Editing User:Idiffer/Sandbox

<!--But knowing that doesn't make my memory any better.-->

<!--But knowing that doesn't make my memory any better.-->

<!--If I consider the outcome of poor memorization, well, the result of the exams becomes a very unpleasant affair.-->

<!--If I consider the outcome of poor memorization, well, the result of the exams becomes a very unpleasant affair.-->

<!--Unlike the nationwide mock exams that test your knowledge, the midterms and finals test whether you paid attention during class.-->

<!--Unlike the nationwide mock exams that test your knowledge, the midterms and finals test whether you paid attention during class.-->

<!--Good grades don't really mean much to me. I'm okay as long as I can avoid supplementary exams. Memorizing the school books is enough to get me there.-->

<!--Good grades don't really mean much to me. I'm okay as long as I can avoid supplementary exams. Memorizing the school books is enough to get me there.-->

<!--Except that ''that's'' exactly what's so terrible and difficult to accomplish.-->

<!--Except that ''that's'' exactly what's so terrible and difficult to accomplish.-->

<!--Are there no easier methods to remember things?-->

<!--Are there no easier methods to remember things?-->

<!--Come to think of it, I heard that you can remember anything if you write it on a note and eat it. I once gave it a shot for an exam.-->

<!--Come to think of it, I heard that you can remember anything if you write it on a note and eat it. I once gave it a shot for an exam.-->

<!--...I suffered from an upset stomach for my trouble.-->

<!--...I suffered from an upset stomach for my trouble.-->

<!--Why do I address this subject?-->

<!--Why do I address this subject?-->

<!--Right, then. Today's dinner is a bundle of memos.-->

<!--Right, then. Today's dinner is a bundle of memos.-->

<!--But just where do I get them...?-->

<!--But just where do I get them...?-->

<!--My mother passed at the hospital after falling down the stairs at home.-->

<!--My mother passed at the hospital after falling down the stairs at home.-->

<!--Death by accident. Her death was set aside with those three words.-->

<!--Death by accident. Her death was set aside with those three words.-->

<!--But I had seen the truth.-->

<!--But I had seen the truth.-->

<!--I saw. Through a gap in the door of the room I'd been locked into, I saw. With swollen cheeks and bereft of clothes, I saw.-->

<!--I saw. Through a gap in the door of the room I'd been locked into, I saw. With swollen cheeks and bereft of clothes, I saw.-->

<!--I saw him push her down.-->

<!--I saw him push her down.-->

<!--I desperately tried to get a hearing, but no one believed me.-->

<!--I desperately tried to get a hearing, but no one believed me.-->

<!--<i>The truth is going to fade away and be forgotten.-->

<!--<i>The truth is going to fade away and be forgotten.-->

<!--In a notebook my mother had once given to me along with the advice that I should record everything that I absolutely didn't want to forget inside it.-->

<!--In a notebook my mother had once given to me along with the advice that I should record everything that I absolutely didn't want to forget inside it.-->

<!--It was not just a memento of her.-->

<!--It was not just a memento of her.-->

<!--It was a special notebook—different from those I usually used—whose contents I never forget.-->

<!--It was a special notebook—different from those I usually used—whose contents I never forget.-->

<!--Therefore, I recorded it.-->

<!--Therefore, I recorded it.-->

<!--In order not to forget, I recorded it.-->

<!--In order not to forget, I recorded it.-->

<!--I recorded the truth behind my mother's death.-->

<!--I recorded the truth behind my mother's death.-->

<!--I closed the notebook and looked for a place to hide it. However, I couldn't decide on a place because none seemed certain.-->

<!--I closed the notebook and looked for a place to hide it. However, I couldn't decide on a place because none seemed certain.-->

<!--The door was still being opened.-->

<!--The door was still being opened.-->

<!--A while after waking up, I was so confused that I didn't know where I was.-->

<!--A while after waking up, I was so confused that I didn't know where I was.-->

<!--I felt as though my consciousness had been gotten caught in between dream and reality.-->

<!--I felt as though my consciousness had been gotten caught in between dream and reality.-->

<!--It took me a few more minutes to recognize that I lived here.-->

<!--It took me a few more minutes to recognize that I lived here.-->

<!--Fragments of my memories from before waking up were still in my head.-->

<!--Fragments of my memories from before waking up were still in my head.-->

<!--But I had forgotten what it was about in these few minutes.-->

<!--But I had forgotten what it was about in these few minutes.-->

<!--What kind of dream was it?-->

<!--What kind of dream was it?-->

<!--Unless I made a note, I couldn't recall memories that had disappeared.-->

<!--Unless I made a note, I couldn't recall memories that had disappeared.-->

<!--''Again. As always.''-->

<!--''Again. As always.''-->

<!--I buried my face in the pillow and covered myself under the blanket, curling up in the darkness.-->

<!--I buried my face in the pillow and covered myself under the blanket, curling up in the darkness.-->

<!--The moment my vision went black, a miracle occurred along with a sensation of sparks flying.-->

<!--The moment my vision went black, a miracle occurred along with a sensation of sparks flying.-->

<!--I was, despite everything, a mere student and, naturally, went to school. Since I went to school, I naturally also took classes. Since I took classes, I naturally also had to take exams when the time arrived. And, since I had to take exams, I naturally also had to take supplementary exams. Right. "Naturally." I disregard any opinions that claim otherwise. <!-- Is this his way of saying that he doesn't want to hear about blowing off his exams? What is the purpose of the last sentence? -ss -->

<!--I was, despite everything, a mere student and, naturally, went to school. Since I went to school, I naturally also took classes. Since I took classes, I naturally also had to take exams when the time arrived. And, since I had to take exams, I naturally also had to take supplementary exams. Right. "Naturally." I disregard any opinions that claim otherwise. <!-- Is this his way of saying that he doesn't want to hear about blowing off his exams? What is the purpose of the last sentence? -ss -->

<!--Anyway, I went to the shop a little early even though my shift was scheduled for evening like always. I planned on studying for the supplementary exam the next day. Am I not dilligent?-->

<!--Anyway, I went to the shop a little early even though my shift was scheduled for evening like always. I planned on studying for the supplementary exam the next day. Am I not dilligent?-->

<!--To my surprise, however, there was a customer.-->

<!--To my surprise, however, there was a customer.-->

<!--It was extremely rare for someone else to be present other than the owner, Towako-san, or my workmate, Saki. One could take the shop's lack of customers for granted. One might ask, "What the hell?," but I've had enough of that question.-->

<!--It was extremely rare for someone else to be present other than the owner, Towako-san, or my workmate, Saki. One could take the shop's lack of customers for granted. One might ask, "What the hell?," but I've had enough of that question.-->

<!--From her appearance, the unexpected customer was in her early twenties. However, her presence made her seem a little older. She seemed fragile somehow, or insecure. The sad expression on her face may have augmented that impression.-->

<!--From her appearance, the unexpected customer was in her early twenties. However, her presence made her seem a little older. She seemed fragile somehow, or insecure. The sad expression on her face may have augmented that impression.-->

<!--Listening to her at a table that was for sale—a fake of a table with the ability of keeping everything on it even when flipping the table over like the pops of the showa era loved to do—was Towako-san.--> <!-- this is one of those things the Japanese do to English that we have to do to Japanese sometimes. Yes, I know that 昭和 transliterates as 'shouwa.' But nobody writes it that way in English. Hepburn romanization was the universal standard until after 1970, so 'showa' is the entrenched spelling. Use it here. -ss -->

<!--Listening to her at a table that was for sale—a fake of a table with the ability of keeping everything on it even when flipping the table over like the pops of the showa era loved to do—was Towako-san.--> <!-- this is one of those things the Japanese do to English that we have to do to Japanese sometimes. Yes, I know that 昭和 transliterates as 'shouwa.' But nobody writes it that way in English. Hepburn romanization was the universal standard until after 1970, so 'showa' is the entrenched spelling. Use it here. -ss -->

<!--''Since when did we offer counseling?''-->

<!--''Since when did we offer counseling?''-->

<!--"Quite rare that we have a customer, huh?"-->

<!--"Quite rare that we have a customer, huh?"-->

<!--"It's an acquaintance of an acquaintance of Towako-san."-->

<!--"It's an acquaintance of an acquaintance of Towako-san."-->

<!--I didn't know what "right time" it was, but I obediently sat down next to her. The woman on the other side greeted me with a nod, but looked a little perplexed.-->

<!--I didn't know what "right time" it was, but I obediently sat down next to her. The woman on the other side greeted me with a nod, but looked a little perplexed.-->

<!--"This is my part-timer. And this is Etsuko Uwajima," Towako-san introduced us to each other. "She's come here because of a problem she has. Join me in listening to her."-->

<!--"This is my part-timer. And this is Etsuko Uwajima," Towako-san introduced us to each other. "She's come here because of a problem she has. Join me in listening to her."-->

<!--She loved to bargain over a Relic she was eyeing, but apparently she was bored of listening to someone's problems and planned on pushing the job onto me.-->

<!--She loved to bargain over a Relic she was eyeing, but apparently she was bored of listening to someone's problems and planned on pushing the job onto me.-->

[[Image:Tsukumodo_V1_P170.jpg|400px|right]]

[[Image:Tsukumodo_V1_P170.jpg|400px|right]]

<!--While I didn't have enough experience to counsel an adult woman, I wasn't so immature as to decline.-->

<!--While I didn't have enough experience to counsel an adult woman, I wasn't so immature as to decline.-->

<!--"All right, I am sorry, but may I ask you to start all over again?"-->

<!--"All right, I am sorry, but may I ask you to start all over again?"-->

<!--Etsuko-san nodded without seeming offended, and started calmly.-->

<!--Etsuko-san nodded without seeming offended, and started calmly.-->

<!--"To tell the truth, there is something I just can't seem to forget."-->

<!--"To tell the truth, there is something I just can't seem to forget."-->

<!--"Aha..."-->

<!--"Aha..."-->

<!--"I have a bad memory and often forget things. This is due to the brain damage I received in a traffic accident when I was young."-->

<!--"I have a bad memory and often forget things. This is due to the brain damage I received in a traffic accident when I was young."-->

