Chapter 35
[The letter abruptly ended, followed by the hospital’s address and contact number.]
[You touch the two crumpled spots in the center of the white letter paper, which are traces of dried tears. Shocked by the contents of the letter, you fold it up, trembling, and carefully place it back into the envelope.]
[The sun climbed higher, a few snowflakes fell from the branches of the trees, and the wind lifted them, hurling them against the fence.]
[You went to see Yumemi Miu, the daughter of Asano Nao. She was even more fragile than you had imagined. You used your connections to transfer her to Misaki University Hospital for further diagnosis and invited renowned Western doctors to discuss her condition. You could only slightly alleviate her pain.]
[Asano Nao’s body was found at her home in Yori Village, Yuhibi Prefecture. You and Chitose Kazumi held a funeral for her, attended by just the two of you.]
[Regarding Yumemi Miu, Asano Nao thought she had kept it a secret from Chitose Kazumi. In fact, Chitose Kazumi had long suspected it. Chitose Kazumi didn’t expect that her intentional neglect would lead to such a result. She apologized to you, but you were unwilling to mention the past anymore.]
[Chitose Kazumi transferred her guilt to Yumemi Miu, visiting Miu whenever she had free time, sometimes even bringing her daughter, Touka. You visited the hospital room once a week. Yumemi Miu’s body could no longer play wind instruments, so you taught her to play the electronic keyboard and the guitar.]
[You and Kazumi didn’t tell the two children about the contents of the letter. Yumemi Miu’s fragile heart couldn’t withstand too much shock. To prevent Miu from doubting your feelings for her, you claimed that Asano Nao was a friend of yours.]
[You lived to ninety years old, nine years beyond the average male lifespan. Yumemi Miu died at sixty-one, twenty-six years short of the average female lifespan.]