Translated by yuizaki_libra@livejournal Raw provided by bittersweet_bun@ourhour
"Matataki - A blink"
Jun-chan...
I...
Can I live on?
Where are you?
Jun-chan...
Where have you gone?
Jun-chan...
That dream is the same every time?
Yes...
Even now, you're seeing it every night?
No...
But from time to time...
- Sonoda-san. - Yes.
When you came here for the first time last week,
you said that you have no recollection about the accident…
It's been two weeks since the accident...
Have you recalled something yet?
Sensei...
Go ahead. Just say anything you want.
- What is it? - I...
I want to remember everything about that accident.
I want to know how he and I were like on that day.
Sonoda-san.
You can't force yourself to remember.
Let's let that memory sleep for a while.
Don't force yourself. Someday that memory will naturally come back to you.
Sonoda-san.
- Your left leg is still hurting? - No...
What did the surgeon say?
If I'm not wrong, he said that your wound is already healed.
Yes... but before I recognize it, I've been dragging my leg like this ever since.
Though it doesn't hurt at all.
Hey, Izumi.
What?
Oh, as expected of an art student!
- But, what is this? - "Izumo."
And then, this is how Izumi is like.
Eh? I don't get it.
Jun-chan. You seem spaced out. Is there something on your mind?
I want to go to Izumo during this year's summer.
Izumo is where Jun-chan grew up?
Yeah. Shall we go together?
Yeah, I want to go. How is it like?
Dangerous!
Huh...
It hurts!
Sorry, sorry.
It doesn't hurt... till that extent.
Let's go... to Izumo.
- Welcome back. - I'm home.
Hey.
How was it?
- How was what? - The hospital.
Was it of some help?
Yeah...
Going to a psychiatric hospital... don't you feel unpleasant there?
- There are also weird people around. - It's not like that.
Don't keep whining till forever.
You just make the atmosphere in our house all gloomy.
Hey.
That's saying too much.
Onii-chan.
I'm... all right.
I see.
Otou-san, I...
Izumi. Take your time to cook dinner.
Damn this annoying thing.
Yeah. I understand.
Tsukasa, shall we stop going for Mom's 7-year death anniversary?
Right. She's in quite a bad shape.
When Izumi gets well, the three of us can pay her a visit later.
Shall we ask Aunt to go with us too? She's Mom's sister after all.
Yeah, of course.
Thank god Saki-san is here. She really helps us out a lot.
- Saki-san, I'm so sorry for being late. - Ah, you should have rested at home.
-Today you have to go to the hospital right? - Yes. I went already.
I see. Are you alright?
Just work slowly. It's fine.
Saki-san. I'm going to deliver these.
Ah, today you can come in like that.
Thank you.
- Have a safe trip. - I'm going.
Then, I'm sorry, Izumi-chan. Can you take this to the garden?
Yes.
- Hey, I'm not done with work yet. - I know that.
Hey, wanna go see the sakura tomorrow?
- Hm, I have to work... - Just ask then~
- She's your aunt right? - Yeah.
But we can't go on Saturday?
I have something on Saturday already.
I see...
Hm, I'll try asking her.
But I always have to do what you tell me?
I think so~
Sometimes maybe it would be better if I hadn't listened to you...
- Saki-san. - Hm?
This flower... can't even last for 2 days.
- Hm? - Just one week ago, it was still healthy and well.
It's fine that way.
It's sucked all sadness out of you, Izumi-chan.
There are a lot of orders today.
Can you help me take care of the bouquet?
- Yes. - I have an appointment after this.
- It's okay. I'll be watching the store. - When the part-timer comes, ask him to deliver it.
Yes.
- Good afternoon. - Hello.
Jun-chan...
It was winter when we met for the first time, right?
I've always loved you since then.
Hey, how did you get in here?
Ah, you can't step on that.
Ah, I'm so sorry!
Are you alright?
How can I be alright?
Who are you?
I came to deliver flowers to Yamakita-san.
Huh? The flowers aren't here!
You mean this thing?