<!--"I have absolutely no memory of anything before the accident. The memories right after the accident, too, have become very vague. I remember almost nothing from that period. Apparently, the portion of the brain that manages my memories was damaged in the accident. Moreover, I don't only forget about my past, but I am also very forgetful about everything," she said and gave a few examples to elaborate. "I immediately forget things like faces or the locations of shops I frequent. Sometimes, I forget to take my money at the bank or to wrap my purchases even though I take the change. Also, one time I was searching for something but forgot what I was looking for in the process. It's been like this since I was a child, and because of that I was often scolded. In elementary school, for example, I set the record of forgetting something one week in a row. ...Or was it two weeks? No, three weeks?"-->

<!--"I have absolutely no memory of anything before the accident. The memories right after the accident, too, have become very vague. I remember almost nothing from that period. Apparently, the portion of the brain that manages my memories was damaged in the accident. Moreover, I don't only forget about my past, but I am also very forgetful about everything," she said and gave a few examples to elaborate. "I immediately forget things like faces or the locations of shops I frequent. Sometimes, I forget to take my money at the bank or to wrap my purchases even though I take the change. Also, one time I was searching for something but forgot what I was looking for in the process. It's been like this since I was a child, and because of that I was often scolded. In elementary school, for example, I set the record of forgetting something one week in a row. ...Or was it two weeks? No, three weeks?"-->

<!--She talked rather leisurely, or "other-wordly" perhaps. As a side note, she took a whole five minutes for the explanation so far. That should give an idea of just how sluggishly—excuse me, I mean how leisurely her way of speaking was.-->

<!--She talked rather leisurely, or "other-wordly" perhaps. As a side note, she took a whole five minutes for the explanation so far. That should give an idea of just how sluggishly—excuse me, I mean how leisurely her way of speaking was.-->

<!--I had taken a side-glance at Towako-san, but she pretty much allowed the explanation go in one ear and out the other. For her, that pace and nature had to be hard to endure.-->

<!--I had taken a side-glance at Towako-san, but she pretty much allowed the explanation go in one ear and out the other. For her, that pace and nature had to be hard to endure.-->

<!--Suddenly, the woman took a laptop out of her bag and started to look something up.-->

<!--Suddenly, the woman took a laptop out of her bag and started to look something up.-->

<!--What was so important to pause and look it up?-->

<!--What was so important to pause and look it up?-->

<!--"...Ah, it was in high school. I remember now."-->

<!--"...Ah, it was in high school. I remember now."-->

<!--She had checked ''that'' up as it seemed. Had she stored her personal history on that laptop or something?-->

<!--She had checked ''that'' up as it seemed. Had she stored her personal history on that laptop or something?-->

<!--To be honest, I didn't give a shit. To begin with, didn't she kinda recall the wrong part there?-->

<!--To be honest, I didn't give a shit. To begin with, didn't she kinda recall the wrong part there?-->

<!--"Ah, but it's not like I forget each and every thing. I can memorize things like the multiplication tables or how to buy tickets."-->

<!--"Ah, but it's not like I forget each and every thing. I can memorize things like the multiplication tables or how to buy tickets."-->

<!--Amnesia only involves forgetting part of one's experiences, like one's memories, but does not include bare knowledge. Besides, memorization itself doesn't decrease, so new memories are retained just fine.-->

<!--Amnesia only involves forgetting part of one's experiences, like one's memories, but does not include bare knowledge. Besides, memorization itself doesn't decrease, so new memories are retained just fine.-->

<!--"Anyhow, once my mother, concerned about me, told me that I could memorize things if I wrote them on a notepad and ate it. When I tried it out, I really became able to memorize all kinds of things. Since then I have been eating notes to fight against my forgetfulness. I can keep things in mind quite a long time thanks to that. Quite the progress, isn't it?"-->

<!--"Anyhow, once my mother, concerned about me, told me that I could memorize things if I wrote them on a notepad and ate it. When I tried it out, I really became able to memorize all kinds of things. Since then I have been eating notes to fight against my forgetfulness. I can keep things in mind quite a long time thanks to that. Quite the progress, isn't it?"-->

<!--Like I care.-->

<!--Like I care.-->

<!--"Hello?" I asked again, upon which she peeked into my face.-->

<!--"Hello?" I asked again, upon which she peeked into my face.-->

<!--"Excuse me, but what have I been talking about?"-->

<!--"Excuse me, but what have I been talking about?"-->

<!--"Yes, listen please. As I said, I am still memorizing things by eating memos, and those memories fade away after a while, but there is one memory I just can't seem to forget. I really want to, but I can't..."-->

<!--"Yes, listen please. As I said, I am still memorizing things by eating memos, and those memories fade away after a while, but there is one memory I just can't seem to forget. I really want to, but I can't..."-->

<!--"Aha..."-->

<!--"Aha..."-->

<!--It was soft to the touch and of high quality, and had a binding made of Japanese paper. Just, apart from that it was a boringly normal A4 notebook that contained unlined blank pages. If I had to tell if it looked tasty or not, well, no, it didn't. Although that was no problem.-->

<!--It was soft to the touch and of high quality, and had a binding made of Japanese paper. Just, apart from that it was a boringly normal A4 notebook that contained unlined blank pages. If I had to tell if it looked tasty or not, well, no, it didn't. Although that was no problem.-->

<!--Unsure how to react, I looked to the side. Towako-san gave me a nod. That's when I realized that this notebook was a Relic.-->

<!--Unsure how to react, I looked to the side. Towako-san gave me a nod. That's when I realized that this notebook was a Relic.-->

<!--"I once had an acquaintance of mine show it to me. Probably there's no doubt."-->

<!--"I once had an acquaintance of mine show it to me. Probably there's no doubt."-->

<!--''So in short, I guess she's written something in it and can't forget it anymore.''-->

<!--''So in short, I guess she's written something in it and can't forget it anymore.''-->

<!--"As soon as you've written something, is it really impossible to forget it?"-->

<!--"As soon as you've written something, is it really impossible to forget it?"-->

<!--"No, you just have to erase it to revoke its effect. You can use an eraser or even just strike it out."-->

<!--"No, you just have to erase it to revoke its effect. You can use an eraser or even just strike it out."-->

<!--"Exactly," the woman nodded in agreement.-->

<!--"Exactly," the woman nodded in agreement.-->

<!--A notebook that lets you forget something again if you erase it.-->

<!--A notebook that lets you forget something again if you erase it.-->

<!--Then what happens if one were to eat a page?-->

<!--Then what happens if one were to eat a page?-->

<!--"Dunno, no one has ever tried," Towako-san explained curtly. "But sweet Jesus, this is the first time I heard of someone ''eating'' a Relic! You never know what happens in life, though, and that's what makes it fun."--> <!-- sweet Jesus. I don't mind this use, but I think it sounds weird coming out of a 20-something Japanese woman. One can overlocalize text. -ss -->

<!--"Dunno, no one has ever tried," Towako-san explained curtly. "But sweet Jesus, this is the first time I heard of someone ''eating'' a Relic! You never know what happens in life, though, and that's what makes it fun."--> <!-- sweet Jesus. I don't mind this use, but I think it sounds weird coming out of a 20-something Japanese woman. One can overlocalize text. -ss -->

<!--"Eating a memo isn't new, though."-->

<!--"Eating a memo isn't new, though."-->

<!--That eating a memo will enable you to remember anything you've written on it is just a superstition some fool came up with when he was driven into a corner by his exams. But there are people who have to rely on such a superstition (I’m one to talk…).-->

<!--That eating a memo will enable you to remember anything you've written on it is just a superstition some fool came up with when he was driven into a corner by his exams. But there are people who have to rely on such a superstition (I’m one to talk…).-->

<!--She happened to be one of these people as well.-->

<!--She happened to be one of these people as well.-->

<!--Only I, Saki and Towako-san were sitting around the lunch table. We had noted down Etsuko-san's contact information and sent her on her way.-->

<!--Only I, Saki and Towako-san were sitting around the lunch table. We had noted down Etsuko-san's contact information and sent her on her way.-->

<!--The notebook itself was still here, as we were going to investigate it.-->

<!--The notebook itself was still here, as we were going to investigate it.-->

<!--"She remembers stuff like this, huh."-->

<!--"She remembers stuff like this, huh."-->

<!--Despite her lackluster memory, she was able to tell us these things rather easily. Well, for part of it she had used her computer, though.-->

<!--Despite her lackluster memory, she was able to tell us these things rather easily. Well, for part of it she had used her computer, though.-->

<!--"Keep in mind that there are two factors you must distinguish. Otherwise you'll get confused," Towako-san said.-->

<!--"Keep in mind that there are two factors you must distinguish. Otherwise you'll get confused," Towako-san said.-->

<!--"Yeah, she was quite the airhead..."-->

<!--"Yeah, she was quite the airhead..."-->

<!--I looked at Saki. Wasn't she also an airhead in a sense?-->

<!--I looked at Saki. Wasn't she also an airhead in a sense?-->

<!--"What?" She looked back at me expressionlessly upon noticing my gaze.-->

<!--"What?" She looked back at me expressionlessly upon noticing my gaze.-->

<!--"I'm no expert in this field either, so I'm basing this on common knowledge and my own guesswork," she started, "A human brain has a short-term memory and a long-term memory. Furthermore, the latter consists of the episodic memory, used for recollections, and the semantic memory, used for factual knowledge. None of this is new to you, right?"-->

<!--"I'm no expert in this field either, so I'm basing this on common knowledge and my own guesswork," she started, "A human brain has a short-term memory and a long-term memory. Furthermore, the latter consists of the episodic memory, used for recollections, and the semantic memory, used for factual knowledge. None of this is new to you, right?"-->

<!--"Right."-->

<!--"Right."-->

<!--"The accident probably damaged her long-time memory. I guess it's true that she can remember almost nothing from her past, but in her computer she has a decent amount of data that fills in the gaps. That's why she remembers her mother for example."-->

<!--"The accident probably damaged her long-time memory. I guess it's true that she can remember almost nothing from her past, but in her computer she has a decent amount of data that fills in the gaps. That's why she remembers her mother for example."-->

<!--''So the hard disk of her computer is supplementing her brain?''-->

<!--''So the hard disk of her computer is supplementing her brain?''-->

<!--"And as for why she forgets to take her money at the bank and had forgotten things during elementary school, well, she's a scatterbrain. It's not just her—these things can happen to everyone. Everyone forgets his or her short-term memory within a few minutes, after all. It's just that normally, you repeat those things in mind or look at a memo, so you can store it in your long-term memory. A scatterbrain tends to neglect doing so, or just gets distracted with something else."-->

