whispr

Doctor, I'm actually a little scared.

My eyesight is getting worse and worse, but nobody will tell me what's going on.

I know there's no cure to Oripathy, but... I'm not ready... Am I about to...?

You're overthinking it. Your life isn't in danger, for the time being.

Your Oripathy has been gradually stabilizing, and the wounds on your legs and abdomen have healed up very well.

Once we have the results of this checkup, we'll know for sure when we can take out the stitches.

Soon, maybe in a couple of days, we can let you watch a movie.

Really?

Oh, right.

It also just so happens that Rhodes Island will hold a movie screening soon, and it's the one that's based on the book you're reading.

Let's go see it together, once you're out of bed.

Yay! It's a promise!

Yep, it's a promise.

Then... will you keep telling me the story during the checkup?

I want to read it myself, but it really tires me out to read now.

I understand.

Close your eyes and get some rest.

If I remember correctly, last time we got to the part where the protagonist and the wandering bard from the past reached a Leithanian nomadic city.

Yep.

She had never gone inside a nomadic city. She was terrified just from having to take the elevator at the entrance.

The city must be a noisy place to a bard.

Yes, very. She relied on her sensitive ears to tell pitches apart, but everything was so loud in the city.

She'd never seen instruments with Arts Units that were tuned by machines. The music they played was like a kind of Originium Art in itself. She was completely mesmerized.

Moreover, the city was very affectionate to her. Many of the Spires' masters invited her as their guest.

But she's from the past. She has to figure out a way to go back.

Hmm... Actually, there isn't anywhere she can go back to.

Why not?

—Oh, maybe we should make this a cliffhanger! I'll find out the ending for myself when we watch the movie.

...Right, Lara.

Hm?

When we watch the movie, aside from what's on the screen, there will be lots of sounds, too.

Like the bard strumming her instrument and singing, the chirping of the fowlbeasts, the winds blowing through the vast forest as they travel, and the rain that falls on the forest hut's roof.

And since we'll be watching the movie in the AV room, we can talk quietly to each other.

So if there's anything that you can't see well, I can tell you what's going on.

Whisperain, come get some rest. Would you like some blueberry raisins?

I appreciate the offer, but no thanks. After I look at Lara's results, I still have other patients to take care of.

Don't be so focused on taking care of others that you forget to take care of yourself. Your body isn't in great condition either, and needs rest.

Thanks, but you don't have to worry about me so much.

Right, you said you'll bring Lara to a movie. Is it the screening on Saturday?

That's right.

*Sigh*... Have you told her about the worst case scenario yet? She might have to enjoy the movie through sound alone by then.

I... I haven't. She's been really looking forward to it these last few days. I don't want to dampen her spirits.

Yeah, I guess. Whatever the case, letting her do these little things she did before the accident will probably alleviate some stress.

Once her condition stabilizes, I'll bring her some snacks and have a chat with her.

Oh, and I'll bring some for you too, of course. Just be sure to actually have some next time!

Next time? ...Sure, thank you.

Right, so I've asked all the operators I see in the break room to go to the screening this weekend.

It'll feel more like a movie theater with a bigger crowd, right? It should help the patients rebuild the confidence to interact with others, too.

Right, thank you. I'll always remember my time here at—

—Hold on, Dr. Honeyberry. Take a look at this.

Hurry! The movie's about to start!

Who put this together?

Hm... I can't tell, but Honeyberry's the one who suggested I come.

There were no leaflets or notices, and it seems they put a mini-theater together in the AV room in just one night.

No one's checking tickets at the door either. It's all printed by a self-service ticketing machine.

But if we can print tickets, that's gotta mean we can go in and watch, right? It doesn't say anywhere we can't, right?

I've been curious about this movie for a while now. I've wanted to watch it ever since I read Whisperain's review.

Yeah, me too!

Lara, be careful.

It's okay, Doctor. It's a little dark, but I can still see the steps with how high they are!

Huh? This place really feels like a movie theater. There are so many people... Is it really okay for me to go inside?

Don't worry. You've been coming into contact with so many people every day. You won't spread Oripathy to them.

I'll sit in the front row, then.

It's such a big screen... I can see everything so clearly like this.

Doctor, you don't have to stay with me if you're busy. I'll find my way back to my room.

No, please. Let me stay and watch the story again.

—Hold on, Dr. Honeyberry. Take a look at this.

Going by these imaging results, the spread of Originium inside Lara's body is... under control.

Wow, you're right!

Now you two can watch the movie together with no issues!

Yeah...

Are you still worried about something?

If there's anything on your mind, you can tell me. It doesn't matter if it's happy or sad, it always feels better if you talk to someone about it.

Don't worry. I'm a certified counselor. It won't be a burden for me.

Besides, how would you know how others will react if you never tell anyone?

I don't think I understood the movie's ending, but it gave me this kinda weird feeling.

Huh? Doctor, are you crying?

Don't worry about it. It stirs my emotions every time I hear the credits theme.

There are a lot of different interpretations of the ending. Even I see it differently depending on my mood.

Then I guess I should see it again when I get older.

Thank you for staying with me all this time, Doctor.

Hold on, Lara.

Sorry, but there's something very important that I haven't told you yet.

Hm?

As you've noticed, your vision is deteriorating because of your condition.

It's under control for the time being, but as long as you have Oripathy, Originium will inevitably eat away at your body.

So you mean... I won't be able to see anything?

Right... I can't say for sure when you'll go blind, but it will happen eventually. All too soon.

Phew...

Actually, I kind of figured.

I'm sorry that I've been keeping it from you.

No worries, Doctor. I've already given it a lot of thought. Actually, I'd even mentally prepared myself for not being able to watch the movie.

That's why, for the past few days, I've been trying my best to keep my eyes wide open. To remember all the streets, houses, flowers, and grass that I see, how blue the sky is and how white the snow.

I don't know when Oripathy will make my body hurt again... or when I'll wake up one morning and not be able to see.

But until then, I want to try my best to remember everything that I come across.

I want to remember everyone that I like too, everyone who takes care of me.

That way, when I hear their names, I'll remember how they look.

So even if things do turn out the way I just said, and I slowly forget everything like my old grandpa who doesn't remember who I am...

Even if there comes a day...

Even if there comes a day I hear a movie's title but don't remember what it means to me.