Difference between revisions of "Ghost Hunt:Volume 8 Chapter 8"

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(New page: Ghost Hunt Volume 8 Chapter 8: August 13th 11pm-12am ===1=== “—There is no one left.” I looked blankly at Naru’s snow white face. Naru smiled at me. “Look closely.” With t...)
 
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Ghost Hunt Volume 8 Chapter 8: August 13th 11pm-12am
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==Chapter 8 - August 13th, 11:00 pm - 12 midnight==
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===<center>1</center>===
  +
“...there’s no one here anymore.”
   
  +
Naru gave me a small smile as I raised my eyes to stare fixedly at his white face.
−
===1===
  
−  
−
“—There is no one left.”
  
−  
−
I looked blankly at Naru’s snow white face. Naru smiled at me.
  
   
 
“Look closely.”
  
“Look closely.”
   
−
With that, his white fingers pointed towards one of the walls. I looked through and beyond the wall that he pointed towards.
 +
Saying that, his white hand pointed towards one of the walls. The wall he pointed at became transparent.
   
−
I stared in front of me. Not only the walls and floors; everything around me was transparent. The outline of the dark school compound was connected by fine lines; there were many lights floating towards that place.
 +
I stared intently. Not only the wall, but also the floor and just about everything became transparent. Only the thin outline of the classroom remained within the darkness. Several lights were flying there.
   
−
“There are many will-o’-the-wisps gathered in the tea room on the first floor.”
 +
“There are a great deal of will-o’-the-wisps gathering in the first floor waiting room...”
   
−
“Yeah, and can you see something else?”
 +
“Yeah. They’re in there right now. Do you see anything else?”
   
  +
“They’re moving around unsteadily.”
−
“There are also flickering spirits floating around.”
  
   
−
Small, white will-o’-the-wisps floated around the first floor. On a count, there were 21 of them.
 +
Small, white will-o’-the-wisps were drifting around the first floor corridor. Upon counting the number, there were twenty-one.
   
 
“And then?”
  
“And then?”
   
−
Naru asked me.
 +
After he asked me, I questioned him in return.
   
  +
“And then?”
−
“There’s still something?”
  
   
−
“The other things?”
 +
“What else?”
   
−
I studied my surroundings once more, and found a few bright lights.
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I surveyed my surroundings once again. I noticed a few bright lights were visible.
   
−
Nearest to me, there was a light which glowed pink. I could see a figure inside the light – that was me, sitting in the corner.
 +
The light that was immediately visible was tinged pink. When I looked more closely, I could see a figure within the light. It was my figure sitting there.
   
−
In the next classroom there was a pale red glow; I could see a person vaguely inside it.
 +
I could see a faint red light in the classroom next door. I could also see a figure within that light.
   
−
“—It’s Bou-san!”
 +
“...Bou-san.”
   
−
Bou-san was just in the next classroom. He was leaning against the wall, and looked deep in thought.
 +
Bou-san was in the room next door. He was leaning on the wall and appeared to be contemplating something.
   
  +
“...he’s alive…?”
−
“—Bou-san!”
  
   
  +
The moment I said that, an image passed through my mind. I made my way half-way up the stairs. Even though I looked up the stairs, there was no one there. Even when I searched the second floor, there was no one there.
−
“—still alive—”
  
   
  +
..hmm.
−
The instance the words left my mouth, an idea suddenly flashed across my mind. I had stood up on the stairs – after I had risen, there was no one there; I didn’t see anyone either when I searched the second floor.
  
   
  +
I looked over at Naru, who was smiling beside me.
−
– So that’s how it was.
  
   
  +
“Perhaps, to Bou-san, we’re the ones who disappeared?”
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I turned to look at Naru, who was smiling beside me.
  
   
  +
“Right.”
−
“Could it be, that to Bou-san, we are the ones that disappeared?”
  
   
  +
“Well then, is it like that for everyone? John and Masako… everyone?”
−
“Right!”
  
   
  +
“That’s right. Probably.”
−
“If that’s the case, if that’s so, then could it be that John, Masako, and everyone else, are in similar situations?”
  
   
  +
Naru’s voice was very gentle.
−
“It’s probably like that.”
  
   
  +
When I turned my gaze toward the first floor, several figures were visible in the entry hall. John was pacing around while reciting something. Naru was sitting against the wall. Yasuhara-san was sitting next to him. Masako was standing on the opposite side. Each of them was encircled by a faint light. For the most part, it was a white light, however, it was very lightly colored.
−
Naru’s voice was really very gentle.
  
   
  +
I could see Ayako and Lin-san walking in the first floor corridor. Ayako was walking from the back. Lin-san was walking to the back. They nearly collided, quickly overlapped, and passed by each other.
−
Turning my gaze towards the first floor, there were several figures in the vestibule. John was pacing while mumbling to himself; Naru sat by the wall; Yasuhara sat beside him; Masako stood by the other end. Each of them was surrounded by a pale glow. Although I call the glow white, it was mixed with other extremely pale colors.
  
   
  +
“Huh...”
−
In the first floor corridor I could see Ayako and Lin-san. Ayako was just walking out from the inside; Lin-san was just about to walk inwards. The two of them looked like they were about to collide, but for an instance the two of them appeared to overlap, and then they separated.
  
   
  +
When I pointed, Naru nodded.
−
“Ah ne? What’s going on?”
  
   
  +
“Everyone is here. However, they’re not aware of each other’s existence.”
−
I pointed at the two of them; Naru nodded.
  
   
  +
“I see...”
−
“Everyone is still here, but do not know of each other’s existences.”
  
   
−
“How can this be?” I was so happy, I wanted to cry. Everyone was still alright, no one was missing. Thank goodness.
 +
I was so happy, I wanted to cry. Everyone was fine. No one was missing.
   
−
“Then what should I do now?”
 +
“What should I do now?”
   
−
As I finished my question, Naru placed a hand on my shoulder.
 +
After I asked, he put a hand on my shoulder.
   
−
“It should be about time. It’s alright. You can do it even if you are by yourself.”
 +
“It’s about time you learned to do it on your own.”
   
  +
“Does that mean I shouldn’t ask?”
−
“That is to say, there is a possibility that I can’t do it?”
  
   
−
“No. – Have you calmed down yet?”
 +
“No, that’s not it. —Have you calmed down yet?”
   
−
“—Yeah.”
 +
“...yeah.”
   
−
“This place is still temporarily safe, so you don’t need to worry. Try doing it again.”
 +
“This place is still safe for a little while. So don’t worry and try it again.”
   
−
“Try it again?”
 +
“Again?”
   
 
Naru nodded.
  
Naru nodded.
   
−
“Right. You come out by yourself, instead of me pulling you out.”
 +
“Right. Come out by yourself without being drawn out by me.”
   
−
– Come out by myself, instead of being pulled out—
 +
...come out without being drawn out…
   
  +
“Then, you’ve been making me dream this whole time?”
−
“If that’s the case, have you always been the one who has made me dream?”
  
   
  +
...is that possibly what he’s implying? Is that how it is?
−
– Could it be that this is what a ‘sign’ is?
  
   
  +
Naru didn’t reply. His beautiful smile returned.
−
Naru did not answer me; he merely gave me a brilliant smile.
  
   
−
===2===
 +
===<center>2</center>===
   
−
“Go back to your body first, and then try again.”
 +
“After I send you back to your body, do it again by yourself.”
   
−
“—Yeah.”
 +
“...okay.”
   
−
“After you go back, tense your body up and curl up.”
 +
“When you get back, become very tense and gather your body together.”
   
−
“Tense?”
 +
“Become tense?”
   
