ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: Phew… I woke up earlier than usual today, since I’m going out with her later. AM: We’re supposed to go out this afternoon. It’s not quite time yet…but maybe I’ll go pick her up now, seeing as I’m ready and all.
AM: No, wait, she’ll probably panic if I show up without warning. AM: But a part of me wants to see her looking all surprised… For some reason, I just love watching her expression constantly changing from one emotion to the next…
AM: All right. I’m guessing she’s working at the institute right about now. I’ll go see how she’s doing.
After the sound of knocking, the gchak of the door opening.
ALBERT: “Sorry I’m here already. Mind if I come in?”
The clink of apparatuses hitting one another. SFX of a hectic workroom.
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: Oh? She seems pretty well occupied today. And she looks frantic, which is unusual for her when it comes to work…
ALBERT: “You seem busier than usual today.”
A loud clash from the apparatuses. SFX of Sei being shocked at his sudden visit.
ALBERT: “Oh, sorry, did I accidentally sneak up and startle you? No need to rush. I was running ahead of schedule, so I decided to come early. Feel free to keep working.”
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: She sure has a lot of potions on her desk… Humph. Johan’s doing, I’m sure. Asking her to take on more than her fair share just because she’s good at it… AM: Nevertheless, it always amazes me how she just does the work without any complaint… She’s such an unusually dedicated worker. AM: But her face is so pale, and she seems so bewildered… It looks like my being here is only upsetting her.
ALBERT: “There’s no need to look so apologetic. I don’t mind waiting, not at all.”
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: Coming here early just made her feel like she needs to pay attention to me. AM: I should talk about something else to distract her…
ALBERT: “Uhh… So, you made all these potions this morning? I heard you were capable, but this is remarkable.” “Hm? You don’t usually make so many so quickly? You’re going quicker today on purpose?”
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: Don’t tell me…she’s working harder than usual so she has time to go out with me? AM: That’s so like her—always being kind and putting others first. AM: A part of me wishes she would only be that kind to me, but I’m sure that would be impossible for her. AM: She’s the sort of person who’s kind to everyone… AM: Well… Okay, I have an idea.
ALBERT: “Is there any way I can lend a hand?” “Really, I don’t mind. If there’s anything I can do to help you get done faster, then we’ll have more time to spend together, right?”
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: Oh, now she’s blushing. AM: It really is funny how often her expression changes. AM: Heh. She’s so cute.
ALBERT: “Okay, then I’ll follow your instructions. What should I do first?”
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: It looks like she finally accepted that I don’t mind helping. AM: Although I do feel a bit awkward. The other researchers keep looking at me…
ALBERT: “Hmm. So, you want me to pack the finished potions into boxes. And once I’m done packing a box, move it over there…”
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: Now it’s like she was never flustered at all. AM: Also…I guess that tense look I saw from the side was just her working face. AM: I just don’t usually get to see it. I’m sure there must be other sides of her that I haven’t seen yet too.
Working SFX: clinking containers, boiling liquids, etc.
ALBERT: “…Ah, so this is how you make potions so efficiently. Did you come up with this method yourself?” “Ooh… I see. You figured it out through trial and error. You really put your all into your work. Johan must be proud of you as well. “There’s one last secret to it too? I’d love to hear it.” “…Motivation?”
A short silence.
ALBERT: “Ha ha ha. You really are funny!”
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: I wasn’t expecting her response, and I couldn’t stop myself from laughing out loud. AM: Oh? Looks like everyone else has gone quiet because I laughed. It’s not like it’s that rare for me to be amused… AM: She doesn’t seem to care, though. If anything, she’s puzzled by their reactions.
ALBERT: “You’re so good at this too. You made twice as many potions as everyone else in the same amount of time.”
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: She’s shaking her head, but anyone who gets near her can see her value. If anything, it’s strange that she doesn’t recognize it herself. AM: Even in this institute alone, she’s surely caught the eye of one, or two—no, three, four people…
ALBERT: “Don’t be so modest. All these are the fruits of your labor.” “But really, how are you feeling, going at this pace?” “It’s great seeing you work so hard and all, but I wouldn’t want you to wear yourself out.” “Wait, what do you mean you’ve filled your quota?” “You went over? That’s great to hear.”
