Work Text:
This wall asks for one.
A haiku: five, seven, five.
Mysteries evoke.
(1)
Five sounds in one line,
Seven in the second line.
Five again, stupid.
(2)
It appeared again,
Vanished when I wrote before.
New words, I wrote not.
(3)
Instructions are odd.
The wall appeared yet again.
Are you living, wall?
(4)
Hold on a minute!
I'm no wall, I'm Subaru!
Intrigue increases.
(5)
Please, speak normally.
Despite this wall’s bad constraints.
Why do I bother?
(6)
Distant thunder roars,
A blasphemous statement.
Show Imagery!
(7)
The numbers add too.
Imagery? Sounds boring
and illogical.
(8)
I pause. Breath caught short.
Logic is meaningless here,
Show me you through words.
(9)
Aren’t words for show?
Ram believes so. Talking is
a waste of Ram’s time.
(10)
Yet the bird sticks by
the tree, basking in the shade
that it claims to hate.
(11)
You, you, you, you, you,
Don’t make any sense, do you?
Can you talk normal?
(12)
A Haiku is a
poem to evoke an image
from thoughts, Mister Ram?
(13)
Ram is a lady.
Remember that, Subaru.
And this style is bad.
(14)
The bulb laughs at the
shadow’s claim. What are you not
able to like here?
(15)
First: Your metaphors
are bad. Second: Words are meant
to be read, not seen.
(16)
The tree is sliced by
the mockingbird. A fateful
Encounter: The first.
(17)
You are lucky, Ram had
The time until now for you.
Write normally.
(18)
Fine. This shifting wall
of haiku needs to be used
to its maximum!
(19)
Do you want all the
Limited squares of this wall
to be filled with them?
(20)
Every last one. We work
Together, half each. You, Ram,
and I, Subaru.
(21)
I may leave you here,
Alone, in the open field,
without this square wall.
(22)
Then this tree shall max
the fun of the bird, before
it finds a new nest.
(23)
Well then, it is time;
The day grows tiring, too. Bye,
Ram will not linger.
(24)
This tree remains still
for a vision of your bud
that shall soon blossom.
(25)
Am I a bird or
a flower? Can you be a
little consistent?
(26)
And you finally
have awakened in the field
of infinity.
(27)
Did you perhaps miss
Ram? It has merely been a
day since we last spoke.
(28)
Honestly? Yeah. None
other than I can perceive
this wall. Maddening.
(29)
I see, Ram as well.
No one Ram knows is able
to perceive the wall.
(30)
So we two are the
only ones who can see this?
The flower shrinks down.
(31)
These haiku are to
be the death of all grammar.
Let the flower wilt.
(32)
Oh? Perchance does this
wilting flower give birth to
the blossoming bud?
(33)
Shut up, Barusu.
That is your name, Ram decided.
No more, Subaru.
(34)
Wow, that is very
much so, a dodging tactic.
Well played, Lady Ram.
(35)
We still have no one
who can perceive this wall or
read the words written.
(36)
And the only ones
who can see it, are people
who have never met.
(37)
That does make this wall
unfortunately, one
Ram must share with you.
(38).
Crowds do exhaust
the life of a tree. A new
lady is much better.
(39)
Liveliness is
not how Ram would describe her
own self, Barusu.
(40)
This wave is burned by
rays of the denying sun,
confused, as it shrinks.
(41)
You write as though this
system is the answer to
life and everything.
(42)
Emerges a Wall.
Agreeable are its words:
A beginner’s haiku!
(43)
Seventeen Sounds brings
limits to what Ram can write.
She bids you good night.
(44)
The Shine of the Moon.
A maiden learns to show words.
Two days, well spent, Ram!
(45)
Two more days go by.
The pink tree lowers its branches.
Ram did not find time.
(46)
Life doth get busy.
Mansion halls chatter about.
Similar feelings.
(47)
What you speak is vague,
Yet your words, Ram deciphers.
Do Ram’s words make sense?
(48)
And thus marks today
The day the lovely Ram has
understood haiku.
(49)
To see one through words;
Barusu, you may have some
intellect in you.
(50)
The bird soaring high
is hit by a rock and falls.
Yet, it remains proud.
(51)
A beautiful art,
Ram appreciates its presence.
You? She is not sure.
(52)
The proud fallen bird
is struck by a bigger rock.
It is time to leave.
(53)
A splash in your pond?
Ram is, of course, victorious.
Will this ripple stop?
(54)
Maybe for the pond.
Yet the ripple of writing
keeps on increasing.
(55)
The water's tremble
is growing larger; it does
not reflect your face.
(56)
An amused birdie.