−
“Right. Put all your energy into it. Clasp your hands tightly in front of your chest with your palms facing up.”
 +
“Right. Focus on your whole body, and you should raise both hands. Cross your fingers in front of your chest.”
   
  +
“Like this?”
−
“Like this?” I followed what Naru said and demonstrated it for him. Naru nodded.
  
   
  +
When I tried it, he nodded.
−
“Yeah. After this, slowly control your breathing. Then, start to dissipate your energy from your fingertips.”
  
  +
  +
“Yeah. Then, breathe slowly and count your breaths. One after the other, release the tension from your fingertips.”
   
 
“I don’t quite understand.”
  
“I don’t quite understand.”
   
−
“Focus all your energy within, breathe slowly. While you are breathing, forget how you are breathing. Inhale, then exhale; repeat this 3 times. Feel your energy being drawn out, starting from your fingertips.”
 +
“Focus on your whole body and breathe slowly. As you breathe, turn your consciousness to how you’re breathing. Inhale and exhale repeatedly three times, then, to start, release the tension from your fingers.”
   
−
“Three times, is it?”
 +
“Three times, huh?”
   
−
“It is alright however many times you do it. But every three times, draw out a little more energy. After the fingertips, the wrists – release them in order. Relax both shoulders, then your feet. Like with your wrists and fingertips, release each part in order after an interval. Do you understand?”
 +
“However many times you do it is fine. Every three times, gradually release the tension. After the fingers are the wrists, and after the wrists are the elbows. After you release the tension from your shoulders, release it from your legs this time. From the fingers is just like with the arms. Release it from each joint in turn. —Do you understand?”
   
−
“Yeah, got it!”
+
“Yeah. I understand.”
   
−
“After all the energy in your limbs has been released, next are the waist and the abdomen. Although the posture is a little strange, don’t worry about it. If you feel like you’re going to fall over, just fall over.”
 +
“After the tension is released from your limbs, release it from your torso in order from your waist this time. Your posture will relax, but don’t worry. If you’re about to fall over, then you can fall over.”
   
−
“Yeah!”
 +
“Okay.”
   
−
“After you’ve released all the energy up to your neck, think about the problem with Kirishima – just a passing thought. If you can’t feel that easily, then think about the will-o’-the-wisps in the tea room, then connect that to the word ‘Kirishima’, and that should do it.”
 +
“Release the tension up to your neck and after it's released from your whole body, think about Kirishima. It only has to be a vague awareness. If you can’t focus on him well, then recall the will-o’-the-wisps in the waiting room. It’s also okay to recall the word ‘Kirishima.’”
   
−
“—I understand.”
 +
“...got it.”
   
−
“When you’re about to awake, you have to remember your own body. – because you have to do this to safely return to your own body.”
 +
“When it’s time to wake up, remember your body. You have to do this in order to return safely.”
   
−
“Yeah. Let me try. – But, how should I go and persuade him?”
 +
“Okay. I’ll try. —But, how do I persuade him?”
   
−
Naru smiled, a prince-like smile.
 +
Naru smiled elegantly.
   
−
“Show him the light.”
 +
“Imbue him with light.”
   
−
“The light?”
 +
“Light?”
   
−
“Yeah. I’m not too sure about this myself. But according to the ideology that heaven and hell exist, I think that doing such should be correct. – Humans are made of the ‘body’ and the ‘spirit’.”
 +
“Yeah. —Even I don’t understand it well, but I feel that the idea that there’s a heaven and there’s a hell is correct in a sense. —A person is made up of ‘body’ and ‘spirit’.”
   
 
“Yeah.”
  
“Yeah.”
   
−
“I think that the ‘spirit’ is made of two types of things: the ‘soul’ and ‘ego’; or ‘will’ – this term can also be used to express it: with this there is ‘intention’ and ‘aspiration’.”
 +
“I think the ‘spirit’ is made up of two more things. These are ‘soul’ and ‘ego’. There is the word ‘will’, but when you think about it, this is made up of ‘desire’ and ‘aspiration’.”
   
−
“Wu—Yeah.”
 +
“Hmm...”
   
−
“The ‘ego’ harbors the entire ‘soul’. Because the ‘ego’ is a membranous substance, I think is easier to think of the ‘spirit’ as a fluid for easier comprehension. The ‘soul’, a shapeless substance, adapts to the form and of the ‘ego’ and behaves as one. Because the ‘ego’ is transparent, you can see the ‘soul’ – this has the color of water. That’s why I think that shape and color that the ‘ego’ and the ‘soul’ produce together is the ‘spirit’. Right?”
 +
“This ‘ego’ envelops the ‘soul’. I think it’s easy to understand by thinking about the ‘ego’ as a membrane and the ‘soul’ as water. The ‘soul’ is a shapeless substance and the ‘ego’ works to regulate its form. Since the membrane known as the ‘ego’ is transparent, the color of the water known as the ‘soul’, which is inside, can be seen through it. I think that the shape and color produced by the ‘ego’ and the ‘soul’ is the ‘spirit’.”
   
  +
“Really.”
−
“Ai…”
  
   
−
“In greater detail, the ‘spirit’ is like water, which is made of hydrogen and oxygen. ‘Mood’ is made of particles. The particles of ‘mood’ can be positive or negative. The positive particle gives of light; the negative the particle absorbs light.”
 +
“Furthermore, the ‘soul’ is made up of particles of ‘feeling’ just like water is made up of oxygen and hydrogen. There are positive and negative particles of ‘feeling’. The positive particles emit light, and the negative particles absorb light.”
   
−
“That is to say, the positive ‘mood’ is filled with sunshine, while negative ‘mood’ is grey and dark. Is that the meaning?”
 +
“Does that mean the positive ‘feeling’ shines and the negative ‘feeling’ is dark?”
   
−
“Right. The positive ‘mood’ is light, thus the negative ‘mood’ is darkness. According to the activity of the ‘spirit’, the two types of particles are continuously produced and released through the transparent ‘ego’. – Do you understand?”
 +
“Right. The positive ‘feeling’ is light and the negative ‘feeling’ is darkness. Through the actions of the ‘soul’, these two particles are constantly produced and emitted outside the membrane known as the ‘ego’. —Do you understand?”
   
−
“I understand. – I think I’ve got it.”
 +
“I feel like… I understand.”
   
−
“Because the positive particle is very light, it rises continuously; because the negative particle is heavy, it sinks. That’s why there are similar types of light and large facilities that gather these two types.”
 +
“Since the positive particles are light, they steadily rise and since the negative particles are heavy, they sink. Then, the light and darkness gather together and produce large areas.”
   
−
“That would be heaven and hell, wouldn’t it?”
 +
“That’s heaven and hell, right?”
   
 
Naru nodded.
  
Naru nodded.
   
−
“After people die, they become spirits. At this time, if there are too many negative particles, the ‘spirit’ would be overburdened and sink, and vice versa.”
 +
“When a person dies, he becomes only ‘spirit.’ At that time, if the ‘soul’ contains a lot of negative particles, the ‘spirit’ is heavy, so it will sink. Conversely, if it contains a lot of positive particles, it can ascend.”
   
−
“Does that mean to say that Kirishima-sensei and the children have harbored too much negative ‘mood’, resulting in this?”
 +
“Both Kirishima-[[Ghost_Hunt:Volume8_Translator's_Notes#Sensei|sensei]] and the children sank down because they had too many negative ‘feelings’, right?”
   
