Figaro | The Lost Grown-Up

[healingbonds]

MahoYaku Masterpost & Translator's Notes

CHAPTER 1

Akira: (Ah, it's the Southern wizards.)

Rutile: Dr. Figaro, there’s a big market coming to Central. We'd like to go.

Mitile: Can you come with us, doctor? You've been to lots of markets in lots of countries, right?

Lennox: I'm planning to tag along, but I don't know much about how the capital runs nowadays, so... it would be helpful if you could come too, Dr. Figaro.

Figaro: Sure, but there will be lots of people at the Central market. It might be exhausting for you Southern-born kids, you know?

Mitile: Geez, don't treat us like country bumpkins!

Figaro: Ahaha, that wasn't my intention. Then let's go together.

Rutile: Yay! Thank you, Dr. Figaro. I'll consult you again when we work out our plans.

Figaro: Yes, yes. Later, then.

Akira: (Just as I thought — everyone relies on Figaro. He's all grown-up and seems dependable....)

Figaro: Hey, Sir Sage. What are you doing with the Sage’s manual?

Akira: Figaro. Can you tell me about yourself? I’d like to ask you all sorts of questions.
I want to record information about all the wizards in the Sage’s manual, so that even if I suddenly have to go back to my world, you guys will be able to get along with the new Sage....

Figaro: Don't talk about goodbyes; that makes me sad. We've only just met.
But that sounds characteristically serious of you, Sir Sage. So, what kind of instruction manual are you planning to write about me once you figure out how to handle me?

Akira: It'll be whatever kind of instruction manual you like, Figaro. I want to make it so that you can do what you want to do, and won't have to do what you don't want to do.

Figaro: Oh, how convenient. Then please write this, Sir Sage.
A plain, ordinary wizard who is very serious about his job. Figaro's job is to call Sir Sage over to his room on lovely nights and drink good wine with him.

Akira: Ahaha. Figaro, your job is a physician.

Figaro: In the Southern Country, yes. Come on, don't laugh. Let's go to my room — we need to get working.


CHAPTER 2

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


Option: I spot a bottle of wine.

Figaro: Whoops. I forgot to hide it. Mitile’s going to yell at me if he finds out.
A little while ago, I stayed in bed for a little too long, and said, maybe I’ll quit drinking. I’m glad I never actually promised him that, because I’d break that promise every night.


Option: Your doctor’s robe is going to get all wrinkled.

Figaro: Oh no. I’ll put it on a hanger later.


Option: You don't have any curtains.

Figaro: I like natural sunlight. When I'm doing something sketchy, I can just use magic to block the view.


Figaro: Sit wherever you please. You can start asking me questions whenever you like. Want some wine?

Akira: I think I’m good. Um... Please give me a basic introduction.

Figaro: Figaro Garcia. 32 years old. A gentle, handsome young man who is the village doctor in Southern Country.

Akira: That's who you say you are, but you're actually a powerful Northern-born wizard who is older than Oz, right?

Figaro: You're going to write that in the manual too? Make sure nobody sees it. It's a secret from Rutile and Mitile.


CHAPTER 3

Akira: Why is it a secret?

Figaro: Because the plain, ordinary Southern wizards seem like better people than the scary and powerful Northern wizards. Saying you're from the North is like asking people to make the wrong assumption.


Option: You're a good person, Figaro.

Figaro: Thanks. I like kids like you; you make it easy.


Option: Why do you pretend to be a good person?

Figaro: Oh my, now you’re asking a rather pointed question.

Akira: S-sorry....

Figaro: I think I am a pretty good person, you know? I’m kind, I’m good at caring for others, and I have a broad mind.
But if you’re asking that kind of question, I guess it means I’m missing something.

Akira: .....


Akira: Um... I hear you're older than Oz, but how old are you, really?

Figaro: I wonder. I’ve stopped counting. I was born in an era without surnames, so... a thousand... maybe about two thousand years ago.

Akira: Two thousand... You’ve lived for that long.

Figaro: Doesn't it make you lose track of time? The twins and Oz and I probably all feel the same.

Akira: What about the name Garcia? You just said you were born in an era without surnames. Did you give it to yourself?

Figaro: That's right. It sounded cool, so I took it. From a wizard I killed and turned to stone in the ancient past.

Akira: ...Killed and turned to stone....

Figaro: Dr. Figaro is a kind wizard, but when push comes to shove, he'll really follow through. He's Northern-born, after all.

Akira: I see... Next, I'll ask a question that won't beg for a scary answer. What do you like, Figaro?

Figaro: Love, I guess?


CHAPTER 4

Akira: What do you dislike?

Figaro: Uh, things that are a pain? I also don't like it when my plans get messed up.

Akira: Plans... Are you planning something as we speak?

Figaro: Yeah. It's a plan that's going to take me the rest of my life to finish. It’s a massive plan for humans and wizards to get along — because I'm a wizard who wishes for peace.
I want to train the North to be obedient, make the East more sociable, and use Central's political power and West's momentum to make the whole world as peaceful as the South.
That's why, Sir Sage. You and I need to get along and work together.

