The passage of time is agonizing, yet somehow I'm now five years old, staring out the window on a calm winter afternoon.
My examination for formal education is approaching, but honestly, I'm not all that nervous.
I've studied so much that anxiety feels unnecessary.
My right hand hasn't hurt since, though I can't help but wonder what that means for my future. I'm honestly scared of what problems might show up when I'm older.
But even so, I'm not giving up this time.
Bundled up in my winter clothes, I feel cozy as I admire the charm of this place.
Outside, children are laughing and throwing snowballs, building snowmen, making the most of their fleeting childhood.
"Arsen, want to play with them?" Yuri suddenly appears behind me, gently patting my head.
I accept it with utmost joy.
Play with them…?
I'd rather not.
I give a small shake of my head, my way of saying no. I'd rather let the children play among themselves, not with me, an adult reincarnated as a baby.
The maidservant leans her broom against the wall beside the window I'm watching from, then kneels down on one knee so her eyes meet mine.
Her gaze is kind and full of concern.
"Why not?" she asks gently.
Of course, I can't tell her the truth, that I'm an adult inside. So I have to make up an excuse that makes sense for a child my age.
"I… I'm scared," I say, trying my best to sound convincing. I even let my eyes flutter closed for a moment, enough to be believable.
She smiles softly and pats my head again, her expression so tender that I can't help but blush slightly, trying my best not to make eye contact with her glassy eyes.
"Arsen, there are children out there who don't even have the chance to play with others. Think of this as a gift. And remember—you won't stay a child forever."
Her words linger. "Make some friends now, so you won't be lonely when you grow up."
I fall silent.
The last time I made friends, all it brought me was headaches and a lifetime of burdens that suffocated me through adulthood.
And truth be told, I was never comfortable around children anyway.
The maidservant gently takes my right hand.
Before I can even think of refusing, one look into her beautiful eyes makes it impossible to say no.
"Let's go outside and play with them. I'll be with you," she says softly.
As much as I want to throw a tantrum like the average five-year-old, my eyes wander to the mothers nearby, and, well, they're unusually attractive.
DAMN!
I sigh inwardly. I guess while I play with the kids, I can at least use the moms as a mental distraction.
"Arsen, why are you smirking?" Yuri asks suspiciously.
The smirk vanishes in an instant. "Yuri, if I play with them, I'll always win!" I declare.
She chuckles, standing up and brushing off her skirt. "I like that confidence. That's the spirit," she says, taking my hand again and leading me out into the white, snowy world in front of our house.
It's so cold…
I want to go inside almost immediately…
But it's too late. Somehow, we're already near the kids, and their hot moms.
The area outside our house is pretty spacious. Actually, it's more like a small neighborhood in the West-North Gate Town of Lurey.
I count about five homes and a few families scattered around.
We approach a group of children, only three of them, playing in the snow. Yuri introduces me and asks if I can join them to play.
Which I'm not on board with, but we're already here.
Neither the kids nor their mothers seem to mind; in fact, they all greet me and her warmly.
It seems Yuri's quite respected around here.
It makes me wonder what else she does besides being our maidservant.
The children's mothers tell their kids to introduce themselves one by one.
The first to step up is a chubby boy.
"This kid looks like a cow," I mutter under my breath.
"What are they feeding him?"
Yuri gives me a quick glare. "What was that, Arsen?"
"I—I mean, nice to meet you," I correct myself, and thankfully my voice isn't loud enough for it to be coherent to anyone's hearing.
"I'm Bernardo! Nice to meet you too!" the boy says proudly, puffing out his chest.
Bernardo seems cool enough, he's playful, friendly, and full of energy. Probably needs this playtime for cardio, though.
Next comes a boy with blond hair and a serious face. "I'm Arnel," he says, trying to sound confident and cool.
He has that well-off appearance, but considering they live outside the city walls, I doubt they're that rich. Still, his mother is… well, a blonde beauty, to say the least.
Before I can start my own introduction, another voice speaks softly.
"I'm… Phoebe," says a shy girl with black hair, almost hiding behind her red scarf.
All of us are bundled up in thick winter clothes, looking like walking blankets.
When it's finally my turn, I take a small step forward.
"I'm Arsen," I say plainly to the kids.
The kids nod, seemingly eager, well, all except Arnel, who looks uninterested in me.
I'll humble him later…
But I'm not done yet. I turn my gaze toward their mothers and summon the most charming smile I can manage.
I've checked myself in the mirror earlier. There's not much to see right now, just a kid's face.
Still, I'd say it's above average: black eyes, decent features, pale skin, and this coal hair.
I do look generic.
In my past life, I'd never have had the guts to pull something like this off. I probably would've died of a heart attack on the spot.
But being a child has its perks.
People just think it's innocent.
"And, if I may add," I say smoothly, "it's an honor to meet such beauties on this fine winter day."
For a moment, there's only silence. The children are genuinely in shock from my words. Then the moms burst out laughing.
"Oh my, how devious!" teases Bernardo's mom, who, thankfully, isn't as massive as her son.
"Such a little gentleman!" says Arnel's hot blonde mom, covering her mouth as she chuckles.
Phoebe's modest mom looks amused too, though she just lets out a soft chuckle like the rest.
Although I've completely forgotten one other person—Yuri, who stands frozen beside me, utterly bewildered by my behavior.
"Arsen!" she says, tugging lightly at my sleeve. "Where did you even learn to say things like that?"
I pretend to look innocent. "I'm sorry, they were just as beautiful as you."
The mothers laugh again, clearly entertained by my attitude, while Yuri just sighs.
"I'm flattered," she murmurs.
The laughter eventually settles, and Yuri clears her throat, trying to regain some composure.
I'm genuinely impressed she isn't shivering; she's still in her maidservant outfit, and her white hair really fits the winter aesthetic.
She's so otherworldly…
"Alright then," Yuri says gently.
"Go on, Arsen. You can play with the others. We'll be right here, watching you."
The mothers nod in agreement while giggling among themselves. "Oh, don't worry," Bernardo's mom says.
"We'll keep an eye on your little gentleman," Arnel's mom remarks.
I've never felt so much pride in my life.
Meanwhile, Phoebe's mother focuses on encouraging her shy daughter.
Yuri smiles awkwardly.
"Uhm," she says, too shy to respond properly.
I turn to the other kids, who are already grabbing snow and shaping it into snowballs.
Bernardo looks at me with that confident expression, seems like he wants me to be his first victim.
What an amusing specimen.
Phoebe looks uncertain but determined. I won't target her much; she seems fragile at heart, and I'll be mindful toward her.
I can't say the same for that other little shit. Arnel doesn't like the stunt I pulled with the mothers; he looks bitter about it.
So that's how it is, huh?
I bend down and scoop up a handful of snow, briefly debating whether to hide rocks inside the snowball.
…no.
…no no no.
Arnel is still just a kid. What am I thinking? I can't be losing mentally to a five-year-old.
Still, as I shape the snowball, I wouldn't mind disciplining this little shit.
Chapter End.