−
“It’s just like this. The ‘spirit’ sinks continuously, while the positive ‘mood’ wants to float upwards. Like this, the ‘spirit’ wants to expel them. With that, the ‘spirit’ becomes even heavier, thus it prefers to expel all of the positive particles. After this – there are only negative particles left.”
 +
“Exactly. As the ‘spirit’ steadily sinks, since the positive ‘feelings’ are light, the effort to rise increases and they’re expelled outside the ‘spirit’. As a result, since it will become even heavier and sink, it becomes easier for even more positive particles to be expelled. By doing so… it will eventually become only negative particles.”
   
−
“And that is an evil spirit?”
 +
“Is that what an evil spirit is?”
   
 
“—Yeah.”
  
“—Yeah.”
   
−
Saying that, Naru lowered his head.
 +
Saying that, Naru cast his eyes downward.
   
−
“—They didn’t want to die at all, thus they could not accept the reality that they had already died. Because of fear, grief, loneliness, suffering, - they are unable to experience the happiness that exists in this world.”
 +
“...All of them didn’t want to die. So they’re unable to accept the fact that they died. They were scared and sad. And now they’re lonely and bitter. Like that, even if they remain in this world, they’re unable to be content at all. This world is not theirs anymore. The joy that was in this world can never be obtained again.”
   
−
“—Poor things –”
 +
“...poor things...”
   
  +
Naru made a slightly wistful smile.
−
A faint smile appeared on Naru’s face.
  
   
−
“Because they’ve gathered too much negative ‘mood’, that’s why they’ve fallen into darkness. Thus, to rescue them, what needs to be done is to give them thoughts that imbue light. Only like this, can they become lighter and rise, only like this would it be easier for positive ‘mood’ to gather.”
 +
“They’ve fully accumulated negative ‘feelings’ and are sinking to the dark bottom. Thus, the thing that’s necessary to save them is to imbue them with light. Imbue them with positive ‘feelings’. As a result, they’ll become lighter and be able to rise, and if they rise, it becomes easier to take in the positive ‘feelings’.”
   
  +
“But...how?”
−
“But—how should I do it?”
  
   
 
“First, you have to turn into light yourself, Mai.”
  
“First, you have to turn into light yourself, Mai.”
Line 195: Line 195:
 
“Turn into light?”
  
“Turn into light?”
   
−
“Right. Positive ‘mood’ is a warm and gentle feeling, not pity or grief. It is a truly gentle feeling. You have to hold this kind of feeling to communicate with them. Like this, while you are communicating, you can release positive particles simultaneously.”
 +
“Right. The positive ‘feeling’ is a warm, gentle emotion. It can’t be pity. Even sympathy is bad. Feel genuinely gentle and then speak to them. Then the positive particles will be released along with your words.”
   
  +
“It’s difficult, isn’t it?”
−
“It looks very difficult—”
  
   
−
Naru laughed.
 +
Naru smiled.
   
−
“It’s not difficult at all. Imagine the instance you communicate your feelings honestly and gently; just remember something that makes you feel warm.”
 +
“It’s not difficult at all. You only have to remember a moment when you felt very genuinely gentle or a time when you had truly warm thoughts.”
   
−
– A warm, gentle memory –
 +
...a warm, gentle memory…
   
−
“Although there are people who do not have this type of feeling in existence, you aren’t one of them, right?”
 +
“There are some people who don’t feel like that, but you’re different. —Right?”
   
−
“Yeah.”
 +
“I wonder.”
   
−
“There are also people who sink in negative thought, which is also a condition affecting spirits. Although this doesn’t have anything to do with life and death, the ‘ego’ of living people is very thick, so it is very difficult to pass positive particles into other people regardless of how hard you release them. This is also a problem area for living people to rescue spirits.”
 +
“Some people sink to the negative area while alive. Actually, life and death aren’t related to the way the ‘spirit’ exists. However, the ‘ego’ of a living person is thick. Therefore, no matter how much they emit positive particles, it doesn’t quite reach the inside of another person. Because of this, it’s difficult for others to save living people.”
   
−
“– the ‘ego’s of dead people are very thin?”
 +
“...is the ‘ego’ of a deceased person thin?”
   
−
“Very thin. Believe in yourself. You definitely can do it.”
 +
“Very thin. Believe in yourself. You’re absolutely capable.”
   
−
“—Yeah!”
 +
“...okay.”
   
−
Naru smiled, and gently pushed my shoulder. All at once Naru became very far away.
 +
Naru smiled and then gently pushed my shoulder. All of a sudden, Naru’s figure became distant.
   
−
Suddenly, I felt that I had returned.
 +
Suddenly, I felt the sensation of returning to myself.
   
  +
My cramped palms twitched.
−
Woozily, my hand jerked.
  
   
  +
Darkness spread out before my eyes. Only the front window was faintly bright.
−
It was completely dark around me; only the window in directly in front held a faint glow.
  
   
  +
I lifted my body, which had been leaning on the door.
−
“Naru—”
  
   
  +
“Naru...”
−
Somehow, I understood. If I could leave my body myself, then Naru wouldn’t have to do it anymore. That’s why just now Naru should have given me a sign to enter the spirit state. Because we were separated, that’s why he’s using this method –
 
   
  +
I somehow understood. If I was able to emerge from my body like that, then it wouldn’t be necessary for Naru to do it. It seemed Naru must have put me in a trance state in order to give me suggestions. Since we’re separated and he’s unable to do it, then…
−
It must be like this –
 
   
  +
Surely that’s it.
−
I didn’t dream of Naru, but really met him.
  
   
  +
I’m not dreaming about Naru. I’m really meeting him.
−
– Ah, I’ve remembered it.
  
   
  +
—Ah, I think so.
−
Masako had said before that when she had been captured by the spirit, Naru had appeared by her side. It must have been Naru going to give Masako encouragement.
 
   
  +
Masako said that once. It was during that time when she was caught by the spirit. Naru was with her. Surely, Naru went to encourage her.
−
“—incredible. I don’t dare to believe it.”
  
   
  +
“...incredible. It’s unimaginable.”
−
That fellow can actually do something like this…
  
   
  +
For him to do such a thing…
−
But, the Naru that I met when I left my body was very gentle – he who had left his body to become a spirit. If the ‘ego’ becomes very thin without a body, then wouldn’t ‘spirits’ that have left their bodies be able to see each other’s real form? If that was the case, then, could it be, that deep in Naru’s heart he is actually very gentle—?
  
   
  +
But, the Naru I meet when I’m away from my body is very gentle. If it’s the ‘spirit’ that leaves the body and the ‘ego’ becomes thinner without the body, then doesn’t that mean it’s easier to see the truth of another person whose ‘spirit’ is away from the body? If so, it may be that kind of thing. He’s probably gentle to that extent deep inside….
−
“I—like Naru—”
  
   
  +
“I...like Naru...”
−
===3===
  
   
  +
===<center>3</center>===
−
Following Naru’s instructions, I curled my body up, and placed all my energy into it; then I controlled my breathing evenly.
  
   
  +
As instructed, I gathered my body together. I focused on my entire body and breathed slowly.
−
Then, following the order, I let my body relax: first the hands, then the arms. I placed my hands in front of my chest and clasped my fingers together tightly. Then my hands fell to my knees. – After that, my feet – they collapsed immediately after I drew the energy out of them. And then my abdomen.
  
   
  +
Then, I released the tension in order. First, from the hands. Just as I released the tension from my elbows, my hands, which were folded in front of my chest, fell to my lap. Then, my legs. When I released the tension, my legs fell over sideways. I released the tension from my torso.
−
After releasing the energy in my neck, my head lolled immediately. Just like this, without moving, I breathed, and felt my body about to float, as though weightless.
  
