[Translation] Shylock SSR Card: Combing with tender grace.
Another beautiful Shylock's card! Another day for LoveHate gay
Note: The only translation I found for the fairy's name シーフロ is Seaflo but I'm not sure how correct this translation is (since the only JP source I found is...a Japanese industrial pump brand LMFAO), so take it with a grain of salt.
Character: Shylock, Murr, Akira.
Card Story - Because it's Fragile and Easily Broken
Episode 1
Akira: Ah, she’s here!
Shylock, I found Sif.
Looks like she’s looking at flowers over there.
Shylock: Oh dear…..
That day, I, along with Shylock, were visiting a fairy named Seaflo.
Seaflo is a mysterious creature about the height of a 3-4 year old child, with long hair.
We named the child we met on the way back from our last mission "Sif", and we're taking care of her for a while.
Akira: Hello, Sif.
Let's play a lot today too.
Seaflo: Kya-kya..
Sif smiles as she innocently runs over.
When she comes over, adorable little arms stretch out towards me.
Shylock: ......It seems Sif today, wants to be held by the Sage?
Akira: Ehh! Is it okay if I hold her?
I'm happy, but I'm not used to holding a baby, so I'm nervous.
What if my way of holding is bad, and I drop them...?
Shylock: Don’t worry, Sage. You have me here, don’t you?
However, your feelings of hesitation before a tiny life, are proof of your kindness.
If you'd like, should I first show you how to pick her up?
Akira: Wow, really? Yes, please!
Shylock nods gently and slips his long fingers under Sif's armpits.
With a graceful movement, he lifts them and draws Sif close to his chest.
His right arm firmly supports Sif's lower back, and his left hand is gently placed on their small head.
His careful touch, as if handling a fragile treasure, yet giving an unshakable sense of security, makes me inadvertently admire him.
Seaflo?: As expected of Shylock. It's exactly how I imagined he'd hold her!
Akira: ......Huh?
W-wait a minute. D-did I just hear Murr's voice from Sif...?
I instinctively look at Shylock next to me. He smiles brightly, and speaks to Sif.
Shylock: Thank you for the compliment, Murr.
As if responding to that smile, in Shylock's arms, Sif sparkles for an instant. In that moment, Murr appears before my eyes.
Akira: Eeeeeeeeh! MURR!?
Murr: Yup! That’s me!!!
But Shylock, ya knew it was me since the beginning, didn’t ya?
Episode 2
Shylock: Yes. From the moment we arrived at this place, I sensed your presence.
Where did you put the real Sif?
Murr: Right here! I just made her transparent.
Murr snaps his fingers, and Sif appears right next to him, holding a flower.
Akira: Um... Murr, why were you disguised as Sif?
Shylock: Knowing you, it was probably because you were curious about how I or the Sage would hold Sif, right?
Murr: Bingo! Current Sif imitates the appearance of a toddler, ya see.
So I wanted to see both of your reactions to how you'd "handle" that Sif.
Akira: "Handle," you say...?
Both Shylock and I were just trying to hold Sif normally, weren't we?
Shylock: Even the way one holds someone reveals their individuality.
Perhaps you wanted to experience that difference. Wouldn't you say, Murr?
Murr: You know me well!
When you embrace the fairy right in front of you...will you experience the fear of not wanting to hurt it? The protective urge to guard it? Or perhaps, the aversion to something unknown?
Various emotions are conveyed through the trembling of fingers and the amount of force applied.
I wanted to see that directly!
Akira: S-so that's what it was......Holding someone is such a profound thing, isn't it?
Akira: Huh? Speaking of which, when Shylock held Sif...I mean, Murr in disguise.
Murr said, "As expected of Shylock. It's exactly how I imagined he'd hold her!"
What did that mean?
Murr: He placed his hands on Sif's head and hips, maintained a consistent distance between the fairy's body and his own, and the distribution of force was magnificent.
To put it simply, it was a very Shylock-like way of holding!
Akira: A Shylock-like way...?
Shylock: Perhaps Murr praised me because I kept them steady even though her small body was unbalanced. Is that correct?
Murr: Exactly!
Akira: I-I see...?
Indeed, from what I saw, Shylock's way of holding seemed very skilled.
(But...what does "a Shylock-like way" actually mean?)
