Volume 2 Chapter 28

Volume 2 + Chapter 28: [Hatsuka Route] Don’t “Die”, Dawn

[So scared, so terrifying. Someone, please help me.  

I entered the hospital room where only Mom was. Even breathing felt heavy.  

Though the room was brightly lit, there was an eerie sensation of gloom and darkness.  

Yuu.  

I called her name in my heart, trying to muster up courage this way.  

But not only did it fail, it also brought back many of the harsh words she had said.  

[“Hatsuka, whether your mother survives depends on how you perform next.”]  

[“If you fail to ignite her will to live, then forget about learning how to use the Spirit’s power. Because if the person you want to show it to is already dead, what meaning is there in learning it?”]  

My mind was filled with the cold expression and icy look Yuu had worn when she said those words.  

Those dark red eyes that used to remind me of “love” now seemed bloodthirsty and terrifying.  

And the chill in her pupils, as if the blood in my body would freeze solid,it all felt so unfamiliar and alarming.  

“Die.”  

I still couldn’t fully grasp the meaning of this word.  

But everyone who came into contact with “death” seemed to suffer greatly.  

The despairing emotions people showed because of “death,” the heavy air around them, the heart-wrenching cries and anguished faces, they all made me deeply dislike and detest it.  

Seeing them like that always made my heart feel heavy.  

It was impossible to feel happy at all.  

So even though I didn’t understand the meaning of “death,” I still hated it.  

Those who “died” were put into a box, never to be seen again.  

Even though they looked like they were asleep, there was a feeling they would never wake up.  

I hated that.  

If Mom “died,” what would Dad do? What would I do?  

I haven’t yet seen the beautiful smile Mom had before I was born.  

I haven’t yet seen Mom “healed” from her illness, returning to the way she was when she was carrying me, the Mom who looked so warm, so gentle.  

And yet, without showing me any of that, was Mom going to “die”?  

Was she going to stay inside a box forever, beyond my sight and reach?  

I don’t want that.  

[“It’s such a wonderful thing that such a wonderful Hatsuka was born.”]  

[“Let’s make Hatsuka’s mother realize that too, shall we?”]  

Yuu’s words echoed in my mind again.  

Mom always loved me,that’s what Dad told me, and what I always believed.  

Because when she was carrying me, Mom looked so happy, so eager for my birth.  

If she doesn’t like me now, it’s only because she’s “sick.”  

And I am going to help Mom defeat her “illness.”  

So saying those words is necessary.  

I could feel my body trembling.  

But I clenched my teeth and gripped my hands tightly.  

Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid.  

Tears kept streaming down. I stared at Mom with her eyes closed.  

Trembling, step by step, I approached her.  

Mom is just “sick.” Mom needs your help right now.  

Don’t be afraid, Hatsuka.  

My fists were clenched so tight I could no longer feel the touch of my hands.  

The next instant, I suddenly saw Mom silently open her eyes. I let out a brief, involuntary shriek.  

I covered my mouth and immediately suppressed the urge to scream in panic.  

I stared intently at Mom, at those eyes that seemed utterly devoid of emotion.  

Those purple eyes, just like mine, looked so terrifying.  

But don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid.  

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Just as I had practiced with Yuu…

Loudly!  

Forcefully!  

Shout it out!  

[Why did I let you see me? It’s because I wanted you to see who took away your “Spirit,” Mom!!!]  

I shouted it out well, but it seemed like I was missing some words.  

My mind couldn’t recall them clearly.  

I opened my eyes, blurred with tears. Where Mom was, everything had blurred into a shape that couldn’t even hold a human form.  

My nose was so sore.  

The ache made tears fall quickly, but I had no spare moment to wipe them away.  

I continued shouting toward Mom.

[Why was I born? Because… Only because I was born! Could I take away your “Spirit,” Mom!!]  

Ah, it hurts so much.  

When will this end?  

When will Mom’s “illness” get better?  

My heart felt as if it were being twisted and squeezed by someone.  

So painful, so agonizing.  

But I had to keep shouting,  

[It would be better if I died, or something… I! WON’T! DO IT! Because even if I die! Mom’s “Spirit” won’t go back to Mom!]  

Earlier today, Yuu had spread her arms wide and shouted “I won’t do it” with such force, it left a deep impression on me.  

I thought how amazing Yuu was to be able to shout those words so frankly.  

Just moments ago, I had felt so tired, so eager for this to end quickly.  

Yet somehow, strength welled up in my heart again.  

Though my body still trembled, I no longer needed to close my eyes to shout.  

Finally, I could look properly at Mom.  

[Why did you give birth to such a monster like me? It’s simply because I am more loved by the “Spirit” than you are, Mom…….]  

I was running out of breath. I lowered my head and panted.  

Speaking in fragments, I didn’t know if Mom could hear me clearly.  

After a short rest, I felt I could shout again.  

I raised my head, took a deep breath, and shouted once more with a loud voice. 

[Why hasn’t this happened to anyone else? Why only Mom? It’s because,their! children! are! not! as! amazing! as! me!!!!!!  

Shouting louder than ever before, I cried out.  

