Volume 1, Chapter 002: Makia: Game of Make Believe
Author: かっぱ同盟／友麻碧
Link: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n3862be/
Translated by Zzonkedd
Edited by Gumihou and Pill Bug
I used to often say that I want to return to childhood once again but maintain the mind of an adult. I guess that’s why the saying ‘be careful with what you wish for’ exists.
To be honest, it’s not great to be a kid with a mind of a grown-up. For one thing, I can’t have a proper conversation with fellow kids.
This is perfectly natural since I am over 200 years old.
You’d think being an adult would help me handle playing with 6-year-olds at their level, but…
“I’ll be the princess. Makia-chan, you’re the dog!”
“….. haah…”
Games of make-believe are types of games that allow people to show the differences in power.
For example, if there are five girls of the same age in a group, the most selfish and violent girl will snatch the ‘princess’ role right away.
Right now, today’s ‘princess’ is Smirda-chan, the daughter of an aristocratic family. Next is Linda-chan, who is bestowed the position of ‘mother’. Milia-chan, who likes cool things, usually plays the prince. Then there’s Camille, the introvert, who has almost nothing to say in these gatherings. However, I could clearly tell she did not want to be the dog, so I ended up taking that role and letting her have the maid position.
Why is a dog necessary in this make-believe game anyway? I can’t help but ponder over this question every time I ended up as dog for the day. After all, this happy family role play game is missing a ‘father’ role.
Nevertheless, it is childish to compete against children for roles in such stupid games and I play my role of ‘dog’ with as much grace as possible.
I must say, it is quite humiliating to be a dog.
“Diana, it’s time for your food,”
Somehow, the dog’s name is always Diana.
A plate of cookies and biscuits is placed in front of me and I reach for one but Smirda-san commands haughtily.
“Say ‘woof’ first, then you can eat it,”
“…”
Are you f*cking with me, you shitty kid?
Who do you take me for?
Lines of curses ran through my head but never left my mouth.
If I say something here, Smirda-chan will definitely cry. If she starts crying, it will attract the attention of those ladies enjoying their little adult tea parties and her mother, the Duchess of Beigrates, will have her eyes on me…
After the tea party ended, the tea party ladies collect their children and go home in their respective carriages. I am exhausted from playing with those children.
“Yodel, clean the room now,”
Yodel is one of our servants. He’s a young man with freckles with a rather carefree manner. Compared to the other well-disciplined servants, he’s rather clumsy and stupid. On top of that, he can’t read the atmosphere which sometimes resulted in rather awkward situations.
Then again, that’s the part of him that makes life a bit more interesting.
“Yes, Makia-sama.”
Yodel is moving at his own pace as usual, whistling as he starts stacking up the plates and things.
I look away from this boring sight and study the scene through the window. The ripening golden wheat of the rich Delia fields stretches out as far as the eye could see. We are just days before the perfect harvest time.
Yodel is whistling a well-known folk song that has been around for a long time. Even I recognise this old Maydea song.
“Speaking of which, Makia-sama, why are you always the dog?”
“Shut up,”
Here I am, indulging in a bit of nostalgia but that Yodel just had to ruin it with his uncalled for remark.
Yes, I was the dog again today.
Children’s games leave no room for compassion or compromises [1].
Everyone insists on playing whatever they want. Those who are weirdly reluctant will suffer a loss while those who act like spoilt babies win.
Anyway, that’s how things work in the world of children.
As an adult, I refuse to indulge in childish actions against real children. That is just sad. On the other hand, I have no qualms about being childish as an adult to get my way against other adults. Life is more fun that way.
“Ahh, I’m bored-”
Come to think of it, I was blessed in my previous life on Earth. Perhaps it was a lot easier because there was someone in the same situation as I was around me. We had each other to share our memories with, so life had been really fun.
Today, I sit by the window and sigh like a child. I wonder if I’ll one day give up on my restraint and start rampaging as before. But, it is still too early for that.
Anyway, what I’m saying is, I’d like to skip this children’s arc, please.
[Gumihou: Haha, I wonder, would I like to be a child again?]
[1]
Gumihou: This novel reminds me of Squid Game
Zzonkedd: What is Squid Game?
Gumihou: …no, there exist a person who did not know Squid Game!!??
Zzonkedd: A friend mentioned it in passing, is it a new anime?
Gumihou: …it’s a Korean TV drama where children’s games are played by broke adults for money. Losers of the game would be… eliminated.
Zzonkedd: That doesn’t sound-
Gumihou: Permanently
Zzonkedd: …suddenly, I see the connection.
If you love my translations, do consider supporting me via Patreon or ko-fi ~
Or drop a comment at novelupdates!
Gumihou will love to hear from you ~
For those of you who could not bear to wait, choose your Patreon tier from the menu below!
$1 – A Little Mochi Treat
WeD – V1C03 – Lord Elric: Throws His Back Out
$3 – A Box of Takoyaki
WeD – V1C04 – Tooru: Draws the Short Stick
$5 – Ginger-Fried Pork
WeD – V1C05 – Lord Elric: Tooru Catches a Huge Fish by the Bank
$10 – Tasty Okonomiyaki
WeD – V1C06 – Makia: Lemon Cake & Guinea Fowl
WeD – V1C07 – Makia Headbutts Tooru
$20 – Omakase Sushi Set
WeD – V1C08 – Tooru, You’re a Pet
WeD – V1C09 – Lady Elena: Observes the Children in the Garden
WeD – V1C10 – Makia Laughs at the Pitiful Crimson Witch
WeD – V1C11 – Makia has a Difficult Conversation with Tooru
╰(⊹◕◕ )╯