   
  +
When the tension was released from my neck, my head hung down deeply. As I continued to breathe, I felt my body lightly drift upward.
−
– After that, my body jolted.
  
   
  +
—Then, there was a sudden impact.
−
“—!”
  
   
  +
“…!”
−
It was an intense shock that fell my body to one side and made me unable to breathe. I opened my eyes; it was pitch-black.
  
   
  +
I was thrown sideways. My whole body was struck so hard that I could barely breathe and when I opened my eyes, the darkness was pitch-black. What happened? I wonder if I failed.
−
What happened? Did I fail?
  
   
−
Looking around the impenetrable darkness that surrounded me, my feelings of panic ebbed slightly; small voices could be heard by my ear.
 +
I surveyed the empty darkness. When the beating of my heart calmed slightly, a feeble voice sounded in my ears.
   
  +
Opening my eyes wide, I listened carefully. As my eyes grew accustomed to the darkness, the surrounding scenery gradually became visible. Along with that, I realized the voice was the cry of many feeble voices.
−
Opening my eyes wide, I perked my ears and tried to listen.
  
   
  +
I could see seats lined up in rows. It was the inside of a bus. It was bent here and there, the glass of the windows was completely broken, and it was leaning severely. The bus was filled with feeble screams and crying.
−
After my eyes got used to the darkness, gradually, I could see the scene around me clearly. At the same time, I could also hear the tiny voices clearly.
  
   
  +
“...Mariko.”
−
There were rows of seats – this was inside a bus. The seats had collapsed and fallen over haphazardly, the vehicle’s windows were all shattered, the body of the vehicle was also sloping, and the entire vehicle was filled with intermittent groans and cries.
  
   
  +
Someone spoke. It was a man’s voice.
−
“—Mariko!”
  
   
  +
“Tsugumi. Takato.”
−
I heard a man’s voice.
  
   
  +
A man rose to his feet from below the front seat.
−
“Tsumura, Takaru!”
  
   
  +
“Are you okay? Is everyone okay?”
−
From beneath the front most seat, a man stood up.
  
   
  +
He stood up and walked towards the back. He picked up a small girl from a seat close by.
−
“Are you alright? Is everyone alright?”
  
   
  +
“Ai, come on. Are you okay?”
−
He stood up, then walked towards the back and picked up the little girl in the seat behind.
  
   
  +
His voice was pleading rather than asking. Within his words, I could hear the heartbreaking wish of him begging her to tell him she was okay.
−
“Ai, open your eyes, are you alright?”
  
   
  +
The girl was exhausted and groaned weakly. His wish was not granted.
−
The call sounded like a plea instead, a grief-filled plea for everyone to be safe and sound.
  
   
  +
“...Mika…Masamii.”
−
The girl was already exhausted, and made a weak groan. His plea could not pass through the girl’s ear.
  
   
  +
Continuing to hold Ai-chan, he staggered towards the back. I could see the figures of children who had fallen down in both the aisle and seats. He continued to hold Ai-chan and kneeled down near Tsugumi-kun who had fallen into the aisle. Holding Ai-chan securely in one arm, he embraced Tsugumi-kun. After doing so, he looked around at the devastation surrounding him. Within the crushed and leaning bus, eighteen children were now crying out their final voice.
−
“Yoshiya(美也)– Naomi(真美)!”
  
   
  +
As he called out the children’s names, he gathered their small bodies. Though he tried to hold them all in his arms, it wasn’t possible for him to hug everyone close.
−
He carried Ai while staggering towards the back. In the cabin, the seats had fallen over in all directions, filling the passage way. He looked for the children, carried Ai and walked to Tsumura, who was in the corridor, and knelt by him. He carried Ai in one hand and Tsumura in the other. He looked at the tragic scene around him: the practically flattened bus; the cries of 18 children before death.
  
   
  +
“...why...did this happen?”
−
He called the children’s names while gathering their small bodies. Obviously he could not hold so many children in his arms, but he still tried to hug them to his chest.
  
   
  +
Sobbing could be heard. I saw the man weeping for the first time.
−
“Why—how can this happen?”
  
   
  +
“How could this happen?”
−
I heard him croak. This was the first time I heard a grown man cry.
  
   
  +
A weak voice called out, ‘Sensei.’
−
“—Why—why did this type of thing happen?”
  
   
  +
“...it hurts...”
−
The children made soft noises – they were calling for their teacher.
  
   
  +
“Sensei...”
−
“—Ow—”
  
   
  +
The area overflowed with the painful cries of the children. After looking around at this, he fell down on the spot and wept bitterly.
−
“—Sensei—”
  
   
  +
“Sensei, I’m scared.”
−
The pain-filled cries of the children filled the air. He fell over and wailed in anguish.
  
   
  +
Mariko-chan pulled at Sensei’s clothing as she cried. Small hands extended one after the other, seeking his help.
−
“Sensei— I’m scared.”
  
   
  +
“It hurts, Sensei.”
−
Mariko cried while grasping on to his shirt. After that, all the small hands of the children reached over, begging him for salvation.
  
   
  +
“I’m scared.”
−
“It hurts, sensei—”
  
   
  +
He looked around at the children who gathered around him. One by one, he patted the hands that clung to him.
−
“I’m scared—”
  
   
  +
“It’s okay… it’s okay.”
−
He looked at the children gathered around him, and patted their hands one by one.
  
   
  +
“Sensei...”
−
“It’s ok, it’s ok—”
  
   
  +
“Don’t worry. Let’s go back to the school. We’ll go back and treat it, then you won’t have anything to worry about.”
−
“Sensei—”
  
   
  +
“But, it hurts. I can’t move.”
−
“Don’t worry, let’s go back to the school. If we go back to school, you don’t need to be afraid anymore.”
  
   
  +
“Don’t worry. Sensei’s going to bring everyone back. So, let’s go back.”
−
“But, it hurts, I can’t move.”
  
   
  +
Though he was crying, he smiled at the children nevertheless.
−
“Don’t worry, sensei will take you all back safely. So, let’s go back!”
  
   
  +
My vision blurred. When I blinked, my tears spilled over and, once my vision was clear once more, I could see his figure leading the children by their hands towards a dark hole, which had opened at the back of the bus.
−
He smiled at the children through his tears.
  
   
  +
===<center>4</center>===
−
My vision blurred, in a flash, tears poured down. I blinked my eyes. A dark abyss had suddenly opened within the bus. I looked on as he held the children’s hands and walked into it.
  
   
  +
“...wait.”
−
===4===
  
   
  +
I called out without thinking.
−
“—Wait up!”
  
   
  +
“Please wait, Kirishima-sensei!”
−
I couldn’t help calling out.
  
   
  +
He looked back.
−
“Kirishima-sensei, please wait up.”
  
   
  +
“It’s no use. Don’t do that.”
−
He turned.
  
   
  +
He walked towards me in the dark passage. A shadow fell over his face and his expression appeared somewhat cruel. I never would have guessed that he was a gentle teacher until just a moment ago.
−
“Don’t go, please don’t do this!”
  
   
  +
“...don’t take them there. Both you and the children are dead.”
−
He walked back from the dark passage, face covered with dark shadows. Why was it that what I saw was a gloomy and tragic face? The face filled with gentleness that was present up till a moment ago no longer existed.
  
   
  +
He came close to me.
−
“You cannot bring the children there. Sensei and the children are all already dead!”
  
   
  +
“Please understand. All of you are already dead. Even if you take them there, it will only be painful, you won’t find comfort. They can’t go home and they won’t be able to see their mothers. Only pain remains and it won’t get any better...!”
−
In a flash he was by my side.
  
