i'm dreaming of you

Gentle beams of light fell upon the tranquil stage.

30 students stood with their eyes facing forward

as if on the verge of accomplishing something great.

The conductor guided them with his hands.

The accompanist’s fingers ran across the piano.

At that moment—

I woke up.

The telephone downstairs was ringing.

In the blink of an eye, 

I shot from my futon like an arrow and grabbed the receiver.

The morning was silent save for the chirping of a single cicada.

Aomi: “Good morning. This is Aomi.”

Oosaki: “G- Good morning.”

Stumbling over my words, I bit my tongue.

Aomi: “My apologies for calling you so early.

I hope I didn’t wake you.”

Oosaki: “Not at all. I was already up and getting ready.”

As I said this, 

I raked my fingers through my disheveled hair.

Oosaki: “Where are you right now?”

Aomi: “At our accommodations. I just finished seeing off my students.”

Oosaki: “Good work.

In that case, I’ll head over shortly.”

Aomi: “My sincerest apologies.”

Hearing those words, I finally, fully woke up.

Aomi: “Regarding our plans for today…

Could we reschedule them for another time?

I’m afraid something urgent has come up.”

Oosaki: “Of course. Whatever you need to do comes first.”

Aomi: “I apologize again.

I’ll contact you later.”

Still clinging onto the receiver,

I stared at the morning sun streaming through the glass door in a daze.

Beyond the window, summer was already here.

However, I felt like its arrival didn’t concern me at all.

It would appear I’d be spending it alone regardless.

Urgent business, emergencies—these kinds of things happened to everyone.

That’s why one should always have a back-up plan to fill the rest of their day.

However, I seriously couldn’t think of anything else to do. Was I truly that dull?

A second cicada began to chirp.

Shizuma: “...Well, don’t you look free today?”

It was Shizuma-san who had spoken.

He was a scoundrel of a man, 

with eyes that smirked as he looked at me.

Shizuma: “Why the glum face so early in the morning?

Received a bit of bad news?”

Oosaki: “It’s none of your business.

Speaking of, I see you’ve invited yourself over again.”

Shizuma: “I like sleeping in your hallway. It’s nice and cool.

I won’t come over during the winter though, so you won’t have to worry then.”

He was a man who reminded me of summer.

Cicadas and evening storms and sunsets and—

Summer was full of surprises.

Unlike the gradual blooming and fading of spring cherry blossoms, 

and the slowly dropping temperatures and accumulating snows of winter, 

summer’s temperament was completely different.

It always came and went as it pleased.

Finally returning to my senses, I put the phone receiver down.

In Shizuma-san’s place,

I began rolling up the futon in the hallway.

Shizuma: “If you haven’t got anything else to do, why don’t the two of us go for a drive?”

Oosaki: “I’ll pass.”

Shizuma: “Aw, let me take you out for the day.”

Oosaki: “It’d be a bother.”

Shizuma: “What do you want for lunch?

Some kind of meat? Like yakiniku? Or steak?”

Oosaki: “That’s just what you want to eat.”

Shizuma: “Fine then, what would you like?”

Oosaki: “Nothing. I’m going back to sleep.”

Shizuma: “Sigh, you don’t get it do you?

I’m here for your sake.

Let your big brother take the loneliness away.”

Oosaki: “...”

Shizuma: “And since you just got rejected, I’ll even make you an extra special deal.

Just for today, I’ll do anything you want. A-ny-thing at all.”

Oosaki: “How kind.

In that case, please get out of my house.”

Shizuma: “Okay, okay, okay.

I’ll see you again sometime.”

Shizuma-san whistled sadly as he trudged out of the house.

The sound of his car engine began to fade into the distance.

I didn’t think he’d actually leave.

Did I really look that miserable?

—It was the beginning of August. The world was on summer break.

Aomi-sensei and his students had come all the way from Ooshima to Tokyo 

for the preliminary round of a choir competition.

The dream I had this morning 

must have been a manifestation of my worries for him.

The competition was yesterday, 

so he was supposed to spend his free day today with me.

However—

Urgent business.

I had missed my opportunity to ask what he meant by that.

Should I go to his accommodations anyways?

Would that be a burden on him?

As I stared at the receiver, 

the phone began to ring again.

Aomi: “—It’s Aomi. Is this Oosaki-san?”

Oosaki: “Yes.”

