For Some Unrelated Reason

[posseoir]

  a huge shoutout to afaf for the raws and request

~ EPISODE ONE ~

Akira.  Thanks for your time today, Figaro. This is something I've been wanting to learn for a long while, so it's great having you here to teach me!

Figaro.  Happy to be of help. It’s always a pleasure to have you depend on me.

With a cheery smile, Figaro invited me in; today, I came for a lesson in first aid.

Figaro.  With your role as sage, I'm guessing you're busy. I admire you for trying to learn something new.

Akira.  That's not entirely true…. Everyone’s always willing to lend a helping hand. In times of trouble, I figured that, even if I can't use magic, I can still be of help.

Figaro.  I like your positive attitude. Healing magic isn’t a cure-all, so I think there's value investing in these things. Let's start with the basics: stopping the bleeding. Our students are spirited. Lots of bloodshed.

A number of past events immediately come to mind. I can't count the number of times I recoiled at the sight of them bleeding.

Akira.  I’ll do my best to keep that in mind! 

Figaro.  Ha ha. Good enthusiasm. To start, make sure you rinse the wound well with clean water, if you can find it. Second, apply pressure. Can I borrow your arm for a second?

With this, Figaro takes my hand. Without hesitating, the way in which he checks my pulse is certainly indicative of a medical professional.

Figaro.  As an example, let's say you experience a cut here. In such cases, apply the cloth as so: if the wound is shallow, you press directly above it. For deeper cuts, this might take a little courage, but place the cloth down on the wound….

One after another, he demonstrated how to treat the wounds according to their condition. As I leaned forward, so as not to miss anything, I felt a lock of Figaro's hair brush against my head.

Akira.  ( Incredible. Figaro’s eyes… )

When I turned my head to look at him, he had a serious expression. As I watched, absorbed by his demeanor, Figaro shook his shoulders and chuckled.

Figaro.  Hehe…~ Sage, keep an eye on your hands. I'm a good-looking guy, so it's understandable why you're admiring me.

Akira.  S-Sorry! I was thinking that, you know, you give off a professional look….

Figaro.  What? You weren't just fawning over me? Well, then, I'll show you something even better from a professional point of view. There's one very important thing that will help in any situation.

Figaro gently released my arm, which he had been using for the demonstration, and raised his index finger in an emphatic gesture.

Akira.  I wonder….bandaging or something?

Figaro.  That's one thing, of course, but what's more important is to keep your priorities straight. That means assessing the seriousness of the injury and deciding who should be treated first, based on the situation. Let’s say Mithra and I were equally seriously injured while fighting, which of us should be treated first?

~ EPISODE TWO ~

Akira.  Certainly…

Figaro's question left me at a loss. With a short pause, he answers.

Figaro.  The answer is Mithra. Once Mithra is healed, we can escape through the spatial door. However, even if I'm cured, it won't open up any other path than continuing the fight. Therefore, sage… You are right to prioritize Mithra, regardless of whether I cling to your leg and beg you to help me.

As if speaking about some other person, Figaro, without a care in the world, suggests choosing Mithra over himself. Because it's optimal.

Akira.  ( …Up to now, there have been many dangerous situations. So, I understand what Figaro is saying. But…. )

My heart can't accept that as the correct answer.

Figaro.  Well, despite that, Mithra will probably refuse treatment from anyone if the situation is really that dire.

Akira.  ….Figaro….

Figaro.  On the other hand, I would gladly accept your help. If it comes to it, will you help me instead of that selfish guy?

I feel a little relieved to hear Figaro say it in a deliberately playful manner. Grateful for his kindness, I searched for words.

Akira.  …I know what Figaro is saying is important for all of us to survive. And yet, to choose someone in that way….  ….I….

Figaro.  Of course, I understand. After all, the one who can save the day is you. Now, I hope I've given all the first aid instructions you need. Good work. That's all for today.

Akira.  Thank you very much, Figaro. I learned a lot.

Figaro.  You did your best, sage. …Let's have a cup of tea and take a breather.

Figaro used his magic to arrange a tea set. It was at that moment──

Snow.  There you are, sage!

White.  We’ve been looking everywhere~

Akira.  Snow!  White!

Figaro.  You two…. don't barge into someone's room without knocking.

Snow & White.  Forget about that, it's an emergency!