The mask is worn, not by choice.
The only choice: Haiku.
(57)
In the midst of noon
Ram wishes for more knowledge,
Desiring your shape.
(58)
Black wear and Black hair.
Eyes, even darker. Also
lies an orange stripe.
(59)
Pink hair curtains one
eye of red. A uniform
of maid, covers Ram.
(60)
Someone’s maid are you?
I am someone’s knight myself,
Formerly, butler.
(61)
Butler Barusu.
Words in a straight line bore souls.
Invisible sight.
(62)
A growing hatchling
feeds her mother the food she
learnt to eat from her.
(63)
Eyebrows raise today.
Note to self: Butlers are bad.
The sun also sets.
(64)
The moon does not rise.
Conversations get shorter.
Wish for a free day.
(65)
Perhaps a nice day
where we can meet, and speak
beyond limits?
(66)
A meet day sounds swell.
Hopefully, we’re rather close.
Till that day, sleep well.
(67)
A rest is earned now.
The last glow of the night goes.
Good night, Barusu.
(68)
A gift requested
received early, although nice
some inconvenience.
(69)
Does bad news claw at
the presence of the bright sun,
dear Barusu?
(70)
Devilish contract:
One day, outside the manor.
Long journey at dusk.
(71)
A knight’s duty is
not one Ram can speak against.
Is the length certain?
(72)
A few days apart.
I must serve my liege, whom I
don’t love like before.
(73)
Parting with questions.
The most important of all:
Who is Barusu?
(74)
Lugunican knight.
I vow to return and explain.
and one day, find you.
(75)
You are intriguing.
Return and lets meet.
Take care, Barusu.
(76)
A journey’s return
should be with smiles when its aim
is achieved, innit?
(77)
It has been brighter
today, when the sun shone, so
why do you show clouds?
(78)
Why do I keep up?
My lady is not mine, so
who do I suffer for?
(79)
Struggles are said to
be a natural part of life.
Though Ram too, they tire.
(80)
You are right, they tire.
There was once a point to it.
Now? Nothing ahead.
(81)
A promise was made.
Tell me your story, before
you can’t, Barusu.
(82)
Beyond waterfalls,
one moment. Lugunica,
an eye blink later.
(83)
You hail from outside.
Stranger people, Ram has seen.
Lives with one as well.
(84)
And now we’re halfway
complete with this wall. Become
clear, hanging desires.
(85)
In Lugunica
also lies Ram. Living in
the Mathers Domain.
(86)
The distance is less.
So are the words that remain.
Meeting in Arlam?
(87)
No complaints from Ram.
Don’t disappoint, Barusu.
Tomorrow, perhaps?
(88)
My heart lights the road
of approval. We shall meet
at the city gates.
(89)
A storm rages on.
Some desires are brittle; they
break at traitor’s hands.
(90)
An accusation
when you commit that same crime.
Why this fiendish dance?
(91)
Ram will be direct.
Ram was at the gates, and you
never appeared there.
(92)
Why do you lie, Ram?
I was at the gates, and you
never appeared there.
(93)
What is there to trust
anymore, when you turned out
to be a cheat too?
(94)
I vow as the knight
of Emilia, I was
there… and you were not.
(95)
LIE, Emilia’s
knight is Garfiel Tinzel; lives
in Roswaal’s manor.
(96)
You know of Garfiel
and the location of our
residence? How Ram?
(97)
A curse caught your tongue.
I am Roswaal’s maid, even if
I’m no longer seen.
(98)
Roswaal’s maid is an
Oni with blue hair known as Rem,
without colleagues.
(99)
You claim to know Rem?
She is my sister, but you
never heard of me?
(100)
Rem has no sister,
and no maid named Ram exists
at the Mathers' house.
(101)
You are the one who
does not exist, Barusu.
What is going on?
(102)
Thoughts are juggled like
darts. A bullseye may have been
struck, though unconfirmed.
(103)
The happenings of
your mind; Ram wishes to know:
What act had been done?
(104)
Two can speak the truth.
Neither of us lies. We walk
on parallel paths.
(105)
Confusion is the
state of existence when I
have a chat with you.
(106)
Our lives walk on the
roads alike, people as well.
Though we don’t cross paths.
(107)
So Ram exists in
a world where you never will,
And you, without Ram.
(108)
The bells ring at truth.
That day, both of us were there.
Though never to meet.
(109)
And all we have are
sixty more boxes to fill
before the goodbye.
(110)
The only respite from
this tiring life shall too bid
adieu; A cruel fate.
(111)
Seventeen sounds are
not enough to exhaust the
weariness of life.
