xihale

Preface#

What I've mentioned is just the surface; the specific details can only be fully discovered by carefully reading the complete novel!

Thought Experiments (Philosophical Speculation)#

It can be said that the foundation of the entire book is "thought experiments" and the reflections based on them. Only by understanding these concepts can one truly interpret this interesting text.

This book makes extensive use of flashbacks (memories), frequently inserting the protagonist's recollections of the past in the middle of chapters. Among the most classic recollections (foreshadowing) are the numerous "thought experiments" mentioned in the book, each of which can be seen as a storyline that runs throughout!
Including but not limited to "robots," "swamp people," "thinking stones," "finding beloved but incorrect things through classification," "goodness and hypocrisy."

Moreover, the insertion of these thought experiments is not abrupt, as each thought experiment distinctly corresponds to a specific thing (event).
At the same time, citing thought experiments also serves as a reformation of characters, whether it is the character proposing the thought experiment (which supplements their role) or the character accepting and contemplating it (which portrays their growth).

These experiments are also very interesting philosophical topics; even if presented directly, they can provoke intriguing thoughts in readers!
Moreover, when they appear as foreshadowing, there is even more for readers to ponder—not only do they need to understand what the thought experiments mean, but they also need to grasp why this thought experiment is proposed and how it contributes to the development of the subsequent plot (where this foreshadowing will be revisited).

Here is an example analysis of some thought experiments:

"Goodness and Hypocrisy"#

There is a person who feels immense pain if he does not actively help others (when he sees they need help), so he always helps others.
Then there is another person who lacks self-awareness and always mimics the previous person (exactly) to help others.
One is called goodness, and the other is called hypocrisy.

Selfish goodness is "hypocrisy," while selfless goodness is "goodness." However, "hypocrisy is also 'good'!"
From the perspective of results, there is no difference between them, but there is a very important factor: generally speaking, goodness lacks "self-awareness." How can one truly help others? He does not know; if he does not mimic "hypocrisy," he cannot genuinely help others because he cannot recognize what help to provide to those in need! (Generally, when it comes to issues related to emotions/interpersonal relationships, one must first "self-awaken" to engage in connections between people to find a solution.)

In the novel, "Miki" uses "reboot" to turn back time when she sees others crying, but she cannot "self-awaken" to understand the concept of "emotion." Even "reboot" merely postpones the events that cause pain!
In the end, when she can no longer "reboot," she is at a loss!
The correct understanding should be to grasp why there is "crying" and why there is "pain!"
This is precisely the method used by "Asai." After understanding this, he adopts a strategy to alleviate pain, genuinely helping others!

This also leads to "Miki's" growth (from "goodness" to "hypocrisy," from "unawareness" to "awareness"), which is also a significant development line in the novel!

Important Clues#

MacGuffin#

From the very beginning of the first volume, a crucial clue appears—MacGuffin.

A MacGuffin is a term used in film to refer to an object, character, or goal that can advance the plot. For example, it is something that various characters compete for, and detailed explanations about this object, character, or goal are not necessarily important. Some works provide explanations, while others do not; as long as it is important to the characters in the film and allows the plot to develop, it can be considered a MacGuffin.

In the text, the MacGuffin is a stone, and interestingly, this stone is called "MacGuffin" (which perfectly fits the definition of light novels, being easy to understand popular literature!)
This stone indeed plays an important role in advancing the plot, running throughout!

A common black pebble becomes the MacGuffin, linking "Hui" and several ability users together. One of them is "Murase Haruka," a girl who can erase the things she touches. Another is "Sasano Hiroyuki," an older man who can recreate the scenery in photographs.

Various events unfold around this stone, connecting characters through it, while also uncovering information within these clues to interpret what this MacGuffin is truly for (after various hints, finding the ultimate connection—"Aima").
This stone is not just a tool for "Aima" to be resurrected; it is also an important foreshadowing that connects the protagonist and others, allowing them to gain (accumulate) power and ultimately confront "Urachi"!

However, even when "Aima" is resurrected near the end of this series, the mission of this stone is still not complete, which brings us to the definition of this stone:

The holder of the MacGuffin will control all abilities in Sakurada.

Only at the very end does this foreshadowing get appropriately revisited; "Asai" bears the responsibility of managing all abilities in Sakurada (the responsibility of creating a new management bureau (new world)).
However, this statement has a strong misleading tendency, easily leading one to think "obtaining the MacGuffin" => "thus mastering all abilities" (of course, this is also an important factor in creating connections with other characters, as everyone initially thought from this perspective). However, when considering "Aima's" ability—"foreseeing the future"—and looking back at this statement after the conclusion, from a prophetic perspective, there are indeed no flaws in the wording (this is also why I emphasized "will," as it is indeed a leap in thinking)!

Reboot Sakurada#

At first glance, it seems to be "Miki's" ability—"reboot."
But in fact, it is "Urachi's" plan (also an interpretation of Sakurada's 40-year history, which has had the impulse to reboot from the beginning, but has merely "lingered for 40 years"!)

