Hina's Hidden Stories

Chapter 1: Making Memories (No.01)

"I've separated your meals into portions for each day,
so be sure to eat. Okay?"

We live in a modest apartment. I close the refrigerator
door and turn to peer into the living room.

Then I give laundry and dishes instructions. I go on and
on in great detail while my dad just nods quietly—should
I be worried about how much of a worrier I am?

It's just me and my dad here, and I'm busy with high school
at the same time. My dad was always so gentle, always
wearing a warm smile, but ever since the divorce, he's
been practically dead inside.

One day, his old, cheerful self would return. Or so I told
myself as I tackled both school and my part-time job,
all while keeping tabs on household expenses and doing
housework.

For a while there, my dad had the most terrible fatigue,
but the medicine his doctor recently prescribed has helped
him reach a more stable level.

"Well, I guess I'm off."

Our school trip starts today. Even though my dad's
relatively stable right now, I'm honestly worried sick
about leaving the apartment.

He always sits in the corner of the living room, staring
idly at the blank TV. But today, he's come to see me off
at the front door.

"Go on, now. Make lots of memories."

There's no spirit in the way he carries himself, nor is he
smiling, but his kind words remind me of who he used
to be. It looks like the medicine is doing its job.

I packed only the bare necessities in my beat-up duffle bag.
It's frayed, but I use it for everything. I cradle it in my
arms and leave the house.

I peek back inside just before I shut the door, as I always
do. My dad has already turned away. I can't see his face.

I look at the time on my phone and realize it's much later
than I thought. And here I thought I was going to leave
the house with plenty of time to spare...

I was busy putting everything in place for my dad's
convenience while I'm gone on my trip, and I guess
I lost track of time.

I run as fast as I can, but I'm too late. When I get to
the bus stop, the bus is already shrinking in the distance.

My blood runs cold for a second, but it's no time for
standing around. If I run to the nearest train station and
time my transfers just right, I should make it in time for
the meet-up.

My bag slips. I yank it up. I need to run, I tell
myself as I put all my strength into my legs—

"Pardon me, Miss?"

A voice from behind me. I whirl around as I pitch forward.
There stands an old lady, her face perplexed.

"Um... Is something the matter?" I say with as calm a voice
as I can muster, pushing my disheveled hair behind my ear.

"There's somewhere I'd like to go, but I seem to be lost..."

She shows me a note. On it is the name of an orthopedic
clinic I recognize.

"I know where that is."

The moment I take a step forward, it hits me again:
I'm on the verge of being late for my trip.

Luckily, the clinic is on the way to the station.
Once I drop her off, I can probably make the train
if I run the rest of the way.

And so, as to not rush the old lady and her unsteady
steps, I walk slowly.

I drop her off at the clinic with a smile. "I've got to get
going."

She grabs my hand and places a handful of hard candies in
my palm. I give her my thanks and run.

I check the time again—I'm a bit later than I initially
wanted. I need to hurry. But then—

"Stop! Thief!"

An unusual call from nearby. I stop in my tracks despite
myself.

I see someone dressed as a stereotypical thief—black ski
mask and all—rush out from the convenience store with a
bag in his arms.

The man in black must have been hit with security paint
because a smear of orange is streaked across his back.

I calm my shock, gather myself, and then run toward the man. I throw my bag at his feet.

He trips over it and falls, just as I was hoping for.
The convenience store staff run after him and helping
passers-by keep him pinned.

The staff want to shower me in thanks, but I have to hurry
to the station. I apologize with a quick bow of my head,
collect my bag, and then rush off.

Of all days, when I'm going on a school trip, why does
my life feel like an episode of a TV drama?

I arrive breathlessly at Tokyo Station to find students
wearing the same uniform as me gathered in a group.

When my friends notice me, they smile and wave me over.
I feel awful for making everybody wait as I make my way
to the homeroom teacher.

"It's not like you to be so late. You're usually right on
time," he says, but asks nothing more from me and begins
to lead all of us students to the bullet train platform.

I was convinced I was bound to get scolded,
so I heave a sigh of relief.

I sit down in my seat on the train and finally catch my
breath. Sitting beside me is a friend I could easily call
my best friend.

