part1 c12 (1/2)

Chapter 12 : The Common Trauma[edit]

Zip zip…

In the secret base, the insects flew around the lamp, making flapping sounds—this was the only sound in this quite room.

Tetsudo, Chiriko, and Naruko didn’t make a sound. Atsumu had left. Jinta and Meiko had also left.

Jinta left with Meiko?

For they witnessed the drawing of the fire rod, this unprecedented experience, they believed in Meiko’s existence.

However, as time pa.s.sed, they began to be uncertain. They was skeptical of whether what they saw was authentic.

“Menma…Is she really out there?” Naruko commenced with a slightly trembling voice Chiriko replied, “do you know what ma.s.s hallucinations are?”

“Ma.s.s hallucinations?”

“It is because we have the same trauma that we saw the same thing.”

The same trauma—Chiriko’s words comforted Naruko.

Until now, she was enduring the pain all by herself. Although it was maybe not exactly the case, the part where everyone could not communicate, was made in synch by the trauma.

“Perhaps…yeah. Perhaps.”

Having repeated two ‘perhaps’, Naruko calmed down.

This was because if she really believed it, that would mean…

“Are you idiots?”

Naruko and Chiriko raised their heads abruptly.

“Why don’t you believe this? There is no way she couldn’t be Menma.”

“But, but…”

“Isn’t this our chance?”

“Eh…”

Tetsudo showed a serious expression that hadn’t ever appeared in the memories of the two girls.

“If Menma’s here, then we can apologise to her for everything. Isn’t this great?”

This thought matched miraculously with the thought Jinta had yesterday —though Tetsudo didn’t know this.

“Yes. Apologise…yeah…”

Naruko was touched by Tetsudo’s words. If she could apogloise, then the inevitable feelings she had carried with her so long could…

“Why should we apologise?”

Chiriko asked calmly.

“Do you even have to…”

“Is it your fault that Menma’s dead?”

“!!”

Naruko was speechless. She couldn’t refute her.

“Stop this, Tsuruko!!”

“…”

“It isn’t anyone’s fault. It isn’t Anaru’s fault either. You’re acting so strange! At that time, I…also did my best…that…hey, hey!”

Chiriko left before letting him finish. Tetsudo looked at Naruko in panic.

“Hey, Anaru…”

“Stop calling me Anaru.”