Madoka had a grandmother. A healthy person who lived till old age, the two of them often went out together. Although being called “Grandma’s Child”, it was because they got along well.
However, such an important grandmother suffered cancer.
After undergoing a surgery, she became healthy; but after several months, it was known that she relapsed. Her grandmother rejected the anti-cancer drugs and said that she wanted to spend her last moments at home with family members.
The family was greatly worried, but the person herself has strong will, and eventually it became a form of respecting her wishes.
In a short time, her health condition changed and lost, gradually the body became thin, her appetite also degenerated.
“Are you all right?”
When asked, grandmother always laughed.
“My body feels lighter, but more healthy, you know.”
She said that so as not make people worry.
Shortly thereafter, the time spent on the bed became longer; the doctor came for a house call. When the doctor came, grandmother felt relieved and resignedly said, “Thank you very much”.
Madoka at that time realized the thanks was for taking care of “her life”.
Listened to that, the doctor too understood and nodded, checked her blood pressure, and spoke wiith her.
As gradually, her fire of life disappeared, Madoka also felt it. Somewhere in her heart, while not having faith in death, indescribable anxiety started to spread.
Her grandmother became rarely eating, a condition where only few of the porridge spoons fed by Madoka reached her throat. Nevertheless, the person herself did not even show pains. From time to time, if given “thank you”, Madoka too wanted to cry.
Once, when the doctor said, “Please, be prepared soon.”
Everyone in the family that heard it was shocked. Although they understood that, but Madoka felt her heart ached. While grandmother showed almost no response.
In a little while, her breaths became difficult.
In the following day, while everyone in the family watched, grandmother passed away.
Towards the doctor that gave confirmation, my father murmured with thin voice, “Thank you very much.”, and cried, Madoka’s tears too became unstoppable.
“Everyone too, have fought very hard. Really, I appreaciate your efforts.”
Madoka noticed that the doctor’s eyes too had reddened while saying that.
After the funeral arranged, with gradually composed mind, she thought of an objective.
Until then, she felt that she had been living only for herself. One day, she wanted to be like that doctor, to be useful for someone else, to connect with people.
It was the point where Madoka started…
“….I see. Yes, Makoto too speak like this.”
Makoto nodded meekly. Or, it should be said, he was writing something in his notebook. Don’t know what he wrote.
“However, I, don’t know that to be a doctor will be so difficult. Because private schools need much money, there’s no choice except public school, but the performance standard is very high…””
“Oh, so that’s why although you wanted to be taught about studying, but you were hesitant to explain.”
Madoka nodded.
“Indeed, because it is difficult.”
While chatting together, they almost finished their respective meals, and they drank the tea that Makoto poured.
“Even though I want to be a doctor, with the current grade, it is laughable.”
“But it is an awesome dream. I really want to see someone like you become a doctor.”
“Thank you very much.”
“When it comes to this…”
Madoka[1] looked at Makoto.
Makoto who was putting things in order, recoiled.
“Your responsibility is important. Be that as it may, because it seems like there’s problem if you think about the strategy by yourself, I will also cooperate. …it became something a bit more interesting.”
“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry for the inconvenience.”
While Madoka lowered her head, Maho denied that.
“It’s not a trouble. Rather, I wish for it. This child becomes able to study well is also my pleasure. I never expected that from bicycle chain can turn into something like this.”
“Me too.”
Both of them laughed for a while.
“Ummm…”
Makoto who had finished cleaning up, called out.
“What is it?”
Maho looked at Makoto with expression that uttered ‘what do you want intruding in this good time’.
“I want to study, is it all right?”
“…you heard the discussion, didn’t you? …well, it’s okay. That doesn’t have to start today. It seems to me that a strategy is needed. It’s okay, by all means.”
“Yes.”
Makoto said so, then go to another room in the inner part of the house.
Opening a panel[2], glass door extended in one side to the veranda, a small desk can be seen in the corner. Something like a low table for one person, a really small space with only a desk and lamp.
If you look closely, next to it was a disproportionately huge bookshelf, stretched out in one wall. It can’t be seen clearly, but textbooks and notebooks was lined up tidily. The number of notebooks was amazing, there was probably hundreds.
Makoto sat with legs folded[3] in front of the desk ,took out the textbook and notebook from the bag to study today’s lesson. On the table, pencil and eraser arranged neatly, with lights on, his seating was ready.
And then after taking a deep breath, he lowered his head deeply.
“Eeeh…?”
Madoka was surprised.
Makoto joined his hands together and put it on the floor, his head was lowered too until almost reaching his hands. Rather than studying, it was like watching the etiquette of a tea ceremony. As if showing respect to his opponent, he showed earnest attitude. Quietly, like devoting a prayer, the strange time passed.
He slowly looked up and started to study. Amid the silence, the sound of flipping textbook and writing in the notebooks reverberated. Such a strong concentration, it can also be seen from behind.
“This is how it is, even the television that can be seen on the other side and the sound of telephone, he becomes unaware.”
“The reappearance of Kamisama, this is what it means…”
Maho chuckled and laughed.
“That child is too serious.”
The two of them looked at Makoto’s back for a while.
———-
Translator Notes
[1]I think it should be “Maho”, but the text wrote “Madoka”…(probably typo by the author?)
[2]It’s fusuma
[3]It’s seiza
Updated to reflect TLC edit at 3/29/2016
<<<Chapter 1.4. The Contract’s Establishment
>>>Chapter 1.6. Fellow Mothers
Bijinsans 