A formidable foe appears! – Chester’s story (3)

* Chester’s perspective

If this “boyfriend” Jack-Jack spoke of was indeed the Hatter, then it made sense why Rapunzel had been so determined to rescue him.

“Yes! Boyfriend! When Miss Rapunzel was found, she was wrapped tightly in the arms of a very tall, handsome man in a sharp tuxedo! Isn’t that just incredibly romantic? Squeak-squeak-squeak!”

“R-really? Ha… haha… I wouldn’t know much about… that kind of thing.”

I tried to put on a smile and act calm, but my mind was already racing with all sorts of thoughts.

‘Wouldn’t know much? Please. Of course I know about “that kind of thing”! Who was it who held Rapunzel tight in his arms every night over the past two years? Me, Chester!’

But the thought of Rapunzel becoming close with another guy in just one night made me feel oddly unsettled. I tried to calm down, but the irritation just wouldn’t fade.

Then, as reason started to return, I felt a bit deflated.

When it came down to it, Rapunzel and I were just friends—nothing more, nothing less.

Whether she’d met this Hatter or not, it wouldn’t have changed anything between us.

‘Not that I would’ve had the courage to tell her how I feel anyway… Maybe it’s better this way. As long as Rapunzel finds happiness with her fated partner, that’s all that matters. But… is this Hatter really as great as he seems? What if he’s just playing with her?’

Lost in these needless worries, I suddenly heard Rapunzel’s voice.

“Chester!”

Turning toward the voice, I saw Rapunzel approaching from afar, accompanied by hundreds of mice. Walking beside her was a tall, infuriatingly good-looking man.

‘That must be the Hatter.’

I didn’t need anyone to tell me; his shiny top hat gave him away instantly.

‘To think she fell for someone like that… I guess being stuck in a tower for so long lowered her standards. Shouldn’t a princess at least aim for a count? Or, if we’re being generous, a knight?’

“Chester! What are you doing, just standing there? Aren’t you even happy I made it back alive?”

While I was lost in my thoughts, Rapunzel had dashed ahead, leaving the mice and the Hatter behind. She flung herself at me, her joyful voice filled with relief.

Or rather, she hugged my paw as tightly as she could—given that she was still the size of a thumb and hadn’t yet found the antidote.

“Happy? Rapunzel, it’s not that I’m not happy. I’m just in shock that you’re really back!”

I answered in as calm a voice as I could manage.

“But Chester! I have someone I want you to meet!”

“Someone you want to introduce?”

Pretending not to know, I asked innocently, despite already realizing who it was.

“Yes, and here he comes! Harris!”

While Rapunzel and I were talking, Gus led “Harris” and the mice over to the underground cellar where Jack-Jack had been hiding me.

“Chester, this is Harris! I met him when the toads captured me. He used to be a Hatter before that crazy toad woman caught him, too. The top hat he’s wearing? He made it himself! Isn’t that amazing?”

‘Oh, I’m so impressed. Really.’

“Nice to meet you, Chester. I’ve heard a lot about you from Rapunzel. I’m Harris, the Hatter.”

I’d already decided he looked like a slick, scheming type, but as he lifted his hat to greet me, I saw his strong nose and deep-set eyes. I hated to admit it, but he was exactly the kind of “classic handsome” guy Rapunzel would like.

“Oh, right. Nice to meet you,” I muttered grudgingly.

“Chester! Harris knows how we can get the antidote to make me normal-sized again!”

“Does he? That’s great. Where can we find it? As you can see, we’re a bit pressed for time. Ha ha. Gus, Jack-Jack, thanks for everything. We’d love to stay, but we should get going if we’re going to find that antidote. Alright then, Rapunzel, let’s go!”

Eager to put as much distance as possible between Rapunzel and Harris, I thanked the mice and prepared to leave without so much as a glance at Harris.

“Wait, Chester!”

Rapunzel shouted as she jumped off my back.

“Wouldn’t it be better to go with Harris? He also needs to find the antidote, and we’ll have an easier time if we follow him!”

