Etude of the Frog Taking Shelter From the Rain | Chapter 4

[healingbonds]

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Snow: Oh, here they come. Sage, Lennox.

White: It’s rare for you to be late to anything, Lennox. What happened?

Lennox: My sheep got lost.... I’m sorry.

Rutile: Did you manage to find him?

Lennox: Yes.

Mitile: Thank goodness!

Bradley: Make sure you keep him tucked away. If you just let these guys roam around, I’m gonna eat them.

Mithra: Yes. Sheep are food, after all.

Mitile: Mister Leno’s sheep aren’t food!

Everyone has gathered in front of the elevator. Maybe it’s because they chose to come along this time; neither Mithra nor Bradley are causing trouble.

Figaro: All right then, let’s head off. First, we have to head to the Southern tower. Then we all have to fly over an endless desert of nothingness for miles and miles.

Lennox: You don’t have to make it sound that boring.

Figaro: I’m doing it on purpose.

Mithra begrudgingly lifts his palm into the air.

Mithra: I’ll connect the spaces.

Snow & White: Ya~y!

Mithra: << Arthim >>

(Boom)

The moment Mithra utters his spell, a door appears out of nowhere. Rutile clenches his fist in delight.

Rutile: I went through this door during the incident at Central! You end up somewhere completely different in a blink.
I was really surprised back then. You’re amazing, Mister Mithra.

Mithra: Sigh. Please just walk through the door already.

Rutile: Geez. I praised you!

Both Rutile — who is glaring at Mithra — and Mithra — who is begrudgingly taking care of Rutile — seem like they’re having fun.

Bradley: Man, that sure is a useful skill. I don’t hate taking long journeys on my broom either, but I guess it’s too much for the little one here.

Mitile: Muh.... Are you talking about me? I can go on long journeys, you know. .....I mean, I’ve never been on one before, but......

Bradley grins and casually slaps Mitile’s tiny back.

Bradley: Well then, have Figaro take you on a journey next time. Your flying style isn’t half bad, you know?

Mitile: Really!?

Bradley: Yeah. ...Hey, don’t pull!

Mitile: Please tell me more!

Bradley: What you’re trying to say is, "It feels good when you praise me, so tell me more." It’s less annoying when you’re honest about it, you know?

Mitile: Th-that’s not it! I’m still studying up on magic, so I need to.....

Bradley: Sure, sure. Let’s go. Come on.

Bradley grabs Mitile by the scruff of the neck and carries him to the other side of the door. The two of them seem to be getting along as well.
Figaro prompts Lennox with a bitter laugh.

Figaro: Good to see everyone’s having a nice time. We should go too, Leno.

Lennox: Yes.

They quietly pass through the door together. I never realized — because Rutile and Mitile are always with them....
How quiet Figaro and Lennox are when the younger wizards aren’t around.

Akira: (....They look lonely..... But is it just my imagination....?)

A quiet drizzle of melancholy, akin to the feeling of heading out on a rainy day, begins to build within my heart. It’s not like there’s anyone to blame.
I’m not a child, so I won’t whine, "I won’t go out unless it’s sunny."
But I know something just isn’t quite right. That’s when the twins take my hands.

Snow: It’s time to go! Hold hands with me, Sage!

White: Me too! We’re going out together!

Akira: Y-yes.....

Mithra: Please hurry up.

Mithra watches over us, narrowing his sleepy eyes.
I take a huge step forward, as if leaping over a puddle, and make my way through the door of space.

✦✧☾✧✦

(Woosh)

We arrive on the other side of the door. A dry breeze blows through the Southern wastelands.
The sound of water mingles with the wind. Bradley shields his face from the sun with one hand while pointing diagonally in front of us with the other.

Bradley: Isn’t it that place over there? You can see greenery, like an oasis.

Mitile: You’re right! But the sky is clear. I don’t see a single rain cloud.

Bradley: Looks interesting. Maybe we’ll find a rare treasure inside. Let’s go and check.

Mitile: Please wait! This is a job for Southern Country! I’m going to check first.....

Bradley: Shut up. It’s first come, first served.

Mitile: That’s no fair....!

(Footsteps)

Mitile rushes to keep up with Bradley’s huge strides.

Figaro: Oh, dear. I wonder if they’ll be all right.

Lennox: Bradley is good at taking care of others, so I think they’ll be fine.

Mithra: I don’t trust him. We need to catch up. Come on, let’s go.

Rutile: Wait, don’t tug me along! Mister Mithra, we have our own way of doing things....

Mithra: Sigh. And I don’t care.

Rutile: Geez~!

Mithra carries Rutile in his arms and flies through the air without using a broom. He’s trying to catch up to Mitile.

Lennox: Will they be all right....?

Figaro: They’ll be fine. Mithra doesn’t want to lose his magic. He’ll keep them safe no matter what.
Their guardian is the second-most-powerful wizard, just after Oz. Looks like there’s nothing left for us to do.

Figaro’s words come as a surprise to me. I can’t tell if he’s thrusting them away, or if he’s being self-deprecating.
But there’s a casual smile upon his face. He pats Lennox — who has been silent — on the back, and walks forward.

Figaro: Let’s take it easy.

Lennox: ...Dr. Figaro, you're quick to give up.

Chapter 3 << | index | >> Chapter 5