Shino | The Bouquet After a Fight

[healingbonds]

MahoYaku Masterpost & Translator's Notes

CHAPTER 1

???: Ahaha!

Akira: Ah... someone's laughing... The Eastern wizards?
That's a rare sight. What are they talking about?

Shino: You're laughing too hard, Nero. Faust, you too.

Faust: Haha... Sorry. I can just imagine how flustered Heath must've been.

Heathcliff: Seriously, everything Shino does makes me feel like my heart's going to explode.

Akira: What are you talking about? I heard something about Shino making your heart explode…


Option: Is it about hunting monsters?

Shino: Well, my moves during a hunt sure are heart-stopping.

Heathcliff: That’s what we call being reckless.

Shino: Shut up.


Option: Is it about lessons?

Faust: No, he's taking his lessons seriously; Shino has a strong desire to improve.

Shino: Naturally. I'm gonna become a stronger wizard than Oz one day.

Faust: His desire to improve is so strong that it's a pain......


Option: Is it about something that happened during a meal?

Nero: Shino is super quiet when he’s eating. He’s focusing all his energy on eating, after all.

Shino: I thought my heart was going to explode. Nero was terrifying when I snitched some food.

Nero: Of course I’d get mad. Putting the food on the plate and serving it properly is all part of the fun of being a chef.


Nero: We're talking about legends from Shino's childhood. He proposed to Heath's mother right in front of Heath's dad's eyes.

Akira: Huh....! Shino, you were in love with Heath's mother?

Shino: Yeah. Because she's the most beautiful woman in the world.

Faust: Don't talk about your master's wife like that.....

Heathcliff: You just think it's love. You only wanted to propose to someone; you don't actually understand what romance is, Shino.

Shino: I do know. If you get married to someone, you become husband and wife. And if you become husband and wife, you get to eat fresh baked pie every day.

Nero: Haha, now you're just talking about Mama. It's the good old, "Mama, marry me when I grow up!"


CHAPTER 2

Faust: Wasn’t the master of Blanchett furious? You proposed to his wife in front of his eyes. Isn’t that an insult to his honor?

Heathcliff: Shino was a child, and Father knew that he wasn't serious, so.

Faust: Seems like the rumors were true—he really has an open, kind heart.

Shino: Listen, I was serious.

Heathcliff: Then what about Father? You weren't thinking about how you'd become rivals in love with Father, right?

Shino: I don't need a rival in love. I respect Master. If Master were a woman, I'd have proposed to Master.

Heathcliff: You're a mess.....

Shino: I'm not a mess. If you were a woman, Heath, I'd have proposed to you.
Because there's no other way for me to become a part of the Blanchett family.

Heathcliff: ..........

Shino: Anyway, Sage. What's wrong? Do you have a job for us?

Akira: Ah... no, I just heard you all laughing.

Shino: Aw... I want to go and defeat more monsters. Go get me a big job.

Heathcliff: Hey now, don't be rude to Sir Sage like that. Sir Sage, we're about to head back to training.

Akira: I see. Good luck with training.

Shino: Yeah. See you, Sage.

Akira: (I hear Shino is an orphan... He became a servant of the Blanchett family, and treasures them immensely....)
(Shino is the second strongest of the young wizards, just after Arthur. I'm sure he wants the world to recognize his strength...)
(Though he is kind of reckless now and then….)


CHAPTER 3

Shino: Sage.

Akira: Shino. Are you done with Faust's lessons?

Shino: Yeah. Got any jobs? Preferably something that involves royalty or nobles or bureaucrats, someone important.

Akira: Not yet... Oh, right. Shino, if you have time, could you tell me about yourself?
Shino: About me?

Akira: Yes. We don’t know when I’m going back to my world, right?
But before that time comes, I want to write about all the wizards in the Sage’s manual.
What you’re good at, what you dislike… So that you and all the other wizards will have an easier time later on.

Shino: ...Hm. Sure, fine.

Akira: Great! Thank you!

Shino: Then come to my room. Let's chat there.

✦✧☾✧✦

Akira: This is Shino's room....


