stjorthotic Chapter 1930: The Story of Natsume's Book of Friends - The Courage to Face the Past
Chapter 1930: The Story of Natsume's Book of Friends - The Courage to Face the Past
Chapter 1930: The Story of Natsume's Book of Friends - The Courage to Face the Past
Chat group.
Himouto! Umaru-chan: "I've finished reading Natsume's Book of Friends."
Himouto! Umaru-chan: "A completely different art style, it's so healing."
Umaru seemed still immersed in the refreshing, timeless, slightly melancholic yet incredibly warm world of "Natsume's Book of Friends," and couldn't help but continue sharing her feelings.
Himouto! Umaru-chan: "If Doraemon's story is a heartwarming and dreamlike adventure full of endless possibilities, then Rainbow Cat's story is a chivalrous world full of chivalry."
Himouto! Umaru-chan: "Then Natsume's story is like a gentle breeze blowing across the heart, or a cup of tea at just the right temperature."
Himouto! Umaru-chan: "It is the most delicate and tender bond between humans and yokai."
The beginning of the story also carries a sense of the wonder of a fateful encounter.
The story begins in a clichéd way, just like in a novel: the protagonist accidentally touches a rope, releasing a ferocious monster that was suppressed in the sacrificial tower. But when the monster jumps out, oh wait? It's a chubby white cat.
Then came a series of short stories.
Each story is short, without battles or conspiracies; they consist only of encounters, partings, misunderstandings, protection, memories, and forgetting.
Yet this simple story is so tender that it brings tears to your eyes.
He boiled Daigo into soup: "Because gentle people will eventually encounter more gentle people and things."
He boiled Daigo into soup: "Natsume-kun is such a gentle person to the core."
Daigo shared the same sentiment after viewing Natsume Takashi's memory copy.
Natsume endured loneliness, misunderstanding, and rejection, yet he still carefully held his tender heart, treating every yokai he encountered, returning every name, and listening to those stories, both joyful and sorrowful, that spanned a long period of time.
The Book of Friends connects not only names, but also the "connections" between Natsume and the yokai, the Fujiwara couple, Tanuma, Taki, Natori-sensei, and all the people and yokai who appear in his life.
While he was healing those lonely monsters, wasn't he also being healed by them and by these warm bonds?
An ordinary group owner: "From being adrift and helpless at the beginning to being able to actively lend a helping hand and face the past and future with equanimity, this is the story of Natsume."
An ordinary group leader: "In the early part of the story, no one on the human side could understand him, and he was also uneasy about the fact that he was separated from the group because of the monsters, so he could not choose to be on the monster side."
An ordinary group admin: "He can only stand in the middle, drifting aimlessly, passively accepting what happens around him."
An ordinary group owner said: "But in 'The Gate of Memory' and 'The Road Home,' he was finally able to face his past with equanimity."
This was also a chapter that left a deep impression on Su Yunqing.
In that story, Natsume learns that the old house he lived in with his parents during his childhood is about to be sold, and he decides to go back and take one last look before the house changes hands.
On his way to his relative's house to retrieve the key, he encountered the old monster that was hovering around his relative's house, much larger than he remembered.
He wanted to help the family, but instead he was possessed by a monster.
Under the influence of the demon's power, those memories he had deliberately buried surged back.
The young boy cried and ran through the empty corridor, wanting only to return to the "home" where his parents' warm embrace resided.
But no matter how much he cried or ran, that home and that time could never be returned to.
From that moment on, young Natsume began to seal away this memory, no longer calling out to things that would not respond, locking away that deep sadness and helplessness, along with his longing for warmth, in the deepest corner of his heart.
Possessed by the body, Natsume relives that heart-wrenching sense of loss amidst the intertwining of illusion and reality.
But this time, after the pain swept over him, he did not choose to run away.
Tears streamed down her face, but they were no longer tears of pure pain.
He realized that even such heartbreaking memories were an integral part of the person "Takashi Natsume".
To deny it is to deny your past self.
He cried quietly under the eaves of his relative's house, for the past that could never be returned to, and for the lonely and helpless self he had been.
When the tears stopped, a strange sense of relief and peace quietly filled my heart.
