#13 Waiting for Spring (1)
A few more days passed, and Elric was in the study.
It wasn’t for any particular reason.
It was just because I felt the need to read the book through the previous few experiences.
He wants to hand over and memorize difficult cultural books, but nonetheless, the place where he stands today is a bookshelf filled with miscellaneous books.
– Why don’t you get acquainted with the book first?
Following Tyria’s advice, he was looking for a book that was easy to read.
There was a book that caught his eye.
“Um, this… .”
It was a book with the title [The Love of the Blind] written in yellow letters on a brown cover.
A bloody laugh flowed out.
It was an eye-opening book.
Seeing it, it suddenly reminded me of the old days.
*
It was a time when the battlefield was in full swing.
It was a time when Elbus had just become hemiplegic, in other words, a time when he was deepening his friendship.
That day, Elbus was laughing softly while reading a book in the middle of the sunny garden.
“What are you reading so much about?”
“Ah, are you here?”
As he closed the book, the title he showed was [The Love of the Blind].
Looking at the title alone, it seemed to be a title that was more like a romance novel than something about the style and culture that he usually enjoyed.
“Do you even read novels like that?”
“Something I can’t read.”
“It seems like I always read difficult books. Didn’t you live with the saying that books exist to learn?”
“A wise man sees a pebble by the roadside and gains enlightenment.”
“If you can’t speak.”
Even such sarcasm was laughed off by Elbus.
So Elric asked.
“Yeah, what did you learn from that book that looks like a romance novel at first glance?”
“I learned to be human.”
“human?”
“I have learned the pitiful habits of human beings.”
He briefly explained the contents of the novel.
It was a story about a blind boy who was blind and sold as a toy by a beautiful aristocratic lady. The noblewoman loved the boy who looked at her inner side, which no one cared about. It was the ending.
At the time, Elric said so.
“That’s a stupid story.”
“is it? It’s a very popular novel.”
“I can see it just by looking at it. Isn’t love that transcends social status a theme? It’s about getting vicarious satisfaction from something that would happen in real life but could never happen.”
From noble mtl dot com
… It was a very twisted time.
Would it be possible to say that puberty has not healed well, or that it is a state in which people only look crooked when they look at them, that it is only when they put others down that they feel refreshed?
In any case, Elbus dismissed the answer that was full of such emotions.
“Wrong.”
Uncharacteristically, it was a firm answer that did not leave room.
“You didn’t understand it properly. The story, and the psychology of those who read it.”
“hmm?”
“This is a story about vision.”
Elbus said while sweeping the cover of the book.
“It’s about the senses we rely on. It is a story about the various misunderstandings that resulted from it.”
“What is that?”
“You can think of it easily. Haven’t you heard that first impressions are important? It is said that the first impression determines a person’s perception.”
“… I have heard of it.”
“This book is about people who fall into that trap of first impressions.”
As usual, his words were difficult.
“Even if everyone did the same thing, just raise their hand and swipe their chin. If a person who looks visually dignified does it, we’ll wrap his thoughtless move in a dignified way. If you are a coquettish person, you will overlay the meaning of seduction, if you are an intelligent person, a cultured character, if you are a mean person, you will overlay vulgarity.”
“hmm… .”
“You are talking about such a trap. As long as vision exists, we have no choice but to blame humans for looking at them. It’s the same reason why the nobles live on their superficiality. They instinctively understand that you have to be pretty on the outside.”
That was the conclusion he finally came to at the end of a long story.
“The information you can see with your eyes is deceptive. We live in such a delusion all our lives and never see anyone for real. That’s why I want it.”
“… what?”
“Someone who will really look after me. Also, to see someone’s real face.”
Elric clearly remembered the look on Elbus’ face that day.
Unlike his usual cynical appearance, he had a dreamy smile.
His eyes were on the lower half of his body, which no longer functioned.
“That’s why this book sells so well. It stimulates human longing.”
stupid talk.
That’s why I couldn’t bring it up again.
Because I don’t want to break his colic, which is rarely sentimental.