   
  +
His hands reached out and caught ahold of my shoulders. He grasped both my shoulders with such force that my bones cracked, then he turned me sideways with all his might.
−
“Please wake up, everyone is already dead. Even if you bring them back to school there is nothing but pain – they can’t be happy. They can’t go home, they can’t see their mothers either – there’ll only be suffering. Doing this isn’t good at all!”
  
−  
−
He reached out and grasped my shoulder tightly. Grasping me with a strength that made a vague bony creak, he pulled me inwards.
  
   
 
“Sensei!”
  
“Sensei!”
   
−
I was forced forwards. After that, the classroom appeared in front of me.
 +
I was forced to turn sideways, and then there was a classroom before me.
   
−
I stood in front of the black board. Eighteen tables lined the classroom, with the children seated there. I faced the gaze of eighteen children.
 +
I stood in front of the classroom’s blackboard. There were eighteen desks in the classroom and the children were seated at them.
   
−
“Let me introduce a new transfer student to everyone!”
 +
“I’m going to introduce a transfer student.”
   
−
Sensei said while turning to me. A gentle smile appeared on his face.
 +
As Sensei said this, I looked back at him. A bright, warm smile appeared on his face.
   
−
“This is Taniyama. Please get along well, everyone.”
 +
“This is Taniyama Mai-san. Everyone, get along well!”
   
  +
‘Yes!’ they all replied in unison, then laughed.
−
“Yes!” – The whole class answered unanimously.
  
   
−
“Taniyama, your seat is over there. 佐织, please take care of her.”
 +
“Taniyama-san’s seat is right there. Saori, please look after her.”
   
−
“Yes!” – The one who replied was the oldest girl. Sensei pushed me into the center of the classroom. Each child wore a happy smile.
 +
‘Yes!’ answered the oldest girl. Sensei nudged my back and I was pushed into the classroom. All the children appeared extremely happy.
   
−
“Taniyama is much older than you are, so if you have any problems you can approach her to discuss it. – Taniyama, everyone is counting on you.”
 +
“Taniyama-san is much older than everyone, so if you have any troubles, please speak with her. —Taniyama-san also, please take care of everyone.”
   
  +
I sat in a small chair. Saori-chan grinned beside me.
−
I was forced to sit on a tiny chair. Next to me, 佐织 was smiling happily.
  
   
  +
“...Sensei, this is no use. Something like this, don’t...”
−
“Sensei – No! – You can’t do this—”
  
   
−
I lifted my head. A girl appeared beside Kirishima-sensei.
 +
I looked up at a small girl standing beside Kirishima-sensei.
   
−
“Sensei, it looks like we have exactly 40 people like this.”
 +
“Sensei, there’s exactly forty people here, right?”
   
 
Sensei patted the girl’s head.
  
Sensei patted the girl’s head.
   
−
“Incredible. You have counted so accurately.”
 +
“Excellent! You were able to count it properly.”
   
 
“Yeah!”
  
“Yeah!”
   
  +
‘Sensei,’ one of the other children called out to Kirishima-sensei.
−
“Sensei,” - another child called.
  
   
−
“If it’s like this, then does it mean we can have another class?”
 +
“If we get anymore, can we have another class?”
   
−
“Yes. We can almost start another class already.”
 +
“That’s right! We can divide it into two groups soon.”
   
−
“If we have another class, then can we play dodge ball?”
 +
“Then we can play dodgeball between the classes, right?”
   
  +
“That’s right!”
−
“Yes!”
  
   
−
“But, what about teachers? We have two classes but if there is only one teacher, it’ll be very strange.”
 +
“But, what about the teacher? If we have two classes and one teacher, it will be strange.”
   
  +
“It’s okay.”
−
“It won’t be a problem.”
  
   
 
Sensei smiled.
  
Sensei smiled.
   
−
“There is someone who can be a teacher.”
 +
“Because there are people who can become teachers.”
   
 
“Really?”
  
“Really?”
   
−
“Really. The number of teachers will increase shortly. If it’s like this we have to make a teacher’s tea room.”
 +
“Really. Soon, the teachers will increase. Then we’ll have to make a staff room.”
   
  +
“Awesome! Wouldn’t it be nice if the school got full soon, Sensei?”
−
“Incredible – the school is about to become this big, sensei.”
  
   
−
“Indeed!”
 +
“It would!”
   
−
I watched this sad dialogue between teacher and student in front of me.
 +
I watched the conversation between Sensei and the students with sadness.
   
  +
...the sudden tragedy. The lonely school that sad hearts created. Since the school was lonely, it would be good if it became filled with students and because there were no longer any new students, it would at the very least be filled with transfer students. The children were sad and alone, hungry and thirsty. Because I understood these feelings, it was so painful I wanted to cry.
−
– The sudden tragedy created so many hurt spirits and a lonely school.
  
   
  +
“Kirishima-sensei, please stop this!”
−
If it is lonely, then fill the school with students. If there aren’t any new students enrolling, then transfer students would do as well. How lonely, how lonely; how they yearn, they yearn – I could understand this sort of feeling; the anguish that makes one want to cry out.
  
   
  +
Sensei looked over at me with puzzlement.
−
“Kirishima-sensei, please don’t do this anymore.”
  
   
  +
“Please stop this already. Even if the school building fills up, the loneliness will never end. The reason everyone’s lonely isn’t because there aren’t enough students. It’s because they’re no longer living.”
−
Sensei looked back at me, puzzled.
  
   
  +
“...what are you talking about?”
−
“Please don’t continue like this! Even if the number of students in the school increases, it won’t stop this loneliness. Everyone’s loneliness isn’t because of the low number of students in the school, but because everyone is already not living!”
  
   
  +
Sensei smiled. His eyes took on a disquieting hue.
−
“—What are you talking about?”
  
   
  +
“Everyone is already dead. The bus was in an accident on the way back from the field trip and everyone died. Even if you pretend to forget, everyone remembers. So it will always be painful. No matter how much you increase your friends, no matter how lively the school becomes, it can’t heal the loneliness of not being able to live anymore.”
−
Sensei was smiling. His eyes flashed.
  
−  
−
“Everyone is already dead! It was an accident that happened during the school trip – everyone is already dead! Even if you pretend to forget, you all still remember. That’s why everyone is in pain regardless of the time! Even if the number of students increases, regardless of how lively the school becomes, deep inside, everybody’s hearts are filled with loneliness because you can’t continue living. It is a wound that cannot be healed regardless of what you do.”
  
   
 
“What are you talking about?”
  
“What are you talking about?”
   
−
“I understand your feelings, sensei. These young girls clearly carried dreams for the future, but all of them were destroyed when they suddenly died. They died with horror and pain. I can understand this type of feeling. But doing so will only make your suffering limitless. It will only bring the same pain to the transfer students—”
 +
“I understand Sensei’s feelings. The sudden death of these small children. Even though their future and dreams should have existed, they were all cut off. They were scared, in pain, dying. I can understand your feelings for wanting to do this, but as long as you do this, it will continue to be painful. Even for the transfer students you bring in, it will be just as painful.”
−  
−
“Taniyama, you are really a strange child.”
  
   
  +
“Taniyama-san, you’re a bit of a strange child, aren’t you?”
−
“Please wake up! – Everyone, please remember it!”
  
   
  +
“Please stop this already! Everyone, remember!”
−
I looked at the children who looked back at me. Somehow, the class had swelled to 39 students.
  
   
  +
I looked around at all the children, who were staring at me. The students had increased to thirty-nine without me noticing.
−
“Because of a frightening accident, everyone is already dead!”
  