He was finally able to move forward, carrying the weight of this memory.
An ordinary group owner: "There have been sad and painful days, and there may still be such days in the future. Even so, I will never forget every precious day."
An ordinary group admin said: "Recalling painful memories is only the first step in making peace with yourself. More importantly, it takes even greater courage to recall the beautiful things that have been lost and still believe that such beauty can be regained in the future."
An ordinary group admin said, "Back then, Natsume finally had the courage to face the past."
But this courage did not come from nowhere.
It was because he met Aunt Touko and Uncle Shigeru that he had a home he could return to, a home where the lights were always on; he met Nyanko-sensei, who, despite always being stubborn and greedy, protected him every step of the way; and he met friends like Tanuma, Taki, and Natori Shuichi, who understood a part of his world and treated him sincerely.
And then there are all sorts of monsters, some bringing trouble, some bringing longing, and some repaying with pure kindness.
It was through these encounters with so many people and monsters, and the warmth and bonds they gave him, that the walls he had built around his heart due to childhood trauma were gradually melted away.
He began to be able to trust, rely on, and proactively build connections.
So, they watched Natsume gradually transform from a boy who was alone with his backpack, his eyes filled with estrangement and unease, into someone who could smile, worry, stand up for his friends, and frankly express gratitude and appreciation.
He was no longer alone; he had family to rely on, companions to walk alongside him, and his heart was filled with precious memories and promises.
The essence of Natsume's Book of Friends is a coming-of-age story.
The gradual shifts in mindset through everyday moments make Natsume's story resonate deeply with the viewer.
Whether it's a casual acquaintance or a close friend with whom you can share everything, the understanding and communication that come from meeting each other is inherently joyful, and people find comfort in each other's understanding.
This is what Natsume's Book of Friends has been telling all along.
So even when you grow up, even after watching Natsume's story countless times, you will still be moved by it.
There are many masterpieces in the healing genre, but in Su Yunqing's heart, "Natsume's Book of Friends" will always be the best one.
At this moment, in the world of "Natsume's Book of Friends," Natsume looked at everyone's sincere praise and affirmation in the chat group, and his cheeks visibly flushed with a thin blush that spread all the way to the tips of his ears.
He lowered his head somewhat helplessly, opened his mouth as if to say something, but didn't know how to begin.
"Everyone's exaggerating."
He said somewhat helplessly.
Although he saw many "future" stories through the memory copy, and saw a "self" who seemed more composed and had formed deep connections with more people and demons, in Natsume's eyes, it was just something that happened naturally.
Returning names to the spirits, helping those lonely spirits, and responding to the kindness of others—aren't these things we should do?
The word "gentle" was so solemnly bestowed upon him, making him feel heavy-hearted and somewhat embarrassed.
He never thought he was anything special; his so-called "gentleness" was perhaps just his clumsy way of trying not to hurt anyone.
Aunt Tagore and Uncle Shizuku gave him a home and warmth, Nyanko-sensei accompanied him, his friends understood him, and the monsters trusted him. It was clearly him who had been receiving everyone's gifts and salvation all along.
The chat group interface flashed before his eyes, the cursor hovering over the input box, but he hesitated for a long time, unsure how to reply.
Saying "I'm not that good" directly seems like it would disappoint everyone's sincere feelings.
Accepting praise readily? That just doesn't fit his personality.
He thought of a few words, then deleted them, thought again, deleted again, and finally could only purse his lips and give a somewhat troubled, bitter smile.
Just then, a strong smell of alcohol mixed with a familiar demonic aura suddenly approached.
"Hiccup."
A muffled voice with a heavy nasal tone rang out almost right next to his ear, startling Natsume so much that his consciousness was instantly pulled away from the chat group and back to reality.
He turned his head sharply and saw that Nyanko-sensei had rolled up to his side at some point. The white pig cat (crossed out) lucky cat, which had been curled up and sleeping soundly, was now staring at his flushed cheeks with a pair of drunken, hazy eyes.
"Natsume, what are you grinning at yourself like that? Your face is as red as a ripe persimmon! Hiccup!"
