Chapter 38 second quarter

Mirai opened the door very cautiously and slipped in like a timid cat.She closed the door behind her back, her eyes were bloodshot, and she seemed to have barely slept.Mariko turned to face the future, and the future stared at her face. "Miss Mariko?" Hearing the call, Mariko smiled back at her, turned to her, and sat upright. "Yeah! It's me. But no matter how you look at it, it looks like Chiori, right? But it's really me." "Are you really Mariko? Can I believe it?" "What do I have to say to make you believe it? Do you want me to guess how many moles you have on your butt in front of Kisaragi?"

Future stared at each other without saying a word, she swallowed a mouthful of saliva, and slowly approached the hospital bed from the door. "Miss Mariko—" When there was only about one meter away from the hospital bed, Future stopped in his tracks, as if he was a little cowering and unable to move.I leaned against the window to watch them both, with Mariko's back to me, and I could see Miku's face over her shoulder.Tears were streaming down Future's cheeks, and her whole face began to wrinkle into a ball. She was crying like a child in a nurse's uniform. "In the future, you've gone too far. I'm the one who wants to cry. You're a thief. You actually cried before me."

"Yeah, that's right." Future sobbed hard, and wiped his face with his hands.The face that should have been extremely tired is now full of smiles.Future looked around, found a chair, and moved it over to sit by the hospital bed. "Can I talk to you?" "No problem at all." But after that, the two were silent for a while. During this period, Mirai frowned several times and almost cried, but whenever this happened, she lowered her head in a panic, so that Mariko could not see it. "It would be easier for you to talk if I'm not here! I'll go out for a walk and come back." I broke the silence.

Mariko, who had been turning her back to me, asked me to stay, Mirai looked up at me as if she remembered that I was still there.As if she could see my movements, Mariko added a word of thanks in a low voice. "Miss Makoto, I'm sorry—I suddenly don't know what to say to you." Mariko shook her head lightly. "I guess, though, I probably don't have any moles on my butt now." "what happened?" "Because I was skinned, and a lot of it was peeled off, and all of it was given to Miss Mariko's body." "That's right, I heard you say it last time. Then I have to thank you very much, Luo!"

"I'll give you a blood transfusion." "Thank you. But isn't that just right? Anyway, the future is too young." The tearful future was amused. "You're here again. But it looks like you're really Mariko-san!" "How to say?" "Because there is no one other than Mariko-san who would say such impolite words in front of me!" "It's too much. But it seems to be true." "Yes, for sure." "Ogiwara won't say such a thing?" "It's impossible for him to say such a thing!" The two who spoke in a low voice began to laugh.I can't help but think of the night when I first arrived here. They still look like two sisters who are in harmony with each other like that night, but there is only one difference. I am afraid that after tonight, each of them will shed warm and sad tears!

Mariko forced a smile in front of the future, just looking at her back can feel that she is trying hard to pretend, which makes people feel distressed.The same is true for the future, desperately suppressing the tears pouring out of the eyes, pretending to be happy.However, the two of them felt sorry for each other. I wanted to stand by and guard them, but I couldn't speak the right words, and I didn't intend to intervene.I leaned against the window, and the midday sun shone on my shoulders, giving me a burst of warmth.Although time flows slowly, it does not stop every second. The two of them jokingly talked about something personal, and Mariko was talking about what she felt in Chiori's body—she meant the weight and the touch of the skin, etc. Miku listened with an incredulous expression.

"Also, I had a strange dream on the first night." Mariko said these words suddenly. "What kind of dream?" Future asked curiously. "I'm sorry, I'll tell you later." After thinking for a while, Mariko shook her head slowly. But Mariko became silent.For the several times in the future, he just nodded and shook his head to answer, completely silent.The future finally sent me a distress message, I nodded, walked away from the window and walked between the two of them. "Are you tired?" Mariko shook her head.I sat on the corner of the hospital bed, and she immediately reached out to look for my hand.I moved my left hand lightly, covering her palm completely, and then there was a slight tremor from her small hand.

