Rutile | The Treasures Mother Left Behind

[healingbonds]

MahoYaku Masterpost & Translator's Notes

CHAPTER 1

Rutile: Lalala~♪

Akira: Ah... it’s Rutile. He’s humming happily; looks like he’s in a good mood. I wonder what he’s doing.
Hello, Rutile. What are you doing?

Rutile: Hello, Sir Sage. There was a pretty flower blooming in the yard, so I was painting a picture!

Akira: Huh! You were painting flowers... .... Flowers....?
Wh-which flower were you painting....?

Rutile: Fufu, which flower do you think I was painting? Give it your best guess!

Akira: Um.... It’s incredibly artistic..... This looks like a painting full of potential — it could be a flower, or a vegetable, or even a reptile.....

Rutile: I’m glad you think so! Art is explosion¹, after all. You need to let yourself free — bam, bam!


Option: I’m surprised by how dynamic your style is.

Rutile: I get that a lot! Everyone has their own style, but I want to feel good while painting!
I love chugging away dynamically and powerfully. Letting my brush dance on the page is so much fun.

Akira: (I was surprised at first, but Rutile looks like he’s having fun....)
(Seeing him enjoy himself like that makes me want to draw too. Maybe I’ll give it a go.)


Option: Do you like painting?

Rutile: Yes! I love it!
You get to look at the scenery, or the things you love; you get to use the colors you want, mixing them the way you want to, to create the painting however you want.
You get to choose lots of things the way you like them, so I love painting!

Akira: I see! It’s like an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Rutile: Ehehe. Plus, I love getting engrossed in painting. It makes me so happy!


Rutile: I like painting, but I’m also good at calligraphy.

Akira: What’s that?

Rutile: It’s a technique to make your letters look pretty.

Ta-da! Here’s a typeface I invented — the Rutile font!
(Flips page)

Akira: Woah...! You’re a teacher, so it makes sense that your handwriting is beautiful! This looks so cute and fancy!

Rutile: Ehehe, thank you! I’m studying hard in order to make my own picture book.

Akira: A picture book?

Rutile: Yes. Picture books are the best way to teach children, after all!


1) A quote from Japanese avant-garde painter and sculptor Okamoto Taro


CHAPTER 2

Rutile: My dream is to make a picture book that says humans and wizards can live together in harmony and to spread it through the whole world.

Akira: That’s a lovely idea!

Rutile: Right! When I told Prince Arthur, he was really moved, and said he’d provide me with financial support!

Akira: Arthur also loves books, after all.

Rutile: He asked me to make a picture book of Sir Oz. Because the Oz who appears in picture books is usually a hairy giant.

Akira: I-I see.

Rutile: Or a snake-like man with hair like a crescent moon......
The appearances of old wizards are usually passed down incorrectly.
Even my mother is portrayed completely differently sometimes.

Akira: She was a great witch called Miss Tiretta, right? How was she drawn?

Rutile: Um, like.... An attractive but evil half-naked woman whose breasts were strongly emphasized.....

Akira: We can’t let Mitile see that.....

Mithra: That’s the kind of woman she was.

Rutile: Mister Mithra....

Mithra: You’re talking about Tiretta, right? She was a sexy, evil, ravenous woman. She drank tons of alcohol too, and she was an awful drunk....

Rutile: Geez, Mister Mithra. Don’t speak poorly of my mother. She was a modest, maidenly woman who was also a great chef.

Mithra: Tiretta never cooked. She was the kind of woman who would bite a snake’s head off and eat it raw. That’s why I ate raw meat all the time.

Rutile: M... Maybe she used to be like that, but mother was a completely different person when she lived with us.

Akira: She was Rutile’s mother, who was also a friend of Mithra’s, right? I think—.


Option: A modest, maidenly woman who was also a great chef sounds lovely.

Rutile: Right!

Mithra: She was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I recall her plotting all sorts of schemes to hit up a human man.

Rutile: Don’t say she was plotting — that sounds bad. Let’s call it... efforts of love....

Mithra: Efforts, huh.... But the man she ended up marrying ended up being no big deal, in the end....

