Synopsis
A high school student named “I” accidentally finds a paperback at the hospital—a secret diary of his classmate, Sakura Yamauchi, titled “Symptom Library.” It reveals that she has only a short time left to live due to a pancreatic disease, and that she doesn’t want anyone other than her family to know about it.
Sakura is a bright, cheerful, and energetic girl, so healthy that you wouldn’t even notice her illness. She opens up to “I” as the only person who knows her secret, and asks “I” to help her achieve the things she wants to do before she dies.
“I” was a lonely boy who avoided interacting with others, but through his interactions with Sakura, he gradually opens up and becomes more accepting of others. Despite their polar opposite personalities, the two complement each other’s shortcomings and spend irreplaceable time together.
However, Sakura’s life is suddenly taken not by illness but by a random assassin. Her death, which occurred before her expected life expectancy, leaves “I” with a deep sense of loss. He rereads her “Symptom Library” and confronts her feelings.
Impressions
The phrase “I want to eat your pancreas” feels like a symbol of the “sharing of life” that Sakura speaks of.
“Eating a pancreas = absorbing that person’s life into yourself,” symbolizes Sakura’s desire to live and the bond between her and “me.”
Is there someone who you are strongly attracted to, regardless of how much time has passed since you met?
I’m sure there are people who can relate to this, even if only a little.
In this book, Sakura is murdered by a random assailant.
While reading the book, I assumed she would die of illness, so I was very surprised by this final twist.
It made me realize that none of us know what our future holds.
And it made me want to cherish the limited time we have.
