Chapter 6

Starting tomorrow, I'll get serious.

What a wonderful phrase. This will solve any difficulties that come today.

With the immediate lifeline secured, Yūji has begun to escape reality. The photography of a wyvern-like strange bird. Currently, he is focused on this task. In a sense, he could be said to be getting serious by working on it diligently.

"The house is in the shot, the forest is in the shot. I've even prepared a piece of paper with the ID written on it. I'll leave a photo of the strange bird, me, and Kotarō with this best camera angle! Finding a wireless shutter for the camera was a big help. I wonder what my father intended to photograph with this... Ah, Kotarō! Don't touch the tripod! It will mess up the best angle!"

In the morning, he wakes up at 7 and has breakfast. In the morning, he glances outside to see if the strange bird has come while cleaning the house and looking for useful items. After a light lunch, he goes out into the yard and plays with Kotarō, waiting for the strange bird. When it gets dark, they have dinner and take a bath. After that, Yūji and Kotarō spend their peaceful days checking the internet, browsing, and posting on bulletin boards.

But after a week, the reality he had been avoiding begins to show its teeth. The food problem.

"The refrigerator is almost empty... There are still frozen foods, rice, wheat, instant noodles, and emergency rations, so we can still hold out for a while... But even if we save, we'll starve to death in a year. I'll prepare today and go exploring from tomorrow morning."

The next day, Yūji and Kotarō finally stand in front of the gate, ready to go outside the property. Yūji has a large backpack on his back, containing lunch, tea, small bags for collecting items, rain gear, emergency rations, a spade, and a mountaineering pick.

Yūji himself is dressed in hiking boots, a vest, a hat, and holds a trekking pole in his hand, with a machete on his waist, making him look like a perfect mountaineer. This is no surprise, as before he became a recluse, Yūji was a member of the Wandervogel club for two years.

"Alright, let's go, Kotarō. The goal is to secure food, and the targets are nuts, fruits, and mountain vegetables. There are risks, but if we find mushrooms, we'll collect them too. Let's go!"

Yūji calls out bravely to Kotarō, but he can't take a step. Kotarō, as if to say, "I already know," walks ahead. He looks back at Yūji, asking, "Aren't you coming?" Kotarō is a smart, brave, and handsome dog. She's a female, though.

Guided by Kotarō, Yūji proceeds straight from the gate, heading roughly south. This is a choice made considering the risk of encountering the strange bird, which flew from east to north. Also, he thinks, "There might be some fruits in the south," a rather naive idea.

Birdsong, soft dappled sunlight. There are some thickets that make walking a bit difficult, but Yūji continues the exploration, cutting through them with his trekking pole and machete. There are no dangerous wild animals like boars, bears, or snakes, nor any mysterious creatures like the strange bird.

The journey is going smoothly, but the collection situation is not good. This is because, despite being raised in the countryside and being a member of the Wandervogel club, Yūji has no experience in collecting mountain vegetables or mushrooms. Still, he stuffs his backpack with small fruits like cherries, acorn-like nuts, burnt-brown shiitake-like mushrooms, and bright red mushrooms that look dangerous but might be edible.

"There's no water source or open area, so let's call it a day and have lunch at home, Kotarō."

Kotarō barks once, as if to say, "Understood." Yūji follows behind the leading Kotarō. By the way, this man, although he has a compass, has not done any mapping. He relies entirely on Kotarō. Even if the collected items turn out to be edible, he will have to rely on Kotarō to go back there again.

Come on, Kotarō.