Sky Eclipse: Episodes 7-8

By MORI Hiroshi

The final volume of “The Sky Crawlers” series (the masterpieces of Dr. MORI, Hiroshi) is the only short story compilation. Episodes 7-8 of the eight short stories are featured in this book.

While a woman visits Kannami in the hospital, her tears are triggered by a shocking event she experienced in the past when she and her elder sister were alone. Eventually, she can spend some peaceful time with Kannami after he leaves the hospital, and she hopes that this happy time will last in “Episode 7: Doll of Glory.”

A woman continues to drive down the straight road, in order to reunite with someone who may be living somewhere far away and to fulfill a promise she once made. Memories of her time in the sky have now burned away and fallen to the ground like ashes, bringing the story to a beautiful close in “Episode 8: Ash on the Sky.”

The last two episodes of the series provide potentially decisive clues that will convince readers of the answer to the great mysteries hidden in the five novels. All the short stories in “Sky Eclipse” are now available, and the entire series has finally been concluded.

At the end of the book, “The Interview About Sky Eclipse with Dr. MORI, Hiroshi” is also included.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Feb 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9781458378781

Book preview

Sky Eclipse: Episodes 7-8

Originally written in Japanese by MORI, Hiroshi

Translated by Ryusui Seiryoin

Cover illustration by mm

Cover design by mm

This work was first published in Japan in 2008.

Japanese edition copyright © 2008 MORI, Hiroshi / Chuokoron-Shinsha

English edition copyright © 2022 MORI, Hiroshi / The BBB: Breakthrough Bandwagon Books

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 9781458378781

Episode 7: Doll of Glory

High overhead floated a soft white cloud. Was that her destination? Snowflake remembered that it was in a cloud she had been born.

This excerpt is from Snowflake by Paul Gallico

-1-

The woman pushed the heavy door open with her own strength. It was the first time for her. Until then, adults had opened the door for her. I am still too small and not strong enough, she had thought before that. On the day, there happened to be no adults nearby, so she gave it a try. When she tried to open the door by herself a long time ago, the door did not even budge. So this time, she held her breath from the start and pushed it with all her might. Then, to her surprise, it moved more easily than she had imagined.

How many times have I walked through the door before? Of course, I have grown up, and the door might have grown old and a little weak, she thought.

The smell of disinfection got saturated as she went inside, and eventually she could not sense it anymore. The light was whitish as though it was hazy, and the floor was shiny as if it was always wet. The door was only marked with a number. The white-coated staff she passed by wore glasses without exception and had blank expressions on their faces. She could recognize the non-employees because their clothes were too baggy. They were the patients. Their seemingly decolorized white skins reminded her more of plants than animals. Their mouths were slack, and they would sometimes cast a dull glance in her direction. As she got very close to them, they appeared to be ready to say something, but she did not get a chance to hear their voices. The only sound was the cold footsteps of people walking. It was as if no voice or music existed in this place.

She wrote down her name at the nurses’ station and waited for a moment. A middle-aged woman in white came out from the space behind the counter and stood before her.

Have you caught a cold lately? The woman asked her.

No, ma’am.

The woman looked at her body as if observing her. Then the woman gave a slight nod. The two of them walked out into the passage. There were two doors with keycard locks along the way. Farther down the corridor, the doors were evenly spaced on both sides, and the only way to tell them apart was by the small shiny metallic room number plates. It was a place where everything was the same in every way, and it seemed to go on forever.

Do you want to go out? The woman in white asked her.

Err, I’m not sure. I don’t know what the person will say.

It was the same number as before. The woman unlocked the door, pushed it open, and walked in. She followed the entry.

There was a small window on the back wall, quite high up. Light shone through it, making the room bright. She saw a bed on her right. There was an armchair in the center, but it was placed with its back toward her.

How are you feeling? The woman moved to the other side of the chair, bent her knees, and looked up at the one sitting on the chair. The woman was suddenly wearing a smile on her face, as if she was putting on a mask.

Nothing in particular ...

There’s a visitor for you.

The chair swiveled, and a white face slowly turned toward her.

Oh, it’s you ... That white face changed slightly.

Do you know who this person is? The woman in white asked.

But the person did not answer. It was the same, as usual.

-2-

The two of them walked down the corridor and out into the courtyard. The hospital staff did not come out the door. They seemed to be trusted to that extent. Which of us is more trusted? She wondered for a moment.

Kannami, do you remember me? She asked.

I remember your face, at least. Sitting on the bench, Kannami answered in a gentle voice.

I am glad to hear that. I’ve been here many times, you know?

Many times? How many?

Umm. She started to fold her fingers but gave up halfway through. Probably, more than 10 times, I think.

Oh, I’ve been here for that long, haven’t I?

That’s right. It’s been many years.

Come to think of it, sometimes I notice that the seasons change. Kannami smiled. I can see it when I come out here. The sky is different. I mean, the height of the clouds is different.

Do you also notice that it is hot or cold?

Not a big deal.

What’s not a big deal?

I mean, whether it’s hot or cold.

Can you guess what it is now?

Now is, umm, He looked up at