SR Lennox (A Cordial Gaze) “Bonds Forged By Smiles” (West Etude)

[odorekijin]

CARD STORY

Bonds Forged By Smiles

CHAPTER I

Lennox: Master Faust, please wait. It seems that you have skipped breakfast today as well. If you’re not feeling well...

Faust: Must be your imagination. Just leave me alone.

Lennox: …

Mitile: Mister Lennox! What’s wrong? You look a bit down...

Lennox: Mitile…

＿＿

Mitile: I see, so Mister Faust won’t talk to you.

Lennox: I'm a bit worried about him, but whenever I wish to address the issue, he often gets overwhelmed. I hope he's eating properly...

Mitile: Why not practice your expressions and smile first, so that Mister Faust can be more open to listen to you?

Lennox: Smile?

Mitile: Smiling is key to communication! Come on, Mister Lennox, try!

Lennox: ...Like… This?

Mitile: Um, I think your smile looks a bit stiff...

Right, how about we practice this today? I want to repay your kindness for everything you did so far, so please let me help you with that!

Lennox: Thank you, Mitile, but what sort of training do you mean?

Mitile: Well... For now, just smile and say hello to anyone you meet!

CHAPTER II

Lennox: Hehe, hello-hello Shino.

Shino: ...Did you just eat something spoiled or what?

Lennox: I didn’t eat anything though...

Shino: I thought you had some sort of stomach ache. You look super creepyー

＿＿

Chloe: Oh, if this isn’t Mitile and Lennox. Would you like to join us for tea? Rustica and I are getting ready to…

Lennox: Thank you. We would love to.

Chloe: …

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be pushy! If you're busy, we can have a tea party another time!

＿＿

Lennox: …

Mitile: Don't think too much about it, please. We've only just started practicing, I’m sure we’ll see your progress soon enough!

Lennox: I hope so... Smiling is harder than expected.

Faust: Hey.

Mitile: Ah, Mister Faust…

Faust: Shino said you didn’t look too well. You should be more concerned about your own health than mine.

Lennox: That’s...

Mitile: Smile, Mister Lennox, smile!

Lennox: Hehe, I’m sorry for causing you trouble. As you can see, I’m fine...

Faust: …

Lennox: Master Faust?

Faust: Pfft, what’s with that look? Are you trying to get on my good side?

Looks like Shino’s worries were needless. Still, don’t be too hard on yourself. Well then, see you.

Mitile: I'm glad you had a chance to talk to Mister Faust!

Lennox: ...So do I. It has been such a while since I last saw him smile.

It is all thanks to your training, Mitile, thank you.

Mitile: Ah, Mister Lennox! Your expression just now… That was the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!

Lennox: ...Was it?