Carefully, I picked up Rapunzel in my mouth, carrying her to a quiet corner to whisper to her.

“You really think it’s a good idea to trust someone you just met yesterday? We’re trying to stay hidden. Just because you had a… moment together last night doesn’t mean you should just go spilling everything to him! Don’t forget the real reason we escaped from the tower!”

“What are you talking about?”

Rapunzel looked back at me, genuinely confused.

‘What? She really has no idea?’

“Jack-Jack told me! That you and this Hatter are… you know… together. I mean, come on, Rapunzel…”

“No! There’s been a huge misunderstanding. We’re not together!”

“R-really?”

‘Of course. I should’ve known. Rapunzel isn’t the type to get swept away that easily!’

I struggled to keep the corners of my mouth from lifting as Rapunzel assured me that she and Harris weren’t romantically involved.

“Yes, it’s true. I really believe bringing Harris along will be helpful for us.”

“Can I really trust him, though?”

“Trust me, Chester. I have a good sense of people, remember? Just like when I first met you.”

I’d lost. Mentioning that fluttering, heart-pounding moment when we first met was absolutely cheating.

“Alright, fine. I’ll give him a chance.”

I sighed as if I didn’t have a choice, and Rapunzel’s face lit up as she turned to Harris with a warm smile.

“Harris! Chester said it’s okay for you to come along!”

Even though I knew they weren’t dating, seeing her smile at someone like him still annoyed me.

“Really? Then it’s an honor, my lady.”

‘My lady? Really?’

I couldn’t believe how naturally the Hatter threw around that kind of language. And judging by her expression, Rapunzel didn’t seem to mind; in fact, she couldn’t take her eyes off him.

“If you’ll pardon the interruption, wouldn’t it be better if all three of you stayed here for the night? Squeak.”

It was Gus.

“Yes! It would be far too dangerous to travel at night, even if the toads are gone. There are still all sorts of threats lurking in the dark—moles, crickets, cockroaches… who knows what else?” added Jack-Jack.

“Good idea! Let’s rest here, Chester!”

“Yes, Chester, let’s stay here for the night,” Harris chimed in, joining forces with Rapunzel and the mice.

‘Chester? Since when did we become so close that he’s already calling me by name? Is he just copying whatever Rapunzel does?’

I still didn’t like him, but I begrudgingly agreed, nodding to Gus and Jack-Jack.

“If that’s what everyone wants, I guess I don’t have a choice.”

Even though I knew they weren’t dating, I couldn’t wait to get that antidote so I could leave this Hatter behind and continue our journey with just Rapunzel and me.

---

“So, I have this little problem that’s been bothering me…”

“What is it, Gus? You saved our lives, so of course, we should try to help if we can. Isn’t that right, Harris?”

‘If only Rapunzel hadn’t gone to rescue the Hatter, I would’ve been the one to save her…’

“Rapunzel is right. We’ll help however we can!”

‘We? Since when did he and Rapunzel become a “we”?’

“Well, the only reason we can hide out in this castle is because of the kind owner who lets us stay here. Sadly, she lost her mother at a young age and is constantly mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters. Tonight, she’s supposed to attend the ball and has a beautiful gown prepared… but… sniffle they ruined it…”

“Oh no… I’m guessing the stepmother and stepsisters destroyed her dress?” Rapunzel asked gently, as Gus struggled to get the words out.

“Yes, sniffle! I shouldn’t have mentioned it. There’s no one around who could magically whip up a new dress. The ball is only an hour away…”

Rapunzel took his hand reassuringly and said, “Gus, I might not be able to make a new dress, but I can fix her old one and make it look as good as new.”

“Really? But… how?” Gus’s voice was full of hope.

“Yes, really. I can’t explain everything, but I know a bit of magic. I can’t create a new dress, but I can restore the damaged one.”

“Thank you so much, Rapunzel!”

Gus hugged her in delight, and she patted his back gently.

“Gus, show me where the dress is.”

“Oh! Do you see that little mouse hole in the wall? Go up through there to the next floor.”

“Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s get the young lady to the ball!” Harris said enthusiastically.

