Clannad VN:SEEN4508
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// Resources for SEEN4508.TXT
#character '＊Ｂ'
#character 'Cô Gái 1'
// 'Girl 1'
#character 'Cô Gái 2'
// 'Girl 2'
#character 'Cô Gái 3'
// 'Girl 3'
#character 'Giáo Viên'
// 'Teacher'
#character 'Giọng Nói'
// 'Voice'
#character 'Kyou'
#character 'Kotomi'
#character 'Cha'
// 'Father'
#character 'Mẹ'
// 'Mother'
#character 'Cậu Bé'
// 'Boy'
#character 'Người Đàn Ông'
// 'Man'
<0000>
// May 8 (Thursday)
<0001>
// I open my eyes to see my own room.
<0002>
// It feels like I was watching a bad dream.
<0003>
// My entire body is sweating a little.
<0004>
// Keeping my head on the pillow, I look around.
<0005>
// The light that fills the room is somewhat weak, and it looks like it's either near evening or near morning.
<0006>
// I look at the clock and learn what the present time is.
<0007>
// May 8th, Thursday morning...
<0008>
// My body feels heavy.
<0009>
// I remember being distressed until very late.
<0010>
// I suddenly remembered.
<0011>
// It's only been a day since the incident.
<0012>
// I couldn't believe it.
<0013>
// Kotomi, who suddenly collapsed and just sobbed.
<0014>
// Kotomi, who went home without saying a word to me.
<0015> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<0016>
// Once again, I fall onto the bed.
<0017>
// An emotion I don't understand returns.
<0018>
// It was a time when I knew I had nowhere to run, but wanted to run away.
<0019>
// Even though I knew that there was no solution, I believed that if I worried about it, it would eventually change.
<0020>
// I, who wouldn't take action, was forgiven only by myself.
<0021>
// If I could just sleep now...
<0022>
// The next time I wake up, there will be no more desire to go to school.
<0023>
// That's how I deceived all of those bad feelings.
<0024>
// I get out of bed.
<0025>
// And then slowly change into my uniform.
<0026>
// I didn't want to keep running away in a time of uncertainty.
<0027>
// The school this morning was no different from yesterday.
<0028>
// When I entered the building, it was almost time for homeroom.
<0029>
// I hurried not to my own classroom, but to class A.
<0030>
// Looking inside from the door, I could not see Kotomi's figure.
<0031>
// I called out to the three girls in the back of the room.
<0032> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Could you get Ichinose for me?"
<0033>
// A leader-like girl with glasses suspiciously looked at me.
<0034>
// And then, looking around once in the classroom, said:
<0035>\{Bạn Gái 1} ""
// \{Girl 1} "She isn't here... I think?"
<0036>\{Bạn Gái 2} ""
// \{Girl 2} "Isn't she absent? She didn't come yesterday, either."
<0037>\{Bạn Gái 1} ""
// \{Girl 1} "But didn't that girl have perfect attendance until now?"
<0038>\{Bạn Gái 2} ""
// \{Girl 2} "Yup. All the way from elementary school, I've heard."
<0039>\{Bạn Gái 1} ""
// \{Girl 1} "But that girl doesn't come to classes, so it doesn't mean much, does it?"
<0040>\{Bạn Gái 3} ""
// \{Girl 3} "Do you know? Yesterday, that girl had some kind of fit on her way here, and left early, they say."
<0041>\{Bạn Gái 2} ""
// \{Girl 2} "What do you mean by a fit?"
<0042>\{Bạn Gái 3} ""
// \{Girl 3} "I don't really know the details, but it was apparently pretty terrible. They say she was crying in front of everyone."
<0043>\{Bạn Gái 2} ""
// \{Girl 2} "Wow, but I guess it's not too surprising..."
<0044>\{Bạn Gái 1} ""
// \{Girl 1} "That girl \bis\u too smart. It's kind of understandable that she'd have a strange fit."
<0045>
// I turned away.
<0046>\{Bạn Gái 1} ""
// \{Girl 1} "Hey, wait a minute..."
<0047>\{Bạn Gái 3} ""
// \{Girl 3} "What's with him?"
<0048>
// I hear some displeasing voices behind me.
<0049>
// Without saying anything back, I head to my own classroom.
<0050>
// I couldn't stand Kotomi being coldly called "that girl" any more.
<0051>
// My lesson was just the sky above.
<0052>
// I continued thinking about yesterday.
<0053>
// I carefully pull in the memory a little at a time.
<0054>
// In between her screaming cries, Kotomi was repeatedly muttering something.
<0055>
// As if running from something we couldn't see, she desperately flailed around.
<0056>
// As if... \pshe were a little girl.
<0057>
// At that time, she probably remembered something unconsciously.
<0058>
// What that was...
<0059>
// I can't seem to figure out.
<0060> \{\m{B}} ()
// \{\m{B}} (Not that it's something I'd be able to figure out...)
<0061>
// I shake my head.
<0062>
// The bell rings, and the first half of school is over.
<0063>
// It won't do any good just thinking about it.
<0064>
// So... there was only one thing I could do.
<0065>
// The staff room had just entered afternoon break.
<0066>
// As I lightly nod as I enter, the guidance teacher threw a glare at me.
<0067>
// But I only had business with the teacher of class A.
<0068>
// I stood by the desk and waited for her to come.
<0069> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Excuse me."
<0070> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "... umm, yes?"
<0071>
// She asked, surprised by my presence.
<0072> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Is Ichinose absent today?"
<0073> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "Yes. I was told, 'I would like to rest for a while.'"
<0074> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "About how long is a while?"
<0075> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "Umm, you are \m{A}-kun from class D, right?"
<0076> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "Do you have some business with Ichinose-san?"
<0077> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yes."
<0078>
// I answered straight-forwardly.
<0079> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "... hmm? So what is it, \m{A}-kun?"
<0080> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Is Ichinose absent today?"
<0081> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "Yes. I was told, 'I would like to rest for a while.'"
<0082> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "About how long is a while?"
<0083> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "It's kind of hard to say... see, because of yesterday..."
<0084>
// The way she said 'yesterday' was sensitive.
<0085>
// It probably meant that strangers weren't allowed to get involved.
<0086>
// But... I've become more involved with Kotomi than a simple stranger.
<0087> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'd like to know where Ichinose's house is located."
<0088> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "Ichinose-san's house?"
<0089>
// I just looked back at the teacher's suspicious look.
<0090>
// Because I believed that it would be meaningless to explain.
<0091>
// After she stared at me like in a game of stare-down, she smiled as though she gave up.
<0092>
// Then, she laid down the textbook and name list she was still holding onto the desk.
<0093> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "Wait a minute, okay?"
<0094>
// Sitting in a chair, she takes out a different name list and opens it.
<0095> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "The address will be enough, right?"
<0096> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yes."
<0097>
// She peels off a note and writes down the address.
<0098> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "Are you going to go visit her?"
<0099> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yes."
<0100> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "Well, it might be better to leave her alone for now."
<0101> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "Besides, Ichinose-san's home is..."
<0102>
// She interrupts herself.
<0103> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "Have you heard anything from Ichinose-san?"
<0104> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "No..."
<0105> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "I see. Then, it's not something I can say."
<0106> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "It's all right to visit her, but don't put too much of a burden on Ichinose-san. Okay?"
<0107> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Okay."
<0108> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "Then here you go."
<0109>
// I took the note and put it in my pocket.
<0110> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "Ichinose-san had become cheerful lately, so I was delighted."
