Children Reward the Showers of Love Chapter 7

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Chapter 7

Oz dropped his hand like it lost all strength, and I scooped it up with both of my hands.

Akira: You haven’t lost your chance yet.

Let’s go see Arthur. You can talk until you feel okay. 

You won’t be able to understand the things you should if you don’t exchange words.

I felt that if I didn’t hold onto his hand tight enough, it would slip away. 

It was like he had no energy. Or maybe he didn’t care. Maybe he doesn’t need anyone’s hand.

I don’t know the truth, but I press my fingers hard. 

Akira: It’s what you and I…and everyone at this manor have been doing.

I know you’ll be fine. Your words are always straightforward and sincere…

And Arthur is a strong person! He will understand! 

Oz: …

Oz didn’t try to brush my hands away.

He didn’t hold them back, but he did stare silently at our joined hands.

As if something was there.

Oz: …Mitile. You’re there, aren’t you.

He looked at the door and spoke. After a hesitant sounding knock, Mitile poked his face in.

Mitile: I’m sorry…I finished getting ready, so I went to meet the Master Sage, and then heard your conversation…

Oz: It’s fine. I wanted to tell you too.

Mitile: …

His gaze drifted elsewhere, searching for the right words. He then raised his face, a little nervous.

Mitile: We have to say goodbye, forever. 

Fresh green grass eyes wavered with sorrow. 

It wasn’t just Arthur. Mitile also loved Sif a lot.

Mitile: …We got along so well. It’s so heartbreaking to say goodbye. 

It doesn’t matter how much you try to steel yourself. It’s still depressing, and lonely.

Akira: Mitile…

Mitile: But that’s all the more reason why we should say goodbye together. 

I want Sif to be surrounded by everyone who loves them, and hear our thank yous and farewells.

When I saw Mitile look straight into Oz’s eyes, I instinctively reached for Sakitty. 

If we could. If we could tell them something before we parted. Because this must happen.

I don’t want any of us to feel like this anymore. With that wish in my heart I also turn to look at Oz.

Akira: Oz. Let’s go to Arthur.

Oz: …

Yes. You’re right.

He nodded, and looked out the window.

The steadily changing sky had become painted in navy blue. 

Night was coming.

Mithra: Arthim.

That’s another time today I took you somewhere with my door. Be grateful to my magic.

Bradley: Hell no! Damnit, just when I bumped into you in the hallway ya had to drag me here too.

I thought you got bored of babysittin’.

Mithra: I need to kill time. For the past sleepless week my only friend at night has been that fairy. 

Owen: Oh, you guys came too?

Mithra: Owen.

Bradley: You’re here too.

Owen: Mithra, get your door out. I want to go home.

Bradley: Huh? Why’d you come?

Owen: Giving out spoilers. I told the Prince the cold hard truth. 

Bradley: He didn’t know?

No one told him, huh. Not Oz, Shylock, or Murr.

Owen: Yup. It wasn’t just the Prince, but Mitile and the Master Sage didn’t know either.

The guy no one believes in, the guy who watches the Demon Lord’s mood, and the guy who finds hiding the truth entertaining–they’re all worthless old coots.

That man’s always stopping me from saying mean things to the children, yet here he goes being the bigger bully.

That fairy dies when it grants a wish. It’s so cruel of him to hide such a sad truth like that.

Mithra: Wait, that fairy’s going to die?

Owen: You didn’t know?

Bradley: No way.

Mithra: Now that you mention it, I think I remember something like that…well, whatever.

Anyways Owen. It’s rather rude of you to go home now. Let’s chat for a bit.

The siofra can’t speak, so killing time with them left me unsatisfied.

Owen: Hah? Don’t wanna.

Mithra: Oh come on.

Owen: Hey, let go!

Bradley: Give it up. That’s how he got me too.

Owen: Tch.

Mithra: Ah, you’re here. So you were playing with Arthur and Shylock.

Arthur: Mithra, Bradley. You guys came. 

Shylock: And Owen. You’ve returned. 

Owen: By force ‘cuz of this guy.

Mithra: Siofra.

Sif: !

Bradley: Oh, running up to Mithra right when you see him.

Mithra: Of course. They love me.

Good evening, have you been well?

Sif: Kyakya!

Owen: You’re making a mess of their hair again.

Arthur: You’re very unrestrained in your head patting, Mithra. 

Oz: Vox Nox. 

Arthur: …! 

Bradley: Oz’s here too, along with the Sage and the Southern Shrimp.

Mitile: Good evening. Wow, everyone’s gathered! 

Akira: Arthur, sorry we’re late. And Shylock, we’ve kept you waiting.

Arthur: No problem. You were on a mission after all, so don’t let it bother you.

Shylock: Did you complete your report in the Sage’s journal?

Akira: Yes, fortunately.

Arthur: Lord Oz, thank you for bringing the Master Sage.

Oz: …Yeah.

Oz & Arthur: …

Arthur didn’t look any different in my eyes, despite having learned the truth about Sif from Owen. 

Akira: (It’s best if we let those two have a long and private talk…how do I do that…)

Sif: Kyahaha!

Mithra: Hey, no grabbing my cloak. You’ll stretch it out.

Mitile: Wow. Sif is so attached to you…when did you have the time to become friends?

Mithra: We played together night after night. Obviously.

It’s quite easy being the playmate for a child. Should I give you some tips?

Mitile: Uhh? You…?

Akira: (Woah…! Isn’t this my chance!?)

Mithra!!

Mithra: Oh, you startled me. Please don’t shout so loudly all of a sudden. 

Akira: P-Pardon me. I just really wanted to hear those babysitting tips of yours.

Shall we talk over there?

Mithra: Huuuh…? Well, I don’t mind teaching you.

Akira: Yay. Thanks a lot, Mithra!

…So while we’re doing that, how about we leave Sif with Oz and Arthur?

Oz & Arthur: …

Mitile: ! I, I want you to teach me too, Mister Mithra! Let’s hurry on over there…!

Bradley: ? What’s gotten into you two?

Owen: Did you plan something in secret behind our backs?

Akira & Mitile: Uhm, erm…

Mithra: Actually, why aren’t we taking the siofra with us? I’m supposed to be giving you tips on how to play with them. 

Akira: Urk…! That’s…

Shylock: They want you to dote on them, Mithra.

They don’t want to see you dote on Sif as an example, they want to experience it for themselves. Right, Mitile?

Akira: (Shylock…!)

Mitile: Uh? …Y-Yeah! That’s right!

Akira: Please, Mithra! So let’s go over there!

Mithra: Okay, I guess. So you and Mitile are going to be the siofra. 

Akira & Mitile: Yessir!

Bradley & Owen: …

Bradley: If that’s what you’re doing, we don’t need to be here.

Owen: Yeah. Let’s go home.

Mithra: Where do you think you’re going? You’re coming with us.

Bradley: Damnit! 

Owen: You’re the worst.

Sakitty sniffed at the air. When I followed where they were sniffing, I saw a light coming towards us like a shooting star.

Murr: Landing–!

Akira: Murr! 

Shylock: Oh, you came by broom.

Murr: Mmhmm! The moon and I just couldn’t say goodbye to each other!

Hey Mithra, why d’ya got Owen and Bradley in your arms like that? A new kinda game?

Mithra: I’m going to showcase my babysitting skills to the two of them. Do you want to see as well?

Murr: What the heck, sounds fun! I’m in, I’m in–!

It became lively once Murr came. Slipping past the others, I took Sif to Oz and Arthur.

Akira: Arthur.

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