Ah, thank god! Thank you.
You're welcome.
- Go out with me. - Eh?
To settle things here.
I thought you would hate me.
Yeah, I'm fine.
What?
It hurts...
I...
Why only me?
I'll go call the doctor.
Where's Jun-chan?
Jun-chan...
Jun-chan...?
Jun-chan...
- Izumi... - Jun-chan!!
You're awake already?
They say you have anemia.
Saki-san drove you here in her car.
- I remember that. - For the time being,
You will be having an inspection tomorrow.
Tonight, please stay over here and take a good rest.
- How is she? - Well, she's fine now.
You're really making life hard for other people.
Shut up.
- Onii-chan. - Hm?
- You know, Jun-chan... - I'm sorry about the motorbike.
If only I had kept an eye on it.
It's not your fault, Onii-chan.
Yeah... maybe...
But... he was a good guy.
- You know, Jun-chan... - Eh?
You went to his funeral right?
Yeah... well. Though it's a funeral,
there are only his mother, our father and Saki-san.
It was a private funeral. She will hold a formal one in his hometown.
I... didn't know about it.
It was held 2 days after the accident. You were still hospitalized then.
You were in a lot of shock as well.
How was it like?
Junichi's mother...
...looked really miserable.
His mother said she wanted to see you and apologize to you, but...
We stopped her.
She lost her only son.
"Please return to Izumo as quickly as possible."
That's what Dad said to her.
- Here. - Thank you.
But... Jun-chan's mother...
...maybe she really hates me.
I'm the only one who survived.
I don't remember...
...anything about the accident.
I see.
How happened to Jun-chan?
Though I didn't obtain any serious injury...
Why was I unable to do anything...?
It couldn't be helped.
Things are over already.
I wonder about that.
You had anemia?
Yes.
The result of your inspection seems to show that you're fine.
How did you feel after that?
Nothing in particular...
Do you have things like headache or tinnitus?
Occasionally...
How about your sleep?
I can't sleep very well.
After this, I'll prescribe you some medications.
Sensei...
I want to remember.
Sonoda-san.
You mustn't force yourself.
It's not good to blame yourself either.
Let's take it easy for now.
How is your leg?
Are you still dragging it?
I try not to, but...
Is that right?
Please take care.
Hey you.
You over there.
Do you know who Jaco is?
He's Jaco.
Jaco Pastorius.
He is a genius.
Though while he was living,
he immersed himself in alcohol.
And then he indulged in drugs.
What is the meaning of continuing to live then? Huh?
You want to talk to him?
Thank you very much.
He's a patient who's hospitalized upstairs. He just talks to anyone and bothers them.
You saved me.
- Let me see. - Eh?
That.
Maybe you shouldn't drink too much of this.
Why is it so?
This... belongs to you?
Yes. That's mine. Thank you.
Sorry. I want to send you back, but I'm in a hurry.
- It's fine. - See you.
Ryoko...
Jun-chan?
What are you doing?
It's such a waste for him to be an art major.
- Let him sit for a maintenance license test. - Stop that.
- He has to work hard for his graduation piece. - Woah, so scary. I'm just kidding.
It's fine. I'm finding a job anyway.
You mean as a son-in-law?
Both of you are idiots.
Where have you gone?
"Maybe you shouldn't drink too much of this."
"Fukazawa Law Firm" "Kirino Makiko"
Kirino Makiko...
Um...
Welcome.
Is Kirino Makiko-san here?
Yes. Kirino is here, but did you make an appointment?
- No... - Is there anything I can help you with?
I would like to talk to her in person...
Your name, please?
I'm Sonoda...
Please wait for a while. You can take a sit over there.
Yes.
May I have a moment?
- What do you want? - I want to meet you...
How do you know about this place?
I'm sorry. Seeing the envelope, I think maybe you're a lawyer...
I see...
- There's something I'd like you to investigate for me. - You want to make fun of me?
Do you know why I would go to such a faraway hospital?
No...
Because I don't want other people to know about it.
