Takumi
It's stuffy in here...
That's what happens when no one's around.
Let's open the windows for a bit.
Yeah.
Okay then, let's divide and conquer.
Yeah.
I'll go through the clothes.
You handle the everyday items.
We'll take any paperwork home and sort it out later.
'Kay.
Can I take back my favorite dishware?
Of course.
We can always rent some storage if it doesn't fit in the cabinets at home.
Take your time.
Don't force yourself to get rid of stuff.
I don't have that much stuff.
Well, shall we get to work?
'Kay.
I should get started.
Journal with Witch
Episode 3\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hDiscard
What the...? No way!
What's up?
I mean, look.
Oh, that's mom's.
I tried it on once too.
What?
You didn't keep your school uniform?
I threw it out the day after graduation.
What? Wow.
I didn't think she was the type to hold on to memories.
That's not the person I remember.
What on earth are you wearing?
So weird.
She never would've worn this before.
Due next week
The "next week" that was supposed to come.
The hand towel hung out for a quick dry.
Plants waiting to be watered.
Books to be returned.
Undergarments and glasses never meant to be touched by anyone else.
Now, it all just vanishes into thin air...
What? Mom's clothes wouldn't look good on me!
Never you mind that. Here.
See? The sleeves are too long.
We can get it altered.
You may even grow into it.
Looks like the collar is removable.
Maybe you can get an embroidered one instead of that fur piece.
It's not too old-looking?
It looks nice.
It'll suit you in no time.
You should have something to remember her by.
Look who's holding on now, huh?
That's not it. I'm just—
I thought we'd be done by now.
I figure it'll take a week at the least.
Huh? But what about your work?
I've already sorted it out with my editor.
Are you taking that back?
Oh, yeah.
I don't have any red dishware at my place.
It's perfect.
We'll know it's yours at a glance.
I found something in the fridge.
I always liked these. Can we take them back?
Pickles, huh?
Our mom used to make those.
You mean Grandma?
Yeah.
No wonder.
Mom makes them all the time too.
Wait...
I just used the present tense.
For Mom, I mean.
Weird...
Have you learned about past participles yet?
Huh? Uh, er... I have.
Then how about the present progressive?
I'm not sure.
Let's say you're reading a book.
One you haven't finished yet.
You don't simply say "I am reading this book."
Your past self, your present self,
and your future self are all part of the action.
They all exist on the same plane.
"I have been reading this book." That's how you express this.
So right now...
"You have been thinking of them."
It's ongoing.
There's no need to force an end to that process.
You always talk about Mom in the past tense.
The past perfect.
Makio-chan...
Don't you hate when I talk about Mom?
Like I said before,
how you feel is no one's business but yours.
No one has the right to shame you for it.
No matter what.
As long as it doesn't go against the laws of humanity, I guess.
The laws of humanity?
These are vinegar-based, so they should still be good.
We can mince them up to top some sashimi or make scattered sushi.
Really? That sounds great!
Get some rest if you need it.
You wouldn't want to accidentally throw anything out you don't mean to.
Huh?
I'm okay.
I'll go sort through my room.
Goodbye.
One thing at a time, their existence fades.
It feels unreal...
how little I'm sad about it.
You sure you're okay by yourself?
Yup. I'm off!
What was that for?
Since it's your big day, I guess.
What do you want for dinner?
Pizza!
Maybe I should have gotten a better shot...
Graduation Ceremony
Are you coming to graduation tomorrow?
Shoot, I totally forgot. I almost threw away my uniform
Seriously? Lol
Thanks
Can we talk before the ceremony tomorrow?
I'll be waiting by the shoe lockers
Asa!
Emiri?
What's wrong?
Asa, I...
Takumi-san.
Come with me to the faculty office.
Okay.
Asa, I... I...
Nara-san, that can wait.
No, it can't! I have to tell her now!
I told my mom...
Then she called the teacher without asking.
They told everyone through the phone tree.
About your parents...
I'm sorry, Asa.
I'm so sorry.
We tried to call you several times.
Well, I haven't been home, so...
Are you staying with a relative for now?
What's their contact—
Is this necessary?
I just needed to get through graduation...
Did you have to tell everyone?
Well, if we hadn't, someone might have said something insensitive—
I never asked you to do that!
Takumi-san.
Calm down.
You're in the faculty office.
I just needed to graduate...
Ota-Sensei was only thinking of you—
That's all I had left!
Now everyone will only see me as the girl with dead parents!
I just wanted to graduate like a normal student!
Takumi-san!
Get back here. We're not done.
Put that back!
Don't take it out on others because you have it tough!
Asa...
I'm sorry...
This sucks.
I hate you!
Takumi-san!
What about the ceremony?!
Asa...
