Wish on the Star-Filled Sea Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Figaro: Now then, to whom does this first wish of the night belong to?

He held aloft the star ornament I chose with a smile on his face.

Figaro: Possideo.

The shining of the star ornament I chose increased, as if a real star was born into this room.

Eventually, from a small ball of light came a familiar figure I knew all too well floating onto the scene.

Murr: Awrighty, to celebrate Tanabata it’s time to tell you my wish!

Laddies and germs, which do you prefer? An absolutely un-grantable wish, a frightening wish, or an exciting wish? Just so you know, I recommend the absolutely un-grantable wish!

Rustica: Well, now that you’ve suggested it my interest is somewhat piqued. Doesn’t the sound of an absolutely un-grantable wish get you on your toes?

Chloe: Hmm, I prefer an exciting one! It is Tanabata, so I want everyone to have tons of fun!

Shylock: Then I suppose I’ll vote for a frightening one. The night of Tanabata where Orihime and Hikoboshi reunite in their love must be a sultry one.

Murr: Gosh, guess that means I should go for all of them!! A frightening one, an exciting one, and an absolutely un-grantable one altogether has won! Clap clap~

Chloe: Wooohooo! *clap clap*

Rustica: Oh, am I thrilled to hear it! Such an inspiriting decision!

Shylock: Shall we open up a wine bottle to celebrate Tanabata then?

Murr, Chloe, & Rustica: Cheers!

Their figures vanished as the ball of light closed up with the sound of their voices cheering in unison.

Murr: Wahooo! I was the first! Happy Tanabata, cheers!

Lennox: But Murr, we’re missing something. What was your wish?

Murr: That is…

Lennox: It is…

Murr: Dunno! Forgot!

Rutile: Hahahaha! Still, it looks like you four had a lot of fun!

Owen: Don’t make a wish only to not wish for anything. If we can’t grant anything it won’t make for a game.

Mithra: Hey, Master Sage. Get it together, will you? Pick a wish that’s properly done.

Akira: G-Got it. I’ll try to do that! 

…Haaah! Okaaay, I choose you!

Mithra: Arthim.

This time Mithra was the one who recited his spell on the star ornament I chose. Once again, it lets off a golden light. 

Lennox: Hmmm, my wish is…

I would like for the day of the party to have good weather. Lord Faust and Mitile were looking forward to their plant gathering.  

Oh, also, Rutile mentioned that he had lost his favourite pen. I hope he can find it soon.

And lastly…

May Dr. Figaro’s stiff neck and shoulders heal. 

Akira: Was that…all?

Lennox: My apologies for being so greedy. I hadn’t realized that I made so much.

Akira: No, uhm, rather than greedy it was more…

Rutile: Mr. Leno, I actually found that pen this morning!

Lennox: Is that true?

Rutile: Yes! It was hiding behind my desk. I found it, all thanks to your wish! 

Figaro: I guess that explains why my stiff joints have found relief recently. Your wish was heard by the stars, Leno. Thank you.

Lennox: You too, Dr. Figaro…thank goodness.

Rustica: How lovely. Does this make Lennox the top scorer?

Mithra: Hey. Does that count as granting right now?

Murr: Doesn’t it? There wasn’t a rule that said you HAD to use magic to grant them.

Oz: …Don’t you have any wishes for yourself.

Lennox: Huh?

Lennox blinks at Oz’s question. It was as if he had just realized that himself.

Lennox: Now that you mention it…I didn’t make any. That’s fine, however.

Personally, when it comes to my wish, I find there’s no meaning in it if I don’t grant it myself.

Owen: Tch. What a bore. 

Murr: Let’s keep at it! Next one is this!

Murr chose a star himself. It seems that he’s been eyeing it for a while now, wanting to open it. 

Murr: Eanul Rambul!

Oz: I have no wishes.

Akira: (In just one second…!)

Mithra: Why would you choose something like Oz’s wish? Have some sense. 

Murr: Meeeowww! I got criticized by Mithra on sense! Okiedokie, moving on.

Eanul Rambul!

Rutile: May Mitile and Faust come home from South safely.

Ah, can I make another? May Lady Orihime and Sir Hikoboshi safely reunite on the Milky Way!

Rustica: May all the couples in the world enjoy a sweet chocolate flavoured romantic day today. 

Murr: Aw yeah! Let’s make it rain chocolate all over the world then!

Shino: Hey, you guys seen my wallet anywhere?