The cat teacher wobbled as it raised one of its front paws, trying to poke Natsume's face, but almost tripped and fell over because it was drunk.
"Nyanko-sensei!"
Natsume breathed a sigh of relief, but then felt embarrassed again because of the other person's state and words. He reached out to support the swaying Nyanko-sensei and scolded him with a headache:
"Why did you drink so much again! Didn't we agree to only drink one pot today? Look at you!"
"Hmph, a mere pot of tea? How could it possibly satisfy my craving?"
The cat teacher shook its dizzy head, trying to appear more dignified, but the effect was only to make it look more ridiculous.
It swatted away Natsume's hand, which was trying to stroke its fur, with its paws, stubbornly continuing the previous topic, its eyes narrowing, revealing an expression that said, "I've figured it out."
"Stop interrupting! You haven't even said anything yet, and your face is so red. Are you thinking about something strange? Could it be..."
It deliberately dragged out the tone, moved closer, and the smell of alcohol hit you.
"Are they secretly dating? Which blind human or monster is it? Tell me!"
"Nyanko-sensei!"
Natsume's face flushed even redder, this time purely out of embarrassment and annoyance.
"What nonsense are you talking about! I didn't say that!"
"No? Then how do you explain this monkey-butt-like face? Hiccup!"
Nyanko-sensei wouldn't give up, and even tried to nudge Natsume with his round body.
"Could it be that boy who always goes to school with you? Or that monk's descendant you can see a little bit of? Or that exorcist who always causes trouble? Or perhaps that human female who always brings you snacks?"
It started listing things on non-existent fingers, and the more it talked, the more outrageous it became.
"No, it's just a little hot!"
Natsume pinched Nyanko-sensei's mouth in annoyance. He couldn't very well say that he was embarrassed because he was being praised for his "gentleness" by friends from other worlds in a chat group that connected all the worlds, could he?
That sounds even stranger!
"hot?"
The cat teacher looked up at the darkening sky outside the window, then at the normal indoor temperature, and gave a disdainful look, though it was utterly intimidating given its drunken state.
"Hmph, fine, I'll find out sooner or later anyway."
It mumbled something, as if the alcohol was taking effect again, nodding its head little by little, and finally collapsed onto Natsume's lap with a "plop," smacking its lips and mumbling "Nanatsujiya red bean bun. Sake." In the blink of an eye, it was snoring again.
Natsume looked at the cat teacher who had instantly fallen asleep on his lap and still smelled of alcohol. He was both annoyed and amused. In the end, he could only sigh helplessly and carefully adjust the position to make it more comfortable.
The soft, warm touch of the cat teacher's fur and the familiar subtle vibrations in my palm seemed to gradually dissipate under the weight of this warmth.
He turned his gaze back to the chat group interface, watching the still-scrolling conversations, and finally typed a line:
Takashi Natsume: "Um, thank you so much for the compliments, but I don't think I'm as amazing as you all say."
Takashi Natsume: "Being able to meet Aunt Touko and Uncle Shigeru, to become friends with everyone, to be protected by Nyanko-sensei, and to form bonds with so many yokai is something I've always felt incredibly lucky about."
Takashi Natsume: "Everyone gave me a place to stay and warmth first. I just don't want to let them down, and I hope to pass on this good fortune to those who need it."
Takashi Natsume: "I am very, very happy to be able to meet everyone here and hear your stories."
Takashi Natsume: "I look forward to working with you from now on."
After sending it out, he breathed a sigh of relief, looked down at his cat teacher who was sleeping sprawled on his lap, her belly rising and falling with her breath, and his eyes softened.
There's no need to get hung up on whether your words are perfect.
To be able to meet, to understand each other, to have this moment of peace and warmth, and to feel happy because of it—that in itself is the best response.
However, he seems to be considered a lucky person.
Although he experienced many unhappy or sad things at the beginning, he later met elders and friends who were close to him, and now he has even joined a chat group that can connect all the worlds.
He didn't know how joining the chat group would change his life, but the information it instilled in his mind reminded him that he could do many things if he wanted to.
Whether it's giving Aunt Tazi and the others a better life, making up for past regrets, or even leading the development of the times.
(End of this chapter)