How I...
How you...
How I feel...
How you feel is no one's business but yours.
...is my own business.
And no one...
No one has the right to shame you for it.
No one...
Journal with Witch
This isn't the right place...
Nakano. Nakano.
That's not right.
This isn't the way.
March 17th (Friday)
What's taking her so long?
Emiri: Missed Call
Now
Emiri: Missed Call
Emiri: I'm so sorry
Now
Emiri: Can we talk in person?
Emiri: Missed Call
Emiri: I'm so sorry
Now
Emiri: Can we talk in person?
Emiri: Missed Call
Emiri: I'm so sorry
Emiri: Where are you right now?
Which way is home again?
Leave me alone!
Are you stopping somewhere with friends? Let me know when you'll be home
Now
Asa: I can't remember the way home
Did something happen?
It's nothing.
Asa, I'm sorry to say, but...
there's nowhere for you to be alone at my place.
And I have an obligation to care for you regardless of how you may feel about it.
So when we get home, let's have a foot bath.
No one can think straight when they're freezing.
Your phone's been going off.
Isn't it that friend of yours?
I thought you two had a rule about always reading each other's messages.
Get off my case! Why don't you go work or something?!
Jeez, what a drag...
I'd love to get some work done, honestly.
Are you kidding me?!
Mom would never say anything like that!
Yeah, yeah. Good for you.
Look, you and I aren't the ones fighting.
Who cares? All I did was skip graduation.
I bet you didn't attend yours either,
going all like, "Ceremonies are pointless."
Since you're an outlaw and all.
Who's an outlaw?
Actually, I did attend mine.
Didn't I? Yeah, I did.
Wait, did I...?
I don't really remember, but I think I did.
You don't even remember?
See? That's how little they matter.
We're talking middle school, right?
I remember getting yakiniku with Daigo and them...
There were like ten of us.
You and Nana-chan went to the same middle school?
"Nana-chan"? When did you two get so close?
We went to a combined school.
We've known each other for... 23 years now.
That's so long.
Come to think of it, we've never fought.
Not even once?
The way I see it, fighting is basically reserved for outgoing people.
It is?
She may not seem like it, but she's not the outgoing type either.
Really?
She's good at wearing different hats.
In her own way.
I don't care about graduation.
It's only a formality.
As long as you don't regret it.
Not one bit!
Fine.
But when it comes to friends...
I won't say school friends are for life.
Personally, I've gotten better at making friends as an adult.
But friends like Daigo...
How do I say this?
Sometimes, it really helps to have someone
who's known me since my teens.
At least for me.
Asa!
No one really compares.
Or does that sound bad?
Okay, how's this?
There's no one else like her. Something like that.
You told me my feelings were my business.
Sh-Shouldn't you just respect that?
Sure, but I never said that was a rule.
Don't put too much stock in what others say.
What?!
Y-You're flip-flopping.
That's a contradiction!
Listen, how you feel is your own business.
But people can... Ugh, what a drag.
You called me a drag again!
Whatever, I don't care.
I'll make tons of friends in high school.
It's not like I'm shy.
Fine, then.
Whatever you want. It's up to you.
I'll contact the school to sort out your graduation certificate.
That was a full day's worth of talking...
It's like I'm wearing socks.
Oh my god
Motsu
I just snorted at my desk at work
Motsu
I just snorted at my desk at work
Reminds me of when Daigo passed around notes that killed me during class
I remember that lol
Kotoko
I remember that lol
Kotoko
My bad, guys
Asa, take a look at this.
Huh?
The day of our high school graduation,
Daigo gave me a letter.
Just a page ripped out of her notebook.
Do kids still do that?
Fold them into hearts and stuff?
Yeah, we still do.
So? What did it say?
"These six years,
These six years, I wouldn't have been able to breathe without you. Thanks. Now and always. -Daigo
I wouldn't have been able to breathe without you."
That's what it said.
She may not even remember what she wrote.
How did you feel? When you read that?
"My life is worth living."
Not even exaggerating.
All right. Order complete.
It'll be here in thirty minutes.
You know what?
I feel like... the only time I'm really myself is when I'm with you.
Emiri
Missed Call Missed Call Missed Call Missed Call I'm so sorry Can we talk in person? Where are you right now? Sensei said he'd apologize too I swear to make my mom apologize also
I'll apologize as many times as I need to I'm really sorry I love you no matter what I'm sorry for all the messages Please, you don't have to reply Just read them
Asa?!
Asa, I'm... so sorry...
Emiri, about what I said...
I'm sorry. I don't hate you. Not at all.
Can I tell you about my mom and dad sometime?
You're the only person I can talk to.
Yeah... Okay. Thanks.
Is this just another way of holding on?
What a drag...