Chapter 40 - Small or Far

Fujimura Miyu runs ahead of Nakada Ryota. She skips down the long, stone path with big leaps before arriving at their destination. It's a small hot spring, with luscious green earth surrounding it, tall trees providing shade and small creatures creeping around the mystical creature at the end of the pool.

It's a large, white fox that's baring its teeth at every living thing coming close to it. It's long tail reaches the tops of the trees and it's whiskers rest on the ground that spread out for miles.

Miyu tutted, "Really Arata? Why did you have to go to your true form in the middle of the forest? Shouldn't you save your energy for changing when it's important?"

Arata huffed and glared at her, "Well, I didn't want to watch you two lovebirds. And I also wanted to relax in my real skin, so I changed."

Miyu facepalmed herself before stepping towards the large being, "Aren't you worried that someone would see you?"

With Miyu next to him, he seems even bigger. With only 155 centimeters on her, Arata is five times her size.

Miyu lays down next to Arata, sinking into his soft fur. She's completely ignoring the pouting prince behind her, more focused on her long-time friend.

Miyu brushes his fur, "Are you sure that's it? You only come to this place if you're really worried about something."

Arata doesn't respond. He only tenses up. If he didn't, Miyu wouldn't have thought that he was listening.

She pats his hair even more, "What's wrong, Arata?"

Arata sighs, "I see something, Miyu. Something's coming. I just don't know what yet, and I'm worried. I was trying to calm myself and look, but you two lovebirds interrupted me."

Miyu pets him again, "Well, I'm sorry. And also, thank you for telling me."

Arata nods his head, "Some advice, for what I've seen in the future, take note of your enemies, no matter how small or far they are."

Miyu thanks him and stands up, "We will leave you be, we don't want to mess up your seeings."

Ryota also thanks Arata before following Miyu down the path, back to Miyu's room.

*****

Ryota is leaning against his chair, always glancing out the window. He keeps worrying that someone will catch him in Miyu's room. He doesn't want to make any trouble for her, even though he's a little mad that she's being so formal with him.

He thinks to himself, 'Why do you care? What's so important about this one girl? You're the first prince, the heir to the throne, you can have anyone you want! So stop worrying about her and move one, you stupid Ryota!'

Ryota looks over at Miyu, "What do you think Arata meant about his advice?"

Miyu taps her finger against her chin, thinking, "Make note of your enemies, no matter how small or far they are,' that could be my sister's, Kasumi and Hanae. They might be planning something that might ruin my, or even your, life."

Ryota shakes his head, "It makes sense, but don't you think the answer is a little too simple? I do believe that it could be your sisters, but remember, he also said, 'far.' Your sisters are close, even though they are small, so they might not be it."

Miyu agrees, "Yes, you're right."

Miyu yawns, "I'm a little tired. How about we talk about this later? You can go to the school and butter up sister, she can tell you what you want to know!"