[Translation] Code: Realize Bouquet of Rainbows Short Story - Saint-Germain
Source: Code: Realize Bouquet of Rainbows Stella Exclusive Booklet
Scan credit: Kou
Summary: Saint-Germain, Cardia and Sisi enjoy a peaceful afternoon in the courtyard until he asks her a surprising question.
'I Can Touch You' - Saint-Germain
On a certain afternoon when the tranquil sound of birds chirping from somewhere could be heard.
As I enjoyed a cup of tea at the table in the courtyard, I fondly watched over the scene before me.
'Now then Sisi. One more time.'
'Woof woof.'
'.....Go get it!'
Aiming for the stick that Miss Cardia threw, Sisi dashed forward enthusiastically.
Before the stick could fall to the ground as it curved in a beautiful U-shaped arc, he took a magnificently large jump into the air. Sisi landed elegantly as he simultaneously caught the stick. And then, he ran back at full speed to Miss Cardia as she held out her hands—.
'Great job, well done, well done.'
As Sisi snuggled up against her, Miss Cardia leisurely stroked his fur.
'.....How peaceful…..'
How luxurious it was, to enjoy the fragrance of some fine black tea, feeling relaxed while watching over Cardia and Sisi's antics.
That's right, what a peaceful time this was. Almost to the point I could forget about the sense of deadlock our group had sunk into–.
'.....Though, I wonder if letting down one's guard too much will be a problem.'
Smiling wryly, I put the teacup to my lips to take another sip.
—Truth be told.
Though of course there had been some changes, in matters involving Miss Cardia, there had not been many new developments currently.
On the subject of her father, and also on the problem of the poison within her body.
Regarding her poison, though poison-resistant clothing and everyday items had been prepared so that she would not experience any inconvenience, they were but a stop gap measure at best.
As I had thought, in order to grant her wish to touch other people and things, a more fundamental solution was required after all.
…..However, whether such a method existed was the issue.
'For myself as well, I would be quite pleased if there was.'
Though considering my current situation, whether I was really in a position to think such a thing was another matter entirely—.
'Saint-Germain, Sisi's headed your way.'
'.........Oh?'
'Bark, woof woof!'
Realising she had been calling me, I lifted my head and there he was. Sisi had jumped up onto my lap.
'My my, you're full of energy today, Sisi.'
They say that an animal's intuition is sharper than that of a human's, so perhaps he had picked up on my gloomy thoughts.
While I patted him as he pushed his nose towards my face, he barked as if enjoying the attention.
'Sorry, Saint-Germain. Sisi suddenly ran off.'
'Not at all, if he wishes to play, then I welcome it. After all, when he first arrived at the mansion, he never really tried to approach any of us before…..'
He really had changed.
After I placed Sisi back down on the ground, I poured some tea and held it out to the girl who had sat down.
'Thank you, Saint-Germain…..it's delicious, as always.'
'I am honoured, my lady.'
As I returned her thanks, I quietly surveyed her.
Perhaps because she had been running about with Sisi, her cheeks were flushed, tinged with a healthy looking red.
Without a doubt, if I were to touch them directly, they would certainly be soft to the touch.
Though of course, it was unlikely she would allow such an action—.
'....I was a bit jealous of you just now.'
'Just now….?'
'Having Sisi lick your cheek like that.'
'That is…..in other words, you wish you could touch him directly?'
'.....Yes. Although I know that it's impossible.'
The two of us looked down at Sisi who had started to fall asleep curled up at our feet.
—I want to touch you, I want to feel your warmth.
As wishes went, it was but a modest one, however until now it was likely one that felt too far out of reach.
That's why she had lived her life so that she would not think about or desire it, repressing her true feelings all the while.
—But, now.
'.....Hehe…..'
'.....Was that something to be laughed about just now?'
'Pardon me. I am just simply happy that you've become able to voice such a wish.'
The girl who did not possess anything other than a body of poison, now had wishes all of her own. That was a wonderful thing.
