Escape Galge Chapter 1

Chapter 1 – Beginning of Destiny

『The Feather of Destiny』

　It was a rumour.

　It’s said that a part of it is dyed in the colour of cherry blossoms, and that part appears to be a heart shape.

　At most, the thought “How lovely” crossed my mind.

　It’s only to the extent that I survey my surroundings when it suddenly comes to mind.

　I did have the girlish thought of wanting to try out the thing called a『destined encounter』.

　Something I wish for but know is unrealistic. That was how I treated it in my heart.

　Or so it should have been, but――.

　That day, I was exceedingly concerned about the flowers of the flower bed which I’m normally unconcerned about.

“… Seems like you’re about to wilt? You aren’t too perky.”

　Perhaps because it hasn’t been raining recently, the earth is exceedingly dry.

　Normally someone should be tending to this, but the flowers that seemed neglected appeared pitiful.

“I’ll be watering now.”

　Even though I had, never done such a thing before.

　Looking around the surroundings, I found a faucet that seemed to be for the purpose of watering, nearby.

“Un?”

　A surprised-sounding voice came from the direction of the hose which was pointing towards the flower bed.

“Eh?”

　Moving my gaze that was on the faucet to the direction of the voice, a slim and tall male student is standing there. 

　It’s not raining, and there’s no moisture in the vicinity.

　The colour of his necktie is red. I lowered my head at the male student who can be considered a year my senior, a 2nd-year. [1]

　What do I do if he’s a scary person?

“… !?”

　I thought I was going to stop breathing.

　A handsome face with a shapely nose, a tall and slim look.

　I think even my heart was beating twice as fast as usual.

　We were stuck in a standstill, with our eyes still looking into the other’s.

“You?”

　I had splashed water on him, so I must do something about it quickly.

　But, water is dripping from his pretty hair, and his face is also wet.

　My hand was stretched as I looked up at the tall senpai, but… his face is so close!

“Ah, no… I don’t mind.”

　Looking at senpai who behaved shyly and slightly awkwardly, I felt even more embarrassed and apologetic.

　Wanting to apologise again, I turned towards senpai. At that moment…

　Thinking that someone probably dropped something from the upper levels of the school building, I reached my hand out.

　After hearing senpai’s words, I also shifted my gaze onto the feather I was holding in my hand.

　But its colour is white, it’s a pretty, pure white feather.

　Not a pigeon…?

　At that moment, I recalled.

(Could it be!)

　When I looked at the feather in full, there… it was.

“?”

　I unthinkingly frolicked, bouncing with a hop hop, due to the surprise of finding out that the rumour was true, and from the happiness of coming into contact with it.

　That’s right, senpai is here…

“Ah, I’m sorry. Shouting all of a sudden… Erm, does senpai know about the『Feather of Destiny』?”

　I couldn’t feel any warmth, chill or anything at all when I touched it, but the feather was certainly glowing.

“What in the world… Is it the Feather of Destiny or what you called it?”

　It may be a story that guys aren’t very interested in. But having it appear before my very eyes, I was unable to suppress my paramount excitement, and explained to him what I know of the 『Feather of Destiny』.

“I see. There sure are wonders in this world. What a lovely story.”

　The majority of guys will, make fun or be nonplussed the moment you bring up the word 『Destiny』.

　However, he didn’t do that.

“I wonder. But, when I think that my destined one is out there somewhere… I want to meet her.”

　I didn’t know there’s such a lovely person in this school.

“It’ll be nice if you can meet. Your destined one.”

　When I saw his refreshing smile that was like a prince-sama’s, I thought.

　That『if only this person is my destined one』.

　Perhaps, that feather might be something that appeared in order for us to meet each other.

　That was, my encounter with senpai, Kagurazaka Aoi.

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　The distance between us was steadily narrowing.

　Although he’s kind to everyone, he’s exceptionally so to me, and I believe I’ve the lead on the other girls.

　I was so enthralled by Kagurazaka-senpai that even I myself was shocked.

　And then, one day… I hardened my resolve to confess.

　The place I called him out to is the roof.

　With the blue skies above, being alone with senpai in this vast space.

　In this confessing environment I’m blessed with, while trying to calm down my heart that seems like it’s about to break from the nerves, I composed myself and opened my mouth.

“I… towards senpai!”

　My heart seems like it’s about to burst.

　I have to tell him.

“Towards senpai, I… towards… senpai… I?”

　I was assaulted by a feeling like déjà vu as I tried to form my words.

　Confess… to Kagurazaka-senpai… confess…

　…… Ah.

　A screen spreads out within my head all of a sudden.

　There are many figures of girls… no, they’re illustrations.

　At that moment, I recalled.

“Kii?”

　I returned to my senses when my name was called by Kagurazaka-senpai.

　Within that was,『my figure』that I meet everyday in the mirror, no… to be exact, 『the illustration of me』…

“Eh?”

“Eh? Eh?”

　I was already running by the time I came to my senses.

　Such a thing… is there really such a thing!?

Chapter end