Okay, Grandma.
Chick Pudding
I'll come again.
The Ninth Bone Grandmother's Pudding
Rain...
A Story Dedicated to Those Trapped by the Past
Hmm...
Maybe I should just get the plain one.
The matcha one's hard to overlook, though.
This time of year, I'd recommend the chestnut and La France pear flavors.
Sakurako-san!
I splurged and bought them both!
I hope these will make Grandma happy.
They're for your grandmother?
Yeah, I thought I should visit her grave.
It's the monthly anniversary of her death.
Oh, sorry... I didn't realize.
It's okay.
It's thanks to you and Sakurako-san
that I can even do this for her.
Sounds like you've come to terms with what happened.
I have.
We've laid her bones to rest,
and now we're cleaning up their home in Touma, bit by bit.
Oh, speaking of which...
What is it?
Um, Sakurako-san, do you have some free time right now?
I have no pressing plans.
Well, I remembered something while I was putting Grandma's things in order.
Wow, there's a lot!
These are Grandpa's paintings and Grandma's personal effects we brought from Touma.
You're sure it's one of these paintings?
Yes, it should be.
I'm sure it's in here somewhere.
Grandma, I can clean up.
Okay, then, can you wipe the dishes?
Sure!
You've grown so much.
Are you already starting middle school next year?
Yeah.
Then I can come to Touma all on my own.
I'll come visit a lot more.
I'm worried about Grandpa, too.
I appreciate that,
but you don't have to try too hard.
Once you're in middle school, I'm sure you'll be busy.
You'll have your studies, extracurriculars, and romance...
Huh?
R-Romance? No way.
It's way too soon.
Oh, right, Yuri-chan.
When you get married...
When I get married...
So she said she'd give you one of these as a present...
Here.
Oh, thanks.
Oh, that's...
It appears you were a diligent correspondent.
Yes, I wrote a lot during elementary school.
Maybe it was because both my parents worked,
but I felt like Grandma was the only one I could talk to about anything.
Still, I gradually stopped writing once I started middle school.
Selfish, right?
That's how children are.
And it was a sign that you were growing up.
I'm certain your grandmother knew that.
So, did you paint this?
Yes.
I painted it with Grandpa when my family visited Lake Mashuu.
Hmm, so these two...
You've nailed the main features.
You're a good painter.
He was right next to me at that time, teaching me, so...
Oh, you're right.
It's well done, somehow.
What do you mean, "somehow"?
Well...
Look. See?
Where'd you get this?!
Isozaki-sensei sent it to me.
Oh, that jerk!
Deleted
It's not like we're buddies or anything!
I just get saddled with all kinds of random chores somehow...
By the way, Yuriko.
Could I look inside?
Oh, sure.
It's a little embarrassing, but if it's you...
You called her by name just now...
And after all this time, you still call me "boy"!
Hey, Sakurako-san—
Shut up, boy! You're distracting me!
I've seen her book collection.
Yuriko, it seems your grandmother enjoyed Japanese poetry.
Yes, she often read that book.
There's a poem in Collection of Myriad Leaves:
"If I buy a horse,
Still my girl must go afoot;
Let us be content—
Though we walk upon the stones,
We two shall be together."
This poem was written by a husband to his wife,
who was trying to buy a horse for him.
"If we buy a horse, it would mean you'd be the only one who has to walk.
So even if it means walking on rocks and suffering,
I want to walk with you."
Well, that's the gist.
Walking together...
It's a choice I can see your grandmother making, since she supported
her ailing husband until the end.
That's true.
Let's call this option one.
Now, next up is this painting.
Obviously, this relates to Yuriko's name.
In the language of flowers, Casablanca lilies
signify sublime love, mercy, and splendor.
The bright colors make it suitable as a gift to a bride.
But isn't it too simplistic a choice?
Then how about this last one?
This painting?
Yes. I chose this because of this island.
It's called Kamuishu Island.
In Ainu, "kamui" means god, and "shu" means grandmother.
Grandmother?
Yes. There's a tragic tale associated with this island.
