Lonely Rock for the Blind.

Can you hear the sound of snow falling?

"...It hasn't reached that point yet."

"yes…"

Yamada Ryo took a step closer to Nekoyashiki Haru.

Nekoyashiki Haru instinctively took a step back.

"What's wrong? You allow Yudai and Hongxia to make you like them, but you don't allow me to try?"

"... "

Nekoyashiki clenched his fist.

"It's not that I can't... just give me a little time to process this."

Yamada Ryo shook his head.

"It's probably not very easy to digest."

Yamada Ryo's golden eyes were fixed on Nekoyashiki Haru.

"I like you and I want you to like me. It's that simple. No need to think."

"... "

Nekoyashiki Haru lowered her head and remained silent.

"You always take these things too seriously..."

Yamada Ryo's voice gradually faded as she looked towards the other side of the bridge, where two people were quietly watching her.

"I'm going to buy a drink. What do you need?"

"…coffee."

"it is good."

Nekoyashiki Haru took out her wallet.

Yamada Ryo put the wallet back in.

"I can still buy you coffee."

"…Thanks."

"Ah."

Yamada Ryo turned and left.

"... "

Nekoyashiki Haru took a few steps forward.

when!

Then he punched the metal railing of the bridge.

"…it hurts…"

He lowered his head and covered his red fist with his other hand.

Haru Nekoyashiki doesn't actually want to hurt anyone.

Whether it's physical or mental.

But now…

The future is becoming increasingly blurry and chaotic.

Haru Nekoyashiki can no longer be sure or predict what the future will be like.

Confusion and unease flooded my mind all at once.

Let me help you choose your path in life.

"…Ha ha…"

Nekoyashiki Haru couldn't help but chuckle twice.

"What... you think this will make me feel more relaxed..."

Nekoyashiki Haru smiled, maintaining her smile.

Until the smile froze on my face, until the smile slowly disappeared.

He lowered his head.

"What should I do... Aunt Ijichi..."

...

……

.........

"Aren't you cold? Standing like this?"

Yamada Ryo looked at the two silent people and asked.

"... "

"... "

Both of them remained silent.

Yamada Ryo took a deep breath and walked towards the beverage machine next to the two of them.

"What would you like to drink?"

Yamada Ryo turned around and asked.

This is not like her usual self.

"... "

Goto Ichiri huddled up.

Kita Ikuyo looked at Yamada Ryo.

The redness around her eyes hadn't faded yet.

"... "

Yamada Ryo looked at Kita Ikuyo.

"...You cried?"

"...You should have seen this already..."

Kita Ikuyo said, her voice trembling.

"…Um."

Yamada Ryo nodded.

"It's as if you saw what I did, and I saw you too; the window is transparent."

Why...not stop?

Kita Ikuyo asked.

Why did you stop?

Yamada Ryo asked in return.

"Because you saw me? Because you know about me? So I have to stop? So I have to run away?"

Yamada Ryo squatted down and took out a hot drink.

“I’m not playing by your rules, Yudai.”

"!"

Kita Ikuyo stepped forward.

Yamada Ryo calmly looked at Kita Ikuyo.

Do you feel...angry?

Yamada Ryo looked at Kita Ikuyo's clenched fist and said.

"... "

Kita Ikuyo clenched her fist.

"What is the cause of your anger?"

"I…"

"Because I didn't follow the rules? Or because you unilaterally believe I betrayed you?"

Kita Ikuyo shook her head.

"... "

Sizzle...

The can was opened.

Yamada Ryo raised his head and took a sip.

“Yudai, you too.”

"... "

"too slow."

"... "

“Nijika will wait for you, just as you will wait for Nijika. Neko-kun will wait for you, just as he will wait for Nijika.”

Ryo Yamada put the unopened coffee into his pocket.

“Yudai, I can’t… but there’s always someone who can’t.”

Yamada Ryo turned to leave.