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Another year had passed, and they were already in 6th grade. On one sunny day at school, Arisa sat with Miku and Zul, eating lunch together.
"Wow, both of you got the same recommendation for your junior high school. I'm so envious of you guys," said Miku.
Both Arisa and Zul had been called by their teacher earlier to discuss the good recommendations they had received for the junior high school they would be applying to next year.
"Why don't you join us at this school too, Miku?" asked Zul.
"I’m sorry, I can’t join you guys. My grades aren’t as good as yours," Miku said with a chuckle.
"Arisa-chan, you’ve looked pale since earlier. What’s wrong?" Miku added.
"Yes, you’ve been quiet since we came back from meeting the teacher," said Zul, looking confused.
"Oh, it’s nothing. I’m just not feeling well today. Don’t worry about it," said Arisa, her face pale.
As they sat continuing to eat their lunch, Arisa suddenly clutched her chest, appearing to be in pain.
"Argh, what is this? Why do I feel this pain suddenly?" Arisa gasped.
"Arisa-chan, are you okay?" Miku asked, her voice full of worry.
Arisa tried to say something, but before she could, she collapsed on the ground.
"Arisa!" Zul yelled, rushing to her side. Miku’s heart pounded as she shook Arisa, trying to wake her up. The classroom erupted in panic as Arisa lay unconscious.
Meanwhile, in Elly’s class, she was chatting with her classmates when someone from Arisa’s class rushed in. "Elly, your sister, your big sister has collapsed in her class!"
"What?" Elly exclaimed, rushing to Arisa and Zul’s classroom.
"Onee-chan, wake up, please wake up!" she cried upon seeing her older twin sister unconscious while Zul and Miku tried to wake her.
"Elly…" Zul said softly, watching her cry.
Teachers hurried over and called for an ambulance. Zul and Elly accompanied Arisa in the ambulance. Elly held Arisa’s hand tightly, feeling terrified. Arisa had always been the strong one. It was hard to believe something was wrong with her.
"Arisa-chan," Miku cried, watching her close friend being taken away.
At the hospital, Elly and Zul waited with Elly’s mom, who had arrived after hearing the news. The doctor spoke to Mrs. Sakamoto in a quiet room. Elly and Zul couldn’t hear what was being said, but they saw Elly’s mom turn very pale.
The doctor’s face was serious as he explained, "Arisa has leukemia, which is a type of cancer that affects her blood. It’s very serious and needs special treatment."
Mrs. Sakamoto nodded, tears welling in her eyes. The doctor continued… "We need to be honest with her family, but right now, the priority is to focus on getting her the best care possible."
Elly and Zul watched from a distance, not fully understanding what was happening. They could see that the adults were very upset, but they didn’t know why.
"Why? Why is this happening to my beloved daughter? She was always so healthy," Mrs. Sakamoto sobbed.
"Mom, what happened to Onee-chan?" Elly asked, confused and tearful.
Mrs. Sakamoto wiped her tears and said, "It’s okay, my dear. Your sister is going to be okay. Don’t worry." She didn’t want Elly to know the full truth about Arisa’s illness.
"Then let’s return home, honey. You too, Zul-kun. Arisa will stay in the hospital from now on until she recovers," said Mrs. Sakamoto.
"No, I don’t want to leave onee-chan here alone. Just let me stay with her until she recovers," Elly pleaded.
"Elly-chan, please just go home for now. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be okay," said Arisa calmly.
"Don’t worry, you can still visit me every day until I’m well again," Arisa added.
"Onee-chan…" Elly said sadly.
"If you say so, alright, I’ll return home now, but please take care of yourself, okay?" Elly said. Mrs. Sakamoto, Elly, and Zul returned home.
Arisa had to stay in the hospital. She underwent many treatments but didn’t get better. Elly visited her every day, holding her hand and talking to her. Zul also came to visit, sometimes with Miku, who brought flowers and things to make Arisa smile. Miku even said that all their classmates missed Arisa at school.
But day by day, Arisa’s smiles started to fade as she grew weaker. Even though she was sick, she forced herself to smile because she didn’t want to see everyone around her feel sad. Weeks went by, and Arisa’s health didn’t improve.
"What? My daughter has no chance of recovery?" Mrs. Sakamoto exclaimed, shocked by the doctor’s words.