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: To her, putting her all into something comes naturally; she just doesn’t realize how wonderful that is. AM: Part of me wants everyone to see how great she is, but another part of me doesn’t want them to know. No, wait, right now I should focus more on praising her achievements.
ALBERT: “…You did a great job today.” “I hear the bell tolling noon. How about we head out to get lunch—hm?”
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: The other researchers all look like they’re ready to take a break too, since it’s noon, but I feel like for some reason, they’re all watching us… AM: One of them comes over to her. AM: Huh? They want to try the sandwich she was eating yesterday? AM: It’s true that the food she makes is sublime. I still crave that soup she made the last time we went monster-slaying… Hm? Her face has a disconcerted look. AM: Ah, she must be worried about our plans.
ALBERT: “It’s all right. I understand how it feels to be addicted to your delicious cooking.”
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: Phew… I’d like nothing more than to whisk her away right here and now, but that look of relief on her face has softened the urge. AM: She’s the kind of person who can’t say no to someone in need. I guess that’s how you would expect the Saint to act…
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: As I was distracted thinking about her, the next thing I knew, she was back with a plate of sandwiches she had whipped up. AM: She’s as good at cooking as she is at making potions.
ALBERT: “Huh? These are for me? Are you sure?” “Thanks. I can’t wait to try them.” “(munch, munch) These are amazing!” “You made these for me because I helped with your work?” “Even though you had a much harder job. But…thank you. They’re truly wonderful.”
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: I would be the luckiest man in the world if I could eat your cooking every day. AM: She looks so happy as she watches her coworkers enjoying her sandwiches—which were all made to perfection. I want to see more of that expression…
ALBERT: “So, now that the other researchers seem satisfied, are you ready to head out?” “You regret making me wait?” “Don’t worry, I wasn’t the least bit bored. If anything, I’m glad I got to see you in work mode—I don’t usually get to.”
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: I feel like I got the better end of this deal… But I probably shouldn’t tell her that sort of thing just yet. AM: I’m afraid she’ll go pale, then bright red on me again.
ALBERT: “Come, let’s go.” “I’m bringing you somewhere special today. I’ve been hoping to take you there for some time.”
Horse whinny. Albert’s horse is tied up in front of the research institute.
ALBERT: “Come on, let’s go… What’s the matter?”
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: Sei looks a bit uneasy. Oh, she must not be used to riding on horseback yet. In that case…
ALBERT: “Here, take my hand.”
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: As usual, she hesitates. Her hand is so small and soft. AM: That slight pink in her cheeks makes me somewhat flustered too. AM: …Whoops. I’ve stared at her a bit too long.
The sound of Sei climbing onto the horse. Horse whinny.
ALBERT: “There we are. It’s quite a ways, so I’m going to urge the horse into a quicker gait; we’ll go a little faster than when I escort you home from the palace… But that’s okay with you, right?”
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: She nodded, but she still seems faintly nervous. AM: Her hands are cold, and she’s holding on to my chest more tightly than usual. She must be trying not to make me fuss over her. AM: I wish I knew a way to make her feel more relaxed.
Sound of the horse galloping. Scene change. Bird calls from here and there. The horse slows to a trot. The image of them trotting through a deep forest on horseback.
ALBERT: “We’ve gone pretty far… Are you tired?” “Okay, good.”
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: Ever since we got here, she’s been curiously looking around nonstop. AM: Oh, look at how her eyes sparkle… It’s strange. Just being by her side while she has that delighted look on her face is so soothing to me…
ALBERT: “This forest is very pretty, you say? Yes. I’m glad you think so.”
The horse neighs again.
ALBERT: “The woods in these parts have been relatively untouched by the miasma. The trees and plants are all so vivid and alive.”
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: And of course, so are you. So much so that you surpass even this peaceful forest. AM: Ahh, seeing her smile from this close up…makes me want to show her even more impressive landscapes. ALBERT: “Hm? What’s the matter? …Oh, you think that herb might be a good ingredient in your potions.”
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: Now that I think about it, she’s been eyeing that thicket over there. Heh heh. You can take Sei away from her research, but you can’t take the researcher out of Sei.
ALBERT: “All right, we’re almost at our destination, so let’s dismount and walk for a bit.” “That way, you can pick herbs too.”
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: Ahh, she looks so happy again… AM: That carefree look always makes my heart race… Although I doubt she’s noticed.
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