Aomi: “I apologize for my abruptness earlier.

I’m sure you have several questions.”

Oosaki: “Don’t worry about it.

You were in a rush, weren’t you?”

Aomi: “I was. However…

I was also wondering if you might be available to come too.”

Oosaki: “Of course.”

Aomi: “In that case, meet me on Enoshima.”

Oosaki: “Understood… Eh?”

Aomi: “Enoshima.

It’s spelled with the same ‘e’ as in ‘Ooe,’ ‘no’ written in katakana, and the character for ‘island’.”

Oosaki: “O- Okay.

I’ll head for Enoshima right away.”

Aomi: “Thank you.

I appreciate it.”

The phone line cut off.

On the other side of the receiver, 

I could feel Aomi-san on the move again.

I, too, hurried to get ready.

ʚɞ

—Enoshima is a small island located within Sagami Bay.

It hosts a shrine to the goddess Benzaiten, 

and is known as a tourist destination second only to Kamakura in the area.

The bridge connecting it to the mainland had been swept away several times in the past,

but this current iteration was built entirely of concrete 

to support foot traffic to and from the island—

I had no idea what sort of business would bring someone to Enoshima,

but I headed there anyway.

Strange as the situation was, I didn’t feel the slightest hesitation in my steps, 

and before I knew it, I was blending into the crowd like any other tourist.

I was first to reach the nearest station.

However, before long, the train from the city arrived.

A man descended, his clean-cut silhouette unmistakable.

Our eyes met immediately.

His suit was black. He wore a high-collared white shirt.

And in his hand was a frilly woman’s parasol—

Aomi: “Thank you for coming all this way.

It’s been a while hasn’t it, Oosaki-san.”

Aomi-san opened the parasol.

The ocean breeze ruffled its frills.

He leaned part of its shade towards me.

Aomi: “I’d like to apologize for earlier once again.

I must’ve troubled you with the phone call.”

Oosaki: “It’s fine…”

Aomi: “Let’s get going then.

To Enoshima.”

Oosaki: “C- Coming.”

Although his voice was soft, 

he moved with conviction—

The island and the mainland were connected by Benten Bridge.

There was nothing to obstruct the sun’s rays, 

causing a hazy mirage to appear 

and make the island seem further away than it truly was.

Cumulonimbus clouds rose in the distance behind Enoshima.

As if to hide from their stormy gaze, 

we shaded ourselves with the parasol.

Aomi: “I’ve already said this, but I’d like to apologize again.

Especially since you took the time to come out here during summer break.”

Oosaki: “My line of work is flexible anyway.”

Aomi: “My apologies.”

Oosaki: “By the way, how was the preliminary competition?”

Aomi: “We were eliminated.”

Oosaki: “That’s surprising.”

The club was only established this April, 

but I heard the students were all passionate about winning.

Not to mention, they were all under Aomi-san’s leadership.

Aomi: “Our division simply didn’t have the qualifications to win.

There were 7 members. 0 accompanists.

Since none of our students could play the piano, I had to take the role myself.”

The image of a small chorus in the midst of a large auditorium materialized in my head.

It would appear that the stage I had dreamed of this morning

was not meant for them, but some other school.

However, what I was most worried about was—

Oosaki: “How are your students?”

Aomi: “Focusing on the next competition and refining their strategy.

It was difficult. But they seemed to enjoy themselves. Everyone should be heading back now.”

I should’ve known to expect more from a club of volunteers.

It would take more than defeat to drain their spirits.

We walked down the bridge without incident.

There was sweat glistening on everyone around us.

However, I suddenly began to sweat for a different reason.

Aomi-san had his teaching expression on.

He was wearing a suit. His posture was stiff.

In comparison, I looked far too carefree.

My shirt was open. My bangs were thrown back.

…I had to get out of this immediately.

Yet, Aomi-san didn’t even look my way.

The island was the only thing in his sights.

Aomi: “—One of my students ran away from home.

The school contacted me this morning.”

At the entrance of the island was a bronze torii gate.

Various souvenir shops were crammed together along the slope.

This shopping street, Nakamise Doori, led up to the shrine 

and was already filled with tourists.

Oosaki: “Was it a member of your club?”

Aomi: “No, just another student.”

Oosaki: “I’ll keep an eye out for him then.

What does he look like?”

Aomi: “He’s most likely out of uniform.

And I’d imagine his hair’s a mess too.