The technique here is also quite clever; "reboot," "Sakurada," and "reboot Sakurada" are entirely different things, yet they form the title, seemingly encompassing these three meanings, making it intriguing!
At the same time, these three elements seem to constitute extremely important clues and nodes in the story (one could say it is one of the main lines)!

Abilities#

Abilities are like people's wishes themselves; Hui does not see them as a mistake. Abilities are indeed cunning, containing danger, and perhaps they are not an indispensable existence in the pursuit of happiness. Yet, there are difficulties that can only be overcome through abilities, people saved by abilities, and moments when abilities are seen as hope to move forward.

The setting of abilities in this book is actually very gentle (the wishes of people themselves).

Character Growth and Shaping#

This book portrays characters with great detail, and the depiction of emotions is also very profound.

This work does not have flat characters! (I really like such works; only round characters can provoke deeper thoughts!)

Due to limited energy, I cannot write everything, so I will simply mention a few particularly important (that I pay special attention to) characters.

Asai Hui#

This character always gives me the feeling that he must move forward no matter what (it feels somewhat coincidental with the Chinese translation "Asai," but I haven't found any relevant points).

Abandoning Parents#

There is a quote I really like:

It is precisely because of a lack of love that one must strive to love.

This is what Asai said when saving "Kurakawa Mari" in the section on goodness and hypocrisy, but this statement not only reflects his experiences but also mirrors his own complex experiences. He and his parents have unknowingly started to strive to love each other (the narrative is brief, and the reasons are unclear).
My guess: Abandoning the twisted bond in pursuit of mutual happiness.

(His mother's words) But the so-called name is meant to be called by others, right? For example, when I call this child's name, I am calling her with a name filled with deep love. And this child's friends, future lovers, and everyone else will be the same. I think that is very happy.

At the end, there is a resolution regarding this aspect, also in contrast, Asai before and after (feeling) losing love.

Gentleness#

── This must not be a special thought. Just like a child would feel regret for failure. When discovering that something has been lost or broken, they will purely feel sadness. Therefore, they hope to become happier. This natural and naive wish is his essence.

(In the conversation at the end in the car) "Although that guy won't stab you, he will stab himself. If I stop the car, Asai Hui will next use himself as a hostage. This procedure is, of course, better omitted."

He moves forward to complete others (to make everyone happy), but as is well known, there is no such method; yet he still chooses to move forward!
He seeks the greatest happiness for the most people at the cost of sacrificing himself (and many other things).

Memory#

In the text, there is a line that explains his ability:

"As long as you do not forget the goal, you can endure anything. As long as you do not forget the endpoint, you can keep moving forward."

There is also a contrast:
The book mentions that forgetting is a gentle setting of humanity, akin to gentleness, and is also a form of self-forgiveness.
However, the boy is unwilling to forget; he bears this heavy responsibility, wanting to save all sadness (to fight against sadness)!

Salvation#

Still, that line, "hypocrisy is also goodness," hypocrisy is actually not a bad thing!

── I have been searching. There is not much difference between saving and being saved. Making others happy and becoming happy oneself almost happens simultaneously. When a hero saves someone, he must also save himself.

Miki Harukaze#

Her growth line is also an important main line!

Isn't the shaping of emotions also a person's growth line?!

Aima Miki#

This character is my favorite after seeing so many works!

In the beginning to the middle of the book, an extremely rational Aima is depicted, leading us to have a relatively flat understanding of her, thinking she is just that kind of person.
However, when the latter part of the book unveils the foreshadowing laid earlier (for example, why she embraced Asai two years ago, why she mentioned so many thought experiments, why she tried to match Asai and Miki, and the specific difference between speaking after crying and before crying), our understanding of her is suddenly interrupted, and we fall into a big pit, realizing we were wrong!

Love#

First, I believe that pure and selfless love is a quality (thing), and there is an impulse to protect the tangible form of this quality (a person who possesses this quality), and perhaps there is also an impulse to grow oneself, allowing this quality to appear in oneself. Whether one forcibly wishes to have a close connection with it is the standard that distinguishes selfish and selfless love (this often conflicts with the impulse to protect).
Secondly, the definition of gentleness aligns with Asai's.
And Aima embodies the latter, selfless love!
She loves Asai's gentleness, and while constantly observing his future, she also becomes as gentle as him (the self-sacrifice two years ago (jumping off a cliff to commit suicide)), which aligns with my interpretation of love.
At the end of the final chapter, there is a line (this is also the last line I quoted):

Aima stopped in front of the white door. Then she turned back. "There is one more thing." Under the moonlight, he looked straight at Aima Miki. "An onion will burn if not careful, so it's better to be cautious."

Finally, there is an explanation for her choice of death (to not change Asai's happy future):

In the end, Aima Miki gambled her life for such a trivial matter, something that holds more value to Hui than anything else. She conveyed Asai Hui's words to Harukaze Miki. Hui's ability to speak to Harukaze again is entirely thanks to her.

