Children Reward the Showers of Love Chapter 9

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Chapter 9

Arthur: That’s inevitable. Not only me, but for everyone else too. I’m sure it’s the same for you as well.

…Is that why you always brought someone with me when I came here?

So that I wouldn’t become their parent?

Oz: …

Arthur: You really are kind, Lord Oz.

Oz: …This is not kindness.

Arthur: Lord Oz. Could you take Sif please?

Oz: Sure. Come here.

Arthur: …Hehe.

Oz: Arthur?

Arthur: Pardon me. It fills my heart with joy to see you holding Sif. 

I was only four when you took me in.

I’m sure I was the same height as Sif at that age. 

Oz: …Yeah.

You were a bit taller though. Everything else is the same.

Arthur: …

Spending time with Sif made me think about you and the days we spent together. 

The day you picked me up. The days you taught me magic, or played with me.

And the day we parted…

Oz: …

Arthur: I also hoped that you were having the same thoughts as I was…

Oz: …

…Arthur, I also–

Oz & Arthur: …!

Arthur: Sif’s body is lighting up…is this…

Oz: …The time for farewell is fast approaching.

Arthur. Gather everyone.

Arthur: …n, Understood.

Oz: …

Young fairy. No one can change your will.

However, if I may ask…

Called by Arthur, we returned to Sif right away.

Sif was in Oz’s arms. Seeing their body overflowing with a bright light, we understood what was happening. 

Akira: It’s time to say goodbye…

Oz: If you wish to say something, the time is now. 

When they noticed us, Sif got down from Oz. They had a happy smile on their face as they came towards us. 

My eyes almost teared up seeing their arms reach out.

Mitile: Sif…

I had a lot of fun spending time with you. Thank you for being friends with me.

Akira: Being with you…seeing everyone with you, always filled my heart with warmth. 

Thank you for such a wonderful time.

Bradley: One Year’s Meat, make sure to choose me as your pops.

Owen: It’s One Year’s Candy. Don’t get it wrong.

Shylock: Hmhm, my adorable and mischievous young master. Your hair is a mess again.

Shylock’s gentle hands tied up Sif’s hair.

Even without words, I could tell that he cared for Sif from the love that flowed from his fingers. 

Murr inserted a single flower as the finish.

Murr: Bye bye, Sif! Have a safe journey!

Mithra: That was sooner than expected.

…Ah, right.

Like he just remembered something, he peered into Sif’s face.

Then, he used his finger to stretch his mouth wide.

Sif: Kyakya!

Mithra: Haha, you laughed.

Looks like I do have a knack for child rearing.

Oz and Arthur were silently watching everyone saying their goodbyes. 

Before I knew it, the moon had risen high in the sky. Beneath it, red eyes reflected blue ones within.

Oz: Arthur. You know what happens next, don’t you?

Arthur: Yes. I am prepared.

Of course, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t going to be sad…

But I will be alright. 

I must accept their destiny if I want to celebrate their birth as we send them off.

And Owen…thank you for telling me about this child. 

Owen: Ugh, boring.

Arthur smiled at Owen’s words, and then looked straight into Oz’s eyes. 

Arthur: I hope that I can give them a proper farewell, so as to not leave any regrets.

Those blue eyes of his were clearer than ever. 

Though his heart may ache, there was a serene light in his eyes much like the clear blue sky. 

Oz: A farewell, with no regrets…

In contrast, Oz’s red eyes slightly wavered.

Hope and denial blended in the lights and shadows of those sharp vibrant reds.

As he watched Arthur hold Sif and give his words of parting and thanks, Oz didn’t move an inch.

Akira: Oz, if there’s something you wish to say to Sif…

Oz: Then, one thing…

He walked towards Sif.

He stood by their side, watching over them for a moment, and slowly opened his mouth.

Oz: Sif. Arthur is fortunate to have met you.

In a blink, Sif’s body glowed brightly.

Light enveloped their body even further. When I looked again, I could hardly make out their shape anymore.

And then, Sif flew high into the sky where the moon was sitting.

They rose upwards in a straight line, and suddenly dropped downwards. 

Watching them repeat the same movements, it was then that I realized. 

Akira: Wait, could this be…

Arthur: The game I taught them…?

Sif returned, retying their hair by themself.

With soft and gentle movements.

After that, they stuck a finger to the corner of their mouth, and dragged it into a smile.

Mitile: Ahaha. It’s Mister Mithra.

They ruffled their hair into a mess, imitated when they were being read a book, jumped like when they were doing upsies.

All of these scenes were familiar. 

Shylock: It looks like they’re going over the activities we’ve done with them.

It was like they were reminiscing over the love we gave them.

When they finished, Sif looked around at all of us. 

Bradley: Oho. They’re having trouble on who to choose as their papa. 

Owen: What if they can’t choose, and end up dying without picking anybody.

Murr: Hey, Sif. Who do you think gave you the most love out of everyone here?

With a light step, they glided towards Arthur. 

Arthur: …!

Oz: …

Kindly, happily, Sif ran circles around Arthur.

Mithra, Owen, & Bradley: …

Shylock, Mitile, & Murr: …

Oz & Akira: …

Until they stopped, and flew elsewhere.

Mitile & Akira: Wha…

With a quicker pace, they were headed towards–

Oz: …nh.

The chest of the one who was silently watching over this moment.

Oz: …

Mithra, Owen, & Bradley: …

Sif: Kyahaha…!

Sif laughed as if saying he was their parent. Tiny arms wrapped Oz into a tight hug.

Mithra: Huh?

Bradley: Why Oz?

Owen: Are you crazy? Is this a mistake somehow?

Surprise won over objection, and the Northern wizards stared in shock.

Shylock however looked to be enjoying this.

Shylock: My, how unfortunate for me. I still had a wonderful time these past several days though.

Small young beings are so fleeting and precious.

Yet at times they can also see through to one’s true nature. 

Oz himself was surprised. 

Taken aback, he stared at the fairy in his arms. 

Oz: Why…

Arthur walked to his side, and looked up at Oz. 

Clear blue eyes like the sky reflected eyes of the morning sun, and gently smiled. 

The sunlight of the blue skies, the morning light of daybreak…

Neither of those compared to the dazzling light of the memories flashing in his mind.

Arthur: Because the love I gave this child was the love you gave me.

I think Sif knew that too.

Oz: …gh…

The world’s strongest wizard, who has lived for an overwhelming amount of time. Even he could lose his words. 

To one young seventeen-year-old. 

Arthur: …

Oz: …

Urged by Arthur’s smile, Oz cast his eyes down on Sif again, still in his arms.

Slightly, but surely, those eyes of his wavered. 

Arthur: Now, Lord Oz. Your wish.

Oz: …

I…

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