“Chapter Five – Baptisms and Strange Fevers”
What They Say:
Avid bookworm and college student Motosu Urano ends up dying in an unforeseen accident. This came right after the news that she would finally be able to work as a librarian like she had always dreamed of. When she regains consciousness. She was reborn as Myne, the daughter of a poor soldier. She was in the town of Ehrenfest, which has a harsh class system. But as long as she had books, she really didn’t need anything else. However, books were scarce and belonged only to the nobles. But that doesn’t stop her, so she makes a decision … “If there aren’t any books, I’ll just create some.”
Content (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
With winter finally over everyone within the tenement are able to come out and celebrate what they have been waiting for – the baptism of all seven-year-olds and their next step into society. As proud parents hover over their happy children, one person in particular stands out with her shiny hair and amazingly beautiful crocheted ornament, it is Turi with mothers paying her and Eva compliments and asking how Myne crafted such a complex decoration. And yet as everyone commemorates the event, there is one who is putting up more of a fuss than anyone else … Gunther is pouting next to his youngest in silent protest of not being able to see his eldest on her joyful day since he has to go to a boring guard meeting. Although Urano is glad to see Otto again, her supposedly responsible father wishes to skip work so he can participate, with his child harshly reprimanding him as the main money earner and if he doesn’t go, they can’t eat. Still skulking as arrive it is his subordinate who scolds the captain for being late as Myne goes to her regular place to practice writing, only to be surprised by another soldier that needs a letter of introduction authenticated and is amazed this young girl can read and instruct him on what to do for this waiting merchant.
As the day ends and family gathers for dinner in celebration, Myne brings out a special dessert for her sister with Eva once again wondering if she has a future as being a chef, only to be interrupted as both parents congratulate their eldest for completing her ceremony. With joyous smiles they present Turi with a new dress and sewing kit to start her career as an apprentice seamstress, with eyes turning to Urano asking what are her plans since her ritual comes next year. While they assume she will become a cook with the strange yet delicious dishes she creates, their youngest proudly states she will open a bookstore, which is met by curious expressions of confusion causing her to correct herself and declare she meant a merchant. However, the presents are still forthcoming as her father gives Myne a cloth-wrapped package, which when opened is a large knife so she can easily do her chores since Turi will be spending half the week at her new job and the frail girl is expected to help around the house and gather firewood. However all Inner Myne can think of is this new tool is a new opportunity on her path to creating books: with this blade she can shave branches into slim slats which can be used as a rudimentary rolling parchment when strung together. But with her sister now preoccupied by new training, who will now help Urano in this impossible endeavor when the clay tablets failed so spectacularly and she still cannot physically do much with this frail body?
In Summary:
As her knowledge of words and letters expands, one still cannot but feel Myne’s frustration as each attempt in furthering progression to making books fails and the frustration seem to be taking a toll on her physically. While she shows maturity in not giving up, one cannot but overlook the temper of a child once it appears others are keeping her from making progress by destroying each new attempt. However, as we laugh at Inner Myne flailing away in trying to overcome each obstacle, one cannot but hope she will not give up as body seems to be holding her back and succumbing to constant fevers which have no explanation. You cannot but cheer for this budding librarian to persevere as each step hinders her advancement, but at the same time worry Urano may not make it to see her next day thanks to a weak constitution.
Grade: A+
Streamed By: Crunchyroll