Heathcliff: Wait, Shino! Rustica’s making his wish right now so don’t barge in!

Mithra: I will beat the crap out of Oz. 

And once I do, I’ll make him do the weeding. It suits him.

As the wizards sang their spells each of the star ornaments glowed and showed their saved illusion.

Sweet wishes, honourable wishes, straight up war declarations.

Each and every one of them was fitting of them, their emotions of happiness and nervousness overflowing.

Lennox: Master Sage, where is your ornament?

Akira: Oh, mine. I hung it up somewhere over…

Murr: Which one is the Sage’s one!

Oz: This one.

One star ornament floated its way towards Oz’s hands. Without a doubt it was the star I hung up.

Oz drops his gaze down to the ornament in his hands.

Oz: …

Vox Nox.

Murr: Okay, we’re starting! 3, 2, 1, go!

Akira: Uhhh, I’m…

Murr: Master Sage, your face is weird! Smile!

Akira: S-Sorry. I’m just a bit embarrassed since I’ve never done something like this before.

My wish is, well…

My wish for all the wizards to live healthily without injury or sickness!

And, I hope that everyone finds it comfortable living here at the manor…that’s all!

Murr: Yahoo, we pulled an ultra rare one! Good job, Oz, you got great sense!

That was the saved memory of my wish that played just now.

I was more nervous than I thought. Blood rushed to my face seeing my crooked smile in the illusion.

Rustica: …Master Sage, to think you’d make a wish for us…thank you dearly.

Rutile: I’m finding living here at the manor wonderful! Everyday’s lively, just like today! We’re having this great party here after all. 

<     Index     >

Wish on the Star-Filled Sea Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Oz: …You as well did not wish for anything personal.

Akira: Ah, you’re right…

Oz: You, Rutile, and Lennox are all the same. Only thinking of others.

That is what Southern wizards do. They prioritize others before themselves. I suppose that makes you similar to a Southern wizard then, Sage.

I find myself smiling at those words when I turn to face Rutile and Lennox, our eyes meeting.

Akira: (I feel a little better now about having shown my wish…)

(I wonder what this feeling is? It’s almost like the feeling you get after you finish your presentation in class…)

Figaro: Wait Master Sage, don’t tell me you seriously ended your wish after just one?

Akira: Aha…yes. I couldn’t think of anything else other than that.

The illusion disappears after Figaro speaks, and I recall a question from Murr before. 

Akira: (It’s not like the thought of “Would you wish to come home?” didn’t cross my mind before but…)

It’s that, I’d be throwing everything I’ve gained in this world away. That isn’t something I should be wishing for at a party that everyone planned.

Figaro’s curious gaze quickly changes to his usual peaceful expression. That’s when a listless voice called out.

Mithra: I’m bored.

It was Mithra. He was sitting on the stairsteps, watching us silently for awhile until he finally decided to speak up.

Murr: You’re bored? Want a cookie?

Lennox: Don’t forget Shylock’s cocktails.

Mithra: No need. How about we end this chatter already? None of these wishes can make for a game.

Owen, leaning his back against the wall, continued.

Owen: Seriously. They’ve all been either feasible little comments or banter. This game is gonna end with zero winners or losers.

Mithra: And also, Figaro.

He waves his hand in the air, and within his hands he grips the crown that was laid on the table. 

His handsome face twisted into a smile of one looking for trouble. 

Mithra: The one who lays their hands on this crown is the winner, and can make Oz and Figaro their servants, right?

Figaro: You’re right. With only that tool, you can make me do whatever you want, under the magic spell of the emperor. 

Mithra: Hmmm. Still, I don’t believe that this crown has that sort of effect to it. 

If it was just nonsense that you were spewing, I’ll make you regret it, Figaro.

Owen: Yeah, let’s end the game already. Whether that’s a piece of trash or not can be determined now. 

Finding out this way is much faster than granting a bunch of useless wishes.

Figaro: You really are hotblooded. Didn’t I say so? There’s a proper function to use it.

Welp, I can’t stop you if you want to quit the game.

Figaro stands straight at the rambunctious Northern wizards, and speaks in a merry voice. 

Figaro: If only you stayed in the game, you could have won and made me your toy. 

Mithra & Owen: Huh?

Figaro: Possideo.

From his lips forming a smile so thin Figaro chants his spell. 

Gradually, specks of light begin to spiral upwards, his hands moving like a conductor’s. The orchestra was just about to start. 

