Lonely Rock for the Blind.

Is there a strange sound?

Is Shima with you? Didn't she tell you not to come looking for me?

despair…

Iwashita Shima paused for a moment, then looked at her phone with a complicated expression.

"I'm here."

Are you looking for me with him?

despair…

"Ah...yes, I wanted to stop it, but it's your responsibility, isn't it?"

【...Really?...Did you say so?】

despair…

"No, that's your responsibility too. I didn't say anything."

despair…

Iwashita Shima shook his head.

【Thanks.】

despair…

"You were planning to use me, Eliza?"

Iwashita Shima continued.

"...It wouldn't be accurate to call it exploitation, would it? I..."

despair…

"Where are you?"

Nekoyashiki Haru's voice suddenly rang out, interrupting their conversation.

Don't come looking for me.

despair…

Eliza on the other end of the phone seemed to pause for a moment before speaking.

"I will look for it. If there's anything you're hiding, just tell me to my face when the time comes."

despair…

Nekoyashiki Haru squinted her eyes.

Why?

despair…

Eliza's voice sounded somewhat helpless.

"If you think it's right to make everyone worry about you, then keep hiding."

Nekoyashiki Haru put the phone to her ear.

"But we all still look forward to seeing you, Eliza."

【...】

despair…

Click.

The call was disconnected.

Iwashita Shima looked at Nekoyashiki Haru.

"...Do you know where it is?"

Did you hear any strange noises?

Nekoyashiki Haru retorted.

"A sound? No..."

Iwashita Shima shook his head.

"I didn't hear it."

"…Um…"

Nekoyashiki Haru nodded, then leaned against the wall next to her.

"...It might be the sound of a woodpecker..."

Da da da…

It happened before, in the park.

The constant sounds of children's voices and the clamor of several people around me filled my ears.

The sound of Hiroi Kikuri gulping down her drink, and the sound of Iwashita Shima sighing beside her.

Eliza, who suddenly hugged her from behind... the sound of her heartbeat.

And that tap-tap-tap sound.

woodpecker…

Nekoyashiki Haru took a step forward, but then stopped.

No...that's not right...

"clear?"

Iwashita Shima stood there, stunned.

Nekoyashiki Haru lowered her head and then closed her eyes on her own.

It wasn't a woodpecker... It wasn't the continuous, annoying sound on the other end of the phone.

Tram? Ah... it's still tram service time.

The wheels collided with the joints of the rails, making a clanging sound.

Kiku got drunk again and called everyone over.

Even though I'm blind... I was still pulled over.

A group of people, while complaining about her, waited together for the tram.

Will Eliza go to that place?

The station we were waiting for…

Nekoyashiki Haru walked to the other side, but stopped again.

"...No, that's not it..."

"Nekoyashiki Haru muttered to herself."

"what?"

Iwashita Shima opened her eyes wide.

"…Nara…"

"Nekoyashiki Haru said in a voice only he could hear."

There are many stone-paved paths there. I remember when a group of us went there before, Eliza wore wooden clogs and a kimono...

Although in reality, very few people dress like that.

The clatter of wooden clogs against the stone slabs, and our panicked reaction to being butted by a deer…

Maybe it's right there? Although it's very, very far away... maybe she just wants to be this far away?

After all, that's a place with memories.

but…

"…ah…"

Nekoyashiki Haru raised her head.

In the void, faint starlight could be seen.

"...You didn't choose anywhere, you didn't choose any of the places we've already been...you..."

Nekoyashiki Haru's lips curled into a complicated expression.

"...Do you know where it is, Qing?"

Behind him, Iwashita Shima asked.

"...The tuned mass damper in the main building makes that sound when the wind is strong."

Nekoyashiki explained softly.

"Great, we..."

Iwashita Shima's voice suddenly paused.

You look...disappointed?

Looking at the boy in front of her, Iwashita Shima's pupils trembled slightly.

Nekoyashiki Haru clenched her fists slightly.

“It’s not disappointment, it’s just…we’ve never been there together.”

After speaking, Nekoyashiki Haru remained silent for a long while.

"Let's go find her."

"…Um."

Iwashita Shima nodded, stepped forward, and gently took Nekoyashiki Haru's arm.

"Follow me, it'll be faster."