We've been in the same class since elementary school—
we're inseparable. Every day, she asks me for a favor,
"just this once!" and begs me for help with homework,
but I just can't bring myself to dislike her.

"It's honestly been one thing after another today,"
I say, my voice a little louder than usual on our first
day of the school trip.

I begin to tell her what happened on the way here, but she
gives a disinterested "Mm-hmm" and keeps her eyes on her
phone.

Something feels off about her cold reply. This inseparable
friend of mine is the life of our whole class. I recently
saw her chatting and laughing happily with everyone about
how she was late for the gathering time.

"Want a candy?" I hold out one of the candies the old lady
gave me.

"No, thanks," she says brusquely. She turns to look out
the window as though shutting me out.

Chapter 2: Hoping for a Good Trip (No.02)

What a way to kick off a school trip.

So many things happened before I even managed to make
it to the starting point. It seemed for a minute like I was going
to be late for my bullet train, but I made it there just in the nick
of time and managed to reach my destination.

The roof that covers the station's central plaza is tall as can be,
and is covered by a beautiful mesh of steel and glass. Having not
been in the position to go on any kind of trip for a very long time,
just knowing that I've made it to Kyoto is enough to light a fire in
my heart. After everyone had dealt with their luggage and heard
what the teachers have to say we were allowed to enjoy some
free time, and in my group is one of my best friends.

I don't understand why, but something is off about her today.
She's as cheerful as ever when talking to others, but when she
talks to me she seems kind of...cold, somehow. I wonder if I did
something to upset her. As I mull over the situation in my mind,
the group decides to take a look around the city.

The former capital of Kyoto is steeped in history, and not only
is the beauty of its architecture is out of this world, but there are
adorable decorations made of wood and paper lined up along
every store in sight. There are also confectionery stores and
places selling tons of chopsticks... We had a great time checking
out the various sights the city has to offer.

And while I'm having the time of my life on this trip, there's
a part of me that worries about the father I left behind all alone...
He must be waiting for me to come back...

"It's gonna be great! Don't you think?" I'm pulled back to reality
as a friend in my group grabs my arm and talks to me.

"Oh, uh, sorry... What were we talking about?"

The place we're headed to next is the spot everyone in the group
is most looking forward to visiting. Seeing the excitement on
everyone's faces, I remember what's going on and offer a nod.

Going by the itinerary we planned ahead of time, where we're
off to next is a shrine famous as a place that gives good luck
to those looking for romantic partners. I must have looked like
my mind was elsewhere, because as we make our way to the
shrine my friend turns and said, "She's putting on a cool face,
but who knows? Maybe she's already got her heart set on someone."

There's a hint of provocation in her voice. It's like she's taunting
me. Everyone else in the group may not have realized it, but I did.
Reject her statement as I may, all she does is disregard me with
a sly chuckle.

"Whoa, there's someone you like? Who? WHO!?" I'm questioned
by everyone in the group, but I manage to hold my ground by simply
smiling and repeating "There's nobody, I swear."

With a sigh and a desire to move things along, I speak up,
"Anyway, let's get moving! I hear you can test what your
luck in love will be like!"

Saying this, I watch everyone in front of me walk along like they're
having the time of their lives...and I start to feel a bit blue again.

It takes everything I have just to make it through the day. Love?
When would I have had the chance to think about that?
Desperate to act like the normal highschooler I'm supposed
to be, I run ahead and join up with the group again.

At long last, we arrive at the shrine. On the stone path along
its premises lie two stones bound with sacred rope. Word has
it that if you go to the first stone, close your eyes, and manage
to make it to the second stone without looking, you'll find true
love. Wasting no time, everyone in the group takes stabs at
the challenge, each of them failing with aplomb.

The two stones are about ten meters apart, and the distance
combined with how easy it is to lose your sense of direction
once people start calling out to you makes finding your way
from one to the other a nearly impossible task.

Everyone in the group but me has already gone, and not a single
one of them has succeeded. I guess it's far more difficult than
it looks.

"You're up," says a friend as they give me a little push on
the back. I considering refusing, but decide against it out of fear
that everyone would think I'm a wet blanket.