Akira: Y... yes....

Figaro: You don't want to?

Akira: No! I was just taken aback because you said you wanted world peace, but the way you explained it made it sound like you were plotting evil.

Figaro: Oh, whoops. I mean.... Let's all work together towards a heartful future! Cheers!

Akira: Figaro, could you show me your magic weapon?



Figaro: Sure — here.

Akira: Woah, it appeared out of nowhere.... What is this?

Figaro: It's an orb. Snow and White made it for me in the far, distant past.

Akira: May I touch it?

Figaro: Go on.

Akira: It's so pretty... And it feels a little warm. Snow and White gifted this to you.

Figaro: That's right. I met them when I was wandering the world alone, and I learned all sorts of things from them.

Akira: Why were you wandering the world alone?

Figaro: Because my hometown, my birthplace, was destroyed in an avalanche. I was the only one who made it out alive. Because I was a wizard.

Akira: Ah... I'm sorry for asking such an insensitive question....

Figaro: Ahaha. Don't worry. It happened in the distant past; it doesn’t bother me at all.
I felt like something like that would happen, even before my hometown sunk into the deep white snow. Because humans are so frail and they disappear like dust.
I had a hunch I would be the only one to survive. That I would be left alone as the current of time swept everything away.
But now, I feel the opposite... As if I'm the only one who will disappear.


CHAPTER 5

Akira: ...Figaro?

Figaro: Sir Sage, have you ever been to the ocean?

Akira: Ah... yes... I've gone swimming a number of times.

Figaro: That's lovely. It must've been a warm ocean.
I lived by the cold seaside once. After I lost my hometown, and before I met the twins. I loved that place.
I loved it, but why did I leave? I can't recall the reason anymore....

Figaro smiles quietly; he sounds like he’s mumbling to himself.
Compared to the wide sky and the deep sea, I feel like an insignificant being who will disappear right before his eyes.
Because I don’t think I stand a chance against the deep loneliness reflected in Figaro’s gentle smile.

Figaro: Sir Sage. Did you know that the snow that falls upon the ocean disappears without leaving a trace? It lands between the deep, blue, freezing waves.
That's what humans and wizards are like.

✦✧☾✧✦

Akira: ...Figaro is reliable and kind, but I don’t really know what to make of him...
Let me ask everyone who’s close to him.

✦✧☾✧✦

Mitile: Dr. Figaro? He's a fun, kind, wonderful doctor. Though he is a bit careless.

Rutile: He was my mother's friend; I heard all about him when I was little. Dr. Figaro was apparently incredibly popular!

Lennox: He's very knowledgeable, and.... is calm, regardless of the circumstances. No matter where he is, everyone trusts him and relies on him.


CHAPTER 6

Snow: Figaro is an intelligent boy. He has a friendly smile, but he observes others closely. He could probably manipulate them even without magic.

White: Figaro is a strong boy. I don't know why he pretends to be a good person, but he has a cold and merciless soul.

Snow: Perhaps we've lived too long; we think of the youth like our own grandchildren, but....

White: Figaro might see them as bugs who appear and die with the seasons.

✦✧☾✧✦

Faust: ...Figaro? Why are you asking me. I don't know anything about him.
He's the worst wizard out there. He's a careless and casual liar. He pretends he's nice but he doesn't understand a thing about feelings.
Hmph... In one sense, he's my ideal. I wish I could learn from him.

✦✧☾✧✦

Oz: ...About Figaro?
You're right, I've known him for a long time. Let’s see... he has a silver tongue.
He comes to my castle on a whim, and leaves on a whim. He lives freely, like a hawk, but....

Akira: But...?

Oz: In all these years of wandering the world, perhaps he has been searching for a place ... a branch where he can land and stay.

✦✧☾✧✦

Akira: Yaaawn.... I stayed up way too late speaking to everyone. Time to return to my room.....
Huh...? Figaro...? Why are you sleeping in a place like this? You're going to catch a cold.

Figaro: .....Sir Sage.

Akira: Figaro, you look ill....

Figaro: It's just because of the moonlight; don't worry. ...I didn't realize I fell asleep.....


CHAPTER 7

Akira: Should I get someone....?

Figaro: Why? You're already here by my side. I want you to stay here, Sir Sage. Could you hold my hand?


Option: That’s....

Akira: I don’t know....

Figaro: ....Sorry, I was acting spoiled. Don’t worry about me. Go back to your room.

Akira: I can’t do that... I’ll hold your hand and stay by your side. Until the sickness wears off....

Figaro: Sorry for making you take care of me.


Option: Yes....

Figaro: Thank you... Your hand is warm.


Figaro: Let's continue the interview. You still had questions, right? Where were we...?

Akira: Please tell me... what you definitely don't want to do, Figaro. Because I'll make sure it never happens.

