I Pretended To Have Amnesia and the Hero’s Party Becomes Obsessed

46 – 7. The Second Piece (5)

Today is August 16th.

Do you know what this means?

No?

Ignorance is a tragedy! Was ignorance ever so pitiful? Not knowing this great fact!

But it’s okay.

Ignorance is not a terminal illness; you just need to remember until you die from now on.

So, open your ears and listen!

Today, August 16th,

It’s the day when the celestial stars sing the most beautiful song,

Soon to be a day that all of history will not forget,

A day that even the celestial gods cannot overlook.

In other words,

The most radiant jewel of this era,

The delicate beauty blooming on the hill of Matop,

A girl so perfect that even jealousy doesn’t dare approach,

I, Parsley, was born into this world!

Ah, please, keep your tears of emotion! I already know how blessed it is to be born in this world.

Moreover, there are plenty of people to shed tears for you instead.

For example, the girl approaching from the opposite side right now.

I smiled slyly as I saw Marian walking towards me from the other end of the corridor. Confidently raising my head, I approached her.

Come on! Applaud!

Be moved by my presence in this world!

Gifts? Such things are unnecessary for someone of my caliber!

The laughter and admiration of the ignorant are enough to satisfy my great spirit.

So…

“Why are you holding your head so high?”

“Uh, well…?”

I was taken aback by an unexpected reaction. Marian, looking at me as if annoyed, added as if sighing.

“Are you going to Professor E-Malli’s class? Let’s go together.”

“Uh, yeah…”

I nodded absentmindedly. Walking alongside her, I tried to clear my confused mind.

What on earth is going on?

Did time warp overnight, making today not my birthday?

Or could it be… did I forget my own birthday?

…

No, that can’t be!

How could Marian, the girl who claimed to be my friend since we were 5 years old, forget my birthday?

It’s just that, due to recent overwhelming busyness, she must have forgotten even what day it is. The dark circles under her eyes confirm it.

If I tell her what day it is, she’ll surely realize her mistake, and her face will pale.

With a sense of the corners of my mouth lifting, I asked,

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“Marian, today is August 16th, right?”

Now, Marian will be filled with apologies. She’ll kneel in front of me, regretting her forgetfulness…

“Yeah. But why?”

Once again, confusion floods my mind.

Really?

She really doesn’t remember my birthday?

Marian adds to my suspicion as if driving a nail into a coffin.

“…Sorry, but if it’s not urgent, can you tell me later? I pulled an all-nighter last night, and I’m a bit out of it now.”

A feeble annoyance tinges her voice.

In that moment, my crimson embarrassment turns into red anger.

I can feel the heat rising to my neck. The air, thick with unspoken words, swells in my cheeks.

This is a serious betrayal!

Even though she’s the daughter of Drubis, a genius of the century, I welcomed her as a friend! And she forgets my birthday without realizing the favor!

Moreover, on her birthday, I prepared a three-layer cake! I even enclosed three scrolls’ worth of letters!

That’s it!

From now on, I will no longer consider her a friend!

I won’t even smile when I see her. Lending her my lecture notes is now a thing of the past!

As of this moment, I declare that a cold war has begun between Marian and me!

Anyway, Marian was no longer even my only friend.

I looked at my unique, no, now my only friend coming towards me from the opposite side.

A robe one size bigger and loosely curled black hair.

And eyes that always seemed to be looking into the distance.

Rem.

The first encounter with him was undoubtedly the worst. And even now, he was more like a foe than a friend. It was because he had not yet learned how to cultivate manners.

However, over the past four months, quite a significant bond had formed between him and me.

About 6 minutes out of every day, we were always together, and sometimes we stayed up all night together.

Of course, he still did not speak the truth about his past. Instead, I told him all about myself in return.

If knowing about the other person is the essence of human relationships,

He and I had an unbalanced but definite relationship.

Furthermore, unlike Marian, Rem was not ignorant.

If we were to limit it to talent alone, he was the owner of an intellect that rivalled mine.

Undoubtedly, he would not forget that today is my birthday.

I lifted my head up again.

Now, give me the praise that I deserve…!

“What are you doing?”

“I don’t know, acting like that since morning.”

