ANIMT - Episodes 52-53

ANIMT - Chapter 52. Clover-patterned letter set

I Got An Extra Six Months of Life Expectancy, And Now It’s My Time

After the Cultural Festival, our class did not win the Best Class Award, but we did receive a Student Council Special Award from the student council president for our play, which was a hit. The president’s fans were crying with joy, but I did not share their enthusiasm. I could only receive the award with an, “Oh, thanks.” Well, I was grateful for the all-you-can-eat sweets coupon that I received as an extra prize.

I was rather happy that many of the audience survey responses said my Shiratama puppet was their favorite character in the play. I was also pleased to hear people saying that the puppet moved just like a real, live cat. The practice we put in really paid off!

Including the Sakura Survival event, it was a great cultural festival overall. I enjoyed every moment of it.

After a short breather, before I knew it, we had reached the end of November. It was time for the last magic mock battle of the school year.

This was the third time that teams would fight together, and Kitora and I had a tough time. Even so, we put up a good fight and ended up getting another fifth place in the rankings. The class members gave us the rather odd moniker of “the summed pair” (since the “three leaves” in my name and the “two trees” in his name make five in total).

Still, compared to the beginning of the year, my standing had improved wonderfully, which called for a celebration! When Kitora was not present at the start of the party, I assumed he was being a loner again, but he showed up after a few minutes. Surprisingly, he went the whole party without making a fuss.

Naturally, Kokomi’s high ranking remained unchallenged.

The days passed by at a dizzying pace, and it was now December, the month when the air stung my skin.

The only thing left to close out the school year was the final exam.

I have less than a month to live.

“Let’s see, I’m sure there’s something around here.”

Today was a holiday and I was busy in my dorm room rummaging around my study desk.

There were notebooks, vocabulary books, and other class material sprawled all over the desk, but I was not looking for textbooks or anything else to study for the test.

“There it is!”

I finally found it hiding near the back of the drawer. Pulling it out, I dusted it off: an ordinary, clover-patterned letter set. The kind that you could find sold almost anywhere.

With a small effort, I sat back down in my chair and pushed all of the study material out of the way. As I spun my pen, I gazed out of the window, looking for inspiration on what to write.

White, fluffy snowflakes fell from the sky, reminding me that winter had already arrived.

Naturally, I cast my mind back to the distant summer when I bought this letter set.

It was the day I went to see fireworks with my best friend, Kaede, during our summer vacation. We spent the morning shopping at a department store, and when I picked up this letter set, Kae-chan asked me who I was going to use it to communicate with. I think I gave her a vague smile in reply.

I couldn’t say.

This letter set is actually for…

“… How should I write this? Something like this… ?”

It would be hard for anyone to believe I bought this for the sole intention of writing a suicide note.

“Well… Let’s start by writing whatever comes to mind.”

Without thinking too deeply, I let the pen run as my thoughts went wild.

I started out by disclosing the fact that I had already died once and had my life expectancy extended by a cat-angel named Shirotama. This was something I had already decided I would disclose in my final letter.

I promised myself that I would not reveal my secret to anyone while I was alive. But after I died, I wanted my loved ones to know all about it.

I wanted them to know what kind of thoughts and feelings I, Mitsuba Nobana, had during these last six months.

However, I don’t want any reader to hate my killer, so I will adjust the truth a little. Instead of being pushed down the stairs, I will say that I slipped down them of my own accord.

I’m sure that Kitora, who was there during the Hiiragi Yukino incident, will know the truth, but I’m sure that he will understand my intentions. After all, we are partners. Well, on the other hand, I’m not sure he’ll believe such a fanciful story of being brought back to life by an angel.

After I finish writing that, I’m going to say my goodbyes and thank yous to all of the people I love.

My father, mother, brother Tsukushi, sister Tampopo, Kaede, Umetaro, Kokomi, and Kitora. For the time being, these people are absolutely indispensable to me. I really wish I could meet each one of them in person one last time, but that seems to be too difficult. Instead, I wrote a lot of individual letters.

In the end, I will put them all in envelopes and secretly leave them with Pochitaro right before my life is about to end. If it’s Pochitaro, he will be able to do it without Kusaka-sensei even knowing. I’m sure Pochitaro will deliver them to everyone after everything has calmed down, not immediately after I die. If he’s truly a super dog, I’m sure he’ll carry out my dying wish.

Normally, I would think, “What are you doing?” leaving your last words to a dog, but Pochitaro will make sure they get to where they need to.

After all, we’ve been through so much together. I trust him because of everything he’s done for me.

“Is it done now?”

I slowly reread the finished product under my study desk’s light.

The first half of the essay is a goodbye, and the second half is a farewell and thank you. It’s kind of terrible. My brain is a mess, and it’s reflected in the quality of the writing. This final letter leaves me deeply unsatisfied, and I don’t think I wrote even a third of what I wanted to say.