Of course I knew all too well about her sudden silence and the state of mind when she started whimpering and crying, but the future was clearly in the dark.She looked at me questioningly, and I could only shake my head like Mariko and had nothing to say.After all, I still can't say in front of Mariko that today may be the last day of her life.I absolutely do not want such a day. Mariko stopped whimpering, her little hands gripped the blanket tightly under my palm.A sound that should have been crying or howling came out of her throat, but she tried her best to suppress it.I put my arm around her shoulders, and she gently leaned her body up.Mirai lowered his eyes sadly. At this time, the feeling I shared with Mirai was—a sense of powerlessness.

"By the way, why isn't Ogihara here so late today?" Future stood up, pretending to be watching what was going on outside the door, and deliberately turned his back to us.But she could hardly find another word to say, so she said coyly, "I'll come to see it." After finishing speaking, the future walked out of the ward as if fleeing, and gently closed the door.Mariko was lying on my arm and weeping loudly, as if a tight thread had been snapped. "I, I—I'm really scared, I don't want to die like this." Mariko hesitated for a long time, and finally said this sentence.

I couldn't find any words to answer, so I could only keep stroking her back. "However, I don't want to see Qianzhi disappear in this world instead of me. Maybe because of yesterday's actions, you can't believe what I said, but because of what happened, I was aware of it. You understand What am I talking about? I'm not lying, you have to believe me." Tears soaked my shirt, "I know, I believe in you." Although there are only a few words, it is hard to hide the sadness. In response to my weak answer, Mariko just replied "Thank you" as if sighing.