"Yes, I’m sorry to say that. She probably only has a few weeks left to live," said the doctor.
"It can’t be… my daughter…" Mrs. Sakamoto began to cry. She left the doctor’s office in tears. Elly noticed her mother crying and wondered what had happened.
During class one summer day, Elly lost focus, thinking about her sister. Why do I feel so uncomfortable now?
Zul felt the same unease.
Suddenly, Elly received a call from her mother through the school phone, asking her to come to the hospital as quickly as possible along with Zul.
While waiting for Elly and Zul to arrive, Mrs. Sakamoto stayed with her sick daughter. Arisa, worried to see her mother crying, said, "Why are you crying so much, Mom? I’m going to be okay. Please, cheer up."
Mrs. Sakamoto knew that her daughter wouldn’t last much longer that day. She remained silent, crying while stroking Arisa’s head. Even in this condition, she doesn’t want to see me crying and asks me to cheer up, Mrs. Sakamoto thought.
"Yes, honey, you’re going to be okay. Just rest for now," said Mrs. Sakamoto.
"Mom, when Elly and Zul arrive, can you leave me alone with them? I want to talk to them," Arisa said softly.
"Alright, honey, I will do that," said her mother, crying, knowing that Arisa would likely take her last breath after speaking with Elly and Zul.
A few minutes later, Elly and Zul arrived.
"Onee-chan…" Elly cried.
"Ah, Elly-chan, Zul, you’ve finally arrived," Arisa said weakly.
"Onee-chan, what happened? Why do you look so weak right now? You told me you’d be okay before," Elly said, tears streaming down her face.
"Sorry, I lied to you. I didn’t want you to worry about me while you were at school," said Arisa.
"You two, please come here. Hold both my hands. Elly-chan, you sit on my right, and Zul, you on my left," Arisa requested in a very soft voice as she reached out her hands. Elly grabbed one hand, and Zul took the other.
"I don’t have much time left," Arisa said quietly, her eyes looking at both of them with love. "But before I go, I need to ask you both to promise me something."
Tears filled Elly’s eyes. "Don't say that, Onee-chan. You'll get better, right? You have to!"
"Elly, please," Arisa said, squeezing her hand gently. "This is really important."
Elly bit her lip and nodded, though her heart felt like it was breaking.
"Elly-chan, you're my precious little sister. Can you promise me something? No more fighting or getting into trouble, okay? Just be kind, gentle, polite, and a good person… okay? As your sister, I know you can be. I want you to carry on for me and bring happiness to Mom.
Can you promise me that, Elly-chan, my cute little sister?" Elly’s tears spilled over as she nodded. "I will, Onee-chan. I promise I’ll do it for you," she said through her sobs.
Then Arisa turned to Zul. "Zul, please look after my little sister for me. Protect her, just like you always protected me."
Zul said, "I'll do it, Arisa. I'll look after Elly. You don't have to worry about her."
"Thanks, Zul. You are the best boyfriend I’ve ever met," Arisa whispered.
"I know my wish seems a bit selfish, but promise me you’ll grant it, okay?" she added.
"It’s okay, Arisa, you can be selfish today. When you were with me, I saw how you never showed selfishness---you always helped others before yourself," Zul said softly.
"Both of you, please get along after this. Don’t ever fight with each other or make trouble. I know both of you will do well in the future. Promise me, okay?"
"Understood, we promise!" said Elly and Zul in unison, crying heavily. Outside the room, Mrs. Sakamoto sobbed into her husband’s shoulder as he held her.
Arisa smiled a little, her face peaceful, and then she closed her eyes and dropped a small tear. “Thank you. I love you both…”
Her hands, holding Elly’s and Zul’s, finally went limp. Her heart rate became a static line on the monitor. Beep…
"Onee-chan, open your eyes! Onee-chan!" Elly screamed.
"Onee-chan!" Elly cried again.
"Arisa!" Zul cried, both of them weeping loudly in the room as Arisa took her final breath.
"Honey, our daughter, our daughter has…" Mrs. Sakamoto sobbed, hugging her husband.
"Yes, I know, honey," said her father, tears falling down his face.
Arisa passed away after sharing her last wish with Elly and Zul. Her death left a deep wound in those close to her, especially Zul, Elly, and her mother.