Long ago,
a clan was betrayed, and their village destroyed.
There was one old woman who managed to escape, with her grandchild.
But as they fled through the mountains, the two were separated.
The old woman pushed her aged body to its limits in search of her grandchild.
She arrived at the shore of a lake, and there, she finally collapsed.
But it's said that her body became the island,
and that she's still waiting there for her grandchild.
What a tragic story...
But why would she give me a painting like that?
It's a matter of interpretation.
What if it embodied the desire to watch over you with everlasting affection,
even after the time came to say farewell?
Besides, her beloved grandchild and husband painted this together, side by side.
I'm sure this painting represented a happy time for her.
Grandma's island...
So which one is "the one"?
I don't know.
Huh?
Yuriko, I don't want to lie to you.
So I'll tell you this straight.
I cannot find that painting.
Then these paintings...
I picked these based on what I knew.
But...
Among the letters you sent to your grandmother
was one about how happy and grateful you were for her Christmas present.
The present she gave you was a dress-up doll.
That was in my first year of middle school.
But tell me the truth.
Were you truly happy to get a doll?
Was it something you actually wanted?
Well,
it was a gift from my grandmother, so...
Then, if it hadn't been from her,
you wouldn't have been happy about it.
Sakurako-san!
Of course you wouldn't have.
Who'd give a dress-up doll to someone in middle school these days?
But none of that frustration was expressed in your letter.
Only words of joy and appreciation.
You knew, you see.
You knew that your happiness was her happiness,
and that her happiness was your own happiness, as well.
That kind of understanding can only exist
after you spend a long time caring for one another.
I believe that's what the general public may call affection.
That's why this is beyond my ability.
This is a secret promise you made with your grandmother.
Only you can solve this mystery,
and I believe you can.
I... I'll bring more drinks.
So there are mysteries even you can't solve.
Affection is a very irrational thing, after all.
Her grandmother seems to have valued even the smallest keepsakes.
If you ask me, it's pointless sentimentalism.
There are things that have value because they're pointless, you know.
Boy, since when are you a philosopher?
Huh?
Grandma, I'm sure I'll find it...
I hope the weather clears up tomorrow.
Do you have something planned?
Oh, I thought I'd visit my grandmother's grave for the first time in a while.
You're so simple-minded, boy.
Hey! You're calling me "boy" again!
I'll grow taller, just wait!
Right, Hector?
I come bearing gifts today,
so cut me some slack already.
Gifts?
Yes, though I bought them as grave offerings.
I'll go make some tea, then.
Hup!
Ta-da!
Chick Pudding!
Oh, there are so many different kinds!
Yes, and these seven are just the basic flavors.
They also carry seasonal flavors, so I always have trouble choosing at the store.
So the store's close to your home...
I had no idea.
It's a great place, only known to a select few.
Miss, you'll be having dinner shortly, so eat only one.
Only one.
Only one, understand?!
Okay, this one!
Sakurako-san has such a sweet tooth.
Indeed.
I'd like her to have balanced meals, as well.
Sakurako-san, if you're too picky with your food,
your health will suffer someday.
Shut up.
It's so delicious!
It really melts on your tongue.
It does!
Even my grandma would call their pudding exceptional.
So that's why you chose them as offerings.
Your grandmother must have been very fond of them.
No, they were my favorite.
Grandma was more of a traditional sweets person.
My grandpa on my mom's side was a hotel chef.
Whenever I visited them, they'd often make me pudding for dessert.
She'd just sit next to me and smile while watching me eat, though.
I see.
So your grandmother didn't like pudding all that much.
I believe not.
But when she was diagnosed with cancer and hospitalized...
When they found it had metastasized to her bones and was terminal...
Every time I offered to visit,
she'd always request this store's pudding.
She could barely even eat anything by then...
But our thing was still for me to buy two,
and for us to eat them together in her room.
I see.
Now that I think about it, it's all so strange.
I wonder why she suddenly developed a taste for them.
She didn't want pudding from anywhere else, either.
