Tensei Arasaa Joshi – 004 | Sousaku – 創作

Sneaking into class!

Chapter 1: The Royal Capital and My Family Home

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“Knock, knock,” comes the sound of someone knocking on Brian's door.

"I'm sorry to bother you while studying."

Rosa called out to him and waited for his reply before entering the room.
Directly in front stood Countess Daphne, Brian's tutor.

Normally, teachers tend to change depending on the subject, but she is a woman with a deep knowledge of many subjects, and my brother, who is learning the basics, says that she is teaching him everything he needs to know to become a good master.

She is said to be excellent but very strict.

Swallowing hard, Magnolia took a deep breath and bowed her head. It's the lady's curtsy I learned from Rosa.

"Nice to meet you, Countess Daphne. I am Magnolia, the eldest daughter of the Gilmore family. I'm sorry for interrupting the lesson.
I will be quietly nearby, so would you please allow me to stay close to my brother? "

Her gray hair is tucked into a bun, and she stares at me with long, slanted, water-blue eyes.
I'm pretending to be a little girl who misses her parents and wants to be near her older brother because they are often away.

……The pressure is intense…… her gaze is piercing (wry smile). And then there's Magnolia's perpetually uncertain tone of voice (wry smile).

"……"
Rosa adds, looking troubled, to Mrs. Daphne, who is staring intently at Magnolia.
"I'm very sorry, ma'am. The young lady wants to stay close to her brother…… I thought it might be rude, but I decided to ask anyway."

After Magnolia woke up here, she became surprisingly obedient, so when she started fussing because she wanted to be spoiled by her brother, they ended up indulging her.

Mrs. Daphne thought for a moment, sighed softly, and said,
"……If you can keep quiet, it's fine."

Once the lady's confirmation was received, the maids efficiently arranged a small table and chair.
I wanted to breathe a sigh of relief at being accepted, but I smiled, bowed slightly to express my gratitude, and quickly sat down in the chair.

(Or rather, there was actually a small chair here……)

As someone who always climbs up on a step stool to sit on the big chair in my room, I can't help but feel a little envious of Brian's small desk and chair that he probably doesn't use anymore.

"Thank you very much."

Hiding such feelings, I smile and say thank you.
Yay! For now, I've managed to sneak in successfully.

At tea with my brother, I was listening to him complain about his private lessons, as usual.
To be honest, Magnolia is very envious of the fact that he has things to do and can experience different customs and cultures. I was trying to figure out how to participate by doing various simulations.

――They say, 『Fortune favors the bold』, but another wise person said, 『Haste makes waste』, and finally, another said, 『Slow and steady wins the race』.
Then again, someone else said, 『You can't get the tiger's cub without entering the tiger's den』.

I'd like to just jump in without thinking about it.
Unfortunately, Magnolia, aged three, is in a very precarious position.
In this case, I decided to follow the advice of my inner voice, which told me that it would be better to err on the side of caution, and adopted the opinion of the 33-year-old former employee Magnolia.
Because even if I told Rosa or my family, I couldn't imagine them hiring a tutor for me, and if by some mistake they did, I would be in trouble if they demanded an unreasonable amount of money in return.
After thinking it over and over, I decided that even if I asked in advance, they probably wouldn't let me participate, so I came to the simple conclusion that it would be best to take advantage of my privilege as a toddler (acting like a brat) and just go for it.
Now let's go! To the world of the very basics in the studies of another world! !

The first class was poetry.
Come to think of it, I feel like there used to be rhyming poetry in Europe in the past. What type of verse was Goethe best at? ――I hurriedly brought my thoughts back to the matter at hand and glanced at Bryan.

……My brother's eyes were dead.
(Hang in there, kid!)

Today's poem is a simple quatrain. I've never actually seen a quatrain in a previous life, so I sneak a peek at the textbook to see what it looks like.

In Japan, elegant people often compose poems (haiku and tanka, that is). Do aristocrats recite poems in everyday life?
With these thoughts in mind, I listened to the lady's lecture while recalling various classical works I had learned in my previous life.

The sound of Bryan's pen moving across the paper and the madam's voice explaining.
The sound of the maids' clothes rustling as they move.
Under a clear blue sky, birds were chirping in the treetops.
I just stared ahead silently or peeked at my brother's textbook. Seeing Magnolia occasionally looking concerned about her brother, Bryan's maids were heartwarmingly touched, Rosa was relieved that she wasn't making a fuss, and Lady Daphne was secretly impressed.

After a while, a slate was placed in front of me to pass the time.
A little surprised, Magnolia bowed her head to the lady.
(Hooah! First time seeing this! Apparently it was used in Japan long ago……)

A writing tablet for little kids. Like an iron plate.

