In bookstores across the region of Minamijo today, the walls were plastered with promotional posters for Anohana. Highlighting the most prominent sections of the Crimson Maple magazine shelves, bold lettering announced that this issue contained the long-awaited finale.
Given the undeniable success the series had achieved, Crimson Maple Literature wasn't about to hold back on marketing resources, even as the story drew to a close. The cover of this issue was dedicated to the work, with the character art of Menma occupying over half of the front page.
Emi walked briskly to the section reserved for light novel serials. When her eyes landed on those prominent words, Anohana Finale, she felt a sudden pang of reluctance. Following a novel is like spending time with a close friend; it felt as if she had only just met this friend, and now they were already saying goodbye.
"Shiori Takahashi-sensei, you really are a speed demon! When are you going to write a proper long-form series?" she muttered with a sigh. She wasted no time grabbing a copy and heading to the register.
She had been on edge for days, her mind racing since the cliffhanger of chapter thirteen. Based on the subtle clues in the previous installment, it was clear that watching the fireworks hadn't been Menma's true wish. So why had she started to fade? How would her disappearance happen? Would she be reincarnated, or would she simply vanish, leaving no trace behind in a world that had finally learned to love her again?
Menma had achieved a level of emotional resonance in the hearts of thousands of readers that few characters ever reach. Taking a deep breath, Emi flipped to the final pages.
"Menma, what's happening to you?"
Jintan's heart felt as though it were being crushed by an invisible hand.
Looking at Menma's translucent, flickering form on the floor, he could barely breathe. He rushed to the side of her spirit, his voice trembling with terror.
"What's wrong, Menma?"
"I think my wish has already come true," Menma replied in a weak, soft voice, though she was still smiling. "I remembered... I remembered the promise I made to your mother."
'Jintan's mother?'
Emi paused to recall the details of the earlier chapters.
Jintan's mother had passed away from an illness, and before her death, Menma had frequently visited her in the hospital. This backstory had been briefly touched upon in the early stages of the book.
Was Menma's wish connected to his mother?
The translucent Menma began to reminisce about her childhood, remembering a day she sat by the hospital bed folding paper cranes.
"Jintan... he never cries. I think he's trying to be strong because I'm so sick," Jintan's mother had told the young, innocent Menma with a tired smile. "I'm ready for whatever comes next, but I can't leave him like this. He holds so much in. I want him to laugh more. I want him to get angry. I want him to be able to cry when it hurts."
"I understand," the little Menma had said with fierce, childish determination. "I promise, Auntie. I'll make sure Jintan cries."
"Thank you, Menma," his mother had replied, her eyes brimming with tears as she nodded to the little girl.
This was the secret everyone had missed, a quiet promise between a dying woman and a little girl. This was Menma's true wish. To help Jintan stop suppressing his pain and finally let his emotions out.
A sudden warmth flooded Emi's chest, rising into her throat and stinging her eyes. A single tear escaped, splashing onto the page. She turned toward her own bookshelf, where she kept her collection of back-issues, and quickly found chapter ten.
In that chapter, Jintan had been overwhelmed by the realization that Menma would disappear once her wish was granted.
He was torn between wanting her to find peace and wanting her to stay with him forever. In the midst of his turmoil, Menma had gently taken his hand to help him trim his nails.
In that quiet, domestic moment, Jintan had finally decided to let go of his selfish desires and help her pass on.
And for the first time since childhood, he had broken down and cried in front of her.
"So that was it," Emi whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Her wish was already granted back in chapter ten."
This girl had crossed the boundary of time, unable to pass on even after death, only to reappear years later because a promise remained unfulfilled. Her "wish" was simply to grant the wish of Jintan's mother.
Emi continued reading.
The story returned to the childhood gathering that had led to the fatal accident. Menma had gathered everyone together that day specifically to discuss how to make Jintan cry.
"But that day... it didn't go well. Maybe I'm being punished for keeping it a secret from you," Menma said, her voice faint but cheerful.
Jintan was already sobbing uncontrollably. "Menma... you're making me cry again."
Menma reached out, her hand brushing his cheek with a tender touch. "But you know, I actually like it better when you're smiling."
This single sentence shattered Emi's remaining composure. Her vision blurred again.
'Shiori Takahashi-sensei, please stop this. My heart can't take any more.'
The simplicity of the scene only made it hurt more. Emi was a sensitive reader who wore her heart on her sleeve, and she was reaching her breaking point.
"I think... it's time for me to go now," Menma said, looking at Jintan with nothing but love.
"Wait! It's not enough to just say it to me. Everyone wants to see you. They want to call your name, apologize, and tell you how much they love you. They're all waiting for you... waiting for us."
Jintan lifted Menma onto his back and sprinted toward the summit, toward the Super Peace Busters secret base. But when they arrived, his heart stopped.
He could no longer see her.
Menma was standing right next to him, but for the first time, everyone, including Jintan, was blind to her presence.
"No... no, don't do this," Emi whispered.
Menma was right there, but Jintan couldn't see her. If even he couldn't see her anymore, did that mean she would have to disappear all alone?
Emi read on. Even though Jintan couldn't see her, he could still hear her voice. He called out frantically, asking where she was. Menma, with tears streaming down her face, covered her eyes with her hands and shouted back to the boy who could still hear her.
"This is... a game of hide-and-seek!"
Reading those words, Emi finally lost the battle. Her composure broke completely.
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