<!--"And as for why she forgets to take her money at the bank and had forgotten things during elementary school, well, she's a scatterbrain. It's not just her—these things can happen to everyone. Everyone forgets his or her short-term memory within a few minutes, after all. It's just that normally, you repeat those things in mind or look at a memo, so you can store it in your long-term memory. A scatterbrain tends to neglect doing so, or just gets distracted with something else."-->

<!--''Does that mean that I can't remember anything from classes because it never reaches the long-term memory? I don't study at home after all.''-->

<!--''Does that mean that I can't remember anything from classes because it never reaches the long-term memory? I don't study at home after all.''-->

<!--"In her explanation, she mixed the damage of her memory and her forgetfulness, which made her story incoherent. Looks like she didn't notice it herself, though. At any rate," she sighed, "The notebook Relic makes her remember things without paying heed to her mind structure."-->

<!--"In her explanation, she mixed the damage of her memory and her forgetfulness, which made her story incoherent. Looks like she didn't notice it herself, though. At any rate," she sighed, "The notebook Relic makes her remember things without paying heed to her mind structure."-->

<!--"So, what do we do?"-->

<!--"So, what do we do?"-->

<!--Nonetheless, I was somewhat interested in whatever it was that could be troublesome to remember.-->

<!--Nonetheless, I was somewhat interested in whatever it was that could be troublesome to remember.-->

<!--"That said, this hasn't happened before, so there's nothing we could research. Let's wait and see for a while."-->

<!--"That said, this hasn't happened before, so there's nothing we could research. Let's wait and see for a while."-->

<!--"Mm? Yeah."-->

<!--"Mm? Yeah."-->

<!--"What kind of person is it?"-->

<!--"What kind of person is it?"-->

<!--"What do you mean by 'what kind'?"-->

<!--"What do you mean by 'what kind'?"-->

<!--"Nah, I just wondered if it's someone like you."-->

<!--"Nah, I just wondered if it's someone like you."-->

<!--''Well, someone who isn't only a sucker for Relics, but oddities of all kinds, and who loves to try them out on others. In other words, an oddball that can't adapt to society...?' --><!-- maverick? --><!-- no. Maverick has the suggestion of being deliberately on a different path from the mainstream. The suggestion here seems to be that Towako is just weird. EEE? -ss -->

<!--''Well, someone who isn't only a sucker for Relics, but oddities of all kinds, and who loves to try them out on others. In other words, an oddball that can't adapt to society...?' --><!-- maverick? --><!-- no. Maverick has the suggestion of being deliberately on a different path from the mainstream. The suggestion here seems to be that Towako is just weird. EEE? -ss -->

<!--"No, don't tell me. If you do, one of my important part-timers might come to a bad end."-->

<!--"No, don't tell me. If you do, one of my important part-timers might come to a bad end."-->

<!--She'd rather reflect on her actions than restrain herself and not ask. That said, I was not so stupid as to voluntarily go in harm's way.-->

<!--She'd rather reflect on her actions than restrain herself and not ask. That said, I was not so stupid as to voluntarily go in harm's way.-->

<!--"So what kind of person is it?"-->

<!--"So what kind of person is it?"-->

<!--''If I'd had even just a tenth of my current willingness at school, then I wouldn't have to suffer now...''-->

<!--''If I'd had even just a tenth of my current willingness at school, then I wouldn't have to suffer now...''-->

<!--Well, I knew only too well that this was impossible, though.-->

<!--Well, I knew only too well that this was impossible, though.-->

<!--"You're quite the maverick for wanting to take a supplementary exam," Saki remarked in a flat voice.-->

<!--"You're quite the maverick for wanting to take a supplementary exam," Saki remarked in a flat voice.-->

<!--"Even though I helped you so much yesterday...," Towako-san sighed.-->

<!--"Even though I helped you so much yesterday...," Towako-san sighed.-->

<!--I admit that doing it like a quiz and asking me questions is a perfectly valid way to study, but I have a strong feeling that it was more just me helping her kill time.--><!-- nothing more? /спросить ЕЕЕ-->

<!--I admit that doing it like a quiz and asking me questions is a perfectly valid way to study, but I have a strong feeling that it was more just me helping her kill time.--><!-- nothing more? /спросить ЕЕЕ-->

<!--"Alrighty, repetition time. Explain the Doppler effect!"-->

<!--"Alrighty, repetition time. Explain the Doppler effect!"-->

<!--"Uuhm, aah, let me think... that's that swaying of the pitch when an ambulance passed by or when you come by a railroad crossing."-->

<!--"Uuhm, aah, let me think... that's that swaying of the pitch when an ambulance passed by or when you come by a railroad crossing."-->

<!--"Not examples, tell me the definition."-->

<!--"Not examples, tell me the definition."-->

<!--"Umm, something about... the source of waves..."-->

<!--"Umm, something about... the source of waves..."-->

<!--"The formulae?"-->

<!--"The formulae?"-->

<!--"Weell, there were a few..."-->

<!--"Weell, there were a few..."-->

<!--That was a problem I hadn't been able to answer after three tries the other day. Of course this had also been in the exam, but it was questionable if I had answered correctly. Since I hadn't been able to answer it in the shop, I had given up on it when I came across it in the exam.-->

<!--That was a problem I hadn't been able to answer after three tries the other day. Of course this had also been in the exam, but it was questionable if I had answered correctly. Since I hadn't been able to answer it in the shop, I had given up on it when I came across it in the exam.-->

<!--Towako-san let out a deep sigh.-->

<!--Towako-san let out a deep sigh.-->

<!--"If your grades drop too much, I won't be able to let you work here."-->

<!--"If your grades drop too much, I won't be able to let you work here."-->

<!--She tossed me the torn-off page.-->

<!--She tossed me the torn-off page.-->

<!--"M-May I really?"-->

<!--"M-May I really?"-->

<!--Studying had never been so effective in my life.-->

<!--Studying had never been so effective in my life.-->

<!--After all, everything went straight into my head as soon as I had written it down. For the first time in my life, I had fun studying. I was now able to accept the statement that studying was fun if you caught on.-->

<!--After all, everything went straight into my head as soon as I had written it down. For the first time in my life, I had fun studying. I was now able to accept the statement that studying was fun if you caught on.-->

<!--I noted down everything the exam covered, writing as tiny as I could. I couldn't get everything on the page, front and back, but it was enough to avoid falling flat.-->

<!--I noted down everything the exam covered, writing as tiny as I could. I couldn't get everything on the page, front and back, but it was enough to avoid falling flat.-->

<!--"Yum, really tasty!"-->

<!--"Yum, really tasty!"-->

<!--"Hehe, looking in a different light at me now?" Towako-san boasted with a smirk. "Okay, we're doing some repetition while eating! Question: What is the Doppler effect?"-->

<!--"Hehe, looking in a different light at me now?" Towako-san boasted with a smirk. "Okay, we're doing some repetition while eating! Question: What is the Doppler effect?"-->

<!--"A phenomenon that occurs due to the relative motion of a wave and its source, or a wave and its observer. The formula to calculate the frequency if the source approaches the observer is..."-->

<!--"A phenomenon that occurs due to the relative motion of a wave and its source, or a wave and its observer. The formula to calculate the frequency if the source approaches the observer is..."-->

<!--I smirked like Towako-san, "Hehe," and answered with ease like reciting the one times table. The answer came out so fluently, I could hardly believe this was my mouth.-->

<!--I smirked like Towako-san, "Hehe," and answered with ease like reciting the one times table. The answer came out so fluently, I could hardly believe this was my mouth.-->

<!--I was able to answer almost all questions Towako-san asked me—except for the ones that weren't written in the Relic.-->

<!--I was able to answer almost all questions Towako-san asked me—except for the ones that weren't written in the Relic.-->

<!--It was also the first time that I couldn't wait for my exams.-->

<!--It was also the first time that I couldn't wait for my exams.-->

<!--I have left the notebook in their care. (←''important!'')-->

<!--I have left the notebook in their care. (←''important!'')-->

<!--On the way home I made my purchases.-->

<!--On the way home I made my purchases.-->

<!--...Having written my diary to that point, I took a breath.-->

<!--...Having written my diary to that point, I took a breath.-->

<!--I called it diary, but as a matter of fact, you could say I traced my memories. After writing all that had happened that day before the memories faded, I copied the text to my computer.-->

<!--I called it diary, but as a matter of fact, you could say I traced my memories. After writing all that had happened that day before the memories faded, I copied the text to my computer.-->

<!--I did so to help me remember these things when I forgot about them in the future.-->

<!--I did so to help me remember these things when I forgot about them in the future.-->

<!--As for the text I'd written on a memo, I was going to eat it to make my memories hold longer. I usually ate such memos distributed on my lunch, my dinner and before going to bed. Eating memos to remember things is said to be a superstition, but to me it had already become a habit, because I had been doing it since I was young on the order of my mother.-->

<!--As for the text I'd written on a memo, I was going to eat it to make my memories hold longer. I usually ate such memos distributed on my lunch, my dinner and before going to bed. Eating memos to remember things is said to be a superstition, but to me it had already become a habit, because I had been doing it since I was young on the order of my mother.-->

<!--The notebooks I was using were common ones you can buy in every store and not the Relic she had bequeathed to me. Because it was all stored in my computer as well, I used such notebooks unless it was something I wanted to remember no matter what.-->

<!--The notebooks I was using were common ones you can buy in every store and not the Relic she had bequeathed to me. Because it was all stored in my computer as well, I used such notebooks unless it was something I wanted to remember no matter what.-->

<!--I fetched some water and tore the page off the notebook. I then crumpled it up, making it a little easier to eat. I used to throw up or upset my stomach in the past, but by now I had become used to it.-->

<!--I fetched some water and tore the page off the notebook. I then crumpled it up, making it a little easier to eat. I used to throw up or upset my stomach in the past, but by now I had become used to it.-->

<!--I soaked the page in water and put it into my mouth. It wasn't a pleasant taste at all, but still I kept chewing to make it squashier.-->

<!--I soaked the page in water and put it into my mouth. It wasn't a pleasant taste at all, but still I kept chewing to make it squashier.-->

