Chapter 42 Section VI

As soon as we got back to the ward, we found a string of paper cranes hanging by the window. At first I thought it was from the future, but she has been with us since noon and there is no way she can do it separately.If this is the origami crane folded by the patients for Mariko, then it cannot be Mr. Fujimoto and Ogiwara who did not know it. In this way, only Dr. Kurano was the one who did it. I looked at the future with a wry smile, she seemed to have the same idea as me, and I should be imagining what kind of expression Dr. Kurano was wandering in the corridor with the paper crane, and how to avoid other people's eyes and ears to bring the paper crane to the ward hang up.But Mariko didn't know that I had talked to the doctor about her, so she gave us a suspicious look.

Mirai left once in the middle of the journey, and then stayed in the ward chatting with Mariko, but never mentioned what was just talked about at the secret base, just chatted about Mariko's marriage and her childhood memories, or the recent phone call from future mother The content sounds like gossip as usual, but they actually choose the topic of chat very carefully. Since we ate breakfast for lunch, the original lunch remained intact.I was a little concerned, and asked if I should call Ogiwara to come over for dinner and eat this for dinner.Mirai said she could call Ogiwara. After hearing this, Mariko hesitated and said, "In the future, I would like to use that small bathhouse to take a bath at night. Could you please tell them? I want to wait until everyone has finished washing, and I will clean the bathhouse by the way." .”

"Of course it's okay to take a shower. I'll take care of the bathroom." "Thank you, there is something else I want to ask you later—— Kisaragi." "What's up?" "Can you lend me the suit that Qianzhi wore when she played the piano?" "Of course no problem, I'll put it in the luggage bag." Although puzzled, neither I nor the future can ask "why". "Because this is a rare opportunity, I want to wear cute clothes. After all, this is Chiori's body. It's not good for her if she doesn't wash it!" Mariko probably sensed our confusion and said with a smile.

"Miss Makoto—" Future's voice was hoarse, and it was clear that she was trying to suppress the emotion of crying. "In the future, I want to ask you another thing. I think it should be in the middle of the night! I hope you can stay by my side at that time. It is too tragic to die alone without anyone. Can you Promise me?" Future nodded, and couldn't help but shed big tears. "I'm sorry to trouble you all the time." "It won't be troublesome. Is there anything else I can do to help?" Future shook his head and said. "I think... probably not."

"Really? If you think about it again, anything is fine, and I am willing to do anything." "It's really gone." This time Mariko shook her head and said, "Thank you, Future." Mirai forced a smile on Mariko.It must have taken a lot of effort for her to be able to smile that way. "I'm going to make a phone call. I'll be back right away, you have to wait for me to have dinner together!" After finishing speaking in a hurry, the future ran out of the room as if fleeing. "What a good girl, it's a pity to marry Ogiwara." Mariko said with a light smile.

"Is there anything I can do?" "By the way, please help me prepare Chiori's clothes and a change of clothes first? Ah! Let me find it myself, I still feel embarrassed." "I put them all in the luggage bag. I always bring a few extra pieces of Chiori's underwear. There should be unworn ones in it." "Then I will come by myself." Mariko walked to the luggage bag and squatted down, and found that I was still standing beside her, turned her head and said coquettishly, "Really, turn your head away!" I obeyed obediently, listening to her voice coming from behind me.

"While dozing there, I had another dream—you can turn around." "What kind of dream?" At the same time she spoke, I had already turned to face her. "Well——" Mariko raised her head, with a subtle smile on her face, as if she was shy, and seemed to have some intentions, but it seemed to be neither, "No, I'll keep it a secret first." The future happened to come back at this time, and said briskly on purpose: "I have already asked them not to let go of the hot water in the small bathhouse." "Then let's eat!" After Mariko finished speaking, she started to refold a change of clothes, shirts, and skirts—more carefully than I did—and put a small thing on top.Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be the maple leaf and ladybug brooch.It should have been put in the duffel bag by me when I handed it to me in the future!I don't even remember it happening at all.

The three of us shared a meal for two as we did at noon.It's a little less fun than dining al fresco, but the two of them still seem to be enjoying themselves.After the meal, we chatted nonchalantly for about 30 minutes, and left for about ten minutes in the future.During that time, Mariko kept staring at the paper crane hanging by the window without saying a word. "I want to go there earlier, around 8:30. I want to walk around the nursing center, would you accompany me?" Mariko whispered these words to me nonchalantly. "What about me? Do you want me to take a bath with you?"

"No, in the future, please stay with me." Mariko shook her head lightly. "You mean—" Mirai stared at Mariko with wide eyes. "Well, it's time to say goodbye." Mariko looked away and murmured, "But I don't want to say goodbye—please, don't leave me lying there alone." "..." Mirai seemed to want to say something, but he closed his mouth quietly, and waited for a while before speaking again, "I see. I just decided not to cry anymore, and I will work with Dr. Kurano Accompany you. But...Miss Mariko, even if you return to your own body, it's already..."

Mariko shook her head slightly with sad eyes, and said no more.The future gasped and turned to face me. "Mr. Kisaragi, Madam Mariko will be counting on you." After speaking, she gave me a deep bow and saluted, then turned and left quickly. This is the last conversation between Miku and Mariko. "Mariko—" After calling her name, my throat seemed to be blocked and I couldn't say a word.Time passed quietly. "Let's go!" We were silent for a long time until she said that.