Lawyer is an occupation based on trust.
If the fact that I go to a psychiatric hospital is exposed,
who do you think will dare to discuss important matters with such a lawyer?
I'm really sorry, but can you go back already?
- Hey, you alright? - I'm not alright.
Are you okay?
Don't get bothered about me.
You idiot! I'm hungry.
- Welcome. - I called in earlier. My name's Kouno.
Kouno-sama. You have an appointment with Kirino-sensei, don't you?
Yes.
Sorry for making you wait.
You... Why are you here?
There's something I need to ask you no matter what.
Ask me?
The truth is... there's something I hope you will investigate for me.
That's why today, I tried to make a proper appointment with you.
Are you Sonoda-san? Kouno-san?
My name's Sonoda. I'm really sorry.
I thought if I use my real name, I would be turned down...
Then you're just the same as the man in the hospital the other day.
Are you a little weird?
Though I've been going to the psychiatric hospital,
this is what I have thought through.
- Sonoda-san. - Yes.
Right now I'm also going to that hospital.
- I have some sort of circumstance. - That's why, I thought you might be able to understand for me...
What kind of talk do you think we can do as patients?
There's something I hope you will investigate for me no matter what.
Two months ago, I had a traffic accident. My boyfriend died.
But his family doesn't press a charge against anyone...
That's why I don't know what happened...
You know, this place is not a psychiatric hospital, nor is it a detective office.
We don't consult people about their troubles either.
No matter what, there are things I have to know about that accident.
Sorry, but I have to turn you down.
Practically speaking, I'm in charge of civil matters.
If it's a criminal case, you can try asking the police.
If you want compensation, I'll introduce you to a lawyer specializing in traffic accidents.
I am really sorry for not having been of much help.
Please take your leave.
Nee-chan.
You have to come back, okay?
Onee-chan!
Excuse me.
Can you pick that up for me?
What time is it now? I can't see my watch.
It's 7:10...
You have waited 3 hours already.
If you were a man, you would be accused of being a stalker.
I'm sorry.
After I take these documents to my car,
I will listen to what you have to say.
I can only remember until then.
Before my eyes, there was a huge truck...
It was frightening, right?
I couldn't even cry out.
You have no memory about what happened after that?
Yes.
It means that you lost that memory?
- But... - Hm?
But I know that... actually somewhere inside, some part of me knows...
...that I remember it.
What happened at that time...
Though I don't remember it now,
perhaps I will actually recall them.
How do you know that?
That day...
Tiny fragments of memories of that day...
I can feel them very often.
The sliding sound on the floor...
The excruciating pain in my palm...
And there I was, collapsing on the ground...
Perhaps I...
No, certainly...
I can't tell for sure, but...
After I wake up, I try to lift up my cold body.
Garnering all the strength I have in my arms,
even though my palms were really hurting...
And then I lift up my face, and open my eyes...
But I don't see anything.
Only darkness spreads before my eyes.
I don't know anything else apart from that...
I understand.
What you don't know...
Or what you want to know... is what is beyond that darkness.
In short, you want to know how he died right?
Have you talked about this at that hospital?
I only told him that I want to remember...
The doctor answered that you should stop thinking about it, right?
Yes.
My answer is the same.
Listen.
Despite how brutal those memories are, or how terrible they are,
all of them may be there in the midst of your memory.
But you see,
exactly because of that, you don't want to remember.
It's you yourself who doesn't want to remember.
Your brain itself wants to erase all that.
Because those things are what will make you suffer.
They may be so cruel that they may even tear you apart.
Inside that memory which I have lost,
there is Jun-chan.
I...
I don't want to lose...
...Jun-chan's images in his last moments.
Right now, I'm having a difficult case.
Give me some time to think it over.
Where's your house?
It's near Shiragiku Bridge.
If it's okay with you, I can give you a lift.
It's fine. The subway is just nearby.
I see...
You don't seem well.
You're not thinking about something weird right?
Something weird?
You see, things like committing suicide...
I'm fine.
Thank you very much for today.
