29 December. Four days have passed since the earthquake. I've been walking around the church with a map since this morning. I'm noting where the cracks formed and where it flooded. It would be fatal to travel to such dangerous areas in the future if snow covered the ground, and we will be able to notice the difference even if any other aftershocks change the terrain. And this is not a practical reason, but gathering information should give us some peace of mind. We don't have any information yet and have no way of finding out what's going on. Anxiety thrives without information, so we should observe the situation and gather information on our own to figure out what we should do. This was Tanomura-san's idea and I have no objections. I've started exploring, but I haven't met 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 met dead people. I noticed countless corpses we had previously overlooked as we carefully treaded 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 examining the extent of the flood when I saw black hair waving deep in the water. For example, I saw something red dripping from a crushed car. I see all this just by walking. I'm sure I would find many more corpses if I decided to search through the collapsed buildings. My legs are tired when I walk back to church. I brush the snow off a nearby concrete block and sit on it. In front of me is the flooded city. The deep pool extends almost to my feet. The surface of the water creates a dark gray reflection of the sky. ...... middle of the paper ...... about?" I panic a little. I didn't notice that he was approaching me. "There's snow on you." Sasaki-san he points to my head. I shake my head and there is snow piled up on my shoulders too. “You were lost in thought for so long that you were covered in snow to church since you're right. I was worried because you didn't come back for a while." Sasaki-san looks a little angry. “I'm sorry,” I bow and Sasaki-san smiles. "Aren't you cold?" "Not exactly." “He's pretty outspoken.” «I really can't say. Do you think so?" Sasaki-san smiles: "Tanomura-san and the others have already returned. We'll eat soon. Let's get back together." I stand up and the handle falls from my lap. It's the grip I use every day to regain the functionality of my right hand. I take it and head to the church with Sasaki-san.