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yumemory
Card Story: When I Take that Hand (Figaro, Mitile, Rutile, Lennox, Akira)
Card Episode: Even As They Grow (Figaro, Akira)
Raws: @dotsuitarehompo (thank you!)
When I Take that Hand: Chapter 1
[Location: Lounge, morning]
Mitile: Let’s go ask them now!
Lennox: I agree.
Rutile: Mitile, you’re in really high spirits right now.
Figaro: Ahaha. There’s no need to rush.
Akira: Hello. Oh? Did something good happen?
Mitile: Ah, Master Sage, you’re here! We were just about to look for you.
Akira: Me?
Mitile: Yes! The people in the Town of Clouds wanted to throw a party as tribute to the Southern Sage’s wizards.
Mitile: The invitation was extended to you, too. Would you like to join us?
Akira: A party sounds wonderful! I’d definitely love to go with you.
Akira: Since we've been invited, we should bring some souvenirs, shouldn’t we?
Lennox: Yes, we were just talking about bringing something back for the party.
Figaro: Now that the Master Sage is here, how about we all go to the Central market to fetch some things?
Rutile: That sounds good. Let’s look for some special souvenirs!
[Location: Central clocktower, morning]
Rutile: I guess it wouldn’t be the Central market if it didn’t have this many shops.
Lennox: It might be better for us to split into two groups than look around together.
Figaro: Agreed. Master Sage and I will look around that street over there, then. Let’s meet back here once we’re done.
Mitile: Okay! Brother, Mister Leno, let’s go!
(Mitile, Rutile and Lennox leave)
Akira: Figaro, do you know what you want to buy?
Figaro: Yeah. I found a nice liquor store just recently. I thought I’d pick up some rare alcohol from there.
Figaro: It’s in that market over there. I’ll lead the way.
Akira: Yes, please…… Ah.
(Akira bumps into someone)
Woman: Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to bump into you.
Akira: Ah, no, it’s fine. I’m sorry too.
Figaro: Are you okay, Master Sage? There are a lot of people passing by, so you should walk on this side.
Akira: Thank you so much. This Central city is always so crowded.
Figaro: It’s a downtown area, after all. In the South, you can walk down the middle of a street and hardly bump shoulders with anyone.
Akira: Ahaha. The Southern Country is less crowded than Central, after all, and it’s also very rich in nature.
We walked and looked around the vibrant city streets, packed full of passersby.
Akira: This feels nostalgic. We had a parade in this city before, didn’t we?
Figaro: Yeah, it was something I couldn’t even imagine back then. And now even the people in the Town of Clouds are throwing a party for us.
Akira: I'm sure that's because everyone agrees that you and the other Sage's wizards are doing a great job. I really can't wait for the party.
[Location: Central market, morning]
Boy: Hey, Mister! How about buying some of our fruit?
When I Take that Hand: Chapter 2
[Location: Central market, morning] ]
Figaro: Your fruit? Is this your stall?
Boy: That’s right!
Akira: (This boy… I think he’s about the same age as Mitile. He’s quite young for a shopkeeper…)
Man: Oh, we have customers?
A man with crutches appeared from behind the stall.
Man: I'm sorry you have to see me like this. I fell down the stairs last week, so my son has been helping me out with the store.
Boy: We have the best fruit around here because my dad always gets his hands on the freshest and most scrumptious ones of them all!
Akira: (How sweet... The way he works so hard for someone else reminds me a lot of Mitile.)
Figaro: How nice of you to watch over your store in place of your father. I have a student who’s the same age as you.
Figaro: And just like you, he's a good and dependable boy who cares a lot for his family.
Boy: Ehehe. Really?
His shy smile is similar to Mitile's, too. As I was thinking that, Figaro pointed at some of their fruit.
Figaro: That student of mine likes fruit. I’d like to buy some souvenirs, so can you give us your recommendations?
Boy: Of course!
[Location: Central market, morning]
Figaro: I think we’re pretty much done shopping.
Akira: You’re right. Let’s meet up with everyone soon.
Figaro: Hey, Master Sage? Thank you.
Akira: You don’t need to thank me. I was also able to find some wonderful souvenirs because of you.
Figaro: No, I mean more than just today.
Akira: Huh?
Figaro: To be honest, when I found out that the Sage’s crest appeared on Mitile and Rutile, I was really worried.
Figaro: Getting chosen as Sage's wizards meant they'd be interacting with all different kinds of people, including those they wouldn’t have gotten along with.
Figaro: Especially Mitile. I wasn’t sure that he’d be able to adapt too well to this new role. He’s always had disdain towards the Northern wizards, after all.
A smile then appeared on Figaro’s face.
Figaro: Yet despite my concerns, I’m continually amazed at how much he grows every day. It’s thanks to you, Master Sage.
Akira: No, no… I’m sure it’s because everyone always watches over him, including you.
