Volume 1: Chapter 007: Makia Headbutts Tooru
Author: かっぱ同盟／友麻碧
Link: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n3862be/
Translated by Zzonkedd
Edited by Gumihou
“Happy birthday, Makia-chan!”
I think… the mountain of presents in front of me [1] could crush me if it ever collapses. At least let me touch some of the delicious food lined up on the table before making me tackle that monstrosity.
“Makia-chan, the dress you’re wearing today is so very cute. I want one too!”
Smirda-chan’s greed is in full power today as well I see. She always wants what others have. Well, she’s a child after all.
I am getting a bit sick of this situation. Even though the food I have been looking forward to since morning is right in front of me, I can’t get to it until I have [1] conquered this mountain of presents.
However, this is also one of the challenges a noble-born aristocratic lady must face. I must deal with all these guests and entertain them first before properly enjoying my day.
“Makia, happy birthday!”
“…. Father!! You’re so late, the party has started…”
“Sorry, sorry, It took me a while to prepare [1] your present.”
Father finally arrived at the party.
Somehow he sounds a little more excited today.
“Makia, I’ve prepared a present for you. I’m a little confident about this year’s present.”
“… Father, your presents are always wonderful!”
I smile and say something I never think I would. This is who I am now. A 7-year-old girl [1] pretending to be happy over my father’s specially prepared gift.
He says he’s confident but just what interesting thing could he get from Karted?
Well, it’s probably some regular toy or accessory. Still, no matter what he gives me, I’ll pretend to be happy as usual…
“Alright, come in. Yes, yes, come this way.”
“…?”
Is Father calling for someone? Someone by the entrance door?
Is he giving me a person?
“… …”
“… …”
Whisper, whisper.
For a moment, the commotion in the room spreads out like a ripple, a stone hitting calm water causing a wave to flow over me and everything turns white.
The person that appeared before me is a boy with black hair and black eyes. His quick eyes flashed around the room, [1] taking in the guests, the presents, the food and decorations…
His gaze stops when he sees me.
We lock eyes.
“” “”Ahhhhh!!!!”” “”
The two of us point at each other and screech.
Of course, the people around us suddenly become quiet, clearly wondering just what is going on but I can’t be bothered with them.
I have thrown away my [1] good, aristocratic daughter act.
“What are you doing in this place!!? Eh?? Why are you with Father?? If you’ve been around all this while, why haven’t you come earlier? Why are you older than me? Why is your face still stamped with that evil look? Why… ….ah, we have some really delicious food here, would you like some? DO YOU THINK I WOULD SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT?!!!!”
Ahh, what am I even saying? I’m flailing about and noises are coming out of my mouth. This is beyond what my brain could process.
Stop it, stop it, don’t look at me! This isn’t a show!!
“Eh?! Why are you here…?”
The young boy who just came in was just as shocked as me.
Then again, this is right.
I had been sure, I was sure, I am very sure, that we would meet again.
No matter how long our memories are, how much knowledge we have or how many people we had looked down on from a great height, we were, are all lonely people.
I had wanted to see you again.
After panicking to our heart’s content, we both breathed in deeply once and finally had a proper look at each other.
For the first time in my life, I burst into tears. I run forward and hug him, calling out his name as I headbutt his chest again and again.
I think he calls my name but I could not be sure. At least, not until Tooru lifts me off the ground and hugs me back.
It has been 7 or 10 years for both of us.
As beings out of step and time with the people around us, only we can understand each other. Without speaking a single word to each other, we understood each other’s regrets and loneliness.
Thus is proof of our complex bond.
[Gumihou: Lol, so much first world problem here]
[1] Filling in the ‘Unspoken’. Often, when it comes to Japanese novels, the translation might be a bit lacking since the author deliberately chooses to use fewer words and let the reader fill in the blanks through a preset cultural understanding.
If the missing info looks too sparse, Gumi will fill in some of the blanks. This is not to imply that the writer’s craft is lacking, but we do have a cultural gap. Gumi will try to fill in these gaps unobtrusively.
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