#istg tho coming from themis where the boys are the epitome of sweet and considerate

[tiramisiyu]

Light and Night:  Sariel 【永恒花园】 Eternal Garden Date Translation

Translation Masterlist | Video

I lied about not doing any translations for Light & Night 🤡 Can’t believe this guy grew on me so much that I did this

--

My relaxed, leisurely weekend morning was cut short by Sariel’s message.

Sariel’s Message: Come to the greenhouse behind the studio right now.

After sighing miserably as I clutched onto my blankets, I got up and rushed out towards my destination.

--

That glass greenhouse was surrounded by lush forest, and only its simple contours were visible from far away. A mass of verdant green occupied three rows of plant shelves, with magenta flowers peeking out from them, looking full of life. A woven hammock hung beside the floor-to-ceiling window on the north side, and two cushions had been casually thrown on them. Languor and elegance were evident in every single design detail in the room. Sunlight shone in through the window, making the entire space look bright and open, like a secret garden that could be used to relax under the sun.

I slowed my breathing, following the small sounds of branches being cut as I walked carefully to the front of a shelf row.

Sariel was in the middle of handling a pair of flower arrangement scissors with familiarity. It seemed like a few white roses that he had cut off were blooming in his hands. Light and shadow shifted, shining on his hair and shoulders, becoming colourful with refinement and vigor. The whole picture was so beautiful that it was somewhat dazzling, looking a little unreal.

Did he have me come to clean the greenhouse?

Crunch – in my moment of distraction, I stepped on the dead branches that had fallen on the floor. Sariel lifted his eyes from the blooming flowers, carelessly glancing at me.

Sariel: What are you standing there dumbly for?

MC: I saw that you were busy and didn’t want to disturb you.

Sariel looked at me again.

Sariel: As if you could disturb me.

MC: Oh.

He smirked, tapping his finger on the wooden table in front.

Sariel: These flowers have to be arranged and maintained today.

Sariel: Watch carefully. I’ll only show you once.

MC: Huh?

As I hesitated, he took a few green plants and white roses from the side, trimmed them one by one, then placed them in the vase. Soon, the originally ordinary plants took on a completely new look in his hands. I stared those arranged white roses.

MC: It looks really easy, yet it also doesn’t seem to be that easy.

Sariel scoffed, motioning towards the pile of unarranged plants and fresh flowers on the table.

Sariel: Arrange it yourself.

MC: I’ll try!

I grabbed another empty vase, recalling Sariel’s steps from just now as I carefully held onto the plants. However, no matter how I trimmed or arranged then, they all ended up as a vaseful of failures… Where am I going wrong? I had sunk into thought, looking at the plants in front of me.

Click. A clear sound resonated beside my ear, and I abruptly came back to my senses.

Sariel: You’re supposed to be arranging the flowers. What are you all dazed for?

MC: Huh? I was just conceptualizing!

Sariel: Conceptualizing? Then tell me what you’ve conceptualized.

MC: Uh…

My mind moved at light speed as I looked at the plants and flowers in front of me.

MC: I was thinking, is it possible to put white roses, lavenders, and peonies together without making them clash?

Sariel: …

MC: Why aren’t you talking?

Sariel: Because I was wondering how strange a person’s brain circuits have to be, to think of putting those ones together.

Sariel: Forget it, you can go clean up.

As Sariel spoke, he pointed at the leaves and branches scattered on the floor.

MC: Alright.

I put down the plants in my hands, nimbly collected the discarded branches and leaves into the garbage back, and took them to the greenhouse door.

I had just turned around to return when a strange, long sound suddenly came faintly from the forest.

Woo—

MC: …?!

I turned my gaze towards the depths of the forest instantly.

Woo—woo—

The sound gave no indication of stopping, gloomily burrowing into my heart on the melancholic wind.

In shock, my scalp was tingling as I staggeringly pushed the door open and ran to Sariel’s side, pointing towards the outside.

MC: Sariel, there’s a weird cry coming from outside the greenhouse!