Nee-chan...
When are you coming back?
About that...
Ryoko.
Take care of Mom.
I'll send you money every month.
When are you coming back?
I don't know about that for now.
Why are you even asking?
Nee-chan... you're not coming back here again right?
There's no such thing.
Ryoko.
Don't get too concerned... about the wound.
Then... goodbye.
What beautiful photos.
- Beautifully taken~ - These are not a photos, but drawings.
Eh? These are not photos, but drawings?
Seriously? They are all so detailed~
- These are in a rose collection. - All are roses?
Incredible~
They're drawn by a painter named Reduote.
Two hundred years ago, he was an official court artist...
...of Queen Marie Antoinette, and he was called "The Raphael of flowers."
- Heh~ - I was taught that by him.
I see. Jun-chan was an art major, right?
This book is?
He gave it to me. Rather than leaving it at home, I thought maybe it's better to bring it here.
Ah, I've asked something unnecessary.
It's fine. For some reason, I really want to talk about him to someone lately.
- Excuse me! - Yes!
Sorry for coming so suddenly.
Not at all...
When I went to your house to ask, they say you're at the florist's.
I was wondering if you couldn't help me...
You know, the truth is...
I've investigated a little about your accident since we last talked.
I only found a short newspaper article though...
Then...
Just as I said earlier,
I'm not specialized in criminal cases.
I can't be your official representative.
Yes.
But...
I'll assist you in the investigation.
Thank you very much.
However, I'm in charge of another case now.
Though I'll try to finish it as soon as possible...
- You are fine with that? - I don't mind at all.
This is perhaps not the job of a lawyer though.
Please help me.
If we're talking business, there will be investigation costs involved.
I also have the intention to pay for those...
For now, I want to make an appointment with the hospital.
- Do you work the day after tomorrow? - I'll take leave.
You just need to take 2-3 hours off work.
Yes.
I'll leave it to you to contact the hospital.
And then from my side, I'll contact a representative lawyer for you.
Hey!
- A beautiful lady came here earlier. - Yeah, I met her.
- Who is she? - Doesn't concern you.
She said she was a lawyer.
If it's about the accident, we've been paid some compensation and all hospital expenses already.
It's not about that.
- What do you mean? - It doesn't concern you.
- Don't screw with me. - I said you don't have to be bothered about me.
What did you say?
You alright? Not scared?
You can sit at the back seat.
I'm fine.
Well, I will drive slowly.
The place he stayed at is beyond that bridge.
Your boyfriend?
The place where the accident happened... is also over that side.
Have you gone over there since the accident?
I haven't crossed the bridge since.
Jun-chan's apartment too...
His university and the place the accident happened...
Everything is at the other side of that bridge...
It must be scary, right?
I have to cross it, right?
If I want to remember...
If it's necessary.
Today we'll come to that hospital over there.
- Do you remember when you were taken here? - I don't remember.
Sonoda-san was in a coma.
She had a lot of bruises on her left arm.
And she also suffered abrasions to her chin and her left elbow.
Apparently when she fell onto the ground, she obtained this abrasion on her left palm...
...and her left ankle had a sprain.
This is her most serious injury.
Your leg is fine already, isn't it?
Can you walk normally now?
Ah, yes. I can walk.
Because of blood loss and the impact to the head,
her coma continued for some time.
Five hours after she's been transported here, she regained her consciousness.
Sensei, when did she start losing her memory?
If you're talking about the fact that she doesn't remember anything about the accident,
of course, it can be assumed that she lost her memory shortly after or even shortly before the crash.
In the report that paramedics provided us with, it is said that they both lost consciousness.
Have you ever thought that before paramedics arrived, maybe she hadn't lost her memory yet?
Well... I'm not sure about that.
I just know that, although it wasn't a mortal wound for Sonoda-san,
the impact of the collision must have been quite great for her.
It could have been so severe that there are quite a number of people who lose their memory after a collision.
Next, it will be about Kouno-san...
- This is confidential, so is it okay? - Yes, Please tell me.
