Chapter 41 Section five

When I returned to the hospital, the confusion in the lobby was gone. Later I heard from the future that the doctor still decided not to allow so many people to visit patients who have not yet recovered consciousness. Only Mr. Fujimoto, Ogiwara, and the four who drove here just now, a total of ten people were allowed to visit, and the others had no choice but to back to the nursing center. They also only stayed for about fifteen minutes before being asked out of the ward, but only four members of the Goto family begged the doctor to let them stay longer, and the doctor later agreed. It is said that when they heard the doctor say that the deadline was either today or tomorrow, the younger sisters hugged their heads and cried together.Unable to bear this kind of scene in the future, he greeted the doctor and left the treatment room first.Incidentally, those who came to visit from afar accepted Mr. Fujimoto's kindness and temporarily stayed in the sanatorium that night.

After that, I searched for our whereabouts everywhere in the future, but I couldn't find them near the hospital. In desperation, I had to sit alone in the ward and wait for us.Therefore, when we opened the door, we were greeted by Future's angry and crying voice saying, "Damn it, where did he go? It makes people worry!" "Sorry, future, no wonder you are worried." "Of course, and we have important things to say only halfway." "I just asked him to accompany me to the back of the center a little waywardly. I told you before, it is the side of the planned land, where you can overlook the beautiful scenery."

"Ah, there it is!" "Yes, I stayed there for a while. We will come back to get breakfast first, and we will go back there again. In the future, do you want to come together?" The future looks a little troubled. "In principle, I don't come here to work, so it should be fine, but I still have to tell Dr. Kurano, can you wait for me?" "Of course!" Mariko and I said this at the same time.Mirai glanced incredulously at Mariko who smiled shyly, her appearance was completely different from that of the morning. "What's the matter? Did I get something on my face? Wrinkles? Don't say such boring things!"

Future let out a "puchi" laugh. "What are you talking about? That's Chiori's face! Where did the wrinkles come from?" "Yeah, that's right. No wonder my skin is so tight and smooth." Mariko stuck out her tongue a little, "Future, go!" hurriedly pushed Mirai to the corridor. "Then I'll go and come back right away, don't let her disappear suddenly again this time! Mr. Ruyue, you are the guardian, you must take good care of her!" Mariko responded to the light-hearted future: "You don't need to change into beautiful clothes, come back quickly!"

"Okay, are you ready?" "Well, I don't have anything to prepare. Well, is this for breakfast?" There are cutlery and two food boxes piled up in the corner.It seems that the busy Ogiwara only had time to put down today's breakfast in the morning, and left without having time to pack the tableware from last time. "One of them is the portion you didn't eat last night. It should be omelet rice." "That omurice probably can't be eaten." "I don't know. Although the temperature on the mountain is relatively low, it is not easy to be damaged, but it has been left for twelve hours. It is a bit wasteful, but it will be safer to throw it away!"

I took the two food boxes to the middle of the ward. "It's a pity, I really want to eat omurice now." With a look of pity on her face, Mariko shook her head and opened one of the lunch boxes, "This one is probably from last night, with omelet rice under it." She tilted her head suddenly as she spoke. "This one is still warm! And there is an extra meal for one person. There are rice balls, grilled salmon, pickles, miso soup, Kisaragi, didn't you eat last night?" "Yes, I can barely eat a little bit." I opened another lunch box, and there was a plate of cold omelet rice in it.

"This is from last night. It seems that he probably predicted that you might not eat it, so he made another omelet rice this morning." Mariko laughed happily, "Look, today is such a great day! Even my little wish can come true. And look at the dishes today, it's very suitable for a picnic!" Do you dare to eat eggs? I wanted to ask this question, but I gave up on it. I just shrugged my shoulders and answered her. At this time, the future just came back, and she was still wearing a nurse's uniform, only taking off the nurse's cap. "The doctor told me to take it easy and relax."

"That's great, let's go!" Mariko held Mirai's hand and was about to go out. "Wait, why are you in such a hurry!" Future complained.However, compared to the morning, the pace is obviously much lighter. I followed behind with a food box.I bought a few bottles of drinks in the lobby first, and then walked along the road just now.The vans on the parking lot have been parked in different locations, and there seems to be no one in the car.Probably the young woman and child also moved to the room prepared for them in the sanatorium! Mariko and Mirai climbed up the slope back and forth, heading towards the sanatorium.Although the lunch box is not heavy, but in the middle of the day, the increasing power of the sun shines directly on my body, and my sweaty back has already wet a large area.However, the occasional cool breeze that blows over makes the body and mind feel comfortable.

