chapter 3

Onee-chan.

Uu

Onee-chan!

Mm?

Slowly opening my heavy eyelids, my younger sister fills my vision. I raise my back from the seat and look around to see that we have reached our destination. Since we are travelling far by car, it seems I ended up sleeping before I knew it.

I open the door and step outside to stretch my body that is stiff from sitting too much. At the same time, I take a deep breath. Then I slowly breath out as I look at the scenery around me once again.

I see weve arrived.

Haa~ Im so tired.

Getting out from the drivers seat, my mother staggers as she walks next to me. She must be tired from driving a long distance, she looks pale with fatigue.

I think our luggage hasnt arrived yet, so lets take a break!

Agreed~! Im tired from sitting in the car for the whole time.

Looking at my sister who is scrambling to be the first one to enter our new house, my mother and I made a wry smile. I find our family name [Hayase] engraved at the nameplate by the front door, and it finally hits that this place has become our new home.

Hinata~ would you ma.s.sage my shoulder later? It hurts so much.

Sure, but can I take a walk around the town first?

Dont go crying if you get lost, okay?

Ill be okay, I have my cellphone.

I take out my cellphone and show it to my mother. If I get lost, I can look up the internet for a map. If that doesnt help, then I can just use it to contact someone.

Alright then. Take care, though.

Oky.

I wait for my mother to enter our new home, then I go for a walk.

People are born, and death will eventually come. It may come earlier for some, and latter for others, but everyone shares the same, unavoidable fate.

When I had been in my 3rd year of high school, I had thought that [death] was something far away. But on the contrary, it came so soon for me.

Right, I have departed from this world once. But for some reason, I am back living again in this world. Although, since I have a different appearance and name now, perhaps its more appropriate to say that I have reincarnated. However I can clearly remember my memories from before I died.

I dont know how or why I get to keep the memories of my past life when I reincarnated. What I do know is, that I have been living my second life uneventfully.

(This is so nostalgic.)

As I walk leisurely, I look at the landscape of the town. Every time I see a familiar scenery, I feel my chest tighten. Its strange how it feels both warm and cold at the same time.

I have come to this town for the first time in my life. But, its not my first time, either. The previous me had lived in this town for eighteen years before I died, so its natural for me know this town well. I smile wryly at the contradiction, as I look around this nostalgic town.

(So, its been 16 years since then.)

I come to realize how long its been since I died before, and I am hit by the fact that time flows really fast.

I was in my second mothers womb right after the previous me died, and I was born several months after. I started having my own awareness when I was a kindergartner, and that is when I recalled the memories of my past life. Either way, I have been living my life normally.

(Although, I never thought that I would come to this town again)

The place where I lived is far from the town where the previous me lived, so I couldnt do it. No, I could have come here if I wanted to. But I didnt, because I was terrified.

The me who had been living in this town is already dead. I was terrified to meet someone I know-it ached me to. Although, its also true that I was also curious to know what happened after I died. I never thought that I would be moving here because of my mothers work, I wouldnt even dream of it.

(I wonder, is everyone doing well?)

Are Father and Mother healthy? How is my crybaby sister doing when shes grown up? What kind of careers are my dear friends taking? And what about

What should I do if I meet her? I am [me] now, and I am no longer the [previous me]. There is nothing I can do about it. I dont have the rights, either. The only thing I need to do now is to live my current life to the fullest, isnt it?

(Lets go home.)

Its about time for our luggage to arrive, and Ive got to help organize them. I turn back my heel, retracing from the way I

(Eh)

I see a familiar person standing there.

My heart takes a leap, a cold sweat is coursing along my cheek, and my head goes blank. My mouth trembles, I cant even breathe properly.

(C-calm down, me!)

I strain my eyes to look at her, and I am certain that they look alike. But, the one I am looking at is a young girl that looks the same age as me. Sixteen years have pa.s.sed since then, so she should be close to thirty years old now. Thats why, I am mistaking her for someone else, that girl cannot be her. Telling that to myself, I calm my pounding heart.

Um.

Eeeep!

Being called at all of a sudden makes my calm heart take another leap. I made such a scene from my surprise that I end up startling the young girl in front of me as well. She is making such a frightened face that she looks pitiful.

I-Im sorry for calling out to you all of a sudden I must have scared you.

It, i-i-i-its okay.

To calm myself, I take a deep breath repeatedly and adjust my breathing.

Yosh. As a result, I have managed to somewhat regain my presence of mind. Starting anew, I look towards the young girl who called at me.

(Uh.)

Like I thought, they look alike. I know that this girl isnt her, but I cant keep my heart from pounding faster. It feels so nostalgic that I can feel the corner of my eyes heating upNo, no. I seriously need to calm down.

C-c-can I help you?

Putting on a stiff smile, I try to answer in a natural way to avoid making her wary of me. But in reality, my face is cramping and my voice has broken into a falsetto. I am acting so suspiciously, but still, Ive tried my best.

She gives me a strange look for a while, but then she holds out something in her hand to me.

?

Here, I am wondering if this is yours.

Ah

Certainly, the plain handkerchief that is lying on the palm of her hand is mine. I must have dropped it when I was loitering around while looking at the scenery. Then, she noticed it by chance and picked it up for me.

Yes, its mine. Thank you for picking it up.

Dont mention it. I did nothing much.

Said the girl as she gives me a sweet smile.

Um?

She must be finding it weird because I am looking at her without saying anything. She gives me a strange look as she tilts her head.

Oops, this wont do. Ive been staring at her too much.

Sorry, you look like someone I know.

I see. Its all right, please dont worry about it.

Oh yeah, as thanks for picking it up for me well, its rough around the edges. But, please have some if youd like.

I produce a pouch from my pocket and present it to her.

Aww you dont have to.

I made it myself, so I dont know if itll suit to your tastes. Although, itll make me happy if youd eat them.

Its what I made before we departedcookies to fill our tummies when we feel hungry.

Wow you made it yourself? Youre amazing.

Nah, baking cookies is pretty simple. Its nothing that amazing.

Fufu thank you very much. Ill be eating them plenty.

Yup. Then, thank you very much for returning my handkerchief.

I should be the one thanking you for the cookies. Thank you.

She politely bows, then she turns and walks away. Her back overlaps with the sight of my childhood friend, and I end up watching her until she is gone from view.

Hm they look really similar, except for their personalities.

At least, the girl that I know isnt that polite, shed never smile so gently, either. I wonder is she in this town right now? Does she smile like that girl did? Is she leading a happy life?

(I dont even have the right to pray for those things.)

I open my hand, which I had clenched before I knew it. Its damp with sweat.

(I should go home.)

I swing my head to drop my thoughts about it. I start walking home, as if Im running away from something that I cant see.

Today, I am living in this town again.

Its a town full of memories from when I was called with a different name. But this time, I am here as someone else entirely. I dont know what kind of action I should take.

Since the present mefrom the time the girl named [Hayase Hinata] was born, this is the moment when I truly start living my life.