Can I Do It Myself?

One more. If her hand could just reach one more bar—. Noa's arms trembled and shook. Her palms hurt. "I'll… get there myself." Below, the little blue bird Lulu fluttered, cheering her on. Just one more.

Noa had practiced for many days. Yesterday, three bars. Today, four. Every day, she could go one more. Her dream was to cross the monkey bars, end to end, by her own power. Everyone else could already do it. The only one who couldn't was Noa. That's why she wanted to cross it herself.

Kei was Noa's friend. The monkey bars? Easy. Kei swung across them like a little monkey. And Kei always cheered Noa on. "Noa, you can do it! You're further than yesterday!" Today too, Kei stood by the sandpit, smiling, watching over her.

One more—. Just then, her hand slipped, smooth and sudden. Noa dropped down onto the sand. Her palms were bright red. She'd been so close. And again, she couldn't do it. Lulu landed beside her and gave a little chirp. Tears welled in Noa's eyes.

Kei came running. Holding out a hand. "Hey — want me to lift you just for the last part?" Noa looked at that hand, long. Part of her wanted to take it. They could do it together. — But. Noa had wanted to cross by her own power. If someone lifted her, would that really count as crossing it herself? Two feelings collided.

Lulu hopped onto the very last bar. As if to say, "It's right here." Kei's hand was still held out. A warm hand. Noa squeezed her bright-red palms shut. Take the hand? Or grab the bar one more time? Just a little more, and —.

Kei said, gently. "By yourself or together — either way, it's an amazing thing." Noa drew in a breath. Do it to the very end by her own power? Or take Kei's hand? …What will Noa do?