He looked me in my panic, his expression still calm.

Sariel: I only heard you making a big deal out of nothing.

MC: Seriously! It came from the forest! It sounded like the wind, but it also sounded like a child crying…

He paused, rubbing between his eyebrows.

MC: Is there something strange in the forest?

He didn’t respond as he walked straight to a shelf on the side, taking a bamboo basket and tossing it to me. I caught it hurriedly with a face full of question marks – what does he mean by this?

Sariel: Hold onto that and take a large hedge clipper.

MC: Huh? Okay!

As I took the hedge clipper, Sariel grabbed a little shovel on the side.

Sariel: That’s all we need. Come with me.

Clutching on the pile of tools, I followed him quickly.

MC: Sariel, what are we doing with this? The thing in the forest… you’re not going to concern yourself with it?

MC: Could it be dangerous? It sounded a little scary.

MC: Sariel, wait for me!

Sariel, who was walking in front of me, suddenly stopped. I hadn’t come to a stop myself and ran straight into his back.

Sariel: Stop talking for now. You’ll have plenty of chances to expend energy in a moment.

I rubbed my nose and suddenly thought of something.

MC: Are we looking for that sound in the forest?

Sariel: Where else would we be going?

MC: So we’re taking these tools to catch it?

MC: This one is probably more convenient to use… do you want to hold onto it?

I handed the hedge clippers, the most threatening out of the bunch. He looked at me without a word.  

Sariel: Still remember what the second-last thing I said was?

MC: Hmm? I’d have chances to expend energy?

Sariel: One more before that.

MC: Uh… I think it was to stop talking for now.

Sariel: So, drop those pointless thoughts in your head, got it?

I covered my mouth obediently and nodded.

--

I followed Sariel into this forest that I had never stepped in. The straight, tall trees covered the sky, as dappled, sparse patches of light shone in through between the leaves. The dead branches I stepped on made crunching sounds.

Though I was surrounded by an unfamiliar and dark forest, and the strange sobbing sound kept getting closer, seeing Sariel’s straight, wide back made my heart calm down inexplicably.

Sariel: We’re here.

Sariel halted, and the sobbing sounds also stopped suddenly. I scanned the area in curiosity, but I didn’t see any crying children or any unexpected dangers. The only strange thing was a little pit, filled with dead branches and vines.

I looked down past the layers of branches, and was surprised to see peeks of a soft-looking, fiery red bundle between the branches.

It was a poor little fox!

Looked like it was because it had fallen into a trap that it made those pitiful cries for help.

My heart fell, and I decided –

⊳ [Get close] – catch his attention ⊳ [Listen] – undo the trap ⊳ [Heart racing] – ask Sariel what to do

The little fox huddled in the corner, looking like it was afraid of how close we were.

Sariel probably must know nearly everything there is to know about foxes – maybe he had an idea to have to fox relax. As he was examining the trap seriously, I could only tap him to catch his attention.

[insert bit here you tap on Sariel’s sprite and he complains]

Sariel: What are you trying to do?

MC: I just wanted to ask if there were any ways to make the fox not be this afraid.

Sariel: It’s very normal for foxes to fear strangers. It won’t affect you saving it.

Aside from that, Sariel didn’t say anything else. He only focused on starting to dismantle the trap.

Did he feel offended by my actions just now? I waited on the side uneasily, rather than stepping up to help.

It seemed like the fox had also sensed the coldness emanating from Sariel and became even more agitated. The moment a gap appeared in the trap, the fox burrowed out and ran off far from us.

 ⊳ [Get close] – catch his attention ⊳ [Listen] – undo the trap ⊳ [Heart racing] – ask Sariel what to do

 After dealing with the trap, we successfully returned the little fox to the forest.

So the strange cries earlier was just a little fox waiting for help… thinking of this encounter today, I couldn’t help thinking of a fairy-tale.

MC: Sariel, don’t you feel like what we went through was like in The Secret Garden?

