A Midsummer's Equation

“Every problem has a solution,” Yukawa said, staring straight at Kyohei through his glasses. “But there’s no guarantee that the solution will be found immediately. The same holds true in our lives. We encounter several problems to which the solutions are not immediately apparent in life. There is value to be had in worrying about those problems when you get to them. But never feel rushed. Often, in order to find the answer, you need time to grow first. That’s why we apply ourselves, and learn as we go.”

“I want you to value life. Yours and others. More than you ever have before.”

“but that doesn’t mean you can just ignore things you don’t understand. It’ll come back to haunt you.”

“Every problem has a solution,” Yukawa said, staring straight at Kyohei through his glasses. “But there’s no guarantee that the solution will be found immediately. The same holds true in our lives. We encounter several problems to which the solutions are not immediately apparent in life. There is value to be had in worrying about those problems when you get to them. But never feel rushed. Often, in order to find the answer, you need time to grow first. That’s why we apply ourselves, and learn as we go.”

When Kyohei came back down, they had set off a few rockets. He’d watched each one shoot off into the night sky. When he glanced at his uncle, he saw that he, too, was looking up, but not at the sky. His eyes were fixed on one of the upstairs windows, and his hands were pressed together, just the way he did when he was praying. Except he didn’t look peaceful. There was deep pain in his face. To Kyohei, it looked like he was apologizing to someone.

You wouldn’t understand unless you’d done the experiment yourself. That’s what science is all about.

“I don’t think what Tsukahara was trying to do was a bad thing. But it was dangerous. Like trying to open a set of doors on the bottom of the sea. You don’t know what’s going to happen when you do. That’s why no one touches them. And when someone comes along who does, others try to stop them.”

This is what I’ve been protecting, she thought. Just like it’s been protecting me

All he said was, “A parent will do anything to protect their child.” His words were like a firm hand pressing against her back, pushing her toward the inevitable.

There was a blush of red in the sky. Evening was coming.

The sunset had been glorious that night too, sixteen years ago.