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Chapter 8

Figaro: Alright, try this next.

Figaro opens up his hand, inside is an orb. It’s crystal clear.

Figaro: When you put this in a drink, it changes the flavor each time you use it. Try it.

The ball is plopped into the drink. The color doesn’t change, so I wonder if you can only tell the change in flavor by taste.

Akira: (Alright, another sip then…)

Akira: …Oh? It tasted quite refreshing earlier, but now it’s very rich and milky! It’s delicious, I like it!

Akira: I wonder what other flavors it can do. It’s so exciting to have so many different tastes in just one cup.

Figaro: Actually, it’s meant to taste like various cocktails and liquors.

Figaro: I thought our Master Sage might delight in being able to taste alcohol without actually having to drink it.

Akira: I see! That’s why it tasted a bit different than juice…

Rutile: Dr. Figaro, didn’t you say you got that from someone who approached you at the salon?

Figaro: Yep. They were researching a certain magic to put multiple flavors into small portions, as their loved one has a small appetite.

Figaro: When I said that such a thing could be used to please the Master Sage, he offered it to me as a token of friendship.

Figaro: I’m guessing Rutile also learned some hints from the people he talked to.

Rutile nods and holds up a drawing. There is a blue rose and scenery of the Main Hall drawn in pencil.

Rutile: Ta-da! This is how I’m showing my hospitality to the Master Sage.

Rutile: Master Sage, you said you’d be delighted if we could share in the hospitality together.

Rutile: I talked with some of the members of the salon, and they asked me the sort of things I enjoy doing with my loved ones.

Rutile: So I thought about doing a collaboration with the Master Sage. How would you feel about coloring in my drawing?

Akira: Me... Coloring..? I'd be happy to create art with Rutile!

Rutile: Thank you so much! I'm really looking forward to what sort of colors you'll use!

Murr: Okay! My turn!

Murr flings up his hand. He's holding something.

Murr: Master Sage, look, look! What do you think this is?

Akira: Hmm…

Murr shows me a particularly ordinary looking stone.

Akira: May I touch it?

Murr: Okay!

Akira: (No matter how I hold it, it still looks like a regular stone...)

Akira: I give up. Murr, can you tell me what this is?

Murr: It's a gemstone! If you polish it, it'll turn shiny!

Akira: Oh, it looked so normal because it's unpolished!

Murr: It's for you!

Akira: Are you sure it's okay? Even though it's unpolished, it still could be a valuable gemstone...

Murr: When I handed it over to you, you got so happy! I can teach you how to polish it. Seeing it will make you even happier!

Akira: Huh, why is that?

Cain: I was with Murr at the salon when a gentleman passed by.

Cain: The gentleman said he was going to give the unpolished gemstone to a lady he loved. I asked why he was giving a raw stone instead of a jewel.

Cain: He said, with jewels, you just hand them over and that's it.

Cain: But with raw stones, you can polish them and reveal the gemstone underneath together. That's why you give them unpolished.

Murr: I also know how to polish! Let's make gemstones together!

Akira: Murr... Thank you so much! I'm so excited to have gemstones created by hand!

Cain: Alright, my turn. ...Though I might say, it might not be as dazzling as Murr's.

Akira: Don't worry at all! I'm happy with whatever you've thought of for me.

Cain: Thanks, Master Sage. I'm glad you're happy with the hospitality I'm offering you.

Cain puts his right hand to his chest and gives a short bow. He then extends his left hand out towards me.

Cain: Master Sage, care for a dance?

Cain: When I thought of the sorts of things I could do, this was it. Don't worry about any dancing etiquette, let's just have fun.

Akira: Ahaha, okay!

I settle my hand on top of his.

He draws me out, my feet move automatically. Following Cain's footwork, I start to dance as well.

With each mistake, Cain gives a light correction, just to enjoy the dance without stepping all over his feet.

Murr: Dancing! I want to dance too! La-la-laaa!

Chloe: Wah, Murr!? You surprised me by suddenly pulling my arm like that.

Chloe: But it's okay! I want to dance, too!

Nearby, Chloe and Murr begin to dance. They appear to be delighted, and I, too, start laughing as I continue my dance with Cain.

Shino: Sage.

Akira: Ah! Shino, would you also like to dance?

Cain: Alright, I'll go ahead and dance with the others.

Rutile: Mister Cain, let's dance together!

Cain: Yeah, of course!

Shino: …

Akira: Shino?

Akira: I'm sorry. You obviously called me for something else, but I offered to dance instead.

Shino: No, I'm glad you invited me.

Shino: But for now, I'd rather you come with me than to dance. Will you follow me?

Akira: Yes. Of course!

Shino: This way.

I take a leisurely stroll with Shino. He gazes up towards the night sky.

Shino: ...You can see the stars.

I look up at the sky as well. This may be Rosa's fantasy world, but the sky still shines with stars.

Akira: It almost looks real, doesn't it?

Shino: But it isn't. No matter how real it looks, it's just fake.

Shino: Sage. Which do you prefer, the real sky, or the fake one?

Akira: That's... I still prefer the real sky.

Shino: Right.

Shino pulls his gaze away from the sky. At the same time, I stop, and we both exchange looks with each other.

Shino: I want to show you the real sky, as well. So when we get back, that's when I'll show my hospitality. Look forward to it.

Akira: Yes...!

Shylock: Master Sage.

Shylock: May I please have a moment of your time next?

Shino: You can go ahead.

Shino heads off, Shylock coming up to replace him.

Shylock: I do hope this hospitality of mine will please you, Master Sage.

Shylock brings his mouth to his pipe. He exhales, the smoke transforming into a blue butterfly.

Each time the blue-scaled butterfly flutters its wings, sparkles drift from it towards the ground. It's startlingly beautiful, like the stars twinkling in the night sky.

Numerous butterflies swarm around me, bathed in the light of glowing blue roses. At the fantastical sight, a sigh escapes me.

Then, the butterflies gathered together, shining brighter and brighter.

Shylock: Master Sage, open your eyes.

When I slowly blink open my eyes, a dazzling blue invitation card floats before me.

It hovers gracefully, not once dropping.

Akira: It’s beautiful…

Like a butterfly drawn to honey, I reach out my hand. The invitation still remains, now shining brightly in my grasp.

Shylock: Please use that and visit my bar. I’ll provide you with a very special service.

Akira: Special service…

Shylock: I’m offering you a night that we can spend together.

[Meanwhile…]

Chloe: I had so much fun dancing!

Shino: Chloe.

Chloe: Shino! Did you finish up showing the Master Sage?

Shino: Nah, I decided I’m going to do mine when we get back. It’ll be the right time. But other than that, I need to tell you something.

Chloe: Me…?

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