   
  +
“There was a terrible accident. Because of this, everyone died.”
−
Suddenly, a boy sitting in the front row started crying. As though it was contagious, the other students also started crying.
  
   
  +
Suddenly, a boy in a seat at the front burst into tears. Then, as if contagious, the other children began to cry as well.
−
“Is it very painful, very tragic? But the transfer students that were brought here are also in the same pain. If you want to get rid of the pain, the only way is to go to the other side of the bridge. If you cross the river, the pain and suffering will disappear. Regardless of what you do here now, the anguish will not disappear.”
  
   
  +
“You’re in pain, right? You’re sad, right? But, the transfer students you took are in pain, too. In order to not be in pain, you have to go to the other side of the bridge. If you [[Ghost_Hunt:Volume8_Translator's_Notes#Sanzu_River|cross the river]], all the pain and suffering will disappear. Even if you increase your friends, the pain will not go away.”
−
The classroom was filled with the sound of weeping. It was as though they were screaming, ‘it hurts!’ Although I felt it was like I was bullying other people, this was my only choice to give everyone salvation.
  
   
  +
The inside of the classroom was filled with weeping and voices calling out, ‘It hurts!’ I felt like a bully, but I had to do this in order to alleviate everyone’s pain.
−
“Is there anyone who has gone home before? Anyone who can meet their mothers and fathers?”
  
   
  +
“Is there anyone who’s gone home? Anyone who’s seen their mother and father?”
−
Suddenly, someone grasped my wrist.
  
   
  +
My arm was grabbed with an intense force.
−
“You are really a naughty child.”
  
   
  +
“You’re a cruel child.”
−
“This is not being naughty!”
  
   
  +
“It isn’t cruel.”
−
“It is naughty, you’ve made everyone cry. Don’t you feel pity?”
  
   
−
“Does continuing on like this make it less pitiful?”
 +
“It is cruel. Everyone’s crying so much. Don’t you think it’s pitiful!?”
   
  +
“I think it’s pitiful to forever remain this way without change!”
−
Even if they wanted to return, they could not go; even if they wanted to meet, they could not meet – such is death. All these children have already died. So, no matter how hard they pray, they are unable to go back, unable to meet their parents.
  
   
  +
Even if they want to go home, they can’t go home. Even if they want to see someone, they can’t see that person. It’s because they’re dead. All these children are dead. Therefore, they can’t go home no matter how much they wish to. They can’t see their mother and father.
−
“My parents are already dead. If they were trapped like this, I would feel very sad. Even if they forgot about me, I would wish they would be able to cross that bridge and be happy. That’s why I wish everyone can be happy!”
  
   
  +
“My mother and father also died. I’d be very sad if they were trapped somewhere like this. I don’t mind if they forget about me because I want them to cross over the bridge quickly and be at ease. Therefore, I want everyone to be at ease, too.”
−
The room was filled with cries. Right! If everyone did not forget, if it was like this, there’d only be suffering.
  
   
  +
The room was filled with crying. See, they could not forget. Like this, it would always be painful.
−
“They are all lies!”
  
   
  +
“It’s a lie!”
−
Kirishima-sensei shouted loudly.
  
   
  +
Kirishima-sensei loudly raised his voice.
−
“Whatever about dead or alive – they’re all lies! We will not believe them.”
  
   
  +
“It’s a lie that we’re died! Don’t believe it!”
−
“Sensei, stop!”
  
   
  +
“Sensei, stop it!”
−
“Don’t meddle with my students!”
  
   
−
Suddenly something flew over, and split my body. Although there was no wound, there was soul piercing pain. My body was paralyzed.
 +
Suddenly, something flew at me. I felt it cut my body. There weren’t any injuries, but there was a piercing pain that made my whole body numb.
   
−
“Sensei! Please think carefully about it!”
 +
“Sensei, please understand!”
   
−
“Shut up! The children and I are fine like this!”
 +
“Shut up! The students and I are fine like this!!”
   
−
Bang! Something flew at me once more, and expelled me out into the corridor. In the instance I hit the wall hard, I heard Naru’s voice.
 +
Something came flying at me with great force. I was nearly sent flying. I was forced out into the corridor and the moment I hit the wall, I heard Naru’s voice.
   
−
“Mai! Come back!”
 +
“Mai!! Come back!!”
   
−
– Go back? Go back where?
 +
—Go back? Go back where?
   
−
“Remember your own body!”
 +
“Remember your body!”
   
   

Latest revision as of 13:44, 19 January 2017

Chapter 8 - August 13th, 11:00 pm - 12 midnight[edit]

1
[edit]

“...there’s no one here anymore.”

Naru gave me a small smile as I raised my eyes to stare fixedly at his white face.

“Look closely.”

Saying that, his white hand pointed towards one of the walls. The wall he pointed at became transparent.

I stared intently. Not only the wall, but also the floor and just about everything became transparent. Only the thin outline of the classroom remained within the darkness. Several lights were flying there.

“There are a great deal of will-o’-the-wisps gathering in the first floor waiting room...”

“Yeah. They’re in there right now. Do you see anything else?”

“They’re moving around unsteadily.”

Small, white will-o’-the-wisps were drifting around the first floor corridor. Upon counting the number, there were twenty-one.

“And then?”

After he asked me, I questioned him in return.

“And then?”

“What else?”

I surveyed my surroundings once again. I noticed a few bright lights were visible.

The light that was immediately visible was tinged pink. When I looked more closely, I could see a figure within the light. It was my figure sitting there.

I could see a faint red light in the classroom next door. I could also see a figure within that light.

“...Bou-san.”

Bou-san was in the room next door. He was leaning on the wall and appeared to be contemplating something.

“...he’s alive…?”

The moment I said that, an image passed through my mind. I made my way half-way up the stairs. Even though I looked up the stairs, there was no one there. Even when I searched the second floor, there was no one there.

..hmm.

I looked over at Naru, who was smiling beside me.

“Perhaps, to Bou-san, we’re the ones who disappeared?”

“Right.”

“Well then, is it like that for everyone? John and Masako… everyone?”

“That’s right. Probably.”

Naru’s voice was very gentle.

When I turned my gaze toward the first floor, several figures were visible in the entry hall. John was pacing around while reciting something. Naru was sitting against the wall. Yasuhara-san was sitting next to him. Masako was standing on the opposite side. Each of them was encircled by a faint light. For the most part, it was a white light, however, it was very lightly colored.

I could see Ayako and Lin-san walking in the first floor corridor. Ayako was walking from the back. Lin-san was walking to the back. They nearly collided, quickly overlapped, and passed by each other.

“Huh...”

When I pointed, Naru nodded.

“Everyone is here. However, they’re not aware of each other’s existence.”

“I see...”

I was so happy, I wanted to cry. Everyone was fine. No one was missing.

“What should I do now?”

After I asked, he put a hand on my shoulder.

“It’s about time you learned to do it on your own.”

“Does that mean I shouldn’t ask?”

“No, that’s not it. —Have you calmed down yet?”

“...yeah.”

“This place is still safe for a little while. So don’t worry and try it again.”

“Again?”

Naru nodded.

“Right. Come out by yourself without being drawn out by me.”

...come out without being drawn out…

“Then, you’ve been making me dream this whole time?”

...is that possibly what he’s implying? Is that how it is?

Naru didn’t reply. His beautiful smile returned.

2
[edit]

“After I send you back to your body, do it again by yourself.”

“...okay.”

“When you get back, become very tense and gather your body together.”

“Become tense?”

“Right. Focus on your whole body, and you should raise both hands. Cross your fingers in front of your chest.”

“Like this?”

When I tried it, he nodded.

“Yeah. Then, breathe slowly and count your breaths. One after the other, release the tension from your fingertips.”