<0111>
// I lightly nod and try to leave.
<0112> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "\m{A}-kun. May I ask one question?"
<0113> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What is it?"
<0114> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "Are you dating Ichinose-san right now?"
<0115>
// Before from that man, now this question again, is what I thought.
<0116>
// Why do you ask such a thing?
<0117>
// It's not exactly what one would call dating...
<0118> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Why do you ask such a thing?"
<0119>
// Instead of answering, I asked her back.
<0120> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "You are aware... that Ichinose-san is receiving special treatment, right?"
<0121> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yes."
<0122>
// As long as the test grades are good, she doesn't have to attend class.
<0123>
// I jealously thought of it as an award of 'freedom' that was given to her at first.
<0124> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "But, I believe that it's wrong."
<0125> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "That person probably truly wished to belong with everyone else."
<0126> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "You may be right..."
<0127>
// She silently nods and beckons me to come closer.
<0128>
// It must be to mean that discussion from here on is confidential.
<0129> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "From my perspective..."
<0130> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "Long ago, Ichinose-san's family was famous on television and newspapers."
<0131> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "Ichinose-san had some attention, and because of that, she was bullied..."
<0132> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "So, all the adults that knew about Ichinose-san thought like this:"
<0133> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "Let's leave her alone as much as we can."
<0134> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "But because of that, Ichinose-san became used to being all alone."
<0135> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "That was a mistake on our part."
<0136> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "That's why someone has to change her."
<0137>
// She stares straight into my eyes while giving that speech.
<0138> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "If you understand, I'm going to ask one more time."
<0139> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "Are you dating Ichinose-san right now?"
<0140> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<0141>
// Because of that speech, it became even harder to answer.する。
<0142> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Not exactly what one would call dating..."
<0143>
// How should I explain? I'm hesitating.
<0144> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "If it's hard to answer, let me rephrase the question."
<0145> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "Right now, do you believe that your existence has an effect on Ichinose-san?"
<0146>
// In a way, it feels even harder to answer...
<0147> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "Just Yes or No will do."
<0148>
// I answered.
<0149> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yes."
<0150> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "I see. Then, please listen."
<0151> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "To be honest, this isn't something I should be saying..."
<0152>
// Saying so, she greatly quietens her voice.
<0153> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "Are you aware that Ichinose-san has a discussion of studying abroad?"
<0154>
// I haven't even heard about it.
<0155> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "... I didn't know."
<0156> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "There is a special Science Scholarship Scheme, and beginning this year, tests will be taken for it."
<0157> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "It's a scheme which allows the student to study in America for one year, with all the expenses covered by the government."
<0158> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "Ichinose-san is a candidate. From the previous evaluation, it's almost the deadline to make a decision..."
<0159>
// To be able to study abroad, listed to study in a special Science Scholarship Scheme, and because she's really special, the school is thinking of making this happen...
<0160>
// She explained all that.
<0161> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "But Ichinose-san rejected it on Tuesday, saying 'I want to study with everyone.'"
<0162> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "I thought that was great, and also supported her but..."
<0163> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "This morning, she said 'Please let me study abroad.'"
<0164>
// It felt like cold water was poured directly into my ear.
<0165> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "What would happen if she studied abroad?"
<0166>
// Finally, I was able to ask that.
<0167> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "She'll be suspended here to live for about a year in America."
<0168> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Then, what would happen after that?"
<0169> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "It depends on her. She can come back here to Japan, or she could continue her studies in a university there."
<0170> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "But..."
<0171> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "If she seriously wants to be a scholar... I have to say that going back here would lessen her merit."
<0172> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<0173>
// I couldn't say anything anymore.
<0174>
// Because right now, I don't understand Kotomi's true reason for deciding such a thing.
<0175>
// But, there's this one thing I'm sure of.
<0176>
// If she ends up going abroad, she will never come back again.
<0177> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "Anyway, I haven't got a decision for her studying abroad."
<0178> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "But you have to remember that I have to decide about it next week."
<0179> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I understand."
<0180> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "And also, I hope you also know, but please keep this story between us."
<0181> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yes."
<0182> \{Giáo Viên} ""
// \{Teacher} "Good luck with various things."
<0183>
// I nodded one more time and then left the staff room.
<0184> \{Giọng Nói} ""
// \{Voice} "\m{B}-kun, hello."
<0185>
// A familiar greeting.
<0186>
// I turned around to that greeting.
<0187> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Hi, been well?"
<0188> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Oh... it's just you."
<0189> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "I'm a bit jealous seeing you this dejected~"
<0190>
// Her usual expression whenever she jokes around has loosened up my strained emotions.
<0191> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "It seems Kotomi is taking a break."
<0192> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Yeah."
<0193>
// A short reply.
<0194> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "What were you doing inside the staff room?"
<0195> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "The usual preaching."
<0196> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Hmm~"
<0197>
// She looks at me with a broad grin.
<0198> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Whatever, just go. You have some business inside too, right?"
<0199>
// I point my thumb at the staff room door as I say that.
<0200> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Yeah, yeah..."
<0201>
// As she put her fingers at the door, she turns around and face me.
<0202> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "That's right... no one might show up in the club room today after school."
<0203> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Do they have things to do?"
<0204> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "That's\wait{400} a\wait{400} secret."
<0205>
// She says so with meaning.
<0206> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Well, that's fine with me. I also have something to do today, so I won't be showing up."
<0207> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Then, that's just perfect..."
<0208> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Tell her I said, 'I will put you to relentless training again if you appear.'"
<0209> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "And also, from Ryou and Miss President, 'Let us eat lunch again.'"
<0210>
// It seemed that she predicted what I was going to do.
<0211> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Go and say it yourself. I'm not a messenger boy."
<0212> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "You idiot..."
<0213> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "It would be meaningless if the prince didn't go alone to help her, right?"
<0214> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<0215> \{Kyou} ""
// \{Kyou} "Excuse me---"
<0216>
// She entered the staff room before I could even say something back.
<0217>
// I rushed out of the school building the moment afternoon lessons ended.
<0218>
// I run to the slope in front of the school gates as if I'm going to tumble, and like that, I hurried up ahead.
<0219>
// I stood still at the corner where Kotomi and I always part ways.
<0220>
// I took out the note out of my pocket as I catch my breath.
<0221>
// Written on it was an address I don't know of.
<0222>
// During this afternoon lesson, I wasn't looking at the textbook or the blackboard... just this piece of paper.
<0223>
// I didn't think I'd be walking further than the place where Kotomi and I part ways.*
<0224>
// I have the courage to find it, and I also have to find it.
<0225>
// With the piece of paper in my palm, I started walking.
<0226>
// I follow some alleyways, relying on street names written on small boards that are hanging on poles.*
unnatural. XD
<0227>
// It seems this is an exclusive residential area, having huge mansions lining up on both side of the road.
<0228>
// I checked each and every nameplate.
<0229>
// But I didn't see my target's address.
<0230> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Isn't it around this area...?"
<0231>
// I turned corners many times, and those travels made me dejected.
<0232>
// When I noticed, the sun was setting down.
<0233>
// My long thin shadow slowly stretches down the road.
<0234>
// And the wind has become quite cold.
<0235>
// The scent of an evening meal coming from the house ventilation floated around.
<0236>
// A warm, nostalgic sensation.
<0237>
// A tantalizing sensation that I can't seem to remember, even though I know of it.
<0238>
// I'm pretty sure that it should be around here...
