As the date approached the middle of June, the summer began setting in properly. But despite the change in season, the landlord for Corona House was feeling a little sad.
“This season is back again...”
Staring at the calendar on the wall, a deep love, sadness and loneliness resonated in Shizuka's eyes. One of the days on the calendar had been circled with a red pen, and Shizuka was gazing at that date.
“It's already been almost five years since that day...”
Shizuka peeled her eyes off of the calendar and picked up a photo placed on the top shelf of her bookshelf. On the photo was an elementary school girl wearing a karate' dougi and holding a trophy, together with her parents. Behind the smiling trio was Corona House. This was a commemorative picture after Shizuka had won a karate tournament.
“Dad, mom, I'm doing just fine...”
Next to where the photo had been was a small memorial tablet. Two months after the picture had been taken, Shizuka's parents passed away. Ever since then, Shizuka had been protecting Corona House on her own. To her, Corona House was her parents’ legacy, and at the same time, a place full of memories. That's why Shizuka couldn't forgive anyone that would bring harm to it.
As Shizuka was staring at the photo, Sanae's face popped out from the floor at her feet.
“Hey Shizuka, tea is ready so come down”
Sanae poked up from the floor below, from room 106, to call Shizuka. As a former ghost, astral projection was a piece of cake to Sanae, making her perfect for communicating between the floors.
“Thank you, Sanae-chan. I'll be right there”
Shizuka decided to head to the floor below and put the photo back. As she did, Sanae managed to catch a glimpse of it.
“...That's a photo of your papa and mama right?”
Sanae could tell that it was a picture of Shizuka's parents at first glance.
“Yes. You can tell?”
Shizuka was a little confused as she had never shown Sanae a picture of her parents before.
“Yeah. Because Corona House has plenty of... residual memories I think?... those things in it”
“That might be because they treasured it so much”
Shizuka didn't start living in Corona House until after her parents had passed away, but she would often help cleaning it. That might be why her parents’ eagerness remained as memories.
“I think so. That's what it means when I can see lots of those memory things”
Sanae could sense Shizuka's parent's enthusiasm in a spiritual way. Sanae had said that lightheartedly, but to Shizuka, those words served as proof of her memories, and tears filled her eyes.
“...Well anyways, hurry on down Shizuka. There won't be any snacks served if you don't”
“Yes. Thank you, Sanae-chan”
Seemingly sensing Shizuka's feelings, Sanae quickly left the room. Shizuka believed that Sanae was doing so out of courtesy for her, as being a spiritual being, there was no way Sanae wouldn't be able to see Shizuka's feelings.
Shizuka turned back towards the bookshelf, wiped away her tears and smiled at the photograph.
“... Dad, mom, I was lonely ever since you died... but I'm fine now. When Satomi-kun and everyone else came, they were a handful at first... but I am really happy now. I wish that these days could continue forever...”
Shizuka's expression was far from dark. The sadness from having lost her parents wasn't gone, but she had been able to form new bonds. That's why sadness wasn't the only thing inside of her anymore. There was also joy.
“... I'll go into details when I visit your graves. So sorry, but I'm going now. Everyone is waiting for me...”
Drinking tea, eating snacks and chatting. That was something natural, but Shizuka felt joy in having regained that natural state after giving it up several years ago.
A creaking sound could be heard.
“... Hmm, I really do feel like I've gotten heavier... I should go on a diet...”
As a result, she regained her composure and was able to worry about the sound of her floor creaking. Shizuka was living her everyday life to its very fullest like she had never done before.
“Fufufu, maybe I should ask everyone...”
With a bounce in her step, Shizuka left room 206.
Truth be told, not even Shizuka knew if she was really all that worried about her weight. All she was thinking of was that it would be fun to talk about weights with everyone else.