Figaro: How kind. You're a good Sage.

Akira: It's because everyone is so kind to me. I want everyone to live happy lives. So please tell me how I can help you.

Figaro: .......
I don't want to turn to stone all alone.......

Akira: Eh....?

Figaro: Ahaha... It's nothing. I'll think about that question for a little while longer.
The moon's so bright tonight. It’s shining a beautiful silver color. I bet Murr is delighted.

Akira: You're right... it's so beautiful and bright that it's almost terrifying.

Figaro: Hey, Sir Sage. Do you know of the moon’s road?

Akira: The moon’s road... the path to the moon?

Figaro: That's right. When the full moon rises right above the sea, it casts a straight reflection of light across the water.
It becomes a shining, silver-blue light that looks as if it's connected to the heavens above.
I've waded into the freezing sea and chased after that ray of moonlight before.

Akira: Why...?


CHAPTER 8

Figaro: I wonder why? It sounds utterly foolish. It was freezing. I almost died. I almost drowned.

Akira: I don't think it's foolish. I would never....

Figaro: You can laugh at me. I think it's ridiculous too.
The silver path along the deep blue sea... I knew there was nothing beyond that ray of light, but I still felt like I would find something there.
The home I had lost; the people I had said goodbye to. I felt like everything that had left me behind lived in the beautiful silver world of the moon....
It looked like a pathway to such a world.

Akira: ....Your hand is freezing, Figaro. Let's do your job. We're going back to your room and drinking some warm tea together.

Figaro: Ahaha... What a good job I have. Can we make that wine?

Akira: Mitile will scold you again. But... all right. Just for tonight.

Figaro: Thank you for spoiling me. You're always so kind, Sir Sage.

✦✧☾✧✦

Akira: So this is the Central marketplace... it's full of people!

Mitile: Thank you for coming with us, Sir Sage! ....But, wow, this place is packed with people left and right....

Figaro: Whoops, Mitile. Don't get swept away by the crowd.

Mitile: I-I didn't expect this many people....

Lennox: All the merchants from the East and West have gathered, after all. Sir Sage, are you all right?

Akira: The world I’m from has a lot of people, so I’m all right.... but this place needs traffic lights.

Rutile: My head is ringing from all the voices....


CHAPTER 9

Figaro: Are you okay, Rutile? Wizards are easily affected by their surroundings; it's tough when you're not used to crowds.
I think this is enough for today; let's ride our brooms home. It looks like the path in the sky is clear.

Rutile: But we came all the way here... Mitile was looking forward to it, too...

Figaro: Then you guys wait here. I'll go look for somewhere to rest. Leno, take care of these two and Sir Sage for me.

Lennox: Got it.

Figaro: I'll be back soon.

Akira: Yes....


Option: Be careful.

Figaro gives me a casual smile. He might've said the following if Rutile and Mitile weren't around.
"Me? A powerful Northern-born wizard? What's there to be careful about?"
But I couldn't stop myself from saying it anyway.


Option: Thank you....

Figaro takes a proper and graceful bow. He acts as if it's normal for him to be the one acting alone.
Even though you're someone who begs me to hold your hand.


Figaro turns around and makes his way through the crowd with ease.
His graceful step is like a free-spirited hawk soaring in the sky. The people from Central, the merchants from the West, the travelers from the East — they all make way for this tall man.
It looks like Figaro couldn’t be afraid of anything.
Gazing at his reliable back, I recall what he said about the moon’s road.
A beautiful silver path of light that casts its reflection across the ocean, leading to nowhere.
The words of Figaro's old friends cross my mind.


CHAPTER 10

Oz: In all these years of wandering the world, perhaps he has been searching for a place ... a branch where he can land and stay.
Without knowing how to stay.


Faust: I used to trust him in the past. ...But he has always been the kind of person who seemed like he would disappear at any moment.


Snow: He’s a child who is hard to grasp. Despite being such a lonely soul.

White: He only knows how to love while thinking that his beloved place might disappear, shoved away by the waves of time in an instant.

Snow: He’s only good at leaving; he doesn’t know how to let himself become attached.

✦✧☾✧✦

(Footsteps)

Akira: ....Figaro....!

Figaro: ........

Before I knew it, I had run towards him, and grabbed his arm.
Figaro looks down at me curiously as I struggle to catch my breath.

Figaro: You surprised me... What's wrong, Sir Sage?

Akira: Please don't go alone.

Figaro's eyes widen in surprise.
The crowd of people pushes at us and shoves us aside like waves, but I refuse to let go of his hand.
Figaro raises his eyebrows and laughs.



Blushing ever-so-slightly.

Figaro: Oh dear... I didn't think someone would worry about me like I was a lost child at this age.

Akira: W-what was that? I didn't catch you.

Figaro bends down from his height, as if tucking his wings.
He brings his lips close to my ear, and whispers....

Figaro: I won't go. Not while I can still hear your voice.