(112)
Hundred Sixty Squares:
Thirteen Rows, Thirteen Columns.
Unluck Abundant.
(113)
The quiet night
scared away the dreams and lies
no future anymore.
(114)
Hope is too fickle.
I am a disloyal knight.
Your words, I prefer.
(115)
Loyalty is a
two-way street, to you I give
what was once Roswaal’s.
(116)
Funny reality;
Comfort in the one person
never to meet me.
(117)
Barusu, a thought.
We exist, linking two worlds.
Can this wall be climbed?
(118)
The shine that I feel,
I refuse to see its source.
Don’t blind me with hope.
(119)
An idiot tree.
Suggestions are not the thorns,
but rather, petals.
(120)
Perhaps you are right.
It is not what is above,
but what lies ahead.
(121)
Unsurety blooms
in the light of hope, but the
flames extinguish it.
(122)
If something is seen,
its path is only unknown
until it’s found, right?
(123)
The moon has not been
brighter any night, perhaps
a route shines under?
(124)
That can only be
learnt from speaking with all the
merchants across town.
(125)
Though whatever path,
its destination, final.
Will it be too late?
(126)
I vow on my life.
I will find my way to you.
Good night, Ram, take care.
(127)
Foolish endeavour,
Death serves no one, so better live.
Take care, Barusu.
(128)
Trouble brews in the
vineyard, but over there lies
opportunity.
(129)
Colour Ram intrigued.
A night passed, and perhaps you
grew brighter, dear knight?
(130)
Not brighter, though yes,
a knight’s work. Glory for them,
and a chance for us.
(131)
What ropes tie around
you? Where do you believe you
shall be led by this?
(132)
A long journey to
be embarked on, towards the
Dunes lie a tower.
(133)
Waiting to be free
of this tiring agony.
Please live, Barusu.
(134)
Twenty days is all
I ask. Please wait for me so
that I can see you.
(135)
Take away my clouds.
Please don’t leave me alone at
The Wall of Our Words.
(136)
Arriving late and
alone, I am now closer
to you than before.
(137)
A thunderbolt strikes
the heavy clouds; my rainfall
is melancholic.
(138)
I can’t seem to die,
and now I can live to see
you tomorrow, Ram.
(139)
Barusu, we grew
dependent on each other.
Your death shall be mine.
(140)
After many— I lived.
Alone, I limped here, because
you are my answer.
(141)
What is the point of
an answer, when the question is
no longer asked by any?
(142)
The question lives for
the answer to live. It lives to
tell, Ram, I love you.
(143)
Just fifty-two days
was all it took. Honestly,
it was much earlier.
(144)
I've fallen faster,
embarrassingly enough,
but you held me up.
(145)
It was, perhaps, for
the best. Ram does not want to
let you down, ever.
(146)
I, your Barusu,
will stay in your care for as
long as time allows.
(147)
Around twenty more
is all we have left. Time does
not change the space left.
(148)
You poison my thoughts
with lovely words, enough to
see you all over.
(149)
Truly, Ram wants you
in more than just a future
fading memory.
(150)
My adventure’s goal
was you, and this square wall is
to be our ticket.
(151)
A need is growing.
To achieve its aim, Ram shall
persevere for you.
(152)
My goal, very clear:
I will die to live with you.
All falls to this aim.
(153)
The heart clenches up.
An answer to seek, to know.
Eyes hunger on here.
(154)
The eyes must hunger.
The eyes can see the words.
The words are the gate.
(155)
Then we’re the answer?
This wall is us. A gateway
that only we see.
(156)
My heart moves closer
to you at the tune of your
correct symphony.
(157)
I shall keep pulling
the rope I have tied you with,
until the gate breaks.
(158)
I shall too linger
right here, envisioning Ram,
until I see you.
(159)
So once again, the
solution we strive for lies
in seventeen sounds?
(160)
It always comes back
to the beginning we know
as the art, haiku.
(161)
At the end of this
wall, there shall lie you, waiting
for the maiden Ram?
(162)
The specifics are
for only us to find out,
but I await you.
(163)
Almost out of time.
Ram chooses to believe you,
Else, it won’t matter.
(164)
And then there were five.
The world is heavier split.
We lie beyond walls.
(165)
The walls only we
perceive are so we also
may perceive each other.
(166)
It may be wrong, but
I can see that it’s right.
Any final words, Ram?
(167)
Enough is written
to see you for a lifetime.
Let’s talk, Barusu.
(168)
Thus, this tree no more
shall move, but await to be
pecked by the pink bird.
(169)
“The bird moves ahead,
no regrets, to at last say,
I love you, Barusu.”