[A Whisper of Sweetness] — Nero Turner SSR Card Story Translation
Ft. Akira, Figaro, Mention of Bradley
Charmed by the Heartthrob - Chapter 1
Once every seven years, in a castle where the stars cross, a masquerade ball to enjoy flirtatious romance is held. The party is known as the "Ball of Princess Lyra". Having finished our investigation there, we’ve decided to rejoin the party…
Figaro: I keep getting approached when I'm in the hall, so I thought the garden might be a bit better.
Akira: The thickets here have a unique atmosphere, probably because it's known as "a place for lovers to deepen their bond." Besides us, everyone here is a couple, so it feels like we've stumbled into a super famous dating spot…
Figaro: Maybe we should act a little closer than usual so we don’t stand out. Hmm? Is that…
As if he noticed something, Figaro stares, focusing on a single spot. Following his gaze, what I saw was…
Akira: (Nero! And he’s with a woman…)
Figaro: This way, Master Sage.
Figaro gently urged me, and we hid ourselves in the bushes.
Figaro: Looks like he’s really into it.
Akira: Y-Yes, he is. And it’s… what should I say...
The woman in the jet-black dress had her arm wrapped around Nero’s, leaning on him with a seductive charm. As for Nero, he showed no signs of being flustered, holding the woman by her waist and accepting her advances as if it were a matter of course.
Akira: (The atmosphere is so mature…!)
Nero: …You’ve got unusual taste, y’know. This is the Ball of Princess Lyra. You could find a dozen men more charming than me without even tryin’.
Lady in the Jet-Black Dress: I like you, though. I saw you in the hall and it was love at first sight, so I followed you all the way out here. Tell me, what kind of person do you like? What do I have to do to make you look at me?
The woman's beautiful hand touches Nero's cheek, as if pleading for his attention.
Akira: (W-woah…! Is it okay for me to be watching this? And is it even polite to be peeping from the bushes like this!?)
Figaro: …I see. Come here, Master Sage.
Figaro took my hand and started heading toward Nero.
Nero: Don’t get me wrong. Having someone come on strong like you ain’t a bad thing. It's just that I’m…
Figaro: …into this kid. I brought her for you.
Lady in the Jet-Black Dress: …
Next to Nero, who was wide-eyed, the woman stared intently at me. As I stood there, unable to continue the charade, she let out a little chuckle and shrugged her shoulders.
Lady in the Jet-Black Dress: …She’s certainly a completely different type from me. I surrender. Just as you said, I'll go look for someone more suitable.
Charmed by the Heartthrob - Chapter 2
After the three of us see the woman off, I turn back to Nero.
Akira: Um… Nero. I’m sorry for spying on you.
Nero: Nah, don’t apologize. If anything, I should be the one saying sorry for dragging you both into that awkward mess.
Nero: Still… you showing up saved me. Thanks.
Figaro: Don't mention it. But I was wondering where you were in the castle… and here you are, in a place like this?
Nero: I wasn’t tryin’ to be shady! You saw me, I was turning her down as politely as I could.
Nero shakes his head, as if trying to brush off Figaro's knowing gaze, then looks toward the castle with a sigh.
Nero: …I was keepin' to the edges at first. But people kept strikin' up conversations. Thought if I slipped into the garden, no one would bother me and I could finally relax. Guess my prediction was off. Got stopped before I could hide.
Figaro: Well, that's how it goes. There are a lot of forward young ladies here. Besides, you seem pretty used to dealing with women.
Akira: You're right. Nero, you seemed a little more like a bad boy than usual when you were talking to that woman. It was a refreshing change…
Akira: Ah, but I didn't mean that in a bad way…! I think Cain and Rustica are also used to escorting women, but with you, it feels a bit wilder…
Akira: Yes, exactly! In any case, it felt like you'd be really popular!
Nero: Eh… I've just lived a long time, so I've had my share of conversations with ladies. I used to be in customer service, after all…
Just as Nero tries to make an excuse, we hear whispering voices and feel their gazes on us.
Lady in the Purple Dress: What's the relationship between those three…?
Young Man with Brown Hair: Lovers and friends…? But in the garden of this Star-Crossing Castle…?
Akira: (Oh no…! It must look a little weird for the three of us to be here!)
More and more curious eyes turn toward us. As I shrank back, my shoulders were suddenly grabbed from both sides at the same time.
