#asahicards

[dream-meister-translations]

DREAM MEISTER & THE RECOLLECTED BLACK FAIRY

ASAHI  CHARACTER CARD #3

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After hours of traveling by foot, Asahi and I finally approached the city located on the outskirts of Kobai.

EMMA : This is our destination, correct? So we'll be staying here for a few days...

ASAHI : That's right. This is Uiro. It used to be a bustling city full of shops and tourists. They were known all around Kobai for their delicious steamed cakes. But...

EMMA : It seems so quiet now...All the shops are closed down and the windows boarded up...

ASAHI : I was just thinking the same thing...It wasn't like this the last time I visited...

MAN : Quiet down you hoodlum! If you're gonna keep kicking that ball around, do so off my property! 

BOY 1 : Sorry, sir!!

When we turned to look in the direction of the voices, we saw a group of boys running around and kicking a ball. 

After being berated, they did as they were told and moved away from the old man to find a better spot to continue their game.

BOY 1 : Alright! This looks like a good spot! 

BOY 2 : Oh no!!

The boy had kicked the ball with too much force, sending it flying high into the air, getting it stuck on the rooftop of one of the nearby buildings. 

BOY 1 : It's stuck! What are we gonna do now!?

BOY 2 : Even the old man cant reach that high without a ladder.

The boys all looked too anxious to ask for help from the old man after being scolded by him.

ASAHI : Is it okay if I go and help them?

EMMA : Of course. 

I offered a nod of approval and Asahi flashed me a smile before heading toward the boys. 

ASAHI : So, you need help getting the ball down from up on that roof, huh?

BOY 2 : Y-Yeah, but even that old man can't reach that high...

ASAHI : Don't worry about a thing. I'll get your ball back.

With a confident lift of his chin and a smile, Asahi glanced around the area as if checking for something. Then, in the blink of an eye, he'd squatted down and kicked off the ground into the air.

ASAHI : Hup! 

Using his strong legs he kicked off the drainpipe, bouncing between the walls of the houses, climbing up onto the rooftop. In no time at all he had retrieved the ball and hopped down like a superhero in front of the boys.

ASAHI : Here you go.

BOY 1 : Whoooaah!! That was awesome!! How did you do that, mister?

ASAHI : It's not a trick or anything, it's a simple result of my daily training. Don't try to imitate it, you might get hurt.

EMMA : You are quite agile, Asahi. 

ASAHI : You think so? The truth is, I'm no match for Mikage in that regard. He can move his body in ways I can't even imagine.

EMMA : (I think what he did was pretty amazing...)

At that moment, a woman rushed out of a nearby building in a fluster. Storming toward the boys with hands on hips.

WOMAN : Did you kick the ball onto the roof again?

BOY 1 : Oh no, it's mom!

BOY 1'S MOM : You're always causing trouble for others...You better have said thank you to this kind man. 

The boys all quickly bowed and thanked Asahi.

BOY 1'S MOM : I'm so sorry for my son's behavior. Can I repay you for your kindness with some sweets from my shop? 

ASAHI : There's no need for that. I didn't do anything to deserve your gratitude. 

BOY 1'S MOM : Come on, don't say that! I own the best confectionery shop in the city. Have you heard of a shop called Iseya? 

ASAHI : Iseya...!?

[michaelyip]

Time to #Huat before #CNY ends. #PlayingCards #AsahiCards #Spades (at The BBP)

[dream-meister-translations]

ASAHI CHARACTER CARD #1

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One day while I was working as a guild keeper for the Eternal Flower guild at the Hanasaki Mansion… EMMA : Watch your step, please. VISITOR 1 : Wow! I could have never imagined this was what the inside of the Hanasaki Mansion looked like. VISITOR 2 : It's hard to tell how big it is from the outside, isn't it? The inside of the dojo is crowded by people who are touring the Eternal Flower guild. ASAHI : Oh, there are so many people again. Looks like it's going to be a lively tour!

