- This isn’t something special. It’s just the record of a girl who was chosen by this strange disease.

- My life is like a flower thats hasn’t bloomed yet. From the start of the youth, I want to treasure it and have no regrets.

- Okaasan, in my heart, I know I can always trust you. From this point forward, I leave it to you. I’m sorry for always making you worry.

- This disease, why did it choose me? Fate. It can’t be put into words.

- I want to make a time machine and go back in time. If it wasn’t for this disease, not only I could enjoy falling in love but I also wouldn’t have to rely on anyone and live by myself.

- I really don’t want to say things such as ”I want to go back to how things were before.” I recognize how I am right now, and I will continue to live on.

- Therefore, I definitely won’t run away. That’s what I’ll do. Definitely, always.

- Even if it’s like that, I still want to stay here. Because this is the place where I am. To be able to be seen as an equal by my friends, I’m really thankful. I didn’t just only make trouble for them… Thinking like this, I’ve started not mind it that much.

- If you look up at the sky after falling down the blue sky is also today stretching limitlessly and smiles at me… I’m alive.

- To be able to smile and tell everyone this; i have, at least, cried one litre of tears. Therefore, even when i leave this school, I definitely won't think that some things have ended.

- People shouldn’t dwell on the past. It’s enough to try your best in all you’re doing now.

- I don’t want a comfortable place to stay in. From now on, I am thinking about how I am going to continue living.

- Reality is too cruel, too brutal. I don’t even have the right to dream. As I think about the future, the tears will come out again.

- Okaasan, will I be able to get married? It is you who helped me to find a reason to live on…

- Zutto Ikite ; live on forever

- I had a dream…and in it I was running freely and I was walking…But I had another dream…and in it I was in a wheelchair…I thought I had accepted me for who I am now…

- As long as its you saying it, no matter how slowly you say it, ill still listen

- If you cant talk on the phone, then ill come see you

- If you want to walk, no matter how slow it’ll be, ill walk with you

- What’s wrong with falling down? As long as I stand up again

- Where should I head towards? Even if there isn't answer, I'll feel better by writing it down. I've looked for a pair of helping hands but I couldn't feel them, couldn't see them. I only face towards darkness and hear hear the sounds of my hopeless screams.

Poems by Ikeuchi Aya from One Litre of Tears