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Page 28 [I'm so sorry. We wanted to tell you sooner...please don't be discouraged, okay.] Even with Auntie's gentle words, she can't help but lower her head silently. When lying on the bed, the tiredness of the whole day suddenly came out. However she didn't feel like sleeping, her nerves were strangely awake. There is a window on the foot of the wall that is as tall as the ceiling. The one seen from the door is this one. A window that doesn't open - or rather it was fixed. I wonder if it was by chance that I entered this room, such doubtful thoughts lingered. However, what Noriko felt was not despair. It was anger towards herself. (I should have come here earlier) It was because Noriko now knew here brother was dead. -Last Thursday, there was the death anniversary service of father. With mother being hospitalized, the only ones left in the household was only Noriko and her younger brother in the second grade. Relatives living nearby and neighbors came and help out, but after the service has been completed, everyone became so busy suddenly. She finally slept in the deep of the night, her brother's fall shook Noriko up. [What? Didn't you promise that you will go to the toilet alone?] Being tired, Noriko's tone was ill-tempered. Page 29 [I already did] Takeshi replied sharply. [Then that's good. Good night.] [Brother came] Takeshi whispered silently. [what?] [The altar, it was open] Brother was employed in a pharmaceutical company. He would definitely come back on the day of the funeral service, but without knowing the reason, was absent this year, it made them worry. But coming back at this late at night.... [Did you open the front door?] [No] [Then he won't be able to come in] [but he was here. the sliding door to the altar room was open] [Did you hear anything?] [But....] Rarely meeting him, the younger brother was a bit afraid of his older brother. [This is troublesome. Anyway, why don't you come here.]

Okay, here is a disclaimer. I don't know why I didn't notice it before, but the girl's name is Noriko, not Kiko. I don't know where that came from. I wasn't probably paying attention then when I was translating those, but the girl's name is definitely Noriko. Additionally, I've tried to rephrase the sentences to be more palatable to English speakers, instead of literally translating word for word. Hopefully this will make it easier for whoever is going to edit this. Page 26 [I even called the office and the dorm. They are saying that there is no such employee. What could this mean? Please tell me the truth.] Noriko's tone was now like interrogating. Uncle couldn't say anything and just kept quiet. [...dear. You have to say something.] Auntie said defeatingly. [It's not something that we can hide forever] [My brother, something happened to him right?] Takuro closed his eyes. [...he passed away] [Is that so?] Noriko was a bit calm, which surprised the uncle a bit. [Did you already know?] [No. But somehow- something like that] Noriko shifted her words. [About the funeral, has it already been done?] [About that, there has been a delay in communication] Uncle said vexingly. Page 27 [I'm not so sure how to say this. ...in the plant, during work. A chemical tank broke. Tatsuo-kun was just changing the equipment. He still wasn't used to it yet. He wasn't able to run away quick enough. ....but those chemicals, seems like it was a strong acid used for solvents] [was it terrible?] [-there was nothing left] Uncle dropped his shoulders. [I feel somewhat responsible. If I didn't introduce him to our company, no, or at least have him work in the office, something like this wouldn't have happened.] [It's alright. I'm at least grateful for uncle.] Noriko said without any expression. [Are there any belonging that are left behind] [I understand. I'll try to ask about it tomorrow. Why don't you stay here for tonight. From here on, there needs to be a consultation] Uncle said a lot of things, but none of those registered in Noriko's ears. But there was one thing that kept on ringing on her head. [There was nothing left] Noriko was guided in a small room up a few steps from the first corridor.