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The Last Wish By Yolanda Wang
Written by Yolanda Wang of E4B Instructor: Kenneth M. Smith Wenzao Ursuline College of Languages Kaohsiung, Taiwan June 2013
Words checked = [2716] Words in Oxford 3000™ = [89%]
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About the Author ----------------Yolanda Wang is born and raised in Pingtung, Taiwan. She is now a fourth year student who majors in English minors in Japanese at Wenzao Ursuline College of Languages. She likes to watch dramas and cartoons. The characters’ names in the story are Japanese names. This is her first time to write a novel. Though it may not be perfect enough, she still hopes readers can be inspired. 2
Blurb A girl came back to the town to find her old friends because she wants her last wish to be fulfilled. However, even the girl herself cannot recall what exactly the wish is about. In order to receive the help of her friends, she needs to make them altogether again like before. Do you think the last wish would come true and also restore a broken friendship?
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Table of Contents ----------------About the Author-------------------------p.1 Chapter 1: The Summer-----------------p.3 Chapter 2: The Past Memories---------p.8 Chapter 3: The Deal with Anaru------p.12 Chapter 4: The First Try----------------p.19 Chapter 5: When Go Back to School--p.24 Chapter 6: Be Together Again----------p.29 Chapter 7 Time to Say Goodbye-------p.34
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Chapter1 The Summer It is Monday, the beginning o f a new week. As usually, sun is shining, and the bright sunshine forces Jinta to wake up. Actually, it is almost 10 o’clock, but he is not going to school. He decides to stay at home. It is not the first time that Jinta stays away from school. Jinta does not feel right today, but he has no idea where the feeling comes from. It feels like that somebody is standing and talking to him. He chooses to ignore it 5
anyway. Jinta fixes breakfast for him, and his dad who just came back. His dad does not persuade him to go to school because he has been used to it. Jinta is in single-parent family, so when his father is busy with the work, he has to take care of himself on his own. Though he does not like to go to school, he is not that kind of teenagers who make troubles a lot. Moreover, he often does the household chores. That is also why his father does not see it as a problem about his not going 6
to school. After finished the breakfast and washing dishes, he still feels sleepy and goes back to sleep again. That is quite normal because he always stays up playing video games “Jinta, wake up!” A naughty but slender voice goes through Jinta’s closed eyes. It sounds familiar to him. Slowly, He opens his eyes. “Menma.”Jinta said. Then, there is silence. “It must be illusion” he thought in mind but did not 7
say it. “and the illusion is so interesting because he had never thought about what it would look like if Menma had grown up as he did.� again, he spoke to himself without making any sound. However, it is Menma’s turn. She still tried hard to get Jinta up and out of the bed. She shakes his whole body, pulls his hair and ears, and pinches his cheeks. This time Jinta became awake completely. Also, he is sure there is nothing about 8
illusion, but reality. “Why are you here?” asked Jinta and still lying on the bed. “I do not know why but I did, and maybe it’s because I got a wish.” Menma said with a smile on her face as always. “What kind of wish?” asked Jinta. “I do not know.” replied Menma. “Even you do not know what it is yourself, and how can I help you?” Jinta is getting moreconfused. “Anyway, you must have to help me!” 9
Chapter 2 The Past Memories Jinta recalls what had happened in that summer eight years ago. It was still a unforgettable memory in his mind though they go different ways individually and seldom contact each other. All of them know that everything has changed because they are no longer the group of four people and they could never go back the way they were. Since elementary school, they had been the best friends. There were Jinta, 10
Anaru, Menma, and Yukiatu in their group. They imagine that they are working in a group fighting for peace, and the secret fort was a wooden hut in the forest. They decorated it with their own drawing and the dry unique leaves they picked up, and there is a red flag hung on the back. After the school finished, they would come here and have games. There were always full of laughter when they played inside. Sometimes they also went or ran around the forest. Jinta still 11
remembers that in that time their favorite game was hide-and-seek. Jinta was always the one who gave orders or made decisions, but he got too excited sometimes. Once, Jinta was asked that if he liked Menma. “Never” Jinta hesitated a little bit. “She’s ugly” quickly finished, and Jinta ran out of the hut. That hurt Menma’s feeling, and Jinta knows that. Jinta decided to apologize, but
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she died in an accident before he could. He has felt regret for so long. It was a day in the summer eight years ago as usually, they played in the forest. However, they never thought that Mennma would die in an accident. She accidentally fell into a river and drowned. Since the accident happened, they have never come to the forest and stayed in the wooden hut again. It difficult for them to get over Menma’s death, and they all
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blame for themselves. However, Menma never thinks, so even she is dead. Chapter 3 The Deal With Anaru “Ding-dong” the doorbell rings. It is Anaru. She drops by Jinta’s house to give him some homework because he has been absent for over one week. She went to the same school with Jinta after graduated from elementary school, but they are just normal friend now. “You better come back to school soon.” Anaru said. 14
“It is none one of your business.” Jinta still tends to ignore other’s feeling. “She is Anaru! She has got so tall and has long hair, but still cute!” screamed Menma with excitement, but Anaru can neither see nor hear her. “I saw Menma.” Jinta suddenly burst out. “Do not be kidding. She is already died. Hope to see you in class next week.” Anaru leaves. Actually, Anaru has been guilty about asking Jinta if he liked Menma. She 15
