“…… Mr.Ato…… allpre-operationarrangementshavebeenready……”

“…… pleasewait…… iscoming……”

――…… Mr...... All the surgical preparations are ready......

――…… Please wait...... I'm coming ...... --

He lay flat and vaguely heard the nurse talking to his son.

Because of his old age, his hearing was indeed not as good as before, and he did not want to concentrate on hearing their topic clearly. But thinking has become nature, and there is no inference, but after hearing these fragmentary information, the realization that "Sun Tzu is stumbling over something and there is still some distance to get here" automatically flashed through his mind.

“…… Monkey business! The son stood in the distance and let out a stern complaint in Japanese.

Although he was still a somewhat willful teenager, he didn't think there was anything too much to worry about his grandson.

Although this may be the last side, it is not a big deal.

In this delicate and spacious waiting room, the entire medical team dedicated to him is performing their duties in an orderly manner, and the subtle and orderly sounds that make it are enough to prove his superb professionalism.

His mind had gradually emptied.

No more...... Regretful......

The two shuffled footsteps that rushed here were not enough to disturb him.

“…… Yes? What did you say? Let me say what this is for? The girl asked in a hurry, panting.

"Shout." The boy hesitated for a few seconds before giving instructions, and seemed not confident in his guess.

Exceptional clarity.

- Wow!

It was only the moment he heard the girl's voice, and the last wisp of thought in his mind that was about to dissipate suddenly flashed into a shadow.

"Brother."

What slowly came into view was the silhouette of the girl's side face, just like back then.

That dreary summer of cicada chirping.

He watched her go away dressed in white innocence, watched her step by step over the torii gates, and watched her become someone else's wife.

Shrouded in golden sunlight, she suddenly turned her cheek a little, and then turned back so quickly, as if hallucinating.

Only he saw it, and she must have known—only he could see it.

The dimples on her cheeks were like a cavity in his heart.

For forty years, he wanted to hold her hand and snatch her back from the man's shackles.

Don't go.

“…… Seri. ”