MC: Though there are a lot of differences in the plot, it was the fox’s whines that drew us into this forest…

MC: Doesn’t that count as the key to opening this forest area?

MC: Since we’ve saved the fox, maybe it’ll also bring new changes to this forest!

~ASMR Portion ftg. Sariel~

You thought of the story of The Secret Garden from saving the fox?

To link these two things that are as different as heaven and earth together – you really do like to indulge in fantasy.

Although, you are quite like Mary from the story.

Don’t think too much about it. I’m not praising you.

I just feel like you have the same ignorant, fearless curiosity that she has.

What are you muttering about?

I’m like that hunchbacked old man? … And the locked-up boy?

Don’t think that I didn’t hear. You really are daring.

You forgot the rest of the story? … Your ability to come up with excuses is also getting better.

Although I do have a lot of time today, so I can retell the whole story for you.

I remember that the start of the story, the master of a manor buried the key to the secret garden after the death of his wife.

He refused to let anyone come and go from the garden.

As young Mary had no guardians, she was sent to this master, her uncle.

Under the encouragement of her maid, Mary started to try searching for her own happiness in the manor and acquainted herself with a robin.

Under the guidance of the robin, she found the key that had long been covered in dust and opened that secret garden once again.

The secret garden was desolate since no one had taken care of it. Mary thus had found her good friend.

Seeding the garden rejuvenated it once again, bringing it back to life.

If I remember correctly, that’s how the story goes.

Before, I always felt that the secret garden could only be miraculously rejuvenated in fairy tales.

However, I now look forward to what comes next in reality.

After all, someone broke into the secret garden without authorization like Mary. After that, didn’t she also bring new life to that garden?

  ⊳ [Get close] – catch his attention ⊳ [Listen] – undo the trap ⊳ [Heart racing] – ask Sariel what to do

MC: What do we do now? How do we save it?

Sariel leaned on a tree on the side, lazily nodding at the tool basket in my hands.

Sariel: Wear your gloves. First, take out the dead branches and leaves from the pit.

MC Huh? Okay.

I picked out those dried branches and leaves and placed them aside, leaving tangled vines and roots.

MC: Done.

Sariel: Now, untangle the bundled vines.

MC: You sure are gentle with these plants.

Sariel: Are you insinuating that I’m not gentle enough with you?

MC: I wouldn’t dare…

I turned around to hide my sneaky grin, crouched beside the pit, and started to deal with them patiently and slowly.

As these plants had flourished a little too well in the forest, they were still a tangled bundle after a long time spent untangling.

Sariel: You can just cut off the parts that have already withered.

MC: Okay…

MC: How are you this familiar with these? Do you often undo traps like this?

Sariel: Of course this isn’t the first time. After all, there are always idiots running around.

MC: … I feel like there’s something up with what you just said.

Finally, under Sariel’s guidance, we cleared an escape route in the trap. Once the gap appeared, the little fox nimbly burrowed out.

MC: Done!

It didn’t look too injured. It shook its fur, shaking off the leaves on its body, then stretched its body out leisurely. It hadn’t even finished stretching when a pair of hands heartlessly caught it. Sariel held up that fox, looking it over sternly, then stared coldly at that pair of round little eyes.

Sariel: You again.

The fox’s paws struggled for a bit. Seeing that it was no use, it dangled down again, disheartened.

MC: Did you scare it?

Sariel: If scaring it worked, we would not be here right now.

Having confirmed that the fox was alright, Sariel let it go. The fox immediately jumped onto the ground lithely, spinning around happily.

MC: It really doesn’t fear you at all. Haha, it’s so cute.

Maybe it had understood my words, as it suddenly waved its tail at me. After circling the trap a few times, it stuck its paw into the layers of branches. It forcefully dug out a few plants that I couldn’t identify, then pushed it in front of Sariel and me.

MC: Is this for us?

Sariel: Yes. Thank-you gifts.

MC: It’s thanking us for saving it? How cute! Then should we accept?

Sariel: You were the one to save it. Accept it if you want.

MC: Since these are its kind intentions, I’ll accept them.