The breeze is always blowing on the grassland, and the rustling sound is endless, welcoming us who are coming again. We sat in a row with Mariko in the middle, and the three of us shared rice balls and omurice together.Mariko scooped into her mouth together with the egg skin, her cheeks were stained with ketchup. Seeing this appearance in the future, she couldn't help but make fun of her, "What a clumsy blush!" Mariko, who was pretending to be angry while laughing, suddenly murmured in a low voice: "Ogiwara's fried eggs are delicious!" After eating, we all agreed to insert straws into our drinks.As if remembering something suddenly, Mariko said to me, "I'm really sorry yesterday morning."

Future interjected puzzledly: "What happened?" "It's okay, it's all over. Right?" Mariko asked for my consent. "Yeah, nothing happened." For my answer, the future pouted a little dissatisfied, but did not continue to ask. We each sipped our drinks while looking at the scenery. At the far end, the streets and towns can be vaguely seen, and the only moving things in sight are the bustling birds fluttering and flying.Although there was wind, it was so weak that even the branches of the trees could not be moved.The same goes for the birds. The little birds that flew together in the morning have gone to nowhere, and only the larger ones are left flying solo in the blue sky.

"It seems that everything is an illusion! I can sit here in a good mood with Miss Mariko." "Future." Mariko suddenly called her name as if deliberately interrupting Future's words. "Listen to me, the future." "Miss Makoto, you will get better, right? Everyone is so worried about you, you need to recover quickly! I will not forgive you for doing this!" This time it's for the future to interrupt her. Mariko was silent for a while, and I was also silent. "Is the end that we are going to face today inevitable after all?" I asked myself and answered, "If, as Mariko said, today is a special day where small wishes can be fulfilled, I hope this special power can help Chiori , can also help Mariko.” "I just suddenly remembered something from my childhood." It was Mariko who spoke. "I have forgotten where it is. My parents and I are sitting on the grass and eating a picnic lunch just like we are now. It sounds like a very common memory, but now I recall the mood at that time very vividly. It’s the same now! I sit in the middle, and they sit on both sides of me. Because I am an only child! At that time, I felt very relaxed and stable, of course, because I only realized it now. How old was I at that time? I forgot. My father is an old-fashioned person who is single-minded and only knows about work. Every time there are sports games and other activities in school, only my mother and I sit on the mat and eat. Therefore, the time when the three of us can get together It’s very rare. I’m really happy. Sitting with you like this now, it’s like going back in time to that time. At that time, I was overwhelmed with joy, looking a little shy and embarrassed. On the last day, I can let I relive this memory and I feel so blessed! Sorry, I blurt out when I think of it." Mirai's expression became very weird, as if tears were about to flow. "Mariko-san, you said the last day—what do you mean?" Mariko stared straight at the future, her eyes became very gentle.That look was very similar to that of the mother in the parking lot. "I'm sorry, the future. I'm sure I can only live until today. Didn't I tell you that I had a weird dream in the morning? That dream, just tell me, the dream I had on the night I exchanged with Qianzhi. I I couldn’t sleep all the time, and I was only half dreaming and half awake in the morning. Then I found that I was exiled in the center of the universe. It was a starry sky surrounded by many meteors, and it was a spherical universe. There was a voice telling me that I could continue By the third midnight. Yesterday was the second midnight, and I missed it in my deep sleep, so it will all be over tonight." "It's impossible, you're talking nonsense!" Future retorted with an expression of disapproval, and then became speechless.I think it's because I also have the incomprehensible weird expression on my face that I can't lose to her! I couldn't help but think back to my own dream that same night.Chiori told me: "I'll be right back." The dream.Because these words were unbelievably accepted by me unconditionally, it was only then that I realized that I would never be so extreme and not worry about Chiori's safety and be at ease.In other words, like Mariko, I had a strange dream with the same strong persuasive force. We're probably in the same place.A universe with many meteors, a spherical shape—that's exactly what her description hinted at. "But Miss Mariko, if this is the case, what will happen to you and Chiori after tonight?" "Future—" Mariko slowly shook her head.That move has totally said it all. "Nonsense! I don't want to do this!" "But, there's nothing I can do!" "But, didn't you see it? Everyone is so worried about you. We need you! Do you understand?" "Yeah! I realize it. I finally understand my own value. Thank you, Mirai." Mariko smiled quietly. Mariko crossed her hands and stretched forward, stood up, took a step forward, clasped her hands back, and turned to look at us.Behind her was a vast clear sky. At that moment, I had an illusion, as if