Chapter Text
Upto volume 12 spoilers!!! Be warned!
Today, Oliver Horn is feeling a little off. This day brings a lot of different emotions in him. It was the day his mother promised him a pancake that never manifested. What was supposed to be a happy moment celebrating his mother's birthday turned into a day to mourn her loss. He barely even remembers the date as her birthday instead this day only reminds him of her death.
April 8th.
The date when his star was born and the same date when the star got vaporized. While he was trying to navigate these mixed emotions, he lamented the fact he is not even halfway there in his quest for vengeance having killed only 3 of the people responsible for the agony of his mother.
Nanao noticed something is off with Oliver and went to speak with him.
Nanao: Oliver, did something happen? If there is something that bothers you, speak with me about it. We are partners you know. Although, what is this thing that bothers you this much?
Oliver: -_-
Nanao: Okay, if you don’t want to say it to me then we can atleast go on a walk or a flight to refresh the mind you know.
Oliver: -_-
Nanao: Just get on my Amatsukaze, okay? I will take you on the wildest ride of your life!!!
Oliver gets on the back of the broom and Nanao started flying like she is on a high. Oliver after getting on the Amatsukaze after almost a decade felt so much nostalgia. His thoughts slowly drifted form Nanao to his mother and started remembering his first flight with his mother. They are almost sky high and that’s when he started weeping a little. Nanao noticed this without even looking back.
Nanao: Please tell me whats bothering you so much. And you are not even faltering a little even being on my ride. I am surprised Amatsukaze accepted you so easily, is this the first time you are riding this broom? You aren’t secretly trying to tame it behind my back are you?
Oliver: Y-Yes. I would never to undermine your relationship with your broom and ride on it behind your back.
Nanao: But you are literally riding on it behind my back right now!
Oliver smiled at Nanao’s attempt at lightening his mood but then sullied his brows at what Nanao said next.
Nanao: And about your statement just now. Lying with me will not get you anywhere you know. You are really underestimating my relation with my Amatsukaze. I can feel it inside me that it indeed recognizes you. In fact even Amatsukaze is feeling nostalgic just like you. Just because I cant see your face right now doesn’t mean I wont know what you are feeling. Even Amatsukaze is feeling somber just like you and is having mixed feeling being near you. Why is that? Please answer me directly. What is your relationship with my broom? Or are you perhaps related to the previous user of this broom?
Nanao quickly realizing who the previous user is dismissed her train of thought when Oliver started crying even more. She even felt something changing within Amatsukaze when she said that.
Nanao: I am sorry if I said something mean!!!
Oliver felt really safe for some reason, probably since they are miles above the surface and no one can hear them.
Oliver: No, you are right. I indeed am acquainted with this broom before.
Nanao: Is that related to what both you and Amatsukaze feeling? I had never seen Amatsukaze feeling so sad and guilty before.
Oliver: Today is the day my mother died.
Nanao: Then why is Amatsukaze feeing so off?? Unless… Is your mother Chloe Halford by any chance?
Oliver then hugged her tightly and started crying loudly. Nanao understood what this meant.
Oliver: Today is also her birthday. I want to remember her for all the happy moments I had with her but I now only remember her for how she lived her final moments.
Nanao: Isnt she like the strongest mage ever? How did she die? Even Amatsukaze wants to know. Please tell me.
Oliver: She was killed by Esmeralda and six others and she stole her soul. I want you to be careful around her you know. Please, consider this one thing, Esmeralda is never your friend. You are so much
like my mother that I sometimes think she might kill you too.
Nanao: Ohh. I really want to hug you but you will have to get in front of me if I want to hug you cuz both my hands are busy. And, last thing, I know this is a sensitive topic but why and how do you know how your mother died? Even Amatsukaze seems surprised by this revelation. If you are a witness at that place I don’t think they would have left you off scott free. Just how did you learn about this. Did someone tell you? Maybe they lied you know?
Oliver: Part of my mothers soul escaped Esmeraldas clutches and attached herself to me. I experienced the same things as what she experienced in her final moments. They definitely killed my mother.
Nanao did not like the feeling Oliver was emanating just now. But she still had some lingering thoughts unanswered.
Nanao: Were Professors Darius, Enrico and Demetrio by chance involved in her death?
Oliver then felt shivers through his spine just like usual and realized he messed up big time in a moment of weakness
Oliver: Please just let this be between us two okay? And yes, I killed them all. But believe me, the things they had done to my mother, no kind of child would forgive them.