Everything felt very quiet after Arisa’s sudden death. The lively and happy girl who had been so important to Elly and Zul was no longer there, leaving a vast emptiness. Arisa’s absence made their home feel desolate, and their mother was especially affected by the grief.
A few days later, after Arisa's funeral, Elly and Zul returned to school.
Zul, who had been talkative before, became quiet and reserved, deeply affected by the death of his girlfriend. Zul's laughter had faded with Arisa, replaced by a quiet vigilance.
In another class, Elly sat by the window, her fingers brushing the ends of her slightly longer hair—now just past her ears. For the first time, she wore a skirt instead of her usual shorts.
A few girls from her class noticed and smiled.
"Elly-chan, you look cute in that skirt!" one said kindly.
Elly blinked, surprised. "Oh... thank you," she replied softly.
The girls were shocked to see Elly reply in such a soft tone.
"Hey, are you really Elly-chan?" they asked.
"Huh? Why are you guys talking like that? Of course it's me. Is something wrong?" said Elly.
"You just spoke so softly earlier. You're totally like a different person from usual," they said.
"Well, actually—" Elly tried to explain, but was interrupted by Kudo.
Kudo, leaning against a desk nearby, snorted. "What's this? The mighty Elly, wearing a skirt? What, are you a girl?"
The girl classmates stood up for Elly. "You're so mean, Kudo-kun! Of course she can wear a skirt—she is a girl! Why are you mocking her like that?"
Kudo continued, "But it doesn't suit her, you know? Haha! What is this? Trying to copy your late sister now? So lame!"
The classroom fell silent. Elly's fists clenched under her desk, her nails digging into her palms. She immediately stood up and grabbed Kudo's clothes, raising her hand to punch him in the face.
"What did you say?" yelled Elly. Kudo closed his eyes, bracing for the hit.
Suddenly, Elly remembered her promise to Arisa and stopped her action.
"Hey, why did you stop? I thought you were gonna hit me like usual. What's wrong with you?" Kudo taunted, but his smirk faltered as Elly's tears spilled over.
Elly released Kudo's clothes and pushed him away. "I’m sorry... I won’t hit you anymore. For anything. It was my fault."
"Wait, why are you suddenly crying now?" said Kudo, confused.
"Hey, look! Kudo-kun made her cry!" said the girl classmates.
"Wait, I didn't do anything!" Kudo protested, backing away as the class turned on him.
Zul, passing by the doorway, froze at the sight of Elly's tears. "Elly..." he said, then immediately entered her classroom.
"Hey, I'm sorry! Please calm down, okay? It's not my fault!" said Kudo, trying to calm Elly.
Zul approached and pushed Kudo aside.
"You're in my way. Step aside," said Zul.
"Hey, what are you doing, suddenly pushing me?!" Kudo protested.
"You got something to say?" Zul gave him a scary glare.
"Tch. Whatever. I'm out," Kudo muttered, quickly walking away.
Zul turned to the girl classmates surrounding Elly.
"Hey, can you guys leave us alone? Just leave her to me. I'll calm her down," said Zul.
"Understood. We're counting on you, Zul-kun," they said before leaving.
Zul gently guided Elly back to her seat.
"It's okay to cry, Elly. I know how you feel. You're still thinking about her, right? Please calm down, okay? Arisa would be proud of you," he said.
"You're right. When I wanted to hit Kudo earlier, I stopped because I suddenly remembered my promise," said Elly, wiping her tears.
Zul patted her head gently. "But good job not causing trouble this time. I'm proud of you. And I'm sure she would be happy too," said Zul.
"You think so? Thanks, Zul," said Elly, finally calming down.
Other classmates watched in shock, whispering to each other, "Wow, Zul-kun is amazing. He managed to calm Elly-chan down just like that."
As the bell rang, Zul returned to his classroom. Elly took a deep breath and looked out the window, one hand touching her skirt while the other brushed her slightly longer hair.194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvznsqz97Bo
Onee-chan, I swear I'll keep your promise!
From that day forward, Elly dedicated herself to changing as Arisa had wished. She stopped getting involved in fights and avoided violence completely. When Kudo and his gang tried to provoke her, she simply smiled, apologized, and said she wasn't interested in fighting anymore. Eventually, they gave up challenging her.
