Lonely Rock for the Blind.

"So you were reading those books because of Nekoyashiki-kun?"

Kyoka Yamada asked.

"... "

Yamada Ryo nodded silently.

Kyoka Yamada's pupils contracted.

"...This is really... well, an unexpected surprise."

"... "

Yamada Ryo remained silent and did not speak.

...

……

On the sofa, Nekoyashiki Haru sat quietly.

The sunlight streamed gently in through the window.

Although Nekoyashiki Haru couldn't see anything, she could still feel the temperature gradually rising on her skin.

After hesitating for a moment, Nekoyashiki Haru moved a little closer to the sunlight.

He is waiting.

After seeing Yamada Ryo off, he sat here and waited.

Today is October 22rd.

That is... the day of the Autumn Equinox.

A day of separation...

dong dong dong.

There was a knock on the door.

Nekoyashiki Haru was startled, then looked up and faced the doorway.

He then picked up the bag next to the sofa and walked toward the door.

Click.

As the door opened, Ichiji Nijika's voice rang out with a gentle laugh.

Good morning, little kitty.

Good morning, Hongxia.

Nekoyashiki Haru nodded and smiled slightly, then continued to greet him.

"Sister Xingge is here too, right? Good morning."

"…Good morning."

Wearing a knitted hat, Ijichi Seika nodded.

"Isn't Uncle here?"

"Nekoyashiki Haru asked."

"He had things to do, so he always went there in advance."

Ijichi Hoshika shook her head and said, then looked up at Nekoyashiki Haru.

Noticing that the other person seemed a little dazed, Ichiji Hoshika sighed and said.

"Let's go."

"... "

Nekoyashiki Haru trembled slightly.

A nameless fear rose in my heart.

Snapped…

The next moment, Ichiki Nigatsu grabbed Nekoyashiki Haru's hand.

"Let's go, little cat."

"…Um."

Nekoyashiki Haru nodded gently, and then was pulled outside by Ijichi Niji Natsumi.

...

……

.........

The autumnal equinox is said to be "the day that separates autumn".

The days and nights are almost the same length.

This day is also a day for worshipping ancestors and remembering the deceased.

"Come here."

Itachi Hongxia sat down with Cat Yashiki Haru

Ijichi Seika also sat down next to Nekoyashiki Haru.

"I thought it was Sister Xingge driving..."

Realizing they were inside a train, Nekoyashiki Haru said to Ijichi Seika.

"...Well...I'm not good at it..."

Ichiji Hoshika turned her face away.

Nijika Ichika leaned closer and said.

"My sister doesn't have a driver's license."

"...They're already this big?"

"Nekoyashiki Haru" exclaimed in surprise.

"...What's there to say...You don't have anything either?!"

"...Ahem, first of all, I'm only 17, and secondly, I'm blind."

Nekoyashiki Haru shook her head and said.

"Compared to me, Sister Xingge is too pathetic."

"…Well…"

Ijichi Hoshika's lips trembled, but in the end, she couldn't find any words to refute it.

What did the kitten bring?

Nijika looked down at the bag in Nekoyashiki Haru's hand.

Nekoyashiki Haru paused for a moment, then opened the bag.

"flower…"

"Flowers..."

Nijika Ijichi nodded, then took the bag from Ijichi Seiko's bag as well.

"We also brought flowers and other things."

"Um…"

Nekoyashiki Haru paused for a moment before nodding.

Ijichi Seika looked at Nekoyashiki Haru, narrowed her red eyes, and patted his head.

"What are you doing? Are you scared?"

"elder sister!"

Nijika Ijichi shouted at Seika Ijichi, dissatisfied.

"Not even a single photo is allowed..."

Ichiji Hoshika turned her head away.

Nekoyashiki Haru shook her head, and then said.

"To say fear... I'm not sure, maybe something similar."

Nekoyashiki Haru raised her head, her purple, fragmented pupils gleaming slightly in the light of the train.

"Maybe it's because so much time has passed... and suddenly I'm going to see my aunt again, I feel... a little unsure what kind of expression to make."

"...Feeling apprehensive as one nears home? Something like that?"

"Ichiko asked."

"I guess so?"

Nekoyashiki Haru lowered her head.

"Besides... I don't think I can remember exactly what Auntie looks like anymore."

"... "

Ichi Nijika looked at the dejected Nekoyashiki Haru and opened her mouth.

"Mom won't be angry."

"I know it won't, um..."

Nekoyashiki Haru gripped the bag tightly in her hand.

"But indeed, I shouldn't have forgotten."

Nekoyashiki Haru closed her eyes and began to try to recreate the image of that woman who always had a gentle smile.

Her face, her movements.