Resigning myself to my fate, I place my hand on the first stone
and my friends begin to excitedly chatter amongst themselves.
I close my eyes and, trying to stay on as straight a course as
possible, stretch both arms out directly in front of me and move
forward one careful step at a time.

My friends shout directions at me from time to time,
but because I'm focused primarily on simply not falling over,
I can't really hear what they're saying.

After what feels like an eternity, I feel my hands press up
against cold stone, and my friends erupt in cheers.
I open my eyes to see that, somehow, I was the only one
in the group who managed to reach the second stone.

As I'm rejoicing with everyone, we are approached by a group
of boys that had been observing from afar.

"Hey, this looks fun. Maybe I'll give it a try too," says a boy from
my class who has always had excellent grades. Our group
decides to stick around and see how his shot at the challenge
pans out.

He's the type to knock anything and everything out the park
without breaking a sweat, and while it looks for a moment like
he might not make it, he manages to reach the second stone
on his first try just like I did.

Returning to his group, his friends engage in some light ribbing
to celebrate his achievement. After basking in their cheers,
he comes over my way and says, "So it was just us two who
got it first try, huh? Maybe we're a good match."

Unable to determine if there's any sincerity to his words,
I simply smile at him and say "Impressive as always."

The story of what happened at the shrine gets told and retold
across the various groups on the trip, and I eventually catch
wind of a rumor that says the boy in that group seriously likes
me and plans to ask me to go steady at some point during
the trip. This news takes me by surprise.

Thinking on it, I suppose he does send me messages quite
often, and there are times we had talked when school was
on break, but I never thought he might have feelings for me.

My friend—the one who had been acting cold lately—turns to
me and says, "Yeah, I figured you'd react like that." I detect a
tone of malice in her voice. "You just gonna pretend you had
no clue lots of guys are into you?"

She knows that I have trouble with these kinds of topics,
and she's usually the one to help me find ways to navigate
them whenever they come up. Why is she doing this?
What's up with her today?

"No, uh...I just... I had no idea..." As I put on a fake smile
and desperately await the arrival of a different topic of
conversation, I let out a small sigh that I hope nobody hears.

Chapter 3: A Lot Happened (No.03)

After leaving my father at home all alone, I've come to
Kyoto on a school trip. Dad told me to come out here and
make lots of memories, but I simply can't find a way to get
my spirits out of the gutter.

There's been a strange, prickly vibe whenever I'm around
the friend who's been cold to me lately. What's more, there
are silly rumors going around that one of the boys on the
trip is planning to ask me to go steady with him.
That topic is obviously one I'm not interested in entertaining
any sort of discussion on, so I do my best to just act normal.

After everyone had finished eating dinner at the inn we're all
staying at, it's time for us all to get back into their groups and
take their turns hitting the baths. Our trip's just about over,
and we're set to head home tomorrow.

As I take another look at a copy of our schedule, I notice my
cell phone vibrating. I guess someone's sent me a message.

"Can you come to the roof of the inn?"

The above message displays alongside the name of a boy
in my class. I start to break out in a cold sweat. My head limply
hanging, I stare down at my cell phone's screen and consider
my options. I could just pretend I never saw the message...
But...

"I'll be right there."

After sending off my reply, I throw a coat on over my robe and
get on the elevator to the roof. The inn we're staying at is on the
outskirts of the city, and the roof offers a beautiful view of Kyoto.
The nightscape of the ancient capital boasts an elegance unlike
anything you'd see in in the harshly lit metropolis of Tokyo.

"Nice view, huh?" I call out to the boy waiting on the roof.
He should have heard the sound of the door opening and
realized I'd come, but his back remains turned. Arriving by his
side, I suddenly feel an incredible awkwardness. I simply stare
at the sleeves of his robe dancing in the wind as I wait for him
to say something.

"Thanks for coming," he says.

"Don't mention it," I reply, sensing a kind of unsteadiness
in his voice. The conversation stops, and I gaze upon the
view for a short while.

"So, uh..." The boy speaks up again. "I kind of, uh...really like
you. I always have," he admits.