EMMA : Yeah! I hope it will be a lot of fun. ASAHI : Guilds and Meisters are still a total mystery for the people of our country. My hope is that by opening up the guild for tours, we can deepen their understanding of the guild and it's importance. EMMA : I'm really looking forward to it. ASAHI : Me too! Okay. We're all set! By the way, you've been working so hard lately. You haven't had any time to relax, have you? EMMA : I'm sure it's been the same for you and everyone else. ASAHI : Nah. I don't think of this kind of thing as work at all. If it's for the sake of protecting our country, I enjoy every second. VISITOR 1 : So, let me get this straight, the point of this guild is to spread your culture to other countries around the world? ASAHI : Yes! I'd love to show you all how we plan on doing so! SHIRANUI : How about we start with a musical performance. Aoi, are you ready? AOI : Yes~ MIKAGE : I'm supposed to show off my ninja skills too, right? What a pain in the ass… With that, Aoi began blowing into his flute. Shiranui beating at his taiko drum. While Mikage used his ninja skills to make the flames dance around to the sound of the music. The visitors gasped in awe and cheered. ASAHI : You see. Our guild exists to preserve the precious culture of our country, like this musical performance, and to spread it to other countries. We are here to showcase the various traditions and skills we have cultivated. VISITOR 1 : I see, I see…And these Meisters and guilds are commonplace in other countries? VISITOR 2 : What is this World Guild Federation? What does it do? EMMA : The World Guild Federation exists to manage all of the guilds. I am a guild keeper. I assist in checking on all of the guilds for the Federation. I also manage the requests people have for the guilds. VISITOR 2 : Oh, requests? Can they be about anything? EMMA : Yes. However, the guild will make the final decision on whether or not to accept the request. Is there something you wish to request? VISITOR 2 : I work for the shrine up in the mountains. I was supposed to clean it today. I was hoping someone from this guild could take care of it for me. EMMA : I see. EMMA : (I can take care of a little cleaning. There is no reason to bother Asahi with this.) EMMA : Then, I'll do it. ASAHI : If it's that kind of request, then I'll accept it as a personal favor. VISITOR 2 : Really!? ASAHI : Yes, I'll take care of it! I promise! Asahi placed a hand on his puffed up chest and flashed the biggest, brightest smile. EMMA : (……) The way Asahi always cheerfully takes on the requests of those in need makes me feel proud. He sure is a dependable guy.

[dream-meister-translations]

ASAHI CHARACTER CARD #2

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The next day. Asahi and I were busy tending to the visitor's request, cleaning the shrine atop the mountain.

ASAHI : Okay, that's it. Spick and span!

EMMA : It's a lot bigger than I thought it'd be.

ASAHI : Haha, yeah, but thanks to your help, we still managed to get it done.

ASAHI : If I had to do it alone, it would've surely carried over into tomorrow.

EMMA : I'm glad I could help.

As we finished putting away the cleaning supplies, Asahi caught my gaze and smiled softly.

ASAHI : Emma, I've got something I've been meaning to show you, if you're up for it.

EMMA : What's that?

ASAHI : You'll just have to wait and see!

EMMA : Well then, I guess I'll just have to look forward to it, won't I?

ASAHI : I've raised your expectations. But I'm almost certain I can live up to them.

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From there, Asahi brought me to a hilltop overlooking the sunset and city. Under the orange glow of the sun, the roof tiles glittered like light upon the water's surface.

EMMA : It's beautiful…

ASAHI : Isn't it? Nothing makes me happier than coming here to watch over the city like this. It's so peaceful.

ASAHI : I wanted to share this beauty with you, and now that we're back, we can enjoy it to the fullest.

The city spreads out below us, like a shadow cast by the rising sun, and soft smoke rises from the houses scattered across the city as families make their preparations for dinner.

ASAHI : …Kobai has only recently regained peace. Not long ago, these streets were a wretched mess.

EMMA : As I recall, there was a long period of infighting…

ASAHI : Mm. His Majesty, the King, ended the war but many scars yet remain.

ASAHI : I don't want to see war anymore. I just want to protect these peaceful days.

ASAHI : I know it's strange for me to say… After all, it was in that very war that I first made a living with this very sword, but…

ASAHI : I hope that peace can prevail from now on, and that the way of the sword can see better days in the future.

EMMA : The way of the sword?

ASAHI : Yes. I know it's easier said than done when the sword is our weapon of choice.

ASAHI : But I don't want the sword to be a weapon that hurts people. I want it to be something that protects the peace.

Asahi smiles quietly, bracing his hand against the sword at his waist. As if to show respect to the one partner who has always been by his side.

EMMA : Yes.

ASAHI : The wind's picking up and it's getting cold. We should head back home. I still have do my Kenbai practise when I get back.

EMMA : Kenbai?

ASAHI : Yes. Kenbai is the art of sword dancing, and it's just one of the many new ways I wish to use this sword.

ASAHI : This cityscape and Kenbai..There are many beautiful things in our country.

ASAHI : We are not a country of war anymore… I want everyone to know that.

EMMA : (You've been on the move all day… You must be so tired…)

Asahi continues his efforts to lead Eternal Flower in its attempt to become the embodiment of peace itself. And his thoughts, too, light a new fever deep in my heart…