This book for those who are hurting

The other day, I won a book giveaway on the official note X account.

Since this was my first time winning this kind of giveaway, when the DM arrived, I was so thrilled that I think I let out a sound like "Waa..." just like Chiikawa.

What arrived in my hands was Yutanuki Yoshimoto's "Even Though I Thought I'd Die Tomorrow."

This manga, based on Yoshimoto-san's own experiences, really struck a chord with me. That's because I also have experience being bullied during my middle school years.
Having things stolen, being subjected to violence, being showered with heartless words—even now, remembering it makes my heart ache deep down.

There was a period when I couldn't go to school for about a week due to stomach pains caused by stress. I remember that even when my mother half-forced me to go by car, I couldn't bring myself to step past the school gate.
To borrow a phrase from this work, I think it became "a wound that won't heal for me."
Back then, I never thought about "wanting to die," but I was in a lot of pain.

If I had to put it into words, I was thinking, "How can I get out of this situation?"

But there was only so much a middle schooler could do. I couldn't find a fundamental solution.

What saved me back then was music (KinKi Kids) (please refer to my past article for details).
And ironically, one of the key elements of this work is music.

There are many moving phrases scattered throughout this work, but the one I found especially wonderful was

"Music will never leave you alone."

That is exactly right. I know because I experienced it too.
Music was always by my side.
Music never left me alone.

To those who are hurting now.
To those who were hurt in the past.
This work was a gentle manga that seemed to softly stroke those people's wounds and scars.

It was also a work that made me feel deeply, with my whole being, the difficulty of living while interacting with others, and the weight of the words directed at someone.

I truly hope many people will read it.

Lastly, thank you to Yutanuki Yoshimoto for creating such a wonderful work, and to everyone at note for holding the giveaway.