"The words just now are my sincere words. However, I prefer to resist the self who does that kind of thing. That's why I can discover my true self. I think this must be the best arrangement." Mariko said slowly.The trembling of the body also calmed down a little. At this time, there was a small knock on the door.Mariko, who was leaning against my arms, sat up straight, and I waited for her to tidy up, then stood up and said to the door, "Please come in." The door opens, and what comes in is the future.In the future, she finally turned her worry into a smile and returned to the ward. "What's the matter?" I asked the future. Future tilted his head slightly.Only then did I realize that there was a slight difference between that smile and the mournful cry that had just ended.Mirai turned his gaze to my back again, then walked into the ward, closing the door behind his back. "Miss Mariko, shall we go for a walk?" "Huh?" Mariko looked at her puzzledly. "Because you don't have any discomfort in your body? After yesterday's epileptic seizure, do you still feel uncomfortable like sequelae? Do you have numbness in your hands and feet, or headache?" Mariko frowned slightly after thinking about it, and replied, "Well, there seems to be no discomfort at all." "Then let's go for a walk together, the weather is unbelievably good! Isn't Miss Mariko staying in the ward all the time? Let's go, let's go for a walk nearby." As if guessing the real intention of the future, a surprised and puzzled expression appeared on Mariko's face.This is indeed a good suggestion, but I am also a little surprised why such a suggestion is suddenly made in the future. Then Mirai smiled softly again. "You look like Chiori, no problem, no one will know you are Mariko, so let's go for a walk! No matter who you meet, you will never be exposed. Or, Mr. Kisaragi Let's go too!" The future stares at my face. "If she doesn't care, of course I will accompany you." I replied. "Look, Miss Mariko, let's go! The weather outside will definitely make you feel refreshed." This time it was Mariko who looked at me. "It's really sunny outside," I continued. Hearing what I said, Mariko murmured softly: "Yes, if that's the case, let's go for a walk!" Time passed unknowingly, and I looked at my watch, and it was already past half past eight.When Mariko asked, "Should I change clothes or something?" Mirai hurriedly said, "No need, just wear it like this. Chiori's shoes are at the entrance, so don't you need to take anything else?" After repeating it again, Mariko had no choice but to nod helplessly. I don't know if it was because of tiredness, or because she was not used to being underweight, Mariko felt a little dizzy when she stood up.Future and I rushed forward to support her on both sides, she reached out to stop us, "I'm fine." At that time, she finally had a smile on her face. Miku and Mariko walked out of the ward one by one.After the two of them walked out, I looked around. The wallet and other items were put in the luggage bag, because it was placed behind the sofa, so it should not be stolen.At this time, I suddenly found that there were several black and white painted vehicles passing by in a hurry on the opposite side of the window, and those cars were all bound for the nursing center. The road repair project should not be completed yet, maybe a simple temporary bridge was erected first, I thought to myself, it seems that the car can already pass!It was hard work to be so busy early in the morning. After stepping out of the room, I quickly chased them who were walking in the corridor. The girl-like Mariko held Mirai's hand shyly, or seemed a little uninterested, and her back looked a little sad and timid.I walked behind them. In the long corridor, the three of them walked quietly without saying a word. After walking for a while, I heard a loud noise in front of me.The sound came from the lobby in the smoking area that was always empty and I frequented.People from the police or fire department probably came to ask about the accident because of this accident!While I was thinking wildly, we had reached the final corner. The hall was indeed shaking and noisy.But all are residents of the sanatorium. The youth in the tracksuit, the blood transfusion and the five people who provided the skin to Mariko.More than twenty wheelchairs.The future father also stands in the rear.It was the faces of the people I'd seen at the restaurant, going for a walk together, closing their eyes and listening to Chiori playing the piano.The originally empty hall was now full of people.It was only later that the future told me that almost everyone who lived in the sanatorium had come.In fact, I heard that everyone in the sanitarium gathered here except Mrs. Kurano, who was unable to move. "Ah!" Mariko just uttered this voice, and then she was stunned on the spot.She hid behind the future and secretly looked at the group of people. I heard the sound of the automatic door opening at the entrance, and it turned out to be Fujimoto-san, Ogiwara, and several people who seemed to be staff behind them.Everyone's hands are full of strings of paper cranes. "The future. Has Dr. Kurano arrived yet?" Mr. Fujimoto handed over the paper crane to the person beside him, and walked towards us quickly. "Mr. Fujimoto, there is no way to let so many people visit." Future said hoarsely. Mr. Fujimoto nodded, "I told them too, but everyone said, how can you know if you don't try it. I have no choice but to tell everyone that if you can't visit, just treat it as a slightly longer walk today." He smiled, but couldn't hide his heartache. Ogiwara saw us coming over to say hello. "Mr. Kisaragi, I'm sorry this morning! It took a lot of time to drive everyone here. You must be hungry! I brought breakfast and I will send you to the ward immediately." "Ah, don't be in a hurry, it doesn't matter if you take your time." "It's Chiori! That's