Rutile: Father was a gentle, handsome, wonderful teacher!

Mithra: He was a completely average man. Though I only met him a few times.


Option: A sexy, ravenous woman sounds lovely.

Mithra: I don’t know if I’d call it lovely, but that’s how she was.

Rutile: She didn’t eat that much! Plus, she was very beautiful, but she always wore proper clothing.

Mithra: I mean, it’s not like she was always half-naked, but.... She did have a preference for flashy and edgy clothing.
She asked me, "Aren’t I irresistible?" all the time.

Rutile: W... Was she irresistible?

Mithra: No.... I mean.... I saw her eating snakes raw.....


CHAPTER 3

Rutile: In any case, my mother also had proper table manners. Mister Mithra, you should fix up your table manners as well.

Mithra: Okay.....

(Screech)

Rutile: Mister Mithra! Don’t go grabbing wild birds right after that last exchange!

Mithra: We were talking about food so I realized I was hungry.....

Rutile: The poor birds! There there, you’re all free now.

(Flutter)

Mithra: So you’ll eat bird meat lined up in the marketplace, but you feel bad for birds flying through the air?

Rutile: When you say it like that.... Are they all the same to you, Mister Mithra?

Mithra: They are. The only difference is that they taste better when they’re fresh.... What’s the difference to you?

Rutile: ....It’s a matter of feeling...?

Mithra: Okay.....

Rutile: Geez. Whenever I talk to you, I begin to feel like the hypocrite, Mister Mithra.

Mithra: But you’re a good person, right? You’re a teacher. Someone who takes care of children is a good person.

Rutile: Mister Mithra.....

Akira: Rutile, you and Mithra get along really well now.

Rutile: Yes! He’s a little different from the dandy uncle I had imagined him to be, but....
We’re connected through Mother — and now we’ve gotten quite close, right, Mister Mithra?

Mithra: We have?

Rutile: .....

Mithra: Honestly, I would never have cared about you two brothers if it weren’t for the promise.
You’re weak, but you won’t stop nagging me about this and that... Huh? What’s this piece of paper? Did you press a dead frog into it? For what purpose?

Rutile: ......!

(Smack)

Mithra: Ouch....! Why did you smack me with your sketchbook!? You’re pretty violent, you know!

Rutile: I’ve had enough. Stupid Mister Mithra.

(Footsteps)

Akira: W-wait! Rutile!


CHAPTER 4

(Knock knock)

Rutile: Sir Sage....

Akira: Rutile. I’m glad you were in your room.

Rutile: I’m sorry.... I got frustrated at Mister Mithra, and left you behind as well....
I was rude to Mister Mithra, too. I need to apologize and make up with him later.

Rutile thinks positively, blinking with his bright eyes. He never holds a grudge, and he never feels let down for long.
Impressed, I tell him:

Akira: Rutile, at a glance you might look delicate, shy, and ephemeral, but in reality you’re bright, optimistic, and powerful.

Rutile laughs delightedly, his bright eyes sparkling.

Rutile: Thank you! I’m not very good at getting all depressed, you see. People often tell me I’m pretty laid back.
I only got mad back there because I wanted to get along with Mister Mithra... That’s the kind of thing I need to actually tell him.
I need to say, please, let’s get along; please, find something nice about my painting. I need to make it clear because Mister Mithra is a bit absent-minded.

Akira: Absent-minded!? Mithra is absent-minded?

Rutile: He totally is. I have students like him too. They don’t pay particular attention to themselves or others.
But they are gentle souls who have lovely worlds of their own. I think the same goes for Mister Mithra.

Rutile’s voice bounces with happiness.
Maybe it’s because Rutile respected Mithra like Daddy Long Legs² ever since they met, when he was young — I think he still views Mithra through rose-colored lenses.
At the same time, Rutile watches over Mithra with the kindness of a teacher caring for a troublemaker.

Akira: (Rutile is such a cute wizard. He might get hurt at times, but he’s generous, kind, and cheerful....)
(I want to know more about Rutile.)
Rutile, if you have time, could you tell me about yourself?
I’m taking notes on everyone here in case I suddenly have to return to my world.
Please tell me about what you want to do, what you’re bad at — anything you want.

