12. A strategy to make people aware of their feeling through a play

On a day off when the cold had slightly subsided, Gil and I came to the newly built theater in the center of the city.

Today, a famous opera troupe from the capital was performing. Naturally, the tickets sold out immediately and it was a full house, but I begged Gil to secure tickets for us.

“Gil, thanks for the tickets.”

“The Mason family received invitation tickets, but no one was interested, and I was at a loss for what to do. It would have been a waste to leave them empty. Ah, here are our seats.”

As expected of the Mason family, the seats were box seats close to the stage. The lavishly decorated interior was unified with deep red, and the velvet sofas were comfortable to sit on.

“By the way, it’s unusual. Didn’t you say before that you weren’t interested in theater?”

As Gil pointed out, I preferred picnics or sports over watching theater. Or rather, this was my first time seeing a proper play. 

But I had an important reason why I had to come to this performance.

The story of this play is a love story where childhood friends, a knight, and a princess, are separated and go through twists and turns but still have feelings for each other. A knight and a princess. Yes, it was exactly the same situation as Gil and Lily’s.

My mission today was to show this play and make him aware of their relationship. Yes, it was called the “Strategy to make people aware of their feeling through play!”

“I just had to watch this play with you, Gil!”

As I clenched my fist and declared this, Gil narrowed his eyes and smiled.

At that moment, the music announcing the start of the performance began to play and the murmurs in the audience died down. We quietly gazed at the stage.

“U-uuu~…”

“Rei, don’t cry anymore.”

“But, but…”

Supported by Gil, I accepted the handed handkerchief and walked unsteadily. Even though I thought I had shed all my tears, for some reason, they just wouldn’t stop.

After the performance, we went to a nearby restaurant to have dinner. There, we enjoyed food and drinks while exchanging our thoughts on the play.

In conclusion, it was a tragic love story. The knight overcame even social class differences to pursue his love, but in the end, he sacrificed himself to protect the princess. The princess, who understood the knight’s love, inherited his will and became a splendid queen who ruled the country all her life.

It was a poignant yet touching story.

I cried a lot during the performance and even a little while talking with Gil.

 However, on our way out of the restaurant, I suddenly thought, What if Gil died like in the play…?

His important person.

If Lily were in danger, Gil would risk his life to protect her.

Gil will die.

Just thinking about it made me sad and I couldn’t stop my tears, clinging to his arm as I looked up at Gil.

“You won’t die, right?”

“Huh?”

“Gil, you won’t leave (Lily) alone and die, will you?”

Gil seemed momentarily surprised but quickly burst out laughing, like a flower in full bloom.

“Of course not. I’ll aim to find a way for us both to survive.”

With Gil’s hand patting my head, my tears finally stopped. As the sadness faded, I started feeling happy instead and even began humming a tune.

“♪～～♪♪～～”

“That’s the song they sang when they conveyed their feelings to each other.”

“Yeah! That scene was so good…”

It was the scene of their secret rendezvous in the garden at night. The knight’s strong singing voice and the princess’s beautiful blonde hair swayed in response. The distance between the two gradually decreases, until their shadows overlap in the end. It was a fantastic and beautiful scene.

“The flame that resides in my heart is my love for you. The encounter that fate has brought us, the thread of which cannot be unraveled.”

Gil started singing and glanced at me. Okay, got it. Time to play knight and princess. I let go of Gil’s hand and took a few steps back to face him.

“Ever since I met you, my heart has been stolen. Your brave figure and kindness drew me to you.”

“The meeting destined by fate, I cannot break that thread. I swear to protect you and love you until the end.”

“When I’m with you, I feel safe. I love you so much that I wish time would stop here.”

We held hands and twirled around like the characters in the play.

“The light shining on your beautiful silver hair is like a light that illuminates the world.”

I noticed a mistake in the lyrics along the way, but it would be rude to point it out. I continue singing without caring.

“As long as you’re by my side, there’s nothing to fear.”

Gil hugged me tightly. It’s a perfect recreation.

“Hehe, hehe…”

I can’t stop laughing because it’s so much fun. In the warmth of his arms, my consciousness began to fade.