Chocolate and The Magical Blue Bird - Chapter 7

[yumemory]

Cain: I see everyone’s here.

Cain who arrived at the city in advance walked over.

Akira: Cain, the outfit suits you very well. You look great!

Cain: Everyone here told me I look manlier than ever!

Cain: Chloe, thank you for the amazing outfit.

Chloe: My pleasure! I’m glad to see everyone likes them.

Akira: (...Huh?)

Chloe smiled at Cain, but he looked restless, like his mind was somewhere else.

Akira: (Chloe…?)

[timeskip]

After that, we are free to roam the festival until the feast begins.

We walked around to see the festival, bought street snacks as each of us pleased.

Heathcliff: Master Sage, I will go and meet up with Rutile.

Akira: I understand. Thank you, Heath.

Akira: (Then, as for me….)

I couldn’t help but worry about Chloe, so I called out to him before he left.

Akira: Chloe!

Chloe: Whoa, Master Sage! What is it?

Akira: Nothing in particular…. It’s just that I’m kind of worried about you….

Chloe: ….

Akira: So….

Chloe: Uhm, Master Sage. I have to go to see Mister Luke now.

Akira: Ah, are you going to give him the outfit?

Chloe: No, that’s not it.

Chloe: Actually…. I’m going to apologize to him. I ended up being unable to give him the outfit he asked.

Akira: Huh…? Was it taking longer than you think?

Chloe: Yeah, something like that….

Chloe: So don’t worry about me! You should just go and enjoy the festival with the others, Master Sage!

Chloe laughed bashfully, and turned around.

Akira: (Chloe did laugh, but….)

Somehow he looked like he was about to cry. Before I knew it, I was grabbing his arm.

Chloe: Master Sage….?

Akira: I’ll go with you, Chloe.

[timeskip]

[walking footsteps]

For a while, we uttered not one word on our way to the cafe.

Chloe: ….

I didn’t know what to say. It’s nearly frustrating that there was nothing more I could do but stay by his side at a time like this.

The moments of silence went on, and Chloe finally talked.

Chloe: ...I’m sorry I made you worry, Master Sage.

Akira: I’m the one who should apologize. I didn’t notice that I might’ve pushed you too hard. I’m sorry.

Chloe: You don’t have to apologize. I was the one who accepted this request.

Chloe: And….

Chloe looked like he was at a loss, and slowly started to talk.

Chloe: ….Actually, I finished the outfit, and I have it here with me now.

Akira: Is that so? Then why….

Chloe: ….To tell you the truth, something like this happened several times before.

Chloe: A human girl who became my friend told me that the scarf I had looked pretty.

Chloe: I was really happy that I made a scarf for her. She gladly received it.

Chloe: But….

Chloe: The next day, she said she doesn’t need a wizard’s scarf—because it’s cursed….

Chloe: She told me I must’ve intended to deceive her, curse her to death…. So she ripped the scarf, and threw it away.

My chest tightened at the weak smile Chloe gave me.

Chloe: If that happens again…. If Mister Luke had a change of heart…. I’ve been thinking about that.

Chloe: Mister Luke wearing the outfit I made, confessing his love…. If it doesn’t go well….

Chloe: I’ve been wondering what I’ll do if he says that it’s because a wizard’s outfit is cursed, and throw it away….

Chloe: I keep thinking of the worst…. I wanted to believe that Mister Luke won’t say that, but still, I’m scared….

Chloe: And at the same time, I’m ashamed of being weak, for not being able to trust Mister Luke….

Chloe: Why am I such a coward…!

Akira: Chloe….

I wanted to tell him that it’s not true. I wanted to tell him that Mister Luke would like the outfit.

Chloe: I….

The way he clutched his chest made me think that he was hurt more than just ‘several times’.

In that case, what good would it do to comfort him with such irresponsible words?

I was angry with myself for being so powerless, when suddenly—

[running steps]

Rutile and Heathcliff: Found you!

Chloe and Akira: Waa!?

We both jumped in surprise.

Before our eyes, there were Rutile and Heathcliff, out of breath.

 

Rutile: Chloe, are you okay!? Are you crying?

Chloe: Huh, wha…?

Rutile: Thank goodness…. I see you’re not crying.

Heathcliff: Um, so we don’t have to use this, then?

Chloe: That’s—!

Heathcliff was holding a beautiful scarf with a blue bird embroidered on it.

Chloe: Heath, how did you get that scarf?

Heathcliff: Rustica gave it to me before we departed from the manor.

Heathcliff: ‘If Chloe seemed to be crying, would you please use this to wipe his tears?’, he said.

Rutile: That’s why we were worried, and came looking for you. We thought something happened.

Rutile: But I’m glad that you’re not crying.

The two of them were relieved. They must’ve been worried sick, and rushed all the way here. 

Heathcliff: By the way, did you make this scarf, Chloe?

Chloe: Y-Yeah.

Rutile: I knew it! No one but Chloe could’ve done this delicate embroidery.

Heathcliff: I never thought sewing could make something this fine and beautiful.

Heathcliff: The bird looks like it would fly any time soon. Now I kind of want a scarf like this….

Heathcliff: It gently calms my heart just by looking at it. Chloe, your works are really amazing as always.

Chloe: Eh?

Heathcliff: Ah, I wasn’t asking for anything…!

Chloe: ...Heheh. Ahaha!

Heathcliff: Now that you laugh, I’m getting embarrassed….

Chloe: Sorry, sorry. It’s not because it was funny. I just felt like I had a weight off my shoulders.

Chloe: I’m truly happy to hear that you wanted the scarf I made.

Chloe: Thank you.

 

< Previous | Index | Next >