Rutile: When you have to return to your world.... Please don’t say that, Sir Sage; it makes me sad. We’ve only just met each other.
But I love chatting. Let’s talk lots. Please, come into my room.

Akira: May I?

Rutile: Yes. I’ll serve you some delicious tea!


2) Referring to Jean Webster’s 1912 novel Daddy-Long-Legs, in which an orphaned young woman is looked over by a mysterious benefactor


CHAPTER 5

Akira: So this is your room, Rutile....


Option: There are lots of plants.

Rutile: Yes! I love caring for my plants. You get to experience the seasons through them, and they feel like your friends.

Akira: Friends?

Rutile: Yes. When something good happens, I feel like they’re happy for me. And when my plants are feeling down, I get worried too....
And whenever I feel down, I look at plants and think, wow, good for you — you’re doing your best to grow. I need to try harder too.
You should try decorating your room with plants too, Sir Sage.


Option: There are lots of picture books.

Rutile: I gathered my favorite books. I found some of these at a used bookstore and fixed them up on my own.
The children love picture books, so I chose one for each student and read them aloud to them.
An adventure for the child who wanted to gather up some courage; a story about caring for your comrades for the child who had fought with a friend...

Akira: That’s lovely. Please show me your favorite books next time.


Option: There are lots of paintings on the wall.

Rutile: Yes. I like to change them up depending on the season and my mood. It’s a fun change of pace, you see.

Akira: I see. Rutile, you always make an effort to surround yourself in what makes you happy — that’s wonderful.

Rutile: I see my room all the time, so I want it to be a sight that I enjoy.
Here’s a picture I received from my students. This is me!

Akira: Wow, it’s so cute!


Rutile: We’ve only just moved in, so I haven’t really finished setting everything up.
I want to decorate the room with more accessories. Lots of flowers bloom in Central Country — I bet those would make my room more colorful.

Akira: Flowers don’t bloom in Southern Country?

Rutile: No, that’s not true. But there aren’t many sources of water, so you can only find tough flowers that can survive under such conditions.
Southern Country is rea~lly big, and there’s rea~lly not much there.
The distance between towns is so great that whenever a carriage gets stopped by the weather, it’s a big deal.
That’s why people treasure wizards. I’m not scared of hurricanes or tornadoes, so I went out to help people all the time.

Akira: That’s amazing. I feel like I’d be scared to travel the skies on my broom if a hurricane or tornado was headed my way.

Rutile: I won’t say it doesn’t scare me at all, but..... It’s kind of exciting! Maybe that’s because I’m a wizard?
Oh, but Mitile gets scared. He’s studying up on medicinal herbs, so he has his own herb garden, you know?
That’s why he hates hurricanes and tornadoes. He cried every time they messed up his patch.

Akira: It’s disappointing when something you treasure gets messed up just like that, after all. How about you, Rutile?

Rutile: Well. It is disappointing when the shed you just made gets blown away, or when the fruits that were almost ripe for picking get ruined, but....
I feel like you can always do things again.

Rutile’s pretty face lights up with an endearing and powerful smile.

Rutile: Sir Sage. Southern Country came into existence because my grandparents — and their grandparents — built a country from the land where there was nothing at all.
That’s why we’re used to having nothing at all, and we’re delighted with what we do have.
So long as we can eat every day; so long as we have our families, our friends, the stars and the wind, we can be happy.
And even when we don’t, we enjoy that time however we can.
I can be a carpenter, a musician, a chef, or a designer. I get to have fun making things, so I’m always having a good time.

Akira: (What a nice way of looking at things....)


CHAPTER 6

Rutile is an honest person; he never bluffs, and never shows off. Watching him makes me love him more and more.
I want to become Rutile’s friend who can be happy when he is happy.

Akira: Okay then, Rutile. Could you give me a brief introduction?