Figaro: Hey, let go of them.
Nero: Can’t grant that request. Sorry, but I've got no intention of givin' in to you. I was the one who fell for Akira first.
Akira: (Huh, what is this!?)
Akira: What’s with you two, all of a sudden…!
Young Man with Black Hair: Ohh. So they're both fighting over the person they've fallen for.
Lady in the Pink Dress: How passionate. I'm jealous…
Akira: (Are they pretending to fight over me so that it doesn't look weird for the three of us to be together…!?)
The two exchanged a quick glance, then took my hands, turned their backs to the castle, and looked at me.
Figaro: Listen, Master Sage.
Figaro, Nero: Will you dance with me at the Star-Crossing Castle?
Charmed by the Heartthrob - Chapter 3
And so, with the two of them escorting me, we successfully reached the hall.
Figaro: That's a relief. It looks like we didn't raise any suspicions.
Nero: Phew… Guess I won't be able to relax as long as I'm in this castle.
Akira: Nero, Figaro. Thank you. Thanks to both of you, we were able to get back to the castle naturally.
Nero: No, I'm sorry for acting so familiar with you, even if it was just to get out of that situation.
Akira: Not at all! It was a little heart-pounding, but it was fun. It felt like I was being charmed by both of you.
Nero: Haha… …If I was really tryin’ to charm you, I'd want to be more earnest about it.
Figaro: Right. I would probably act more like a gentle, sincere young man. But Nero, you didn't hesitate at all to pull Master Sage's shoulder. You could've tempted me, you know.
Nero: You’re one to talk. You grabbed Sage first.
Figaro: Ahaha, you caught me. But it was my own way of being considerate. I thought that if I suddenly touched your shoulder, I might surprise you. Wizards from the Eastern Country are delicate, you know.
Nero: Thanks for the consideration.
They exchange witty banter effortlessly. I can feel enchanted gazes on them from a distance. Nero, trying to escape their stares, turns back to me.
Nero: Anyway, maybe bringin’ you young folks here wasn’t the best idea.? It’s a lot more focused on romance than I expected.
Akira: It's a little intense, but I'm enjoying being somewhere with an atmosphere that's so different from what I'm used to. And even though it was by chance, I got to see a side of you that I normally don't!
Nero: Ah… I'd rather you forget about that part.
Figaro: Oh, now that you mention it, I interrupted you and didn't get to hear your answer. What kind of person are you actually into, Nero?
Nero: C’mon… do we really gotta talk about this now
Figaro: Well, I'm sure Master Sage is curious, too.
Akira: I mean… I can't say I'm not curious, but I don't want to force you to answer…
Nero: Well, if I have to say… someone who eats my food deliciously, maybe?
Figaro: See? What I said wasn't so wrong after all. Nero’s type is the Master Sage.
Nero: Haha, maybe you're right. Sage, you always eat my food with such a good appetite.
Nero answers casually, as if just making small talk. There's no shyness or awkwardness in his response. It's an incredibly smooth counter to Figaro's teasing.
Akira: …Nero, you really do seem like you'd be popular.
The Secret of the Star-Meeting Night - Card Episode
Akira: The Ball of Princess Lyra was very stimulating. Just as they say, it really is a "place for playful love."
Nero: I know. Everyone was so forward, I couldn't even relax.
Akira: Speaking of which, I saw you talking to a woman at a different time, too, when you weren't with Figaro…
Nero: Huh… When? The young lady in the lace gloves? Or the one with her hair in a ponytail?
Akira: (He has so many in mind!?)
Akira: I think… she was wearing a yellow dress…
Nero: Ah, that person. …I see. So you saw that, too.
Akira: …What were you two talking about, if I may ask?
Nero: Ah… Well, it was the kind of conversation you'd expect at the Ball of Princess Lyra, a place for meetings and love. Something like, "Hey there, handsome, how about we skip the party and make a little secret of our own?"
Akira: Wow, so mature…! That's a great pickup line, and it really fits the party. But in the end, you two parted ways quickly, right?
Nero: Right, right. So, I didn't do anything to feel guilty… And as for what else we talked about, that's a secret between me and that young lady.
"Huh… So the reason the Weaver and the Cowherd had to be separated was because they fell in love? It feels amazing to be so devoted to someone… If it were me, I think I'd be scared, feeling like both I and my partner would be distorted by it. Have you ever been in love like that, Master Sage?"
