couples stepped into the dance hall, with all the young ladies adorned with a white flower in their hair.

Before I knew it, His Highness Ethan held onto my hand, and I was forced to follow his lead.

Moving in rhythm to the music and stepping lightly, we embrace like a married couple and dance round and round.

Prince Ethan's lead was perfect, like a longtime dance partner.

I love dancing, and while my pride in my accomplishments is biased, I think I'm a decent dancer.