Brad Beams — Dancing Flames! Red Hot Fire Carnival!
warm gloves
[Red South living room]
Brad: I’m back
Akira: Oi, Alexander, where’d you get that ratty old glove?
Er, why am I even asking?
Will: Hmm, they’re pretty worn out, but it looks like someone’s taken really good care of them
Brad: What’s all the fuss about?
Akira: Brad? You’re back already?
Brad: I am. I have something to do tonight, but until then, I’m planning to do some paperwork in my room
Will: Perfect timing. Do you recognize this glove, Brad-san?
Brad: This is….
Akira: Alexander escaped again, and he was playing with it when we found him
Brad: Is that so. It’s not mine, but I know who it belongs to
Akira: Nice!
Will: In that case, can we ask you to give it back to them? It looks like someone’s been really carefully mending it for a long time now
Brad: Sure, I’ll make sure he gets it—
*****
[Flashback, Beams’ family home]
Brad: —This is how you would handwrite it in cursive
Oscar: I see…. So this is what Oscar looks like in cursive
Brad: There are many reasons why you’d need to write your own name. You should practice so you’re ready when they arise
Oscar: Right, I will
Brad: I supposed I’d best return to the Tower soon. The next time I have some time off, I’ll come teach you more
Oscar: I’m sorry you have to come all the way out here for my sake….
Brad: Don’t worry about it. You’re so eager to learn, it’s worth the effort
And in any case, I myself can learn from teaching you, too
Oscar: You can?
Brad: Yes. I’m still in training as a hero for now, but some day I’ll be raising the next generation
When that time comes, this experience will be invaluable, I’m sure
Oscar: I’m sure you’ll be a wonderful teacher, Brad-sama
You were so patient teaching me the right way to use a fork and knife, even though my speech and behaviour were such a mess
Brad: Well, thanks to you, I learned how to teach etiquette to someone who was extremely guarded around me
Oscar: ….I’m sorry I caused you so much trouble
Brad: It’s fine. More importantly, Oscar, is there anything you want?
Oscar: Something I want?
Brad: Yeah. If there’s anything troubling you in your day to day, don’t hesitate to tell me. The next time I come by, I’ll make sure I bring something to help
Oscar: There’s not really anything I want
Brad: There’s no need to hold back. It’s an employer’s duty to ensure his servant’s needs are met
Oscar: But you’re already letting me live in this house, and feeding and clothing me… And you’re even paying me
Brad: ….I guess so
*****
[Still flashback, Tower exterior]
Brad: I still wasn’t able to ask him
He’s been living at home for a while now, but he still won’t tell me if there’s anything he wants
I’ve got the impression there’s something in his life that’s causing problems for him, though
[Phone rings]
Brad: ? Faith?
[Brad answers]
Faith: 『Hello, Onii-chan?』
Brad: What is it, Faith?
Faith: 『I heard from Oscar. Were you really home today?』
Brad: Yeah
Faith: 『Why didn’t you tell me～? If you’d said something, I would’ve come right home from school』
Brad: I’m sorry, it was kind of sudden. If I know more in advanced next time I have time off, I’ll let you know
Faith: 『Promise?』
Brad: I promise
By the way, is there anything you think Oscar might want?
Faith: 『Something Oscar wants?』
Brad: Yeah. Something that could make his life a little easier, maybe
If you’ve noticed anything, please let me know
Faith: 『Hmmm…. Gloves, maybe?』
Brad: Gloves?
Faith: 『Yeah. Oscar’s always cold, right? His hands always look like they’re freezing when he’s working out in the garden』
『But, when I tried to give him mine a while back, he said it’d be hard to get his work done in them and turned them down』
Brad: I see
Faith: 『Onii-chan, isn’t there some way we can warm up Oscar’s hands?』
Brad: I’m sure there is—
*****
[Current day, Brad & Oscar’s room]
Brad: —And that’s checkmate
Faith: Sigh. I lost again. That new strategy was working really well though until the midgame
Brad: Yeah, it’s great that you’re testing out a variety of tactics
Oscar: I’m back
Faith: Welcome home, Oscar. Sorry to intrude
Oscar: More chess for you two today, I see. You’re quite zealous, Faith-san
Faith: I lose every time, but that is the best way to learn. Or so they say
Brad: Oscar, you dropped this earlier
Oscar: My glove!? Where did you…
Brad: Alexander escaped, and apparently he was playing with it
Oscar: Ah, was he now. I was mending them yesterday, but he must have stolen it afterwards
Faith: Hm? I recognize those gloves. Those are the ones you gave to Oscar way back
Oscar: Yes, they’re the fingerless gloves Brad-sama bought for me
They’re so warm and easy to work in that I’ve been buying the same style for myself ever since
Faith: Heeh, you must’ve taken good care of them for them to last this long
Oscar: Of course. Brad-sama gave them to me, after all. They’re a precious memento
Brad: Is that so
The gloves you’re currently wearing appear to be getting rather worn out too
Oscar: Eh… You’re right. I should switch them out soon
Brad: In that case, let me gift you some new ones
Oscar: Eh– Really!?
Brad: Yeah. I know you’ll take good care of them
Oscar: Thank you very much, Brad-sama
*****
My Japanese is far from perfect, so feel free to let me know if you notice any mistakes ♡