Akira.  Emergency?

Snow.  Yes! We ran into a bunch of naughty boys from the North in the common room and Oz got in a fight.

White.  The Western wizards started cheering them on with tambourines…and then the wizards of the East got involved! It was chaos!

Snow.  Which is why we’ve come to you.

Snow & White.  Please, sage, help us~!

~ EPISODE THREE ~

Akira.  I don't really understand what's going on, but I'll be there!

Figaro.  Will you be alright? Want me to come with you?

Snow.  Positively not. They’re in “beat down the strong” mode.

White.  If those naughty children see your face, you can guarantee more havoc will come.

Figaro.  Sounds more like beasts…

Akira.  Sorry, Figaro. The timing’s….

Figaro.  Nothing to apologize for, Sage. It’s tough, but hang in there.

Akira.  Right!

Figaro.  ….Hah…. Though I planned to spend some time with the sage, someone took them away.

Figaro.  ( The twins will probably offer to invite the sage to tea as a thank-you once the ruckus is over.

And they're too kind to not agree…. )

Figaro.  ….Is tea enough for one person? Oh, right, I should prepare for tomorrow's class. Let's see, here's what we need…

Figaro.  ( …Something like this? Took longer than I thought it would. )

Figaro.  …Woops, forgot the tea. Ah, it's cold. ….It would be a hassle to re-brew it…. Yes? Hold on a second. I'm coming.  …Eh?

Somehow, the person who greeted me had a remarkably surprised expression.

Akira.  Sorry for the wait, Figaro.

Figaro.  …Welcome back. Did everything pan out?

Akira.  Fortunately, there were no injuries and the magic house didn't suffer any damage. 

Figaro.  Good to hear. However, haven't Lords Snow and White asked you out for tea as a thank-you?

Akira.  Oh…they did. But, prior to leaving, we were going to have tea together so I declined…

Figaro.  Such a waste. I can’t serve delicious sweets to accompany the tea, unlike them.

Akira.  B-But…  you extended an invite first.

Figaro slightly raised his eyebrows at the answer. Finally, he chuckled.

Figaro.  For that reason alone, you chose to come here.

Akira.  Yes. …Oh! By any chance, did I bother you by barging back in? If so──

Figaro.  Oh, no. No, no. It's not like that. …That’s just the kind of person you are. Come in. I'll make us some tea. A warm, delicious cup that will make you feel at ease after a hard day's work.

With those words, Figaro widely opens the door. His smile is brighter than the one he wore when I first visited.

~CE: FIGARO AND THE DOOR TO THE PAST~

Akira.  On the beach of Borda Island, it seems that a door apparently lets you see into the past. Speaking of the past, there was a certain memory I would bring to mind whenever I felt anxious back when I first came to this world.

Figaro.  Memory of what? A quiz?

Akira.  It's not a quiz. Rather, it's a moment from my childhood when an adult, someone I trust, would read a book to me.

Figaro.  I see. Recalling those memories helps you to calm down.

Akira.  That’s right. Figaro, when you feel lonely, how do you comfort yourself?

Figaro.  …That’s…  If I knew better ways to comfort my loneliness, I wouldn't be like this…

Akira.  The method doesn’t need to be “better.” I’m just curious

Figaro.  I wonder. Although I'm a proud and self-centered individual, I'm the type of person who is devoted. There's not much I want to do for myself. Instead, I prefer helping those I like and I'm good at supporting them. So, without someone to take the initiative, you know, I can't survive for long.

Akira.  I see….

Figaro.  When you find the right people to give your strength and passion to, you can’t help but rejoice…. But, when it doesn't work out, you shrug and walk away to live on your own… I can't be a recluse like Oz or Faust for a couple hundred years. I'm empty inside, and no matter what I do, I'm going to miss people.

Akira.  Such a thing…. The fact that you love people is one of Figaro's best qualities, or rather, one of your sweetest qualities.

Figaro.  Thanks, sage. Well, I was under the impression that it was a matter of supply and demand. Without someone to wish upon and please, God alone cannot be God. And so, I comforted my loneliness with others. I was often disappointed, frustrated, and my loneliness deepened…. After a separation, nothing remains. Lately, I've begun to think that way.

Akira.  Figaro…

Figaro.  The same goes for your farewell, I hope.

~TRANSLATION MASTERLIST~