Return.
Translated by M; Proofread by Annie.
Chapter 9
Shino: At the salon, I denied that you were the one special to me.
Shino: It’s true that I already have a loved one. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t important to me.
Chloe: Oh…
Shino: You’ve made me the finest outfits I’ve ever worn. They’re also really comfortable.
Shino: You always do it even without getting anything in return, just because you want to make others happy.
Shino: I like you, to an extent, and I really value you.
Chloe: Shino…
Chloe: Thank you, Shino. I care about you, too!
Shino: Is that right?
Chloe: Yeah! Um, now that I’m thinking about it, wasn’t the Master Sage with you?
Shino: The Sage is with Shylock.
Chloe: ...I worry I’d be interrupting them if I go.
Shino: With that sort of hesitation, you'll miss the chance to show off your own hospitality. The Sage will always be in demand.
Chloe: ...Yeah, you're right. Thanks, Shino. I'll head over!
[Meanwhile...]
Chloe: Master Sageー!
Chloe runs over to us, waving and smiling widely.
Akira: Chloe, did something good happen?
Chloe: Ehehe, yeah! Shino complimented the outfit I made him.
Chloe: So that's what made me think of the sort of hospitality I can please you with.
Chloe: Master Sage, when we return to the Magic Manor, why don't we make clothes together?
Akira:: I'd really enjoy that, but I'm worried it'll be too much work for you...
Chloe: I enjoy teaching others, it’d be no problem!
Akira: That's great, I'll be in your care!
Chloe: It's my pleasure! It's going to be so much fun making clothes with you!
Chloe breaks into another smile.
Shylock: Come now, Rosa. This is your fantasy world. I'm sure you feel what is in the heart of our Master Sage.
Shylock: I believe the matter has been settled.
At Shylock's words, Chloe grows tense.
Akira: …
Akira: Um, Ms. Rosa! Thank you so much, I'm very honored that you took a liking to me, and I was delighted by your entertainment.
Akira: There's everything one could need here, including a delicious meal and a comfortable spot to sleep. Even when I grew lonely, a sweet, little animal would comfort me.
Akira: But... Everyone wasn't here. I belong where everyone else is. So…
Akira: Ms. Rosa, please let me return to the real world.
Chloe: The petals...
Blue petals pour in from above us. They envelop Chloe and Shylock, gradually blurring my vision with blue.
Chloe: Master Sage, we'll be waiting for you!
Shylock: We shall see you there.
The only thing I could hear was their voice. There was a gust of wind, and my vision returned. But they were gone.
I look towards the sky, watching blue petals spin in the air. I follow the petals as if they were leading me.
Rutile: Even with no wind, the petals still dance.
Shino: How annoying.
Murr: Nom!
Cain: …Are they tasty?
Murr: Not really!
Cain: Thought so. Anyways, is this another one of Rosa's displays of hospitality?
Figaro: No, I don't think so.
Rutile: What? Then, what is–
Cain: Hey, Rutile's gone!
Murr: Figaro and Shino are gone too!
Mithra: Try not to make a fuss. All three have just returned back to the real world.
Cain: Alright, so if we just stay put, we can go back too? I’m sad we can't see this beautiful scenery again.
Murr: Do you think you can bring something from the fantasy world into reality? Like this petal–
Cain: Oh, Murr's gone as well. I guess the Master Sage and everyone else went back, so it's just you and me?
Mithra: ...
Akira: (Ah...)
Just as I was about to call out to Cain and the others, petals envelop Cain.
As the same with Chloe and Shylock, the wind blows and throws up the petals.
Akira: Mithra...
No one else is around. Only Mithra and I remain.
Petals rain down from overhead. Mithra, framed by glowing blue roses, is stunningly beautiful.
Mithra: ...
Mithra looks overhead and then glances back as if noticing something. Mithra and I meet eyes.
He usually exudes raw sex appeal, but now, his gaze, tinged with melancholy, stares straight at me.
Mithra: I am returning.
He doesn't extend to me his hand, nor does he speak particularly kindly. There was a sterile tone in his voice, yet it still touches my heart.
Akira: --Yes!
I gaze into Mithra’s eyes and nod.
Blue petals obscure my vision. Just like when I first came into this world, my eyelids start growing heavy.
When I return from the fantasy world, everyone is already there waiting for me.
Mithra and I return around the same time. Everyone who came previously welcomes us with applause, overjoyed to see us.
… Among them is Rosa. It's as if the audience, upon seeing the stage, became so moved as to applaud the performers.
She returns it with a deep bow.
Rosa: I'm sorry for taking your precious Master Sage into my illusions without permission.
Rosa: Dear Master Sage, I also apologize to you. I only wished to please you, as you gave me the very words I've always wanted to hear.
Rosa seems deeply sorry, and everyone, including me, carries no blame for the woman.
As an apology, she extends us an invite to her garden, of which she is quite proud of.
Apparently, this garden matches that of the fantasy world, but she only opens it to special guests.
Rosa: I'll have our boastful cooks prepare the food for us and bring it to the garden. I wonder if we'll happen to see any of their somersaults.
With those words, Rosa disappears into the back of the salon. It seems the rumors about the cook were true.
We were told to be free to chat amongst others in the salon while waiting for our meal, or to roam the gardens. Everyone was free to spend the time to their own liking.
Shino: Sage, let’s go.
Shino approaches, hand extended towards me.
Akira: Shino, where are we going...?
Shino: I told you I'd properly entertain you when we got back. It's time, now.
Shino: A stroll in the true night sky.
The night sky I witnessed in the fantasy world was full of stars and quite beautiful.
But the real night sky... Will be even more breathtakingly stunning.
I grab the hand he offers me, and Shino rushes us out. The door leading to the garden opens immediately for us.