Mariko was floating in the air. "Listen to me, the future. I'm probably at the point where I'm going to die at any moment! Maybe even my heart is about to stop beating now. You are a nurse, so you should be able to watch all this calmly." Future suddenly looked up at her, then nodded weakly. "I think, now Chiori must be desperately trying to keep me alive, but I really want to say to her: 'Okay, that's enough, don't need to work harder', I really want to say thank you to her! Thank you for letting me I was redeemed at the end of my life, and I finally understood that my life was not in vain." Mirai covered his face with his hands, weeping uncontrollably. "I really want to tell you not to cry, but it's probably useless! I really have mixed feelings now. Although I really want to embarrass you and say: 'You are a thief, you cried before me.' But, how should I say it? You for me And crying makes me feel a little embarrassed, but at the same time - very warm!" Mariko took a step forward, squatted down next to Mirai, and gently hugged her, "Future, I have a small wish, you Will you listen to me?" Mirai cried like a child, only nodded in response to her, but still covered his face with his hands and did not let go. "After I'm gone, you have to temporarily replace my wordy words! Tell Mr. Fujimoto, don't keep piling up official documents for a long time without looking at them. He will only do it every time when they are about to expire. This is the reason why you overslept the next morning. Therefore, if you have something to do, please remind him more, and ask him to spare time at noon to deal with business in advance. "Also, tell Dr. Kurano to take a good rest. You may only listen to you once you say it hundreds of times, but if no one talks to him, his body will really be destroyed by himself. Every time The first time you meet him, tell him not to smoke too much. "Tell Ogihara that he needs to be more mature and think about your affairs. Oh, but it seems inconvenient to say this by yourself!" Future moved his head and replied "hmm". "Also, the lack of salt in the meal seems to be my own problem, because the omurice just tasted so good! It's a bit difficult to explain, but you should tell him." The nodding Mirai couldn't bear to cry against Mariko anymore.She buried her cheek deep in Mariko's chest and sobbed in a low voice, her shoulders trembling from crying.Mariko gently comforted the trembling shoulders. Then, Mariko listed the names of the patients in the sanatorium one by one, and wanted to convey a few words in the future.For example, "Don't leave the carrots behind", and "If you work harder, you should be able to walk on your own strength" and so on.Mirai nodded at every word she said. Hearing half of it in the future: I feel sore, I can't bear it anymore and stand up, go to the fence and look into the distance.The sky was clear and cloudless, and the birds I saw just now were still hovering in the sky, as if time had stopped. Time, stop - I pray in my heart.However, before I knew it, it was noon, and the sweltering, sweltering sunlight shone down on me, making me really feel the heartache of not being able to do what I wanted. Mariko's voice and Miku's sobs came from behind.I couldn't help but took out the cigarette and lit it, and closed my eyes.With the other hand, he tried not to let the two of them notice, pressing his eye sockets, and finally suppressed the tears that were about to fall.Then I just stood there so stiff that I couldn't move. "Kisara." It should have been a while, Mariko called me in a low voice. Looking back, I don't know when Mariko has sat upright, Mirai rests her head on her knees and closes her eyes. From the appearance of her shoulders, it can be seen that she is asleep.The appearance of the two, like a mother and daughter whose bodies are completely opposite in size, is very strange. "Probably tired enough to fall asleep." Mariko narrowed her eyes, gently stroked Mirai's hair and said.We both looked at each other awkwardly and smiled, and then she immediately frowned again. "It doesn't matter if you smoke occasionally, but please take the cigarette butts back and throw them in the trash." "Understood." I picked up the extinguished cigarette butt, feeling that the blunt smile on my face just now had been replaced by a bitter smile.I lean my back against the fence and meet her eyes. "If you don't dislike it, can you sit next to me like you did just now?" I sat down next to her. The wind picked up a little. "Are you cold?" "No, no problem." After we talked briefly about these words, we fell silent again.After a while, Mariko began to sing a song I had never heard before. The slow version of the melody was like a lullaby sung for the future.I quietly listened to Mariko's singing. Suddenly, I felt the singing in my ears getting louder. It turned out that Mariko leaned her head on my shoulder.However, the singing gradually became quieter, and suddenly became a slow snort. There was silence all around. Obviously I hardly slept last night, but at this moment I don't feel sleepy at all.In desperation, I had no choice but to continue to look at the scenery in front of me. From nowhere, a slender cloud floated over our heads, floated under our eyes and disappeared.The cloud seemed to be a slender shape drawn with a paintbrush, which reminded me of the birds flying in the blue