*Sigh*

I already knew this would happen after that time when I sent a love letter of sorts to Kitora. Kokomi delivered it by a spell, after convincing me that I could effectively communicate my feelings this way. All of that enthusiasm made me believe I was good at writing… but I’m not. With this letter as another piece of evidence, I can only wonder why my grades in Japanese are not terrible.

“It really would be best if I could just… ”

I wracked my brain and came to the conclusion that the only solution was to tell them by letter. Anything else was impossible. I collapsed on my desk, wondering how many times I would need to rewrite this.

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RW: askinkov90

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ANIMT - Chapter 53. With Mr. Umetaro

I Got An Extra Six Months of Life Expectancy, And Now It’s My Time

Sunday, the day before our test results would be returned. Sunday the day when winter break would officially begin. Sunday, the day that starts when the clock hits midnight. Sunday, the day that I’ll finally…

Up until now, I had planned to live my life to the fullest, even though I could feel the end approaching quickly. Living these finally days out as normally as I could, I just wanted to experience everyday life.

I didn’t long for anything special… I just wanted a perfectly normal life.

On the eve of the end, that Saturday, I planned to return to my hometown and go on a tour of memories and places… alone. I would visit my old schools that I hadn’t seen in a long time.

I wonder how my life will end? What will happen to my body? Maybe I’ll have a sudden heart attack, or die in a predestined accident. Or, maybe I’ll go out in a fantasy-like way, like turning into specs of light and disappear?

I don’t know, but because I don’t know, I don’t think I should allow any of my loved ones to see the moment of my death. I don’t want them to see something too gruesome.

If that’s the case, I think I’ll stay on my own for my last day, and right up to the last possible minute, I’ll laugh with everyone in a normal and peaceful way, just like I should. That way, everyone will remember me as the weedy girl who smiles cheerfully.

If I planted the memory of a smile in their minds, even Kitora would think back and never say I was ugly again. I’m still deeply attached to the image I had worked hard to cultivate… or maybe not.

I would have loved to stay with everyone until my last breath and say goodbye and thank you, but that’s just the way it has to be.

Well, with that in mind, I’m currently running the ‘Let’s Enjoy the Unchanging Everyday Life Campaign’ to great acclaim.

“After all, winter is all about warm red bean soup, isn’t it? As you would expect from Umetaro-san… this is exquisite in both sweetness and taste. It’s at the level where you should open a store and sell it!”

“Haha, I’m sure Mitsuba will be one of my regulars if that happens. I’ll start by thinking of a name for the store.”

The sky was tinged with madder red during our regular tea party. Umetaro-san, who was sitting at the dining table, watched over me with the same Buddha-like smile as always. Meanwhile, I was gushing over the red bean soup that filled my mouth with bliss.

The warmth and sweetness of the steam and the smell of the tatami mats caressed my nostrils. Everything about this room seemed to reflect the kindness of Umetaro-san, and further cemented in my mind that this is my number one spiritual healing spot.

I will definitely visit Umetaro-san’s place again before leaving, which had become an important part of my daily life. I am happy that I was able to do this and my visit had left me in a very good mood.

“Hmm, maybe something like Umeya? Sorry, I’m really not good at coming up with names.”

“It’s alright, Mitsuba-chan. Your lack of naming sense is just part of who you are.”

Umetaro-san said something that was both blunt and subtly awful.

“I heard that the Sakura Survival was named by the Headmaster. So maybe my sense of naming is better than yours after all.”

“Speaking of which, you just missed out. If Mitsuba had come just a little earlier, you would have met her.”

“Who? The headmaster?”

“Yes. She only stopped by for a short visit. She comes here every now and again to talk about various things. Maybe my room is like a refuge for women. They all seem to come here when they are in trouble, or worried, or stressed… ”

As Umetaro said this, his eyes narrowed as he smiled calmly.

“This time, she came to ask if I had any suggestions for making the contents of the magic-related tests more interesting. So, Mitsuba-chan, how are your studies progressing?”

“Good! I’m working harder than ever!”

“Haha. You did well in the last event, didn’t you?”

I nodded to Umetaro-san’s words as I sipped a cup of fragrant green tea to neutralize the sweetness on my tongue.

Yes, this truly was a cup of divinity. It inspired me to refocus on my studying.

… After resolving to do that, about fifteen minutes into my studies, Umetaro-san’s words, “If you want to take a break, come over here and have a sweet dessert,” popped into my head. So I closed my textbook and put it away. I came here to see him after all.

“Oh, and one more thing, miss. The headmaster asked me to… ”

“Sorry to interrupt, but that reminds me, Umetaro-san. You don’t have to refer to me with an honorific. You can use what you want, and I know it will be different in a formal setting, but we know each other well enough that I think you should call me by whatever you are most comfortable with.”

He stroked his white beard and said, “Oh, yeah?”

Umetaro-san, who was beaming, was somewhat cute and comforting.