Trailing along his slender fingers is a light that paints its mark where he points, and eventually that light grows and wraps itself around the tree in the centre of the foyer. 

Murr: Wooowie! It’s an ensemble of lights!

Rustica: How majestic…the stars hung up on the tree are all twinkling at once.

Figaro: There wasn’t any rule that I couldn’t participate in the game myself, was there?

The true game starts now. There’s still so many wishes on this tree left, see?

Our sight was stolen by a thousand lights, a single star bringing our focus to it as it floats to the centre stage. 

Mitile: I want to take a nap with a huuuuge sheep! I bet it’d be super fluffy and nice…

Figaro: What a sweet little wish. Looks like this teacher will have to do his very best.

Possideo.

Where Figaro points with his finger, a sheep of Lennox’s pops up. 

And, the same way a cotton candy builds up, the sheep does the same with its round body.

Rutile: …! The sheep is growing larger!

Akira: Soooo fuzzy…

Figaro: Shall we go even further?

He says his spell like it's nothing.

With his calm and composed self, it felt like no matter what wish was thrown at him he could truly grant it. 

Owen: I’d like for it to rain on the day of the party.

I want the Milky Way to overflood and ruin the party with heaps of rain.

Figaro: An overflow of the Milky Way? I can make that happen. 

He snaps his fingers with a strike.

Owen: Ow!

Murr: It’s raining candy!!

Rutile: Oh yummy!

Akira: Is this…milk flavoured?

Lennox: An overflowing of the Milky Way grants you a rainstorm of milky candy, is the joke I think…?

Figaro’s magic darts around the room, opening memories of wishes and showing the saved illusions inside. 

Our hearts danced at the sight of this repeating miracle performing before us.

Murr: Figaro, you’re amaaazing! You just keep on granting them!

Rutile: Yes, he’s on a roll! But, Dr. Figaro, won’t you get tired after using so much mana?

Lennox: …I remember yesterday Dr. Figaro, that you had a discussion with Lords Snow and White…

Figaro: Yep. I knew I needed a lot of power to grant all these wishes so, I asked them to lend me some.

Since they gave me their sugar, I’ll be fine for a little longer.

Rutile: I see, so Lords Snow and White were helping you out! I was surprised for a moment at all the different kinds of magic you were using!

Owen: …Was this your plan from the start?

A disappointed voice rings in my ear. Owen was playing with a star-shaped cookie as he spoke.

Figaro: What do you mean?

Owen: You never had any intention of handing over that crown from the start. You made us the floorboards for your Good-Guy stage. 

Figaro: That’s surprising. Weren’t you guys the ones who wanted to quit the game from the start?

You Northern wizards are so quick to give up.

Mithra: What mouth are you–ggh.

Owen: Gguh.

In the middle of his words Mithra and Owen’s mouths were stuffed with a piece of candy, cutting off any more of their crude remarks.

Figaro: Now now, we still have some work to do. Let’s grant more wishes! 

Murr: You too, Oz! I wonder what kinda wishes the world’s strongest wizard will make come true?

Oz: …

Rustica: I mustn’t fall behind now. Amorest Viesse.

Rutile: Heehee, me too! Ortonik Setomaouge! 

The wizards each recited their spells, including Mithra and Owen, in competition.

<     Index     >

Wish on the Star-Filled Sea Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Chloe: Erm, I’d like for all of the world’s cutest, sparkliest, awesomest fabrics out there!

And then I’ll make tons of clothes for the other wizards and the Sage!

Shylock: Hmhm, how sweet of you.

I’ll prepare the most top grade of cocktails–Tanabata edition. 

My wish is for everyone who wishes to drink it to come visit my bar. 

I’m looking forward to seeing who comes.

Snow: May White and I be foreeever together!

White: May Snow and I be foreeever together!

Bradley: I’d like for my affliction from the Great Calamity to be healed alre…ah, ahh…

Snow & White: …!

Bradley: ACHOO!

Snow & White: …And that’s all for the Northern wizards’ wishes!

Faust: May I spend more peaceful days. 

Nero: Same.

Shino: Hey, think of an actual one. Heath’s gonna feel awkward now. 

Heathcliff: Uhm, well, I’m actually fine with that wish too!

Shino: …May I be able to prove to the other wizards that the Eastern wizards are the strongest of all.

Faust, Heathcliff, & Nero: Uhm, counterproductive much…?

