Another (アナザー)

Have you heard of Misaki?

From the 9th grade, class 3.

Was there anyone named that in class 3?

It happened 26 years ago.

She'd been popular ever since the 7th grade.

She was smart, pretty, and had a great personality,

so she was loved by students and teachers alike.

Yeah, there's at least one person like that in every grade.

Shortly after starting 9th grade,

Misaki died.

What?

-How? -An accident, I hear.

So, everyone was really shocked.

Until, suddenly, someone said it.

What?

He pointed to Misaki's desk and said,

"Misaki's right there. She's not dead."

Was that...

Well, it was just an act.

But from that day on, class 3 continued to behave

as though Misaki was still alive.

That's kinda creepy.

They kept up the act right up to graduation.

The principal even arranged to have

Misaki's seat in the grad ceremony.

Isn't that good?

Sure, if it ended there.

There's more?

The rest of the story is...

How do you feel? Are you in pain?

No.

My goodness, what a way to start your life here.

You poor dear.

Um...

I'm sorry, Grandma.

Oh, no. Don't you worry about that.

You couldn't help it.

Um, does my dad know?

I haven't told him.

Yousuke is in India at the moment, isn't he?

Want me to tell him? I have his number.

No, thank you. I'll contact him myself.

Yeah. That's probably best.

That Yousuke, he's such a dutiful man.

In all this time since Ritsuko died...

That's the Yomiyama River flowing through the center of the town.

And can you see the grounds beyond it?

Um...

-That building? -Yes.

That's the school you'll be attending.

Is that the same school you went to, Reiko?

Yes, although that was 14 years ago.

So mom went there, too?

Right.

My sister Ritsuko also went to Yomi North.

Yomi North?

Yomiyama North Junior High.

Oh.

Public schools are a bit different from private schools.

It just takes some getting used to.

You'll get used to it in no time.

I hope so.

You'll be fine.

Once you're out of the hospital,

I'll help ease into Yomi North.

Oh, you're reading King this time, mister horror lover?

Well, I'll leave you guys alone.

We're students of Yomiyama North Junior High's 9th grade, class 3.

Okay...

I'm Kazami. Tomohiko Kazami.

This is Sakuragi.

Ah, nice to meet you. I'm Yukari Sakuragi.

-And this is... -Izumi Akazawa.

Um, did you want something?

Oh, yes.

Sakuragi and I are class officers.

Akazawa is in charge of countermeasures.

We came here today as representatives of class 3.

Countermeasures?

You just transferred here, right?

We heard that you were supposed to start

coming to school on Monday, but then suddenly got sick.

So we decided to visit you on behalf of the entire class.

Um, here. These are from all of us.

You moved here from Tokyo, right?

Yeah.

And you went to a private school there?

Why did you transfer?

For family reasons.

Is this your first time living in Yomiyama?

Yes.

Oh... I thought maybe you used to live here.

I've been here before,

but not lived here.

Did you stay long?

Can't say.

I don't remember.

I was really young, so... maybe?

Here.

I made you a copy of all notes from the start of the first term.

Thank you!

I think I'll start school in early May, so I'll see you then.

Um, Sakakibara?

Yes?

Well...

Sakakibara...

Your first name's Kouichi?

May we call you Kouichi?

Oh, sure.

We look forward to getting to know you, Kouichi.

Same here. Thanks.

Kouichi, are you sure you've never lived in Yomiyama before?

I don't think so.

Dad

Oh, pardon me.

Are you a Yomi North student?

Got business on the second basement level?

Yes.

But the second basement level is...

I have something to deliver.

My poor other half...

...is waiting for me there.

Hey, wait.

What's your name?

Mei.

Mei Misaki.

MECHANICAL ROOM - BOILER ROOM MORGUE

Good morning, Rei!

Good morning, Rei!

How are you?

Good morning!

Good morning!

Hey there, good morning! How're you doing?

Morning...

It's 2 A.M. over here.

India sure is hot!

What's up?

Leaving for school, aren't you?

It's your go-get-'em call. Be grateful!

Uh, sure.

Feeling okay?

How've things been since the hospital?

-Can you hear, Kouichi? I wanted to say... -Hold on, the signal's bad.

I'm feeling fine.

You don't have to worry.

Yeah, a collapsed lung's not the end of the world.

I had one, when I was a boy.

Really? I didn't know that.

I never told you.

I didn't want anyone telling you it's hereditary.

Is it?

I actually had it twice, but never again after that.

So if it's hereditary, you're all done.

I hope so.

Think of it as something that's in the past,

and go enjoy your life.

I won't stress.

That's my boy! Say hello to your grandparents for me!

Man, India is seriously hot!

Good morning, Rei! Good morning!

Rei is your name, you know.

Cheer! Cheer up!

Sure. Thanks.

Moving along.

The third thing you need to know about Yomi North is:

Always uphold the class rules.

Okay.

Things might be different in Tokyo,

but here the group matters more than the individual.

I think I can handle that.

Good.

Now, the fourth thing you need to know is...

Kouichi!

Breakfast is ready!

Breakfast, she says, Kouichi.

Good morning, Grandpa.