Arrogance
Observing something closely—I love that. It's dozens of times better than glancing at the scenery rushing by without really seeing it. The rich autumn scent wafting through the air, crimson maple leaves. Even a single leaf we pass by carelessly might hold a deep history we could never fully comprehend. Isn't it fascinating?
"Are you enjoying it?"
"Yeah! The color's just like Elli unnie's eyes—it's so pretty!!"
"...If you say so, then yes, I suppose I am."
Clop clop. Inside the carriage rattling along at a brisk pace, I lay with my head in Elli unnie's lap, gazing at the small maple leaf in my hand. The ride was far from comfortable—no sugarcoating that—but none of us complained about it. We were too happy in that moment to fuss over such things.
Maple leaf once, Elli unnie's eyes once. The more I looked, the more they resembled each other. So pretty, so very pretty.
"Oh? Elli unnie, your face is turning red—!!"
"...An illusion."
"Aww, no it's not~ Heehee."
"...You're truly incorrigible."
Elli had pulled her hood low to hide from prying eyes, but with my head pillowed in her lap and me peering up, her flushed face was plain as day. Her body felt a touch warmer than before. Not wanting to push her too far, I decided to stop teasing.
This sudden move. Elli and I had abandoned our old home for a new sanctuary. I didn't know the reason... but she must have her own. I simply followed her lead.
Her abrupt confession had begun with I have something to hide. She couldn't tell me what, but she passionately pleaded for one more chance to trust her. I nodded furiously, blissfully happy.
How could I not trust her? How could I not be happy?
She had awakened from a long slumber, taking her first steps as a human. I wanted to see the end of her journey.
"Pet my hair!"
"...Very well. If it hurts at all, tell me right away."
"Heehee. Okay!"
Stroke stroke. I closed my eyes, savoring her gentle touch. Her careful movements, pouring all her focus into avoiding even the slightest pain—it was adorable. For the first time in ages, I drifted into sleep, basking in unblemished peace and happiness.
"...Come to think of it, unnie. What was the name of the village near our new place again?"
"Ah, I forgot to mention it."
Considering Elli's unique nature, we'd chosen a forest spot near a village—close enough to people, but not one folks would visit on purpose. Our new nest.
"Siria Village."
The carriage would arrive soon. An endpoint, but also a beginning. What new encounters awaited me? Anticipation carried me into sleep.
Deep, deep sleep.
A lot of people joke about it. If they could go back to the distant past, they'd use their 'superior' modern knowledge to succeed beyond anyone, living large. Literature, engineering, science, politics, entertainment. They want to lord over those backward ancestors, hailed as geniuses.
It's just a hypothetical, but they claim they'd totally pull it off. So arrogantly.
"Eh, the world's always been like that."
It's escapism for folks too busy surviving day-to-day. Like I used to be.
The illusion that we're at least better than ancient folk—most people cling to that vanity.
Truth is, I'm no genius for this. Others don't recognize my talents. I'm just a bit smarter than the average around me.
Yeah. A little clever, maybe. Unlike them, I know the world is round, that masses attract, that light is both particle and wave.
They seemed so pitiful, not knowing even that. Haha.
—Even as we fumble explaining why the sky is blue.
"Ughhh..."
Thwack, thwack, thwack. I pounded the washboard in steady rhythm. My arms ached, my crouched legs trembled, but each stroke meant money—I couldn't stop.
Splash. Water sprayed with the beat.
"Uwaaaah... Why's there so much laundry today... I'm dying, Remi-e..."
"Han. Wouldn't it be better to move your hands faster than whine?"
"Neeeh..."
Wah, Mama's bullying me...Don't call me Mama. Ow—!? Smack.
"Wuuh..."
In those books, the protagonist charms everyone with good looks, raking it in. So why am I here?
Rubbing my throbbing head, I recalled the dumb choices that emptied my wallet.
Way back—barely remember now—I'd pooled all my modern knowledge to invent a pen, pinnacle of civilization.
This'll be a hit! I'd thought.
Recreating crude diagrams from fiddling with ballpoints in class, I commissioned a blacksmith, scrounged materials everywhere. Blistered fingers from chores, every saved coin poured in.
To spark change in this stagnant life. Or maybe a gamble to preserve my identity in this wretched existence?
Whatever. I gave it my all.
And naturally... yeah, total failure.
Ink wasn't right, parts didn't fit—smelting, casting, all primitive. Tech isn't one genius's doing.
Not a genius anyway. Just aping from the sidelines.
Ink leaked from the back, too thick to hold—trash I'd have binned instantly back home. Not even prototype-worthy.
Naturally, my travel fund to the capital? Poof. Gone.
...Shit.
"Uwaaaaaah—!!!"
"...Your usual outburst?"
Bang bang bang. I slammed the paddle in fury.
Tsk-tsking from beside me, but I ignored it—routine.
Right now, I was Don Quixote. Knight slaying monstrous laundry beasts.
This is my money's enemy! This too!
Whack whack. I swung wildly, beyond my station, brutalizing the wash.
Full force worked—pile shrank fast.
And naturally, I screwed up.
Crack! Not the wet thwack of cloth—a sharp clunk, like hard something.
Instinct screamed: Fucked up.
"Aaaah—!!! My haaaand—!!!"
"......"
The wild swing hit my innocent hand. I rolled on the ground, wailing.
Mama... it hurts... h-hold me...
...Gonna lose it.
My friend Remi-e stared, utterly pathetic in her eyes. Disgust plain.
"Sigh."
Not even hiding it. Full-on how is this my friend glare, like eyeing a shut-in slob.
No pity, no hesitation—she grabbed her finished wash and stood.
"...I'm heading back first."
And ditched me.
"Remi-e!? R-Remi-e!? Y-you're really leaving me—!? Hey!!"
"Bye-bye, Han. See you lat—... Nah, let's never meet again. Was fun while it lasted."
"Eeeeeh—!?"
Thus, my one friendly soul in the village, Remi-e, heartlessly abandoned me.
My finger throbbed, stung. I wanted to chase her, but the mountain of wash pinned me.
Makes sense no washing machines in medieval times. Why bother when you can use people? Both cost money. Haha.
"Hiiiing..."
Cruel reality brought tears.
Drip. But on my soaked, pruned hands, they vanished without trace.
"......."
Yeah. Just like me.
Gone. Without meaning.