Chapter 43 Part Three, Verse 44: Cicadas on the Eighth Day (44)

Going outside through the archway, I feel as if I have been away from the outside world for a long time. "Where are we going?" Sha Hui asked, but the two people in the front seat didn't say a word.I leaned my forehead against the window and looked out as the pickup truck left the white wall behind.The car was going down the mountain road, and there were eye-catching garbage on the gentle slope on the right and the miscellaneous forest on the left.It was spotless in Home before, so the mountain road full of rubbish looked very strange.Tapes exposed from plastic bags and black bags, rolled sheets and clothing, dismantled portable stereos and rusty bicycles, rain-soaked newspapers and books.I remembered that when I first came here, Fumyo had ordered Kumi to throw the magazines out of the car window.

After going down the mountain, I walked along the national road for 20 minutes, and stopped in front of a building that was as deserted as Home.We were ordered to get out of the car and filed out of the pickup truck.The middle-aged woman walking with the dog stopped and looked at us as we got out of the car.I feel as if I have come to a place very far away from that middle-aged woman's world. "Tanihara Clinic" is written at the entrance of the building.We followed the duo into the building.There are no outpatients in the waiting room and corridors, so it is very quiet.The registration counter window is hung with a checkered curtain.

The two told us to sit and wait on the bench in the waiting room, and then went inside.Kaoru stretched out her hand towards the wall while making a sound.When I turned my gaze, there was a calendar with pictures of Hina dolls on the wall.I just realized it's already March. "This is a Hina doll, Kaoru. These are the Emperor and Empress, and these are called Hina dolls." I got up from the bench and moved closer to the calendar to see it more clearly.After counting the date, today happens to be Doll Festival⑤.It was Kaoru's first Hina Doll Festival, and I was frustrated because I could only show her the Hina dolls in the photos.When will I be able to prepare a Hina doll for this child?

I found out today is Sunday.No wonder it was empty, it turns out the clinic is closed today. "I don't know what they want to do to us." Sae whispered restlessly, "Kiwako, you are not nervous." She said to me who was flipping through the calendar to show Kaoru photos of cherry blossoms and carp streamers. "Didn't you pass by the store just now? Even if I ask them to let me go to the store on the way back, they probably won't agree." Kumi said looking up at the ceiling. "Kumi, what do you want to buy?" Saneda asked. "I want to buy snacks. I really want to eat something sweet and oily. The food there is really too bland." Sha Hui replied.

"I'd rather read a magazine," Kumi said in a drawl. Magazine.I put the opened calendar back to its original shape, and glanced across the waiting room.If this is a clinic for ordinary people, there should be newspapers and magazines.I have the illusion that every newspaper and magazine has my name printed on it in large print.However, there are only broken children's story books on the bookshelf in the corner, which made me breathe out with peace of mind.