So,
“I didn’t know you liked romance.”
said so
Elbus replied with blushing cheeks.
“Everyone dreams of romance. I can’t get out of it even though I know it’s a fake dream. It is because human beings can only live by interacting, and romance contains the most perfect interaction. Don’t you have someone like that?”
Who did you think of that day?
I didn’t remember very well.
“I hope you find someone like that too.”
It was only a year later that I realized the meaning of the word ‘do’.
Elbus Graham is married.
Airi Pelgarium.
With that straightforward and exciting woman.
I heard later that it was she who recommended [Blind Man’s Love] to Elbus.
And there was something Elbus told me.
These were the first words she uttered when meeting Elbus for the first time.
-The lower part of the body is light on the subject of hemiplegia. It’s like watching a whining boar.
Indeed, she was a woman who could see through the essence of Elbus Graham at a glance.
It wasn’t until that day that Elric realized why he had decided to get married when he couldn’t settle down.
*
I think I’m still too young to live with old memories.
Elric chuckled and put [The Love of the Blind] back on the shelf.
Not one sentiment has been erased.
There was a question that came to mind while reliving the conversation that day.
‘I’ve been seduced by the sight for the rest of my life… .’
The gaze was directed out the window.
Tyria was squatting in front of a flower bed with nothing but dirt.
It’s happened quite often lately.
Elric left the study and went to her.
“house owner?”
Tyria raised her head.
Elric looked at her with a grin.
“I thought you were here again.”
Droopy eyes, blonde hair resembling a wheat field, and light green eyes like sprouts.
Elegant features and a delicate body.
the mystery it creates.
From the outside, she was a difficult person from a very remote place.
That’s why Elric had a hard time with her.
Therefore, I reviewed my conversation with Elbus and looked at her again.
My doubts deepened.
“I was planning to decorate a flower bed.”
What kind of person are you who likes flowers?
“Anyway, if there are only monotonous colors, the eyes won’t go away.”
What kind of person are you who is not happy with monotony?
“However, when I changed it, it seemed that it would not fit in with the landscape of the mansion.”
Even so, what kind of person are you who values harmony.
‘My wife… .’
What kind of person was Tyria Portman who lost her appearance?
A person who is always formal but rude at the moment he falls asleep.
A person who is happy with small gifts.
People who are afraid of railroads.
A person who is strict in teaching.
And, the person who has been waiting for her husband who left her so foolishly for 10 years.
“house owner?”
“I was listening.”
If you think about it, everything is a characteristic that doesn’t go well with her appearance.
Still, it doesn’t feel very unbalanced.
Should I call this a delusion?
“It’s the color of a flower, so it’s an important concern.”
Elric looked at the flower bed.
“What do you think would be good for you?”
“I want it to be a flower that harmonizes yellow and green.”
“Why?”
It seems to be the color that resembles you.
I think I can let you know that the owner of the flower bed is you.
I’m too shy to say that.
“Not cool. like spring. Sometimes it looks like fall.”
After answering, Tyria’s gaze turned to the dirt field again.
She pondered for quite some time before nodding her head.
“Then, a yellow flower with prominent green leaves would be good. If you plant red flowers there, it will look even better.”
“Why are the flowers red?”
“Since it is an intense color, I wonder if it can draw attention to the flower bed. But it will be harmonious.”
While she valued harmony, she was also pleased with intensity.
Elric realized it anew.
“I guess so.”
Frost landed on Tyria’s eyelashes.
The frozen light illuminated her mysteriously.
“How about going in soon? It’s cold.”
“Yes, that’s it for today.”
Tyria stood up from her seat and naturally took her hand.
I put on a pod.
“sorry. On a cold day like this just because of me.”
“It’s okay.”
It’s not too bad that I got to know you one more time.
Elric glanced at Tyria.
I wanted to know.
Who she is and what she is thinking right now.
If I go blind like in that novel, will I know then?
Will the dazzle come off only then?
Sabak, the sound of stepping on the snow arose.
Her hand felt exceptionally warm.