As for Zul, he decided to turn down the prestigious junior high school recommendation he had received along with Arisa earlier. He made this choice to stay with Elly when they entered junior high school the following year, knowing her grades hadn't been good enough to get in.
Six months later, as she and Zul graduated from elementary school, Elly reflected, "Goodbye, my old self. I will leave you here forever." She was determined to adopt her sister’s behavior when junior high school started, leaving her boyish and reckless self behind.
Zul waited at the school gate as promised. "Zul, sorry I made you wait so long. I was saying goodbye to my classmates one last time," Elly said with a polite tone she had never used before.
"Elly, I’ve noticed you’ve started talking more like her lately," Zul observed.
"You noticed? Yes, I want to keep changing myself to be more like her," Elly replied.
"I see you’re changing, inspired by her," said Zul.
"Hey Zul, thanks for deciding to go to the same school as me next year. I’m sorry about that; it’s because my grades weren’t good enough before," said Elly with a sad expression.
"Oh, that? It’s not important to me. It was just a recommendation, nothing to worry about," said Zul.
"When we enter junior high school, can you protect me if I get into trouble? I might not be able to protect myself anymore after I completely change to be like my sister. I promised her I wouldn’t use violence or get into fights," Elly said.
"Of course. That was my intention too. Remember, I promised her I’d protect you in her place," Zul responded.
"Then let’s fulfill her final wish together," they said simultaneously, sharing a small laugh. As they turned to leave, they each felt a hand on their shoulder and looked back.
"Elly, did you touch my shoulder?"
"No… I thought you touched mine," Elly replied.
It must be her, they both thought, wondering if Arisa’s spirit had touched their shoulders.
Time passed, and by the time Elly was about to enter her first year of junior high school, her transformation was complete. Her appearance and behavior had become strikingly similar to Arisa’s. The change wasn’t merely physical; she had adopted her sister’s mannerisms and speech patterns, becoming a reflection of her late sister.
Her mother still struggled, overwhelmed by memories of her daughter. The house felt empty, steeped in pain.
It’s been so long since I really talked to Mom since Onee-chan passed away, Elly thought. She’s been so sad about my sister’s death and keeps isolating herself in her room. I should try to talk with her tomorrow morning.
The next morning, Elly decided to comfort her mother. Now looking like Arisa with long hair, soft pastel clothes, and a gentle manner, she hoped to bring some peace to their sad home. When she entered the room, her mother sat by the window, lost in thought. Seeing Elly looking so much like Arisa left her mother in shock, staring with wide eyes.
"Mom?" Elly called softly, her voice matching Arisa’s familiar tone.
Her mother’s eyes welled up with tears. "Arisa…?" she whispered. "Arisa, my daughter, is that you?" Her voice trembled with a mix of hope and heartache.
"No, Mom," Elly said gently, stepping closer. "It’s me, Elly. I’m still here, remember? Please don’t cry anymore."
"Elly, my dear, is that you? But how… you look so much like her. I thought…" her mother said.
Elly reached out, her voice filled with soothing warmth. "I know, Mom. I’m not Onee-chan, but I'll try to fill her place from now on. This was her final wish—to see me change."
"Please, Mom, don’t cry anymore. Please cheer up, okay?" Elly said, smiling like Arisa. Her mother remembered the same words Arisa had said on her last day: "Please, Mom, don’t cry anymore, please cheer up, okay." It made her mother feel as if Arisa’s spirit lived on inside Elly.
Her mother cried as she listened to Elly. The sadness and longing for Arisa remained, but Elly’s gesture brought a small measure of comfort.
"I’ll try to fill her place from now on," Elly said gently but firmly. "I know it won’t be the same, but I want to help you heal."
Her mother hugged her tightly. "Thank you, Elly. I don’t know how to explain it, but seeing you like this—it’s both painful and comforting. I’m sorry, Elly. I was ignoring you after her death. It hurt so much to see her gone like that."
"It’s okay, Mom. It doesn’t hurt me. I know you’ve been so sad about Onee-chan’s death," said Elly, comforting her mother.
As time passed, Elly’s transformation began to heal their lives. Her mother started to find peace, and Elly, though still missing her sister deeply, found purpose in embodying the qualities Arisa had loved. The house, while touched by sadness, began to feel more like home again.
