When I first was told about the concept of Purgatory, I imagined a temporary hell. Not a place where you're in constant torture like in hell, but instead a place where you suffer for your sins and not a second . And after the darkness of purgatory, heaven's light awaits. I didn't believe in all 3 of those places, but that is what I imagined they would be like. This place is not like that. I imagined Purgatory would be unfamiliar and alien, this place is familiar, taking place in a hospital. At first it seemed like a haunted hospital death trap, but the more I spend time doing menial tasks and living by a schedule like a gear in a machine, the more the world revealed to be a magical place and a brave, new, but familiar world.



I thought this place was about suffering. Initially it was, but after a while, I began working, and I saw some beautiful things. A bustling city remaking the human order, a group that takes advantage of the immortality to think and write, and now, a friend reunites with her mom. Hanako has seen a light, she is now with someone she originally would never see again. She's not in heaven, but she's happier and with someone that she originally would never be able to see again. She didn't graduate to a new world, heaven came to her.



The Dome has had an impression on me. I've always looked up to knowledgeable people, I always loved scientists. I might've wanted to be a scientist as a profession. I have respect for people like those in the Dome, who use their ability to not need anything to think and contemplate more than anyone in the living world could. The Dome and the nature and it's study of a different world. The city and it's denial of the differences, and the hope to emulate what was in the systematic living world. Both of these are very different places. Hanako is going to one of these.



There's no way Sumiko is not giving her daughter the opportunity to go to the city. After that, it's just me and Misha. I honestly am getting fatigued of the daily tasks. I miss the adventure. I want to go out. I'm honestly sad that Hanako will leave. Ever since I tried to show Hanako who her mom was, she has been more open. It's weird, I didn't think I'd ever see Hanako open up to me. She talks to me more. She seeks me out, where before she would be in her room when she wasn't working and I would be on my own. Now she occasionally hangs out with me, looking at my drawings and making origami.



It's sad. She's the closest thing I have to a friend since I left my old town. When she leaves, it'll just be me and Misha, not that there's anything wrong with her. Now that we finished work, I sneak a peak at Hanako. Her allure takes my attention more lately. Her eyes are more beautiful than I previously thought now that I focus on her. I still remember the time we slept under a tree, and I was awoken by her snuggling up to me. At first I was a little confused and thought it was nothing more than a small thing. But ever since I've been finding my attention being taken by her, even though she hasn't done anything to gain it. The way shes putting away laundry captivates me for some weird reason. I kind of want to talk to her and interact with her, especially since she might be going soon.



Hisao: "Hanako, are you excited to go back to the city?"



Hanako: "I...d-don't know. On one hand the city would b-be nice.......but they require money.....and I have to work and p-pay for everything.....it's almost as if I'm s-still in the l-living world."



Hisao: "Yeah...I find i weird....why is there a money system. We're in a world where no one needs to eat, and time is infinite cause you won't die...why is there a money system to reward people for time they have an infinite amount of for food you don't need?"



Hanako: "Well I th-think no one would do anything for no reward, and the m-money system is the only way they c-could imagine doing things...."



Hisao: "One would think this would be an opportunity for people to focus on what really matters like learning more about this new world and creating new ideas and ways to do things, you know letting creativity flow. We could use our minds and not have it limited by our body's mortality."



Hanako: "H-have you been th-thinking about that group in the dome?"



Hisao: "Well I think they're the only ones living right. You don't need the luxury of food or anything, people don't die, you can sit and think all you want, let your mind go places, trying to emulate the living world isn't doing this place justice."



Hanako: "Isn't th-this place f-for punishment?"



Hisao: "Not necessarily, that's why we have to learn. But I like the way they think of it only being as bad as you make it."



Hanako: "Hey um....d-do you want to go to th-the forest? I want to check th-the living world."



Hisao: "Uh sure. Yeah."



We make our way out the hospital and head towards the forest. I've learned how to read the sky, even though it's always cloudy. There are usually small holes and if there is a small hole in a pink hue, that means it's the evening. We go through the grassy field and let the cool air blow in our face. We reach the edge of the forest and she stops.



Hanako: "Hey, Hisao....I j-just want to s-say thanks..."



Hisao: "It's alright. You don't need to say it."



Hanako: "No I do. Everybody in m-my life before picked on m-me. You f-followed me to the c-city. You tried t-to tell me who m-my mom is...."



Hisao: "Well...your a friend. And I like to help. You deserve it."



Hanako: "Hisao..I think your a f-friend t-too."



Hisao: "I....thanks. I think...that...you'll do good in the city."



Hanako: "I h-hope you don't find th-this pushy....but I'll miss you. Cause your m-my friend....."



Hisao: "I'll uh....miss you too.....friend-"



Our conversation has friction because of all the claims of friendship. It's almost as if I'm lying to both of us that I think of her as just a friend, hopefully she feels the same. Hanako leans in after my struggle to continue the conversation. Her lips touch mine gently at first, but it grows into a more passionate kiss. Hanako looks up and her eyes have a look of realization of what she just did. I'm also suprised. I expect her to start unnecessarily apologize, but she instead gives a small smile.



The next day:



Hanako and I haven't talked since our little moment. But nothing more needs to be said. It's sad cause right when I feel the strongest about her....she's about to leave. Kana Sama said she would make her decision by tonight. Misha has been complaining since for obvious reasons. Word never got out that Hanako is the Sama's daughter. Me and her aren't the gossiping type. I've never seen someone gossip here to be honest. As far as Misha is concerned, the Sama is just being so much nicer to Hanako just because.



Her complaints peak as our shift starts to end. It's so sad that Misha so badly wants to go to the city, but can't. Hanako is leaving, I don't know what I'll do. Maybe Misha can look at my drawings....though she doesn't seem like the type to appreciate them.



Misha: "I just think that Kana Sama treats Hanachan better than me for no good reason. "



Hisao: "Well what can you do? Maybe you'll get it next time."



Misha: "I hope laundry isn't all we're going to do here, cause I'm already tired of it."



Sama: "Don't worry Misha..."



Misha: "Oh! Kana Sama!"



Sama: "Don't worry. You'll get a promotion. Your the one going to the city. I made this decision."



Hisao: "Wait, I thought Hanako was getting it."



Sama: "Hanako would've gotten it, but she seems to have slacked off."



Hisao: "I didn't notice..."



Hanako: "If I-I did s-something wrong...I'm sorry..."



Sama: "Shut it. You expect me to promote you while slack around and move like a turtle?!"



Hanako: "B-but..."



Sama: "I said shut it. I would have promoted you, had you not been such a failure."



Hanako: "....I..."



Sama: "If you speak out again I'll take you away. You're going back to your room if you make another sound."



Hanako: "...."



Sama: "That's better. But still no. Misha pack your things, your out of here and going places. Guys take Hanako to floor 4..."