May Love Echo Where Snow Falls - Episode 7

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Nero: Haha. I know, right? You really can't just waltz in and interrupt him when he's like that.

Like me, the two of them did not approach Rustica, and merely listened from where we stood.
The snowy backdrop, the person bent over the birdcage to sing to its inhabitant — it looked just like a painting come to life.

Nero: ... Groom san sure is something. There's something about him that can't be pinned down, and at the same time, he's warm and fluffy — just like pure white meringue.
Yet, he's strong in his own way.
Akira: Strong?
Nero: Yeah. You know how once he spots someone that could be his bride, he doesn't hesitate and immediately locks them into his birdcage?
If it were me... I can't see myself doing that, even if I felt the same way about something precious that I wanted to make mine.
... That's because I don't have the same courage he does.
Snow: Nero. You have it the other way around.
Nero: What do you mean?
Snow: That is not strength. It's Rustica's weakness.
Things he likes. Things that are precious to him. Irreplaceable happiness felt from time spent together, just the two of them and no one else.
Losing all of that may be Rustica's greatest fear.
He cannot overcome that fear. That might be why he always ends up locking them all away in a jail cell in the shape of a birdcage.

To Nero, Rustica is strong.
But to Snow, he's weak.

Akira: (It's just like that song.)

Just like listening to The Traveller Peryton on the Journey of Love, the two of them observed the same thing and ended up drawing conclusions that couldn't have been more different from each other.

Akira: (What an unfathomable person Rustica is...)

Soon, Rustica's song came to an end.
It was only then that he noticed us.

Rustica: If it isn't everyone. What brings you here?
Nero: Come over and get some soup. Eat up while it's still hot and all.
Rustica: Nero, you made soup? Thank you. Let's go right away.

Rustica was now smiling, his sadness from before nowhere to be seen.
I let out a sigh I didn't know I'd been holding in.
I don't know if Rustica is strong or weak.
But what I was certain of was that I did not wish to see Rustica hurt, nor did I wish to hurt him.

Akira: (I like Rustica... he's one of my precious friends.)

He looked so happy when he captured the peryton.
And he looked so sad when he spoke to the peryton about separated lovers.

Akira: (He doesn't let it show, but he must have felt an indescribable loneliness each time the misunderstanding is resolved, and he realises his bride had never been found in the first place.)

My heart ached.

Akira: (What can I do for Rustica...?)

Snow: Dear Rustica. The snow sculptures are coming along well, thanks to everyone's hard work.
I think we will be done by tomorrow.
Rustica: That's good news indeed. We will soon reunite with all the lovely sculptures.
Hey, did you hear that too? It'll be completed soon.
Just a little longer, and we'll be able to go view the sculptures.
Akira: ......


[ Owen CG ]
Owen: ... Hey, Mithra.
Mithra: What is it?
Owen: Rustica has his birdcage out. What's in it?
Mithra: Oh, that? It's a monster they called pery-something-or-other.
It's apparently his bride. I didn't think he would make a monster his bride.
Owen: ...... (humming in thought)


[ Town of Ice ]

—— That very night...

Akira: ... (groaning) ......
(What's going on? There's wind... I thought I'd closed the windows... huh?)

Akira: ...!

I opened my eyes. Below me was a snow-covered town.
I sat up at once, and found myself wobbling. I was on a broom.

Akira: ...... (gasp) Wahh, I'm falling off!

In my panic, I clung to the broomstick before me.
Just as I did, I heard quiet snickering.

Owen: Are you properly awake now?
Akira: Owen!

The broom was Owen's.
He sat side-saddle on the broom with his legs crossed, and had been watching the town as snow fell all around us.