When he was taken to the hospital, he was already unconscious.
His injuries were caused by glass fragments.
There was a deep wound starting from his right shoulder to his back.
And then, due to the heavy impact on his spinal column,
it was fractured, causing a lot of bleeding.
We attempted blood transfusion, but...
I'm very sorry...
When taken to the hospital, Kouno-san was still alive, wasn't he?
You are still unable to sleep well?
Especially these days...
I would really appreciate it if you can give me some more medicines.
It is busy at work, isn't it?
For some reason, there are a lot of divorces from spring till summer.
Do you find it troublesome?
But it's my job.
Kirino-san, how about taking a break for some time?
Taking a break is also an important thing.
You can spend some leisurely time on an island in the South...
Or I can cast everything aside, right...?
No, it is purely for recreation.
Sleep is an important way to relax.
Well, I'll prescribe you some medications.
I see... that tunnel accident right?
I heard that one person survived though.
- So it was you huh? - Yes.
Please tell me anything you know.
I remember that accident.
As it is, this is a shortcut going from the national highway, and it's gonna be closed in the winter.
There were few ways to get though to the road, and the notification about the accident arrived quite late.
When we arrived at the scene, the ambulance was yet to arrive.
The truck hit the walls of the tunnel; its front part was crushed and pieces of glass were scattered around.
The truck driver died instantaneously...
Are you alright? Isn't it difficult for you to listen to this?
Please continue.
I see.
The motorcycle crashed into the truck,
and from a distance of 3 meters, the two of you were falling down, lying side by side.
The brakes of the truck left quite a clear mark.
Looking aside while driving, he may have got mixed up; he whipped the steering wheel and stepped the brake too abruptly, causing the truck to slip.
The truck went over to the opposite lane, and that was where the motorcycle came…
How did they collide into each other?
Since the front wheel of the motorcycle was crushed,
judging from the situation, I suppose it went straight into the left side of the truck.
The motorcycle went straight into the truck?
That's right. Well, normally the driver would steer the handlebars though.
Perhaps you could have been unharmed that way.
Why didn't he steer the handlebars?
No idea... Maybe there was a gap or something?
Who discovered the accident?
Apparently it was a home delivery driver.
He wasn't an eye-witness, but just someone who happened to pass by the scene and then called the ambulance.
How much time did it take for them to reach there after that person reported the accident?
Um... according to the paramedics' report, maybe it's approximately 10 minutes.
How did they know that?
The motorcyclist's wristwatch was smashed and stopped working.
After the person called in, paramedics arrived there in 10 minutes.
In ten minutes huh...
We arrived at the scene a little more early than the paramedics.
How did he look like when he collapsed on the ground?
Apparently he was lying down, leaning to his right side.
We tried to wake him up, but he was already unconscious.
When the paramedics arrived, I heard that his heart was still beating though.
When the paramedics arrived...
...I heard that his heart was still beating though.
"Dead person" "Number of occurrences" "Traffic accidents…"
Izumi?
You don't have to force yourself to go tomorrow.
Sakura is going to bloom next year and next next year too.
Next year and next next year...
You are no longer here, aren't you...
Saki-san, I'm so sorry for taking leave on my own accord.
It's fine. Work can wait. Just take your time.
But you really helped me out a lot today. There were so many orders.
I'll do my best.
Good morning~ Izumi-san. Thank you for your help.
Morning.
- You alright? - Eh?
Izumi-chan, you are investigating about the accident right?
A lawyer came a while ago.
A very beautiful woman.
She even bought some lilies.
That's beautiful. Thank you.
Sit down.
It took quite a bit of time to do this,
but I've come to know something.
I have gotten the records of Junichi-kun's autopsy.
Autopsy...?
This accident is categorized as "professional negligence resulting in death".
But since the perpetrator who is the truck drive passed away,
the cause of the accident is still unknown.
In order to determine the cause of death, his body was dissected.
"Overall body damage"
"Fractured bones from thoracic vertebrae no. 12 to lumbar vertebrae no. 2"
Both families didn't let you know about this, right?
