Wishing You All the Best on This Blooming Summer Night’s Journey Chapter 1

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Chapter 1

Akira: Wow…! The colours mix together so nicely!

Inside the slim and elegant glass was a sunset gradient liquid.

This evening, I was invited by Shylock to his bar to sample a new non-alcoholic drink.

 

Shylock: Hmhm, your eyes are shining, you know. It fills me with happiness to see you this excited before you’ve even sipped it.

Please, have a taste. I made this cocktail thinking about the warm evening the other day. I title it, “A Summer Night’s Suspicion”.

Akira: Now that’s a fun name…! Okay, down the hatch…

Thinking about the orange skies that told you about the fun things summer still has in store for you, I brought the glass up to my lips when…

Riquet: Please don’t make that face, Mitile. How about I treat you with a delicious drink? 

Mitile: No, I’m…

Akira: Was that Riquet in the hallway…? I think there’s Mitile too.

Shylock: It seems so. And talking about something interesting too…

Riquet: Excuse me, Shylock. Ah, Master Sage. You’re here too.

Mitile: …Hi, Master Sage, Mister Shylock.

Upon seeing us, Riquet promptly gave his greetings as usual.

Beside him however, was the Mitile who’d usually just as quickly say his greetings, instead saying them in a gloomy tone without any of his regular pep. 

Akira: (Mitile doesn’t seem to be in a happy mood…I wonder what’s wrong?)

Riquet: Shylock. Can I ask you to make something for Mitile to drink? It will be my treat.

Perhaps imitating Cain or Nero, Riquet spoke in the same manner as an adult and leaned over the counter, with Mitile slightly tugging on the hem of his shirt.

Mitile: I said it’s fine, Riquet…weren’t you happy about how big your savings from all our missions have gotten? 

Riquet: I am, but I don’t mind. It’s to treat my dear friend after all.

Mitile: But…

Shylock warmly smiled at the pair’s chatter.

Shylock: How about you two sample my new non-alcoholic cocktail as well? The one that Master Sage has. 

Riquet: Wow, it’s so pretty like the sunset sky! Yes, I’d love to. How much will it be?

Shylock: It’s a sample item, so there will be no payment needed. I thought it’d be something that Mitile would like, so I was hoping for some opinions. 

Riquet: Really? If that’s the case, then I will oblige. Thank you, Shylock.

Mitile, he said it’d be something you’d like! Are you excited? It’s good we came to the bar!

Mitile: …Yeah.

Normally it’d be a “Yeah!” with a happy little nod, but that frown still wouldn’t turn upside down. Unable to resist, I quietly ask Mitile what’s wrong. 

Akira: Uhm…Mitile, is everything all right? You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, of course.

His eyebrows lowered, making a concerned face as he sat in the stool next to mine.

Mitile: The thing is…Dr. Figaro is away right now, so Riquet and I were practicing our magic together.

We were training our control over magic, so we shot pebbles at a target. And I…just couldn’t do it at all…

Riquet: That’s not true. At least once you managed to land a hit directly in the middle!

Mitile: Yeah, but it was only once. The other times I didn’t even graze the target, or threw the pebble out the window…

…while you could hit the centre every single time…

Akira: (I get it now. He’s upset about his magic practice.)

Mitile is a wizard with a lot of ambition. He makes an effort in his training and classes everyday because he wants to become a strong and competent wizard.

He’s usually watched over by the other Southern wizards, who are good at cheering on others, and saying “This time for sure!” whenever it doesn’t go well, but…

During his practice sessions with Riquet who’s close in age to him, that ambition of his sometimes turns into impatience.

Akira: (Everybody learns at their own pace…but it’s hard not to compare yourself to a friend who’s near your age…)

Mitile: I wonder if…I’m gonna be weak like this forever…

He anxiously clenches his own fists. Gently, Shylock placed the sunset coloured drink in front of him.

Shylock: Here, Mitile. My new non-alcoholic cocktail, “A Summer Night’s Suspicion”.

It’s a drink made with the anticipation for nightfall, like we are feeling right now. 

I hope you can enjoy it while thinking about the warm summer nights that will soon join us this evening. 