<0239>
// I made a bitter smile as I realized I was dead serious trying to remember something.
<0240>
// It's a street I don't have anything to do with; it'd be useless even if I dig up my memory.
<0241>
// I guess I might have been rash.
<0242>
// If I had only checked it on the map, I would have found it immediately.
<0243>
// I guess... I'll do this again tomorrow.
<0244>
// I gave up and turned an unknown corner.
<0245>
// There's a house there I haven't recognized.
<0246>
// It's surrounded by a fence painted in white, a big house with two stories.
<0247>
// I timidly look at the nameplate.
<0248>
// "Ichinose"
<0249>
// I suddenly rush over there.
<0250>
// There's a doorbell beside the big wooden door.
<0251>
// I somehow hesitated as I was about to press it.
<0252>
// I had a feeling that there was something wrong.
<0253>
// I hadn't entered through the entranceway even once.
<0254>
// I look around.
<0255>
// There's a narrow path between the fence and the side of the house.
<0256>
// And in the storage room's shade, there was bucket, a shovel, and a rusty lawnmower left behind.
<0257>
// This path probably leads to a garden.
<0258>
// I advance towards that direction.
<0259>
// Twilight was already approaching.
<0260>
// A choking smell of grass hits me.
<0261>
// And the feeling of stepping on soft ground at my feet.
<0262>
// It was a desolated garden.
<0263>
// Inside the lawn that stretches far are overgrown weeds...
<0264>
// A tilted table, and a fallen garden chair...
<0265>
// Its coating has come off, and it was rusting with dark red.
<0266>
// The wind that carried out the dusk was blowing through it like a forgotten ruin.
<0267>
// I was standing still, in silence.
<0268>
// It couldn't get any worse.
<0269>
// The lawn was always maintained beautifully.*
<0270>
// The chair and the table were also painted in pure white.
<0271>
// Flowers bloomed inside the piled up brick, forming a flower bed.
<0272>
// It was a dreamland that was always inviting me.
<0273>
// There's a gap in the fence, and that was the entrance...
<0274> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} ".........?!"
<0275>
// What's this...?
<0276>
// This unsettling feeling... is it deja vu?
<0277>
// I know this place.
<0278>
// But even still, I don't understand why I know.
<0279> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<0280>
// Silently, I push aside the weeds and advance one step at the time.
<0281>
// The lawn that had become thick was coiling at my feet as if it was trying to stop me.
<0282>
// My destination was the living room facing the garden.
<0283>
// There's a tall wooden glass door frame separating the outside from the inside.
<0284>
// The curtain is closed, so I don't know what it looks like inside.
<0285>
// And as if as some sort of a sign, there was a little opening at the outermost corner of the door.
<0286>
// Perhaps, it was always like that.
<0287>
// I put my hand on the sliding door and applied some force to it. As I did that, a creaking sound came out.
<0288>
// And then, little by little, I move it aside.
<0289>
// I kicked off my shoes and entered the living room.
<0290>
// It was dark inside.
<0291>
// There's this dusty atmosphere on the floor, which seems like it's made out of wood.
<0292>
// Just like the fading color of the setting sun, it had a strange scent.
<0293>
// As I focused my eyes, little by little, I came to see what was inside.
<0294>
// There was a round table at the center, a sofa around it, a side table at the wall, and bookends placed over it...
<0295>
// The feel of the materials was lost as if all the crags were removed.
<0296>
// I'm sure that these things haven't been touched for many, many years.
<0297>
// I walk carefully, advancing from the living room and to the interior.
<0298>
// There's a staircase at the middle part of the hallway.
<0299>
// Step by step, I slowly climb up.
<0300>
// This strange feeling continued; the feeling of being led by a memory that doesn't belong to me.
<0301>
// Hiding my footsteps, my destination should be a door located at the second floor.
<0302>
// As to why I have that idea, even I still don't understand.
<0303>
// And then...
<0304>
// I stood in front of the last door.
<0305>
// As I held and twisted the door knob, I found out it wasn't locked.
<0306>
// Also the same as a while ago.
<0307>
// I slowly opened it.
<0308>
// The scent of old books escapes along with an orange yellow light.
<0309>
// Everything inside surfaced as I let go of the door.
<0310>
// It looks like a study room.
<0311>
// There were books lining up on every side of the wall.
<0312>
// At the center is a fine desk for reading.
<0313>
// And also...
<0314>
// On the floor, sitting, is... Kotomi.
<0315>
// Scattered around her are old newspapers, magazines, and books... all of which are just cut pieces of their pages.
<0316>
// There was a big fading newspaper caption, and though I didn't want to look, I ended up seeing it.
<0317>
// "Fishing Boat Witnesses Fall Off Alaska Coast"
<0318>
// "All 266 Passengers Lost"
<0319>
// "Famed Physicists Ichinoses Amongst Passengers. Scientific Community Shocked"
<0320>
// "Close to publishing their 'Theory of Everything'"
<0321>
// The cut pieces of the books are scattered around like fallen soldiers protecting Kotomi.
<0322>
// I picked up one of them.
<0323>
// The writings are printed in small horizontal.
<0324>
// "Concerning the multi-conditional Calabi-Yau manifold that holds the ADE type isolation singular point, which is similar to the posthumous manuscripts that the late Mr. and Mrs. Ichinose arranged this recent years..."
<0325>
// It slipped off from my fingertips.
<0326>
// "The late Mr. and Mrs. Ichinose."
<0327>
// My memories mingled...
<0328>
// with a pure white apron and the scent of smoke from a pipe.
<0329>
// It was a dreamland... a garden of beautiful lawn.*
<0330>
// That's right.
<0331>
// Kotomi was a small girl at that time.
<0332>
// But now, she's here sitting on the floor, crying and doing nothing else.
<0333>
// In front of the wavering orange flame...
<0334> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Kotomi..."
<0335>
// My hollow voice echoed.
<0336>
// All I could remember are vague images.
<0337>
// But still, I came to understand.
<0338>
// That I knew about this room, about this house... and about Kotomi.
<0339>
// Kotomi and I met long ago when we were little.
<0340>
// But even still... I'm the only one who had forgotten about it...
<0341> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "So you knew that it was me from the start?"
<0342>
// Kotomi just kept silent.
<0343> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Why didn't you tell me about it...?"
<0344>
// Those words weren't really aimed at Kotomi.
<0345>
// It's just that, I feel myself not being useless. *
<0346>
// Kotomi didn't bother to look at me, who was standing there speechless.
<0347>
// And then, she slowly opened her mouth.
<0348> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "When \m{B}-kun came to the library, I was really happy."
<0349> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Thinking that, the boy from that day has returned."*
<0350> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Thinking that, you didn't forget about me."
<0351> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "But..."
<0352> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "When we were together, I realized that you seemed to have forgotten about me."
<0353> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "But even still, you befriended me."
<0354> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "As a girl you just met, you took care of me..."
<0355>
// She added one after another.
<0356> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I ended up not knowing what to do."
<0357> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Whether I wanted you to remember, or to forget..."
<0358> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "About me on that day."
<0359>
// "A person who searches for the truth shouldn't be arrogant."
<0360>
// "You shouldn't mock miracles just because science has nothing interesting to say about them."
<0361>
// "The world is beautiful, so you shouldn't turn your eyes away."
<0362>
// Those are my dad's words.
<0363>
// They are written in various languages and are being published in books... a very famous comment.
<0364>
// But I remember.
<0365>
// My dad's true words.