However—

You’ll definitely know as soon as you see him.

Even if you’ve never met before.”

What a mysterious description.

Awaiting us at the end of the road was a second torii gate and a set of stone steps.

Enoshima Shrine was nestled within these mountains.

Aomi: “We aren’t heading toward the shrines,

but to the other side of the island.”

Oosaki: “Let’s go this way then.”

Enoshima was shaped like two mountains pushed together, 

resulting in its rugged terrain.

However, on its right side was a gentle path that circled the perimeter of the island.

It was a shortcut that could be used by people in a hurry.

There was no one on the path beside us.

Since the area was thickly shaded with trees, 

Aomi-san closed his parasol.

Aomi: “The student was a truant.”

Oosaki: “Was there something he didn’t like about school?”

Aomi: “I’m not sure.

As far as I know, he wasn’t being bullied.

He always made it to music class

and seemed to get along with his friends.”

Oosaki: “Then perhaps there were problems at home.”

Aomi: “His family was wealthy.

There was nothing he lacked.”

The gentle hills rolled on and on.

The droning of the cicadas grew louder.

I wanted to pause to wipe off my sweat, 

but Aomi-san didn’t stop for even a second.

His face held the same, stoic expression as always.

Aomi: “It was a winter night. Long ago.

I, too, ran away from home.

I was dissatisfied with my life.

I felt like I couldn’t stay there.

Even now, I can still remember the cold sting of trudging barefoot through the snow.”

Oosaki: “I’ve done something similar too.

Although my reason was more immature.

I was simply curious and went all the way to a distant rice paddy.”

The long stalks of rice had chafed against my fingertips.

It was a wholly unpleasant feeling.

As soon as I realized just how big the world was, 

I was seized by fear.

What I had felt was loneliness.

Aomi: “Back then, was there anyone who came for you?”

Oosaki: “As soon as I turned around, my grandmother was right there.”

Aomi: “In the end, adults can see right through children, can’t they?”

Aomi-san, too, 

probably had someone to pick him up, 

and brush the snow from his body.

Passing through the double mountains, the view suddenly opened up, clear and blue.

It was the ocean.

We made it to the other side of the island.

There was no one else who had ventured this far.

As we descended the stone steps, the two of us paused.

Ooshima was visible across the ocean.

The island where Aomi-san and his students lived 

looked striking against the horizon.

Oosaki: “This is the place 

I wanted to take you today.”

Aomi: “...Is that so?”

Oosaki: “I’m sure you’ve seen the ocean enough times by now.

However, I thought the view of Ooshima from here was quite breathtaking—”

Aomi: “Stop.”

He didn’t take his eyes off the sea.

Aomi: “When you go to see a mountain, you don’t praise another mountain.

The same is true for islands.”

Oosaki: “Did your mother teach you that?”

Aomi: “Yes.

If you do, it’ll cause the goddess of that land to grow jealous.”

Oosaki: “What a curious legend.”

Aomi: “No one wants to incur the wrath of another being. And neither do I—”

Oosaki: “Eh?”

I was certain that Aomi-san had looked right at me 

as he finished his sentence.

Pondering what he meant, I suddenly realized I’d been left behind.

Aomi-san was quickly descending the rest of the staircase.

He rushed to the end of the viewing platform, 

and began to wave the white parasol in the air.

Oosaki: “Aomi-san!?”

Aomi: “Oosaki-san. Raise this umbrella as high as you can.

Like a signal.

We need to reach that yacht.”

Floating on the water was a Snipe.

It had come from Ooshima, 

and was sailing straight toward us.

Taking the parasol, 

I began to wave it around like he asked.

The sunlight reflected off of it.

Noticing the price tag on the handle,

I realized Aomi-san must have bought the white parasol for this reason—

The yacht’s sails billowed in the wind and reflected a light back at us.

It was a reply.

Wait, it couldn’t be.

Of all the stupid things.

A tiny yacht sailing from Ooshima to Enoshima…

Aomi: “His family realized he had run away after noticing the yacht was gone.”

The outline of a larger ship appeared in the distance.

It was a patrol boat.

Unsurprisingly, it seemed this young man hadn’t anticipated any adults to make a move.

We moved down into the rocks to help guide the yacht to shore.

Noticing the situation, people began to gather along the coastline.

Every time the hull skipped along the water, 

a cloud of fine mist sprayed into the air.