“Well, miss, besides the coming test, I was also wondering when we should start accepting applications to change teams for the new school year?”

“Team change… ?”

“Yes. The school team system is designed to allow students to pair up or form a trio with the same members for the entire year, so it is possible to switch partners at the beginning of any school year. It is left up to the students to form their own relationships and to adjust and negotiate as necessary. However, the school accepts changes during the application period. It’s not easy to change members, especially after they have been together for a year, but provision is made as it’s not guaranteed that the classes members will remain the same. I think it’s a good idea to notify the students as soon as possible.”

“If you ask me, I don’t think it was explained to me at the beginning of my enrollment that changes can be made after a year… ”

“Every year, the situation is very different, but there are still some teams that submit applications. Well, it doesn’t matter to Mitsuba-chan, does it?”

“Huh?”

As I pick up a bean with my chopsticks and held it towards my mouth, Umetaro-san dropped a bomb in an even tone.

“Because Mitsuba-chan and Futaki-kun are a perfect pair, aren’t they? You wouldn’t want to switch partners, would you?”

“Gohu!”

I sobbed uncontrollably and profusely.

Out, out, out, out! This was a totally unsafe conversation in my current frame of mind.

I don’t know how applicable the expression ‘well-matched’ applies to us Umetaro-san!

“Oh, hey, are you okay? Should I get you some more tea?”

“Gohoho, oh, please… !”

After finishing my tea with a gulp, Umetaro stood up with the empty teapot in hand, looking at me. My shoulders still shook relentlessly.

As I watched him leave, holding my sore throat, I ruminated on the conversation we had earlier.

Yes, that’s right. He’s going to need a new partner. It was a natural consequence, but it still made me a little sad when I was forced to think about it.

I think that since Kitora is a good guy who is not honest and is often misunderstood. I should find him someone with a big heart who can understand his true character.

How about Kokomi? If his new partner is a girl, it’s possible for a romantic development to occur, and since she’s on her own right now, it’s perfect. They are both smart, so they should be compatible.

But they seem to fight a little too much. After the Sakura Survival, there seems to have been a slight increase in the number of skirmishes between them.

Kitora and Kokomi would make the strongest pair. I think the only one who could beat them would be Pochitaro, right?

If not Kokomi, then who else? Let’s see.

“Hmm.”

Thinking hard, I grumbled and rubbed my forehead.

The faces of my classmates, starting with boys, then the girls, whooshed through my mind. I didn’t really mind if he paired up with another person, but if possible, I would prefer he didn’t pair up with another girl.

At the end of the day though, as long as they were someone who understand him, it didn’t matter what sex they were though.

… Ah, but… I’m not sure if Kokomi is the right person for the role or not.

Male or female.

No matter which gender, even if it were someone I didn’t know, it would mean that they would be standing beside Kitora.

“What’s wrong, Mitsuba? Are you sick? Or is your throat sore?”

“Oh… ”

I fell so deep in the maze of my own thoughts that I didn’t notice that Umetaro had returned. Pulled out of my reverie by the sound of his concerned voice, I scrambled for a reason and settled on saying, “Nothing, I was just meditating.”

Umetaro-san responded with, “I see,” and offered me a cup of freshly brewed tea. I blew on it to cool it down and pondered for a moment before muttering something to myself.

“Ah, Umetaro-san. I just… answering your earlier… question… ”

“Hmm? Earlier… ?”

“Hah… You were the one that said Kitora and I were the best pair… I don’t think he’s going to switch partners.”

“Oh.”

Umetaro, who was a good judge of character, urged me to continue with a kind, but imploring look in his eyes.

I quietly put into words what I had been contemplating earlier.

“That’s the only thing that won’t change.”

“Certainly, I can’t see him changing partners.”

Even after I’m gone, this is the one thing I’m absolutely certain won’t change.

I replied with a big smile and a “Yes!”

In order to build an amicable relationship with him after this, I might meddle just a little bit with the time I have left to help him improve his lack of honesty.

With that kind of half-joking, half-serious positive thinking, we ended the conversation.

“Ah, but back to the subject. I would have liked to have seen Umetaro-san and Headmaster-san together, even if it was just once. I’d be interested to see how they talked to each other.”

“Me and the lady talking? Hmmm… but my personality changes a little in front of the lady… or maybe it’s because I’m a little different than I usually am. If Mitsuba had seen me with her earlier, it might have startled her.”

“What? How are you different? Do you become tongue-tied or stern or does ‘Black Plum’ (Black Umetaro-san) descend?”

“Haha. It’s just that I’m a bit reserved in her presence. I’ve accompanied her for a long time, and I’ve developed a strong nature in order to keep up with her wildness.”

“I see. I’d love to see this new side of you, Umetaro-san, if I ever get the chance.”

Our tea party continued until the sun had completely set.

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Chapter brought to you by The Patrons.

RW: askinkov90

ED: Purplemen101

QC: Message us on Discord if you want to join us

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