Option: What’s that rope?

Shino: When I said I was good at making traps, Arthur said he wanted to see, so I made one for him.


Option: There are lots of plants.

Shino: I lived in Sherwood forest, after all. I feel at ease when there's greenery around.


Option: What were you reading?

Shino: I was doing homework. Faust gives lots of homework.


Shino: It's not a bad room, right? Up till now, I lived in a little shack in Sherwood forest, so. I like how the wind doesn't blow through the walls here.

Akira: Was it an inconvenient place to live?

Shino: Don't get me wrong. Master provided me with a room for servants.
But I didn't want to live with other people, so I chose to live in my shack. Plus, someone needs to watch over the forest at night.

Akira: Isn't Sherwood Forest huge? Weren't you lonely at night?

Shino: Why would I be scared? I've lived alone for as long as I can remember. I like it; I can take it easy by myself.

Akira: That sounds like something an Eastern wizard would say.


CHAPTER 4

Shino: So what do you want to know about me?

Akira: Ah... could you start with a basic introduction?

Shino: My name is Shino. I don't have a surname, but when I needed to, I said my full name was Shino Sherwood. I'm 17. My birthday is April 14th.

Akira: Your birthday…. You know your birthday.

Shino: I learned about it just recently. Faust read the stars and found the day that I was born.

I can start celebrating my birthday this year. Up till now, everyone celebrated it as an extra alongside Heath's birthday.

Shino sits down on his bed and crosses his legs. He looks at my face, and adds:

Shino: Hey, I said I wanted them to celebrate on that day. Don't worry. Master and Mistress were truly kind to me.

Akira: Ah... I wasn't worried....

Shino: I can see it in your eyes. You feel bad for me. I wasn't unfortunate in that household at all.

Shino speaks casually, just like the time he said he was an orphan.
I furrow my brows and nod quietly.


Option: I’m glad to hear that.

Akira: I’m glad to hear that, then. A birthday party with Heath sounds lively and fun.

Shino: It was fun. Heath had an official birthday party too, so he’d always call me to his room after that.
I got to eat cake, too. And some years, Mistress would bake me pie. I’ve kept all the presents they gave me.
Ah. Want a drink? I can make some tea.


Option: I'm sorry....

Akira: I haven't really spoken to someone who's lived a life like yours.

Shino: It's fine. You're trying not to hurt me, right? Heath was the same. Though at first that pissed me off.
But now I know that he was just being kind.
Ah. Want a drink? I can make some tea.


Option: Aren’t you pushing yourself?

Shino: You’re persistent. I’m not. If you say any more I’ll take it as an insult to Master.

Akira: ...I’m sorry. That’s not what I meant….

Shino: …… I know. You’re just worried about me, right?
….Want a drink?


Akira: I'm all right. Don't worry about it.

Shino: You sure?


CHAPTER 5

Akira: Yes, thank you. What are you good at, and what do you have trouble with? What do you like?

Shino: I'm good at self-sustenance...? Making traps. Hunting, and defeating monsters. I'm bad at waiting, and holding back, listening to lectures....

Akira: Ahaha. I can kind of see that.

Shino: I love Mistress’ lemon pie. When I arrived at Blanchett Castle, the first person I loved was Mistress.

Shino laughs with gentle eyes; his face is pure, like a youthful child boasting about his beloved family.

Shino: She smiled at someone like me, and gave me candy. She even praised me for my work, and introduced me to Heath.
The second person I loved was Master. Because he stood up for me when an old-timer yelled at me for messing up my job.
I loved Heath last. I didn't like him that much at first.
We were about the same age, and we were both wizards, but he lived such a good life. Yet he was always timid and insecure.
I tried to teach him magic once, and he really hated it, so I got frustrated and yelled at him. And then Heath ran away.
I thought he would rat me out to Master and Mistress, and I'd be chased out of Blanchett. So then I started crying.

I grow nervous at the phrase, "I started crying." Shino speaks of moments of pain and vulnerability so casually, with such a straight face.
He must've been beaten down so many times that crying was no big deal.
Shino has the strength of a child who survived.