<!--I stopped chewing and gulped the page down.-->

<!--I stopped chewing and gulped the page down.-->

<!--I washed it down with the remaining water and headed to the entrance.-->

<!--I washed it down with the remaining water and headed to the entrance.-->

<!--Hideki-san entered and I welcomed him with a smile.-->

<!--Hideki-san entered and I welcomed him with a smile.-->

<!--He was my fiancé I was going to marry soon. We had known each other since childhood, and after going separate ways for a while, we met again and started dating each other.-->

<!--He was my fiancé I was going to marry soon. We had known each other since childhood, and after going separate ways for a while, we met again and started dating each other.-->

<!--"Aah, I'm starving! Is dinner ready?"-->

<!--"Aah, I'm starving! Is dinner ready?"-->

<!--"Yes, it's prepared. I just have to warm it up."-->

<!--"Yes, it's prepared. I just have to warm it up."-->

<!--He lived in the house next to mine, and always came for dinner after work. Therefore, I couldn't mix the notes into my meals anymore, but I didn't mind it.-->

<!--He lived in the house next to mine, and always came for dinner after work. Therefore, I couldn't mix the notes into my meals anymore, but I didn't mind it.-->

<!--"What's for today?"-->

<!--"What's for today?"-->

<!--"Chicken sauteed with a potato salad, an onion soup and French bread."-->

<!--"Chicken sauteed with a potato salad, an onion soup and French bread."-->

<!--''I have to add this and eat it before going to sleep.''-->

<!--''I have to add this and eat it before going to sleep.''-->

<!--With these thoughts in mind, I took out a pan to fry the chicken breast.-->

<!--With these thoughts in mind, I took out a pan to fry the chicken breast.-->

<!--Indeed. This was a serious matter for me, as I often forgot to lock up.-->

<!--Indeed. This was a serious matter for me, as I often forgot to lock up.-->

<!--"What does he look like?" I asked, since knowing his features was going to help me identify him.-->

<!--"What does he look like?" I asked, since knowing his features was going to help me identify him.-->

<!--"Umm..."-->

<!--"Umm..."-->

<!--"Wait a second."-->

<!--"Wait a second."-->

<!--As Hideki-san knew about my accident and the after effects on my memory, he patiently waited for me.-->

<!--As Hideki-san knew about my accident and the after effects on my memory, he patiently waited for me.-->

<!--"...They said it's a man about fifty or sixty. He's been walking around in these quarters wearing a jumper and was covering his face with a cap."-->

<!--"...They said it's a man about fifty or sixty. He's been walking around in these quarters wearing a jumper and was covering his face with a cap."-->

<!--"Fifty or sixty...?"-->

<!--"Fifty or sixty...?"-->

- Ну, и то правда.

- Ну, и то правда.

- Я кое о чем хотел у тебя спросить о нашей свадьбе!

- Я кое о чем хотел у тебя спросить о нашей свадьбе!

<!--There was a date that came to mind, but I was too unsure to put it into words. I had no confidence. If I was wrong, he would certainly be offended. My defective memory aside, it would be outrageous to forget such an important thing.-->

<!--There was a date that came to mind, but I was too unsure to put it into words. I had no confidence. If I was wrong, he would certainly be offended. My defective memory aside, it would be outrageous to forget such an important thing.-->

<!--''I know... I really do... but...''-->

<!--''I know... I really do... but...''-->

<!--"Just joking! I mean, you wouldn't forget ''that'', now would you?" he laughed without showing any doubt.-->

<!--"Just joking! I mean, you wouldn't forget ''that'', now would you?" he laughed without showing any doubt.-->

<!--I felt a pang of conscience.-->

<!--I felt a pang of conscience.-->

<!--"Anyway, a friend of mine is planning on making a slideshow for the wedding reception. You know, that thing where you show old photos. For that I'd like to have a few of you, too. Where do you keep them?"-->

<!--"Anyway, a friend of mine is planning on making a slideshow for the wedding reception. You know, that thing where you show old photos. For that I'd like to have a few of you, too. Where do you keep them?"-->

<!--"They are in a cardboard in the room over there... I think. I'll take a look."-->

<!--"They are in a cardboard in the room over there... I think. I'll take a look."-->

<!--"Yes. I don't really maintain contact with my relatives, you know. I'm sorry. I know, you have invited a lot..."-->

<!--"Yes. I don't really maintain contact with my relatives, you know. I'm sorry. I know, you have invited a lot..."-->

<!--"I don't mind, but are you sure you don't want to get in touch with your father?"-->

<!--"I don't mind, but are you sure you don't want to get in touch with your father?"-->

<!--There were two other students in the classroom, desperately cramming with their books and notes before the supplementary exam started.-->

<!--There were two other students in the classroom, desperately cramming with their books and notes before the supplementary exam started.-->

<!--''Give it your best shot, my friends. Struggle to your heart's content! As you have no choice! Unlike me.''-->

<!--''Give it your best shot, my friends. Struggle to your heart's content! As you have no choice! Unlike me.''-->

<!--I watched them from behind—just like a certain colonel who once said "Aha, some human garbage!" while looking down on the mob. --><!-- Meme in Japan: 人がゴミのようだ. Reference to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_in_the_Sky#Influences May be replaced with something else-->

<!--I watched them from behind—just like a certain colonel who once said "Aha, some human garbage!" while looking down on the mob. --><!-- Meme in Japan: 人がゴミのようだ. Reference to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_in_the_Sky#Influences May be replaced with something else-->

<!--"Is everyone here?" asked the teacher as he entered through the door at the rear. "Quite confident today, aren't you?" he said upon noticing that I wasn't struggling to do my last preparations. "You look like you have completed your preparations."-->

<!--"Is everyone here?" asked the teacher as he entered through the door at the rear. "Quite confident today, aren't you?" he said upon noticing that I wasn't struggling to do my last preparations. "You look like you have completed your preparations."-->

<!--"Something like that, yes."-->

<!--"Something like that, yes."-->

<!--"Hahaha, very well, then show me what you can," the teacher said, apparently reassured by my self-confidence.-->

<!--"Hahaha, very well, then show me what you can," the teacher said, apparently reassured by my self-confidence.-->

Он раздал нам троим листки с упражнениями. У меня отсутствовал страх перед тем, что на другой стороне листов.

Он раздал нам троим листки с упражнениями. У меня отсутствовал страх перед тем, что на другой стороне листов.

<!--"Looks like it ended up as expected, heh," Towako-san chuckled, seeing my fruitless search attempt.-->

<!--"Looks like it ended up as expected, heh," Towako-san chuckled, seeing my fruitless search attempt.-->

<!--With a queasy feeling, I pressed on her. "What's that supposed to mean? As expected?" -->

<!--With a queasy feeling, I pressed on her. "What's that supposed to mean? As expected?" -->

- Это что еще значит? Как и предполагалось?

- Это что еще значит? Как и предполагалось?

<!--"I know that you didn't. To be exact, you couldn't. Ah no, should I say that you did, in this case?"-->

<!--"I know that you didn't. To be exact, you couldn't. Ah no, should I say that you did, in this case?"-->

<!--"Tell me where it is, already!"-->

<!--"Tell me where it is, already!"-->

<!--"Or is it perhaps already over there, to be exact?" she corrected herself and moved her finger toward the restroom.-->

<!--"Or is it perhaps already over there, to be exact?" she corrected herself and moved her finger toward the restroom.-->

<!--"N-No way...?"-->

<!--"N-No way...?"-->

<!--"But yes. I blended that note into yesterday's Tonkatsu. You loved it, didn't you? Your Relic-flavored cutlet," she said with a brazen face. "So we learned that digesting a memo has the same effect as erasing the text. That's a step forward!"-->

<!--"But yes. I blended that note into yesterday's Tonkatsu. You loved it, didn't you? Your Relic-flavored cutlet," she said with a brazen face. "So we learned that digesting a memo has the same effect as erasing the text. That's a step forward!"-->

<!--So that was why she had prepared dinner the other day.-->

<!--So that was why she had prepared dinner the other day.-->

<!--She dared use me as a laboratory rat...-->

<!--She dared use me as a laboratory rat...-->

<!--"Good boys don't abuse a Relic to pass an exam, you know?"-->

<!--"Good boys don't abuse a Relic to pass an exam, you know?"-->

<!-- My teacher probably thought that a day wasn't enough; he gave me a full week of time to study. I still vividly remembered how he'd smiled with rage—sounds strange, but that's what he was like—when he approached me with my blank answer sheet in his hands. That smile was going to haunt my nightmares. I wouldn't be forgetting that face anytime soon—even without a magical notebook reminding me. -->

<!-- My teacher probably thought that a day wasn't enough; he gave me a full week of time to study. I still vividly remembered how he'd smiled with rage—sounds strange, but that's what he was like—when he approached me with my blank answer sheet in his hands. That smile was going to haunt my nightmares. I wouldn't be forgetting that face anytime soon—even without a magical notebook reminding me. -->

<!-- It was then that Towako-san and I made a deal: She promised to give me a page of that notebook if I solved the case. -->

<!-- It was then that Towako-san and I made a deal: She promised to give me a page of that notebook if I solved the case. -->

<!-- I was absolutely not going to make the mistake of eating the note this time.-->

<!-- I was absolutely not going to make the mistake of eating the note this time.-->

<!--<i>No, don't you tell me to study! I wouldn't go through the hassle of relying on a notebook to begin with if I could score without cheating.</i>-->

<!--<i>No, don't you tell me to study! I wouldn't go through the hassle of relying on a notebook to begin with if I could score without cheating.</i>-->

<!--Anyways.-->

<!--Anyways.-->

<!--In my case, I forgot about the text when I ate and digested it. Pretty obvious, now that I thought about it, since the text was erased by stomach acid after all.-->

<!--In my case, I forgot about the text when I ate and digested it. Pretty obvious, now that I thought about it, since the text was erased by stomach acid after all.-->

<!--She visited just yesterday. It was very unlikely that her memory had yet to have been digested at that point, as she must have eaten it at least prior to the day before yesterday.-->

<!--She visited just yesterday. It was very unlikely that her memory had yet to have been digested at that point, as she must have eaten it at least prior to the day before yesterday.-->

<!--So why was she unable to forget nonetheless?-->

<!--So why was she unable to forget nonetheless?-->

<!--There was only one conceivable answer.-->

<!--There was only one conceivable answer.-->

<!--She claimed to have done so, but her word wasn't of much weight in lieu of her poor memory and her forgetful nature. Perhaps, she had confused it with some other scrap she had eaten, or she had simply put it somewhere and had forgotten to eat it.-->

