odorekijin

CARD STORY

My Affection and Gratitude, to you

CHAPTER I

Akira: Good morning, Faust.

Faust: Ah, hello.

Riquet: Good morning, Master Sage. I was talking about you with Nero just now!

Akira: About me?

Nero: Something about that Valentine’s thing, what’s that all about?

Riquet: Getting chocolates... It's quite the strange event.

Nero: You only listen to what you wanna hear, don’tcha. You just told me you can receive, but also have to give back.

Akira: Haha, it’s true that there’s a day for giving and another to receive.

Riquet: Is there any specific rule to who we have to offer our gift?

Akira: Not really, but it’s a nice way to give something to your significant other or someone you care about, as a token of your affection…

Even if you’re not that close yet, you can still do it to show that you want to get to know them better.

Riquet: Such a wonderful tradition. It’s important to be thoughtful of one another, I hope this custom will take root here too.

Faust: …

Akira: (Faust is quietly eating his breakfast… Maybe he isn’t interested in Valentine’s Day.)

Faust: What is it?

Akira: Ah, nothing, don’t mind it.

Riquet: Um, Nero.

Nero: Hm?

Riquet: Thank you very much for the breakfast. Can I ask for some more? It was really delicious.

Nero: Fried eggs and galette? Sorry, ‘t was the last of it, and I’m fresh out of ingredients.

Riquet: ...I see.

Nero: I’ll make more next time.

Riquet: Please do... Huh? There’s a galette on my plate.

Faust: You can have it, I had my fill already.

Riquet: Ah… And he’s gone. Doesn’t he like galettes?

Akira: I’m sure he just wanted you to have it, Riquet.

Riquet: Faust… What a wonderful person.

...Right! Now is the time for Valentine’s!

Akira: Valentine’s?

Riquet: You said earlier that it was a time to express gratitude and a chance to bond with others, right, Master Sage?

That is why I would like to give Faust chocolates in return for his galette.

CHAPTER II

Akira: The chocolates are ready, all we have left to do is to invite Faust.

Riquet: I hope Faust hasn’t gone far.

Akira: The East Wizards have nothing planned right now, so I think we’re good...

...Look over there. Isn’t that Faust?

Riquet: It is! I’m glad we found him so quickly.

Excuse me, Faust…

Figaro: Faust.

Faust: ...Figaro?

Figaro: Just the man I needed. See, we were supposed to have a meeting tonight with the teachers from each country, right? Thing is, I have yet to wrap some things up.

You are honest and exceptionally discerning, so I'd appreciate your kind input. Oh, you would? You’re a lifesaver.

Faust: I haven’t said anything.

Figaro: Come on, it'll only be for a short bit. Now, now, let’s go.

Riquet: ...Before I could call out again, he was already gone.

Akira: That was just bad timing, let’s invite him later.

Akira: He should be back by now. Where could he be… Ah, over there!

Riquet: ...It looks like he’s already busy with something.

Heathcliff: ...Urk.

Faust: Don’t overexert yourself, and watch out for your breathing.

Shino: Faust, watch me next.

Akira: He’s in the middle of a lesson with the Eastern Wizards.

...We should come again later.

Riquet: ...Yes.

Riquet: ...Faust hasn’t returned to his room yet, it seems.

Akira: He’s had a lot of people relying on him, and that’s for today alone… Maybe he still has other things to take care of.

Riquet: ...Ah. Faust!

Akira: Eh?

Akira: Thank you for helping Riquet out earlier, Faust.

By the way, why are you in this forest?

Faust: I was simply inspecting the area before tomorrow’s class practice. I’m done now.

You two have something to ask me, don’t you.

Akira: How did you know?

Faust: I could feel you staring at me.

I was going to ask you later, but was it something urgent? If so, I’m sorry.

Riquet: Um... Actually, I was the one looking for you, Faust. I wanted to invite you.

Could you come by the dining room tomorrow? I would like to treat you to a chocolate galette.

Faust: ...Why.

Riquet: You gave me your galette this morning, right? I wanted to return the favor.

Faust: You don't have to worry about it that much. I haven't done anything special to deserve anything in return.

Was that all? You two should go back before it gets dark.

Riquet: Faust…

Akira: Wait, can you listen to us for a second? I’m sure this means a lot to Riquet...!

Faust: …

Riquet: None of what may be obvious to you is ever taken for granted. It’s sincere benevolence, a thing deeply admirable.

I want to express my gratitude for what is not obvious to me, something that I take for granted.

Faust: ...Haa.

Alright, I get it. If it makes you happy.

CHAPTER III

Akira: By the way, how are we going to make the galette?

Riquet: I got the recipe from Nero. If we follow it, I’m sure it will be delicious!

Akira: Well then, let’s get to work.

Faust: Yes, let’s.

Akira: (Somehow Faust, who is the one being treated here, is also in the kitchen...)

Riquet: Could you wait in the dining room, Faust?

Faust: Where I wait is up to me alone. Also, waiting idly at the table would be nothing but pointless, wouldn’t it?

...Besides, you’re not used to the stove and knives.

Riquet: Thank you very much for your help. As expected, Faust is good-hearted.

In that case, could you mince the chocolate? Master Sage, please peel the fruits!

Akira: Roger that. What about you, Riquet?

Riquet: I will make the dough for the galette. First, after praying for the eggs...

Riquet: We did it, but...

That’s strange. I watched over the heat and thought I cooked it just right, but...

Akira: (It’s burnt to a crisp...)

Riquet: I’m sorry for inviting you, Faust. I’m responsible for this, so I will eat...

Oh.

Faust: It’s delicious.

Riquet: ...! Are you… Sure?

Faust: I wouldn’t lie to you. ...It’s very, very good.

Riquet: Thank god...! Please eat as much as you want, Faust.

Akira: Today sure has been a nice, productive day...

The invitation went well, and Riquet's feelings were properly conveyed.

Faust: Sage.

Akira: ...Faust? Ah, thank you for today.

It was a lot of fun, both for Riquet and for me.

Faust: No need.

...Can I have you for a minute? I have something to tell you.

Akira: To tell me?

Faust: Thank you for always looking after our young wizards with such warmth and kindness.

Akira: Faust…?

(Faust’s aura is much softer and gentler than usual…)

Faust: Valentine's Day is an event to express our gratitude, isn’t it?

From here on out… Let’s keep up the good work.

Akira: ...Yes! Looking forward to it.

........................................................................................................................................................

EPISODE STORY

That Child’s Galette

Akira: I heard that you like galettes, Faust.

Faust: Who told you that… It was Nero, wasn’t it?

It’s not that I particularly like them, they just suit my taste better than other dishes.

Akira: But they’re delicious, aren’t they? I'm happy when I get a galette for breakfast too.

You can get the ingredients anywhere, and it’s easier to make than what I thought. Do you ever cook your own, Faust?

Faust: I do. I’m not an amazing cook, but I know my way around making my own food.

It's light, simple to prepare, and you can eat it right away.

Akira: That’s why you were so good at helping Riquet out.

Faust: Anyone could look like a chef compared to that child, really...

Akira: (He’s not wrong, Riquet was particularly sheltered from the world after all...)

But I’m glad Riquet’s chocolate galette turned out so well.

It was a bit burnt, but even though he had never cooked before it was delicious!

Faust: Indeed. I’m more familiar than he is in preparing galettes, yet I doubt I’ll ever be able to top these.

Akira: I’m sure Riquet will be delighted to hear that.

Faust: You don’t have to tell him though...

Apr. 13th, 2021