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yumemory
Raws: Alle, thank you!
Card Story: All of Them are You
Card Episode: The Wizard’s Manor’s Favorite
All of Them are You: Chapter 1
[Location: Ernest’s Mansion]
That day, we were investigating a mansion where strange occurrences were reported.
The cramped interior was decorated with trinkets associated with luck. And after we split up to do the investigation—
Murr: Boo!
Akira: AAH! Murr?!
Arthur: Ahaha, no one would’ve seen you coming, especially while hanging upside-down.
Arthur: How is your investigation going, Murr? Found anything odd?
Murr: Not really, but I found you two!
Murr: Now it’s your turn! Both of you, try to find me without using magic, ‘kay? Let only your vision and hearts lead you!
Arthur and Akira: Huh?
Murr: Readyyy… Go!
Akira: Murr, wait a sec—
Arthur: He’s already gone. Swift as always.
Akira: What do we do now? We still have an investigation to do…
Arthur: Truthfully, I think it might be a great idea to look for him as we explore the area.
Akira: Eh? What do you mean?
Arthur: Murr told us to avoid using magic. Perhaps we don’t have to try that hard to find him.
Arthur: The same could be said for the clues we’re looking for—they may just be hidden in plain sight, so we should change our approach.
Akira: Oh, that makes sense!
Arthur: Let’s go search for Murr now.
Akira: Hm… Where could he be…
Arthur: Master Sage, how about we check this room?
The room was not unlike the others. One part was chock-full of magical charms. In the middle of the room hung an ornament in the shape of a white animal.
Arthur: Ah… Master Sage, this white animal is Kiki. It has the same appearance as the one in the encyclopedia.
Akira: So this is Kiki…. It looks fluffy and pretty.
Kiki is a magical creature, said to bring good luck to those who keep it. The one we met before had black fur, in contrast to the depiction of the ornament.
Kiki replenishes its magic by bathing in the light of the moon and stars. It turns black when it’s weak or its magic is depleted.
Akira: This Kiki looks beautiful and divine. I can understand why people say it might have special powers!
Arthur: I agree. When we met it previously, it was mostly covered in black fur. That doesn’t change the fact that it’s adorable, although I cannot deny that the white fur is striking as well.
Arthur: But…. It makes me sad to hear about the distorted legend: that if you catch sight of its black appearance, it will bring you bad luck.
Akira: You’re right…
All of Them are You: Chapter 2
[Location: Ernest’s Mansion]
As I listened to Arthur, I subconsciously took the ornament in my hand…
Ornament of Kiki: Haha, stop! It tickles!
Arthur and Akira: Huh?!
Akira: T-That voice definitely came from this ornament, right?
Arthur: And it sounds familiar. Master Sage, could this be…
Akira: …Murr?
Murr: Bingo!
Murr: Congrats, you two! You managed to find the true me!
Arthur: It’s all thanks to the Master Sage. That, and ornaments don’t usually feel ticklish.
Murr: Ahaha, can’t help that one.
Murr: …But I wonder, just what is the true me?
Arthur: What do you mean?
Murr: Am I me because I look like me? Pretty sure people said I used to be more of a gentleman.
Murr: So what does that make the current me?
Akira: I think you’re still Murr…
Arthur: That’s quite a difficult question, but I’m of the same opinion as the Master Sage. You are you.
Murr: Then what about you, Arthur? Which one is the true you?
Arthur: The true me…
Murr: The prince of the Central Country, one of the Sage’s wizards, one who was raised by the great wizard of the North. Which one is the true Arthur?
A smile bloomed across Arthur’s face, and he answered:
Arthur: Each and every one of them makes Arthur Granvelle. They’re all me.
His clear, blue irises sparkle from how earnest he is.
Arthur: If something is true, another must be false. But I have never thought, not even once, that a side of myself is fake.
Arthur: I prefer to see them as just another side to myself, and not whether one is true or not.
Arthur: To me, the philosopher Murr and the whimsical Murr—both of them make the same Murr Hart.
Murr: I like me too! My shattered souls are so fun to meet!