Junichi-kun's backbone...
...was broken from the back to the front.
And then, his spine and intestines were stressed.
His wounds also spread from his back to the back of his neck.
The policeman said that the motorcycle bumped directly into the left side of the truck, right?
That's why the front wheel of the motorbike was crushed.
- Don't you think it's strange? - Eh?
His backbone was broken before that.
Which means... his back collided with the truck first.
Because he didn't steer the handlebars.
But whatever things happened then...
You don't remember them right?
Yes...
How about the sound...
...when the collision happened?
Izumi...
Jun-chan... I'm here.
Izumi is...
Jun-chan... What? I can't hear you...
I can't hear you...!
"Kirino Makiko"
The other day, I took some photos at the scene.
Are you still scared of looking at them?
No.
If they can't help you remember, they are just boring scenery photos huh?
But after asking the police one more time,
there's something I came to realize.
The truck that collided with the motorbike ridden by you and Junichi-kun...
...was hit at this position.
And then the place you fell down is here.
Look at them carefully.
Yes.
He fell down here.
His back was seriously crushed, and his shirt was stained red.
His cheeks was scraped and there was a deep cut on them.
On his left hand, three fingers were chopped off.
Fingers...?
His helmet flew behind the motorbike.
Yours was near to the place where the two of you were lying down.
And then...
Strangely enough, the blood stained on your clothes...
...are not yours...
...but Junichi-kun's.
Jun-chan's...?
He had a lot of bleeding.
Stop...
Please stop already...!
It's not that you want to know about it.
You just feel that you have to know.
In fact, there's nothing...
...you want to remember at all.
Okaa-san...
Though it's a little late, everyone's doing well.
Izumi's healthy too.
She isn't here today though.
Okaa-san will understand everything.
Do you still see the same dream?
Occasionally...
- Sensei. - Yes.
Do you have many patients like me?
Let's see...
There are people, though young, who have lost their loved ones due to illness or accidents.
All of them are left with sadness.
And then, in order for them to live with sadness and suffering,
time is essential.
However, in our modern society, everything is moving forward hurriedly...
...and relentlessly, without caring about them. That's why they have to go back to school or work.
If they don't want to meet other people and just lock themselves in the house,
these will become a natural thing for them sooner or later.
Hello.
Long time no see. Are you well?
You can't be well right? Since I'm seeing you here.
Well... I'm doing well somehow.
I see. I was a bit worried.
You haven't contacted me since then.
I'm sorry.
My inspection is gonna be over soon.
- Shall we go have some chat? - I'll wait for you.
Makiko-san, why did you accept to do me this favor?
- Because you're too insistent. - Eh?
Not because of that...
You look like...
...my younger sister. - Your younger sister?
You know, today...
...is my sister's birthday.
She's a really pretty girl, with a pair of bright eyes.
She's earnest, and always smiles widely.
Nights I can't get to sleep, I'll definitely think of her.
Where is your sister living...?
She's in the countryside of Kumamoto Prefecture, together with my mother.
We haven't met for a really long time.
You know, my sister...
...detests me.
You don't want to listen to this kind of thing right?
Not at all. I always talked about myself.
Things like Makiko-san's sadness or suffering...
I have never once tried to know about them...
It's fine. Because things are harsh for you.
Did something happen?
Stop him! Nee-chan, stop him!
Stop him! Stop him!
Nee-chan! Stop him!
My father was once a kind person, but because of his failure at work,
he indulged in alcohols... and in the end became violent.
My sister tried desperately to ask me to stop them,
but I was too scared, and just turned away.
Stop it! Stop it!
It's hot... It hurts...
It's my fault that...
...her face...
...was injured.
I told her that I will get it healed for her,
and we went to a lot of hospitals...
But...
A scar still remains on her cheek.
After that, my father left the house.
I studied while working...
I was hoping to take care of her,
so I went off to Tokyo.
But the truth is..
I wanted to run away.
Rather than going back to the South...
I just wanted to go to the North, even to places further than Tokyo.