<0366>
// He told me with his really, really deep and kind voice...
<0367>
// I was still very small back then.
<0368>
// It was evening. The wind had become cooler, and my dad and my mom were in the garden chatting.
<0369>
// I really liked touching the lawn with my bare feet.
<0370>
// The warm light, the scent of the soil and grass; I really liked them.
<0371>
// The glittering chair and table, I also really liked them.
<0372> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Why am I called Kotomi?"
<0373>
// My dad, holding the pipe in his mouth, thinks about it with a serious face.
<0374>
// I really liked it when my dad does that.*
<0375>
// Because no matter how little the thing is, my dad would answer it.
<0376>\{Cha} ""
// \{Father} "Watch, Kotomi."
<0377>
// My dad was pointing at the sky.
<0378>
// I narrow my eyes and also look at the sky.
<0379>
// At the vast, big, and very high sky...
<0380>
// With beautiful orange-colored clouds and with a very gentle breeze.
<0381>\{Cha} ""
// \{Father} "This world is made out of lots of harps, so small that even eyes can't see."
<0382> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Lots of harps?"
<0383> \{Cha} ""
// \{Father} "Yes. And in our language it's called \g{koto}={The koto is a traditional Japanese stringed musical instrument derived from Chinese zithers. Koto are about 180 cm long and have 13 strings that are strung over 13 movable bridges along the length of the instrument. Players can adjust the string pitches by moving these bridges before playing, and use three finger picks (on thumb, forefinger, and middle finger) to pluck the strings. Taken from wikipedia.}."
<0384>\{Cha} ""
// \{Father} "The world is filled with harps, and each and every one of them plays a different tune."
<0385>\{Cha} ""
// \{Father} "Doing so, every sound echoes with each other, but only one will be born..."
<0386>\{Cha} ""
// \{Father} "That's why this world is this beautiful (mi)."
<0387> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Who's taming those harps?"
<0388>\{Cha} ""
// \{Father} "Now that's one tough question..."
<0389>
// And then, my dad thinks again.
<0390>
// He holds out his pipe and blows out some smoke.
<0391>
// The branch of the garden tree wavers, making spots on the lawn.
<0392>
// My dad's head, my mom's fingers, and my feet... they were covered with spots.
<0393>\{Cha} ""
// \{Father} "I'm probably sure, it's God."
<0394>
// That's what dad said.
<0395> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Where is God?"
<0396>\{Cha} ""
// \{Father} "God is everywhere. Although, you can't see him."
<0397>\{Cha} ""
// \{Father} "And also, he's kindly watching over us."
<0398> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Ummm..."
<0399>
// I think hard about what my dad said.
<0400>
// Lots of harps that you couldn't see...
<0401>
// A kind God that you couldn't see...
<0402> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "It's really, really hard to understand."
<0403>\{Cha} ""
// \{Father} "That's all right for now."
<0404>\{Cha} ""
// \{Father} "Since there are many other things you should remember."
<0405>
// He patted my head with his big rugged hand.
<0406>
// And in the chair next to my dad was my mom, smiling.
<0407>\{Mẹ} ""
// \{Mother} "Your daddy has a habit of telling stories exaggeratedly."
<0408>\{Mẹ} ""
// \{Mother} "The most important thing is always very simple."
<0409>\{Mẹ} ""
// \{Mother} "Right, daddy?"
<0410>
// As my mom winked at him, dad smiled back with a bit of embarrassment.
<0411>
// And from there, my mom embraced me and put me on her lap.
<0412>
// I could smell the soap from her pure white apron.
<0413>\{Mẹ} ""
// \{Mother} "Kotomi-chan is Kotomi-chan."
<0414>\{Mẹ} ""
// \{Mother} "A very beautiful three syllable name."
<0415>\{Mẹ} ""
// \{Mother} "It's your dad and mom's very, very important treasure..."
<0416>
// I really liked my mom's voice that seems like a song resounding.
<0417>
// My mom's cheek was ticklish, soft, warm...
<0418>
// I was really happy.
<0419>
// In my home, in the garden lawn, with my dad and mom.
<0420>
// That is all my world consists of.
<0421>
// That didn't change even when I entered elementary school.
<0422>
// When I read the book on the teacher's desk, the boys in my class made fun of me.
<0423>
// "That's a book for grown up people, kids shouldn't be reading that."
<0424>
// Even the teacher rushed over and told me,
<9999>
// "Let's read the same book as everyone, all right?"
<0425>
// I ended up crying.
<0426>
// I didn't know that there are books that I shouldn't read up until then, but I've read every book in the class on my first day.
<0427>
// So I told them "My stomach is aching." and took the day off.
<0428>
// I didn't try to make dad and mom go unreasonably.
<0429>
// My stomachache disappeared, but in exchange, my heart started to ache.
<0430>
// I'm sure that's because I lied.
<0431>
// Although he's not a kid from my school, I managed to make a single friend.
<0432>
// I was in the living room, doing a rehearsal with my violin alone.
<0433>
// My performance is soon, and I was wearing the dress that my mom sewed for me.
<0434>
// It was black and smooth and I looked like an older sister; it was my favorite.*
<0435>
// When I finished playing a piece, there was a boy I hadn't seen before in the garden, looking straight at me.
<0436> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Ummm..."
<0437> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Who are you?"
<0438> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I was told that I shouldn't let any strangers enter the house."
<0439>
// I was a little frightened then, but I managed to gather some courage and said that.
<0440>\{Cậu Bé} ""
// \{Boy} "What is this place?"
<0441> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "You're in my home."
<0442>\{Cậu Bé} ""
// \{Boy} "Who are you?"
<0443> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Kotomi."
<0444> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Three syllables Ko-to-mi."
<0445> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Call me Kotomi-chan."
<0446>\{Cậu Bé} ""
// \{Boy} "What is that?"
<0447> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "A violin."
<0448>\{Cậu Bé} ""
// \{Boy} "It sounds weird."
<0449> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I still can't play it very well."
<0450> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "But if a master plays it, it has a very, very nice sound."
<0451>
// The boy smiled.
<0452>
// I also smiled a little.
<0453>
// I thought he was a bit different from the bullies in my school.
<0454>\{Mẹ} ""
// \{Mother} "What's this? I wonder who Kotomi-chan is talking to?"
<0455>
// My mom, who was holding a basket of laundry, saw the boy.
<0456>\{Mẹ} ""
// \{Mother} "Oh my... what a cute visitor."
<0457>
// My mom, with a very kind voice, spoke to the boy who looked like he was about to run.
<0458>\{Mẹ} ""
// \{Mother} "What's your name?"
<0459>
// The boy stayed silent for a while but he said it.
<0460>\{Cậu Bé} ""
// \{Boy} "\m{A} \m{B}."
<0461>\{Mẹ} ""
// \{Mother} "I see. You're \m{B}-kun, huh..."
<0462>
// I was clinging onto the edge of my mom's apron.
<0463>
// My mom was talking to some unknown boy, so I was a bit scared.
<0464> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I was told not to let any strangers enter the house..."
<0465>
// My mom held me behind and pushed me closer to the boy.
<0466>\{Mẹ} ""
// \{Mother} "\m{B}-kun, this girl is Kotomi-chan."
<0467>\{Mẹ} ""
// \{Mother} "Be friends with her, all right?"
<0468>
// She bended in front of him and said that with a smile.
<0469>\{Mẹ} ""
// \{Mother} "See? He's not a stranger anymore, is he?"
<0470>
// The boy was staring at me and my mom.