Shino: But... No matter how much time went by, no one drove me out of the castle. Because Heath never tattled on me.
And that's when I realized. That he might be timid, but he wasn’t a cheating bully like all the other kids I knew.
I knew that he wasn't the kind of guy who would make fun of me, or steal anything from me.

Shino gazes out the window into the distance as if remembering something.


CHAPTER 6

Shino quietly narrows his sharp eyes as if he's found the first rays of the morning sun.

Shino: That's why I picked some flowers and went to see him. There was no special reason behind those flowers—there was just nothing else I could obtain with my own hands.
.....I flew to Heath’s room and knocked on his window. He was surprised. He looked nervous, bothered, and worried.
But when I gave him the bouquet, he said, thank you, and I'm sorry. With a quiet, gentle, embarrassed voice.
And then he laughed, and said, let's play again. From that moment on, I've loved Heath the most.

Shino's cheeks break out into a gentle smile, and he looks at me.

Shino: I decided I would protect him. He's my first friend. He's a spoiled crybaby, but he's a good guy.

Shino looks so proud when he speaks of Heath. I smile as well.

Akira: So that's how you two became friends. Childhood friends, huh—what a lovely relationship.

Shino: Yeah. Heath did the engraving on my magic scythe, too.
Wanna see?

Akira: Woah....



The giant scythe appears out of nowhere, and, just as Shino said, there's an engraving along the blade.

Shino: Doesn’t it look cool?

Akira: Yes, it's very beautiful... Heath is a skilled craftsman.

Shino: He's good at everything, after all. Back when we were little, I was the one who was better at everything...... At this rate, he's going to leave me behind.

Shino looks serious and leans forward.

Shino: Sage. I need an achievement. It doesn't matter what—it can be a medal, or a status of some sort. Is there any job that can give me that?

Akira: I'm sorry... I don't really know much about Eastern political affairs yet....
But... I don't think Heath will leave you behind just because you lack status.

Shino: Even if that's what he thinks, everyone around him sees it differently.
...I shouldn't say he'll leave me behind. Heath doesn't want to become famous or powerful.
That's what I want. I want to become a hero with him. I want to become a wizard who nobody will make light of.


CHAPTER 7

I gaze at Shino in silence. Heath is shy; I can tell he doesn't want to become famous, and that he doesn't want to stand out.
Conflicted, I choose my words carefully.

Akira: ...But if that's not what Heath wants, I don’t think you should force it upon him... Don't you feel bad for Heath?

Shino raises his eyebrows at the last phrase.

Shino: Why would I feel bad for him? I'm thinking about him more than anyone else. He should just listen to me.

Akira: He's going to take that the wrong way... If you want to be famous for Heath's sake, you first need to explain your feelings in your own words, Shino...

Shino: Sage. What about you? Who were you before you arrived here?

Akira: Eh...?

Shino: How many people listened to what you had to say before you became the sage?

Shino gazes at me sharply.
His words strike their mark and stab me in the chest.
When I was a nobody, the only ones who listened to me were my family and friends; a small handful of people.

Shino: When I was an orphan digging through the trash looking for something to eat, not a single person ever listened to me.
I was a voiceless scarecrow. Even if I was on the brink of death, even if I collapsed and whimpered on the streets, people just looked at me like I was causing trouble.
When I became a servant of the Blanchett family, my voice reached other people for the first time. But it's still washed away by everyone else’s voices.
When I became the guardian of Sherwood Forest, travelers finally took my words seriously.
Now I'm the Sage’s wizard. If I say my name, people turn around and listen to me. Because the fate of the world rests on our hands.
But that's not enough. It’s not enough to change the world. I want to have an even louder voice.
I want to have a louder voice and exclaim, Heath is a wonderful wizard. So that he'll be friends with me forever.

Irritated, Shino stands up from his bed. I search for the words to respond, but before I can find them, Shino has opened the door to his room.

(Footsteps) (Door opens)

Shino: Please leave. ...I don't want to hurt you any more with my words.