The sound of common sense collapsing seemed to resemble the sound of human voices.

I looked at Rem and Marian, who were looking at me strangely, unable to close my mouth. I grew suspicious that something was wrong with my senses.

However, it was only for a moment.

Yes, the concept of friendship is ultimately an illusion.

“Parsley? Parsley!”

“Where are you going? Hey! Hey!!”

I ignored the hollow shouts of my so-called friends that could be heard behind me. I stomped my feet and rolled down the corridor.

In the end, true relationships are only with family.

A relationship woven together by the unmistakable evidence of blood, not ghostly words like friendship.

I swelled my cheeks and headed towards where my mother was.

At least to someone who would not forget my birthday.

Since my mother became the leader of Martopju, the time I could spend with her significantly decreased.

Seeing her once a week became difficult, and sometimes she would leave the house for over a month.

And this did not change even when I entered the Academy, chasing after my mother.

If the time I saw my mother giving a speech on the podium during the entrance ceremony was longer than all the time I had spent with her in the past two months combined, maybe I could understand.

But I understood my mother.

She is the leader who guides everyone within this grand Martopju.

What she does is noble, and it is not right for me to complain about it.

Above all, my mother did not completely neglect me.

Only one day out of the year.

My birthday.

On that day, my mother would postpone all her work and dedicate the entire day to me. She would hold my hand and take me to a restaurant to eat together. She would listen to my trivial and unworthy stories.

Of course, it was only for three hours at most. But still.

In that moment, I could be happier than anyone else.

Even the sense of betrayal from my friends was worth it.

…So, maybe I wanted to act a bit spoiled.

If it was a normal day, I would have definitely knocked and asked for my mother’s permission. No, even if it wasn’t just the sense of betrayal from my friends, I would have definitely done that.

But maybe my heart overtook my mind.

I forgot to knock and opened the door to the office.

“…Miss Parsley?”

And then, I realized that someone had come to see my mother before me.

Gentle eyes and a neatly trimmed mustache.

A middle-aged man who exudes confidence.

Drubis, my mother’s opponent.

Confusion freezes me in place, below the stern gaze.

On the other hand, Drubis smiles warmly at me.

“It’s been a while. Was the last time during the regular exams?”

“Yes, yes…”

“I mentioned it back then as well, but thank you for always taking care of my daughter, Marian. She can be quite reserved…”

“Parsley.”

That was an icy voice. I looked at my mother, feeling my heart freeze.

Mother had a expression like broken ice.

“Go out. I’m in the middle of an important conversation.”

“Yes, I’m sorry…”

I nodded and turned away.

However, there was a firm arm blocking my way.

“No, let me go out.”

Drubis grinned at me and looked back at Mother.

“It’s your daughter’s birthday, isn’t it? I, an outsider, can’t interrupt your family time.”

“Drubis, the conversation isn’t over yet.”

“I am done.”

Drubis’s tone was gentle yet firm. He continued speaking while looking at Mother.

“Again, I do not doubt your abilities. No matter what others say, you are the greatest magician of this era.”

His brows suddenly furrowed.

“But, leading people requires not only rationality but also empathy. And that’s something you lack.”

“You’re spouting nonsense.”

Mother retorted coldly. Drubis smiled bitterly.

“That’s why I have no more to say to you.”

As if he had finished his business, he showed his back to Mother. He looked at me, smiled apologetically, and patted my shoulder.

“I’m sorry, Parsley.”

And then, he truly left the room.

Immediately after that, a cold silence naturally filled the space.

Mother stared at the door where Drubis had left without saying a word. I stood still and observed her reaction.

There were two reasons.

One was to receive a scolding for my mistake. It was natural to be punished for what I had done wrong.

And the other reason was… because of hope.

Perhaps, if Mother scolds and scolds me, wouldn’t she give me some time? Can’t she hold me, smiling as if there’s no other choice?

Because today is my birthday.

“Parsley, didn’t I tell you to leave?”

But after a while, what came out of Mother’s mouth was a sneeze.

A sound of something cracking was heard from somewhere.

“…Yes.”

He reluctantly nodded. He hastened his dull footsteps.

It’s just for a moment.

If I wait outside, Mother will soon come out again and take me to the restaurant.