<0471>
// Then after that, he nodded.
<0472>
// And there, me and \m{B}-kun became friends.
<0473>
// \m{B}-kun would come as evening approaches.
<0474>
// He would always enter the garden from the gap in the hedge as if he's a stray cat.
<0475>
// I was disappointed at waiting for \m{B}-kun.
<0476>
// I really liked reading books together and playing house.
<0477>
// I really liked playing tag and hide and seek.
<0478>
// It didn't seem \m{B}-kun liked it that much...
<0479>
// But he would always play with me with all his heart.
<0480>
// Whenever he was in the house, mom would always bake some pastries.
<0481>
// Delicious cake, cookies, chou a la creme, I would eat them together with \m{B}-kun.
<0482>
// I always shared and ate them with \m{B}-kun.
<0483>
// \m{B}-kun would go home as the sun sets.
<0484>
// And then, with a troubled face, I would always say, "See you tomorrow."
<0485>
// And then he would say, "I might not come tomorrow."
<0486>
// I really liked \m{B}-kun.
<0487>
// There were times that he didn't come, but usually, he would.
<0488>
// May 13, it was my birthday.
<0489>
// Dad promised me that he would buy a big stuffed toy.
<0490>
// I read from a book that girls want those kind of things.
<0491>
// But the truth is, I'm fine with any present.
<0492>
// The wonderful books that dad always bought were the best of them all.
<0493>
// I might have realized it a little bit.
<0494>
// That I'm a bit different from \m{B}-kun or everyone from the school.
<0495>
// That's probably why I wanted to be with everyone.
<0496>
// So I thought, "I wanted to have more friends."
<0497>
// When I talked to \m{B}-kun, he promised he would come.
<0498>
// I was really looking forward to it.
<0499>
// But...
<0500>
// \m{B}-kun didn't come, and I didn't get my stuffed toy.
<0501>
// Because dad and mom had to go out of the country due to some urgent business.
<0502> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Dad, you lied!"
<0503> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I hate... I hate you mom!"
<0504>\{Mẹ} ""
// \{Mother} "We're sorry Kotomi."
<0505>\{Mẹ} ""
// \{Mother} "We have to go, no matter what."
<0506> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "But..."
<0507> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "But you promised, too!"
<0508> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "That dad and mom will be here on my birthday!"
<0509> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "And you'll give me a big teddy bear as a present!"
<0510> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "And also, during my birthday!"
<0511> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Saying I can also invite \m{B}-kun..."
<0512>
// No matter what I said, I wasn't able to stop them from their travel.
<0513>\{Mẹ} ""
// \{Mother} "There's a feast inside the refrigerator."
<0514>\{Mẹ} ""
// \{Mother} "I made lots of food that's delicious, even if it's not warm anymore."
<0515> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I hate you!"
<0516>\{Mẹ} ""
// \{Mother} "Once \m{B}-kun comes, eat a lot with him."
<0517> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I hate you!"
<0518>\{Mẹ} ""
// \{Mother} "A maid will be coming here. If you want any other things, just tell the maid."
<0519> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I hate you..."
<0520>
// I was watching dad and mom gather up their shoes.
<0521>
// And in the front door was a travel suitcase.
<0522>
// My dad's suitcase when he always travels.
<0523>
// A shining silver colored travel briefcase to store his important things.
<0524> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I hate you!"
<0525>\{Mẹ} ""
// \{Mother} "Kotomi-chan..."
<0526>
// Mom was making a sad face.
<0527>
// Dad couldn't say anything.
<0528>\{Mẹ} ""
// \{Mother} "That's right! We'll search for a teddy bear before we ride the plane."
<0529>\{Mẹ} ""
// \{Mother} "If we send it via the airport, it will surely arrive on your birthday."
<0530>\{Mẹ} ""
// \{Mother} "We'll send a really big teddy bear, all right...?"
<0531> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I don't need that."
<0532> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I don't need anything!"
<0533>
// Because what I really wanted wasn't the teddy bear.
<0534>
// What I really wanted was to be near with dad and mom.
<0535>
// I wanted to celebrate my birthday with them and \m{B}-kun.
<0536> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I hate you both!"
<0537> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I hate you..."
<0538>\{Mẹ} ""
// \{Mother} "We'll be back really soon, okay? Really soon."
<0539> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I hate you... I hate you..."
<0540>
// I repeatedly said, "I hate you."
<0541>
// It was as if I had forgotten any other words.
<0542>
// And thinking that doing so, they won't surely go.
<0543>\{Cha} ""
// \{Father} "Kotomi."
<0544>\{Cha} ""
// \{Father} "Please be a good girl and wait."
<0545>
// Dad gently placed his hand over my head.
<0546>
// After that, he lifted up his suitcase.
<0547>
// And the door closed.
<0548>
// I've become alone.
<0549>
// And neither dad nor mom came back since then.
<0550>
// After dad and mom left, I was crying for so long.
<0551>
// I was a crybaby from the start, but it was my first time crying like that.
<0552>
// I cried and cried until I got tired of crying and slept; when I woke up, I cried again...
<0553>
// I was alone as morning arrived.
<0554>
// I brushed my teeth after washing my face and opened the refrigerator.
<0555>
// It was full with sweets and food that mom made.
<0556>
// It made me think I want to eat an apple pie.
<0557>
// I used the biggest fork and tried to divide it in half.
<0558>
// I put the slightly bigger portion back in the refrigerator.
<0559>
// Of course, that portion is for \m{B}-kun.
<0560>
// Once it's evening, \m{B}-kun will come.
<0561>
// We'll celebrate my birthday together.
<0562>
// The apple pie was cold, soft, and sweet... it was really delicious.
<0563>
// After finishing it, it cheered me up a little bit.
<0564>
// I was stepping on the footstool, washing the dishes when the doorbell rang.
<0565>
// I thought the maid had arrived.
<0566>
// But, but, it could be...
<0567>
// that dad and mom might have returned!
<0568>
// I hurried to the entranceway.
<0569>
// And there, I unlocked the door.
<0570>
// There were many grown-up strangers standing there.
<0571>\{Người Đàn Ông} ""
// \{Man} "You're Kotomi-chan, right? Hello there."
<0572> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Who are you, mister?"
<0573>\{Người Đàn Ông} ""
// \{Man} "You see, I work together with your dad and mom, Kotomi-chan."
<0574>\{Người Đàn Ông} ""
// \{Man} "Could you let me inside your house?"
<0575> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I was told not to let strangers enter the house."
<0576>\{Người Đàn Ông} ""
// \{Man} "If so, could you call out the maid?"
<0577> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Ummm... well..."
<0578> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "She's here, but she's not here right now."
<0579>
// The maid haven't arrived yet, but I lied.
<0580>
// I don't really understand why, but those people looked really scary.
<0581>\{Người Đàn Ông} ""
// \{Man} "Well then, it might not be all right, but could you let us in?"
<0582> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I was told not to let strangers enter the house."
<0583> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Dad and mom are out on an important business, that's why..."
<0584>\{Người Đàn Ông} ""
// \{Man} "You still haven't heard about your dad or mom?"
<0585>
// As I stay silent, those people told me.
<0586>
// That the airplane that dad and mom was riding broke and ended up falling into the distant sea.
<0587>
// It ended up sinking in the sea along with their important thesis.
<0588>
// It could be that there might be a note about the thesis in my father's study room.
<0589>
// They wanted to go in because the note is very important for the people of this world...
