Translator: Flowingcloud Editor: Arocks141
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Confession
If you are reading from a pirate or aggregator site, please read from the translator’s site: yado-inn (dot) com I have to put the link like this or else the bots will remove it, sorry 🙁
“By the way, Father, do you understand how I was able to synthesize this thread… this thread called polyamide?” Youko asked Hiromichi.
Youko, who didn’t look like a girl who had just turned four, asked Hirocmichi as she put away the laboratory equipment in a familiar manner.
“Well… if I must say, I can only imagine that there must have been some sort of clue in the common primary school science textbook that I gave to you last year for your birthday…”
‘She really is a strange child,’ Hiromichi recalled.
It took less than a year from the time Youko spoke her first words to the time she was able to hold an everyday conversation. In fact, by the time she was three years old, she was able to understand the contents of a common language textbook that was given to her as an experiment. Her relatives praised her, saying that she was the most gifted woman since the Meiji Restoration and that it was a pity that she was born a woman, however, she had already been using Japanese for more than 30 years, so there was no problem for her to master it even if her body was a little girl’s.
“There’s isn’t a single mention of this experiment in that book.”
“Hmm, I don’t know. I give up. Youko, tell me the answer.”
“That’s because… I’m from the future.”
Youko turned around with a smile on her face, like a youngster who had come up with a prank.
“The future, huh? I see, of course, you’d know if that’s the case.”
“Of course. This thread was discovered in 1935, the manufacturing method I was working on was discovered in the 1950s, and I was reincarnated into this era in 2021. In my previous life, 50% of Japanese people knew about this.” 1
Youko got off the chair that was not suitable for her height and threw out her underdeveloped chest with pride in front of Hiromichi.
The contents of the nylon synthesis experiment were common in modern chemistry textbooks, but it was questionable whether 50% of the Japanese public really understood the content. However, in order to liven up their conversation, Youko fabricated a suitable number.
“Hahaha, the future is that developed? You talk about it as if you’ve seen the future.”
“Yes, that’s right. I’ve actually seen and heard it for myself, so I’m not mistaken… You don’t believe me, do you?”
“No, no, I believe what my beloved Youko tells me after all. I believe you.”
“…Then, would you like to listen about the history of our country from now on?”
From there, Youko’s Japanese History B lecture began. In her previous life, she—who was a ‘he’ in her previous life—had chosen Japanese History B instead of Geography B in high school, unlike most others on the science track. She had studied hard for her tests and it was her second-highest scoring subject after chemistry—history scored higher than math and physics—and she also enjoyed playing history-themed strategy simulation games, thus she was particularly strong in modern history.
Hiromichi’s expression, which had been one that was just listening smilingly at first, gradually turned serious. This was because the amount of information coming from Youko’s mouth was clearly more than a four-year-old—no, not even a junior high school student, would be able to use. Besides, if one assumed that Youko is ‘a reincarnation of a working adult who lived in the future’ as she claimed, then many of her oddities and achievements made sense.
“Thus, by the year 2020, our country inconspicuously declined, along with our traditional culture destroyed, plagued by recession, and being underestimated by our neighboring countries.”
Youko’s voice had gone completely hoarse as she delivered her impassioned lecture in a young four-year-old body. Seeing her state, Hiromichi could no longer dismiss Youko’s ‘historical facts’ as the ravings of an infant. Besides, it was quite possible that Russia would not withdraw its troops from Manchuria and would try to threaten Japan’s sovereignty. As a major in the army infantry, he was responsible for national defense. Thus, if the nation’s survival was at stake, it was his job to make efforts to resist it. 2
“Good job, Youko. I understand that in Youko’s previous life, our country had a hard time, and in the end, we were looked down upon by the Qing and even Korea. Your throat must be at its limit from all the talking. Take a good rest today, then, I hope we can talk later about the path Japan should take while patenting today’s invention.” 3
At her father’s urging, his daughter unsteadily nodded, putting her hand to her throat.
If you are reading from a pirate or aggregator site, please read from the translator’s site: yado-inn (dot) com I have to put the link like this or else the bots will remove it, sorry 🙁
Author Note: I’m not sure what Mr. Hizutoshi was doing at this time (February 1901). The official gazette of December 15, 1989, shows that he was transferred from a military officer of the Eastern Palace to a major (?) with the 3rd Infantry Regiment of the Imperial Guards, but the official gazette of June 13, 1902, says only that he was a major and duke of the Army Infantry. I think I’ve started something reckless, but I’m looking forward to working with you.
Translator Note: After reading this chapter, I have a vague idea of what the author will focus on in the future. Referring back to the last chapter’s author note, he mentioned that there were not that many novels about WWI and WWII. I hope this novel doesn’t get TOO nationalist, as some nationalism in any novel will exist, and the author doesn’t ignore the war crimes that Japan had committed and pretend that the wars Japan fought were justified. Then again, Japanese authors probably avoid these topics (which is fine in my opinion) since it’s very easy to get canceled for these types of topics in Japan.
- Flowingcloud: Just Google nylon 66 science experiment. It’s a pretty simple class experiment.
- Flowingcloud: Damn, Hiromichi is actually smart. He isn’t wrong since Japan (if the author follows history) will fight the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905). (It’s currently 1901).
- Flowingcloud: In Japan, China was looked down upon as an inferior country during the Meiji Restoration up until the 90s. At this time, China was still ruled by the Qings.