I ran away.
So ever since then, you haven't seen your sister?
I'm afraid.
At that time, why couldn't I move at all...?
Every time I look at my sister's face,
I will start blaming myself.
Even then, I still remember it.
The image of my sister who couldn't move while her skin was peeling off...
...but smiled with a tender look on her face.
My sister definitely...
...detests me.
She won't forgive me.
My sister is going to a nearby place for her factory's training course.
Then you can see her right?
I can't.
I have a trial tomorrow.
Ryoko's gonna go back tomorrow too.
In the end, I'm still the one who runs away.
Where is your sister staying at?
At Otaru.
It's lonely, isn't it?
I'm so sorry. Did you wait long?
Not at all. I'm sorry for coming all of a sudden.
I'll treat you to dinner. I finally finished this case.
I feel like drinking. Go with me.
Yes, I'll be glad to. But...
- Before that... - That's right.
- You have recalled something? - No, not that.
Today, it's not about me...
Eh?
I went to Otaru.
I went to meet your younger sister, Ryoko-san.
I'm sorry for being so nosy.
What did...
...my sister say?
I want to see Nee-chan.
She always protects me.
I know that Nee-san has been trying to avoid me.
Makiko-san...
...thinks that you detest her.
Detest her?
She put all the blame on herself. It was all my fault.
It's not Nee-chan's fault.
She didn't do anything wrong.
I want... to see Nee-chan.
I want...
...to see Nee-chan.
I want...
...to see Nee-chan.
She doesn't detest you or anything.
Nee-chan is not in the wrong.
I just want to see her...
I just want to see Nee-chan.
She just repeated it times over.
Ryoko...
Sorry.
I'm really...
...sorry.
Sorry.
- Izumi-chan. - Yes!
I'm in trouble. An important customer will come at 3 o'clock.
Can you help me with something? The part-timer didn't go to work today.
Yes, I'll go. Where is it?
"Vero Rose." It's on the other side of the bridge.
- You can't go there right? - I'm fine already.
- That boutique right? - That's right. I'm so sorry.
Not at all. It's alright.
Hey, isn't it beautiful?
Hmm...
It's beautiful.
I don't know what you're gonna draw for the graduation piece,
so I was wondering maybe you can draw these flowers.
- This was drawn by you, Jun-chan? - Not me.
It was drawn by an Iraqi kid...
...who lost an arm due to bombing.
Heh, he must really love flowers, right?
I can't draw as earnestly as that kid does.
Jun-chan, you're just lacking inspiration.
Maybe I should just...
...stop drawing.
Jun-chan, what are you talking about?
You can give it up that easily? Don't you love drawing?
I do. That's why I'm troubled.
- Don't say things so easily. - I didn't say it with that intention.
- I took so much trouble to bring the flowers... - Ah, enough already.
- Just leave me alone. - You're horrible. I'll leave you alone.
I'm home.
"Kouno Saeko"
His mother...?
I'm sorry for sending this letter so suddenly.
While I think that I should see you and apologize to you directly,
As sadness has engulfed my family,
I didn't have the courage to get out of the house.
Please forgive me.
The other day, while arranging Junichi's belongings, something caught my attention.
Apparently, this was what the police had passed to me.
It seems that this was rolled around Junichi's arm.
At that time, my mind was in such a confusion that I forgot to return it to you.
The handkerchief was stained with Junichi's blood,
so much that no matter how many times I wash it, the stains don't fade at all.
Only now, when I thought of returning this to the owner...
...did I notice the letters at the bottom corner of the handkerchief.
IS…
They are the initials of your name, Sonoda Izumi-san, right?
With that handkerchief, Izumi-san, you...
...tried to stop Junichi's blood from flowing.
With your own injured body, you tried to save Junichi...
Knowing that you have loved Junichi this much,
I couldn't stop my tears while looking at the handkerchief.
I thought that I had to return this to you at all costs.
Izum-san.
Really thank you very much.
- I'm so sorry for making you come all the way here. - What are you talking about?