<!--She claimed to have done so, but her word wasn't of much weight in lieu of her poor memory and her forgetful nature. Perhaps, she had confused it with some other scrap she had eaten, or she had simply put it somewhere and had forgotten to eat it.-->

<!--If I managed to locate that memo and erase it, she would be able to forget it.-->

<!--If I managed to locate that memo and erase it, she would be able to forget it.-->

<!--Using the address Etsuko-san had told us, Saki and I headed to her house.-->

<!--Using the address Etsuko-san had told us, Saki and I headed to her house.-->

<!--The reason for taking Saki with me was that I thought there might be spots a man should not rummage about, since Etsuko-san lived alone.-->

<!--The reason for taking Saki with me was that I thought there might be spots a man should not rummage about, since Etsuko-san lived alone.-->

<!--We passed by a closed elementary school that served us as a point of orientation, and entered the residential area not far from there. It didn't take long until we found the house in question. Etsuko-san was sweeping right before the entrance.-->

<!--We passed by a closed elementary school that served us as a point of orientation, and entered the residential area not far from there. It didn't take long until we found the house in question. Etsuko-san was sweeping right before the entrance.-->

<!--When I greeted her, she bowed her head in reply and said, "Excuse me, but do we know each other?"-->

<!--When I greeted her, she bowed her head in reply and said, "Excuse me, but do we know each other?"-->

<!--Before I could make that remark, a man left the house next door. He was about in his late twenties and gave Etsuko-san a wave when he saw her. Apparently able to memorize at least the face of her neighbor, she greeted him with a smile.-->

<!--Before I could make that remark, a man left the house next door. He was about in his late twenties and gave Etsuko-san a wave when he saw her. Apparently able to memorize at least the face of her neighbor, she greeted him with a smile.-->

<!--The man looked at Etsuko-san and then at us. Perhaps we seemed like curious combination to him.-->

<!--The man looked at Etsuko-san and then at us. Perhaps we seemed like curious combination to him.-->

<!--"Who are they?"-->

<!--"Who are they?"-->

Подбирая ответ, Эцко-сан пробормотала:

Подбирая ответ, Эцко-сан пробормотала:

<!--She didn't know how to put it.-->

<!--She didn't know how to put it.-->

<!--At the perfect moment, Saki started her business talk. This was the pattern we often used in situations where we had to reveal ourselves. After all, we couldn't just give anyone an explanation of what Relics were.-->

<!--At the perfect moment, Saki started her business talk. This was the pattern we often used in situations where we had to reveal ourselves. After all, we couldn't just give anyone an explanation of what Relics were.-->

<!--"If you are interested as well, be welcome to get in touch with us."-->

<!--"If you are interested as well, be welcome to get in touch with us."-->

<!--This was no empty phrase. There were indeed piles of cardboard boxes in the corridor and so forth. However, it was not like she had neglected cleaning the house.-->

<!--This was no empty phrase. There were indeed piles of cardboard boxes in the corridor and so forth. However, it was not like she had neglected cleaning the house.-->

<!--"I haven't put everything in order yet since I moved here."-->

<!--"I haven't put everything in order yet since I moved here."-->

<!--Now I got why there were cardboard boxes in the corridor and the living room. At the same time, the probability that she had left the scrap somewhere and forgotten about it grew. Or perhaps she had lost it while she was tidying things away from her move.-->

<!--Now I got why there were cardboard boxes in the corridor and the living room. At the same time, the probability that she had left the scrap somewhere and forgotten about it grew. Or perhaps she had lost it while she was tidying things away from her move.-->

<!--"Okay, let's begin, shall we?"-->

<!--"Okay, let's begin, shall we?"-->

<!--Because we couldn't just tell her, "You haven't eaten the memo but left it somewhere," we told her that she might have another Relic that caused her to remember.-->

<!--Because we couldn't just tell her, "You haven't eaten the memo but left it somewhere," we told her that she might have another Relic that caused her to remember.-->

<!--While she owned one, she hadn't known about Relics until she heard it from us, so she believed us quite easily.-->

<!--While she owned one, she hadn't known about Relics until she heard it from us, so she believed us quite easily.-->

<!--Etsuko-san lived alone in a two-storied house. Judging from the stains on the walls and the scars in the posts, the building wasn't new. To be honest, I had no clue why she would move into such a house instead of an apartment.-->

<!--Etsuko-san lived alone in a two-storied house. Judging from the stains on the walls and the scars in the posts, the building wasn't new. To be honest, I had no clue why she would move into such a house instead of an apartment.-->

<!--After we had been led to the living room, we decided on ask a few question for starters.-->

<!--After we had been led to the living room, we decided on ask a few question for starters.-->

<!--"That memory is still there, right?"-->

<!--"That memory is still there, right?"-->

<!--On my request, she let me take a look. There were folders for every year and month, and in there were a bunch of text files for every day.-->

<!--On my request, she let me take a look. There were folders for every year and month, and in there were a bunch of text files for every day.-->

<!--"In the beginning, I used real diaries, but they grew so much in number that it became bothersome to carry them around. Therefore, I switched to a computer."-->

<!--"In the beginning, I used real diaries, but they grew so much in number that it became bothersome to carry them around. Therefore, I switched to a computer."-->

<!--"Um, did you go somewhere during this week?" I asked.-->

<!--"Um, did you go somewhere during this week?" I asked.-->

<!--Etsuko-san navigated her computer.-->

<!--Etsuko-san navigated her computer.-->

<!--Right. I hadn't asked that question. It had slipped my mind because I was confident that she hadn't eaten it. With that information, we knew until when she had the memo, and could investigate on Etsuko-san's actions thereafter.-->

<!--Right. I hadn't asked that question. It had slipped my mind because I was confident that she hadn't eaten it. With that information, we knew until when she had the memo, and could investigate on Etsuko-san's actions thereafter.-->

<!--I was thoughtless—I wasn't in the position to talk badly about Etsuko-san-->.<!-- Can't for my life express this how I want. Fuck.-->

<!--I was thoughtless—I wasn't in the position to talk badly about Etsuko-san-->.<!-- Can't for my life express this how I want. Fuck.-->

<!--That put a spoke in my wheel. To my surprise, however, Etsuko-san shook her head.-->

<!--That put a spoke in my wheel. To my surprise, however, Etsuko-san shook her head.-->

<!--"No. I ate it here!"-->

<!--"No. I ate it here!"-->

<!--"No," she shook her head.-->

<!--"No," she shook her head.-->

<!--"Ten years ago."-->

<!--"Ten years ago."-->

<!--We took a look around in the house just to be sure, but naturally our search remained fruitless.-->

<!--We took a look around in the house just to be sure, but naturally our search remained fruitless.-->

<!--"Should we set the house on fire and erase it for good?"-->

<!--"Should we set the house on fire and erase it for good?"-->

Мы зашли в комнату Эцко-сан и продолжили искать записку.

Мы зашли в комнату Эцко-сан и продолжили искать записку.

<!--I asked Saki to search the bookshelf and the desk, whereas I went for the cardboard boxes. I had already gotten permission from Etsuko-san.-->

<!--I asked Saki to search the bookshelf and the desk, whereas I went for the cardboard boxes. I had already gotten permission from Etsuko-san.-->

<!--There had been no large span between the divorce and the decease of her mother; after only a few pictures, her parents were replaced by an aged man and woman on the pictures.-->

<!--There had been no large span between the divorce and the decease of her mother; after only a few pictures, her parents were replaced by an aged man and woman on the pictures.-->

<!--I suspected they were Etsuko-san's grandparents who had taken her in. They appeared on the photographs of her graduation from elementary, middle and high school, as well as her coming-of-age celebration. It seemed like a kind-hearted old couple.-->

<!--I suspected they were Etsuko-san's grandparents who had taken her in. They appeared on the photographs of her graduation from elementary, middle and high school, as well as her coming-of-age celebration. It seemed like a kind-hearted old couple.-->

<!--It had immediately rang a bell with me when she told me that she had used the notebook ten years ago.-->

<!--It had immediately rang a bell with me when she told me that she had used the notebook ten years ago.-->

<!--Her mother's accidental death, ten years ago.-->

<!--Her mother's accidental death, ten years ago.-->

<!--The memory she had recorded in the Relic, ten years ago.-->

<!--The memory she had recorded in the Relic, ten years ago.-->

<!--These two facts could not be unrelated.-->

<!--These two facts could not be unrelated.-->

<!--There was probably more to it.-->

<!--There was probably more to it.-->

<!--Something she couldn't tell anyone.-->

<!--Something she couldn't tell anyone.-->

<!--I had no clue what it was—no I did. But I sealed that thought away, because it was a crazy thought and absolutely not something to say carelessly.-->

<!--I had no clue what it was—no I did. But I sealed that thought away, because it was a crazy thought and absolutely not something to say carelessly.-->

<!--I pushed the box with albums aside and pulled another one to me. It was labeled at the side as "Diaries (1)".-->

<!--I pushed the box with albums aside and pulled another one to me. It was labeled at the side as "Diaries (1)".-->

<!--I opened one of the diaries and found a clumsy handwriting that didn't match the splendidly made diary. The size of the letters was as irregular as it gets, there were misspellings all over the page, and the grammar had been ignored entirely. It was well-nigh unreadable.-->

<!--I opened one of the diaries and found a clumsy handwriting that didn't match the splendidly made diary. The size of the letters was as irregular as it gets, there were misspellings all over the page, and the grammar had been ignored entirely. It was well-nigh unreadable.-->

<!--Nevertheless, I was sure she had read through these entries again and again when she wanted to recall old memories.-->

<!--Nevertheless, I was sure she had read through these entries again and again when she wanted to recall old memories.-->

<!--As time went by, the entries changed into a proper writing. However, I was taken aback by all the details.-->

<!--As time went by, the entries changed into a proper writing. However, I was taken aback by all the details.-->

<!--Not only did they contain the events of every day, but also what time she stood up, what she ate, which train she took, what she was doing and thinking during the day, and so forth. Therefore, the number of diaries was quite overwhelming.-->

<!--Not only did they contain the events of every day, but also what time she stood up, what she ate, which train she took, what she was doing and thinking during the day, and so forth. Therefore, the number of diaries was quite overwhelming.-->