<0590>
// They said it many, many times, but I just kept quiet.
<0591>
// Because I couldn't understand the most important part.
<0592> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Where's my dad and mom?"
<0593> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I told them that I hated them both."
<0594> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "The truth is I really like them, but I ended up saying I hated them."
<0595> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "That's why I must apologize."
<0596> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I have to say I'm sorry."
<0597> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Where's my dad and mom?"
<0598>
// Nobody could tell me.
<0599>
// All of them sink into silence with hard to understand faces that look like they were angry or sad.
<0600>
// I became scared.
<0601>
// I became really, really scared, so scared that I couldn't bare it anymore...
<0602>
// I shut the door with all my might.
<0603>
// Behind the door was a striking sound, and I could hear their voices going, "You are a good girl, so please open up."
<0604>
// I locked up the door.
<0605>
// And after that, I locked up all the windows in the house.
<0606>
// I was really, really scared.
<0607>
// I don't know what they are upset about.
<0608>
// I tried to think as hard as I could until it confused me.
<0609>
// But I don't understand anything at all.
<0610>
// And then, I no longer hear them banging on the door anymore.
<0611>
// And in exchange, the phone rang.
<0612>
// I was scared, but I tried to check it out.
<0613>
// Because it might be dad and mom making the call.
<0614>
// I stand on my tiptoes to get the receiver.
<0615> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "... hello?"
<0616> \{Giọng Nói} ""
// \{Voice} "I'm from some newspaper information department, about this incident that happened lately, I would like to confirm one or two things about it..."
<0617>
// It was a voice of a stranger.
<0618> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I don't know anything."
<0619> \{Giọng Nói} ""
// \{Voice} "Could you be Ichinose Kotomi-san, little girl? If so, could you please listen to me for a while?"
<0620> \{Giọng Nói} ""
// \{Voice} "I really feel sorry that both your parents haven't been found, but..."
<0621> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I don't know anything..."
<0622>
// I hung up the telephone.
<0623>
// And it immediately rang again after that.
<0624>
// No matter how many times I hung it up, it just immediately rang up again.
<0625>
// Although I covered my ears as hard as I could, that didn't stop the phone ringing.
<0626>
// I was really, really, really, really scared.
<0627>
// My fingers were shaking and my teeth were chattering.
<0628> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I'm scared..."
<0629> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Dad... mom..."
<0630> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "\m{B}-kun, I'm scared... \m{B}-kun..."
<0631> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "\m{B}-kun..."
<0632>
// I called his name many times.
<0633>
// But, \m{B}-kun didn't come.
<0634>
// I took a pair of scissors out from my mom's sewing toolbox.
<0635>
// It was a big scissors that mom uses whenever she cuts clothing.
<0636>
// And then, in my heart I apologized, "Mr. Telephone, forgive me."
<0637>
// I picked up the telephone wire and cut it with the scissors.
<0638>
// And then, the phone stopped ringing.
<0639>
// I gathered up my courage and turned on the television.
<0640>
// If it's the television, it wouldn't ring by itself, and I can always turn it off.
<0641>
// My dad and mom's photo is in it.
<0642>
// "The Ichinoses met each other as a professor and assistant in a university laboratory, where they recognized each other's talents. They then married soon after..."
<0643>
// It was my dad and mom during their youth that I haven't known before.
<0644>
// "... they got into an accident on their urgent schedule to America, to give a lecture on a science meeting."
<0645>
// And from there, they read out the name of many people.
<0646>
// The sea where the airplane fell was really deep and cold; you probably wouldn't survive for more than five minutes if you go out. That's what it said.
<0647>
// "Although there are missing people, it seems finding them is futile due to the state of the crash."
<0648>
// I turned off the television.
<0649>
// And the television made a sound as it went off.
<0650>
// Dad told me up close that it was static electricity, and it's not something I should be scared of.
<0651>
// But even still, I was a bit scared.
<0652>
// There wasn't any sound anymore after the television faded away.
<0653>
// It felt like being sucked up inside.
<0654>
// Being alone was scary.
<0655>
// It was far scarier than the grown ups or the sound of the telephone.
<0656>
// \m{B}-kun didn't come even though it's evening.
<0657>
// He didn't come even though he promised he would.
<0658>
// I was always waiting.
<0659>
// I could see the garden slowly becoming dark behind the curtain.
<0660>
// But even still, \m{B}-kun didn't come.
<0661>
// It might be that he's hiding in the garden.
<0662>
// \m{B}-kun is really good at hiding.
<0663>
// I slowly unlocked the door and went down the garden barefooted.
<0664>
// I gathered up my courage and quietly called him.
<0665> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "\m{B}-kun."
<0666>
// No answer.
<0667> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "\m{B}-kun, \m{B}-kun, \m{B}-kun..."
<0668>
// I called him many, many times.
<0669> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "\m{B}-kun..."
<0670>
// I tried to carefully listen to him.
<0671>
// Still no answer.
<0672>
// I took a look around the garden.
<0673>
// The garden during evening was really beautiful.
<0674>
// The garden where dad and mom used to talk.
<0675>
// The garden where \m{B}-kun would come to play.
<0676>
// But now, I'm the only one here.
<0677>
// I gazed up at the sky...
<0678>
// At the scary sunset...
<0679>
// It looked like it was burning.
<0680>
// It made me feel like crying, but I didn't.
<0681>
// Because I remembered something that my father told me.
<0682>
// It was a really, really wonderful idea.
<0683> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "God..."
<0684>
// I quietly said that.
<0685> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "God... please listen."
<0686> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "The airplane that dad and mom are in has fallen onto the sea."
<0687> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "And the airplane has sunk there."
<0688> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I think that's because I was a bad girl."
<0689> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I think that's because I said I hated both dad and mom."
<0690> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "The truth is I liked them, so I think it's also because I lied."
<0691> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "God..."
<0692> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I think the sea is very cold and you can't breathe in it."
<0693> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I think it's painful, lonesome, and cold in there."
<0694> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "If I'm the one out there, I'll be sure to cry."
<0695> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Dad and mom wouldn't probably cry there, but..."
<0696> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I'm really sure that they're in pain, cold, and lonely."
<0697> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "God..."
<0698> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Dad once said..."
<0699> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "That even though you can't see God, he's always kindly watching over us."
<0700> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I'm sure even now, God is watching over me."
<0701> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Listening to what I'm saying."
<0702> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "So, God, I'm begging you..."
<0703> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Please send my dad and mom back home."
<0704> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "And from now on, I'll really be a good girl."
<0705> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I wouldn't say anything selfish anymore."
<0706> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I'll eat everything and won't leave anything."
<0707> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I also won't take a break from school."
<0708> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I'll study a lot too."
<0709> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I'll read lots and lots of books and become a splendid person."
<0710> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "So please, send my dad and mom back here."
<0711> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Please send my dad and mom back home."
<0712> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I'm begging you, please send them back."
<0713> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Please send my dad and mom back."
<0714> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Somehow, please send them back."
<0715> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Please send them back..."
<0716>
// I listen carefully again.
<0717>
// I tried to listen to the sounds of the beautiful harp.
<0718>
// I tried to listen to the kind voice of God.
<0719>
// I didn't hear anything.
<0720>
// There was no one.
<0721>
// There was no God.
<0722>
// My dad and mom were gone too.
<0723>
// I was alone.
<0724>
// Alone...
<0725>
// As it became night, my stomach grumbled.*
<0726>
// I tried to eat dinner.