sky before.The color of the cloud is completely different from that of the accident, and they are both called clouds. It is unbelievable that they sometimes turn into completely different clouds.That cloud was self-satisfied, transparent and thorough, without any disturbing emotions.The translucent white, as if it is the color of the clouds themselves, creates a strange illusion. The direct sunlight kept changing from time to time, and it didn't take long for the dazzling hot fireball to descend to a position where it could directly hit the eyes.Not long after that, a red glow began to appear in the blue sky.Until this time, the two of them still fell asleep peacefully. It was Mirai who woke up first by opening her eyes. After making a whimpering sound that she didn't know whether it was breathing or dreaming, she snapped her eyes open, raised her head in a panic, and rubbed her shoulders.Then he sneezed slightly. "Damn it, it's a cold." The temperature has indeed dropped a lot compared to the previous meal, perhaps because of the cooler wind, but it is indeed a bit cold for Mirai who only wears a thin nurse uniform.Thinking about it this way, I realized that Mariko was also wearing very thin clothes, not too different from Mirai. Mariko let out a steady snort and continued to sleep, not even noticing that the weight on her knees had disappeared.My eyes met Future's, exchanging half-smiles. "It's almost time to go back!" "Hmm." Facing Mirai who stood up gently, I couldn't get up immediately, I hesitated whether to move my body to wake Mariko up. The future realized this, lowered his voice and said, "I'll clean it up first, let her continue to sleep before I get it done!" In the future, I will receive the scattered dinner plates into the lunch box, and then ask me: "What should I do next?" I tilted my head and replied, "It shouldn't matter if you wake her up!" However, the future said: "Mr. Ruyue, why don't you let her continue to sleep, can you carry her behind your back?" "I'll just mention the other things." I nodded to Mirai who seemed to have regained her strength after a good night's sleep, and she helped me put the sleeping Mariko on my back.But I think Mariko will definitely wake up halfway, because before I was about to take a step, I gently readjusted my back position and knew it when I grabbed her feet. Recently, he has moved around with Chiori in his arms, but after thinking about it, this is the first time he has carried her on his back.Because I was not used to it, the first two or three steps were a little unsteady, but after walking a few steps, I realized that it was much easier than holding it by hand. "No problem?" Future asked beside him. "Don't worry." I replied to her.Walking on the same road as we came, we saw the church at the other end of the sanatorium.The wreckage of the helicopter has been evacuated and those who handled it have also left. As I walked back down the hospital downhill, I walked more slowly, putting a little distance between myself and the future. "Ah!" A voice came from the ear. "Are you awake?" I said as I turned to look at Mariko, but I could only see strands of her hair. "Moon-" Although Mariko called me repeatedly, she hesitated and did not express her appeal. "What's wrong?" I asked her softly. "If I still have a little time—" Putting a little pressure on my arms. "It's okay, I'm sorry." That's all, we were silent until we got back to the hospital.During that period, the scene of Chiori walking in the central corridor holding the hands of the two on the night of arrival emerged in my mind.Of course, it was Mariko's words that evoked this memory again, but I vaguely felt that her thoughts were transmitted directly to me from the body on my back. By the time we returned to the parking lot, the sun had already slanted to the west and dusk was approaching.I turned my head and looked up at the top of the hill, just as the procession of the routine walk was beginning its way to the church. "Look, their walk has begun," I said.Turn around with her back. "When I first arrived here, I also saw their figures from here. It's a little far away, can you see it?" I said to Mariko who was lying on my shoulders, "I thought it was a wonderful sight at that time. Chiori and I The two of them just stood there dumbfounded and watched for a long time! The sky will soon be dyed red, and their figures will appear one by one like black dots—at that time, you will also be in the team.” "Yeah, I always go last with Dr. Kurano." "At the beginning, I thought it was really a slow procession! But then I felt something again, and I can't explain it well for a while. However, I seem to understand that they seem to be looking for something. , because it makes people feel very sacred and solemn." "Well, I think I can probably understand what you want to express. But I have a strange feeling, because I have never imagined what it looks like when I walk in the procession. Looking at it now, it feels a little fresh and It's weird. It's as if I'm walking in that team right now." After saying these words, we fell into silence again, until the future came back to us and said to us with a strange expression: "What's going on?" "No, it's okay." After I answered the future, I suddenly thought of the old man guarding the gate.Before the sound of the car appeared, he probably fell asleep somewhere!