Etude of the Melancholy Sunflower | Chapter 8

[healingbonds]

Chapter 7 << | index | >> Chapter 9


Amidst the cheerful chatter, Mitile is silent, his brows furrowed. He’s paying particular attention to Shino.
And Shino seems to catch on. He cuts to the point and asks Mitile, frankly:

Shino: Mitile. Do you dislike me?

Mitile: ............

Heathcliff: H-hey.... Couldn’t you find a better way to say that?

Shino: Sugarcoating it won’t change how you feel about someone. Or is there some other reason you’ve been staring at me?

Mitile: ....... Somebody said that "Southern wizards drag the rest of us down."

Shino: What. Who the hell said that? You can punch them. I’ll help.

Heathcliff: ........ It was probably you.....

Shino: I said that?

Mitile: ........You did. But it looks like you’ve forgotten about it, so I’ll forget about it too.

Shino: .............

Mitile, who had been stealing suffocated glances at Shino up till now, finally takes a deep breath and looks at him right in the eye.
He’s a boy who won’t run away: his gaze harbors the kindness and strength of the Southern lands.

Mitile: Mister Shino, you said something mean to me, so I wanted to hate you, but.... I couldn’t do it.
Because I want to be like you, Mister Shino — someone who’s strong and can do all sorts of things on his own....

Shino’s eyes widen at Mitile’s words. His lips immediately curve into a smile. He looks delighted and incredibly proud.
Next thing I know, Mitile and Shino are smiling at each other.

Mitile: I hope we can get along from here on out. I want us to do magic training together.

Rutile: Well done. I’m proud of you, Mitile.

Shino: Heh..... Sure thing.



Heathcliff: Don’t just "sure thing" him. It’s your turn now.

Shino: ........ I apologize for calling you a burden, Mitile.

Mitile: Ehehe..... It’s fine. I’ll work hard so that you won’t have to say that to me!

Lennox: I’m glad you two managed to talk it out. I hope the grown-ups in the other room can manage to hold a conversation too.

Heathcliff: Right, the teachers are coming up with a strategy for tomorrow, right? ....I wonder if it’ll work out......

Nero: ...........

✦✧☾✧✦

Figaro: I think that sounds good. Though if we really want to get the job done fast and for sure, you and I should just finish it off together.

Faust: No. It might be dangerous, but this is a good opportunity for the younger wizards to learn a thing or two about curses.

Figaro: Now that’s the opinion of a teacher.

Faust: ...........

Figaro: Shall we drink in prayer for tomorrow’s success?

Faust: That would be unscrupulous.

Figaro: I bet Leno and the others are drinking as we speak. Rutile is a hard drinker, you know. How about Nero?

Faust: ......I don’t know.

Figaro: You’ve never had a drink together?

Faust: We’re planning on it.

Figaro: I see. Glad to hear it. Come on, take the glass.



Faust: .....I’ll pour the wine.

Figaro: Because you can’t make Sir Figaro serve you? You’re conscientious in the strangest ways. Though I guess that’s just like you.

Faust: .....I was too harsh the other day.

Figaro: It’s fine. I always say too much.

Faust: But there are times when you don’t say enough. I don’t understand you, Figaro. I can’t tell when you’re serious or merely speaking in jest.......

Figaro: I’m always serious. But my wish will never come true, so I pretend I’m joking around.

Faust: For what purpose?

Figaro: Because I don’t want to get hurt. It’s the same reason I left your side.
You and Bianca are so clumsy. You get hurt head-on, and then you curse the world. But I like kids like that.

Faust: ....How in the world did I hurt you? I truly respected you from the bottom of my heart.

Figaro: That’s probably true from your point of view. Well, how should I put it. I guess it’s just a difference in values.

Faust: Figaro. Stop joking around and answer me honestly.

Figaro: ............
.....Here is my point of view. I’ve lived for many many years. I’ve tried many things, and I’ve lost many things, as I’ve drifted through life.
I’ve granted all sorts of things. I’ve stolen all sorts of things. I’ve been kind; I’ve been horrible.
Yet I could never find a place to land.... Until one day, I met a young wizard who was determined to change the world.
I was so happy. I thought, this must be the reason I’ve lived until today. I tried to impart to him everything I knew about this world.
And that was how we would change the world and continue to watch over it together.
A world where humans and wizards lived in harmony.... I didn’t really get it, but it had a nice ring to it.

Faust: You..... I put my life on the line for this, but you just joined because it sounded nice.....?

Figaro: But then I learned this: even if Alec dies, you will never forget about him until the day you die.
In the end, I’m always alone. I can’t stand that.

Faust: .....What? Are you telling me I can’t mourn my friend.....?

Figaro: You never learn, do you! You still call him your friend? After all that he did to you.....

Faust: I don’t think he’s my friend any longer! But it’s only natural to mourn a friend. What’s wrong with that?

Figaro: You won’t understand. Because you don’t know a thing about how difficult life can be.

Faust: I’ve lived for four hundred years, you know!?

Figaro: What four hundred years? You were just a hero who made a 90-degree turn and became a curseworker.
Try making as many twists and turns as I have. If my life were a line, it would make the whole page pitch black, as if it were painted over.
That dark, messy mass of a line finally encountered a chance to run straight. That possibility was you.
If everything had gone well, we could’ve had a world where you and I watched over Central Country and Arthur together.....

Faust: Don’t make it sound like this was all my fault...... .......... .....I don’t understand......

Figaro: To put it simply, it’s a lingering attachment. It can’t even become a curse. Isn’t that hilarious?

Faust: ..........

Figaro: Haha...... Of course you wouldn’t laugh. That’s why I told you about my approaching death. I’m sure Bianca will be saved too.
Do your best, Mr. Faust.

Chapter 7 << | index | >> Chapter 9