Arthur: Ahaha, I’m not sure if that’s what we’re talking about…
Arthur then glanced towards the Kiki ornament.
Arthur: “The true version” of someone is just what someone else wants them to be.
Arthur: Any side of someone is real to begin with.
Arthur: How is my answer, Murr? Is it to your satisfaction?
Murr: Mm-hm! That answer is so you! Forthright and interesting!
Murr: I’ll go ask everybody else. See ya guys!
All of Them are You: Chapter 3
[Location: Ernest’s Mansion]
Akira: There he goes…
Arthur: Ahaha, and this is the second time.
Akira: …
Arthur: Master Sage? Is something the matter? You seem like you’re deep in thoughts.
Akira: Ah, it’s nothing… I agree with your answer to Murr’s questions, so I was thinking about it.
Akira: Just like you two, I have many sides to myself.
Akira: In this world, everyone calls me the Master Sage. But in my world, I’m not someone of great importance.
Akira: I spend my days as I am. Some days I do my best, and some days I take it slow…
Arthur: …
Akira: If the true me was the me from my world, that doesn’t mean the Sage me is fake.
Arthur smiled as I slowly expressed my thoughts.
Arthur: They are all still you, Master Magi Akira.
Arthur: The Master Sage that we know isn’t “true” or “fake.” It’s simply one side of the many that you have.
Akira: Arthur…
Warmth permeated through my chest from Arthur’s sincerity. Arthur gave the Kiki ornament another look.
Arthur: Same as Kiki. It is said that its black appearance is its true appearance…
Arthur: But its white appearance may just be like how we dress up when meeting people, to make ourselves look proper.
Akira: Wow, you’re right!
Akira: We don’t call our everyday look “the true us.”
Arthur: Precisely. From the legends, we can tell that the white Kiki tends to receive more love….
Arthur: I hope that the black Kiki ornaments and charms will receive just as much love.
Arthur: For the true nature of Kiki—an animal endangered as a result of overhunting—is charming, irrespective of its effect on luck or misfortune.
The voice I heard was that of a good-hearted sovereign. But his mouth soon turned upwards like an innocent boy.
Arthur: Oh, Master Sage. When we get back to the manor, let’s think of a way to promote black Kiki’s loveliness.
Akira: Great idea, I’m in!
Card Episode: The Wizard’s Manor’s New Favorite
[Location: Wizard’s mansion foyer, day]
Akira: Hm? Arthur, is that some kind of a stuffed animal?
Arthur: It is. This is a stuffed toy of black Kiki. I was about to show you this.
Akira: Waa, how cute!
Arthur: After that day, I told Chloe its characteristics, and he made this right away.
Arthur: Seeing how well-made the toy is, as well as the outfits that he usually makes, makes me admire him even more.
Arthur: Although, I think there could be room for improvement, but I’m not sure what specifically…
Arthur: Master Sage, would you mind me asking your opinion on this? So that we can ask Chloe to fix it.
Akira: Gladly! Hmm, in my opinion…
Akira: Its snout was kind of hidden by his long fur, but if I remember correctly, it juts a little further out…
Arthur: Ah, let me take a moment to draw it. This will provide Chloe a better visualization. So its snout is…
Arthur: I’m done! Is this correct?
Akira: Yes! And it has a shorter tail, maybe…? The tail swayed with Kiki’s every movement, so it was hard to see.
Arthur: A shorter tail… You’re right, this seems more accurate!
Arthur: Thank you very much, Master Sage. Kiki’s stuffed toy became even more adorable.
Arthur: I’ll now ask Chloe if he could remake it!
Akira: Glad I could help. Kiki’s plushie is as cute as it is; I’m sure everyone in the manor will want to get their hands on this popular new item!
Arthur: I agree. I’m sure it will bring them all comfort!
Special Home Screen Line
Arthur: When I was younger, my parents and I walked along that bridge with our hands held together. I find myself wishing that it would happen again. It is, after all, a precious memory of the time I spent with my parents.
TL: yumemory | Proofreading: Alle
