Enough already, Meg!
Aw, mistress, why are you so upset at me when all I'm doing is resting?
You've been making lots of creepy noises in the middle of the night lately.
Creepy noises?
You mean the refreshingly beautiful laughter of a 17-year-old girl?
What are you talking about? You sound like a man in his 40s.
Here.
I'm not the only one.
The familiars have also submitted a complaint.
The critters, too?
Let's see here...
Hm... "Meg is much too loud. Please do something about her."
Huh...
Well, would you look at that?
Impressive how a bunch of animals can understand written language.
Don't you agree, White-Owl?
There can't be many familiars with the intelligence to understand writing, huh?
You know, mistress, they eat birds on skewers in the Far East. "Yakitori" it's called.
Apparently, the wing tips, skin, and tail are especially tasty.
Enough now.
What's this? It seems you've collected quite a lot.
Were you looking at this and giggling?
Yep. That's exactly what I was doing.
I count 40 tears of joy and 10 others.
Does that mean those 10 are useless?
Who knows?
All the tears you've collected are pure, so you can probably find some use for them.
By the way, how did you get these tears?
How? By helping people around town and listening to them. All sorts of ways, really.
This seems quite a bit just for that, doesn't it?
Well, I'm used to getting them now.
My nose have become much keener.
Whether it's parents with mischievous kids, or frail-looking elderly folk,
I can instantly identify people who might need help and set my sights on them.
Collecting tears is easy-peasy.
Those are some bold words.
That's just how much I've grown.
After all, I completed a job with Sophie, the world-renowned witch.
Meg.
You're forbidden from using magic for a while.
What?
Once Upon a Witch's Death
An Evening Sky Without Magic
What's her issue? I don't get it.
I thought she'd be impressed with all the tears I'd collected,
but instead, she suddenly forbade me from using magic.
I mean, what's the big idea? I'm gonna kill that hag.
Watch your mouth.
Anyway, I'm sure there's a good reason why.
She's not the type to make unreasonable demands
just because she doesn't like something or because she's on a power-trip.
Well, I guess. You're right on that.
Ah, did you use magic for evil or something?
Of course not. She'd kill me if I did that. How long do you think I've been in this game?
Did someone in town complain about you?
No, not a chance.
The day someone complains about me despite shedding tears of joy
is the day I go on a rampage.
This is tough.
Hey.
Is it really that easy to acquire tears of joy?
I thought it'd be tough, too, but it's not hard once you figure out the trick to it.
If you target women, children, and exhausted office workers, it's a piece of cake.
Almost too easy, so I'm used to getting them now.
You sound like a con artist.
But I'm a little disappointed.
What?
I feel like I didn't want to hear you talk about "tricks" or being "used" to getting them now.
Why not?
Because tears of joy are the most powerful way to express happiness.
I think I preferred it when you treasured every single one.
It's not like I'm careless with them now.
Well, I suppose that's fine, then.
You should value the weight of each and every tear.
I'm supposed to collect a thousand in one year.
That by itself is hard enough, but my life also depends on it.
Don't you think it's impossible for me to treasure each one forever?
Well, maybe, but...
Oh, whoops.
I'm sorry. I'm meeting someone after this.
What could possibly make you abandon your dearest friend?
It's not a man, is it?
I'm meeting a friend from school.
See you later, Meg.
Try to make up with Ms. Faust.
A friend from school, huh?
Hey, did you know? They say single women who start adopting animals are done for.
Yup. Dinner is grilled meat tonight.
Come to think of it, I recently acquired a tear of joy here.
After university, he landed a job at some company.
The work was hard, and he had to stay late every night.
The deal he'd been close to sealing fell through.
I reached out to that desperate man.
It was a bit chilly, so I gave him a coffee and listened to his woes.
I also made some incense with the herbs I had and gave it to him.
I feel like I said something to him, too.
What did I say?
If it made him cry, I must've said something really good.
Still, I guess it's not so odd for a recent graduate who's having problems
to start crying just because a 17-year-old listened to him.
You should value the weight of each and every tear.
Working my backside off for all eternity for just one tear
and efficiently acquiring a hundred are two different things.
The idea that hard work means more even when it doesn't pay off is outdated.
Don't you agree?
Maybe I'll just resort to using magic.
Hello, Miss Witch.
What? Who's this guy?
Oh, um, hello. Hi there.
Hello, Meg. Thanks for the other day.
Oh, it was nothing.
Who the heck are you?
Hey, it's Meg.
Hello, Miss Witch.
Thanks for the other day, Meg.
Ah, it's Meg!
Hello, Meg! You're looking well today!
What's going on today?
People I don't remember even meeting keep talking to me.
I could lend her a hand.
Listen to her talk about how hard it is raising kids, then use relaxing herbs and magic to...
No, wait. I'm forbidden from using magic. Damn.
But this is a chance to get some tears of joy.
Excuse me.
Huh?
Uh, i-is she talking to me?
Is it happening again?
Um...
Who is she?
It's no use!
I have no clue!
You must know her. Try to remember.
I don't remember. I have no memory of her.
What are you, a politician?
You've always been an idiot.
What'd you say?
Miss Witch.
I've been wanting to see you again.
I'm glad I ran into you. Thank you for the other day.
Oh, no problem.
What is she talking about? Is she mixing me up with another witch?
You were a huge help.
Was it really me?
I'm so glad you helped me out.
R-Really?
I'll just have to wing it.
I'll chat with her and gather as much info as I can to jog my memory.
It's all right, Meg Raspberry. I know you can do it!
It must've been really difficult. You know, because of your baby...
Oh, yes. She can be so rambunctious.
Challenge!
But I'm glad you found it.