One afternoon, Elly was reading a novel in the living room while waiting for her mother to cook lunch.
"Arisa… I mean, Elly," her mother said, still not used to seeing Elly looking like Arisa, accidentally calling her by her sister’s name.
"Yes, what is it, Mom?" Elly asked.
"I made too much lunch. Can you bring some to Zul’s house? I want to share it with them too," her mother said.
"Okay, I will deliver it right now," said Elly. After a pause, she added, "Umm, Mom?"
"Yes, my dear, what is it?" her mom asked.
"After I come back from Zul’s house, can you teach me how to cook?" Elly asked.
"I don’t have a problem with it, but why do you want me to teach you?" her mom inquired.
"Because I want to be a good cook like my late sister used to be," said Elly.
"Elly…" Her mother’s voice softened. "Alright, I will teach you after you get back."
"I’ll bring it to them now," Elly replied in a polite tone, unlike before.
"Please be careful, my dear. I don’t want to lose you too," her mother said.
"Alright, I’ll be careful," Elly assured her.
Her mother smiled, reminded of Arisa asking the same thing.
“Mom, can you teach me to cook? I want to make meals for Elly and Zul," Arisa had said.
When Elly arrived at Zul’s house, Zul's mother answered the door when Elly rang the bell.
Zul's mother asked, "Oh, Elly-chan! You look so much like Arisa now. What brings you here?"
"I’m here to bring this for you. It’s from my mother," Elly said, handing over the lunchbox her mother had prepared for Zul’s family.
"Oh, thank you for bringing this. How is your mother? I heard she’s been very depressed since Arisa-chan passed away," Zul’s mother asked.
"Oh, she’s back to normal now and isn’t as depressed as she was before. She’s finally accepted that my sister is no longer with us," Elly replied.
"Is Zul here? I want to see him for a moment," Elly said.
"Please wait a moment; I’ll call him now," Zul’s mother said. "Zul, Elly is here to see you. Please come out!"
"Huh, Elly is here?" Zul called back.
"Hey, you won’t believe what I just saw—Elly-chan looks so cute today. You have to see her now," his mother said.
"Thanks for waiting… Huh!? Arisa?" Zul said in shock when he saw Elly.
"No, Zul, it’s me, Elly. Do I look similar to Onee-chan now?" Elly asked.
"Yeah, you really do. With that hair and the way you talk, I was shocked—I thought you were Arisa earlier," Zul replied.
"Wait, Zul, are you wearing glasses now?" Elly asked.
"Yes, my eyesight has gotten worse recently, so I’ll start wearing them from now on," Zul explained. "How do they look? Do they suit me?"
"Yes, they really suit you. You look cool with them," Elly said with a smile similar to the one Arisa had before.
She’s really changed to be like you, Arisa, Zul thought. If she were still her old self, she would be laughing at me right now for wearing these glasses.
She’s really serious about fulfilling your wish, Arisa, he reflected.
"Okay, Zul, I want to get home now for lunch. My mother is waiting," said Elly.
"Understood… Oh, Elly, on our first day of school in two days, let’s go to the school together. I’ll come to get you at your house," said Zul.
"Understood, I’ll be waiting for you," said Elly, and then she left Zul’s house to return home.
Two days passed, and finally, the day they started junior high school had arrived.
"Elly, Zul is already here to take you to school," her mom called out.
"Tell him to wait for me," Elly replied as she prayed at Arisa’s altar in their house. "Onee-chan, today is my first day of junior high, so please watch over me from up there," she whispered before leaving with Zul to begin her first day.
"Mom, I’m leaving now," said Elly, smiling at her mother, ready to go to her school.
"Take care of yourself, my dear," said her mother. "Please take care of her too, okay Zul?"
"Just leave her to me, Mrs. Sakamoto," said Zul.
As both of them disappeared from her sight, Mrs. Sakamoto spoke to herself, "You see that, Arisa? Your little sister has changed to be like you were before.
Also, I really love to see her smiling like that. It’s the same smile as when both of you were playing together during childhood." Mrs. Sakamoto wiped away tears, moved by Elly's change.
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To be continued...............Futagomonogatari VI
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