Chapter 24: Braveheart

BRAVEHEART

CHAPTER 24 OF THE MANGA

Previously
Ever since Hazumu had been told that they will die at the end of about 30 days, a masquerade has developed between Hazumu, and all of her family and friends. Both sides know about the upcoming death, but are pretending that they know nothing about Hazumu's future. With such a paradox looming, yet both have begun to act out various situations that seem to imply that they honestly do not now know what is to happen to Hazumu. Plans are made for future events, like having Hazumu attend a concert that Yasuna is going to be in, with the concert scheduled for beyond the 30-day time period. Hazumu herself says that she will continue to take care of the rooftop garden, but actually begins to reassign her garden duties to other students. Yet the one least able to conceal her grief and trepidation is Tomari. She dislikes 'putting up a front' in order to pretend that Hazumu will not die. How will this 'dose of reality' affect Tomari's mind, heart, and soul ? What will she do to help Hazumu, without letting Hazumu suspect that she knows of her impending death ?

Chapter Overview
Tomari has always taken it upon herself to look after, take care of, and protect Hazumu ever since they were young children. Now, Tomari begins to feel the same responsibility, ever since she learned that Hazumu will soon die. She repeatedly tells herself that she is strong and able to do so. Yet, that is far from what is happening to Tomari. At school, Tomari seems to be 'coming apart at the seams'. Others have noticed that she is in some kind of turmoil, as she is sometimes seen wandering the school campus aimlessly. Grief strikes Tomari as she overhears Hazumu telling her plants that she is going to give them away to others. Finally, Tomari gets caught in a rainstorm, becomes 'soaked to the bone', and cries out that she just does not know how to help or protect Hazumu.

This Chapter's Story
Tomari is at her home in the shower. As the hot water from the shower head gently caresses her body, her mind begins to drift into introspection. She thinks back to when Hazumu and herself were children. Even as a young boy, Hazumu was very feminine looking and acting, thus he was the target of a lot of ridicule and verbal abuse. Very early on, Tomori the tomboy took it upon herself to help and protect Hazumu from others who would degrade or hurt Hazumu for being their natural self of obvious femininity. Recalling, Tomari tells herself that she has always been at Hazumu's side, and even now that we are both teenagers, she intends to continue to do so. Continuing her self-awareness, Tomari affirms to herself that she will protect Hazumu at all costs. She is physically and mentally strong. That is okay, as she as always been a tomboy. Tomari slaps herself repeatedly in the face with both her hands. "I AM STRONG !"

Tomari meets with the other friends, and as always, the group walks to school together. Hazumu asks Tomari if she has done her homework for today ? Tomori becomes absentminded, as she has been worrying about protecting Hazumu, not school homework. Hazumu then questions Tomari about when she can come and help pick grapes, as it has to be done soon ? Tomari, unfortunately, equates that time sensitive request to somehow applying to Hazumu's soon to end life, becomes disheartened, and doesn't answer. Yasuna approaches Hazumu, and leads her away from the grieving Tomari. Coming from behind, Ayuki puts her hands around Tomari's eyes, and tells her that she looks so, so sad, with creases under her eyes. Tomari 'blows it off' as not important, she will tend to it later. Observing the situation, Ayuki realizes that Yasuna has 'come to grips' with Hazumu's fate, but Tomari is still upset and struggling to comprehend what is happening.

At noontime, during lunchtime, Tomari finds Yasuna at the rooftop garden, but no Hazumu. Explaining, Yasuna says that Hazumu has begun to divide up the rooftop plants among the students, with herself taking some home, as a memorial of the times she tended to the garden. She is in the parking lot right now. Yasuna nonchalantly mentions that she made a large bento (lunchbox) to share with Hazumu. Turns out that Tomari did the same thing. "Why is all of this happening ?", shouts out Tomari. She then immediately apologizes for her outburst. Another girl comes to the garden rooftop and yells for Tomari to come with her about some club business. As Tomari approaches the other girl, Hazumu steps around that girl and promptly runs into Tomari. Going somewhere, questions Hazumu ? A rattled Tomari quickly leaves, stating that she has to get to her athletic club, but she will be back later.

At the athletic clubhouse, Tomari is given some upsetting news. Another girl club member tells Tomari, that due to another school project going way overtime, their track and field meet has been pushed back until December. How are we supposed to run in the cold ? More than that, thinks Tomari to herself, Hazumu had promised her that she, Hazumu, would come to the track meetup and cheer her on. But Hazumu is supposed to be dead by then ! A horrified Tomari becomes unhinged, and begins wandering around the school aimlessly. Meanwhile, Hazumu and the others wonder if Tomari is going to make it back in time to share the rest of lunch with them ? She does not.

For the rest of the school day, Tomari is outside, keeping to herself and meditating. Come time for club practice, Tomari changes into her track outfit, a polo shirt and buruma, but sits down and only watches the others practice. After club, she changes back into her school uniform, thinking to herself that she needs to walk home with Hazumu today. She can tell Hazumu that she will go with her and pick grapes anytime now. So Tomari goes to look for Hazumu; she knows where Hazumu will be at this time of day---the rooftop garden. Slowly opening the door to the rooftop, Tomari sees Hazumu's backside. Hazumu is talking to the plants, like she always does. She is telling the plants and flowers that she may have to take them to Tomari's home. Why ? Because she is going to die soon, so you plants need to take care of Tomari ! Tomari quietly closes the door, then begins running down the steps.

Outside, it has clouded over, ready to begin raining. Tomari bursts out of the front door of the school at full speed, with tears streaming down her redden cheeks from her puffy eyes. Soft rain begins to come down, but that is the least of Tomari's worries. She thinks again of all the times she has been with Hazumu and protected her. Tomari continues to run, as the rain becomes a torrent. In the now blinding rain, Tomari trips on something, and falls hard onto the ground. With the rain beating on her now soaked school uniform's dress, nevertheless, Tomari screams that above all else, she will protect Hazumu, whatever the cost to herself. Thoroughly soaked, Tomari rises to a kneeling position, and cries out that she just does not know what to do, to save herself and to save Hazumu !

(End Chapter 24)