Murr: Ah! I sense Oz and the others!
Looks like the other wizards have also come to take care of Sif!
I’m going to do the same experiment on everyone.
You two stay here and watch Sif, okay?
Akira: (He's going to have everyone hold her too...)
Shylock: Don't get into too much mischief.
Murr: O---kie!
After Murr leaves, a gentle breeze blows, caressing our hair.
Shylock gently picks up Sif, who had been nuzzling the flowers beside us.
His touch is still the same as before, giving an absolute sense of security to those watching.
Akira: (He seems accustomed to holding children...
But then again, it's Shylock, so maybe he's just skillful at everything.)
Shylock: ...Is something the matter, Sage?
You're gazing at me with such passionate eyes.
Episode 3
Akira: Oh, I'm sorry! Um... it's just a sudden question, but I have something to ask Shylock.
Shylock: Oh my, what is it?
Akira: Murr also mentioned it, and I agree, Shylock, you're incredibly good at holding small children. Could it be that you've had many opportunities to hold small children before?
Shylock: Right…I have lived for a long time, so it's not as if I haven't had such experiences.
However, I wouldn't say I frequently do it.
It's rare for customers to bring children to my bar, after all.
Akira: That makes sense.
...Then why are you so good at holding them?
At my question, Shylock briefly closes his eyelids. As I am captivated by his subtly swaying eyelashes, his eyelids slowly open, and his crimson eyes gaze at Sif.
The gaze he directs at the fairy has a familiar warmth to it.
Shylock: For me...
Perhaps it's because small, fleeting beings remind me of my precious glasses.
Akira: Glasses...?
Shylock: I'm referring to the glasses I handle at the bar, or collect.
They are all things that will break or chip if mishandled.
Whether it's a unique glass or a tiny being, they're both delicate things that end up in my hands in this strange world, aren't they?
As he speaks, gently stroking Sif's hair, I nod. The glossy sheen of Sif's hair, bathed in sunlight, reminds me of the glittering light of glasses under moonlight.
Shylock: I want to handle fragile, fleeting, beautiful connections with care.
Maybe that's why the way I hold things looks the way it does.
At his words, Murr's voice echoes in my mind.
Akira: (Could it be that's what Murr meant by saying "a Shylock-like way"?)
I see... That's a very Shylock-like way of thinking, and it's wonderful.
Thank you for telling me. I want to learn from you how to hold Sif carefully, instead of being nervous.
Shylock: Oh my. You don't need to learn from me, Sage.
I believe you will surely hold this child with care.
Akira: Eh? Why do you think so?
Shylock's eyes narrow gently.
His face is like when he pours a special wine into his beloved glasses.
Shylock: You'll understand if you spend time with me.
The time I spend with the Sage feels like being embraced by you...
It gives such a warm feeling to my chest.
Card Episode: Beware of Philosophical Discussions
Shylock: Hello, Sage. Oh. Is that paper bag from shopping?
Akira: Yes. I went shopping with Nero since this morning.
Shylock: Since this morning...? Then perhaps you haven't met Murr yet?
Akira: No, I haven't met him yet. Is something wrong?
Shylock: It seems that today…
Murr is in the mood for philosophical discussions with anyone he encounters.
So, Sage, if you see him, be careful.
You might be invited to a philosophical discussion lasting several hours.
Akira: Oh, so that's it...!
What kind of things do you talk about in a philosophical discussion?
Shylock: When I was approached, it was about "the similarities and differences between the process of human language development and the growth process of animals."
Akira: Th-that's a high-level topic.........
But if I meet Murr, I'll try to answer him in my own way.
By the way, Shylock, you've already had your discussion with Murr, right?
Shylock: Yes, for a good three hours.
I could have changed the topic midway, but I suddenly...felt a deep emotion about that time.
Akira: Deep emotion, you say?
Shylock: ...Back when his soul was just shattered, I mean.
I didn't know when the time to debate with him would return.
The time I spend with him is like savoring the fine wine matured with his rich knowledge and deep thought.
Now, when it returns…it’s nostalgic, yet tastes new.
==== Homescreen Voiceline ====
“Here you go, Oz. This is a rich, full-bodied wine. I've poured it right after opening, but the flavor will change as you savor it. ...Fufu, I can tell by your face you're in the mood for it. Take your time and enjoy.”
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