right, I can get out of bed already, that's great." Hearing the other party's greeting, Mariko quickly looked down. "However, it's not easy! These." I pointed to the paper crane and said, Ogiwara and Fujimoto-san had the same smile on their faces. "Yeah, that's the only thing we people can do. At the beginning, all the staff gathered together to make origami cranes as soon as we found free time. Later, patients and their families also participated in the grand event without knowing it. .These colored papers are used for finger rehabilitation. There were still a lot in stock, but this time they are all used up. As a last resort, I have to cut the report paper, or find some paper that looks okay, and cut it into squares for use. .Do you see some bigger ones over there? Those are the ones.” It turned out that the layer of paper that fell in the lunch box last night was a strip of paper that was cut when origami cranes were made.Suddenly, a picture of a large restaurant with everyone holding a ruler and cutting paper with a utility knife came to my mind. "About how many are there?" "I don't know, there are about 3,000, maybe there are more." Ogiwara lowered his eyes, "I learned about Miss Mariko's condition from Mr. Fujimoto, but I didn't tell everyone the truth. So Mr. Kisaragi, please stay here too. Click on it and cooperate a little bit." I nodded, and Ogiwara smiled stupidly and clumsily. "Fujimoto." Dr. Kurano's voice came from a little far away. "Good morning." Mr. Fujimoto said as he walked towards him. "Fujimoto, I do allow you to visit, but what are you going to do with this group of people?" "But--" "Sorry, the hospital can't let so many people in to visit." "I've told them this before." The doctor smiled bitterly with a confused and headache look.Mariko caught this scene from far away, she gently tugged at my sleeve, but still looked straight at the ground. "I can't stay any longer." The voice was as thin as a mosquito. "Go outside?" I asked her. She nodded slightly. "Let's go outside for some fresh air," I whispered into Future's ear. "You guys go first, I'll be there later." Future replied. We went through the crowd with anxious and worried faces, and I went to get the shoes first. "Can you wear it yourself?" I asked Mariko.She nodded. After putting on my shoes, I kept saying things like "I'm sorry" and "Excuse me" to the people around me, and then pushed through the crowd and walked out of the entrance. It was indeed a sunny day outside, and the sun was so bright that his eyes hurt. As soon as she walked out of the gate, Mariko immediately ran away.She took my hand and covered her face with the other free hand.After running for about ten meters, I finally stopped, which happened to be where the car was parked. "Are you OK?" I couldn't think of anything else to say, so I had to ask this.Mariko nodded feebly, then hugged me tightly, crying loudly. "me--" "No need to say anything, I understand." While stroking Mariko's hair, I supported her who was crying loudly.After sobbing a few times, Mariko was still crying.I suddenly raised my head and found that the sun was very bright and there were no clouds in the sky. It seemed that yesterday’s rain would never have existed. The sky looked very high, and it was bright blue as far as I could see. I heard the sound of running footsteps, turned my head and saw the future with a somewhat uneasy look. "I'm sorry, I didn't know it would turn out like this. When I arrived at the lobby, everyone just arrived, I just wanted Mariko-san to see that scene too." Mariko awkwardly left my arms and stared straight into the future.His right hand was still clutching my skirt tightly. The girl's little head swung wildly from side to side.That was exactly the same as Chiori's actions. "That's not what I meant at all, thank you, thank you, Mirai—" Mariko desperately wiped her face that was messed up from crying, and said while gathering her thoughts. This time it's the future's turn to shed big tears. "Miss Makoto, do you understand? Everyone is so worried about you. So you must get well quickly, you must recover quickly—" Before she finished speaking in the future, there was a sudden noise, and a box car drove up beside her, interrupting her words.The driver slammed on the brakes not far in front of us, got out of the car and walked into the future without hesitation.Because the future wears a nurse's white dress, the other party may take it for granted that she is the nurse here. "Excuse me, is this the Institute of Brain Chemistry Hospital?" The other party had a hurried tone, but Future was startled by the sudden question. "Here it is. Excuse me, who are you?" Mariko's eyes were wide open and she didn't move.The one who ran over to inquire was a muscular young man who was about my age, followed by three women who were about the same as Future or slightly younger. "Ah, I'm sorry, my name is Goto. It was Mr. Fujimoto here who contacted me. I wanted to come here earlier, because the road was blocked and I couldn't go up the mountain, so I was in a hurry. I heard that Mariko-Iwamura Mariko happened It just happened by accident." I knew that Mariko next to him was watching him closely, but since Mirai didn't know the relationship between them and Mariko, I asked him directly. "I am Mariko's ex-husband. Behind is my sister." Goto said. The future took a breath and said, "I'll take you there." Goto saluted her.Then she asked Mariko for advice with her eyes: "What should I do?" Mariko shook her head quietly as an answer.The future seemed to be aware of it, nodded immediately, and walked back to the entrance door with the four visitors who were all heavy-faced and restless. After I made sure their figures disappeared, I asked, "Didn't you tell the future?" "I only told her about my divorce. But it's good, he looks healthier and more youthful than I thought. So did Satoko, Kimiko, and Masako." A misty