<!--Probably this also served as some sort of rehabilitation. It was hard to guess how much time she had spent everyday to write those diaries.-->

<!--Probably this also served as some sort of rehabilitation. It was hard to guess how much time she had spent everyday to write those diaries.-->

<!--I took another diary.-->

<!--I took another diary.-->

<!--With a sting of remorse, I opened the diary.-->

<!--With a sting of remorse, I opened the diary.-->

<!--Among other things, it contained the entry of the day of her mother's decease.-->

<!--Among other things, it contained the entry of the day of her mother's decease.-->

<!--As always, it started with the time she stood up and what she had for breakfast, and contained a detailed report of her experiences at school.-->

<!--As always, it started with the time she stood up and what she had for breakfast, and contained a detailed report of her experiences at school.-->

<!--However, it mentioned that she was scolded by her mother for neglecting her diary for once. Apparently, she had played together with her friends instead of going straight home.-->

<!--However, it mentioned that she was scolded by her mother for neglecting her diary for once. Apparently, she had played together with her friends instead of going straight home.-->

<!--There was a touch of irony in the fact that her mother fell from the stairs on that day of all days. Moreover, it happened when Etsuko-san was in the midst of writing her diary. The entry of that day stopped there.-->

<!--There was a touch of irony in the fact that her mother fell from the stairs on that day of all days. Moreover, it happened when Etsuko-san was in the midst of writing her diary. The entry of that day stopped there.-->

<!--I flipped the page. In the next entry she wrote about the decease of her mother at the hospital and the wake that was going to be held.-->

<!--I flipped the page. In the next entry she wrote about the decease of her mother at the hospital and the wake that was going to be held.-->

<!--But no matter how much she wanted to forget, what if it was a memory that was meant to be remembered?-->

<!--But no matter how much she wanted to forget, what if it was a memory that was meant to be remembered?-->

<!--"Um, may I ask you a question?"-->

<!--"Um, may I ask you a question?"-->

<!--Against all my expectations, she asked something entirely unrelated.-->

<!--Against all my expectations, she asked something entirely unrelated.-->

<!--I already prepared myself to make a remark, when suddenly Etsuko-san turned as red as a beet and cast her eyes down.--><!--remark - tsukkomi-->

<!--I already prepared myself to make a remark, when suddenly Etsuko-san turned as red as a beet and cast her eyes down.--><!--remark - tsukkomi-->

<!--"Congratulations," Saki said bluntly as if she didn't know the meaning of Etsuko-san's words, but Etsuko-san gave her thanks without taking offense. "How did you get to know him?"-->

<!--"Congratulations," Saki said bluntly as if she didn't know the meaning of Etsuko-san's words, but Etsuko-san gave her thanks without taking offense. "How did you get to know him?"-->

<!--"He's a childhood friend, or perhaps, he was something like the boy next door? We lost contact entirely when I moved away, but he happened to frequent the shop I worked at, you know..."-->

<!--"He's a childhood friend, or perhaps, he was something like the boy next door? We lost contact entirely when I moved away, but he happened to frequent the shop I worked at, you know..."-->

<!--"But at first, I didn't realize who he is. Not only me, but it was the same for him. Because I used my father's surname when I still lived here, he didn't realize who I am, either. It stayed that way until I visited his parents to introduce myself. That was quite the surprise."-->

<!--"But at first, I didn't realize who he is. Not only me, but it was the same for him. Because I used my father's surname when I still lived here, he didn't realize who I am, either. It stayed that way until I visited his parents to introduce myself. That was quite the surprise."-->

<!--"A fateful encounter."-->

<!--"A fateful encounter."-->

<!--Etsuko-san was smiling, but a shadow or some sort of hesitation loomed in her expression.-->

<!--Etsuko-san was smiling, but a shadow or some sort of hesitation loomed in her expression.-->

<!--"Is there a problem?" I asked thoughtlessly, suspecting she had marriage blues.-->

<!--"Is there a problem?" I asked thoughtlessly, suspecting she had marriage blues.-->

<!--Her face was full of distress. However, recalling our presence, she quickly slapped on a smile.-->

<!--Her face was full of distress. However, recalling our presence, she quickly slapped on a smile.-->

<!--"Did you keep in contact with your father?"-->

<!--"Did you keep in contact with your father?"-->

<!--"No. This was the first time since the funeral of my mother. ...Despite everything, I recognized him by his voice. You remember such things forever, don't you?"-->

<!--"No. This was the first time since the funeral of my mother. ...Despite everything, I recognized him by his voice. You remember such things forever, don't you?"-->

<!--Etsuko-san seemed to be surprised about the fact that she had recognized her father by phone.-->

<!--Etsuko-san seemed to be surprised about the fact that she had recognized her father by phone.-->

<!--"He's not a bad person. He would just often get into an argument with my mother about my upbringing. He was against keeping such a diary. He wanted to bring me up like a normal child. My mother often said he was too concerned about the eyes of the neighborhood. I think so as well."-->

<!--"He's not a bad person. He would just often get into an argument with my mother about my upbringing. He was against keeping such a diary. He wanted to bring me up like a normal child. My mother often said he was too concerned about the eyes of the neighborhood. I think so as well."-->

<!--Indeed, keeping such a detailed diary was a little abnormal from a normal perspective. But as there was an accident, this couldn't be helped. But her father had apparently been unable to think so.-->

<!--Indeed, keeping such a detailed diary was a little abnormal from a normal perspective. But as there was an accident, this couldn't be helped. But her father had apparently been unable to think so.-->

<!--"Do you have a grudge against him?"-->

<!--"Do you have a grudge against him?"-->

<!--"My father chose this dress for my mother. Hideki-san offered me to be a new one or rent one, but I insisted on wearing this. I want to show at least a little filial piety."-->

<!--"My father chose this dress for my mother. Hideki-san offered me to be a new one or rent one, but I insisted on wearing this. I want to show at least a little filial piety."-->

Эцко-сан приложила платье к себе.

Эцко-сан приложила платье к себе.

<!--I heard Etsuko-san whisper into her ear, "He's just shy," when Saki turned away from me.-->

<!--I heard Etsuko-san whisper into her ear, "He's just shy," when Saki turned away from me.-->

<!--''Please say such things hidden from me.''-->

<!--''Please say such things hidden from me.''-->

<!--Saki's fashion show continued for a while until Etsuko-san was satisfied, and then she went back to the other room to stow away the dress.-->

<!--Saki's fashion show continued for a while until Etsuko-san was satisfied, and then she went back to the other room to stow away the dress.-->

<!--Saki looked at me with an inquiring look. No, she wasn't asking for my impressions.-->

<!--Saki looked at me with an inquiring look. No, she wasn't asking for my impressions.-->

<!--I wanted to let her forget "that memory" whatever it was going to take. Saki was probably of the same mind.-->

<!--I wanted to let her forget "that memory" whatever it was going to take. Saki was probably of the same mind.-->

<!--Suddenly, I noticed something moving outside the window. I opened the curtain and took a look out of the window. Someone was peeking into the house from behind the wall. He quickly ducked, but it was already too late for him.-->

<!--Suddenly, I noticed something moving outside the window. I opened the curtain and took a look out of the window. Someone was peeking into the house from behind the wall. He quickly ducked, but it was already too late for him.-->

<!--"Who are you!"-->

<!--"Who are you!"-->

<!--"Tokiya?"-->

<!--"Tokiya?"-->

<!--He kept fleeing desperately. But I was faster. The distance between us gradually shrunk. I reached out. Just a little more. The man turned around to take a look behind—that moment his speed dropped slightly. My hand touched him.-->

<!--He kept fleeing desperately. But I was faster. The distance between us gradually shrunk. I reached out. Just a little more. The man turned around to take a look behind—that moment his speed dropped slightly. My hand touched him.-->

<!--I took a leap at him.-->

<!--I took a leap at him.-->

Я прыгнул на него.

Я прыгнул на него.

Мы упали на полной скорости и покатились по земле.

Мы упали на полной скорости и покатились по земле.

<!--"Hideki-san...?"-->

<!--"Hideki-san...?"-->

<!--"Could you get off me for starters?" he said, smiling wryly. Apparently he wasn't going to flee anymore.-->

<!--"Could you get off me for starters?" he said, smiling wryly. Apparently he wasn't going to flee anymore.-->

<!--For the time being, I decided to listen to him and got off him.-->

<!--For the time being, I decided to listen to him and got off him.-->

<!--Hideki-san stood up as he brushed off the stains from his suit. I followed suit.-->

<!--Hideki-san stood up as he brushed off the stains from his suit. I followed suit.-->

<!--"Oh boy, I used to be a marathon runner when I was young, but looks like I get too little exercise."-->

<!--"Oh boy, I used to be a marathon runner when I was young, but looks like I get too little exercise."-->

<!--"I was worried! Look, you know Etsuko-san. After hearing that story about buying off antiques, I suspected that you meant to deceive her. Since I couldn't shake of my worries, I came back to take a look. But watching you guys would have been like saying 'I don't trust you', so I watched from outside."-->

<!--"I was worried! Look, you know Etsuko-san. After hearing that story about buying off antiques, I suspected that you meant to deceive her. Since I couldn't shake of my worries, I came back to take a look. But watching you guys would have been like saying 'I don't trust you', so I watched from outside."-->

<!--Understanding what he wanted to say, I nodded.-->

<!--Understanding what he wanted to say, I nodded.-->

<!--From his perspective, it was only natural to be worried about her. All the more because he knew her well.-->

<!--From his perspective, it was only natural to be worried about her. All the more because he knew her well.-->

<!--"May I ask?"-->

<!--"May I ask?"-->

<!--''Maybe next time we should pose as employees from a second-hand shop who came for household utensils and electric appliances.''-->

<!--''Maybe next time we should pose as employees from a second-hand shop who came for household utensils and electric appliances.''-->

<!--"In other words, in her house there is something of value for our shop. It's something she has inherited from her mother, and..."-->

<!--"In other words, in her house there is something of value for our shop. It's something she has inherited from her mother, and..."-->

<!--"I had no idea what was going on when you rushed out all of a sudden! ...Hideki-san? Hideki-san was that suspicious character?"-->

<!--"I had no idea what was going on when you rushed out all of a sudden! ...Hideki-san? Hideki-san was that suspicious character?"-->

