Chapter 23: Concert

CONCERT

CHAPTER 23 OF THE MANGA

Previously
Not only has Hazumu come to know that her life is supposed to end in about a month, her friends also find out about the bad news. However, for some unknown reason, both Hazumu and her friends have, independent of one another, decided to keep the knowledge of Hazumu's soon to be demise, a secret from one another. This leads to rather ackward personal and social interchanges between Hazumu and her circle of friends. Indeed, Hazumu has put up a masquerade of being a perceived 'normal', happy, and cheerful high school girl who loves her friends and loves life. Yet the awful truth is that knowing that her life will soon end, that is eating away at Hazumu's mind, heart, and soul, making for a rather miserable existance that she has to face each and every day now. Her friends are equally snookered, as they also try to 'put on a happy face' whenever they interact with Hazumu. How long with this charade go on ?

Chapter Overview
Yasuna, Ayuki, and Hazumu go shopping for fabric to begin a knitting project that Yasuna wants to do. Later, Ayuki checks on Tomari at her home, but Tomari, hiding in her bedroom, does not respond. That evening, the Alien Being and Jan Pu come into Hazumu's bedroom, so that the Alien Being can apologize for dropping the news of her upcoming death onto Hazumu in such an unconcerned manner. Yet that is how the Alien Being does things, as they have no emotions whatsoever.

Next day at school, Hazumu finds out that Yasuna is knitting a sweater for her. Ayuki tries to encourage Tomari, who is shocked and disconcerted by knowing that Hazumu will soon die. After school classes, the friends go to their various after school clubs and projects. Yet once again, Tomari has dissappeared without a trace. Yasuna has to practice her flute music selections, so Hazumu says that she will meet Yasuna later in the music roomn after gardening chores. At practice, Yasuna is told that she was selected to perform a flute solo at the Christmas Concert. When the two friends meet, Yasuna invites Hazumu to the Concert, not realizing at this time that Hazumu will probably be dead by then. In a somewhat romantic gesture, Hazumu offers to walk home with Yasuna, with the two girls holding hands just like a couple of lovers.

This Chapter's Story
One afternoon, after school has ended for the day, Yasuna, Hazumu, and Ayuki all go to the fabric store. Yasuna wanted help in selecting the best color and style of yarn for a knitting project that she wants to begin. After the shopping is done, outside the store, Hazumu excuses herself to go do something else. Ayuki comments to Yasuna that Tomari not only did not come with them this afternoon, she actually left school early, without telling any of the friends why. Soon, Yasuna and Ayuki separate, with Yasuna going to her home, and Ayuki going to Tomari's house to check on her. Ayuki gets as far as Tomari's bedroom door, but Tomari will not answer or open the door. Tomari is actually still in her school uniform, but curled up in her bed, with a bed cover pulled over her face and body. Ayuki yells at her, but she does not respond. Ayuki finally gives up, and leaves. Meanwhile, Yasuna is sitting quietly in her bedroom, at her desk. She has begun knitting a shawl, as well as studying sheet music for the flute.

That evening finds Hazumu in her bedroom, also at her desk doing homework. The Alien Being and Jan Pu appear out of nowhere in the bedroom, and confront Hasumu. The Alien Being, although having no human emotions, nonetheless, apologizes to Hazumu for popping on her the news that she will die within a month. He explains that on his planet, the society of people there have no qualms about openly discussing each one's life expectancy and the estimated time of their death. Therefore, he did the same to you, Hazumu, without thinking about the cultural shock and emotional distress that would befall a normal human. Hazamu thinks for a few moments at her desk, then calmly says that it is okay. She has developed a new awareness of the little things in life---the shape of clouds as they drift by, the sun setting behind the power lines, the puddles of rain on the pavement of the alley, knowing the people that she loves. All of this has been burned into Hazumu's heart. And now Hazumu states that she wants to go pick grapes very soon. "Will you come with me ?"

The next school day, in the morning, Asuta and Hazumu are walking arm in arm. Behind them is Tomari and Ayuki. Tomari is still disconcerted, so Ayuki reminds her that she has to 'pull herself together'. Once at school, the group finds Yasuna already at her desk, knitting away. Hazumu asks what it will be. It will be a sweater. Yasuna offers to give it to Hazumu when she is done. After classes have ended, Tomari is nowhere to be found, just like the other day. Hazumu asks Yasuna if she has club activities ? She does ! Yasuna has to practice her music, and Hazumu has to tend to her garden duties. Hazumu suggests that the two of them walk home together today after the activities. Hazumu will meet Yasuna in the music room.

During Yasuna's practice session, she is asked by the Club President to perform a flute solo for the Christmas concert. This she agrees to do, saying that she will do her best. The President then remarks that you, Yasuna, have changed. You have become more open and friendly. Did you fall in love ? Yasuna answers with a hearty, "YES!" Hazumu is late in meeting Yasuna, and comes looking for her in the Music Room. Yasuna is still there, practicing the flute. She announces that she was asked to do a solo performance for the Christmas Concert. Yasuna then asks Hazumu if she would like to hear a part of the music selection that she will be performing ? Yes ! While Yasuna is playing her music, she remembers that she used to play music back then that male Hazumu would hear all the way in the rooftop garden. It was then that Yasuna began to fall in love with Hazumu, more so now that she was changed into a girl, as Yasuna is romantically attracted to girls.

When Yasuna is finished, Hazumu honors her with a loud round of applause. Hazumu comments that even the plants in the garden would enjoy the music that she would play while in the music room. Yasuna says that knowing that about Hazumu's plants makes her so happy. Yasuna then makes an impassioned plea for Hazumu to come to the Christmas Concert. However, it doesn't dawn on her that Hazumu will have supposedly passed away by the time for the concert. Hazumu does realize the implication, but says nothing to Yasuna. Hazumu instead merely offers her hand to Yasuna. Yasuna immediately picks up on the romantic gesture, and the two of them walk home holding hands the entire way, looking just like girl-with-girl Yuri lovers.



Chapter Lookback and Commentary
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