Mitile: …Woah, it’s so pretty…it’s as red as a midsummer sunset. Thank you, Mister Shylock.

Shylock: And yours, Riquet.

He places another one in front of Riquet. We all raise our glasses slightly, and take our drinks.

Akira: …Mm, yummy!

Riquet: There’s popping in my mouth! Hehehe, it’s like I drank a firework.

Mitile: It’s sweet and refreshing, and a little sour too! I like this flavour, Mister Shylock!

Shylock: It pleases me to hear that. In place of snacks, have these spiced cookies as service. 

Mitile & Riquet: Yippee!

Riquet: Mitile, have you cheered up?

Mitile: I have! Thanks for bringing me here, Riquet.

He finally smiled. He might not be back at 100% yet, but that smile of his easens my heart. 

His expression as he happily nibbles at a buttery shaped cookie tells me he’s feeling better. 

Mitile: Uhm, Master Sage? What did you do when you were having trouble like me?

Akira: Me?

Mitile: Yes. You went to school before back in your home world, right? If you ever got stuck on like, your studies, what did you do?

If you don’t have that experience, then what about those tips I often hear you have in your world…if you have any good advice, please share them with me.

Mitile’s eyes were full of motivation. They were flaring up with a fighting spirit, saying to me “I can do anything if it’s to become stronger!”.

Akira: (He’s such a good and earnest kid. It’d probably be best though to give him a relaxing piece of advice.)

(All nighters are…no, I don’t think that’s a good fit for him. Something more healthy…)

Racking my head for a good idea, my eyes happened to land on the cocktail in my hands. In particular its nostalgia inducing, beautiful sunset colours.

Akira: I know…what about a ‘summer vacation’? In my world, we had summer schools or summer camp…

Mitile: Summer-school?

Riquet: Summer-camp?

Akira: Ah…well, summer school is where you study for a set period over summer, and summer camp is more like a huge sleepover or training camp. 

Why don’t we combine the two and go somewhere different with everyone for a few days to focus on studying?

Mitile: Go somewhere different, to focus on studying…so like if we stayed at Borda Island just to study?

Akira: Just to study! But rather than a lively resort place like that, it’s more common to stay together in a place surrounded by nature.

Riquet: So it’s a combination of camping and classes! That sounds fun! 

Their eyes sparkled. Shylock watched over them from behind the counter with a loving smile on his face.

Shylock: Then why don’t we do just that? 

Mitile, Riquet, & Akira: Huh?

Shylock: In a remote place in Western Country is a vacation home I am currently borrowing from another wizard friend called “Home of the Young Hearts”.

It’s a quaint little cottage built atop a lake. I haven’t been there for years now, and had been planning on visiting it soon.

Let’s make use of the opportunity. We can invite the teachers from all countries, and have ourselves a sleepover-study meet. How about it?

The kids looked at each other. After a millisecond, red flushed their cheeks, and they stood up from their seats.

Mitile: R-Really?! That sounds perfect!

Riquet: If you’re okay with it, then yes let’s do it!

Shylock: Hmhm. Then it’s decided.

Mitile & Riquet: Yaaay…!

They held their hands together and jumped on the spot.

Mitile: Studying in a quaint little cottage on top of a lake! I bet I can totally focus there, don’tcha think?

Riquet: Yes! There’s sure to be tons of fish I don’t know, so I’ll make sure to bring my fish encyclopedia!

Shylock: Master Sage, will you be participating as well?

Like the “Young Hearts” in its name, the lake is home to many young fairies. During our stay, you may be able to see some.

Akira: I can see fairies…?! If you’re alright with it, please have me!

Mitile: Then we should hurry and inform the teachers! I’ll go talk to Dr. Figaro!

Riquet: You can leave Oz to me! Shylock, when will we be going?

Shylock: For the dates, please let me reconfirm something with Lords Snow and White first. 

I will also invite them at that time. As for Faust, I will tell him when I see him.

Mitile: Understood! Thank you, Mister Shylock!

Shylock: Oh, and be sure to invite those whose schedules are open too. It is not that little of a cottage after all.

Riquet & Akira: Yes!

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