Nero Birthday SSR (2022)

[nerotealeaves]

Chapter 1

 

Akira: Nero, are you free now?

Nero: Ah, it’s you, Sage. I’m pretty much done with the meal preparations, so just give me a while more if you’re looking for a snack…

Akira: Oh, that’s not what I’m here for! It’s going to be your birthday soon, so I wanted to ask you if you might want to give the Ceremony of Starlight, Blessings and Wishes a try…

The Ceremony of Starlight, Blessings and Wishes is a ritual Snow and White discovered in an old text, a ceremony meant for the Sage and their wizards.

The commencement of this ceremony on a day where one receives many blessings reaps many benefits, such as a stronger bond with the Sage, enhanced magical powers and affluence.

Nero: That’s the ceremony the other wizards have been doing on their birthdays too, right? I appreciate the thought, but I’ll pass.

Nero: It must be hard on you, having to go through the ceremony every birthday. I’d feel bad if you had to go through all that trouble for me.

Akira: No, it’s no trouble at all!

Akira: It won’t matter if the ceremony doesn’t end up enhancing your magical powers. If there’s a possibility something good will happen to you by having this ceremony, we should undergo it together!

Akira: I won’t force you to do it if you really don’t want to, but…I’d be happy if you’d consider it.

Nero: …Yeah, sure.

Nero: Since you went through the trouble of telling me about it, I guess I’ll take you up on your offer.

Chapter 2

The ceremony requires well wishes from the Sage, along with blessings from three other wizards one has a deep connection to.

I was in deep thought, musing over who I should ask to convey their blessings to Nero for his birthday, when I spotted Bradley and Rustica enjoying drinks. Shino was with them, too.

Rustica: Oh, hello, Master Sage.

Bradley: Yo, feelin’ up for some drinks?

Akira: Haha, looks like you’re having fun. I don’t see the three of you together much, is this supposed to be a mini party?

Bradley: Yeah well, Mister Bridegroom here said he got his hands on some good alcohol, and I’m not one to turn down a drink. This guy here, on the other hand, came enticed by the smell of our finger-food.

Shino: I was heading to the kitchen to get some food to fill my stomach, and their snacks smelt good.

Rustica: Yes, I purchased a few cuts of ham and some cheese to enjoy with this bottle of alcohol here. Would you like to try some, Master Sage?

Akira: Wow, that looks good! I see, so Shino joined the two of you after.

Akira: (....Oh, right! There’s three people here, so…)

Akira: Actually, I have a request for the three of you…

[ - ]

Rustica: You would like us to give our blessings for Nero?

Akira: Yes. Would that be okay?

Shino: Yeah, why not. We’re from the same country, after all.

Bradley: Guess I’ll lend a hand, too. The food he cooks is to my liking.

Rustica: Yes, of course I’ll be willing to.

Akira: I’m glad to hear that! Thank you, all of you!

Rustica: There’s no need to thank us. I’ve always thought that Nero’s cooking is much like himself. The food he makes is packed with his unique color, his personality.

Rustica: So when I allow myself a taste of his meals, it is clear to me…what goes through his mind when he cooks for us, how he is thinking of us.

Rustica: This is but a good opportunity to show our gratitude for the sincerity he always pours into his cooking.

Bradley: Haha, I’ll bet he’ll be happy if he heard that. He didn’t get to hear such fancy, flowery praise back then.

Shino: And how do you know that?

Bradley: Maybe I don’t. It’s just a hunch, y’know?

Shino: Hmph. I’ll learn from Rustica and next time, I’ll praise Nero with my own set of extravagant phrases. He’s definitely going to be happy.

Bradley: Instead of next time, why don’t you do it now, for the ceremony?

Bradley: How ‘bout adding in a few flowery words into your blessings to make it more extravagant, huh? Make it something more poetic and lyrical.

Shino: Good idea. I’ll share with him the coolest, finest praises he’s ever heard.

Rustica: Hehe, I’ll have to make sure I don’t fall behind either.

The three of them, enthused by their discussion, eagerly began brainstorming how they would like to convey their blessings.

Akira: Something extravagant and special…I can’t seem to think of anything good.

Bradley: You don’t have to think too much about it, really. You’re pretty much a full-fledged poet yourself.


Chapter 3

The night of the ceremony.

Clad in the ceremonial outfits prepared by the twins, Nero and I arrived in the Eastern Country.

The City of Rain, where the ceremony was to be held, was a land not only known for its abundance in natural resources, but also for its deep ties with wizards, making it a fitting spot for the ceremony.

Nero: We should avoid getting caught by the residents. How ‘bout we head to my herb patch? It’s at the outskirts of the city, we shouldn’t attract any attention there.

Following Nero’s lead, we arrived at the herb patch. It was a quiet area, lacking human traffic. The stars winked at us from above, bright and equally silent.

Akira: Let’s begin the ceremony. Could you please close your eyes, Nero?

Nero:.....

Seeing his eyes flutter shut, I lifted my hand, letting it hover over his chest.

Akira: To begin with, here are your blessings from Rustica.

