‘Practising the Art of Forgetting’ by Soramimi Hanarejima

As soon as we’re in the schoolyard for morning recess, we lose no time circling up, cross-legged on the grass — like every Tuesday before forgetting time. Starting with Diandra, we take turns sharing what we’ve chosen to forget to free up space in our minds for new things. Important things like long division and the meaning of different clouds. 

As Diandra explains each of the memories in front of her, I listen closely. I tell her that she’s right about that last memory: It is pointless to remember how bored she was at the car dealership on Saturday afternoon.
 
“I mean, look at how long that memory is,” I add, pointing to the sluggish scene glowing on the clover patch by her right knee. “And it’s pretty much all the same thing.” The memory shows a car dashboard and the view out the windshield while Diandra sat in a showroom model. 

“Ugh, yeah,” she groans as Lumina nods in agreement. 

I don’t know what else to say, but there are still plenty of chances to comment on everyone else’s memories. 

Sure enough, Marzon tells us about his, and I spot another chance to make some remarks. 

“I bet you are going to get all these approved right away. Just like Foirene and Cyania do,” I say, the moment he is done. 

His eyes brighten at the comparison to our classmates. They get full approval so easily, the catchy songs and cartoon episodes they’ve picked to forget always pleasing Ms Perdont. The rest of us are getting there, though. We’ve come a long way from bringing in the memories that make us feel bad, and now choose memories that are bad for ‘good’ reasons.