Akira: Actually, there are even times where I think you and Mitile seem like a real family.
Figaro: Really? I’m glad you see us that way.
Figaro: You know, when you've lived for thousands of years, it becomes a bit difficult to feel that kind of connection.
Figaro said with a chuckle.
He said it so pragmatically, but for some reason, I heard a hint of loneliness in his voice.
When I Take that Hand: Chapter 3
[Location: Town of Clouds, morning]
The party in the Town of Clouds had a simple and warm atmosphere.
Villager 1: I just baked a pie. Wouldn’t you want some, Rutile? Mitile?
Rutile: Wow, it smells good.
Mitile: Thank you, auntie!
Villager 1: Working as the Sage's wizards must be really hard, isn't it? Go ahead and eat a lot today.
Lennox: Thank you. I’ll have some.
Villager 2: Doctor Figaro, this is a really nice drink! It’s been a hit with everyone.
Figaro: That’s good to know. Don’t forget to save some for me, ‘kay?
Akira: (Everyone looks like they're enjoying the party. And the drink Figaro brought is well-received too.)
Akira: (......But)
The words Figaro told me while we were shopping strangely stuck with me.
Mitile: Ah, the music started!
Rutile: You're right, let's dance! Come on, you too, Mister Leno!
Lennox: Yeah, I’m coming.
Everyone started to dance along with the music. The way they held hands and formed a circle reminded me a bit of a folk dance.
Mitile: Would you like to dance, Master Sage?
Akira: Um. Then, Figaro, should we go and dance too?
Figaro: I might have drunk a little too much, so I’ll just watch from here. Don’t worry about me, Master Sage. Go join them.
Mitile: Jeez, Doctor Figaro! I already reminded you to not drink too much earlier.
Mitile: Here’s some sobering medicine. Please make sure you take it, okay? Let’s go, Master Sage!
Mitile took me by the hand and I joined one of the circles of dancers.
Rutile: Ahaha. Keep going, Master Sage!
Mitile: Master Sage, you’re really good at this!
While we danced, I found Figaro watching us from a distance.
Akira: (......Ah.)
His eyes were gentle, but he looked like he was watching us all alone from a faraway planet.
Akira: ..........Excuse me, I’ll be back.
(Akira runs to Figaro)
Figaro: ......What’s the matter, Master Sage?
I left the circle of dancers and ran to Figaro. He tilted his head, and I offered him my hand.
(Akira holds out their hand)
Akira: Would you like to dance with me?
Figaro: Ahaha. To think that the Master Sage would ask me for a dance. Perhaps you're trying to make me dance—in the palm of your hand?
Figaro sounded like he was teasing me. But I didn’t laugh, and looked him straight in the eye.
Akira: I haven’t lived for a thousand years, so there’s no way for me to understand what you said that time.
Akira: But what I know is that to Mitile and the others, there’s no one who could ever replace you in their lives.
Akira: And that goes the same for me, too.
Figaro’s eyes widened for a moment. Eventually a smile broke upon his face, as if a string had been untangled.
Figaro: Haha… I’m really no match to you, Master Sage.
Figaro looked bashful as he slowly took my hand.
(Akira and Figaro join the others)
Rutile and Mitile: Ah, Doctor Figaro!
Lennox: Are you sober now?
Figaro: Yup. Mitile gave me some medicine earlier.
Mitile: That’s good to hear. Now we can all dance together. Everyone, let’s hold hands and make a circle!
The five of us joined our hands and danced together. We formed a circle, so no one would get separated.
Amidst the sound of all the laughter, Figaro whispered in a voice that only I could hear:
Figaro: ......Master Sage, thank you.
Card Episode: Even As They Grow
[Location: Courtyard, morning]
Akira: Hm? What’s that, Figaro?
Figaro: These are cookies from Mitile. Apparently he and Riquet made them together after Nero taught them how to.
Akira: So they baked them on their own. There’s even a ribbon on the bag… So cute.
Figaro: He told me he’ll give some to Bradley too.
Akira: He did?
Figaro: He said he wants to thank him for accompanying him on his training last time.
Figaro: And to think that he used to see the Northern wizards as enemies and was so strongly against them. He’s matured a lot since then.
Akira: You're right... Maybe living together with everyone has been a good experience for Mitile.
Figaro: Yeah. He's only been alive for a little over a dozen years, but it's amazing to see how much he's grown.
Akira: …...Huh. Figaro. What’s that behind the cookie bag? Is that a note?
Figaro: Hm? ...You’re right. “Doctor Figaro, thank you as always.”
Figaro: ...This is so much like Mitile.
Akira: (Figaro looks happy…)
Figaro: Okie dokie. We got our hands on some cookies, so let’s eat them together, Master Sage.
Special Home Screen Line
Figaro: This special day wouldn’t be complete without you here with me. Here’s to everything we’ve been through so far… and to the future ahead of us.
TL: yumemory | Proofread: Alle