<!--"Suspicious character? Now don't exaggerate. Hideki-san was only watching what we were doing."-->

<!--"Suspicious character? Now don't exaggerate. Hideki-san was only watching what we were doing."-->

<!--"Really? On my way here I heard people talk about a suspicious character that has been lingering about again, so I was sure it was him."-->

<!--"Really? On my way here I heard people talk about a suspicious character that has been lingering about again, so I was sure it was him."-->

<!--"Aah, about that. Recently there have been reports of a suspicious character in these quarters. I haven't seen him myself, but according to our neighbors, he has been peeping at her house. But it's not me! He's said to be about fifty."-->

<!--"Aah, about that. Recently there have been reports of a suspicious character in these quarters. I haven't seen him myself, but according to our neighbors, he has been peeping at her house. But it's not me! He's said to be about fifty."-->

<!--A suspicious character peeping at Etsuko-san's house who's about fifty years old?-->

<!--A suspicious character peeping at Etsuko-san's house who's about fifty years old?-->

<!--"That man might be Etsuko-san's father."-->

<!--"That man might be Etsuko-san's father."-->

<!--"No, her father divorced and isn't around anymore. They haven't met in over ten years."-->

<!--"No, her father divorced and isn't around anymore. They haven't met in over ten years."-->

<!--I was going to ask why he knew, but of course he did. Hideki-san was her childhood friend and most likely knew her father in person.-->

<!--I was going to ask why he knew, but of course he did. Hideki-san was her childhood friend and most likely knew her father in person.-->

<!--I noticed another thing.-->

<!--I noticed another thing.-->

<!--It was not only Etsuko-san and her father who knew about what happened ten years ago. Hideki-san might know as well.-->

<!--It was not only Etsuko-san and her father who knew about what happened ten years ago. Hideki-san might know as well.-->

<!--But as a mere employee at an antique shop, I was not in the position to ask him about it.-->

<!--But as a mere employee at an antique shop, I was not in the position to ask him about it.-->

<!--To begin with, there was no time anyway.-->

<!--To begin with, there was no time anyway.-->

<!--"Saki, we're going back! Hideki-san, you too!"-->

<!--"Saki, we're going back! Hideki-san, you too!"-->

<!--Leaving behind only these words, I ran back to Etsuko-san's house without waiting for an answer.-->

<!--Leaving behind only these words, I ran back to Etsuko-san's house without waiting for an answer.-->

<!--But it was something I had been thinking the whole time. Ever since I realized that there was a connection between the ten-years old memory she wanted to forget and her mother's decease.-->

<!--But it was something I had been thinking the whole time. Ever since I realized that there was a connection between the ten-years old memory she wanted to forget and her mother's decease.-->

<!--If it was only an accident, there was no secret to hide.-->

<!--If it was only an accident, there was no secret to hide.-->

<!--But if Etsuko-san and Hideki-san's reunion had triggered something—-->

<!--But if Etsuko-san and Hideki-san's reunion had triggered something—-->

<!--If they shared a secret and their marriage was a thorn in her father's flesh, it would make sense if his action was triggered now.-->

<!--If they shared a secret and their marriage was a thorn in her father's flesh, it would make sense if his action was triggered now.-->

<!--But what was he going to do after such a long time? That was the question.-->

<!--But what was he going to do after such a long time? That was the question.-->

<!--"Aah, she was called out by phone and just left. She asked me to look after the house."-->

<!--"Aah, she was called out by phone and just left. She asked me to look after the house."-->

<!--"Look after the house?"-->

<!--"Look after the house?"-->

<!--I felt how my boiling blood cooled down after hearing that surprising answer.-->

<!--I felt how my boiling blood cooled down after hearing that surprising answer.-->

<!--"This is also his house, so why should he not be here?" Saki said.-->

<!--"This is also his house, so why should he not be here?" Saki said.-->

<!--"I actually came to give her the money I had set aside for her marriage, but she won't accept it. I'm going to hand it over to my father-in-law instead... Please convey my greetings to her. And also tell her that I won't bother her anymore."-->

<!--"I actually came to give her the money I had set aside for her marriage, but she won't accept it. I'm going to hand it over to my father-in-law instead... Please convey my greetings to her. And also tell her that I won't bother her anymore."-->

<!--"W-Wait a moment, please! Saki, go fetch Etsuko-san."-->

<!--"W-Wait a moment, please! Saki, go fetch Etsuko-san."-->

<!--"She's meeting Hideki-kun right now, so please don't disturb them."-->

<!--"She's meeting Hideki-kun right now, so please don't disturb them."-->

<!--"Huh?"-->

<!--"Huh?"-->

<!--What did he just say? —Hideki-san?-->

<!--What did he just say? —Hideki-san?-->

<!--"There was a call from him just now. Or do you not know Hideki-kun? He's her husband-to-be!"-->

<!--"There was a call from him just now. Or do you not know Hideki-kun? He's her husband-to-be!"-->

<!--"We know. But Hideki-san has been together with us until just now."-->

<!--"We know. But Hideki-san has been together with us until just now."-->

<!--Come to think of it, he hadn't come back here with us.-->

<!--Come to think of it, he hadn't come back here with us.-->

<!--''It's not only Etsuko-san and her father who know about what happened ten years ago. Hideki-san might know as well.''-->

<!--''It's not only Etsuko-san and her father who know about what happened ten years ago. Hideki-san might know as well.''-->

<!--''Why did I miss the possibility that was a step ahead from there?''-->

<!--''Why did I miss the possibility that was a step ahead from there?''-->

<!--The possibility that Hideki-san, her childhood friend, was involved in the incident.-->

<!--The possibility that Hideki-san, her childhood friend, was involved in the incident.-->

<!--"I'm sorry, but please tell us if you know what happened ten years ago." -->

<!--"I'm sorry, but please tell us if you know what happened ten years ago." -->

<!--"She said that Hideki-kun had pushed her mother down."-->

<!--"She said that Hideki-kun had pushed her mother down."-->

<!--Etsuko-san witnessed ten years ago how Hideki-san killed her mother. But her father didn't believe her. No one believed her.-->

<!--Etsuko-san witnessed ten years ago how Hideki-san killed her mother. But her father didn't believe her. No one believed her.-->

<!--Because she didn't trust her own memory, she wrote the truth down in the Relic and ate it to make sure she wouldn't forget. I don't know why she ate it. Either to make herself remember, or to hide it.-->

<!--Because she didn't trust her own memory, she wrote the truth down in the Relic and ate it to make sure she wouldn't forget. I don't know why she ate it. Either to make herself remember, or to hide it.-->

<!--However, she met Hideki-san again.-->

<!--However, she met Hideki-san again.-->

<!--She met him again without knowing who he was—and fell in love.-->

<!--She met him again without knowing who he was—and fell in love.-->

<!--Therefore, she wanted to forget the truth about her mother's death. She wanted to forget that the man she loved had killed her mother.-->

<!--Therefore, she wanted to forget the truth about her mother's death. She wanted to forget that the man she loved had killed her mother.-->

<!--While she was forgetful and a scatterbrain, her long-term memory seemed just fine. Everything she had forgotten was quite normal.-->

<!--While she was forgetful and a scatterbrain, her long-term memory seemed just fine. Everything she had forgotten was quite normal.-->

<!--I don't remember how long my record of forgetting things in elementary school was, either. I don't remember what I ate a week ago. But she considered forgetting such things ''strange''.-->

<!--I don't remember how long my record of forgetting things in elementary school was, either. I don't remember what I ate a week ago. But she considered forgetting such things ''strange''.-->

<!--She had no confidence in her memory... no, she was obsessed with thinking so.-->

<!--She had no confidence in her memory... no, she was obsessed with thinking so.-->

<!--"...It's like you said. Her memory is operating perfectly fine! She has only suffered from a loss of memory, but her memory itself remained undamaged. Sure, she's very forgetful and has trouble remembering faces, but there's no big difference from others. The doctor also confirmed that there was no problem to her brain."-->

<!--"...It's like you said. Her memory is operating perfectly fine! She has only suffered from a loss of memory, but her memory itself remained undamaged. Sure, she's very forgetful and has trouble remembering faces, but there's no big difference from others. The doctor also confirmed that there was no problem to her brain."-->

<!--"Then why is it that she thinks so about herself...?"-->

<!--"Then why is it that she thinks so about herself...?"-->

<!--—'Who are you?'-->

<!--—'Who are you?'-->

<!--Most likely her memories were only a little mixed up. She recognized her shortly after. But this didn't deaden the shock my wife had gotten. From the fact that Etsuko had lost memories of her past, she arrived at the idea that Etsuko's memory had gotten defective. Therefore, she tried to make her remember more than necessary. Because of that, Etsuko also started to believe that her memory were defective. No matter how much I told her otherwise, she just wouldn't believe me."-->

<!--Most likely her memories were only a little mixed up. She recognized her shortly after. But this didn't deaden the shock my wife had gotten. From the fact that Etsuko had lost memories of her past, she arrived at the idea that Etsuko's memory had gotten defective. Therefore, she tried to make her remember more than necessary. Because of that, Etsuko also started to believe that her memory were defective. No matter how much I told her otherwise, she just wouldn't believe me."-->

<!--"Mm, she left in a hurry, you know. But I think she wrote a memo...?"-->

<!--"Mm, she left in a hurry, you know. But I think she wrote a memo...?"-->

<!--I went to the phone.-->

<!--I went to the phone.-->

<!--Next to the phone was a notepad and a pen. A rather thick notepad. She had most likely the habit of taking notes, since she had no confidence in her memory. It may go without saying, but the memo where she had noted the meeting point had been torn off.-->

<!--Next to the phone was a notepad and a pen. A rather thick notepad. She had most likely the habit of taking notes, since she had no confidence in her memory. It may go without saying, but the memo where she had noted the meeting point had been torn off.-->

<!--But it was still there. The meeting place was still written there.-->

<!--But it was still there. The meeting place was still written there.-->

Но он все еще был здесь. Пункт назначения все еще был написан здесь.

Но он все еще был здесь. Пункт назначения все еще был написан здесь.

