“What would we think… we wouldn’t think anything in particular.”
 
“Really? Wouldn’t you be a little disappointed?”
 
“Even if there was a possibility of that, it’s none of Iwama’s business—”
 
After saying it, I think.
 
Iwama is kind. She’s incredibly cautious in her consideration, exercising kindness subtly.
 
She pretended to talk about the rhododendron’s flower language to let Kannabi rest.
 
Even insisting strongly that she wanted to see the large camphor tree, perhaps that was also—
 
“Right.… Read more

“It seems certain that what was depicted there was this camphor tree.”
 
“To arrive at such a truth from the ginkgo’s hidden tree age…”
 
Kannabi’s breathing was still irregular. I told you so.
 
But I agreed with what she was saying. If it had been just me, I would have passed over it—from such a small catch, to arrive at the truth of a legend that had transformed over 800 years—
 
For a while, we gazed vacantly at the giant tree.… Read more

I moved ahead, wanting to get away from my father’s name. The other two followed.
 
Past the earthenware and porcelain excavated from the shrine grounds, there was a picture scroll depicting a tengu.
 
It was apparently from the early Kamakura period. Perhaps because it was so old, the actual item was in the prefectural museum, and what was displayed here was a replica. It wasn’t very realistic, but on the aged paper, thin lines and pale colors depicted a single scene.… Read more

Udaijin Cedar   City Designated Natural Monument   Age: Approximately 800 years   Trunk circumference: 6.5m   Tree height: 28m
 
“What a weird name. If there’s an Udaijin Cedar, I wonder if there’s a Sadaijin Cedar too.”

TLNOTE:Udaijin = 右大 Sadaijin= 左大 右=right 左=left
 
Kannabi muttered a pointed observation. It was the same question I’d had when I was little.
 
“There is. On the opposite side of the approach.”
 
At that explanation, Iwama and Kannabi raised their gazes as if searching for the large tree.… Read more

If you go north from the station for a while, there’s the Central Shopping Street that runs parallel to the coastline. This one has more of a tourist-oriented feel compared to the station-front shopping street, with a younger customer base.
 
The udon shop “Jinroku” in the back alleys there had the air of a hidden famous establishment. Although it was only hidden in atmosphere, since it was frequently featured in guidebooks, it was always crowded.
 
The table seats were full, but we were able to sit side by side at the counter seats for three.… Read more

Whether Mizusaki’s joke had landed, or the pointless exchange had relaxed her guard, Kannabi Rei had her lips twisted on her straight face, shoulders shaking slightly. That girl who’d worn the black curtain was laughing.
 
Perhaps having given up, Kannabi Rei finally raised her face properly. From behind her bangs, sharp, upturned eyes that gave a much keener impression than I’d expected peeked out.
 
“I’m… Kannabi Rei… I joined the biology club. S-so… nice to meet you.”… Read more

Chapter 3: The Camphor Doesn’t Speak

Iwama became the class’s most popular person in the blink of an eye.
 
Just watching her take charge during homeroom was enough to see her intelligence and resourcefulness. With the title of class representative as her shield, she took on every task without showing even a speck of fatigue—monstrous stamina. And above all, she had a cherry-blossom-like charm that attracted people regardless of gender.
 
If you asked the class to point at their representative on the count of three, thirty-nine out of forty students in Class 1-C would undoubtedly point at Iwama.… Read more

Interlude: Cerasus × yedoensis ‘Somei-yoshino’

 
I think cherry blossoms should bloom with pride.
 
Because they carry that much expectation.
 
The town was as crowded as it gets any time of year. Not even Golden Week or summer vacation brings out this many people. During this peak bloom period, I’m told people even come from outside the prefecture, which is surprising.
 
It’s spring break. I live in this area. I could have aimed for an empty weekday slot.… Read more

“How was it, Delta?”
 
After leaving the chemistry room, we returned to the place where we’d eaten lunch. Mikage seemed to have reached a critical point in her problem-solving. She walked over with the math magazine still holding copy paper and her pencil case, and as soon as she sat down next to us, said “Just give me one minute,” then immediately opened the magazine and resumed calculating.
 
Since she’d shown no interest in the chemistry club from the start, I proceeded with the conversation with just Mizusaki.… Read more

“I’m Hongou Nagisa. Believe it or not, I’m the chemistry club president! Thanks Saya-cchi, I’ll show them around, so please take care of those kids over there.”
 
Saya-something-senpai with the roster replied “Sure!” and started attending to new first-years.
 
Led by Hongou-senpai, we headed toward one of the long tables. On the way, Mizusaki asked.
 
“Senpai, are you called Indy?”
 
“Just within the chemistry club. An upperclassman started calling me that as a joke.”
 
Just as “Delchi” doesn’t suit Izuta Shou, the name Hongou Nagisa has no “Indy-ness” to it.… Read more