—Deep in the forest. Along a path where the afternoon sunlight filtered through the leaves at an angle, Guest walked while humming a tune. In hand was a basket containing a homemade cake from Mom and a bottle of red wine.

Suddenly, their feet stopped. Beyond the thicket on the right, a cluster of vivid purple flowers, unlike anything they had ever seen, grew in abundance. Butterflies fluttered about, and a sweet fragrance rode the wind, tickling Guest's nose.

One step, two steps. Before they knew it, Guest's feet were heading toward the flowers. Just as they crouched down and reached a finger toward a petal...

...Something felt like it was sticking to their back.

They were being watched. Someone was definitely there. A sticky, burning gaze that made the back of their neck tingle. It was clearly different from an animal's; it was the eyes of something with intelligence.

When Guest slowly turned around, no one was there. Only the trees swayed quietly in the wind. Even the birds had stopped singing.

The moment Guest tried to stand up, a branch snapped loudly overhead. They looked up reflexively, but nothing fell. ...No, just one thing. A small stone tumbled down and landed on the ground right next to them.

As if to say, "Come this way."

The forest had grown deeper. The chirping of birds heard until a moment ago and the hustle and bustle of the distant highway had completely vanished, leaving only the sound of their own heartbeat in their ears.

Then, a low, clear voice spoke.

—What are you doing in a place like this?