"Oh..." I reply, noticing that he's now turned to face me.
There is a sense in determination in his posture, but I notice
he's avoiding eye contact. Maybe he's nervous? Hoping it'll
get him to continue, I offer a small nod in response.

Summoning his courage, he finally exclaims,
"So, what I want to say is...please be my girlfriend!"

"......"

I fall silent for a short while, feeling the boy's timid gaze on
me as he awaits my reply. I'm sure I must have quite the
troubled look on my face. It's not as though I don't like him.
In fact, I think he's a great classmate, but...that's all he is
to me, really.

"I'm...not the kind of person you think I am..." A strange
look crosses the boy's face as he listens to me talk.
"There's got to be someone out there who's a better
match for you. I just...don't think I'd be good enough for
you." Ending my explanation, I leave the roof as quickly
as my feet can manage, not stopping to listen to what he
tried to say in response.

Wondering to myself if I did a good job handling that
situation, I return to the elevator hall to see a familiar
highschool girl sitting on a nearby sofa. It's my best
friend...the one who's been cold to me throughout the
entire school trip. Unsure of why she's there, I glance
in her direction and she makes a sour face in response.

"You know that I like him, don't you? I swear, you are
just the worst." She pouts.

In that moment, I finally understand what it is that's been
on my friend's mind this entire trip—that boy is the reason
she's been acting so weird this whole time. She knew that
he was planning to ask me to be his girlfriend at some point
during this trip and couldn't keep her emotions in check.

Hoping to finally nip this situation in the bud, I talk to her
about how I feel—nothing but the truth. I tell her that I did not
know she has feelings for the boy...and that I turned him
down after he confessed his feelings to me. As I finish,
she looks at me with surprise in her eyes. "Seriously?
I thought for sure you'd start dating. You seem like you'd
be perfect for each other..."

After a moment passes, she casts her gaze at her own
feet and continues, "I mean, compared to you, I...
I'm not nearly as pretty...or as smart...I could never work
up the nerve to tell him how I feel... I mean, he'd obviously
turn me down flat..." I can hear the pain her voice as she
talks. I had no idea she had this side to her. She's so cheerful
all the time, and always at the center of whatever group she's
in. I'm briefly surprised by this unknown side of her, but that
surprise is quickly overwritten with shame. After all, I know
better than anyone that we all have sides of ourselves we
never show to others...

My depressed friend and I return to the room where our group
is staying, an upon opening the door, something suddenly comes
flying in our direction. I dodge, and it hits my friend in the face.
It's a pillow. "All right, who threw this!?" yells my friend,
immediately returning to her usual high-octane self as she
jumps into the fray of pillow-throwing girls.

"Now that everyone's here, let's add a new rule into the mix!"
shouts one of the girls that was already part of the melee.
"Whenever you throw a pillow at someone, you've got to tell
them something you wouldn't usually say to their face!"
My friend, who you wouldn't think was sad as can be just
moments before, quickly rises to the challenge.
"That's a dumb rule. I'm SO in," she sneers as she grabs
a pillow and bravely marches into battle.

I move to the corner of the room, and just as I'm taking
off my coat and placing it on a hanger... Wham! A pillow
violently collides with my back, and I hear my someone
yell, "You know, you really are way too much of a wet
blanket in situations like these!

I turn to the voice and see my good friend staring at me
with a complicated look on her face. Slightly troubled,
I pick up the pillow. As I do, I hear other girls in the room
say things like "You know what? She might have a point,"
and "C'mon! Say something back!" as they try to goad
me into joining the action.

Reluctantly, I throw the pillow back at her and say,
"Would it kill you to do your homework for once?"
opting to point out a relatively mundane flaw of hers.

In short order, she then throws the pillow back at my
face with even greater force than before. "Everyone
knows that you think you're better than everyone else
just because you're an honors student!" she exclaims.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I reply, a bit taken aback.
Looking around, I notice that all the other girls are busy with
their own pillow fights. Nobody is paying attention to us anymore,
but I can tell that my friend is being serious right now.

Bothered by her provocative words, I start to lose control of
the emotions I had been keeping bottled up.
"You rely too much on others! Why can't you put even the
slightest bit of effort into anything you do!?"
This exclamation is how I honestly feel.