Akira: “To Nero, who fills my mouth with endless happiness, I wish for you to receive happiness so great and generous it fills your arms with the weight of bliss."

Akira: And next, your blessings from Shino.

Akira: “Your knowledge for my stomach extends beyond what I know of it my own, and you should find pride in that. What you provide in which fills me gives me nothing but comfort.”

Akira: And now, your blessings from Bradley.

Akira: “Food made by a first-rate chef fuels not only one’s body, but the heart, too. This accessible kitchen, and the words given to you by the others, both are treasures you have attained with your own hands ー treasures that you should keep close.”

Akira: Last but not least, my blessings to you.

Akira: To me, the food you cook is both warm and delicate, very much like the kindness you show in select moments. I would like to thank you, for filling both my stomach and heart with such.

As I conveyed the last of blessings to Nero, I felt a warmth growing in my chest. It spread through my hand and somehow, I think it reached Nero, too.

Akira: …How was it?

Nero opened his eyes, slowly. He rubbed the back of his head, looking embarrassed.

Nero: It kinda…gives me a ticklish feeling, hearing all that out loud.

Nero: And the blessings I received were all unexpectedly…sincere, so even more so.

Akira: Actually, the wizards who sent their blessings had planned to make your blessings sound more poetic.

Nero: Wha- Why? Do I look like the kind of guy that likes poems…?

At that moment, it seemed like Nero noticed something, and he lowered his gaze.

I followed his gaze, and realized there were a few small herb-like plants peeking up from where they broke through the ground.

Akira: (I’ve never seen any leaf shaped like these…it almost looks like lace was crocheted to form their shape, how beautiful.)

Nero: These are…the herbs I planted a long time ago.

Akira: Oh, they are?

Nero: Yeah, looking at their distinctly shaped leaves, I’m sure they are. These herbs both look and smell dazzling, so they’re often used in dishes during celebratory occasions.

Nero: These are the ones I tried planting once, but they needed a special kind of treatment for their growth….and they ended up not sprouting.

Nero: I had given up back then, but to think that they’d show their face for harvesting now.

Nero cut out the herbs, and spoke to me happily.

Nero: The ceremony must’ve played a part in their growth. Thank you, Sage.

Akira: I’m glad the ceremony led to a happy discovery. I’m happy for you, Nero.

Right after, we heard a voice from behind us.

??? : Hey.

Nero • Akira: !?

Akira: (No way, did the residents think we were doing something suspicious…!?)

I turned around worriedly, fearing what would be awaiting.

Shino, Rustica and Bradley were standing there.

Nero: You guys…!?

Akira: Why’re you here…!?

Shino: Isn’t it obvious? We came here to celebrate Nero’s birthday.

Rustica: We guessed the ceremony would end about now.

Bradley: C’mon, since we went through all the effort of coming here, let’s go to your restaurant for a drink!

Nero: …Yeah, sure.

Nero: I managed to obtain a special herb, actually. I’ll make something that’ll go well with it.

Rustica: That’s great to hear. I was actually feeling quite hungry.

Shino: Me too.

Nero: Yeah, yeah, I get it. Man, I’m gonna be busy, feeding all these hungry mouths.

Contrary to what he just said, Nero was all smiles.

 

The food Nero cooks speaks of gentleness. I'm sure that in the future, his meals will continue to taste warm, courteous and kind...

Akira: (I wonder what sort of praise those three will have for Nero once they’ve had a taste of the food at his restaurant.)

Those were my thoughts as I followed behind the rest, excited to enter Nero’s restaurant.



Card Episode - A Capriccio for the Master of the Kitchen -

Nero: …

Akira: (Nero’s pacing around the front of the kitchen. I wonder if something’s wrong.)

Akira: Good afternoon, Nero.

Nero: Hey, Sage. Thanks for helping out with the ceremony the other day.

Akira: It’s no problem at all. …How was the ceremony, by the way?

Nero: Haha, that’s a pretty vague question. Well, it was pretty embarrassing, but it wasn’t all that bad, after all.

Akira: I’m glad! I was worried I might’ve pressured you into it somehow, so I’m happy you didn’t think of it that way.

Akira: Oh, right. Did you receive presents from Shino, Rustica and Bradley after the ceremony?

Nero: Actually…I’m waiting for that now.

Akira: Waiting?

Nero: Yeah, you know how we ended up eating food at my restaurant after the ceremony?

Nero: They said they wanted to thank me for that, so Mister Bridegroom suggested they be the one to cook and serve me this time.

Nero: He, Shino and Brad are in the kitchen making the food preparations now. I really appreciate it, but the three of them, cooking…? I’m worried.

Akira: I see. So that’s why you were pacing around the entrance of the kitchen.

Nero: Yeah, I’m really curious what they might be doing inside, y’know? But since they said this was meant to be a present for me, I thought it might be rude to stick my nose in.

[Sound of plates crashing]

Nero • Akira: !

Akira: D-Did you hear that…?

Nero: …I’m going in after all.

Nero: Hey, what’s going on?

Akira: (...Hehe. Nero did seem worried, but he also seemed equally happy that they’re doing this for him.)