[Why… Don’t I just die? It’s because… I don’t want to…]  

I stumbled forward a few steps, unsteady, and collapsed onto the cold floor.  

With a voice that could no longer shout loudly, I continued, my heart aching,  

[I don’t want to… take the power I stole from Mom, without properly proving to you… why the “Spirit” chose me… sob…]  

[And just… die like that…..]  

So, Mom, you too…  

Don’t die!  

Unable to bear it any longer, I collapsed onto the ground and wept bitterly. I hadn’t cried like this since I became aware of the world.  

I didn’t know why I could cry so loudly, nor why I felt such intense grief and pain.  

Suddenly, I felt myself being lifted into someone’s arms.  

Only after being held close did I realize Dad had come in and picked me up.  

Yuu, did I do well enough?  

Looking at Yuu standing outside the open door, unable to make out her expression, my vision blurred with tears again, and I closed my eyes.  

Did I succeed in helping Mom defeat her “illness”?  

I could no longer turn the voice of my heart into words to reach Yuu.  

All I knew was that tears kept flowing uncontrollably, and I just wanted to cry properly in Dad’s warm embrace.

,,,,,,  

The man was silent, simply meeting my gaze.  

As if not knowing what to say, he just looked at me.  

The clear black eyes I had seen last time were now tinged with red veins.  

[Aren’t you going to open the door a little?]  

I broke the silence first.  

Even though the man looked deeply dispirited, I felt no pity for people like him.  

It’s precisely because of unreliable parents like you that children so young have to bear things they shouldn’t have to at their age.  

These words shouldn’t be heard only by the mother.  

The one who let this situation happen and allowed it to develop to the point where we ended up here was this man before me!  

He should hear them too!  

Let him realize how much he has failed his own child!  

Let this incompetent father listen well!  

I watched coldly as the man obediently opened the door a crack. He looked at me again, as if asking what else I wanted.  

But there was no need for me to speak anymore.  

Because Hatsuka had already begun the “real performance.”  

[Why…]  

Hatsuka’s voice was even louder than during practice.  

Her emotion, her pauses, everything was outstanding.  

Well done, Hatsuka!  

Delighted for Hatsuka in my heart, I broke into a smile.  

Because she carried the will of “desperation,” because she was filled with such fear, because she recognized how important her mother was…

Hatsuka had achieved something beyond even my expectations! Far more remarkable than I could have imagined!  

Looking at the man’s dazed eyes, I smiled sardonically.  

An “adult” who can do anything, yet so “weak.”  

A “child” who can do nothing yet, yet so “strong.”  

Is this not shameful?  

He needs his eight-year-old daughter to solve this!  

All he knows is cowardly escape!  

Pretending to be “strong” while bearing the consequences of losing his beloved!  

Have you ever tried?  

Have you ever racked your brains to think of a way?  

When you couldn’t figure it out yourself, did you seek help from others?  

Did you search desperately, racing against time, with all your might?  

Even when you were so frustrated you couldn’t find a solution, did you force yourself to keep thinking?  

If one person’s strength isn’t enough, then use ten people’s strength.  

If ten people’s strength isn’t enough, then use a hundred people’s strength.  

If that still isn’t enough, then seek the strength of even more people!  

It’s true that when someone has a death wish, it’s hard to cure them!  

But even if it’s harder than reaching the heavens, you still have to try!  

Heaven does not fail those who put their hearts into it, so where is your heart?  

Pushing too hard.  

My thoughts right now are indeed pushing too hard, and I’m venting my anger at Hatsuka’s father.  

But rather than forcing an adult, I hate forcing a child even more.  

And yet I still forced Hatsuka to do this.  

Simply because children have so few “possessions.”  

So compared to adults who “have” so much, children have a greater gambler’s resolve and determination.  

And also simply because I myself am just a child, I can only influence another child like Hatsuka.  

For just these two reasons, I decided to have Hatsuka do this.  

This most important, yet most painful task.  

Hatsuka fulfilled her mission admirably.  

Now it is this man’s turn to fulfill his.  

[Hey, have you shown Hatsuka photos of her as a baby?]  

I kicked the man’s shoe and asked.  

The man, who had already taken off his glasses and was covering his tearful eyes, silently nodded.  

[Hatsuka’s mother’s parents, they’re both gone, aren’t they?]  

The man wiped his tears with his sleeve and nodded.  

[Tomorrow, show Hatsuka’s mother everything, photos of how Hatsuka grew up, videos, everything. Show it all to her. Understood?]  

I spoke to the man in a commanding tone. He opened his reddened eyes, looked at me, and nodded.  

[Good, as long as you understand. Now it’s time for you to go in and hold your daughter.]  

I lightly kicked the man’s shin with the tip of my toe. Without a word, he opened the door, went in, and picked up Hatsuka, who was crying on the floor.  

As for Hatsuka’s mother, sitting on the bed hugging her knees and apparently also crying, I couldn’t see her face clearly.  

But the effect seemed good.  

Seeing Hatsuka, crying her eyes out, looking over in my direction, I smiled and praised her in my heart.  

Well done, Hatsuka.

[Translator’s Note: Please join the Gravity Tales’ Discord Server, if you want to hang out.]

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