Akira: Um, what's the meaning of this...
Owen: Just a midnight stroll. It's not every day you visit the Northern Country. I wanted to show Kenja sama the many facets of the Northern Country, from the cruel to the beautiful.
Look, tonight we have powder snow. Once it piles up, the people in their homes will be buried in it, and the snow will claim their lives.
Now look again. This silvery world illuminated in pale blues and whites under the moonlight — the snow is so beautiful you can't tear your eyes away from it, wouldn't you agree?
Akira: Yes, it's indeed beautiful, but......
Owen: ... Haha, what's with that face? Do you doubt my intentions?
Akira: N-Not at all! I... was just surprised that you'd go to these lengths for my sake, Owen...
Owen: You wound me. And here I was, hoping my gesture wouldn't go unappreciated.
I might have given you a little surprise, but it's not like I've done anything to earn your hatred, no?

He was right.
He had done nothing of the sort.
We were only seeing the sights and chatting with each other.

I simply looked at Owen and said nothing else.
His red right eye shone in the dark of night. His lips were curved in some semblance of a warm smile.
It was like watching a doll slowly, gently, come to life.

Owen: Hey, when are we returning to the Magical Manor? The troublemaking fiend has already been taken care of.
Akira: That's true, but since we accidentally destroyed all the snow sculptures, we're going to help out until they're all fully restored.
Please, if you could just wait a little longer, then we can return to the ma—
Owen: Really? Is that the truth?
Akira: Owen?

Out of hesitance, I replied with a question of my own, because I didn't know what he was trying to get at.

Owen: You lie. The real reason lies with that little bird.
It's all because that crazy bridegroom dubbed it his bride, right?
Akira: ......!
Owen: There's no way that bride could be brought back to the Magical Manor, so we're all trapped here for now.
Akira: Ah... That's...

I stumbled over my words. Owen laughed, loudly and brightly.

Owen: Ahahah...! Look at yourself!
So that guy still buys into the idea of the monster in his cage being his bride.
Akira: ...... (gulp)
Owen: You knew the truth all along, didn't you? That thing can't possibly be the bride he's been searching for.
So why do you keep the truth from him? Were you perhaps laughing at his foolishness behind his back?
That's a fun game, and you didn't even invite me to play. You act the part of a supportive friend so well that I never would've thought you'd be so good at being mean.
Akira: That's... That's because, normally, he immediately realises that he's made a mistake. This time, it's different.
He really, truly believes this is the one......
Owen: Ooh! The longer this drags out, the more hurt he'll be after he finds out.
Not only was his bride actually a monster, the Kenja sama that he trusted so much is actually a liar.
Akira: ......
Owen: I do wonder what sort of face he'll make. You must be looking forward to it too, Kenja sama. I'm sure you are. That's why you've kept your silence.
Well, this is my idea of a fun festival. I'll be the star of the show in your stead —— I'll be the one to break the tragic news to the bridegroom.
Owen: “Your 'bride' is really an awful monster. Your 'friends' have been laughing at you all this while.”
Akira: ... Owen......
Owen: Ahaha, what's with that face? Why am I the bad guy for telling him the truth, when you're the one who's been a liar all along?
Stop trying to act like a saint. Not when you're a big fat liar and a big bully, Kenja sama.

I could neither agree nor disagree with Owen's words.

Akira: (Owen has a point. Staying silent might end up hurting Rustica...)
(But allowing Owen to tell him what the bird truly is...)

I had no intention of hurting Rustica, who was just like the peryton traveller on his journey to find his lover.

Akira: ... You may be right, Owen, but it's also true that everyone's hesitant to hurt Rustica.
What do you think is the right thing to tell him?
Owen: Huh? How would I know? I want to see him hurt and sad.

From beneath us came the sound of a door being thrown open.
In the dark of night, I could see someone emerging from it.

Akira: That's... Rustica...?
Owen: Fufu...... It seems like he's going on a nightly stroll with his beloved bride.

[ Whoosh... ]

Akira: ... We're going after him...?
Owen: Of course we are. I did say I'd show you what's cruel and what's beautiful.
A moment shared between Rustica and his bride, just the two of them.
If I were to tell them the truth at the height of happiness... What sort of expression would Rustica gift me?
Kenja sama, please don't look away. After all, this is the ending you chose.

Episode 8 ⭢