An invisible sadness is crushing Shino's slouched back. I leave his room without a word.


CHAPTER 8

Akira: …… ....I couldn't speak with Shino properly.

I sigh and recall what happened that afternoon. I felt like Shino was hurting more than I was when he asked me to leave.
I don't think I said anything wrong. But I should've better understood Shino's pain and loneliness.

Akira: (I'll apologize to him tomorrow.... I didn't want to go without an apology gift of some sort, but I wonder if Shino will like this....)

At that moment, I hear someone knocking at my window.

Shino: .......

I turn around to see Shino on his broom.
Surprised, I open the window in a hurry. The night breeze leaps into the room and blows the curtains aside.

(Windows open)



Shino: This.

Shino doesn't look this way when he hands me something over the windowsill.
It's a bouquet.
There's no ribbon; there’s no lettercard, and no paper wrapped around it. It's a simple bouquet, made of colorful flowers.
I smell the gentle scent of fresh, sweet leaves.

Shino: ....I was too harsh back there.

I take the bouquet into my hands, and hold it like a treasure. That gesture alone makes me feel like crying.


Option: I’m sorry, too.

Akira: I’m sorry, too… I made it all awkward back there. I didn’t want to make you mad, Shino.


Option: Thank you, Shino.

Akira: Thank you, Shino.... I'm so happy you gave me such a wonderful bouquet.


Shino fearfully peers into my face.

Shino: You're not mad?

Akira: I'm not mad. I’m sorry too….

Shino: I see.

Shino smiles, as if he's relieved. The wind strokes his short hair.


CHAPTER 9

Under the dark navy sky, Shino looks like a strange and lonely child of the stars who has lost his home.
I laugh, and thank him again.

Akira: Thank you, Shino. I was thinking about something too. I was wondering how you could become happy....

Shino: My happiness? You're not me; why are you concerned about my happiness?

Akira: You're thinking about Heath's happiness as well, aren’t you?

Shino gazes at me curiously, as if I'm speaking an unfamiliar language.

Shino: ...So. What did you come up with?

Akira: This might not be a very good idea, but..
I made you a medal.

Shino: A medal?

I head back into my room to take the clumsy medal I had just finished.
And gently pin it by Shino's chest.
Shino gazes at the medal and strokes it gently with his fingertips.

Akira: I asked Chloe for the materials, and tips, for how to make a cool-looking medal that you would like, Shino.
It's nothing amazing; there's no history behind it, but.... This is a medal for you, Shino—a medal for a brave hero. That's what this medal will shout for you.
That you're an amazing wizard.

Shino: .......

Shino falls silent; he won't take his eyes off of the medal.
Then I shyly ask, with a quiet voice.

Akira: ...Do you like it?

Shino doesn't answer. He gently strokes the hand-made medal one more time.

Shino: ....Master has one on his chest, too. It's fancy, just like this one.... Sage, did you know....?

Akira: I see. No, I didn't know.


CHAPTER 10

Excitement builds in Shino’s breath. He strokes the medal over and over again, blinking repeatedly, before looking at me.
Shino, who is never afraid of anything, is nervous.

Shino: Does it look good on me?

Akira: It looks amazing.

Shino's face breaks out into a smile.
In that moment, my heart wells up with love for Shino.
I want to take all the golden stardust shining in the night sky and make him a glittering medal.
I want to gather all the tall buildings that look like trophies and make him the world’s loveliest bouquet; I want to tell him, your voice will reach the whole world one day.

Shino: ....This is amazing. I match with Master.

He blushes, and then does a full swing on his broom in joy.
Then he keeps spinning into the night air.

Shino: ....Yay! It's a medal! Sage, can I go show Heath?

Akira: Yes, of course!

Shino: Thank you!

Akira: Thank you too, Shino.... I was grateful for the flowers, and I’m glad we made up!

Shino laughs and waves his arm. He lands on the ground, and runs through the garden.
Under the stars, the handmade medal emits a small light right by his chest.
One day, I want Shino to grab a nameless star and arrive at the future he truly desires.
I gaze at the bouquet while praying for such a future.