WeD - V1C02 - Makia: A Game of Make Believe (Patreon)

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 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, daughter of an aristocratic family. Next is Linda-chan, who was 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 let 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 being the dog for a day. After all, this happy family role play game was missing a ‘father’ role.

Nevertheless, it’s childish to compete against children for roles in such stupid games and play the role of ‘dog’ with as much grace as possible.

I must say, it’s quite humiliating to be the dog.

“Diana, it’s time for your food,”

Somehow, the dog’s name is always Diana.

A plate of cookies and biscuits was placed in front of me and I reached for one but Smirda-san commanded 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 having their own tea parties and her mother, the Duchess of Beigrates, will have her eyes on me...

After the tea party ended, the tea party ladies collected their children and went home in their respective carriages. I was exhausted from playing with those children.

“Yodel, clean the room now,”

Yodel is one of our servants. He’s a young man with freckles and 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 interesting.

“Yes, Makia-sama”

Yodel is moving at his own pace as usual, whistling as he starts stacking up the plates and things.

I looked away from this boring sight and studied the scene through the window. The ripening golden wheat of the rich Delia fields stretched out as far as the eye could see. We are just days before the perfect harvest time.

Yodel was 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 was, 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 wins.

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 me. We had each other to share our memories with, so life was really fun.

Today, I sat by the window and sighed like a child. I wonder if I’ll one day give up on my restraint and start rampaging as before. But, it’s 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 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.