Arthur: We wish from our heart,

Riquet: for the Sage and their wizards,

Cain: at their Tanabata party,

Arthur, Riquet, & Cain: To have a blast!

I could feel the smiles around the room as we watched the dozens of wishes and thoughts play. 

Murr: And the results are…!

The winner of the first “Tanabata Celebratory Emperor Showdown” is…Figaro!

Mithra: Booooo.

Owen: Booooo booooo.

Akira: (The jeering’s already started…)

We’ve finished the majority of the wishes. Murr lets out a loud cheer after raising Figaro’s hand.

The other wizards did their best, but they couldn’t catch up to the running stream that was Figaro granting wishes wherever he flowed. 

Figaro: Thank you. I’m glad we all had fun.

Rustica: You’re so strong, Dr. Figaro. It was so entertaining watching the wishes of the others that I myself became entranced, alas.

Rutile: Same here. And since they were all wonderful wishes it was hard having to choose which one to start with first…

Murr: Ah, that wish Oz granted was so funny! Lennox’s “I wish for my sheeps’ sleeping bay to be made anew.”.

Lennox: Lord Oz, thank you for your work. You made an outstanding castle of a cubby.

Oz: Of the humans I’ve observed, the one’s who had nicer skin were the ones living in castles, not villages.

I thought  your sheeps’ fur would become more lustrous if they too could live in a castle.

Lennox: …I can’t wait. 

Akira: I’m still so amazed by how many wishes you guys granted! There were so many hung up and you granted pretty much all of them!

I wonder what sort of faces everyone will make when they come home!

Mithra: Honestly. They should grovel before me in gratitude.

Owen: If it weren’t for the desserts I would have gone to my room ages ago.

Even though they’d grumble from time to time, Mithra and Owen still stayed at the party. 

It seems they’ve been snacking on cookies and drinking cocktails while watching the saved wishes and granting numerous of them on a whim. 

Murr: Player Figaro, give yourself a pat on the shoulder! Say something to the audience!

Figaro: I know we have some unhappy contestants here, but I hope you all can stick with me a little longer. 

With a snap of his fingers, the crown that Mithra took came floating back into his hands.

Murr: The Emperor’s Crown!

Whatcha gonna do, shake it, bop it?

Figaro: You don’t shake or hit it. There’s a mechanism in the jewel at the centre here. 

If you say your spell as you press on it…

As he swept his fingers over the jewel, a light enveloped the crown.

After a while, the light lifted, and what appeared was…

Lennox: This is…

Murr: It changed shape!

The intricately made crown had completely transformed into something that let off a powerful light. 

On its surface was a mystifying pattern, and wrapped around it was a dragon with exaggeratedly pointy scales.

Figaro: That crown before was a disguise. This is the real emperor’s crown. Don’t you think it’s cool?

It’s dazzling enough to make you want to follow the wearer’s orders. 

Rutile: Hehe, if you wore that, Dr. Figaro, you’d fit in right with the Northern wizards!

Owen: How? That crown is so last millennia.

Mithra: Well I’ve taken a liking to it. Though I won’t be doing any obeying.

Murr: So this is actually a magical prank you transform with magic!

Lennox: Considering how more modest the former one was, it really strikes your impression with its second form. Maybe you pick which design you like better.

Akira: So…are there any other magical effects on it besides drawing your eyes to it when it transforms?

Figaro: Nope.

Akira: None?!

Owen: It really was just a piece of trash…

Mithra: Well…I did guess so. For trying to get out of a default loss my time was wasted.

Figaro swings his finger on the loop of the crown, glancing at the wizards whose reactions were unfavourable.

Figaro: Anyhow, now that I have the crown in my hands I’m the emperor. As the game rules go, you’ll now have to obey my every order. 

Mithra, won’t you open a space door for us? There’s a place I want to go to.

Mithra: Haaaugh, no thanks. I’m done with the party.

Lennox: But aren’t you interested in where Dr. Figaro wants to go?

Mithra: Not at all.

Rutile: What if it’s someplace fun? Like an uninhabited island, or atop the clouds, or right in the middle of the ocean!

Mithra: Don’t you joke about the ocean. What if you drown? You have a death wish?

Figaro: Hey, I still haven’t said where I wanted to go. Though, I think it’s somewhere you’ll like too.

Mithra: I’ll decide myself if it’s something I’ll like.