“I don’t quite understand.”

“Focus on your whole body and breathe slowly. As you breathe, turn your consciousness to how you’re breathing. Inhale and exhale repeatedly three times, then, to start, release the tension from your fingers.”

“Three times, huh?”

“However many times you do it is fine. Every three times, gradually release the tension. After the fingers are the wrists, and after the wrists are the elbows. After you release the tension from your shoulders, release it from your legs this time. From the fingers is just like with the arms. Release it from each joint in turn. —Do you understand?”

“Yeah. I understand.”

“After the tension is released from your limbs, release it from your torso in order from your waist this time. Your posture will relax, but don’t worry. If you’re about to fall over, then you can fall over.”

“Okay.”

“Release the tension up to your neck and after it's released from your whole body, think about Kirishima. It only has to be a vague awareness. If you can’t focus on him well, then recall the will-o’-the-wisps in the waiting room. It’s also okay to recall the word ‘Kirishima.’”

“...got it.”

“When it’s time to wake up, remember your body. You have to do this in order to return safely.”

“Okay. I’ll try. —But, how do I persuade him?”

Naru smiled elegantly.

“Imbue him with light.”

“Light?”

“Yeah. —Even I don’t understand it well, but I feel that the idea that there’s a heaven and there’s a hell is correct in a sense. —A person is made up of ‘body’ and ‘spirit’.”

“Yeah.”

“I think the ‘spirit’ is made up of two more things. These are ‘soul’ and ‘ego’. There is the word ‘will’, but when you think about it, this is made up of ‘desire’ and ‘aspiration’.”

“Hmm...”

“This ‘ego’ envelops the ‘soul’. I think it’s easy to understand by thinking about the ‘ego’ as a membrane and the ‘soul’ as water. The ‘soul’ is a shapeless substance and the ‘ego’ works to regulate its form. Since the membrane known as the ‘ego’ is transparent, the color of the water known as the ‘soul’, which is inside, can be seen through it. I think that the shape and color produced by the ‘ego’ and the ‘soul’ is the ‘spirit’.”

“Really.”

“Furthermore, the ‘soul’ is made up of particles of ‘feeling’ just like water is made up of oxygen and hydrogen. There are positive and negative particles of ‘feeling’. The positive particles emit light, and the negative particles absorb light.”

“Does that mean the positive ‘feeling’ shines and the negative ‘feeling’ is dark?”

“Right. The positive ‘feeling’ is light and the negative ‘feeling’ is darkness. Through the actions of the ‘soul’, these two particles are constantly produced and emitted outside the membrane known as the ‘ego’. —Do you understand?”

“I feel like… I understand.”

“Since the positive particles are light, they steadily rise and since the negative particles are heavy, they sink. Then, the light and darkness gather together and produce large areas.”

“That’s heaven and hell, right?”

Naru nodded.

“When a person dies, he becomes only ‘spirit.’ At that time, if the ‘soul’ contains a lot of negative particles, the ‘spirit’ is heavy, so it will sink. Conversely, if it contains a lot of positive particles, it can ascend.”

“Both Kirishima-sensei and the children sank down because they had too many negative ‘feelings’, right?”

“Exactly. As the ‘spirit’ steadily sinks, since the positive ‘feelings’ are light, the effort to rise increases and they’re expelled outside the ‘spirit’. As a result, since it will become even heavier and sink, it becomes easier for even more positive particles to be expelled. By doing so… it will eventually become only negative particles.”

“Is that what an evil spirit is?”

“—Yeah.”

Saying that, Naru cast his eyes downward.

“...All of them didn’t want to die. So they’re unable to accept the fact that they died. They were scared and sad. And now they’re lonely and bitter. Like that, even if they remain in this world, they’re unable to be content at all. This world is not theirs anymore. The joy that was in this world can never be obtained again.”

“...poor things...”

Naru made a slightly wistful smile.

“They’ve fully accumulated negative ‘feelings’ and are sinking to the dark bottom. Thus, the thing that’s necessary to save them is to imbue them with light. Imbue them with positive ‘feelings’. As a result, they’ll become lighter and be able to rise, and if they rise, it becomes easier to take in the positive ‘feelings’.”

“But...how?”

“First, you have to turn into light yourself, Mai.”

“Turn into light?”

“Right. The positive ‘feeling’ is a warm, gentle emotion. It can’t be pity. Even sympathy is bad. Feel genuinely gentle and then speak to them. Then the positive particles will be released along with your words.”

“It’s difficult, isn’t it?”

Naru smiled.

“It’s not difficult at all. You only have to remember a moment when you felt very genuinely gentle or a time when you had truly warm thoughts.”

...a warm, gentle memory…

“There are some people who don’t feel like that, but you’re different. —Right?”

“I wonder.”

“Some people sink to the negative area while alive. Actually, life and death aren’t related to the way the ‘spirit’ exists. However, the ‘ego’ of a living person is thick. Therefore, no matter how much they emit positive particles, it doesn’t quite reach the inside of another person. Because of this, it’s difficult for others to save living people.”

“...is the ‘ego’ of a deceased person thin?”

“Very thin. Believe in yourself. You’re absolutely capable.”

“...okay.”

Naru smiled and then gently pushed my shoulder. All of a sudden, Naru’s figure became distant.

Suddenly, I felt the sensation of returning to myself.

My cramped palms twitched.

Darkness spread out before my eyes. Only the front window was faintly bright.

I lifted my body, which had been leaning on the door.

“Naru...”

I somehow understood. If I was able to emerge from my body like that, then it wouldn’t be necessary for Naru to do it. It seemed Naru must have put me in a trance state in order to give me suggestions. Since we’re separated and he’s unable to do it, then…

Surely that’s it.

I’m not dreaming about Naru. I’m really meeting him.

—Ah, I think so.

Masako said that once. It was during that time when she was caught by the spirit. Naru was with her. Surely, Naru went to encourage her.

“...incredible. It’s unimaginable.”

For him to do such a thing…

But, the Naru I meet when I’m away from my body is very gentle. If it’s the ‘spirit’ that leaves the body and the ‘ego’ becomes thinner without the body, then doesn’t that mean it’s easier to see the truth of another person whose ‘spirit’ is away from the body? If so, it may be that kind of thing. He’s probably gentle to that extent deep inside….

“I...like Naru...”

3
[edit]

As instructed, I gathered my body together. I focused on my entire body and breathed slowly.

Then, I released the tension in order. First, from the hands. Just as I released the tension from my elbows, my hands, which were folded in front of my chest, fell to my lap. Then, my legs. When I released the tension, my legs fell over sideways. I released the tension from my torso.

When the tension was released from my neck, my head hung down deeply. As I continued to breathe, I felt my body lightly drift upward.

—Then, there was a sudden impact.

“…!”

I was thrown sideways. My whole body was struck so hard that I could barely breathe and when I opened my eyes, the darkness was pitch-black. What happened? I wonder if I failed.

I surveyed the empty darkness. When the beating of my heart calmed slightly, a feeble voice sounded in my ears.

Opening my eyes wide, I listened carefully. As my eyes grew accustomed to the darkness, the surrounding scenery gradually became visible. Along with that, I realized the voice was the cry of many feeble voices.

I could see seats lined up in rows. It was the inside of a bus. It was bent here and there, the glass of the windows was completely broken, and it was leaning severely. The bus was filled with feeble screams and crying.

“...Mariko.”

Someone spoke. It was a man’s voice.

“Tsugumi. Takato.”

A man rose to his feet from below the front seat.

“Are you okay? Is everyone okay?”