There, I can talk about how significant the betrayal of my friends was.

It’s always been like this on my birthday.

“And, I’ve already arranged for a birthday gift and dinner expenses to be delivered to your doorstep. Take care of it yourself. I’m busy today.”

His steps stopped abruptly.

Without realizing it, I turned back to Mother. Words bubbled up uncontrollably from my throat.

“But… we always spend birthdays together…”

“Parsley, you’re an adult now too.”

Mother, with a weary face, kept her gaze fixed on the documents. She spoke without even looking at me.

“For birthdays, take care of it yourself from now on.”

***

When I came to my senses, it was a moonlit corridor.

I couldn’t tell how long I had been walking aimlessly. I couldn’t even figure out where I was.

I could vaguely guess that the corridors of the mansion changed shape as pedestrians desired, leading me to this deserted corridor.

I cautiously sat on the windowsill where the moonlight flowed. I covered my face with both hands, attempting to regain composure.

Yes, it was recognition!

Mother acknowledged my maturity! I am no longer the girl Mother needs to take care of! I have grown into an equal individual!

At such an early age!

Indeed, a genius of the century!

Once again, I proved my superiority!

Rejoice in this!

Applaud for this!

Praise…

For…

I…

…

The hand gripping my face tightened with tension.

It’s all a stupid defense mechanism.

I am not a genius.

The top student of the academy?

When I first entered, I was at the bottom. I have barely crawled my way up since then, sacrificing sleep.

I wanted to hear praise from my mother.

I wish my mother would look at me even once.

And yet, my mother does not look at me.

Why?

It is a question with an obvious answer.

Because I am a pathetic human being.

Because I am a failure who cannot even come close to comparing to my great mother.

Unable to accept that fact, I wrapped myself up. I pretended to be a genius of the century, the most brilliant intellect of this era, and added shameful words.

In short, I pretended to be a genius.

…It is not uncommon to act as someone you’re not because you dislike yourself.

However, acting is ultimately just a mask. The moment the mask is taken off is inevitable.

It must have been my misfortune that it happened on my birthday.

I descended from the window sill. And I started walking towards my room.

No matter what, I just wanted to rest today.

There is nothing else to do afterwards anyway. My only two friends were kids who couldn’t even remember my birthday.

Fortunately, my room wasn’t far from where I was.

I sighed and grabbed the doorknob of my room.

I would crawl into the blanket and mumble to myself. Crying for a while would make things a little better. I would be able to pretend to be a genius again.

…How far that would go, I don’t know.

With that in mind, I opened the door.

And,

Puh-oong!

Swoo-osh!

“Happy birthday!!”

Rainbow-colored papers fall like rain. Birds made of flames flutter through them.

Behind them, my room was adorned with all kinds of decorations. Each decoration felt so childish and colorful.

And in the midst of it all, there was a towering five-tier cake that seemed to touch the ceiling, and my two friends beaming with wide smiles.

Marian was wearing a comically absurd pair of glasses with fake mustaches,

while Rem had a bizarre wooden mask that defied any attempt to identify its origin.

Seeing my expressionless face, confusion dawned on their faces.

“Uh, surprise…?”

“You didn’t notice, did you…?”

“…”

To be honest, it was beyond cheesy.

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A spectacle fit for a five-year-old or a whimsical dream.

Cringeworthy, ludicrous, and downright foolish.

But what choked me at the back of my throat was something entirely different.

“Uh, why is he crying?”

“P-Parsley, are you okay…?”

“I told you not to do any surprise parties. Why pretend not to know the kid’s birthday in the first place?”

“No, I told you it would be fun for you too!”

“I said it would be fun, not that we should do it! Hey, Parsley, remember this. Did I ever try to pretend I knew your birthday? This is all Marian’s doing…! Ack!”

“Parsley, I’m really sorry. I didn’t expect it to turn out like this…”

I rushed towards Marian. She seemed flustered, but I paid no heed and embraced her, burying my face in her chest and stifling my tears.

“P-Parsley…?”

Silence descended, taut with bewilderment.

But eventually, it loosened, accompanied by Marian’s gentle voice.

“Happy birthday, Parsley.”

In the end, I couldn’t hold back my tears.