December 29. It has been four days since the earthquake. I've been walking around the church with a map since this morning. I note where crevasses formed and where they flooded. It would be fatal to travel to such dangerous areas in the future if snow covers the ground, and we will also be able to make a difference even if further aftershocks change the terrain. And it's not a practical reason, but collecting information should give us some peace of mind. We still have no information and we have no way of knowing what is happening. Anxiety thrives without information, so we must observe the situation and gather information for ourselves in order to determine what we should do. It was Tanomura-san's idea, and I have no objection to it. I've started exploring, but I haven't encountered any survivors yet. I tried to make a smoke signal, but the white smoke was lost in the cloudy sky and falling snow, so it wasn't effective. But I have encountered deaths. I noticed countless corpses that we had previously overlooked as I carefully trampled through the snow and mapped the landscape around me. For example, I was inspecting a landslide when I saw a hand sticking out. For example, I was assessing the extent of the flood when I saw black hairs bobbing at the bottom of the water. For example, I saw something red flowing from a crashed car. I see all this just by walking around. I'm sure I'd find a lot more bodies if I decided to search the collapsed buildings. My legs are tired by the time I return to church. I brush the snow off a nearby concrete block and sit on it. Before me is the flooded city. The plunge pool extends almost to my feet. The water surface creates a dark gray reflection of the sky. ...... middle of paper ...... approximately? "I'm panicking a little. I didn't notice her approaching me. "There's snow on you." Sasaki-san points to my head. I shake my head and a lot of snow is falling. There's also snow accumulated on my shoulders. “I was lost in thought” “Have you been lost in thought for so long that you are covered in snow? next door. I was worried since you haven't been back for a while." Sasaki-san looks a little angry. "I'm sorry." I bow and Sasaki-san smiles. "You're not cold. ? “That’s pretty direct.” “I can’t really say. Do you think so? » Sasaki-san smiled, "Tanomura-san and the others are already back." We're going to eat soon. Let's come back together. » I stand up and the handle falls from my lap. This is the grip I use every day to regain function in my right hand. I pick it up and head to the church with Sasaki-san.