Whether it's for homework or studying before tests, she
always tries to take the easy road by leaning on me for
solutions. After throwing the pillow, I'm surprised at myself
for having said that... And just like that, the floodgates
open, and my friend and I engage in a heated pillow fight,
with each pillow thrown flying on wings of brutal truth.

"You always look down on me! You think I'm just an airheaded
dope who always goes with the flow, don't you!?"

"Oh my god, what is WITH your persecution complex?
Maybe it'd help your emotional stability a bit if you actually
accomplished something on your own for once!"

"You know everyone just uses you, right!? I bet you feel
so smug all the time, thinking everyone's always hanging
around you because they like you as a person!"

"Oh, shut up! I'm not gonna take that from someone who
can't even finish their homework unless they have someone
holding their hand the entire time!"

"The way you act like you can do anything is SO annoying!
What on earth do guys see in you!?"

"What are you even talking about!? Honestly, the way you
make these random assumptions and then act out based
on them is unbelievably aggravating!"

"Random assumptions!? You're one to talk! God, it must
be nice to be you—you've got everything!"

"I... I have nothing! Do you have any idea how much work
I had to put in to make it this far!? How much I had to suffer!?
You've got guts pretending to be my friend when you don't
even know the first thing about me!"

Locked in our intense pillow fight of truths, we didn't realize
that all the other girls were completely overwhelmed by our
battle and had stopped to watch. "Uh... Those two might
be taking this too seriously," says one, clearly aghast.

Ignoring the confused voices that surround us, my friend and
I continued our great pillow war until one of our teachers came
to the room and gave us a thorough scolding for the incredible
amount of noise we were making.

Chapter 4: Memories Made (No.04)

Our school trip comes to an end, and we ride the bullet
train home. I sit next to my old friend, just as I did
on the way there.

Just the previous night, we bashed each other both with our
pillows and our honest feelings.

Despite how much I want to put responsibility on the boy
she's crushing on—who told me how much he likes me—
I know that was simply the spark that started the fire.

In the end, I realize we've been bottling up a lot of
things. Yelling at each other was awfully cathartic, but
it's entirely possible that was only temporary as well.

Even after the Kyoto scenery vanishes from the train window,
the silence continues.

Talk about awkward...

As I sit in silence, making no effort for conversation,
she sticks her hand out to me. "Want some candy?"

It's a pretty piece of hard candy with traditional colors
that she bought as a souvenir.

"...Sure. Thanks." I accept it with a genuine smile,
and she returns a look of relief.

I suppose she felt the same way I did. Even if the words
she slammed me with last night during our pillow fight were
real, she was still the same as ever—my best friend, even
after all this time.

As I enjoy the sensation of the candy rolling around in my
mouth, she suddenly speaks.

"...Do you remember the first time I had my heart broken?"

I remember it as clear as day.

"That was in fourth grade, right? We sat in the park,
and I listened to you complain all day."

"Yeah... I was always grateful for that."

That was so long ago. We've been in almost every class
together since elementary school, and my memories of each
school year are filled with her smiles.

"Listen... I've been kind of lonely lately," she says.

My eyes widen.

She then goes on to tell me what she's been keeping close
to her chest.

Ever since we started high school, she feels like I've been
distant. She's worried I've been forcing my smiles, unlike
the times in the park when we'd sit and complain with one
another.

She's ever cheerful and the life of the party, yet the
loneliness on her face has never been more evident.
I place my hand on hers, and I reflect on my answer.

"...I'm so sorry I didn't notice. I've been so focused on
what's going on at home, and I..."

"Right! If you just told me what's going on, I'm sure I
could help you!"

I can't tell her.

But I am genuinely delighted to hear those words. I've been
blessed with such a good friend, but here I am, neglecting
her...

Afterward, we talk and laugh about the events of the trip
and reminisce on old memories as though making up for the
entirety of our awkward school trip.

And then, eventually, we tire ourselves out from talking
and fall asleep...

After we get to Tokyo and say goodbye, I receive a message
in my school group chat.

It's a picture of me and my old friend, heads leaning
against each other as we slept.