Smiling, I emptied out one hand and patted the fox’s head.

MC: We’ll accept your gift, then. Thank you!

Seeming like it had understood, the fox held its head high as it shook its tail, then bounded off.

--

When its fiery red body had disappeared into the depths of the forest, Sariel and I returned to the greenhouse.

I organized the plants that the fox had given me and placed them on the table, then realized that the, then realized that most of the plants in front of me weren’t common ones. Among them, there was one that looked a bit like reeds, but its cilia were shorter, it was so white that it was almost transparent, and it dispersed a strange fragrance.

MC: It’s really pretty… I’ll add it in, then.

I quickly combined this plant, the white roses, lavenders, and peonies into a flourishing bouquet. Satisfied, I set up the vase, cleaned up the unneeded stems and leaves, then took them to the greenhouse door.

When I returned to the greenhouse, I saw Sariel holding that vase and looking it over carefully, his expression somewhat serious.

MC: Why are you looking at them now? I was planning to refine it a bit before showing you.

MC: … What do you think?

Sariel turned around and suddenly set down that vase. His indifferent eyes had a sliver of a strange blurredness in it.

Sariel: Take it away.

MC: ?

Sariel: Take it away.

MC: Alright, alright. I’ll take it away now.

I placed the vase aside, feeling half depressed and half dubious. Did these flowers look so ugly that Sariel wasn’t even willing to look at them?

I turned around, saw that Sariel was still staring at that vase. He then immediately pushed that vase even farther, his face still serious.

MC: ???? Sariel?

He pretended to not hear as he continued his work, his expression indifferent – as if nothing had happened just now. Something seemed to be up with him… but I couldn’t place my finger on where.

MC: What’s the matter? You look somewhat off.

He glanced at me, his eyes calm.

Sariel: I’m fine. There’s nothing off about me.

MC: What do you mean? You’re even using repeating terms!

Note: What MC says here refers to how Sariel said 怪怪 (which I translated to “off”), when just one 怪 would suffice. MC also used the doubled version though… so I guess she means that Sariel isn’t the type to double it up like that?

I worriedly felt his forehead, but I didn’t notice anything abnormal.

MC: I just went out for a bit, how did you end up like this?

His eyebrows wrinkled, seeming to be thinking over something. After several seconds, he finally responded, his words short.

Sariel: Foxtail grass.

MC: Foxtail grass?

Was it that white, reed-like plant in the bouquet?

Sariel: Yes. After a fox touches or eats it, it will…

MC: It’ll do what? Will it hurt you?

Sariel: It won’t.

MC: Really?

Sariel: Yes.

He once again turned around indifferently, cutting loudly at the rhizomes in his hand.

MC: Stop bothering with those flowers for now!

Sariel: Okay.

He obediently placed the things in his hands down, turned around, and looked at me earnestly.

MC: Huh, you’re going to be this obedient?

He docilely nodded at me.

MC: If I were to say anything right now, would you obey it all?

Sariel: Yes.

I pondered for a bit, then tentatively showed him a V sign.

MC: Then tell me, how many fingers am I holding up?

Sariel: 2.

I looked at him in shock.

Can foxtail make Sariel become obedient? Then right now, isn’t he…

I emboldened myself, taking advantage of this as I got close and raised an eyebrow.

MC: Do you know who I am?

Sariel: I do. You’re a foolish idiot.

MC: …………

Sariel: You…

MC: You aren’t allowed to call me an idiot! Praise me!

Sariel: ……

MC: ? Looking like you’re at an utter loss is going overboard!

MC: Whatever, you…

I looked at the pile of plants and flowers in front of me and was suddenly inspired.

MC: How about you help me arrange the flowers?

Sariel: Okay.

He stood beside me and started to clean up those plants that had given me such headaches. Only ten minutes later, a vivacious-looking bouquet appeared in the originally empty vase. However, this bouquet was no longer just one type of plant surrounding the white roses; he’d also added lavenders and peonies.

MC: Whoa, so beautiful.