It was a risky situation, 

and everyone was watching with bated breath.

It was dangerous.

It was foolish.

Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to blame the boy.

Oosaki: “Are you going to scold him?”

I was surprised by how meek my voice sounded.

Aomi-san’s eyes widened slightly 

before he looked away self-consciously.

Aomi: “I am not.”

Saying this, his gaze drifted back to the sea.

Aomi: “The phone call I got from my school 

was actually instructions to return to Ooshima immediately.

They wanted to ask me about the student.

However, I declined the invitation and came here instead.

I already knew.

Once that student set out to sea, he would neither return nor drown.

I understood this since the day I heard the sound of his piano—”

Aomi-san smiled at me.

Aomi: “He would arrive here no matter what.

I simply thought it’d be lonely if there was no one to greet him.”

Oosaki: “I hope I was able to lend a hand.”

Aomi: “I believe so. Thanks to your guidance, 

I think I was able to find myself an excellent, new pianist.”

The yacht suddenly hit a rock, 

and capsized in a matter of seconds.

I immediately jumped into the sea, 

and pulled the student into my arms.

The waves smashed the boat into pieces.

However, upon seeing his teacher’s face, 

the student sighed in relief and shut his eyes—

ʚɞ

We took a ferry back to the front of the island.

In the back seat of a taxi, the student had fallen asleep with Aomi-sensei watching over him.

There were no other passengers.

Aomi: “—I’ll take him home from here.

My apologies for not being able to thank you properly.”

Oosaki: “It’s fine.”

Aomi: “Well then.

Until next time—”

Then, the taxi coldly, mechanically drove away.

And just like that, I had been abandoned at the head of Benten Bridge.

Soaking wet and alone.

…How was I supposed to get home looking like this?

My eyes landed on the station telephone.

I could call Shizuma-san and have him drive me.

A man like him probably wouldn’t mind his car getting a little wet.

Though, even if he did complain, I wouldn’t really care.

However, my feet refused to move.

—When you’re on an island, you shouldn’t praise another island.

Suddenly, those words flashed through my head once again.

ʚɞ

It was dusk by the time I returned to familiar scenery.

I had chosen to walk to dry myself off, 

but since I was by the coast, 

my entire body was sticky with salt from the sea breeze.

My hair had stiffened, 

and my bangs refused to loosen up, 

so I had no choice but to sweep them back 

and trudge home in defeat.

I had gone out of my way to buy a new shirt for today.

There wasn’t a single speck of dust or hint of odor on it.

The pomade I’d used was even recommended by a hairdresser.

When they asked if I was going on a date, I hadn’t denied it.

If anyone saw how I looked now, the only apt description would be “miserable.”

However, if they asked me what I felt, 

I would probably describe it as “happiness.”

I had been moved by Aomi-san’s dedication.

This was the first time I’d seen his teacherly side from up-close.

It was everything I had wished to see—

ʚɞ

With the sunset blazing orange behind me, I opened the front door.

Inside the house was a dignified, 

deep blue silhouette waiting for me.

Oosaki: “Aomi-san?”

Aomi: “Please pardon my intrusion, 

but you’re late.”

Oosaki: “I thought you were going home.”

Aomi: “That was the original plan.

However, my student’s parents came to pick him up by plane.”

Oosaki: “Wealthy might be an understatement…”

Aomi: “The household owns five boats on the island.

In addition to three cars.

And one piano.

I suppose he must’ve been bored 

having grown up in such a family.”

It sounded like a luxury.

However, for the person in question, 

possessing such things might have been just as burdensome as not.

In any case, that chapter was now closed.

Aomi-san stood up, and slightly bowed his head.

Aomi: “I’ll be in your care for the next three days.

As originally planned.”

Oosaki: “Please, come inside—”

Aomi-san was here once again.

He began to unpack his meager belongings in a corner of the room.

Clothing, necessities, 

he moved like he already belonged.

Taking off his suit, Aomi-san changed into Japanese clothing.

As he finished tying his obi, 

he cast me a glance from over his shoulder.

Aomi: “Your cologne. It smells nice.”

Oosaki: “My… what?”

Aomi: “Your clothing and hair had the same fresh scent today.”

Oosaki: “Oh, well,

I didn’t do anything special.”

Aomi: “Then, I suppose it was just your scent, Hiiro-san.”