…..But, given the current reality, it was still a difficult situation.
The modest wish that she held, likely for the first time in her life.
If she were to meet her end with not even that simple wish being granted…..
That would truly be sad.
'If—'
That had to have been why.
I ended up saying what I did next.
'If you were actually able to touch someone right now, what would you do?'
'Right now….?'
Her large eyes looked at me intently.
She was trying to grasp exactly what I meant by those words.
'That is…..you're not talking about in the future, when I'm able to touch someone?'
'Correct. I'm talking about right here, and now.'
Narrowing my eyes, I responded with a smile.
A smile that was a mask, with my feelings and true intentions suppressed beneath.
'For example, say that right now there was someone very, very strong….. Even if you were to touch them, they would be able to bear it and not die.'
'..........'
'If there was such a person, what would you do?'
She did not answer immediately.
From her point of view, what I said must have been very out of the blue.
That was only to be expected. Even I didn't quite understand the reason I had brought the topic up myself.
'.....I…..'
…..Perhaps I had crossed the line with this question after all.
Regretting that I had said anything at all, as I was about to open my mouth to take it back, she continued her sentence.
' —Of course I would like to know the warmth of another person. But I wouldn't want to hurt anyone to do so. I….. would rather stay poisonous than do that.'
' ———'
Hers was an answer so decisive, that I caught my breath.
It couldn't quite be said that this was not a show of courage.
But more than that, she clearly possessed a strong will.
…..The emotion that briefly flared in my heart just now, was surely a feeling of guilt for having tried to test her like this.
Or maybe it was—.
'I apologise, my joke went a little too far.'
What I said in the end were only evasive words, that didn't match the seriousness of her answer.
'—Now then, let's end our talk here. We should continue with our teatime. I actually have some special tea leaves and snacks that I've been saving.'
Telling her that I would go and prepare them now so she should wait there, I left my seat and headed in toward the mansion—.
' —If it would hurt another, she would rather stay poisonous….. is that so?'
She really was kind.
So much so that it was a mystery that she was called a monster.
That's why I thought all the more.
That it would really be too pitiful if this kind girl died without ever knowing the warmth of another.
'That's right. That is why, when it is time for you to meet your end—'
I would take your hand.
Even if I were to become hideously burnt, and it caused me pain.
Because surely that would be the least I could do to atone.
[Translation] Code: Realize Future Blessings Short Story - Saint-Germain
Source: Code:Realize Future Blessings Stella Set Exclusive Booklet
Scan credit: Kou
Summary: Unable to sleep, Cardia pays Saint-Germain a visit in his room.
Page 17 Saint-Germain
'—Saint-Germain. Could I come in?'
It was around the time when one day turned into the next when I heard those words, accompanied by the sound of a knock.
This was usually when I— Saint-Germain, enjoyed some tea and leisurely reading after having returned to my room for the evening.
'My my, this late at night, has something happened?'
I judged this was about the time she normally went to sleep.
Having entered my room, Cardia was standing there in her nightgown holding a pillow, eyes cast downwards. Hm….. I wonder what it could be? It did seem rather as if she was thinking something over—
However, if this had been a certain engineer and not myself, he would undoubtedly have said something like, 'A confession of love? Or maybe—' with a heart pounding in expectation.
'For the time being, why not try sitting down here? I'll prepare something warm for you to drink…..'
'Alright…..'
It was lucky I had just been in the middle of enjoying my night tea. I quickly fetched her a cup and poured some in. The beautiful amber-coloured herbal tea that filled the cup gave off a pleasant aroma.
She had remained completely silent while I had prepared the tea but….. as she put her lips to the cup to drink, she seemed to calm down.
A little while after that, she at last opened her mouth to speak, as if it was about something difficult.
'If I may ask again, has something happened?'
'.....That is, no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't sleep at all tonight.'
'My. Are the pillows and bedding not suitable for your skin? If I recall, they should all have been completely poison-proofed…..'
'N-no, it's not that.'
