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yumemory[Location: Riquet’s room]
Snow: Hohoho. Now that is a question for you to answer, young wizard.
Riquet: Lord Snow...
White: You have the freedom to become any version of yourself that you wish.
Snow: Whatever role has been bestowed upon the messenger of God—that we do not know.
White: Whether it is a role full of radiance, absurdity, or misery—that we also do not know.
Snow: If you wish to spare people, then spare her...
White: And if you wish to save people, then save her.
White: But never forget that staying true to your heart is what is most important.
Riquet: ...Lord White... You mean that I shouldn’t lie to my heart?
White: Correct. Deceiving your heart will cause it to waver, and when that happens, using magic will gradually become more difficult.
Snow: If you do not wish to see Sukey’s face, then all you need to do is not look at her.
Snow: But, afterward, if your heart screams in agony, then it is that agony you must listen to.
White: Not the voice of Riquet, the apostle of God, but the voice of Riquet, the wizard.
White: Now—what does your heart say?
White spoke in a gentle manner, and tears welled up in Riquet’s bright green eyes.
Riquet: ......I hate Sukey. I don’t care about her anymore. I won’t lend her a hand.
There was a sigh at the end of his words, as if saying them made him sorrowful.
Both of his hands went up to cover his face, and he whispered softly, shoulders shaking:
Riquet: ...But... But if she were to repent from the bottom of her heart, then I would still want to help her.
Riquet: That is the reason I went to that school in the first place.
Riquet: I want to see the smiles of many people and be proud of myself. In truth, all I want is to save people, regardless of who they are...
Riquet: Hating her was never something I wanted...
Snow and White smiled, and gently patted Riquet’s head.
The twins have always been regarded as frightening Northern wizards, but at this very moment, I felt like they resembled angels.
Snow: Well done.
White: Riquet, my dear. If that is what your heart whispers to you, then hold onto it tightly and do not let go.
Snow: Even if your heart is wounded by pangs of sadness, or if your vision becomes hazy with rage, or if you lose yourself amidst the crowd’s cheers...
White: Do not, at any cost, let the false light of justice and duty blind you.
White: Because however wrong or frightening it may be, it is the whispers of your heart that are always worth lending an ear to.
Riquet weakly held his head up and faced the twins. He shook his head slightly, like he wanted to run away.
Riquet: I... I don’t know... I think... I’m afraid of doing that......
Riquet: All I wanted was to remain an excellent apostle of God, and yet...
Snow: You are Riquet.
White: Snow is right. You are Riquet, a wizard.
Perhaps unconsciously, Riquet held onto my arms and looked up to me like he was at a loss.
Riquet: ...Master Sage, what should I do? Are these feelings I have correct? Would you please tell me, like the Grand Priest used to?
Akira: Riquet...
Riquet: I never had to worry about these things when I was at the church...
Riquet: I’m scared, Master Sage. Should I have not left to explore the outside world?
I held Riquet’s hand tightly in mine, and looked him in the eyes.
Akira: Your feelings aren’t wrong. Your heart may grow more restless along with the new things you see and experience...
Akira: But there are lots of things out there that are fun and can bring you happiness.
Riquet: Master Sage...
Akira: Like Snow and White said, what you truly feel is what’s important.
Akira: If what’s ‘right’ suffocates you, then I don’t want to force you to feel that way.
Akira: And if what is ‘wrong’ gives you joy, then I want to better understand you.
Akira: Because I want to cherish you and your heart, Riquet.
Akira: I want to cherish both the Riquet who wants to work hard, and the Riquet who chose to stop working hard.
Riquet blinked.
There were tears in his eyes threatening to break free. After looking away and around, he smiled a little bashfully.
Riquet: ......Thank you. I’m a little scared, but I’ll think of what is right at my own pace.
Akira: Okay. I’ll stay with you until you fall asleep.
Akira: Let’s take our time to think. And when we get tired of thinking, let’s talk about something fun and laugh instead.
Akira: Because I love it when you laugh, Riquet.
[Location: Dining hall, morning]
The next day, Riquet and I were finishing our late breakfast when Chloe came in.
Chloe: Good morning! We have a guest, and she’s looking for Riquet...
Akira: Good morning, Chloe. A guest, you say?
Riquet: ...She’s looking for me?
Chloe: Yeah...
Chloe: It’s Sukey. She said she came here to apologize about what happened yesterday.
Riquet: Huh?
Chloe: B-But, well, considering what happened...
Chloe: If it’s hard for you, I can ask her to leave. You don't have to force yourself.
RIquet: ............
Riquet: I’ll listen to what she has to say, at least. I want to know the reason she ran away yesterday.
Riquet: ...But will you come with me, Chloe, Master Sage?
Riquet: I’m scared to talk to her alone......
Chloe: Of course!
Akira: Me too!
[Location: Manor’s lounge, day]
Riquet: ...I heard you came here to talk. What is it—
Sukey: Ah...
As soon as we walked into the lounge, Sukey bowed deeply.
Sukey: I-I apologize for running away from you yesterday...
Riquet: Please raise your head. No matter how much you repent, what’s done has already been done.
Chloe and Akira: (R-Riquet’s really angry! Understandably, but still...!)
Sukey: Y-You’re right...
Riquet: Rather than that, why did you do it? It was you who knew the situation the best, because you’re the one who made the request to us.
Riquet: There was no reason for you to run away like that. You knew there was something you could have done. Yet, why did you...
Chloe: R-Riquet, let’s calm down a bit, okay? Sukey might get scared if you’re too angry...
Riquet: I’m not angry! I simply... feel immense sadness because of what happened.
Riquet: She should know that, and repent for it.
Sukey: ...I’m sorry.
Sukey: I was scared that the other students would shun me if they thought I sided with wizards... and since Polly’s not here with me...
Chloe: Sukey...
To Sukey, becoming even lonelier after a close friend has gone missing would have been too much to bear.
Akira: (...But she came here to apologize, so doesn’t that mean she regrets what she did?)
Sukey: Um. Actually, I knew about the rumors... about the culprit being a wizard.
Sukey: So I thought nothing could save Polly unless I got help from other wizards. That’s why I came to you.
Sukey: To be honest, I was really scared. I was afraid that you’d ask for my soul or something, in exchange for saving him…. But all of you turned out to be very kind.
Sukey: ...I’m truly sorry for what I did to you yesterday.
Riquet: ...............
TL: yumemory | Proofread: Alle
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