Rutile: Yes! I’m Rutile Flores. I’m twenty years old, and I have a brother who is five years younger than me.
My father was a teacher, and my mother was a witch. I helped my father with his job once mother gave birth to Mitile and passed away....
And became a teacher at age eighteen. I teach children reading and writing, national history, how to use money, and how society works.
I’m good at calligraphy. I’m also skilled at using healing magic for small wounds. And flying on my broom.
My hobby is making art. I love writing stories and drawing pictures. My dream is to create a picture book about wizards.
What else... Oh, I love alcohol! I also love drinking, singing, and dancing. I like hosting public readings, and being invited to them, too.

Akira: Singing and dancing sounds fun!

Rutile: I think all wizards love to sing and dance! Dr. Figaro is a great dancer, and Mister Leno is a wonderful singer.
I’m sure Mister Mithra and Prince Arthur... And Sir Oz and Sir Faust would dance with you if you asked for their hand!

Akira: I’m not sure about Oz and Faust....

Rutile: I think all humans like dancing too? Whenever there were large gatherings in Southern Country, someone always played music and we all danced.

Akira: A home party! What does....


Option: Figaro do on such occasions?

Rutile: Dr. Figaro is well-known, and everyone relies on him, so he’s always busy greeting people and organizing events.

Akira: That sounds just like him.

Rutile: He says he likes taking his time to drink wine and chat with people.
But he doesn’t dislike it when people rely on him, so he’s always willing to help people out in all kinds of ways.


Option: Mitile do on such occasions?

Rutile: Mitile always goes out of his way to be helpful. He prepares the dishes, and watches over the younger children.
But in the end he’s always running around the yard with his friends.

Akira: That sounds just like Mitile.

Rutile: He put on a performance with his friends during the last party. He spent a lot of time practicing the banjo!


Option: Lennox do on such occasions?

Rutile: Mister Leno usually drinks with the other men. He also looks after the rowdier youth.

Akira: That sounds just like Lennox.

Rutile: Sometimes I try to pull him out of there and set him up with the girls who have crushes on him, but.
Mister Leno is a bit dense, so it never works out....

Akira: Ahaha. I can see that happening.

Rutile: Also, Leno-san is great at barbeque! He knows how to cook skewers so they’re just right.


Akira: I hope I can join in one day. Rutile, could you show me your magic tool?



Rutile: Of course. My magic tool is this feather pen.

Akira: Woah... It’s pretty.

Rutile: It was a gift from my mother. She said, "You have beautiful handwriting, Rutile..." It’s a precious treasure of mine.


CHAPTER 7

Akira: ...Rutile. Your mother passed away when she gave birth to Mitile, right....

Rutile: Yes.... I think my mother knew what fate had in store for her, though.
It was a difficult delivery. She went into labor all of a sudden, and Dr. Figaro wasn’t around. She called me over, and said...
"If I give birth to this child, I think I will die — and the baby will die too. Rutile, you can probably only save one of us."
"So please save the child. You’re his big brother, so take care of him, okay?"

Akira: I see... Rutile, didn’t you hesitate?

Rutile: I wasn’t sure what to do.... But I knew I needed to save my little brother. That’s why I prayed really hard to god.
I don’t know what exactly happened after that. But I think my wish must’ve reached god.
Mother went to heaven, but Mitile’s heartbeat returned, and he grew up strong and healthy.

Rutile says happily. I can feel his gentle love for Mitile from that smile alone.

Rutile: Dr. Figaro later told me that I had saved Mitile by giving him half of my magic.

Akira: Giving him your magic... I didn’t know that was possible.

Rutile: I don’t really understand it either, but it looks like that’s what happened.
Mitile sometimes says, "You could’ve been a powerful wizard if you never saved me, nii-sama."
But it’s way more important to me that Mitile is by my side.
That’s why I tell him over and over again, to make sure he understands my feelings—.
That I love being with Mitile. That he makes me feel so happy.

Rutile peacefully lowers his gaze and smiles.
I can’t help but pray for his happiness.
But Rutile is probably far stronger and far more resilient than I imagine him to be.
He has a beautiful, transparent, and indomitable spirit. No matter how many hurricanes or tornadoes come his way, he will always stand up again.


CHAPTER 8

(Knock knock)

Rutile: Ah... Looks like we have a guest. May I open the door?