Actually, can’t you do it yourself? Surely you can. Or go ask Oz instead. 

Figaro: You’re the only one I can depend on, Mithra. Literally, look outside. It’s nighttime. 

I can see my reflection on the glass of the window. Beyond that, was the darkening evening sky.

And when it becomes night, Oz becomes unable to use magic due to his affliction from the Great Calamity.

Murr: That makes Mithra the strongest wizard in the world right now!

Upon hearing that, Mithra’s mouth curves a little and he glances at Oz.

Mithra: Goodness Oz, you’re useless. You can’t even use simple magic like this. 

Oz: …

Rustica: Space warping magic takes an incredible amount of effort to master. For Mithra to be calling it easy shows how powerful he is. 

Murr: Woot woot, World’s Number One!

Finally willing after all the flattering, Mithra takes out his magical tool.

Mithra: I guess it can’t be helped, I must open this door for you. So, where shall I summon it?

<      Index      >

Wish on the Star-Filled Sea Chapter 9

 

Chapter 9

Figaro: Way up above Central Country. A spot where you can see the stars closest.

Mithra: Arthim. 

As he says his spell with ease, a door spawns out of thin air. 

Rutile: Are we going for a nightly stroll?

Rustica: Wishing to the stars AND going to see them…how romantic.

Owen: Can’t we just do that on the roof of the manor? I’m not going.

Mithra: What are you saying? I’ve specially opened a door for all of us, so you’ll be coming too.

Figaro: Lennox, you go with the Sage.

Lennox: Understood. Master Sage, please hop onto my broom.

Murr: Everyone’s following Figaro’s orders! It’s the power of the emperor, wowza!

Akira: It sure does seem that way…? But I think it’s natural…

Rustica: Lord Oz, you can ride with me.

Oz: …Thanks.

When we lept on our brooms, Figaro pulled out a ball of light with his magic. 

It floated in the air above his palm, and flew into the darkness of the night like a navigator.

Figaro: Alrighty, it’s time to go. Don’t stray too far from me now, everybody. 

Murr: ‘Kaaaay!

Trailing after Figaro, we were all flying in the starry sky.

I’m already used to riding on brooms, but this time felt different. We were flying higher than usual. 

Lennox: Are you okay, Master Sage?

Worried that I may be scared, Lennox called out to me.

Akira: It just feels like the sky’s a little darker. Has the weather worsened? I hope it doesn’t rain…

Lennox: It will be okay. Please speak up if you have any worries, it might help you feel better.

Akira: Lennox…thank you.

We smoothly flew on our brooms, chattering about this and that.

Eventually, the navigating light of Figaro’s drops its speed, and all the stars disappear behind the clouds.

The wind rustles Figaro’s hair, and he strains his eyes. Like he sharpened his senses, he was waiting for something.

Akira: Where is…

Oz, Mithra, Owen. They were all staring into the sky in silence. The wind was the only thing you could hear. 

Figaro: Just a little longer now. …There, I see it.

Akira: Ah…!

I held my breath. Following Figaro’s gaze I looked into the darkness, and specks of light began flying up towards us.

Akira: (Shooting stars? No…these are…)

For shooting stars, their orbit was all over the place. They billowed in the air, spun and turned. 

It looked as if those lights themselves were swimming in the sky in joy. That this night sky was their ocean, and they were fish in water…

Rutile: …Fish?

Akira: What?

Murr: Sky Fish. A whole horde of sky fish are coming this way!

As Murr shouts those words a flood of colours enter my vision. A sudden stream of schools of fish emerge and before we knew it we were blinded by light.

Akira: Bwuh…?!

Astonished by what I was seeing, I looked around in stardom, at the infinite amount of fishes, swimming in all directions, spinning and showing off their allure. 

Akira: Amazing, there’s fish swimming in the sky!

Figaro: It’s a magnificent sight, isn’t it?

To be exact, they aren’t really fish. Though they’re called sky fish, they’re actually a magical species that take on the form of marine life.

Lennox: It’s rare to see such a large herd of them…but I thought sky fish went extinct a long time ago?

Oz: They’ve likely been revived by the Great Calamity.

Reflected in Oz’s eyes was the dark of the night. 

Oz: These animals in deep slumber were awoken by its influence, and now migrate aimlessly in the skies.

Murr: Yep yep. They usually go around the whole world, and during this time they’re said to show up here!

Figaro: We were lucky tonight. If it rained they would’ve taken another route.