“I’ll come too! Who knows? After a lifetime as a hatter, maybe my skills might come in handy with dress repairs!”

‘Why, oh why is he coming along?’

“Actually, Hatter, maybe you should stay here with me,” I cut in, blocking his overly eager stride after Rapunzel.

“But I could help Rapunzel and Gus,” Harris protested.

“Too many cooks spoil the broth. It’s best if only Rapunzel and Gus go to avoid alerting the stepmother and stepsisters.”

“Chester’s right, Harris. Don’t worry—I’ll be back before you know it.”

---

“…So, um… I do have a name, you know. Maybe you could try calling me Harris instead of just ‘Hatter’?” he said, breaking the heavy silence between us.

“Yeah, I know. It just feels weird to use only names with someone.”

“You seem comfortable doing that with others… Could it be you’re jealous of me and Rapunzel?”

Bullseye.

“Ahem, jealous? No way. Rapunzel and I are just friends. Friends. There’s no jealousy here…”

“So, you wouldn’t mind if I officially pursued Rapunzel?”

“What… what are you talking about?”

“Chester! Harris! We’re back!”

Just as the tension between us was about to explode, Rapunzel and Gus thankfully returned.

“The dress—is it fixed? Did she make it to the ball?” I asked, practically rushing over to them.

“Yes! Rapunzel repaired the dress in no time. The young lady even got a pumpkin carriage and glass slippers! She was so grateful!”

“Oh, it was nothing. It was the least I could do for someone who saved my life.”

As Gus complimented her, Rapunzel scratched her head bashfully.

Brrring!

The clock struck 10 p.m.

“Oh, look at the time! You all have a long journey tomorrow. It’s best to get some rest now,” Jack-Jack said.

‘Jack-Jack always knows just the right thing to say.’

“Goodnight, Gus.”

“Goodnight, Rapunzel!”

With that, we all settled in for a good night’s rest, planning to set out at dawn.

---

Was it morning already?

Having barely slept the past few nights, I’d fallen asleep almost instantly, only to be awakened by a faint glow.

‘What’s going on?’

Looking closer, I saw a flickering light, as if someone had lit a candle.

‘Well, at least they have fancy taste…’

I was just about to go back to sleep when I heard the Hatter’s voice.

“That’s not how you do it, Rapunzel.”

“Uh… um… ha… ha… ahh!”

It was unmistakably Rapunzel’s voice.

She sounded out of breath, her breathing rough and unsteady, almost like she was groaning in discomfort.

‘What in the world are they doing at this hour?’

As Rapunzel’s breathing grew heavier, a terrible suspicion began creeping up my spine.

“Not like that, Rapunzel! Here, I’ll hold your waist and bring your body closer to mine. Now, put your hand here and really push!”

‘What… what was that? Pushing her body close, hands there, waist…?’

Fury boiled up inside me as I imagined the worst. If they were doing that at this hour with a candle, then there was only one thing this could be.

Unable to stand it any longer, I stormed over and shouted.

“What do you two think you’re doing?! Carrying on like this in the middle of the night?! How disrespectful to the mice who saved us!”

“Huh? Carrying on like what, Chester? You’re the one being loud and rude in the middle of the night. What if you wake everyone up?”

Rapunzel shot back, her voice annoyed.

I was mortified.

What I’d walked in on was not some scandalous affair… but a dance. They were waltzing, gracefully positioned with his hand on her waist, both standing tall and poised.

“What exactly did you think we were doing, Chester? I was just teaching Rapunzel to waltz…”

The Hatter smirked at me, patting Rapunzel’s head.

‘Great. Now I know for sure… I have a formidable rival on my hands.’

---

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Translator comments:
Siiiigh, Chester you dummy…don’t pull this ‘nice guy’ nonsense, please. That said, part of the theme of this whole thing is ‘naive kids falling in first loves’ and the nonsense that kind of comes with it, so don’t give up on him yet, kids. Figuring out how not to be a dumbass in your relationships (platonic or romantic or otherwise) is something we all have to learn, and unfortunately, those lessons usually get learned the hard way.

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