What? Found what?
Miss!
Oh, y'know. I'd been wanting to see you, too, so I'm glad I found you.
I'm glad I got to see you again, too, Miss Witch of Lapis.
If it wasn't for you, I'm sure my husband and I would be in the middle of a huge row.
Challenge!
Nothing's more important than a family getting along.
Absolutely. These days, more than a few couples get divorced over little misunderstandings.
Well, your husband is a man. I'm sure there's a woman or two in his past.
A woman?
Miss!
I mean, of course there isn't!
This is hell. Someone save me.
Look. The watch you fixed is still working.
What? A watch?
Oh, I remember now.
Her baby had broken the precious watch she'd inherited from her mother-in-law.
We took it to a watchmaker, but he couldn't repair it,
so I used my power to fix it.
The watch wasn't broken. The fairy inside it had just flown away.
I called it back...
and the watch started working again.
Then, she smiled as if genuinely relieved and tears rolled down her cheeks.
I had no idea fairies could stop a watch from working, not just mechanical failure.
Well, even fairies have personalities. Some are quite timid.
All I did was look for it and call it back.
Seeing this woman reminded me of the time I called the fairy back to Fine's watch.
My simplistic mind thought she'd cry if I did the same thing for her.
Well, I'm used to getting them now.
It's not hard once you figure out the trick to it.
What does it mean to be "used" to it? What "trick"?
Miss Witch?
Are you all right? You're starting to look a bit pale.
I'm fine.
When did I get so self-important?
At first, I was delighted to receive a pure emotion from someone,
because I felt like I'd been useful to them.
But at some point, I even stopped properly looking people in the face,
and forgot to fully engage with them.
Are you sure you're all right?
Oh, uh, yeah.
Are you worried about something? If you are, I'd be happy to listen.
N-No, it's, um, no big deal.
Uh, miss...
Rachel.
Huh?
I haven't told you my name yet.
My name is Rachel.
I-I'm Meg. Meg Raspberry.
Meg, huh?
It's strange that we're only just now introducing ourselves.
Yeah...
Um, Ms. Rachel, what do you do when you think you've made a mistake?
A mistake?
The actions of a girl everyone calls kind were actually calculated and devious.
But then, she suddenly realized what she was doing.
If I thought I'd made a mistake,
I'd admit my wrongdoing and start over.
Start over?
Everyone makes mistakes.
I believe the important thing is to change after you've made one.
You think I can change?
I'm sure you can change if you want to.
So this is what my mistress was talking about.
You're forbidden from using magic for a while.
What? Wh-Why?
Because at this rate, you'll become useless.
But why?
Place your hand on your heart and think about it.
You have to find the answer on your own.
There's no point if I tell you.
I suck.
I really am useless.
She probably won't cry even if I help her.
Nobody's soft enough to cry just because someone helped them carry their bags.
I'm sure you can change if you want to.
Ma'am, what's wrong? If you like, I can help.
So heavy.
Are you all right? Shall I get down?
No need! A woman never goes back on her word!
Why am I doing physical labor when I'm a witch?
Doesn't this situation call for magic?
I've held out long enough. Maybe I'll just use magic.
I'll start here.
I'm exhausted.
Thank you.
It's fine.
Quite a view, isn't it?
You're Ms. Faust's student, Meg, aren't you?
Um, yes.
I'd heard you'd been going around helping people, but you really are a good girl.
Y-You think so?
Who told you that?
Folk I met in shops and around town.
Everyone told me about you.
What?
This must be a reward.
A reward?
A reward from the town of Lapis to someone who's worked hard.
Someone who toils extra hard day after day for this town.
The Witch of Lapis.
Oh, right.
I love the people who live in this town.
The Witch of Lapis, huh?
Okay!
Miss Witch!
Huh?
You're the guy who was distressed about his job. What a coincidence.
I'm glad I caught you. This is to thank you for the other day.
Huh?
Wow! It's from the corner bakery! And so warm. It's freshly baked.
My mistress loves this.
I was on my way to deliver it.
You'd go to all that trouble?
I really wanted to thank you.
I was overwhelmed with work, but had no one to talk to. I was nearly at my breaking point.
And then, you sat down and spoke to me.
You saved me.
You exaggerate.
I was touched by what you said to me.
You said...
"Be proud of yourself."
I said something that sensible?
Be proud...
You said to always be someone I could be proud of.
To keep believing in myself even if the whole world betrayed me.
How that would prop me up someday.
Thank you, Witch of Lapis.
"The Witch of Lapis," huh?
That's a nice nickname they've given you, Meg.
Mistress! What are you doing here?
I came to fetch my idiot student who skipped all the cooking and cleaning to wander about.
Gulp.
Wait, what did you just say?
"My idiot student."
No, before that.
Mistress, did you just say...
Did you just say I had a "nickname"?
Yes.
These days, nicknames are treated like medals,
but their essence lies in recognition from others.
Recognition?
Do you already have a nickname?
I know now why you don't have a nickname, S'berry.
You haven't earned their recognition yet.
When a witch earns the people's recognition,
they're given a special name with gratitude and trust.
That's where nicknames come from.
You're already Meg Raspberry, the Witch of Lapis.
I'm the Witch of Lapis?
Okay, it's getting cold. Let's go home.
We're having stew tonight.
Really? I haven't had your stew in ages.
You'll be making it.
Right.
Actually, tonight, I think I'll make it.
What?
To celebrate your new nickname.
Mistress!
I was given some freshly baked bread, too. It's your favourite.
We'd better eat it while it's still warm.
All right! Let's eat until we're stuffed!
So that's Meg Raspberry?
Words and Disasters and Ceremonies