<!--"......"-->

<!--"......"-->

<!--Because several letters overlapped each other, it looked only like a pattern that couldn't be read at all or that could be read as anything.-->

<!--Because several letters overlapped each other, it looked only like a pattern that couldn't be read at all or that could be read as anything.-->

<!--I sharpened my eyes and looked again at the memo. However, the more I tried, the more I failed to make sense of it.-->

<!--I sharpened my eyes and looked again at the memo. However, the more I tried, the more I failed to make sense of it.-->

<!--Etsuko-san and Hideki-san were facing each other.-->

<!--Etsuko-san and Hideki-san were facing each other.-->

<!--I don't know where this is.-->

<!--I don't know where this is.-->

<!--Etsuko-san was standing with her back to a fence, and Hideki-san was standing in front of her.-->

<!--Etsuko-san was standing with her back to a fence, and Hideki-san was standing in front of her.-->

<!--I was watching this scene from afar. To be more exact, it was like looking down from a higher building at the roof of a lower building.-->

<!--I was watching this scene from afar. To be more exact, it was like looking down from a higher building at the roof of a lower building.-->

<!--Etsuko-san was shaking her head.-->

<!--Etsuko-san was shaking her head.-->

<!--I couldn't make out her expression. I could only see her back. Most likely she was appealing to him, but I couldn't understand what she said.-->

<!--I couldn't make out her expression. I could only see her back. Most likely she was appealing to him, but I couldn't understand what she said.-->

<!--Hideki-san slowly approached her.-->

<!--Hideki-san slowly approached her.-->

<!--She took a step back but had to stop because she bumped against the fence.-->

<!--She took a step back but had to stop because she bumped against the fence.-->

<!--Behind the fence was nothing.-->

<!--Behind the fence was nothing.-->

<!--My field of vision moved downward.-->

<!--My field of vision moved downward.-->

<!--Below the fence was a wall with windows. There were a lot of window glasses that were neatly arranged in a regular interval. An apartment house? No. There was a round clock on the wall.-->

<!--Below the fence was a wall with windows. There were a lot of window glasses that were neatly arranged in a regular interval. An apartment house? No. There was a round clock on the wall.-->

<!--My field of vision moved back up.-->

<!--My field of vision moved back up.-->

<!--At the same time, Etsuko-san bent back and was pushed over the fence.-->

<!--At the same time, Etsuko-san bent back and was pushed over the fence.-->

<!--The future my artificial right eye—a Relic named "Vision"—had shown me, was the worst that could happen.-->

<!--The future my artificial right eye—a Relic named "Vision"—had shown me, was the worst that could happen.-->

<!--"What's wrong?"-->

<!--"What's wrong?"-->

<!--I was about to say ''killed'', but I held myself back. I couldn't say this in front of her father. But Saki had apparently guessed.-->

<!--I was about to say ''killed'', but I held myself back. I couldn't say this in front of her father. But Saki had apparently guessed.-->

<!--"Where is she?" she asked.-->

<!--"Where is she?" she asked.-->

<!--The place "Vision" had shown to me was no doubt a roof of a school.-->

<!--The place "Vision" had shown to me was no doubt a roof of a school.-->

<!--Etsuko-san was going to be pushed off the roof by Hideki-san.-->

<!--Etsuko-san was going to be pushed off the roof by Hideki-san.-->

<!--I looked at the clock. The time was 18:45. The time I had read off the clock at the school was a few minutes before 19:00.-->

<!--I looked at the clock. The time was 18:45. The time I had read off the clock at the school was a few minutes before 19:00.-->

<!--Saki was probably unable to keep up with me and still underway. But I couldn't wait for her.-->

<!--Saki was probably unable to keep up with me and still underway. But I couldn't wait for her.-->

<!--This school consisted of two buildings with a courtyard in between. The buildings were marked as "Building A" and "Building B". Nearly all window glasses were already broken and the courtyard was covered by a cloud of dust, indicating the age of the school. The doors had been broken off, too, destroyed by someone thoughtless. This made it easy to advance into the buildings.-->

<!--This school consisted of two buildings with a courtyard in between. The buildings were marked as "Building A" and "Building B". Nearly all window glasses were already broken and the courtyard was covered by a cloud of dust, indicating the age of the school. The doors had been broken off, too, destroyed by someone thoughtless. This made it easy to advance into the buildings.-->

<!--According to "Vision", they were on the roof.-->

<!--According to "Vision", they were on the roof.-->

<!--The question was on which.-->

<!--The question was on which.-->

<!--However, both of them looked the same, making it hard to determine which one "Vision" had shown to me.-->

<!--However, both of them looked the same, making it hard to determine which one "Vision" had shown to me.-->

<!--They were only connected at the first floor, so I would have to go all the way down to the first floor if I picked the wrong one.-->

<!--They were only connected at the first floor, so I would have to go all the way down to the first floor if I picked the wrong one.-->

<!--The building "Vision" had shown to me had a fence, windows and a clock.-->

<!--The building "Vision" had shown to me had a fence, windows and a clock.-->

<!--But those existed on both buildings.-->

<!--But those existed on both buildings.-->

<!--I compared the two school buildings like one of those "Spot The Difference" games-->.<!-- Do they have a name? I know they're known as "Fehlerbild" in German, but found no translation that made sense. -->

<!--I compared the two school buildings like one of those "Spot The Difference" games-->.<!-- Do they have a name? I know they're known as "Fehlerbild" in German, but found no translation that made sense. -->

<!--But I didn't find out which it was.-->

<!--But I didn't find out which it was.-->

<!--If she had been here, we could have split into groups...!-->

<!--If she had been here, we could have split into groups...!-->

<!--A look at the clock revealed to me that it was soon 19:00.-->

<!--A look at the clock revealed to me that it was soon 19:00.-->

<!--Without a moment's hesitation, I selected the lower building—Building B—and entered it.-->

<!--Without a moment's hesitation, I selected the lower building—Building B—and entered it.-->

<!--There was no guarantee that it really was Building B.-->

<!--There was no guarantee that it really was Building B.-->

<!--My only reason was that in my vision, I had looked down from a higher building at a lower building. However, the only function "Vision" has is to show me someone's death. The perspective does not matter in any way. In other words, it was not sure if I had looked down from Building A at Building B.-->

<!--My only reason was that in my vision, I had looked down from a higher building at a lower building. However, the only function "Vision" has is to show me someone's death. The perspective does not matter in any way. In other words, it was not sure if I had looked down from Building A at Building B.-->

<!--However, right now I had nothing else to rely on.-->

<!--However, right now I had nothing else to rely on.-->

<!--The only thing I saw was Hideki-san's back and a figure that was disappearing beyond the fence.-->

<!--The only thing I saw was Hideki-san's back and a figure that was disappearing beyond the fence.-->

<!--Hideki-san turned around.-->

<!--Hideki-san turned around.-->

<!--His eyes were bloodshot and his breath was wild. In contrast to his absurdly heavily shivering lips, his eyes were widened so much he couldn't even wink anymore.-->

<!--His eyes were bloodshot and his breath was wild. In contrast to his absurdly heavily shivering lips, his eyes were widened so much he couldn't even wink anymore.-->

<!--He only required a few seconds to regain his composure after recognizing me.-->

<!--He only required a few seconds to regain his composure after recognizing me.-->

<!--By just that, he regained his composure.-->

<!--By just that, he regained his composure.-->

<!--Even though he had pushed down his wife-to-be, he regained his damn composure in a mere few seconds.-->

<!--Even though he had pushed down his wife-to-be, he regained his damn composure in a mere few seconds.-->

<!--"Why are you here?"-->

<!--"Why are you here?"-->

<!--Hideki-san widened his eyes even more. Had he thought I hadn't seen him?-->

<!--Hideki-san widened his eyes even more. Had he thought I hadn't seen him?-->

<!--"T-That's..."-->

<!--"T-That's..."-->

<!--Hideki-san nodded silently.-->

<!--Hideki-san nodded silently.-->

<!--"So you ''did'' kill her mother?"-->

<!--"So you ''did'' kill her mother?"-->

<!--He contorted his face because I had apparently opened an old wound.-->

<!--He contorted his face because I had apparently opened an old wound.-->

<!--"That was an accident. Just because Etsuko played with me before going home, she was beaten and locked in by that hag. I didn't know what she was so angry about. Etsuko was crying. Crying to let her out. Therefore, I tried to help her. When I did so, I got in a quarrel with her mother, and eventually she lost balance and... I was still a child and desperate to help Etsuko... It wasn't on purpose..."-->

<!--"That was an accident. Just because Etsuko played with me before going home, she was beaten and locked in by that hag. I didn't know what she was so angry about. Etsuko was crying. Crying to let her out. Therefore, I tried to help her. When I did so, I got in a quarrel with her mother, and eventually she lost balance and... I was still a child and desperate to help Etsuko... It wasn't on purpose..."-->

<!--To Etsuko-san's mother, keeping the diary was more important than playing. She wanted her daughter to write her diary even if it meant to lock her in. But to Hideki-san, this was of no importance. He only wanted to help his crying friend.-->

<!--To Etsuko-san's mother, keeping the diary was more important than playing. She wanted her daughter to write her diary even if it meant to lock her in. But to Hideki-san, this was of no importance. He only wanted to help his crying friend.-->

<!--But that didn't matter right now. Those regrets were completely insignificant.-->

<!--But that didn't matter right now. Those regrets were completely insignificant.-->

<!--...I experienced firsthand what 'applying the screws by degrees' means! I couldn't sleep in the same room like her anymore. I couldn't sleep because I was so afraid of what she might do to me. The decisive factor was that she got in touch with her father after ten years. I tried to convince myself that she did so for our wedding ceremony. But she kept denying it. Even though I asked her about it several times. I was sure they had a scheme. Every time I heard the rumor of a suspicious guy peeking at her house, I thought he was really observing my house. I lived in fear that he might break in, and didn't sleep a wink. I was at my limit."-->

<!--...I experienced firsthand what 'applying the screws by degrees' means! I couldn't sleep in the same room like her anymore. I couldn't sleep because I was so afraid of what she might do to me. The decisive factor was that she got in touch with her father after ten years. I tried to convince myself that she did so for our wedding ceremony. But she kept denying it. Even though I asked her about it several times. I was sure they had a scheme. Every time I heard the rumor of a suspicious guy peeking at her house, I thought he was really observing my house. I lived in fear that he might break in, and didn't sleep a wink. I was at my limit."-->

<!--"Therefore, you called her out to this roof and wanted to make things clear?"-->