<0727>
// I opened up the refrigerator and lined up the delicious dishes on the table.
<0728>
// \m{B}-kun might not come today anymore.
<0729>
// But he'll surely come tomorrow.
<0730>
// The spaghetti salad, the roast pork, the potato stew, I divided them each in half.
<0731>
// Of course, it is \m{B}-kun's share.
<0732> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Let's all eat."
<0733> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Let's eat."
<0734>
// As I joined my hands together, I realized.
<0735>
// What would I do once all the food has been eaten?
<0736>
// If mom comes back, she'll make some again...
<0737> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Ah..."
<0738>
// At that time, I understood.
<0739>
// If dad and mom wouldn't come back...
<0740>
// This would be the last thing that my mom cooked.
<0741>
// My tears overflow.
<0742>
// They were overflowing in such large drops that I couldn't stop them.
<0743>
// That's why I ate while crying.
<0744>
// As I did that, everything became so salty that it wasn't delicious anymore.
<0745>
// So, my tears flowed even more.
<0746>
// Though it became late at night, I was alone.
<0747>
// Holding onto the scissors, I was squatting in the hallway.
<0748>
// And I was thinking really hard.
<0749>
// If I think various things, it wouldn't be quite that scary.
<0750>
// Those grown ups are surely bad people.
<0751>
// And they're trying to take away dad and mom's most important thing.
<0752>
// Right now, I'm the only one in the house.
<0753>
// So I can't let strangers enter the house.
<0754>
// That's why I have to protect the house.
<0755>
// Until dad and mom come back.
<0756>
// Until \m{B}-kun comes.
<0757>
// My stomach grumbled again.
<0758>
// I divided half of the apple pie again.
<0759>
// The apple pie was so delicious that when I finished eating it, it made me even more hungry.
<0760>
// But I thought I have to control myself.
<0761>
// This is all that my mom has cooked, and that if I eat a lot, nothing will be left.
<0762>
// I thought, I have to make sure I eat only half each time.
<0763>
// Tomorrow morning another half, for lunch, another half, and for dinner, another half...
<0764>
// If I do that, there will always be something left.
<0765>
// So, I'll always divide it.
<0766>
// The other half which is for the person that I will eat together which is not here...
<0767>
// It had become colder in the corridor so I took out a blanket in the closet.
<0768>
// I placed it over me from head to toe and after that, grasped the scissor yet again.
<0769>
// It was the time I'm supposed to go to bed.
<0770>
// It was the time where my mom would say, "Good night" as I go to my warm bed.
<0771>
// I became really sleepy, but I tried my best to keep myself awake.
<0772>
// Since I thought that if I ended up sleeping, the bad people will take over the house.
<0773>
// Because I cried a lot, my eyes were hurting.
<0774>
// As I thought of turning on the television again, I became so scared that I couldn't.
<0775>
// I thought, what would I do if nothing appears on the television?
<0776>
// I thought, what would I do if everyone disappears from this world, leaving me all alone?
<0777>
// It's even scarier than the bad people trying to enter the house.
<0778>
// I wonder, why did it ended up like this?
<0779>
// Why was I the only one who ended up being alone?
<0780>
// I tried my best to think about it, but I couldn't understand anything at all.
<0781>
// I became so sleepy that I couldn't help but sleep, and as I hiccuped, I opened my eyes again...
<0782>
// Doing so, I realized that I was crying again...
<0783>
// My cheeks became wet, and I feel colder...
<0784>
// The floor was so hard and cold that my bottom started hurting...
<0785>
// But even then, I was still grasping the scissors.
<0786>
// I was grasping the scissors so tightly that my fingers had almost become white.
<0787>
// In addition, I ended up not knowing what I should do.
<0788>
// It was a very, very long night.
<0789>
// I was sure I ended up sleeping for a just a little bit.
<0790>
// As I opened my eyes, my cheek was attached to the hallway floor.
<0791>
// I didn't know how I ended up in there.
<0792>
// I wonder if it was a dream...
<0793>
// That was a really, really scary dream...
<0794>
// The airplane that my dad and mom were on ended up falling into the sea...
<0795>
// Scary grown ups came, and \m{B}-kun didn't come...
<0796>
// I was holding a pair of scissors trying to protect the house...
<0797>
// That's all I could remember.
<0798> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I'll go back to my room..."
<0799>
// When I stood up, something hit my toe.
<0800>
// My mom's scissors was there.
<0801>
// My tears suddenly flowed.
<0802>
// It blurred out in front of my eyes; my sight darkened.
<0803>
// It's a lie.
<0804>
// This is a lie.
<0805>
// This is wrong.
<0806>
// This is surely a joke by everyone.
<0807>
// My dad and mom are at home right now.
<0808>
// And because I was a bad girl, they are hiding somewhere.
<0809> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Mom?"
<0810> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Where are you, mom?"
<0811>
// I searched for mom.
<0812> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Mom,\wait{1700} mom,\wait{2200} mom...!"
<0813>
// In the living room, in the kitchen, in the bathroom, in the lavatory, in the closet, I searched them all.
<0814> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Mom!\wait{2925} Come out...\wait{2075} mom...\wait{1975} mom...!"
<0815>
// But even still, mom wasn't anywhere.
<0816>
// I ran up the stair.
<0817> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Dad!\wait{2500} Dad...\wait{2900} dad!"
<0818>
// In the bedroom, in the guest room, in the storage room, I searched them all.
<0819>
// But even still, dad wasn't anywhere.
<0820> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Dad... \wait{2000}hick...\wait{2950} hick...\wait{2000} dad...\wait{2400} hick..."*
<0821>
// I crumble as I cry...
<0822> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I'll be...\wait{1000} hick...\wait{1500} a good girl... \wait{3000}hick...\wait{1250} I'll be a good girl..."
<0823>
// I went around the house while crying...
<0824> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Dad...!\wait{2350} Mom...!\wait{2300} hick...\wait{1000} hick... \wait{850} Come out...\wait{2750} hick...\wait{1150} come out... "
<0825>
// I searched everywhere...
<0826>
// But even still, dad and mom didn't come out...
<0827>
// And then, the only place left that I hadn't searched was my dad's study room.*
<0828>
// It was a special room that my mom was always telling me not to enter.
<0829>
// I broke that promise and opened the door.
<0830>
// Since I thought that dad would surely be hiding in there.
<0831>
// There's the smell of the tobacco.
<0832>
// And the smell of old books.
<0833>
// I searched for the switch on the wall with my hand and turned it on as I found it.
<0834>
// The light gave a tender orange color, and at the center of the floor was a soft carpet.
<0835>
// There are a lot of books in the walls around the room.
<0836> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Dad...?"
<0837>
// But dad wasn't anywhere.
<0838>
// The room seems to belong to dad, yet he's not there.
<0839> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Dad..."
<0840>
// I look over the desk.
<0841>
// A black fountain pen, a box of matches, and a bunch of letters...
<0842>
// A transparent glass cup, a bottle of green sake, and plenty of volumes of books...
<0843>
// There's also a big brown envelope.
<0844>
// I timidly lifted up the envelope.
<0845>
// The envelope was open and there seemed to be a book inside.
<0846>
// I tried to look at what's written inside, but I was scared that I couldn't.
<0847>
// I'm sure that this is the "important thing" that those bad people were talking about.
<0848>
// Because it's something that people throughout the world can use.
<0849>
// It was really light, thin, and smooth...
<0850>
// It seems that this has replaced dad and mom instead. *
<0851>
// I'm sure it's because of this that dad and mom disappeared.