Should I tell him or not—
A hesitating look that seemed to convey such a thought crossed her face for a moment.
Looking somewhat embarrassed, Cardia at last got the words out in a voice that trailed off as she spoke.
'.....I had a scary dream, and now I can't sleep…..'
'............'
'............'
'Heheh.'
'Wh-why are you laughing…..!?'
'Ah, no. My apologies. It was just such a cute thing to be worried about.'
At such a childlike problem, I couldn't help but truly smile. But….. if I really thought about it, something like this was only to be expected.
Although her appearance was that of a lovely young lady, the life she had lived had been a lamentably warped one. But just when one thought she did not understand things that were obvious to a normal person, at times she did display a more adult-like side as well.
There may be those who would say that was part of her charm however…..
Whatever the case, I first had to resolve her adorable worry, so I opened my mouth to speak.
'Well now….. the more you try to push yourself to sleep, the more difficult it becomes. When you can't sleep, why not try doing something else for a change of pace?'
'.....Such as?'
'In my case, I read books or go out for walks on moonlit nights…. I also sometimes add brandy to my tea…..heheh. Although it may be a bit too soon for you to be having alcohol.'
'Oh…..well, more than that, I'm surprised there are times when you can't sleep as well. That's really unexpected.'
'Heheheh, I may be an eccentric….. but even I have times when I worry and need time to think like any ordinary person, you know? …..Ah, that's right. So then, about the scary dream you had— specifically speaking, what kind of dream was it? If it’s alright with you, I would like you to tell me about it…..'
The moment she heard my words, Cardia's eyebrows furrowed as if she was in pain. As I was about to say that there was no need to force herself to remember, I stopped upon hearing her next short sentence.
'I dreamt that everyone disappeared.'
'............What?'
'I don't know about the details. Just, when I woke up, many years, many decades had passed…..all the people around me that had known me were no longer there…..and I was the only one left— it was that kind of sad dream.'
'............'
…..They say that dreams are a reconstruction of real memories. If you were to look at it that way, it could be surmised that your dream arose from anxiety caused by the disappearance of your father, Isaac. If I took the time to explain it to her here with that logical approach, she would likely regain her composure and I could settle things that way, however—
'............'
But, rather than doing that, thinking that all I wanted to do was to wipe the sorrow from her face as soon as possible, I took a deep breath—
'Cardia.'
I gently took her small hands into mine.
Almost like a knight pledging loyalty, I knelt at her side as she sat—
‘I remembered that there’s one more method to cure sleeplessness.’
‘.....And that would be?’
‘Shall we….. sleep together?’
As I smiled, her eyes widened.
While enjoying the change in her expression, I continued so as not to invite misunderstanding.
’Although, of course, we won’t be sleeping in the same bed? I’ll sleep on the sofa here….. so Cardia, please use the bed.’
‘B-but this is your room, Saint-Germain….’
‘Worry not. I can easily sleep on the sofa….. and as a gentleman, I could not make a lady sleep on a sofa while I used the bed.’
I looked at her with a gaze that forbade further discussion.
‘............Alright, I understand. Then please, let's do so.’
Though she may have been more than a little hesitant about the prospect….. Perhaps the anxiety from her bad dream won out, as in the end she slightly nodded her head in assent.
‘Heheh, please, make yourself comfortable. This may be the least I can do but….. I’m happy if it will help you.’
‘Saint-Germain, you really are very kind.’
‘My, my. Heheheh, I am a man after all. Perhaps I just want to look good in front of you?’
‘Heheh, even so, I’m happy. Thank you, Saint-Germain.’
Smiling faintly at each other, we continued to talk without stopping until right before she fell asleep. Somehow or other, it seemed as if her worries had…. bit by bit, slowly faded away.
Tonight, until she falls asleep, let me continue to be reflected in her eyes.
Tomorrow morning when she wakes up, let me be the first thing she sees when she opens them again.
….. Before she realized it, everyone had disappeared.
