Lonely Castle in the Mirror

by Mizuki Tsujimura

Lonely Castle: (1) A castle situated off by itself. (2) A castle surrounded by enemies, with no hope of relief forces arriving. Daijirin dictionary

If somebody manipulated your thoughts and feelings, would you still be the same person as before?

‘The holiday’s so big in America, much more than in Japan. It’s more like Very Christmas than Merry Christmas over there. You can’t get away from it.’

In an argument, two people can communicate their point to each other. They are on an equal footing. What had happened to Kokoro was by no means an argument.

When Miori and her friends had surrounded Kokoro’s house, and Kokoro had lain on the floor, trembling, Miori had started to cry. And her friends had tried to comfort her, saying, Don’t cry, Miori. In that world, Kokoro was the villain. Unbelievable, but true.

That girl robbed me of time.

She understood the fear. Not knowing what the future would be for her, not knowing how long she’d be like this. Seeing people who were moving on was enough to make her feel an excruciating pain in her chest.

And making friends like these would be what sustained her. I do have friends, she told herself. Even if I never make any more, I’ll know I did have friends. Right here. Right now. And I’ll have that for the rest of my life.

As long as proof remained somewhere that they’d all once existed, they should be able to make it through.

There are bullies like them everywhere – this statement sounded as if it was based on Tojo-san’s own experience. There always will be. Not just Miori Sanada, but probably everywhere.

‘Instead of investing everything in one talent, this is a slow and steady way to grow, the most certain way.’ She hoped it didn’t sound false. ‘Someone told me if I do it, it will never turn out to be a waste.’

She was able to go confidently to school because she’d understood that this school wasn’t the only place she belonged. Moé-chan had moved on to another school. But her words to Kokoro remained strongly etched in her memory. It’s only school.

According to a recent UNICEF report, Japanese children were ranked second-to-last in an international survey assessing children’s mental health across thirty-eight developed and emerging countries. While Japanese children were ranked first in physical health and often live in relatively prosperous economic circumstances, instances of bullying in schools, as well as difficult relationships with family members, lead to a lack of psychological well-being.