Tokyo: My Hundred Demon Scroll

But why doesn't she remember anything at all?

Such an important event was lost due to the child's forgetfulness, resulting in the loss of an invaluable memory.

However, Mother should know.

If it's someone she met as a child and had so much fun with, she definitely won't forget them.

"I just had a dream that I was playing by the river..."

Chihiro told her mother about her dream, and the latter became distracted from the moment she mentioned "riverside".

Only after Chihiro finished recounting the dream, which felt like a real memory, did her mother stand up as if waking from a dream, then trembled and covered her mouth.

Her eyes were filled with tears, but she said nothing, simply turning away calmly.

"Mother?"

Chihiro was at a loss; she didn't know what she had said wrong.

The Ogino family has a very good relationship, and the parents love Chihiro very much.

Because Chihiro met Tanigumo when she was a child, and with the secret help of the latter and the Iijima family, Akio Ogino's career has flourished, and he has now become a senior executive of a medium-sized company.

The Ogino family thus entered high society, and Ogino Yuko was extremely busy, spending her days dealing with wealthy women and providing assistance to her husband.

Although Chihiro is not very smart, she studies very hard.

Chihiro's dream is to become a teacher, just like Sanae-sensei, to connect with her students and create precious childhood memories for them.

After graduating from the famous Sakuramantei Elementary School, the girl successfully entered a private girls' school that combines junior and senior high school education.

This school has a high college admission rate, and its high school's deviation score is among the best in many private schools.

Of course, the school tuition is also very expensive.

However, given the Ogino family's current financial situation, this tuition fee is nothing at all.

"mom!"

Chihiro jumped out of bed and quickly got dressed.

Downstairs, Yuko Ogino was nestled in her husband's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Chihiro's words had brought back painful memories she didn't want to recall.

"is it?"

Akio Ogino was tall, but he had become overweight due to his frequent social engagements.

But at this moment, seeing his wife's pain, Akio Ogino hugged her tightly and said, "It's alright, it's all in the past, about that child."

"But, but Chihiro, she..."

Yuko Ogino did not blame Chihiro for suddenly bringing up that person; it was unintentional, an unintentional mistake.

Even so, Yuko Ogino has never been able to face Chihiro properly all these years.

Although Yuko deeply loves her daughter and cares about her growth immensely.

However, whenever Chihiro looked at her, Yuko Ogino would subconsciously look away, unable to meet her daughter's eyes.

Because she was afraid of revealing any of her feelings, and also worried about seeing another person's reflection in Chihiro's eyes.

Chihiro has grown up.

"But…"

Yuko refused, feeling that Chihiro was too young and might not be able to handle it.

“As Iijima once said, when Chihiro asks him about it, we should tell her the truth.”

The Ogino couple experienced a paranormal event during their high school years, and like the Takanashi family, they were lucky enough to encounter Iijima snail, who was out collecting inspiration.

With the snail's help, the couple overcame their difficulties.

Many years later, due to an accident, the Ogino couple lost an important person.

Overwhelmed with self-blame and pain, the two found the snail and sought his help.

'I've already seen that child.'

I remember what the snail told them back then: 'In our country, those who give their lives for others can become gods.'

'so…'

Do not weep for him; the gods least desire to see human tears.

Regarding Chihiro's question, the snail added, "When the child asks about that person someday, then you should tell her."

'This child,' the snail stroked the sleeping girl's head, 'is stronger than you imagine.'

"Dad, mom?"

Chihiro came down the stairs and saw her mother, who looked like she had just been crying, and her father, whose face was still grave: "What happened?"

Chihiro.

After much deliberation, Akio Ogino finally decided to follow the snail's instructions.

The old man had saved the couple's lives; he was the person the Ogino couple admired most, and they believed his words without a doubt.

"You've grown up now, and it's time to tell you some things."

"???"

Chihiro was puzzled. She had just had a strange dream and spoke a few words to her mother after waking up.

To the girl, this was perfectly normal.

Which child hasn't told their parents about their nightmares and dreams? Chihiro didn't quite understand why her parents were taking it so seriously, as if the sky was falling and her parents were taking her to escape a disaster.

However, the truth is...

"O-ni-chan..."

Brother, Chihiro never knew that she was not alone.

Her parents have another child, and she also has an older brother.

"he…"

"thousand."

Chihiro's older brother is named Ogino Chi.

That's right, it's the new name Chihiro got after Yubaba took her name—Sen.

In Japanese pronunciation, 荻野千寻 should be pronounced as ogino chihiro, while 荻野千 is pronounced as ogino senn.

"Then, where is he?!"

Chihiro thought of a possibility: in her dream, she had struggled in the water.

He was the one who saved himself from the water.

If the voice of the woman crying in the dream overlaps with that of one's own mother, then the answer is self-evident.

he died.

His own brother died, and he did it to save her…

"He is, my older brother."

The previous dream kept replaying in my mind at this moment: a gentle embrace, a loving call.

"Clap, clap."

Tears streamed down Chihiro's face uncontrollably. She couldn't accept it, especially the cause of her brother's death—he had lost his life saving her.

Self-blame, unease, pain, and regret—all sorts of emotions welled up inside me.

"Chihiro?"

Chihiro!

The girl ran upstairs and locked herself in her room; she didn't know how to face the reality.

Childhood memories have become blurred, but as his parents bring them up again, the image of a boy becomes clearer and clearer.

The other person was about the same age as me, a boy of thirteen or fourteen.

He is very gentle and pampers himself.

But one day, the other person suddenly disappeared from her world.

Perhaps because of the immense pain, Chihiro subconsciously forgot everything about the other person.

"Chihiro, come out here."

The mother gently knocked on the door: "It's all in the past now."

Chihiro didn't lock the door, but Yuko Ogino didn't dare to push it open, fearing she would overstimulate her daughter.

"I killed my brother!"

Chihiro's voice came from behind the door. She remembered, she remembered everything.

It had just rained that day, and the sky had cleared up. She insisted on going to play by the river, which is how she accidentally fell into the rushing water.

To save her, her brother jumped into the water without hesitation and used all his strength to lift her to the surface.

Finally, the two were rescued by villagers who rushed to the scene.

Chihiro survived, but her brother died after all efforts to save him failed.

"It's all my fault, it's all my fault..."

Hearing her daughter's self-blame, Yuko Ogino's last bit of inner turmoil completely disappeared.

She knew it; she knew it all along.

This had nothing to do with Chihiro; she did not intentionally kill her brother.

But over the years, Yuko Ogino still couldn't face Chihiro, always afraid that she would associate her son's death with Chihiro.

However, at this moment, sensing her daughter's pain, Yuko Ogino felt increasingly guilty: 'What am I thinking? Chihiro is the one suffering the most.'

The couple dared not tell Chihiro the truth because they were afraid she would blame them for her brother's death and feel guilty for the rest of her life.

"Hu~~"