envied Menma a lot because Menma was lovely and innocent. She had a crush on Jinta, but she had no courage to tell him, so she asked that question to test him. However, it was a improper decision, and she regrets it. Despite her envy towards Menma, she still sorrowed over Menma’s death. “Have you recalled your wish now?” asked Jinta. “I still have no idea what it is” replied with naughty voice. 16
“It maybe something we ever played before.” “Is it possible to be the rare monster from the video game we all love?” “Well, maybe.” It was a popular video game that time, and they were all crazy about it. They had to defeat the monsters in every stage, and as harder the stage is knocked down the rarer the monster will appear. There are fifteen stages in total. They have gotten fourteen monsters before Menma died. 17
However, there comes a problem. Where to find the video game in eight years ago? Jinta decided to ask game shops as many as he could. Disappointedly, every shop he went no longer sells the games because it is out of date already. “Will someone still hold the video game?�Jinta considers if it still has any hope. “Why do not we just go find Anaru? I remembered that the video game was from 18
her originally. ” said Menma. “Well, so let’s go find it.”Jinta said. ‘ They come to a game store where Anaru takes a part-time job. “Do you still have the game we loved to play in our secret fort when we were children?” Jinta directly asked Anaru without any greeting. “Why do you want it?” Anaru is confused. “I told you I saw Menma, and now she is beside me. She asked me to fulfill her wish.” 19
“So what kind of wish it is?” Anaru still does not believe it though. “She said she forgot, but I assumed that it is to get the last rare monster from that game.” “I have it and can give you, but there is a condition,” Anaru thinks up a good idea. “I want you to go back to school.” “OK, see you at school tomorrow.” said Jinta. Therefore, Anaru agrees to help Jinta on the condition that he starts attending 20
school again. Chapter 4 The First Try Although Jinta has got the game, but it takes time to play from the stage one. Therefore, he asked Anaru to help him go through these stages together. Anaru goes o visit Jinta after she finishes her job. “We have not played game together for a long time,” said Anaru, “since Menma’s death.” “You said you saw Menma’s ghost if it is because you have been missing 21
Menma
too
much?
Anaru
asked
continually. “At first, I did not believe, either, but she is indeed talking to me and wearing the white dress she liked the most before.” “And she said she has a wish?” Anaru has been a little bit convinced. After all, not only Jinta but also her has been looking back on the memories in their childhood often. As a result, they spend all night playing game. Because Menma does not 22
know about what her wish is, Jinta can just either guess or try, so he does not know if this could be her real wish. Until the early morning, they finally go to the final stage of the game. “If getting the rare monster is your wish, will you disappear after we get it?” asked Jinta. “Are you talking to Menma?” Anaru is going to press the start button to the final stage. “I do not know. If it is, I think maybe.” 23
but there is nothing wrong with Menma’s ghost so far. After they get the final rare monster… there is a silence. Anaru is looking at Jinta. At the same time, Jinta is looking at Menma seeing if she disappears or not. “Oh! Yeah! I am still here! ” Menma screams happily. “What happened, Jinta? Has Menma gone?” Anaru can just know Menma’s movements through Jinta. “She is still here.” answered Jinta who 24
breathes a sigh of relief. Well, it turns out not to be Menma’s real wish. Actually, Menma wants to stay longer with Jinta and Anaru. It makes her feel like that they go back to their childhood playing together. Moreover, Jinta and Anaru also feel so. Anaru thinks it may be real that Menma has come back after they managed to get the monster. The game brings back the feeling of team spirit they used to be familiar with. Though the wish has not fulfilled yet, 25
Jinta has found his own wish: To apologize to Menma
because of the
incident. Chapter 5 When Go Back to School A week passed, and here comes Monday again. It will be different from the last week. Jinta is going to school today because he has to stick to the promise with Anaru. Menma is even more energetic than him because she is going along with him. Everyone in their childhood
group
changed
except 26
Menmawho is the same as before a lively girl with good heart. Coincidentally, on the way to school, they run into Yukiastu who studies in another school now. Jinta has talked to him since their group broke up. Yukiastu is now an outstanding student which makes him little bit arrogant. He believes that it is impossible to be friends with Jinta and Anaru like before. He now seldom goes out with others and pays all his attention to his studies to run away 27
from the fact that he cannot forget about them. On the other hand, Jinta wants to say hello and tell him about Menma because he thinks it is necessary for Menma’s wish to get everyone back and rebuild their group. “Yukiatu!” Jinta calls out his name when he is acting as if he does not see anyone. “Yes?” He is quite shocked by Jinta’s sudden talking. “How have you been?” There is sweat on 28
Jinta’s forehead. “Not bad. If there is no other thing, I have to go.” He wants to end this awkward conversation quickly. “Wait,” shouted Jinta. “Menma is back.” “What do you mean? Are you still day dreaming?” “That’s true. I am really here. I come back because I want to play with you all again. “ Menma talked loudly though only Jinta can hear her. “She asked us to fulfill her wish, but she 29
does not know what it is.” Jinta continued. “So what do you want from me?” “I hope we can go back to the hut together. Maybe we can find something to help Menma.”Jinta said with confidence. “We are not children anymore. You should know that.” Yukiatu thinks Jinta is being childish. “Just this time, can you go back with us?” Jinta does not give up. “I can show you that Menma is really watching us.” “I really have to go.” Yukiatu runs away. 30
“This Friday at seventeen o’clock we will all be in our secret fort.”Jinta makes it loud enough to make Yukiatu hear it. Chapter 6 Be Together Again Jinta wants everyone to go back to the old hut because he recalls that there is a diary which they wrote about their plan or draw something in rotation every time they gathered together in there before. He supposes the diary might give some hints about Menma's wish.
