True Love for the Blossoming Forest | Chapter 10

[healingbonds]

Chapter 9 << | index |


Man: Hey, your glass is empty. Want some more flower wine?

Owen: No. What I want is something white and mushy, like the stuffing inside a toy animal.

Man: Huh? What?

Owen: It’s sweet and looks like the insides from when you tear a doll apart. Don’t you have some?

Cain: Oh, that’s surprising. I didn’t think you’d stick around, Owen. I thought you already went home.

Owen: Arthur said there would be lots of cakes at the festival, so I decided to hang out.



Cain: You’ve piled a mountain of cakes onto your plate. We’re going to visit all the cake shops in the capital — are you sure you want to eat so much now?

Owen: Oh, so you’re really going to treat me?

Cain: Of course I am. It might’ve been a misunderstanding, but I’m a man of my word.
That being said, my wallet has its limits, so please don’t go too hard on me.

Owen: Why should I care about your wallet?

(Bump)

Lady: Oh dear, I’m sorry.

Cain: No, I apologize as well.

Lady: Ah. You were looking for cream, right? I brought you some.

Owen: Yay.

Cain: Wait, Owen. There’s something you need to do first.

Owen: Something I need to do?

Cain: Have you forgotten the flower festival custom?

Owen: Customs are stupid. I don’t want anything to do with them.

Cain: Are you sure? You can’t eat the cream unless you do.

Owen: ........
Your dress is blindingly white. Since you’re wearing that, I guess you’re dreaming of becoming a bride one day? Do you think that dream will come true? Have you ever thought that maybe, just maybe, nobody will ever love you?

Lady: Huh....?

Cain: Hey, that’s enough. Sorry about that. This guy isn’t very good at being nice.



Cain: You went through the trouble of bringing him cream. You’ll surely be loved for your kindness. And hey — even your troubled expression is incredibly charming.
You’ll definitely find a partner who will make you happy. And your partner will be fortunate to have married you as well.

Akira: (Everyone looks like they’re having so much fun.... It might be extra lively because the Western wizards are all here.)

Shylock: Sir Sage, are you taking a break?

Akira: Yes. I’m completely exhausted after one dance with Murr.

Shylock: Oh my, I can’t just ignore that. Sir Sage, I’ll need you to myself for a song later.

Shylock places a glass of water in front of me and lifts his glass full of flower wine to his own lips.

Akira: I’m glad Marie and Tigam enjoyed your flower wine, Shylock.

Shylock: Yes. As a bartender, it’s quite the prestige if a spirit and his wife were satisfied with my wine.

Murr: Ahaha. Going round and round in circles is making my eyes spin!

Lady: Hey, dance with me next!

Lady: Wait, I want to dance too!

Murr: Sure!

Ladies: Really!?

Murr: If you two dance together, it’ll be perfect! I’ll dance to the music of your footsteps!

Akira: He’s still not tired after all that dancing? Murr has so much energy....

Shylock: ...The princess chose her fate: she exchanged vows of love with the spirit of the forest, and ultimately became one with him.
Perhaps someday Murr will become one with the < Great Catastrophe > in the same way......

Akira: ...Even if he does, Shylock, you will always be his precious friend.

Shylock narrows his eyes and nods. His smile is indescribable — it’s neither one of sadness nor of happiness.

✦✧☾✧✦

When the dew left after the rain begins to shine in the light of the setting sun, the curtains close on the lively flower festival.
We’ve fulfilled our roles; we’re done packing, and ready to leave town.

Girl: Wait!

(Footsteps)

I turn around to see the girl we had met in the streets during the flower festival. She runs up to Shino.

Shino: ...You’re.

Girl: Um... I’m sorry for falling silent back there.
But I just want you to know this: I didn’t fall silent because I hate how you’re from Eastern Country, or because I’m scared of how you’re a wizard.

Shino: Huh? What do you mean?

Girl: I mean, anyone would be surprised if someone you just met asked you, "Would you want to marry me?"
You need to start by asking me out to a date, or something like that.....

Shino looks a little surprised, as the girl turns bright red in embarrassment. Then, he smiles.

Shino: The girls in this town sure are cute.



(Woosh)

He gets on his broom and blows her a kiss from the sky.

Shino: I’ll entertain you when you become a wonderful lady.

Girls: Kyaaah!

Shylock: ....He’s going to outdo me as a lady-killer here.

Rustica: My goodness, I feel the same.

Cain: We need to stay on top of our game.

Arthur: Don’t worry. Everyone here is a wonderful man. I’ll personally guarantee it.

Akira: Ahaha. I will too.

Shino: Stop making a fuss; let’s head back. The sun’s going to set.

Shylock: Now now, no need to rush. A bit of tantalization is part of being a good adult.
We should enjoy the remnants of the sweet fragrance as we slowly make our way home. Don’t you agree, Sir Sage?

With each gust of wind, the flower petals scatter through the sky, painting the view in a white color.
The rainflowers look beautiful and ephemeral even from the sky. In the language of flowers, they symbolize "true love."
The truth can be ambiguous. It changes its face depending on who you are; each different speaker can twist even the ending of a story. There must be several yet undiscovered truths out there.
I pray that the many truths we uncover are as gentle as the story of the wolf and the princess who remained loyal to one another till the end.

Chapter 9 << | index |