Summer truly was full of surprises.

The sunset suddenly intensified, 

bleeding light across our field of vision.

Oosaki Hiiro: “Kaede-san.”

Aomi Kaede: “Yes.”

Oosaki Hiiro: “Welcome home.”

He wasn’t anyone’s teacher, 

nor friend right now.

At this moment, all he was, 

was finally in my arms—

The Meiji Era.

During this time period, there was a push in Japan to hire Westerners as a means of acquiring their technologies.

Erwin Bälz, a German doctor, was one such foreigner.

Initially hired as a professor, he settled in Japan and established himself as a physician.

Bälz believed that the Shonan seaside possessed the perfect environment for long-term recuperation.

Subsequently, he constructed over ten sanatoriums along the coastline.

Bälz was especially fond of Shichirigahama Beach.

According to his records, it is “the most beautiful place in Japan.”

ʚɞ

Today, Shichirigahama Beach was baking beneath the afternoon sun.

As one approached the water, the smell of disinfectant intertwined with the sea.

Upon a nearby hill, a sanatorium gazed down on us.

A young girl of about 15 or 16 was standing in the waves.

She had on a dark green swimsuit.

Her black seaweed-like hair hung in braids.

There was no light in her eyes.

She was exactly as I’d imagined from her voice on the phone.

Gumi: “Thank you for comin’ out here, Mr… Err…”

“Oosaki. I presume you are Gumi-san?”

Gumi: “—es.”

At times, her timid voice was cut off by the wind.

“Gumi-san, forgive my abruptness, but about your request—”

Gumi: “Ah… Yes… About that…”

She nervously turned her attention towards the beach.

Gumi: “There’s a reason I wanted ya to come out here. 

Y’see, I recently dropped a hair accessory somewhere along this huge stretch of beach, and I’d like your help to find it.”

“...”

Gumi: “I know I’m askin’ for a lot, Oosaki-san. Still, I’d ‘ppreciate it if we could search together.”

I was surprised by the thickness of her accent that occasionally slipped out.

However, it seemed all she wanted was help finding a lost item.

…I lightly shook my head.

“My apologies.”

Gumi: “!”

“Recovering lost items is the police’s job.

I’m afraid the best I can do is redirect you to their services.”

Gumi: “That so…”

Then, she smiled again.

Gumi: “Still, ya could’ve told me that on the phone earlier. 

Yet, you still came all this way, and with that enormous rake too.”

“While conducting investigations is the police’s job, 

there’s nothing they can do if a crime wasn’t involved. 

That’s why I’ll make an exception for today—”

And just like that, 

the two of us searched the beach together.

Me in the sand and her in the waves.

Suddenly.

I found something pink and shiny buried in the burning sand.

It was a little sakura shell. [1]

When I held it up to the sun, the shell crumbled into sparkling fragments.

Gumi: “A sakura shell. There’s plenty of them here.”

I looked around the area.

Sakura shells in all different shades glittered along the beach.

It was a dazzling sight.

“What does your hair accessory look like?”

Gumi: “It’s green. 

It’s a piece of green glass more beautiful than an emerald.”

I began to sift through the sand again.

Then, a shell with a dull luster caught my eye,

“Gumi-san, is this the color you’re looking for?”

I made my way toward the ocean.

She waded back toward the beach.

I presented the shell in my hand for her to scrutinize.

Gumi: “Yep, that’s it, although this is just a green mussel.”

“A green mussel?”

Gumi: “They ain’t native to Japan. Ya find ‘em further south. 

They stick onto boats and get carried here. 

Invasive species, they’re called.”

Our footprints disappeared beneath the powerful waves.

I felt stuck, not because of my feet sinking into the wet sand, 

but because of the sudden weight of Gumi-san’s gaze.

Gumi: “Y’know, I originally thought ya were kinda scary, but I had ya all wrong.”

Holding the shell behind her back, 

she walked towards the water.

The ocean front glittered even brighter than the sun, turning all the people in the shallows, including her, into shadows.

Everyone looked thin and sickly.

Gumi: “The people here are patients at the sanatorium. 

Since the ocean air contains nutrients, 

just breathing it in improves your health.”

“Are you also a patient?”

Gumi: “Nah, 

I’ve already recovered.”

She extended both of her arms. 

They were mottled with tiny scabs.

—Syphilis scars.

Gumi: “I’ve grown fond of these scars now. 