Before I can respond, the lock opens on its own, and the door swings open forcefully.
Mithra stands in the hallway.

Rutile: Mister Mithra...! Why did you just open the door!

Mithra: What? You said I should knock, so I went knock-knock, just as you told me to.

Rutile: I’m proud of you! But you need to wait for the other person to open the door. What if they’re occupied with something they don’t want you to see....

Mithra: Don’t want me to see? What kind of situation are you talking about?

Rutile: Like, they might be changing....

Mithra: You don’t want me to see you changing?

Rutile: I mean, I don’t mind, but.

Mithra: ....? Then why does it matter? What’s the point of this conversation?

Rutile: Some people wouldn’t want you to see! In my case, hmm... I wouldn’t want you to see me barfing from a hangover.

Mithra: Then put a sign on your door that says "I’m barfing from a hangover." Then I won’t open it.

Rutile: I wouldn’t want you to see because I wouldn’t want you to know. Geez, Mister Mithra, you’re so absent-minded....

Akira: (So this is what he calls absent-minded....)

Rutile: Did you want to speak to me?

Mithra: Well, you threw a tantrum earlier, so I brought this for you.

Mithra offers him a bucket.
Rutile almost pops a vein at the word "tantrum," but his eyes sparkle when Mithra offers him a gift.

Rutile: A gift? For me? Woah, what is it?

Just as Rutile peers into the bucket, something leaps out at him.


CHAPTER 9

Just as Rutile peers into the bucket, something leaps out at him.

(Croak. Croak.)

It’s a swarm of frogs.

(Croak. Croak.)

Mithra: Frogs. You were crushing frogs on a board earlier, right?
I can’t say you have very good taste, but I think you should feel free to do as you please.

Rutile: ......

Mithra: Do you feel better now?

Rutile takes a deep breath and looks up at Mithra. I can’t tell if the Mithra in his eyes is the uncle Mithra he admired, or...
The absent minded person who insulted his painting and then brought him a swarm of frogs, but....
Rutile smiles brightly.

Rutile: You came to say sorry, right? I’m really happy.

Mithra: Okay.... Sure.

Rutile: I’m sorry about what I did earlier. Let’s gather all these frogs and release them into the pond in the yard as a way of making up.

Mithra: You’re not going to crush them?

Rutile: I am not going to crush them!

Mithra: They taste good if you deep-fry them.

Rutile: I won’t eat them~. They’re going to make a home in the pond, and once they lay eggs, I’m going to paint a picture of the frog parents and their tadpole children.

Mithra: A picture?

Rutile: Yes. I like painting pictures. Once it’s done, I’ll give it to you as a gift, Mister Mithra.

Mithra: I don’t want it....

(Whack)

Rutile smacks Mithra in the butt with the bucket.


CHAPTER 10

Rutile smacks Mithra in the butt with the bucket.

Mithra: Ouch.

Rutile: I want you to accept it. I want you to be happy when it’s done. I want you to decorate your room with it; I want you to treasure it.
I’m going to try my best to paint a picture that will make you feel that way.

Mithra: Okay....

Rutile smiles, and tugs at Mithra’s sleeve.

Rutile: Now let’s gather these frogs together. Help me out!

Mithra enters Rutile’s room with an ambiguous expression.
He ruffles his hair and remarks offhandedly.

Mithra: That was how she smiled.

Rutile: Huh?

Mithra: Tiretta.

That’s all that Mithra says before he begins gathering up the frogs with magic.

(Croak. Croak.)

I catch a glimpse of Rutile’s cheeks turning upwards in a smile.
He grabs the frogs with one hand while patting Mithra on the back with the other.

Rutile: I’m glad to hear it!

Mithra smiles faintly too.
Mithra doesn’t look like the uncle who Rutile admired; Rutile doesn’t look like the child who Mithra is forced to protect. Rather...
The two of them simply look like they’re friends.
Maybe this is how new relationships are born.
Like a shed that can be rebuilt over and over again. Through repeated hellos and goodbyes. Belovedly, and powerfully.
I think that’s wonderful.