Shino - (SSR) Blessings Upon This Meeting

[shinolemonpie]

  
Card Story: His Desire To Train Together
Card Episode: What I Want To Tell You
Event: 2nd Anniversary - The Bonds That Connect Us Are Indeed Magical


CHAPTER 1

[Location: Courtyard, morning]

Akira: 21, 22, 23……

Shino: Hey, your arm’s moving down. That’s not how training works. 

Akira: U-Understood!

Cain: Lively answer you got there, but don’t forget to take it easy. If keeping up with our pace is too much for you, just let us know, okay?

Shino: Don’t spoil them, Cain. They’re the one who said they wanted to become strong. 

He was telling the truth. Under Shino and Cain’s supervision, I became a participant in their daily early morning training. 

Shino: Lennox is out on duty today, but the two of us will keep you company.

ーーー

(Flashback)

[Location: Courtyard, morning]

It all started yesterday morning.

Shino: Let’s have a sparring next. Better keep it together, you two, unless you want me to beat you.

Cain: Haha, now you said it.

Lennox: Then I’ll go at you without holding back.

Akira: ...Oh, it’s Shino and the others. Are they doing their daily early morning training? 

I was at the courtyard when I happened to catch them in the middle of their training, moving and exchanging blows at an unimaginable speed.

Shino: What is it, Master Sage? You’re watching us intently. Are you interested in physical training too?

Akira: Ah, sorry for staring. The way you guys moved was so cool that I...

Akira: I really wish I can move as skillfully as you do!

Shino: Join us, then.

Akira: Huh?! B-But, I haven’t worked out much, I’ll only get in the way of your training...

Cain: Nobody gets good results right off the bat. We were like that at first too, so don’t worry about it.

Lennox: He’s right. It’s important to train repeatedly if you really want to see results. 

Akira: Everyone...

Akira: Thank you. Then I’ll take your word for it and slowly do my best!

Shino: Good. Let’s start training together starting tomorrow.

Shino: I’ll make you strong, Sage.

(End of flashback)

ーーー

Shino: That’s enough for today.

Akira: Haa… Haa… T-Thank you so much…….

Akira: (I’m only realizing this now… But their training is much harder than I imagined!)

Cain: You okay, Akira? You look really tired.

Shino: So you’re not lying when you said you don’t regularly do much physical work, huh.

Shino: Well, from now on, you’ll have to start training ha… Ow!

Akira: Huh?! W-What happened?

Shino: Tsk, this stupid thing just pinched my cheek.

Cain: What? You two still aren’t getting along?

Akira: Getting along… What are you talking about?

Shino: Faust summoned fairies in one of our classes, and now I’m tasked to take care of one.

Shino: He said it’ll be good training to learn how to tame it.



CHAPTER 2

[Location: Courtyard, morning]

Akira: Oh… Can you two see it? It’s completely invisible to me!

Shino: This thing always hides itself. I feel its presence most of the time, though. 

Cain: Same goes for me. Seems like Shino got himself a mischievous fairy.

Cain: But I heard Heath’s getting along pretty well with his? You and your small friend look like you still have a long way to go, Shino.

Shino: Hmph. I’ll tame it soon, just you waー Ouch!

Akira: (...Did he get pinched again?)

ーーー

[Location: Akira's room, morning] 

The next morning. 

Shino: Hey, Sage. Wake up. It’s time for training.

Akira:...Hn… Shino, good mor… ning...

Akira: (Huh… Heavy… My entire body feels heavy…)

Akira: Ow! 

ーーー

Shino: Your entire body’s in pain after just one day of training.

Akira: Sorry. I don’t really have any excuse for this...

Shino came back to my room as soon as he finished his training with the others, and sighed after seeing me.

Akira: (I didn’t realize how out of shape I’ve gotten…)

Shino: ......Sorry.

Akira: Huh?

Shino: After training, Cain talked to me. 

Shino: He told me we have our own strengths and weaknesses. You also have your own pace at doing things, and that it’s important to adjust to that.

Shino: I only wanted you to be able to move like us, but I didn’t realize I was pushing you too hard.

Shino’s apology took me by surprise.

It’s true that he was being strict, but I only took it as him taking into consideration my desire to become stronger. I never expected that this would be something he’d apologize about.

Akira: Please don’t be sorry. It made me happy that you took my wish seriously.

Akira: Besides, I already told you that I haven’t been exercising regularly, so this was bound to happen...

Shino: Well, I guess so.

Akira: .........

Shino: You might be a slow learner, but you’re still alive even after getting into really bad situations. 

Shino: That’s how I can see that you have the potential to become stronger.

After saying that, Shino placed a hand on my head. 

