Chapter 16: Counseling 1

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Translator: Soafp

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What year is it now? What month and day? What day of the week? What time is it? How old am I?

Everything is pure white. The room is all white, from ceiling to floor. Even the counselor’s white coat is pure white. Strangely, even though everything is so bright and white that I can’t keep my eyes open, I can’t figure out where the light source is.

In this brightly lit room, I am vaguely smiling.

“It’s okay, Mom. I can’t go anywhere, and I won’t go anywhere. I’m on your side and Kai-chan’s side. I’m not like Dad, who kicked you and Kai-chan out. I’m not like that liar-filled stepmother. You’re the most important people in the world to me, Mom and Kai-chan. So, please? Don’t cry, Mom.”

“How was the visit to the grave?”

The counselor asks. The only things not white in this room are the woman’s red-rimmed glasses and her neat black bob haircut.

“… Haa, I've told you many times that I couldn't go to the grave. Mom’s condition wasn't good.”

“Was it your mother who was unwell?”

“…? Yes, that’s right? I am, despite how it looks, doing fine. Do you understand? I decided to support Mom, who was broken after Kai-chan left, for the rest of my life.”

Clack clack clack clack.

The sound of the counselor typing on the keyboard echoes in the white room.

“Who was the one who was broken?”

“Like I said, it’s Mom.”

“Who loved your brother?”

“That would be me. Only me. I was the only one who loved Kai-chan.”

“Was your brother loved by no one but Arahama-san?”

“Yes. That’s right. He was forcibly separated. It’s pitiful, isn't it? Besides, it's my responsibility to protect him.”

Clack clack clack clack.

“Why is that?”

“Why? Well, that's… that's…”

Clack clack clack clack.

“Are you okay?”

“…”

“Arahama-san…?”

“…I feel sick. I'm about to vomit.”

Behind the red glasses, the counselor's eyes glinted. Even though the room was pure white, it was clearly visible.

“One last question for today. When did your brother pass away?”

“As I've said many times, his death anniversary is June 8th. Why do you keep asking the same thing over and over? Hey, doctor.”

“… I understand. June 8th, is it? … Let’s conclude for today.”

Clack clack clack clack. … Thud.

The counselor finished speaking and removed her hands from the keyboard.

“Thank you for your hard work, Nagisa Arahama-san.”