Lonely Castle in the Mirror

by Mizuki Tsujimura

“It’s a Small World”—the song from Kokoro’s favorite ride at Disneyland—boomed from the large speaker on the back, reminding her of the world of laughter and hope that lay just outside her window.

You could be on the brink of an adventure, and you’re telling me you really don’t care? the little wolf girl had said, and truthfully Kokoro was hoping for something—at least a little. Hoping that this would be the beginning of something special.

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

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.

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.