gleam of nostalgia for the past suddenly flashed in Mariko's eyes, but she shook her head again. "Satoko is probably already married! Masako was still a primary school student when I was still at my husband's house, so I almost didn't recognize her. Kimiko has also matured a lot. I didn't expect them all to come to see me." The last sentence was like talking to himself. "Don't you want to talk to them?" "It's a lie to say that I don't want to, but because the other party has long believed that I am a person who is about to die, if a girl suddenly came to them and said 'I am Mariko', they would definitely be at a loss. As long as they can see their face, I am very satisfied. I feel really good now, as long as everyone is happy." After that, Mariko kept murmuring "I didn't expect them to come" in her mouth, and then wiped her eyes again.The tense mood of the morning is now visibly lessened. At this time, another young woman stepped out of the van. She held a big white bag in her hand like a baby.It took us a while to realize that it was a tiny baby in baby clothes. "Look, it's Mr. Sun!" The young woman spoke softly into her arms, "It's been raining heavily all the time, and this place is not home, but you are great, and there is no noise. Dad and aunts have important things to do, and brother and sister Mom is waiting for them here!" Probably a baby who can't speak yet, the mother teased the baby with a soft voice. The young woman suddenly raised her eyes, noticed us, and nodded in salute.We also returned the gift lightly, and I asked Mariko if she knew someone?She just shook her head, but kept her eyes on him.The mouth is tightly pursed. "little baby--" Mariko said loudly, and stepped forward resolutely.It can be seen from her back that she is very deliberately pretending to be a girl. "It's a baby." The young woman bent down slightly to match the height of Mariko who came to her side. "Yes, it's a baby boy, come! Say hello to my sister." The mother held the baby forward, and Mariko stretched her neck to watch.As I approached, she saluted again. "Sorry to bother you." "Where, this child is not afraid of life, it doesn't matter." While answering, she glanced at Mariko and me separately, with a slightly surprised expression on her face, she must be thinking in her heart, even if they are father and daughter, they are too close in age, but they don't look like siblings, then What is the relationship? Mariko completely ignored our exchange of entertainment, just kept watching the baby.Probably because the sun was too glaring, the little baby would occasionally frown a little, but most of the time he seemed to be in a good mood, sometimes making intermittent rattling noises and looking at Mariko with a smile. "What's his name?" Mariko asked. "His name is Zeguang, and he is named after a word from his father's name." Mariko let out a sigh-like sound from her throat, stretched out her hand holding her breath, and gently stroked the baby's cheek.The baby made a hiccup-like sound and shook his hands, looking very happy. "So soft!" Mariko murmured these words.She stretched out her index finger to attract the little baby's attention. The little baby twisted and tried to grab the finger, but he couldn't. "how old are you?" "Eight months old. It's really shocking to grow so big in a blink of an eye." While answering my question, the young woman smiled softly. That smile was really very gentle. Mariko took a step back, saluted and said, "Thank you." I asked Mariko if she had seen enough?She nodded vigorously.I also saluted the young woman, and after she returned the salute, I turned around and prepared to leave. Mariko had already rushed away one step ahead of me, and I rushed to her side in a panic, trying to peek at her expression, but was covered by her hair so I couldn't see clearly. "It's exactly the same as that person! The shape of the eyes, or the area around the forehead are very similar, and the mouth is more like my mother." "Probably too small, I can't tell the difference. But I don't think it looks like my mother at all!" "That's because you haven't looked at that person's face carefully, but don't you think the mouth part is really similar to your mother? You can't even figure out this little thing! So, you men really have no idea. " Mariko stood still and suddenly turned to face me. Miraculously, a refreshing and joyful smile appeared on her face. "Jiyue, there is a wonderful place at the back of the sanatorium, where you can see the scenery far away. Can you walk there with me? You can really see the mountains below! Now It’s the new green season, and it’s so beautiful.” "Really? Then let's go!" I nod in favor.Mariko happily took my hand, trembling and began to climb up the slope. We are looking at the sanatorium that should be empty by now and go up.Then walk slowly on the turf with the church as the back.After glancing at the wreckage of the helicopter, he passed by as if nothing had happened.A few men in uniform were nearby, but they didn't question either of us. The turf was spread along the slope, and after a short walk, I saw an old wooden fence, which was probably left over from the previous pasture, and the whole grassland came to an end. "The scenery around here is not bad, right?" Mariko said, standing still about three meters from the border. On the other side of the fence was an extremely steep slope going straight down; to the left were several mountain peaks that seemed to be floating in mid-air.On the right hand side, I saw a lake, and the other side of the lake was separated by a row of artificial straight lines, only to realize that it was a dam.In the central part, the appearance of the city street can be vaguely seen at the far end. Above the scenery, the blue sky overlooks the world without discrimination. "Sit down!" Mariko said. We sat on the grass mat, and the aroma of the grass immediately surrounded us.