Episode 16

[Kakei Umi’s point of view]

In the spring of my third year of middle school when my mother passed away–I think I was in her hospital room all the time, following my grandmother’s instruction to spend the rest of my time with my mother with care.

However, it was hard for me to see my mother, who was just sleeping and weakened, almost no longer functioning as a human being.

So I often spent the last days of my life alone in the waiting area near the reception desk, reading a book.

I preferred that place because I felt that the many people coming and going made me feel free.

There were two boys that I often saw there.

A boy with little features and a girlish boy with a beautiful face.

But the girlish boy had a big scar from his left cheek to his neck.

Oh dear—

Something might have happened to him, but I didn’t pay attention to it.

But one day, a boy with little features approached me.

[I’m waiting to see my step brother, but it’s going to be a long day, so if you don’t mind, I’d like to talk to you.] That’s what he said.

Eh, you are brothers? I was surprised inside.

And–Ah, this is what Grandmother was talking about, I’ll keep quiet while thinking about it.

It was because his next words were so nice.

[You read that book all the time, is it interesting? is that….Goethe’s The Sorrows of Young Werther?]

[Oh, I’m surprised…..you know this book.]

[Well, it’s famous. I know at least the title. So is it interesting?]

[You should read it. Seeing is believing.]

[Well……I’m having a hard time with the assignment I’ve been slacking on, so I thought I’d just use your thoughts in my book report.]

Oh my—

[Right—]

[…………]

[Fufu, this book will make you very sleepy]

[What’s that? Well, if–if I ever have insomnia, I’ll read it.]

He laughs, as if he’s having trouble.

[Yeah, fufu, you should definitely try that–]

Then–he went to the hospital with his step brother for a check up, but this time…..I called out to him.

◇

New National Theatre, Tokyo–Opera performance of “Werther”.

Act III [Osian’s Poem]

A sad tenor echoes into the theater.

[All my soul is here.

Why have you awakened me?

O spring breeze…….

I feel your caress on my forehead

And while it is so,

The time of storms and sorrows–.

I feel you close by.]

A beautiful aria.

I couldn’t help but burst into tears.

Such a palm is gently placed on my hand.

“Umi chan, I’m sorry about today……. you had plans with Kurokawa san, but Father and the others called you up to Tokyo–“

“It’s okay, Shimada kun,……. Don’t worry about me…….”

“You always put me first, but you don’t have to be so patient, okay? You can at least confide in Kurokawa san about my existence, can’t you? Besides, if you make it known that you and I are together, it will reduce the burden of confession on you, won’t it?”

“It’s not that big of a deal. I’m sure you’ll be able to devote yourself to soccer in the next few weeks, right? I don’t want to interfere with that.”

“You…..you really are such a good fiancée that I don’t deserve you.”

That’s not true.

It’s not that, Shimada kun.

I just don’t want you to know the truth.

That person who always smiles like he’s in trouble–

I just don’t want him to know about this…….

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