Shino: You don’t have any magical or physical strength, but you’re still holding up really well. I want you to be proud of that.

Shino: I’ll pat you on the head today as a special reward.

Shino’s eyes seemed somewhat proud as he looked at me. Even though he’s usually very strict with himself and others, at that moment, I knew he was giving me his sincere approval.

It made me feel a bit shy, but more than that, I felt overjoyed.

(knock knock)

Cain: Akira, how are you feeling?

CHAPTER 3

[Location: Akira’s room, morning]

Cain: You’re here too, Shino. I brought some herbal tea to help with muscle fatigue. Also, can you give me a quick touch? 

Akira: Thank you for going out of your way to do this. I’ll have some tea.

Cain: Hm? Did something happen, Akira? You look really happy.

Akira: You can tell? It’s because Shino complimented me just now!

Cain smiled widely after hearing that and ruffled Shino’s hair. 

Cain: He just really wants to make you strong, you know! I hope you recover soon so we can train together again. 

Shino: Hey, don’t pat my head so roughly. What if I shrink?

Looking a little embarrassed, Shino brushed Cain’s hand away. The sight of this wholesome interaction put a smile on my face.

ーーー

[Location: Courtyard, morning]

The next morning, I felt slightly better, so I went to the courtyard to check up on everyone.

Akira: It’s still pretty early, I wonder if anyone’s here… Ah.

Shino was already there when I arrived. He held up his scythe while keeping his eyes closed, seemingly in deep concentration. 

When I looked above him, I found a small flower pot on the windowsill.

It wobbled at first, but eventually tilted.

Akira: Shino, watch out! 

I called his name as I ran towards him. However, Shino only looked above him and whispered his spell.

Shino: < Matzah Sodipas >

Akira: (The flower pot froze mid-air!)

But I couldn’t immediately stop myself, and ended up running straight to him.

Akira: S-Sorry! Are you hurt, Shino?

Shino: I should be the one asking that. What were you in such a rush for?

Akira: The flowerpot on the windowsill above you was about to fall, so I rushed to help you without thinking…...

Shino: …Ah, that? Don’t worry about it. It’s just one of that fairy’s pranks.

Shino: It was trying to distract me by making noise, that’s all. I can keep it at bay with my magic.

The firmness in Shino’s voice washed away all the worry in me. 

Akira: I-I see. That’s good...

Shino: …More than that, you sure moved pretty fast just now, didn’t you?

Akira: Huh?

Shino: Maybe all that training you did paid off, after all.

There was a grin on his face when he said that. Upon realizing what he was trying to tell me, I ended up smiling widely too.

Akira: You might be right! It’s because of you and the others!

Akira: ...Ah, but are you starting to get along with your fairy? The flower pot just stopped mid-air earlier, didn’t it?

Shino: Kinda.

Shino: I didn’t want to lose to you after seeing you work so hard.

Akira: (Just the other day, that fairy was pinching his cheeks……)

Looking closer, I saw dark circles under his eyes. He was probably working hard all night to tame the fairy.

Shino: Simply wishing to save others isn’t enough. You need to have the right amount of strength to back it up.

Shino: I’ll start training you again today so you can keep up with our pace soon. Work hard, Sage.

CARD EPISODE

What I Want To Tell You

[Location: Courtyard, morning]

Akira: Is there anything you want to say to me now, Shino?

Shino: What do you mean “now”?

Akira: It's been a while since I became the Sage, so I was wondering if you have any complaints or requests. Or anything else you want to tell me...

Shino: Become strong.

Akira: S-So strict!

Shino: Well, we can always work on that later. You’ve been occasionally training with us, and I’m starting to see a bit of change.

Shino: But being a Sage can be pretty dangerous. Training is one thing, but how about carrying a weapon for self-defense?

Akira: A weapon, huh… Like a sword, or maybe a gun?

Shino: Yeah. A dagger might be perfect for you.

Shino: It’s often used for self-defense, and even some humans carry one with them. 

Akira: You’re right, maybe I’ll find one that I’ll be able to handle just fine.

Shino: Well, there’s another self-defense tactic you can use.

Akira: Really? What is it?

Shino: Calling me.

Shino: I’ll run wherever you want me to go. So just call my name anytime and I’ll be there. After all, I’m your wizard.

CARD HOME SCREEN LINE
Shino: What is it. You and the other guys look kind of happy. Me too… I don’t feel so bad today. But I’ll definitely earn more achievements before the next celebration.


2ND ANNIVERSARY HOME SCREEN LINE
Shino: Well done, Sage. To have survived up to this day is something you should be proud of. You can also partly thank me for that. As a reward, I’ll pat your head. There, there...


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