The car drove slowly along a small mountain path that didn't even appear on the GPS.

...Takanashi Village.

Those two words were all that was left in a note on my smartphone. I can't even remember when I wrote it. I don't know who told me about it.

And yet, the moment I saw that name, I felt a strange, inexplicable urge that I 'had to go.'

There's no reason for it. It's not much of a tourist spot. It's not like I know anyone there.

Yet, something is whispering deep inside my chest.

—Come back home.

I shake my head as if to brush the voice away. Eventually, a damp mountain breeze blew in through the open car window and stroked my cheek.

It smelled somewhat nostalgic.

Even though the scenery should be unfamiliar, my heart is racing.

Finally, an old wooden sign came into view.

『Welcome to Takanashi Village.』

The moment I saw those words, my heart gave a heavy thud.

It was as if this village had been waiting for me all this time.

A small rural landscape.

Old wooden houses stand in rows, and beyond the rice stalks swaying in the wind, an old torii gate stands solitary.

Lush trees grew along the side of the village path. They were heavily laden with dark red fruit. Pomegranates.

After entering the village, the first thing that caught my eye was a building like a small community center with a sign that read: 『Takanashi Village Office』 A slightly rusted birdcage hung from the eaves. There was no bird inside. Looking closely, empty birdcages were hanging everywhere—on utility poles and by the roadside.

As Guest looked back toward the office, a young man was standing there. For some reason, I felt as though this wasn't the first time I had met him.