She insisted on this store's.
It isn't uncommon for illness to change your sense of taste.
Is that why...
No.
I believe the reason she wanted these ones specifically goes deeper than that.
The reason?
Yes, I believe I can answer your question.
Let me ask you a few questions, then.
When did your grandmother pass away?
When I was in fourth grade.
Where was she hospitalized?
Asahikawa University Hospital.
It was the closest to home, for ease of visitation.
Then, did you always take your bicycle to go to the hospital
from your home in Nankou?
Yes.
I suppose if you went straight there,
it would have taken you ten to fifteen minutes?
I believe so.
Did you call her at the hospital before leaving?
I always did.
Grandma wanted me to.
She said she'd feel bad if I came when she was out of her room for testing and stuff.
So your visits weren't scheduled, but spur of the moment?
Yes, but what does that have to do with any of this?
I believe that was her reason.
You still don't understand?
Gran's talking about time.
Huh?
Ten to fifteen minutes wasn't enough.
You're perceptive, miss.
I'm totally lost.
You really are quite the fool.
Your grandmother was hospitalized with cancer, was she not?
And in its advanced stages?
Right.
Do you know what it means to have cancer metastasize to the bone?
It means your bones are being destroyed from the inside out.
The pain is quite excruciating.
Despite the serious nature of her illness,
your description of her portrays her as being at peace.
That's how I realized
that every time you visited her, before you arrived...
She'd get a painkiller injected.
But it would take time for the drugs to kick in.
That's why she'd have you buy the pudding
so you'd have to take the longer route to the hospital.
Not to mention, if you had to choose only two from among so many,
you must have always spent quite some time deciding, knowing you.
So Grandma asked me for the pudding to buy time?
Indeed.
She didn't want you to see her in pain
if she could prevent it.
Oh, no...
She was already suffering so much, and I was just being an additional burden...
Young master,
your visits were the best treatment she could have had.
But what did I do?
I'd just eat pudding with her and talk about stuff,
like what happened that day or what I watched on TV the day before...
It was just pointless small talk.
Some things have value because they're pointless, right?
That's what you said yesterday.
I think I can understand how your grandmother felt.
You can't take money or material possessions with you to the afterlife.
Only memories of having cared for someone, and having been cared for in return.
Is there anything more valuable than that?
All the hours you've spent together,
something that seems so commonplace,
starts feeling very much like something to be appreciated, at my age.
Gran...
And lastly, one more thing.
The reason your grandmother chose the pudding...
I think...
Oh, that's what happened?
Yeah.
Isn't that weird?
Is it good?
Yeah!
You really like pudding, don't you, Shou-chan?
Yeah!
Your grandmother wanted to see that smile on your face.
Oh, so that's why...
Good grief... This is all your fault, Gran.
I'm terribly sorry.
I revealed the secret your grandmother tried so hard to keep hidden...
Now you'll have to rehydrate.
Oh, I'll go get more tea.
No, that's fine.
You take care of the boy.
I'm sorry...
Honestly,
why does everyone want to waste their water stores for no reason?
I struggle to understand it.
Well, thank you so much for dinner.
Come by again anytime.
Thank you.
I'll see you all later, then.
Boy.
Yes?
Take care.
Okay.
Gran, I believe you're aware of this, but he's...
I know.
That young man's name is Shoutarou.
Good.
Also, we'll be going to the hospital first thing tomorrow.
Pardon?
Your back hurts when you stand up, doesn't it?
Don't try to deceive me.
If you're in pain, you must tell me.
Don't lie to me.
I don't want to tell you.
I do have my dignity.
You needn't worry about me.
But...
I want to be your gran
until I draw my very last breath.
Please allow me to do that.
Honestly, Gran...
Time spent together, huh?
But now...
It's time to bring it to an end.
Hitoe's like this because you didn't raise her right!
You ignore your family, and now you blame everything on me?
Where are you going, Hitoe-chan?
Walking Mimi.
I'll be right back.
Okay... Be careful.
I'll fly to you now.
Wait for me,
Sensei.