Chapter 149

The Path (1) (みちなり①, Michinari) is the first part of the 149th chapter of the Fumetsu no Anata e manga.

Summary
At school, Mizuha is absent due to a cold and Fushi finally goes back to school.

During break, Fushi heads to the school's library and finds Tonari there reading a book. Fushi tells her that Gugu and Hairo might leave and asks her if she's gonna leave too. Tonari isn't sure what to say at first but then tells him that she hasn't thought about anything like that yet. Fushi sits down next to her and asks if she's studying. She tells him she's just reading for fun. She tells him that she likes it here in the library because there's plenty of books and that she might find something that interests her. Hearing the later part makes Fushi tense up. Fushi tells her that he wonders if he made this place more attractive, no one would think about leaving. Tonari supposes so but then says that no matter how perfect a paradise is, Fushi can't get rid of people's pain and doubts since they're human.

Tonari points out that Fushi wants to create a world without suffering like the Nokkers. Fushi denies being like the Nokkers and explains that he just wants to make everyone's dream come true but Tonari interrupts him and tells him that their dreams will come true without Fushi's help. She points out that pain and anxiety always find those chasing their dreams. Fushi is no different, he's pained for chasing his dream of granting everybody else's dream. Tonari tells him that even though he gave her a young body, she's found new problems because of it (her crush on Fushi). Fushi asks if he could help her but she brushes him off.

Tonari ends by telling him that one's third life goes by fast and that everyone is just looking for their own lives. Fushi says they don't have to rush their lives as he can keep them living forever. Tonari stops him and asks if he asked anyone about their current lives and ambitions. Fushi hesitantly says he has.

In class, Fushi draws a giant question over his assignment.

As he walks home, he sees Hairo being scolded at work and Kai, seemingly sick, working as a laborer. When he arrives home, he finds March and Iddy doing their best to use chopsticks as directed by their tutor. The two successfully pick up a grain of rice with their chopsticks and celebrate in victory. Fushi shocked to see this and runs away from the house in a hurry. Once far enough, he stops and wonders what this painful feeling is in his chest. He knows seeing March and Iddy happy is a good thing but he can't help but be hurt by this. He thinks about how at first March couldn't even write or use chopsticks and wonders if one day she'll become like the rest of the kids at his school. He imagines March's life as she grows up without him: going to school, making friends, getting a job, marrying and having kids, then reaching old age. He sees that one day, everyone else will also walk down the same path too without him.

Fushi curls up into a ball on the ground and mutters "no..."

Language Translation
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