He stood up and walked towards the back. He picked up a small girl from a seat close by.

“Ai, come on. Are you okay?”

His voice was pleading rather than asking. Within his words, I could hear the heartbreaking wish of him begging her to tell him she was okay.

The girl was exhausted and groaned weakly. His wish was not granted.

“...Mika…Masamii.”

Continuing to hold Ai-chan, he staggered towards the back. I could see the figures of children who had fallen down in both the aisle and seats. He continued to hold Ai-chan and kneeled down near Tsugumi-kun who had fallen into the aisle. Holding Ai-chan securely in one arm, he embraced Tsugumi-kun. After doing so, he looked around at the devastation surrounding him. Within the crushed and leaning bus, eighteen children were now crying out their final voice.

As he called out the children’s names, he gathered their small bodies. Though he tried to hold them all in his arms, it wasn’t possible for him to hug everyone close.

“...why...did this happen?”

Sobbing could be heard. I saw the man weeping for the first time.

“How could this happen?”

A weak voice called out, ‘Sensei.’

“...it hurts...”

“Sensei...”

The area overflowed with the painful cries of the children. After looking around at this, he fell down on the spot and wept bitterly.

“Sensei, I’m scared.”

Mariko-chan pulled at Sensei’s clothing as she cried. Small hands extended one after the other, seeking his help.

“It hurts, Sensei.”

“I’m scared.”

He looked around at the children who gathered around him. One by one, he patted the hands that clung to him.

“It’s okay… it’s okay.”

“Sensei...”

“Don’t worry. Let’s go back to the school. We’ll go back and treat it, then you won’t have anything to worry about.”

“But, it hurts. I can’t move.”

“Don’t worry. Sensei’s going to bring everyone back. So, let’s go back.”

Though he was crying, he smiled at the children nevertheless.

My vision blurred. When I blinked, my tears spilled over and, once my vision was clear once more, I could see his figure leading the children by their hands towards a dark hole, which had opened at the back of the bus.

4
[edit]

“...wait.”

I called out without thinking.

“Please wait, Kirishima-sensei!”

He looked back.

“It’s no use. Don’t do that.”

He walked towards me in the dark passage. A shadow fell over his face and his expression appeared somewhat cruel. I never would have guessed that he was a gentle teacher until just a moment ago.

“...don’t take them there. Both you and the children are dead.”

He came close to me.

“Please understand. All of you are already dead. Even if you take them there, it will only be painful, you won’t find comfort. They can’t go home and they won’t be able to see their mothers. Only pain remains and it won’t get any better...!”

His hands reached out and caught ahold of my shoulders. He grasped both my shoulders with such force that my bones cracked, then he turned me sideways with all his might.

“Sensei!”

I was forced to turn sideways, and then there was a classroom before me.

I stood in front of the classroom’s blackboard. There were eighteen desks in the classroom and the children were seated at them.

“I’m going to introduce a transfer student.”

As Sensei said this, I looked back at him. A bright, warm smile appeared on his face.

“This is Taniyama Mai-san. Everyone, get along well!”

‘Yes!’ they all replied in unison, then laughed.

“Taniyama-san’s seat is right there. Saori, please look after her.”

‘Yes!’ answered the oldest girl. Sensei nudged my back and I was pushed into the classroom. All the children appeared extremely happy.

“Taniyama-san is much older than everyone, so if you have any troubles, please speak with her. —Taniyama-san also, please take care of everyone.”

I sat in a small chair. Saori-chan grinned beside me.

“...Sensei, this is no use. Something like this, don’t...”

I looked up at a small girl standing beside Kirishima-sensei.

“Sensei, there’s exactly forty people here, right?”

Sensei patted the girl’s head.

“Excellent! You were able to count it properly.”

“Yeah!”

‘Sensei,’ one of the other children called out to Kirishima-sensei.

“If we get anymore, can we have another class?”

“That’s right! We can divide it into two groups soon.”

“Then we can play dodgeball between the classes, right?”

“That’s right!”

“But, what about the teacher? If we have two classes and one teacher, it will be strange.”

“It’s okay.”

Sensei smiled.

“Because there are people who can become teachers.”

“Really?”

“Really. Soon, the teachers will increase. Then we’ll have to make a staff room.”

“Awesome! Wouldn’t it be nice if the school got full soon, Sensei?”

“It would!”

I watched the conversation between Sensei and the students with sadness.

...the sudden tragedy. The lonely school that sad hearts created. Since the school was lonely, it would be good if it became filled with students and because there were no longer any new students, it would at the very least be filled with transfer students. The children were sad and alone, hungry and thirsty. Because I understood these feelings, it was so painful I wanted to cry.

“Kirishima-sensei, please stop this!”

Sensei looked over at me with puzzlement.

“Please stop this already. Even if the school building fills up, the loneliness will never end. The reason everyone’s lonely isn’t because there aren’t enough students. It’s because they’re no longer living.”

“...what are you talking about?”

Sensei smiled. His eyes took on a disquieting hue.

“Everyone is already dead. The bus was in an accident on the way back from the field trip and everyone died. Even if you pretend to forget, everyone remembers. So it will always be painful. No matter how much you increase your friends, no matter how lively the school becomes, it can’t heal the loneliness of not being able to live anymore.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I understand Sensei’s feelings. The sudden death of these small children. Even though their future and dreams should have existed, they were all cut off. They were scared, in pain, dying. I can understand your feelings for wanting to do this, but as long as you do this, it will continue to be painful. Even for the transfer students you bring in, it will be just as painful.”

“Taniyama-san, you’re a bit of a strange child, aren’t you?”

“Please stop this already! Everyone, remember!”

I looked around at all the children, who were staring at me. The students had increased to thirty-nine without me noticing.

“There was a terrible accident. Because of this, everyone died.”

Suddenly, a boy in a seat at the front burst into tears. Then, as if contagious, the other children began to cry as well.

“You’re in pain, right? You’re sad, right? But, the transfer students you took are in pain, too. In order to not be in pain, you have to go to the other side of the bridge. If you cross the river, all the pain and suffering will disappear. Even if you increase your friends, the pain will not go away.”

The inside of the classroom was filled with weeping and voices calling out, ‘It hurts!’ I felt like a bully, but I had to do this in order to alleviate everyone’s pain.

“Is there anyone who’s gone home? Anyone who’s seen their mother and father?”

My arm was grabbed with an intense force.

“You’re a cruel child.”

“It isn’t cruel.”

“It is cruel. Everyone’s crying so much. Don’t you think it’s pitiful!?”

“I think it’s pitiful to forever remain this way without change!”

Even if they want to go home, they can’t go home. Even if they want to see someone, they can’t see that person. It’s because they’re dead. All these children are dead. Therefore, they can’t go home no matter how much they wish to. They can’t see their mother and father.

“My mother and father also died. I’d be very sad if they were trapped somewhere like this. I don’t mind if they forget about me because I want them to cross over the bridge quickly and be at ease. Therefore, I want everyone to be at ease, too.”

The room was filled with crying. See, they could not forget. Like this, it would always be painful.

“It’s a lie!”

Kirishima-sensei loudly raised his voice.

“It’s a lie that we’re died! Don’t believe it!”

“Sensei, stop it!”

Suddenly, something flew at me. I felt it cut my body. There weren’t any injuries, but there was a piercing pain that made my whole body numb.

“Sensei, please understand!”

“Shut up! The students and I are fine like this!!”

Something came flying at me with great force. I was nearly sent flying. I was forced out into the corridor and the moment I hit the wall, I heard Naru’s voice.

“Mai!! Come back!!”

—Go back? Go back where?

“Remember your body!”


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