The warm, golden glow of sunset washes over us. Saliva
spills from the corner of my friend's mouth, reminding me of
how she was in elementary school. I can't help but smile.

"I'm so glad we made up."

I couldn't buy any souvenirs like the rest of my classmates,
but I made more than enough memories to share with my dad.
As the ideas bounce around in my mind, I step back inside
the apartment.

There, I find the small room dim, moonlight peeking through
the drawn curtains. Dad must already be asleep.

I take a few steps inside, and a slightly stale, sweet scent
greets me. I then notice several beer bottles scattered
across the floor.

"Dad?"

He remains huddled under his blanket and does not turn to
look at me. His medicine sits untouched on the table.

I notice parts of the room have been riddled with traces of
my dad's pain—I can only imagine the state he's been in
while I was away.

I can't believe I left him alone like this... A bottomless
well of guilt fills my chest.

I rode the train with my friends, and we went sightseeing
together. In a place with a beautiful nighttime view, a boy
from my class told me he liked me. I fought with my
best friend, and then we made up...

It was like the entirety of high school life was condensed
into the span of a few days.

Those brilliant memories begin to blur and fade like a
fantastical dream. And yet, I find an odd sense of relief,
like they've returned to where they belong.

My phone suddenly buzzes—I have a message from my boss at
work, which pushes down the warm chats I was having with
friends.

It's about something I could never tell another soul.

I go stiff as I stare at the screen when yet another message
comes through. It's from my oldest and best friend.

You can talk to me about whatever you need to from now
on, okay? I can't promise I'll ever be much help, but I'm
always on your side.

She must have been embarrassed by the unusually honest
message because she follows it up with a silly emoji.

That's so like her.

But I'm sorry, I...

It takes me a few minutes to think of a response.
If anything happens, you'll be the first to know!
I send her the message, then switch to my chat with my boss.

Thank you for letting me take a few days off.
I'll be back at it tomorrow.

This is all for my dad, after all.

The moon slinks behind the clouds, and darkness engulfs the
room. I shut off my phone and sit beside my snoring dad.

I made so many memories, Dad.

These are my first and last memories of a normal high school
life. I always figured I would graduate without ever getting
the opportunity, so what I have is enough. It's perfectly
sufficient.

"...I'm home..."

I announce with a quiet, dry whisper and a smile.

Chapter 5: A Secret Record (No.05)

Papa: Hina looked like the perfect student in all those
memories we had on our little journey. But the girl walking
around with me felt completely unlike her. She was still
kind, though. Like when she saved little ol' me from getting
pecked to death by those black birds! But when she'd get
scared of heights or lightning or stare out hopelessly at
the scenery, she did strike me as a normal girl. Maybe
she's her true self when she's in The Cage...

Hina: What are you muttering into your phone?

Papa: Oh, I thought I'd start keeping a little journal.
You've been recording what's happening on our journey
on your phone too, right?

Hina: Sure, but... Wait. How do you know about my diary?

Papa: I had a little peek... Er, Hina? I've heard of
staring daggers, but this is more like chainsaws!

Chapter 6: Stage of Reality (No.06)

A Day in the Life of a High School Girl

During a break between classes⁠:
The teacher furrows a troubled brow before a large stack of
worksheets on her desk. The girl sees this and immediately
volunteers to help, whisking them away to the staff office.
When she returns, her classmates surround her⁠. Help us with
our assignments! they cry in needy voices. But the girl
never once makes a sour face, instead kindly helping each
and every one of them in turn.

On the way home⁠:
The girl rushes into the grocery store and buys
discounted food out of consideration for her father's
meager budget. But she also makes sure to choose
mostly bland vegetables due to his declining health.

After dinner⁠:
The girl quietly washes the dishes and takes a shower,
mindful of using too much water. She silently flicks on a
dim kitchen light so as not to disturb her sleeping father,
then opens her textbooks on the floor and begins to study.

Late:
The girl finally crawls into bed. This is the one time of
day when no one meddles with her; when she is free from
the hell of minding others' needs. But she gets no chance
to enjoy her respite, instead slipping instantly into a deep
and dreamless sleep.