Unfortunately, in this world, paper is not cheap enough to be used for doodling. That's where reusable tablets come in handy.

In my previous life, even during the generation of Magnolia's parents, only a minority of people saw or used writing tablets.
The most popular version was made using iron sand and could be used repeatedly indefinitely as long as it was not broken. Needless to say, Magnolia had one.

There were various extras, ranging from deluxe sets with magnets and stencil-like sheets that could be traced to draw pictures of popular characters, to small ones sold at dollar stores for passing time while out and about.

Gently, Magnolia stroked the tablet she had never seen before, slowly sliding her fingers across the surface to check how it felt to write on.
The lines aren't exactly beautiful, but the feeling of writing something after such a long time made me smile.

While drawing pictures of flowers like a child (?), I completed my own assignment in my mind while keeping an eye on my brother's sluggish behavior. I write it down in small letters with my finger (because if I actually write it down, it will reveal too much) and listen to the class.

Reading aloud the poems that are the subject matter.
Next is copying. I nervously watch Bryan's hands as they slowly and haltingly crawl across the notebook.
Book review and commentary by the madam.
Her deep, soothing voice conveyed both the depth of her experience and her character.
To make sure he understands, she repeats the important parts and points to the relevant passages in Bryan's textbook.

(Oh, so that's today's keyword……)
Magnolia writes it down on the tablet so she won't forget. In a previous life, this would be the part I would highlight in my textbook.

Bryan peeks in and blinks his eyes.
"Magnolia, can you write? "

(Uwaaaah! This is bad! !)
Thump! ! I feel myself stiffening and take a deep breath.

Unpleasant sweat ran down my back.

"……N-No……I just copied what the madam pointed to and said earlier. ……Did I get it right? "

(I let my guard down and wrote that... Stupid, stupid, I'm such an idiot!)

It's mostly the alphabet, after all. In Japan, we learn Roman letters from the third grade. Nowadays, even elementary school students learn English.
My second foreign language at university was German, so I can read and write the characters. I make excuses in my heart, either to someone else or to myself.

"It's amazing that you can write just by seeing it."
Lady Daphne peeks at the slate. I feel like someone casually checking my spelling.

"……Thank you very much."
I'm smiling (sweating).

Magnolia tried not to let her agitation show, keeping her eyes still and smiling vaguely. Smile.

Brother! I want you to focus a little more on your own work (ranting and begging)!

After a while, it was time for a short break.
In order to accommodate Bryan, who has difficulty concentrating, the classroom sessions are divided into one-hour segments.
It has been proven in another world (Earth) that it is more efficient to change things than to continue doing the same thing for a long time.

The second period is arithmetic.
It was just very simple addition and subtraction.
The answers to the calculations are obvious, and even the symbols are the same as in Japan, so there is nothing special to do other than memorize the numbers.

Hmm. Magnolia grumbled in her heart.
(Actually, the symbols are the same too... Why? Isn't it unnatural that they match so well?)

As usual, I memorized the shapes of numbers by peeking at the textbook. I also have a vague memory of Greek numerals for large numbers. I draw scribbles on the slate, being careful not to write anything by mistake.

Bryan is solving problems while folding his fingers and staring at the sky.
The strange feeling of unease that had been gnawing at me was somewhat soothed by the determined expression on the child's face.

Since he is a boy, I thought he might be good at math (a typical stereotype), but like with poetry, he didn't seem to be very good at it.

……Yeah. That's true.
Children who are not very good at studying are basically poor at all subjects, with some exceptions and varying degrees of ability.

Smart girls aren't just good at liberal arts subjects; they're also good at math, chemistry, and physics.
In fact, in a previous life, there was even the term “rikejo” (science girl).

Similarly, boys who did well in school were not only good at science, but also, needless to say, good at Japanese, English, and social studies. That's the truth.

Bryan desperately tries to copy down the madam's words as she explains various concepts……
How unfortunate. Probably, by the next day, he won't remember much of it.

Bryan seems to be the type who copies everything from the blackboard.
……Somehow, I feel like I can see the future.

To be honest, grades don't really matter once you enter adult society.
Things like whether you can work hard, think quickly, or select and discard information. It matters whether you have the ability to slowly but surely understand things.

He doesn't seem to be very good at using his head, and he's not the type who is very resourceful.
It seems like the kind of thing where he'd mess up if he didn't have a really reliable proxy (?) to manage the estate.

Time flies when you are having fun.
The third class seemed to be dance, and I wanted to watch that too for my future studies, but Rosa thought it was about time to leave and told me we had to go. ……If I insist too much, I won't get another chance, so I obediently comply.
Magnolia also thanked him in her usual awkward tone.