You seem to be able to recall right?
Today, let's take the same route to the scene as what you took that day.
- Get in. - Yes.
That day was the last day sakura had bloomed.
The wind was blowing strongly, and the petals were flying all around.
A petal got stuck on Jun-chan's nose.
When I took it out for him, he smiled brightly.
You really loved him, didn't you?
But I...
There was one time I was about to lose him.
At that time, he was troubled over his graduation piece and his future employment.
We had a little argument.
Then all of a sudden, he just disappeared.
His apartment was still the same.
I couldn't reach his cell phone.
I thought I was never going to see him again.
Everyday it was hard and painful.
But he returned right?
He didn't contact me for 3 months.
I wonder what he did during that time...
This is...
As I thought, I still love Izumi huh?
Hey, Izumi.
Say something.
You're mean. You're really mean, Jun-chan.
I don't get you.
I'm sorry.
I'm not going anywhere anymore.
I'm not going anywhere.
That's why, I don't want to lose them...
I don't want to lose any memory...
...about Jun-chan.
Makiko-san. Thank you for the flowers.
Jun-chan...
I...
I remember now...
You were definitely trying to...
You were trying to protect me, weren't you?
Jun-chan?
Jun-chan, what's wrong?
Jun-chan.
Jun-chan, Jun-chan. No. Wake up!
Fingers... fingers...
Fingers...!
Izumi...
Jun-chan...
What? I can't hear you...
I can't hear you...!
Izumi is...
Oh my? Who are you again?
Sonoda-san, your case should have been over already.
I'm going to Izumo.
I thought I should come to see you first, and express my gratitude to you.
You don't need to do that.
I have decided to go back home next month.
I also wrote a letter to my sister.
That's great.
I'm busy now.
I can't send you off, but be well.
Yes, thank you very much.
See you.
Izumi-san.
I'm glad to have met you.
I'm Sonoda Izumi.
I've heard a lot about you.
This is Junichi's favorite pattern.
Please take it.
Yes...
Junichi-san...
...said that we would come to Izumo in the summer.
That child...
...must have wanted...
...to take you to meet with the God of marriage.
"Thank you."
"We came for that."
I guess... that's right.
Izumi-san.
I'm really thankful to you...
...for having loved Junichi.
Jun-chan...
Though I've come all the way here, it's lonely for me to be alone.
You also lost an important person, didn't you?
Thank you.
Me too.
I also had that look on your face,
and looked up at the sky.
When did it happen?
It's a thing of 60 years ago.
I lost my husband in the war...
It was right after we got married.
War?
He joined the submarine forces, and lost his life in the oceans.
But his remains weren't found.
That's why I always thought he would be coming home some day.
Or maybe he was still alive somewhere.
I wasn't able to give up until much later.
You've been waiting all this while?
I met him.
Eh?
Only once.
I really wanted to see him, so much that I went to this famous hill every night.
And then, really for once,
he appeared, wearing the same clothes as those when he left the house.
He looked at me, smiling with a tender look on his face.
He's forever gone since then.
What is that hill called?
It is called Ifuyazaka.
This hill can connect us to the world of the dead.
People have passed this down to next generations since a long time ago.
The world of the dead?
It's the hill that can connect us to that world.
From here, if you head for the east and walk for a little while,
you will see a shrine called Iya.
Then it's the small hill near the shrine.
I also want to see him.
You lost that important person because of illness?
An accident. A traffic accident.
It was so sudden, right?
Even now, I will...
...unconsciously think about these "If" stories.
That's right...
If I hadn't gone out that day...
If...
If I hadn't met Jun-chan...
My husband too... If only the war hadn't happened...
Jun-chan?
Izumi...
Jun-chan...
What? I can't hear you.
I can't hear you.
Izumi...
...is alive?
Izumi...
...is alive...?
I'm alive.
Jun-chan...
I...
I'm living on.
Jun-chan...
Goodbye...
Translated by yuizaki_libra@livejournal Raw provided by bittersweet_bun@ourhour