Chapter 7: Sundered Amusement Park (No.07)

One day, a young girl went to the amusement park with her
father and little brother. As they stood in line for a ride
in the harsh sunlight, their father grew faint and dizzy.

"Dad, are you okay?" She busily minded her dad and decided
to buy a cold bottle of tea from a nearby gift store. And as
she twisted open the cap to hand it to her dad, her little
brother tugged on her sleeve, causing the bottle to fall to
the ground and spill everywhere.

In her genuine worry for her dad, she coldly said to her
brother, "Stop it! Get away!" She felt a slight pang of regret
when she saw how he hung his head, but she was more
concerned with caring for her dad. After a moment of
thought, she realized that she was so happy to spend a day
out with her dad that she spent the entire time talking to
him. Of course the neglected boy would crave attention.

Once her dad recovered, the girl turned to apologize to her
brother...but he vanished in the crowd. All that was left of
him was his hat, resting by its lonesome on the ground
where he once stood.

Chapter 8: The Treaty Pair (No.08)

The girl's family started gradually falling apart when she was
in middle school. The stress of attempting to deal with the debt
incurred by her mother had taken its toll on her father.

Hoping to keep her family together, the girl did all she possibly
could to mediate, but nothing she tried brought happiness back
to her home.

Though once gregarious and cheerful, the girl loses the
confidence she once had in herself and then, one day,
decides to skip school, sacrificing her perfect attendance
record. She does nothing in particular that day; she simply
lies in bed and stares vacantly at the ceiling.

Just as evening falls upon the city, however, something happens:
her smartphone shows some kind of notification. Taking it in hand,
her screen shows a plushy of a baby bird and a message from her
little brother that reads, "Found a good one."

The corners of the girl's mouth turn slightly upwards, and she
feels as though her burden has been lightened somewhat.
She thinks on how amazing her brother is for never wavering
no matter what situation he finds himself in. Even in this household
that teeters on the brink, there is still one thing about it that
refuses to change...and perhaps that one thing is all someone
needs to find the courage to press onward. In that moment, the
girl vows that she will never show weakness in front of her brother.

Chapter 9: Twin Stars of Envy (No.09)

When the girl was young, she went camping with her family
over summer vacation.

Together they pitched a tent, then barbecued meat over
the grill. When night fell, stars blanketed the campground.
Her dad set up his telescope, and her little brother, unable
to contain his excitement, was the first to take a peek.

"Let's see if we can find those two stars." After her father
taught him how to use the telescope, her younger brother
would spout every bit of knowledge he had about the stars.
What a warm sight—father and son with a shared interest.
Yet for some reason, the girl felt a terrible sense of loss.

Stargazing, photography—all of her brother's hobbies came
from their father. But she was born first. She adored their
father more than anyone. Why couldn't she be where her
little brother stood?

The twin stars shone brightly in the night sky. Like one of
the distant stars scattered around them, she stood a ways
away, watching the pair, unable to ever get close.

Chapter 10: Loss Sought (No.10)

Brother and sister wander The Cage, and they come across
a cluster of high-rise buildings. There, they find the apartment
where their whole family used to live before their parents'
divorce. What is their old house doing here?

They find the corridor leading into the building, and when
they come to their apartment, they find it in the exact same
state as it is in their memory, down to the scuffs on the
wallpaper and the miscellaneous trinkets scattered about.
With an intense nostalgia for their old life in their hearts,
the girl and her younger brother begin to search the house.

In the kitchen, she finds the children's knife she used to use
when she was young. On the weekends, she and her brother
would make omelette rice together, wouldn't they?

In her bedroom, she finds her baby chick plushie by her
pillow. On her worst days, she would hug it as she drifted
off to sleep, wouldn't she?

In the end, they come together again in the living room,
and she takes the picture frame she finds there in hand.
It is a picture of their family, all smiling together...
The brother and sister only stare silently as they think
back on a time to which they will never return.

At that moment, they both feel a peculiar, out-of-place
sensation. It is at that instant that the solar eclipse
cracks and shatters.

They both feel as though they have lost something dear to
them. But surely, it is something they are both better off
not remembering.

The vacant pair return to their journey across The Cage,
never to understand the gaping chasms in their hearts.

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