"Countess Daphne, I apologize for bothering you during your busy time. Thank you very much for allowing me to intrude."

I learned some new words, and I enjoyed learning about poetry and other things I didn't know about this world. Above all, I am extremely satisfied with being able to experience cultural things.
I thank my brother and tell him I'm leaving.

The madam stared at Magnolia for a moment, then spoke quietly.

"……Do you have a slate, Ojou-sama? "
"No. "
I shake my head.
The madam sighed softly, nodded, and handed the slate that Rosa had returned to her to Magnolia.
"Please take it."
"……Is it okay? I am not the madam's student."

Lady Daphne nods slightly, speaking modestly.

"These belong to the marquise's household. I only use it when giving detailed explanations in class, and there are several spare ones in the supply room. ……These are used by apprentices and other servants who cannot read, so no one will complain if Ojou-sama has one."
"I suppose so! Thank you very much! ! "

I was so touched by her thoughtfulness that I couldn't help but smile sincerely.
I feel like I've smiled properly for the first time since coming here.
Although there was paper, it was quite expensive, so I gave up after asking everyone I knew.

And this too. Saying that, she handed me a thin wooden card that looked like a list of letters and numbers.

"This is……"
"We give these to the neighborhood children, so please don't hesitate to take one."
"I'm really grateful! "

Totally not very lady-like――Seeing my cheeks flush and the smile spread across my face, Lady Daphne smiled wryly. Because she thought it was the first time she had seen such a childlike expression.

"You're welcome to come back anytime. He was being quiet, and it seems that he can stay seated properly when his younger sister is with him."
I looked toward the large hall where Bryan must have disappeared to, and let out a small sigh.
"Hey! "

Bowing my head, I returned to my room, gently stroking the wooden card and slate. Rosa watched Magnolia intently.

Come to think of it, the madam had been giving me a scrutinizing look from the start. I wonder if she sensed something from my clothes and atmosphere.

An adult with no connection to me... This is my first time in this world.

I received genuine, heartfelt consideration.

Magnolia was extremely happy that she showed the utmost consideration so as not to make someone she had only known for a short time feel uncomfortable.

I'm mature, but that doesn't mean I'm happy about being excluded.
It's not just my body that has become childlike, but my heart as well... There are times when I lie alone in my dark bed or in my room at dawn, and I can't escape the pain of my feelings.

Suddenly finding myself in an unfamiliar place as a child, treated as if I didn't exist by my parents. My older brother looks down on me, and although the maids are kind to me in their own way, Rosa, who is supposed to be my confidante, seems to be treating me differently, whether it is because she is following someone's orders or because she has her own reasons.
A world full of hostility, whether active or passive.

……If my parents had been loving, I might have chosen to live in this world as a child, starting from scratch.
If my brother had been more understanding, I might have been able to find the strength to keep going.
If Rosa, who is effectively raising me, was truly my ally. I might have been able to laugh and feel hopeful about the future, thinking that everything would be okay in this world.

I am not going to make excuses for my inability by blaming others.
I will do my best within the scope of my abilities.
……However.

When you think about it, it's incredibly frightening that Magnolia, who is only three years old physically, has no one to rely on in this unfamiliar world.

The lamentations and complaints about the overwhelming injustice are merely suppressed by the understanding and resignation that comes with maturity, along with a little bit of pride.
It is precisely because of fear that I cannot stand still. Crying won't solve anything. I don't even have time to give in to anger at such absurdities.

"……Rosa."
I quietly hand her the slate. In response, Rosa quietly stared wide-eyed.
"Ojou-sama……? "
"Didn't someone tell you not to give something like this to me? I don't want you to get scolded."

Rosa stared at Magnolia's calm eyes, clenched her fingers tightly in front of her chest, and slowly shook her head from side to side.

No matter how many times I asked for paper, she never even offered me a substitute.
If I hadn't asked, I wouldn't have even been taught basic manners.
Unless I took the initiative, I had no contact with anyone other than the three maids.
When I put on a sullen face, I am only told to smile.

……It's as if they are nurturing a doll.

It is hard to believe that Rosa is acting on her own authority. Is someone telling her to do that, or is she doing it on her own initiative?
She seems too kind to deliberately neglect me because my parents have abandoned me.

"……No. No, that is not the case. Since the madam kindly gave you the character chart, please study hard."

Rosa smiled faintly and nodded strongly, as if to say, “It's okay.”

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Magnolia, who is a child but has an adult mindset, tends to be overly cautious.
From now on, she will gradually take steps forward in her new world, but the road ahead seems to be quite long.