My ability should originally stem from an obsession with "life." Aima Miki thought.
She wanted to see through the distant future during the brief time when life was about to slip away from her hands, thereby gaining an experience akin to living for decades. She wanted to use this life, which would die immediately after birth, to obtain value equivalent to a normal life.
I once thought about surviving so much── ── No, the real Aima Miki. To think that she ended her life two years ago in summer is simply a cruel joke.

Aima Miki must have been prepared from the beginning to break down immediately after reaching her set endpoint.

Which is more important, one's own happiness or the happiness of what one loves? The answer is self-evident; she practically demonstrated the answer to this question!

Courage#

Just like this dialogue in the book:

Uchikawa Sasane laughed: "You are very timid, but at the same time, you are very brave."
(Asai) "That's not true. Only timid people can be brave. Moving forward while being afraid is called courage."

Aima has actually been seeking help, hoping someone would discover the pain hidden behind her calm smile.

This is a summary of all her experiences from two years ago.

By the time the ambulance arrived, her body was already cold. ── It was clearly such a hot season.
It was clearly a time when even raindrops would warm up; what does it mean for the body to become cold?

This contrast not only highlights Aima's courage but also beautifully depicts Asai's guilt and sadness!

In that extremely weak strength, just enough to grasp the hem of clothing, she felt the will to survive.

And all of the above is a depiction of self-sacrifice; is she not afraid? If she is not afraid, why does she tightly grasp the hem of clothing?
No, she is extremely afraid! But sadly, she appears braver than her fear!

Gentleness#

This brings us to Aima's silent tears, clearly written:
Two years ago: At the bus stop (foreshadowing).
Two years later: Bathing at Asai's house (revisiting the foreshadowing), turning off the lights in a dream leaning against the moon (light source) (revisiting the foreshadowing).

(Asai's thoughts) Aima Miki, who has no abilities, is surprisingly straightforward. She is both frank and cheerful, and she seems very happy. How much did she force herself when she had the ability to foresee the future? To what extent did she twist herself? That must be a sad thing. However. ── For me, the Aima Miki twisted by her ability is the real Aima Miki. The current Aima does not look like Aima at all. She is merely a counterfeit molded to look exactly like her.

At the same time, there are many other significant plot points, but I believe the most important one is after "Reboot Sakurada," when Aima's memory is altered, and she exhibits the image of an ordinary girl after forgetting everything about her abilities (this also revisits the foreshadowing of the 5-minute world). This layer of contrast (the comparison of having and not having this tragic memory) is like a knife, not only piercing Asai but also piercing the reader.

Tears welled up in her eyes. The girl could not understand the reason for her tears for a moment. She painfully closed her eyes, immediately forgetting even why she was crying.
The girl abandoned herself, revealing a calm expression like a doll. Aima Miki fell into a deep sleep.

At the same time, related and worth mentioning is the scene when she regains that sad memory while returning to Sakurada (the timeline in the car before and after).

"Actually, I hate passing messages the most. From now on, Hui, you should listen directly to my voice."
This is a contrast related to the earlier choice of death (passing messages) (of course, there are many foreshadowings about "passing messages" earlier).

Clearly so painful, yet she still chooses gentleness!

Summary#

Discover more details on your own~

So many contrasts, foreshadowings, and setups have finally crafted such a magnificent image!

I love her rationality, love her gentleness, love her strength, love her decisiveness, love her steadfastness, love her selfless love...

Tsushima Shintaro#

Every character has their own sense of justice, and he is no exception; naturally, I also like this character.

The rearview mirror reflected Tsushima's eyes. They looked murky, sad, and tired.
In the final moments, this scene not only depicts his complex feelings about Asai using himself as a hostage but also the fusion of those complex feelings after so many events in Sakurada.

Related to his sense of justice are:

1. The glass bead incident testing Asai's problem-solving methods and abilities.
2. Responsibility towards students (Murase Haruka, Asai).

Urachi Masamune#

He is also one of the most rational characters.

An extremely interesting character, and the confrontation with him is also very intriguing (even foreseeing the future cannot easily contend with him).
Aima chooses death to confront him (of course, this is likely just an excuse; see the analysis of her love for specifics).

An extremely sad character, telling a story of strength.

(His father) "People are gentle in order to forgive themselves."

Sakagami Yosuke#

This character seems ordinary and weak, but I think he reflects a miniature version of Aima Miki. From his growth, it can be seen that his sensibility and rationality are mixed together. However, it is precisely because of this mixture that he sometimes believes in sensibility while being accompanied by rationality, making him a very gentle ordinary person.

1. Even though he rationally knows Aima is dead, he still emotionally hopes to believe she is alive, rushing to "Sakurada" only after receiving her message.
2. Although he knows that Aima Miki's favorite person is Asai, he is still willing to dedicate everything to protect the beauty he loves (because of these actions, he was expelled from Sakurada, yet he continues to help Aima and her group!) — pure and selfless love.