MC: Although, didn’t you just say that only people with strange brain circuits would do this? Why did you…

Sariel looked earnestly at me.

Sariel: You wanted it.

I startled, caught off guard by a wave of emotion.

MC: Thank you! You’re really the skilled one when it comes to flower arrangements. How about arranging a few more for me to take to the office?

MC: One for An An, one for big sis Zheng Lin, and… right! I could also put one at Mao Ge’s place. He’ll like it for sure!

Sariel: Don’t give him one.

MC: … Huh?

I came back to my senses, noticing that Sariel was looking at me somewhat angrily.

Sariel: Don’t give him one.

MC: Eh, why?

Sariel: Don’t give him one!

MC: Alright, alright, I won’t give him one. Then… can I give one to An An and the rest?

Sariel: No.

MC: Then what about Mya? You’ll be able to see it when you go to her office if I give one to her.

Sariel: No!

Sariel: I don’t go to her office.

He stuffed the vase forcefully into my hand, stooping down at me, his expression making it hard to refuse.

Sariel: Don’t give it to anyone.

Sunlight shone in through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, falling on his body, surround him in a gentle and enchanting halo. He looked straight at me, as if in wait for my answer. Those slender eyelashes flickered with light. I looked at him, freezing for half a second, my face somewhat hot. Suddenly, an idea popped up in my chaotic mind.

MC: Sariel, are you…

I agitatedly licked my dry lips.

MC: Are you jealous right now?

Sariel: …

MC: With this sort of expression… did I hit the mark?

He froze, dumped the things in his hands, and walked away, stopping in front of the hammock by the window.

Sariel: I’m going to sleep.

MC: Huh? So suddenly? Should I take you back to your bedroom?

Sariel: I’m sleeping here.

MC: …

Without any explanation, he laid down. He did look somewhat tired.

I pulled out the pillows that he had squashed under him, cushioned them beneath his neck, and helped him adjust his centre of gravity.

MC: Then sleep. I’ll wake you when the sun sets.

He did not speak; instead, he just stared at me. I felt something inexplicable from his stare and could only straight-up ask about it.

MC: Why have you been staring at me?

He still didn’t respond, though he finally looked away, no longer looking straight at me.

I released a breath, intending to leave. Suddenly, his long arm circled from behind around my waist, suddenly dragging me into his warm arms!

MC: !!!

The world flipped around, and I fell into Sariel’s arms as he held onto me tightly. In an instant, a cool breeze wafted over me, overbearingly covering my body.

Sariel: You’re not allowed to go.

MC: You…

I held my breath, wanting to turn around and look at him, yet I didn’t dare do so. My mind was blank, unable to think at all.

MC: Sariel…

MC: L-let me go first.

The only reply I received was a tightening of the arms around my waist.

MC: Sar…

Sariel humphed impatiently, enfolding me in his arms completely. For a moment, the whole world had quieted. There was only the feeling of his warm breath on my neck.

MC: You really are…

When I came back to my senses, I realized I was secretly smiling.

Oh well. After being a “worker” for so long, being a “hug pillow” every now and then wasn’t a big deal.

I was also somewhat tired, but I couldn’t fall asleep at all in his arms at all. Maybe it was because it was too warm in the greenhouse, or because of Sariel’s heartbeat and breath.

--

After a long, peaceful period, by the time the sunset had dyed the sky outside the greenhouse red, Sariel finally started to show signs of waking. His silvery white hair drooped down, a slight flush on his face, showing a sliver of rare docility. The gorgeous sunset fell on his slightly disheveled collar, adding the slightest touch of tenderness.

He gradually opened his drowsy-looking eyes, but the moment he saw me, a flicker of a complicated emotion appeared in his irises.

MC: How do you feel? Are you alright?

Hearing my questions, Sariel froze up, a rare action for him. A few seconds later, he lifted his hand and rubbed at his forehead – maybe he was thinking about what had happened earlier.

Sariel: I’m fine. Just now…

MC: I promise, I’ve completely forgotten what just happened.