Rutile: They treat the sky like it’s water…it’s so fantastical!

Mithra: Hey. Don’t move so much or you might fall off.

Owen: Swarms of these things are just a pain to fly through.

Despite their reactions, Mithra and Owen’s eyes were stuck onto the migrating sky fish, unable to take their eyes off either.

Rustica: I wish Orihime and Hikoboshi could see this sight too.

With deep breaths and a smile on his face, Rustica looks up at the night sky, fishes with their seven coloured scales dancing around him.

The sight the couple who can only meet one day of the year must be a sight to behold. Everything around them must be dazzling and vibrant.

Oz: Careful, Sage.

Lennox: Please hold on tight.

Akira: Huh…?

Suddenly, something shook in the air.

Feeling some sort of thickness rise by my feet, I hold on tighter to Lennox’s back.

???: Uooooooo

Rutile & Rustica: ?!

A sound that was neither the wind nor a roar bellowed, and from the rising darkness by our feet was a single light.

I couldn’t believe my eyes. Below us something humongous came flying up–if I had to name it, it was a sea creature that had jumped out of the water for a breath.

Akira: That’s…

Lennox: A whale…

It was all you could see. Its lustrous black back, the flipping of its tail.

And its size was unbelievably more than I thought. A living being as large as a world sailing arc was calmly swimming its way underneath us.

Figaro: A large fellow, aren’t you. It probably saw how fun we were having and swam near. 

Murr: I’m ready to dive in! Let’s have a Tanabata party here too!

Unlike the astonished me, Figaro and Murr were not shaken, but observing the giant whale with curiosity.

Rutile: Wow, look at the mouth it has!

Rustica: And a brilliant moustache it has too. If you have that, you’ll never run out of replacement strings for your violin for a whole lifetime.

Still, sitting on our brooms isn’t comfortable enough is it? I’ll prepare some luxurious A-class seating for us. 

Amorest Viesse.

Akira: Woah, a sofa!

With Rustica’s spell appeared many sofas with deluxe designs and seating for comfort.

Lennox: It’s hard to see behind me isn’t it? Master Sage, have a seat on the largest couch.

Akira: Thank you, Lennox. …Wow, this is so comfy!

Rutile: Truly! Just like that huge sheepy from earlier, this is just as fluffy and comfortable! And, the view is everything.

Murr: You guys are fine with watching? Well I like swimming!

Akira: Wah, Murr!

He dives into the school of fish sitting on his broom, and the fish dash out of line like a fluttering string of silk.

I swore I could hear the crash of a wave. Even though we’re far from any water, all the way up here in the sky.

Lennox: What’s wrong? Have you been stranded from your herd?

A lone fish flaps its fins as it swims towards us. 

<      Index       >

Wish on the Star-Filled Sea Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Akira: Are you lost?

Lennox: It seems so. This happens to my sheep sometimes. One of them will be spacing out and suddenly find themself stranded.

…Here, over there is where your friends are. They’re waiting for you.

Lennox flies at a slow pace, guiding the lost one to their friends. 

He watches over the fish with the same kind gaze he gives to his sheep, telling them it’s safe to go with him.

Akira: (Good. It found its school.)

Sitting back on the sofas and watching the fish, or riding your broom and chasing after them.

As there are wizards who the fish are taken in by, making them look after them, there are wizards who are waltzing with the fish.

Everybody was enjoying their time in this dream-like reality, whether it be the sky or sea. 

Figaro: Master Sage, over here.

On his broom, Figaro called out to me as I sat on the sofa.

When I take his hand, instead of hopping onto the broom I am brought up into the air, floating.

Figaro: A walk in the sea of a sky sounds pretty charming, doesn’t it?

Akira: Haha, don’t let go of me now.

Guided by a Figaro who was laughing like he pulled off a joke, we landed in the middle of a ring of fish with star shaped scales that glistened.

Figaro: So, Master Sage. How is Tanabata in our world?

Akira: I love it! This scenery, everyone’s wishes, the sweets, everything. I’ve never experienced a Tanabata like this before.

You even brought me to such a magical place...thank you so much, Figaro!

Figaro: As long as you’re happy. It makes me smile to hear that from you.

Akira: Huh…?

Figaro: My biggest reason for coming here was to put a smile on your face after all. I wonder if I managed to lift your spirits a little?

The colours of the fish reflected in his eyes, and they twinkled like a block of melting ice. 