Y’know how pearls form from the irritants that get sucked in by clams? It’s like that. 

They’re proof of the struggles my body’s overcome, the wounds it’s healed. 

Doc was the one who told me that…”

“Doc…?”

The tide rose. My feet were sticky with salt.

Gumi: “When I first heard your voice, it made me think of a wolf. 

I got the impression you were a persistent sorta person with a keen nose for trouble. 

Once you’ve got a bone in your mouth, ya don’t let it go. 

But once we met, I changed my mind.”

…I had been suspicious about this request since the beginning.

“Where did you get my name?”

I asked as calmly as I could.

Gumi: “I overheard it during a conversation with the Missus. 

I was standing right next to her.”

“The Missus…?”

I couldn’t grasp the situation at all.

Gumi: “Doc’s wife. I’m one of her maidservants.”

“And this doctor—”

Gumi: “Ah! Oosaki-san!! 

Don’t act like a stranger!!! 

Gahaha—!”

A strong wind blew her voice away.

My thoughts were ripped apart once more.

Gumi: “I lied on the phone to get you here.”

“Why would you…”

Gumi: “Doc’s been sad ever since you disappeared.”

“What…?”

Gumi: “I wanted the two of you to meet again.”

Clouds covered the sun, plunging the area into darkness.

There was an intense look in Gumi-san’s eyes.

I took a step backwards.

Thunder crashed overhead like a warning.

It sounded like a girl’s vengeful scream, causing my hair to stand on edge.

—I had to run.

As I braced myself to take off,

Gumi-san tightened her grip on the shell, and ran it swiftly down her wrist.

“You!!!”

Pushing through the waves, I rushed to pick her up where she’d fallen.

Blood was pouring down her arm.

The peaceful afternoon seaside was thrown into chaos.

Behind us, a car cluelessly drove by.

Gumi: “Ah… That’s Doc…”

A man came out of the car and headed towards the sanatorium, 

none of the wiser as to what was happening on the beach.

Gumi: “Oosaki-san. 

Don’t leave… 

Please, take me to him…”

As far as I could see, there was no one else around who could carry her.

…Ugh, there was no time to waste.

Only a doctor could save her.

Picking up the girl, I dashed towards the hill.

ʚɞ

“Please wait!!!”

The man paused in the doorway,

Retracting his step, he slowly turned around.

Our blood-soaked forms greeted him…

Gumi-san met his gaze and smiled as she weakly reached out to him.

Grabbing her hand, the man sighed and shut his eyes with relief.

Judging by his unexpected reaction, 

it would appear the severity of her wound was greatly exaggerated.

Gumi: “Doc, I’ve brought him to you. Oosaki-san.”

Shijoumae: “...”

Gumi: "Because he wouldn’t come otherwise.”

The man took the girl into his arms.

Then, slightly crouching down, he finally met my eyes.

“I—”

Shijoumae: “Who are you?”

Gumi: “Doc…?”

Shijoumae: “...That’s enough, Gumi.”

Gumi: “I don’t understand.”

Shijoumae: “Goodness, what am I going to do with you?”

A nurse noticed the commotion and came running over.

With a single glance from the man, she immediately took over as his arms and legs and carried the girl inside.

Wiping off his bloody hands, the man turned only his head to look at me again.

Shijoumae: “Young man, I suggest you go home.”

Then, he pulled on his jacket with his now empty hands—

—And shut the sanatorium doors behind him.

ʚɞ

The smell of disinfectant intertwined with the sea.

Thick clouds rushed into the sky as it began to pour.

The world and I melted into an indistinguishable blur.

Senpai has been missing for two weeks.

Shinkiba-san and I have been looking for him since. [2]

The reason why I borrowed his name and accepted this job, 

was because I stubbornly refused to accept he was gone.

ʚɞ

The sudden disappearance of Oosaki-senpai.

The mysterious girl who knew his name, the tight-lipped doctor.

And the investigation report Senpai left at his house.

The name on the report was definitely—

Shinagawa: “Shijoumae…?”

I turned around.

The white-walled sanatorium seemed to swell like a cloud.

Its two windows became Shijoumae’s eyes silently looking down at me.

[Ten Views of Shonan -Shell-] 1956. Shijoumae Route

Translation Notes

[1] The scientific name is Nitidotellina nitidula if you want to look these up. They're pretty cute.