August Creator Support Month: A project to delve into and introduce the early works of my followers. The third installment is Haru Kannagi's 'Memory Ephemeris' *Spoiler Alert

August is Creator Support Month, and I am running a project to delve into and introduce the early works of my followers.
The first installment delved into the first 20 episodes of yukariyajp's 'Washing Shore Sketch'.

The second installment delves into episodes #025 to #031 of the early part of Kenji Kamio's HAMLET 2.
Kenji Kamio is a follower who has likely 'liked' almost every one of my articles since they started following me.

*Spoiler Alert

After finishing the serialized novel 'Memory Ephemeris' by Haru Kannagi, the powerful message deeply etched into my heart was, **'Memory is the very light that shapes a person.'** Set in the 'Ice Castle' built in the mountains of Shinshu during the post-war chaos, this story transcends the boundaries of mere fantasy, sharply questioning the essence of salvation, sacrifice, and friendship.
I will share my thoughts, focusing on three particularly impressive points.

1. Is 'oblivion' salvation or a desecration?
At the core of the story is a cursed tool called the 'Ephemeris' that devours human memories. Teruaki Soma, tormented by the horrific memories of the battlefield, tries to save people by using this tool to erase their 'painful memories'.
However, I was horrified by the depiction of people who, having been freed from their suffering, lost the names of their loved ones and even the proof of their existence, becoming emotionless **'shells (empty husks)' like. Regarding the peace like a 'silent graveyard' that Teruaki preaches, his best friend Atsushi's words, 'You cannot call an empty husk freedom,' remind us once again of how closely our identity is tied to our memories.

2. The 'friendship' and self-sacrifice of two contrasting individuals
Teruaki, who saw hell on the battlefields of the continent and developed cold eyes, and Atsushi, who, despite being sickly, continued to support him as a 'star of hope.' The relationship between these two is the most beautiful part of the story, and at the same time, the most heartbreaking.
In the final stages, I could not hold back tears at the decisions made: Atsushi becoming the 'vessel of the beast' to save Teruaki, and Teruaki pulling the beast back into himself to save Atsushi. The state of mind Teruaki finally reaches—**'Memory is not something to be stolen... it is something to be given'**—feels like the moment he overcame the curse of his past and returned to being a person who truly cared for his best friend.

3. The will of 'observation' that transcends a hundred years
The story seems to reach a tragic end with Teruaki disappearing into flames along with the tool, but a certain hope remains. Daily life returns to the villagers who had their memories stolen, and Atsushi, who had once lost his memories, slowly regains his past along with the budding of the snow-melting grass.
And the message passed on to Yuma Mizusawa, who lives in the modern day at the end of the story: **'Inherit the memories.'** The words 'Continue to observe,' which Teruaki left behind, seemed to suggest that continuing to look at the past without forgetting it is the only way to protect the future.

After reading
This work is a superb piece of fantasy literature, woven together by vivid descriptions of beautiful starry skies and snow-melting grass, and the ominous existence of a beast that devours memories.
'Even painful memories are an important part of being who I am.' It was a gentle yet powerful story that makes you want to embrace your entire past. With sequels and modern-day chapters reportedly being planned, I cannot take my eyes off future developments to see how this 'story of stars' will connect.