Figaro: When you were sharing your culture from your homeworld, it sounded like you were homesick. 

Akira: I…

My heart thumped at his words.

It’s true that along with my memories of Tanabata I started feeling nostalgic for my homeworld. Homesickness was the right way to put it.

Figaro: To tell you the truth, I was actually nervous. To find out just what kind of wish you would make to the stars.

I thought your wish would be about your world. 

I recall the saved memory of my wish we saw at the manor.

How Figaro was watching my illusion with an unreadable expression, until it ended and he felt at peace again.

Figaro: And then I saw your wish, and realized. That you’re more passionate than anyone else. That you care about us wizards more than anyone in this world.

That someone like you wouldn’t wish to go home to your world at a party with everyone. 

Even though you surely have those emotions.

With his voice like the calming winds, he perfectly surmised my emotions back then.

Figaro probably saw through me already.

Akira: …It’s as you say. I definitely have my feelings about wanting to go home.

But…I don’t want to let go of you guys, or this world…

The memories here I’ve made, the everyday I spend at the manor, all of it is precious to me. 

Figaro: …Thank you. For treasuring us, for being honest with us.

A smile spread on his face, one full of love and protection.

His caring tone of voice warmed up the depths of my heart, and I can feel Figaro’s efforts to be there for me without fail. 

Murr: By the way! Figaro, what was your wish?

Akira: Woah, Murr.

Figaro: Oh, Murr. Just when the Sage and I were having a fun time together.

Murr: There wasn’t a single wish of yours decorated on that tree. Why?

Akira: Now that you mention it…we didn’t get to see a single one of your wishes, Figaro.

Figaro: There’s no deep meaning behind it. If you really want a reason, I guess you can say I gave my share of wishes to everyone else.

If there were too many wishes, it’d make it harder on the granter’s side to get through them all. 

He said with a smile. It seems like he’s trying to dodge the question.

Akira: …So, you don’t have any personal wishes for yourself?

Figaro: Mmmm. I wouldn’t say I have none but…

Folding his arms, he showed it off that he was thinking hard. Even the fish swimming around us seemed as though they were interested to hear and swam near.

Despite the beautiful fish surrounding us, Figaro steadily looked straight at me. 

Figaro: Master Sage. We don’t know of a way for you to return to your world as of yet.

So for as long as you’re here, I want to show you the most glorious of sights you could only see here, and see your smile tenfold. 

That’s my wish.

Akira: Figaro…

Murr: Mmm?

Figaro: You sound disappointed, Murr. Is there something you want to say?

Murr: I thought you’d wish for something more bizarre! You’re His Majesty, the Emperor after all!

Akira: But Murr, you still haven’t made a proper wish yet too right…?

Murr: My wish? If you wanna know so bad I’ll tell ya!

Eanul Rambul!

His spell echoes across the sky. At that moment, golden coloured sugar began to twinkle around us. 

And when it did, the migrating fish stopped their course and gathered near. It was a brightly coloured, dizzyingly, bustling sight.

Murr: My wish is to know all there is to this world, see it with my own eyes, and to experience it with this body.

I never thought I’d be able to see the extinct sky fish for myself. So that makes one of my wishes granted tonight!

Raising both arms wide, he shouts in joy. Silver powder painted the sky, and a new constellation was being spun above our heads. 

Owen: Don’t. Giving them food is just gonna make more of them come. It’s annoying.

Rutile: But sooo pretty!

Lennox: I agree. I bet if Mitile saw this he’d be overjoyed. 

Rustica: I wish Chloe were here too. I wonder when next we’ll be able to see the sky fish?

Mithra: I’m feeling peckish. Can we eat this fish?

Oz: …Who knows.

A flood of vibrant colours overtake my vision. I think back to the first day I came to this world, and saw the waves of petals flying in the sky.

Though a bit different, it was alike. When I touched the petals, anxiety and excitement both filled me.

Akira: (At first I didn’t know anything, so of course I was scared…)

My homesickness will never go away.

But the feelings of love I’ve gained for this world increased too, among the times I’ve spent with these wizards, and the things we’ve seen together.

Figaro: Master Sage, want to ride on a whale together? Maybe it’ll take us to someplace cooler. 

Akira: Yes, of course!

Hand in hand with Figaro, I took another step into the night sky.

Beside me are the once extinct sky fish, and my friends. In order to see a new horizon with these eyes.

END

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