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As the appointment Jinta has made, he, Anaru and Menma go to the hut after school. Jinta is in a hurry to find and open the old diary as soon as they arrive. The diary makes them think of their last plan was to make firework by themselves. However, it stays unfulfilled because of Menma's death. "Menma's wish must be this." Jinta said.
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"Yeah, that was what we always wanted to do at that time," Anaru also agreed. "And we always worked together to complete plans." Menma said in a low voice. "When Yikiatu is back, we must be able to make our firework this time." Jinta said seriously. "Do you think he cares about us?" Anaru doubts about it.
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At the same time, Yukiatu is frustrated. He does not know if he should go. Enght years ago, he had decided to forget all their friendship. In fact, he also blames hisself for the accident happened to Menma. In fact, He had seen what happened to Menma on that day and felt guilty about it ever since. He hardly can forgive himself. Therefore, if Menma really has any wish, he would help her for sure.
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After
three
hours,
Jinta
hears
somebody's approach. It turns out to be Yukiatu. He comes anyway. "You said that you can prove Menma is here,right?" asked Yukiatu right after he stepped in. Jinta takes the diary, gives it to Menma. "Menma, can you try to write something in the diary?" Jinta asked. Menma becomes excited and think of it as a good idea. "You are so smart, Jinta.
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Even though I am invisible to them, they may see what I write." Then, Menma writes “I hope we can make our own firework together.� on the diary. Anaru and Yukiatu burst into tears the moment they see what Menma wrote. Chapter 7 Time to Say Goodbye Now, their group has come back, but they have a difficult problem to solve. It is impossible to have the firework made by just them. They need to ask for help from other older people. Therefore, Jinta asks 36
his father if he can make the firework for them. For days Jinta has been pestering his father to make him a firework. As a result, the firework has also been prepared. For that, they decide to held a party and launch
their
firework
to
say
final
good-bye to Menma. “Menma, I am really happy that you make us be like before.” Anaru said. “I thought we would never be friends again.” Yukiatu said happily.
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“It should be me to say thanks. You have tried so hard to fulfills my unknown wish, and I suppose I came back because I missed you guys too mach.” Menma wrote on her diary, so everyone knows her presence. “Menma, even though you are dead, you are our best friend and also the member of our group forever. We will be here whenever you want to come.” Jinta is actually does want Menma to disappear.
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Jinta leads everyone to the place where they played hide-and-seek in the forest to launch the firework. “It’s time to say good-bye.” Jinta said sadly. “You promise me you will be friends like before and never change.” Menma said to Jinta. “We will.” Jinta said firmly. Menma is disappearing when they are
admiring
the
firework
which
illuminates the dark sky. The amazing 39
moment is just like their summer in eight years
ago
which
was
short
but
unforgettable. Everyone crises and they find that… “I can see Menma. Menma! ”Anaru shouted running to Menma and embraced her. They are able to see and hear Menma. That enables them to give their final goodbyes before she disappears. “Do not be sad. You have to live your lives to the
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fullest for me.� Menma disappears after she said it. Finally,
Jinta
becomes
a
hard-working person. He and his friends return to their secret fort and read what Menma wrote while thinking about her.
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Acknowledgements I would like to thank my instructor, Kenneth comments
M.
Smith through
for
the
this
useful course.
Furthermore, I would like to thank my classmates. It would not have been possible to finish this book without the kind support and help of them.
Photo Credit Cover: http://priyazoutlook.blogspot.tw/2010/07/oye-itsfriendship-day.html 42