Sariel frowned.

MC: Pfft! Although, you really were cute just now. Not only were you docile, but you even got jealous and cottequish!

Sariel’s face instantly darkened.

Sariel: What did you say?!

MC: … I-I didn’t say anything at all.

I immediately covered my mouth, then remembered that I now had his “blackmail material” in my hands. I straightened up and looked at him, putting on a fierce air.

MC: You aren’t allowed to be mean to me in the future!

Sariel: ?

MC: Otherwise, I might just accidentally scatter your yard full of foxtail seeds.

MC: That way, you’ll end up with a whole field of foxtails next spring.

Sariel shut his eyes, his mouth curving up slightly as he stepped near me.

Sariel: Say it again. What are you going to do in the field?

I blinked, staring frozen at the face that had suddenly magnified itself in front of me as my heart missed a beat.

MC: Plant… foxtails?

His mouth curved more, his warm breath scattering over my face. He’s a lot more dangerous right now than he is when creating illusions!

I wanted to escape, but as if he had cast magic, I could only stand in place without moving.

His mouth opened and closed, as his eyes shone with a colour more beautiful than the subset.

Sariel: There’s no need to wait for next year. I do not mind repeating everything that was done just now.

Sariel: Want to try?

 ~COMMON END~

Time passed slowly and quietly, until the setting sun had nearly disappeared from view. Sariel leisurely threw a glance at the vase I was holding, the disgust on his face becoming more and more evident.

Sariel: I really have troubled you by having you do this.

MC: I think it’s alright.

Sariel: You really don’t set any standards for yourself.

I pouted as I thought, quietly taking out the flower arrangement hidden on the side and excitedly placing it in front of him.

MC: Then look at this!

Sariel gave me an indifferent glance.

Sariel: What’s this?

MC: A flower arrangement, of course. I mulled over this for a long time – doesn’t it look pretty decent?

Sariel looked over the flower arrangement skeptically.

Sariel: The greenery is a little too dominant.

Sariel: The withered petals on the white roses haven’t been cleared out.

Sariel: The rhizomes are also trimmed into an utter mess.

MC: …

Sariel: But if I were to lower my expectations, I could say it’s alright.

MC: Huh? I worked really hard on this for you.

Sariel: … For me?

I nodded.

MC: Don’t you feel like this white rose is a lot like you?

MC: Completely indifferent to the plants around it, and only focusing on what’s right in front of it.

He paused, staring at me.

Sariel: … Smart aleck.

MC: I’m not! Either way, this bouquet’s for you. You have to take care of them.

Sariel: Using my flowers to make a bouquet for me? You sure know how to use things to your full advantage.

MC: The flowers are yours, but I’ve added my creativity and design to them too~

MC: So… please accept them, hehe.

Sariel scoffed, took a pink peony from the table, then trimmed it and placed it in that vase.

Though the pink petals did not look like much on their own, the contrast of it against the rose’s white added an elegance and liveliness to it. The two flowers pressed together, the petals layering together like thin wings, glowing with the sunset’s light.

Sariel: You forgot an idiot earlier. Now it looks like me.

MC: Huh?

I stared dazedly at the bouquet, my brain slightly muddled.

Did “idiot” refer to the peony… or… me?

Sariel: That’s not important. Right, flower arrangement is just the first step.

MC: What do you mean?

Sariel: Are you expecting these flowers to change their water themselves?

Sariel: So, you have to come to the greenhouse three times each week from now on.

MC: But I sent this to you.

Sariel: Sending this to me means that you don’t have to pay it any mind anymore? Do I have to teach you what it means to see something to the end?

MC: It’s not that serious…

Sariel: So, do you understand?

MC: Yep, I have! I’ll be here on time, three times a week! I’ll definitely take good care of them!

I looked at the bouquet, giving Sariel a slight smile.

MC: I’ll definitely be here.

Since this was the first bouquet that belonged to Sariel and me, I would take good care of them. I’d do my best to have them become a more beautiful existence in this world.