<0852>
// My tears fell one by one at the envelope.
<0853>
// I don't want this.
<0854>
// I strongly, strongly thought of that.
<0855>
// There has to be some mistake for this to be something important.
<0856>
// I don't care about the people throughout the world.
<0857>
// I don't care about the world.
<0858>
// What I wanted was only dad and mom.
<0859>
// I only wanted for dad and mom to be here.
<0860>
// But even still, dad and mom ended up leaving me.
<0861>
// They sank to a distant sea, just the two of them...
<0862>
// I was crying.
<0863>
// As I cried, I put the envelope on the carpet.
<0864>
// After that, I took out a box of matches over the table.
<0865>
// Dad always used it to light up his pipe.
<0866>
// I took a match from inside the box...
<0867>
// And rubbed the match with my shaking hand...
<0868>
// I didn't do it well though...
<0869>
// I took out new matches each time I tried...
<0870>
// And then...
<0871> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I burned it."
<0872>
// Kotomi said.
<0873>
// It was even in laughter.
<0874>
// I remembered.
<0875>
// Inside my vague memory... there's a single clear image.
<0876>
// A little girl crying at the center of the room.
<0877>
// The orange colored flame, like a snake sticking out it's tongue...
<0878> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Why did you do such a thing..."
<0879> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I don't know."
<0880> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I don't know..."
<0881>
// I'm at a loss for words.
<0882>
// Looking at the bunch of cut pages scattered across the floor.
<0883> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Did you cut out all of these?"
<0884>
// Without looking at me, she nodded.
<0885> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "At first, I thought of destroying them."
<0886> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "But instead of burning them, those newspapers that had dad and mom written on them, I just cut them out..."
<0887> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "But, I thought that wasn't enough..."
<0888>
// It reminded me of when I met Kotomi in the bookstore in front of the station.
<0889>
// Perhaps Kotomi has been staying long inside bookstores ever since she was little.
<0890>
// Stretching out her hand, taking up a physics technical book that's lined up on the high shelves.
<0891>
// And with her little fingers, trying her hardest to flip the pages.
<0892>
// At first, she desperately reads those terms that she doesn't have any idea of.
<0893>
// To search in there, for the fragments of her parents that will never return.
<0894>
// It reminded me of when I first met Kotomi in the library.
<0895>
// When she held the scissors, she seemed like she was thinking over something, and she looked like she was praying...
<0896> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "When I found my dad and mom's names, I was really happy."*
<0897> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "It felt like I was talking to dad and mom."
<0898> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "The truth is, I wanted each of the books, but all of them are really expensive, so I couldn't buy them..."
<0899> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "That's why, I took out a pair of scissors..."
<0900> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "And then, within my heart, I apologized saying, 'This will hurt, but please forgive me.'"
<0901> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<0902> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "After that, I studied as hard as I could."
<0903> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "It was really fun studying."
<0904> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I thought I'd be able to read my dad's books or thesis if I studied a lot."
<0905> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I thought I'd hear my dad's voice again."
<0906> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "But my dad's books are really, really hard to understand."
<0907> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I couldn't read just by knowing the words."
<0908> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "If you don't know various things about the world, then you wouldn't understand its meaning..."
<0909> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "That's why, I studied more and more..."
<0910> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I read more and more books..."
<0911> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "After that, I was thinking, I wanted to surpass dad and mom."
<0912>
// This girl talking in apathy is a Kotomi I don't know of.
<0913>
// What Kotomi is probably trying to learn is surely so advanced, that even universities wouldn't teach it.
<0914>
// Or should I say, the school couldn't teach.
<0915>
// That's why all Kotomi could do is study by herself. With her heart that wants to get close to her splendid parents.
<0916>
// So, instead of taking up lessons, she indulges herself with reading books in the library...
<0917>
// Going home without having fun with anyone after school, doing hard studies all by herself...
<0918> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Kotomi..."
<0919>
// I couldn't tell her.
<0920>
// Tell her how sad it was.
<0921> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Those people said..."
<0922> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "That thesis is something that money can't buy..."
<0923> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "And that it's even more important than my dad and mom's life..."
<0924> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Things like that aren't true."
<0925> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "There can't be anything that can be more important than my dad and mom."
<0926> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I definitely won't forget about it."
<0927> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I can't forget about it."
<0928>
// Keeping her head down, she bites onto her lips.
<0929> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "But..."
<0930> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "It seems I finally came to understand about my dad and mom's research."
<0931> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "Dad and mom were trying to show in the most beautiful way, how this world came about."
<0932> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "The words that both of them searched for their entire lives."
<0933> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "That for sure, is an important thing."
<0934> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "It's something that they must tell the whole world."
<0935> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "It's something that dad and mom weren't able to do..."
<0936> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I'm sure it's something that no one else can copy..."
<0937> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I'm sure even I wouldn't be able to copy it..."
<0938> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "But, if I don't do so..."
<0939> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "God wouldn't forgive me."
<0940>
// Kotomi didn't say anything further.
<0941>
// No matter how hard she studies, no matter how many books she reads.
<0942>
// She will fear and cry the "outside"... just like a little child.
<0943>
// She ended up burning something important, a girl heading to a dark destination.
<0944> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "........."
<0945>
// It might be good if I sit next to her.
<0946>
// It might be good if I tell her "I will also be here."
<0947>
// Just like what she hoped from me when she was little.
<0948>
// But, that probably wouldn't change anything.
<0949>
// Another part of Kotomi who's inside her probably won't try to get out.
<0950>
// That's why...
<0951>
// I couldn't tell her any single word I should say.
<0952> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Come to school tomorrow, okay?"
<0953>
// Kotomi's shoulder shook for a moment.
<0954> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I don't want to go..."
<0955> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I don't want to experience such a thing anymore..."
<0956>
// She mutters it with a faint voice.
<0957> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "I don't want such sadness..."
<0958>
// I'm sure it probably reminded her once again when she heard that Fujibayashi got into an accident.
<0959>
// That day, the harbinger that hasn't disappeared, and about her parents that wouldn't come back even now.
<0960>
// As well as her promise to God that she hasn't fulfilled up until now.
<0961>
// The request I have to Kotomi might be something really cruel.
<0962>
// But still, I couldn't do anything except repeat it.
<0963> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Come to school tomorrow, okay?"
<0964> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Be sure to come."
<0965> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "I'll be waiting for you."
<0966> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "Furukawa, Fujibayashi and Kyou... everyone will be waiting."
<0967> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "All right then, Kotomi."
<0968> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "See you tomorrow."
<0969>
// She didn't answer back.
<0970> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "See you tomorrow."
<0971>
// No answer.
<0972> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "See you... tomorrow."
<0973> \{Kotomi} ""
// \{Kotomi} "........."
<0974>
// I saw her moved her chin just a little bit.
<0975>
// I thought that she probably put everything to it.
<0976>
// I went out of the room.
<0977>
// The massive wooden door separated me and Kotomi.
<0978>
// I was left alone inside the dark hallway.
<0979> \{\m{B}} ""
// \{\m{B}} "See you... tomorrow..."
<0980>
// I mutter it to myself, taking a breath in an empty space.
<0981>
// I wonder if I could consider it painful...?
<0982>
// To say "See you tomorrow" to someone who probably wouldn't come.
Sơ đồ
Đã hoàn thành và cập nhật lên patch. Đã hoàn thành nhưng chưa cập nhật lên patch.
