As I return to reality, I can hear the sound of an engine approaching. Turning my head towards where the sound came from, I see the bus that I'm going to take is approaching. After some deliberation, I stand up from the seat, and step onto the bus as soon as it stops and its doors open. Once again I feel the difference in temperature, as the warmth once again envelops me, although this time there is also a hint of staleness in said air. Ignoring everything else, I tap my card on the card reader and proceed to take a seat at the rear end of the bus. As I settle down, I squeeze myself smaller, raise the collar of my shirt, and put my bag on top of my lap in order to make myself as unrecognizable as I possibly can. Not long after, the bus closes its door, and just as I am starting to feel relieved, the doors to the bus open once again, and a female student boards the bus while heaving as if she has just been running.

The moment I see who the student is, I can feel my blood freezing. Short black hair, glistening with sweat, and skin as white as porcelain, as well as a body that can only be described as voluptous. Instantly, I instinctively lower the collar of my shirt, and pull tightly on my coat, trying to conceal any sign of my uniform. I also cast my gaze downwards, trying as hard as I possibly can to not make eye contact, or even get recognized by the student.

"Yoshida..." I mumble. I can feel that I'm starting to hyperventilate, yet I can't do anything as at the same time I feel like I'm starting to blackout. I can vaguely feel that the bus is departing, yet all I can do right now is try to make myself as small as possible to avoid any possible interaction with her. After some time, I can feel my heartbeat calming down, and my breathing turning back to normal. Yet, I am still gripped by the fear and trauma I have, and as such, I still keep my head down as the bus continues to move through its stops. I take a peek outside through my peripheral vision, and I can see the sky starting to clear up as the bus approaches the lake. The calm surface of the lake glistens as the rays of sunlight are reflected, giving the impression that the lake has been transformed into a giant sapphire. 

That is the extent to which I dare to look around before I hunch back at my seat, trying to seem incospicuous. I didn't even think of checking forward whether or not Yoshida is still on the bus due to the fear that currently chills me to my bones, even in the midst of the warm air-conditioned air. When I hear the on-board announcement announce that the bus is approaching my stop, I take a deep breath, and then hold it in as I take a peek towards the front of the bus. Much to my delight, Yoshida is nowhere to be seen, probably having alighted in one of the previous stops. 

While exhaling a sigh of relief, I lift my head back up, and then press the stop button, announcing my intention to disembark at the next stop. Responding to my request, the bus slows down as it approaches, and the hissing sound that accompanies the opening doors is heard. I quickly alight the bus, and find myself at a part of the promenade that encircles the lake, close to the shopping street which houses a lot of the local shops and restaurants. 

Just as I start walking, I am hit by a cold sensation on my back as the wind blows around me. Reaching towards the cold area, I find that the back of my shirt is completely drenched. When I wipe my forehead and neck with my hand, I also find that I am sweating profusely. 

"Well I can't go there like this," I say as I take a look at my reflection on the lake. Even with the lack of bright light, I can clearly see that my hair is glistening from the reflection. After I finish assessing myself, I start walking towards the entrance of the shopping street. The noise from the people going around their business gradually gets louder as I get closer, and although I kind of dread the picture of going into the middle of a crowd, with the prospect of being seen by someone I know, I somewhat feel the wish to stay and indulge myself on the voice of everyday conversations, much like how I was back then. 

After enjoying listening to the noisy activities, I feel some gazes that are directed towards me. Looking at the source, I see some people, both entering and leaving the shopping street complex, taking a look at me, or rather, at my hair, still wet and glistening from the sweat. Feeling conscious of myself, I hurrily enter the shopping street and make my way towards a convenience store located inside that I used to frequently visit. Once I arrive, I swiftly make my way into the toilet, where I take out a change of clothes and change out of my drenched clothes. After I finish stuffing up the wet clothes inside my bag, I take a look in the mirror.

I stared quietly at the mirror's reflection. I try to smile naturally, but it simply won't form. Feeling hopeless, I quickly wash my face and dry my hair as best as I can before exiting the restroom, and subsequently the convenience store, upon which I find myself back in the shopping street. 

I pull out my phone to check the time, and find that I still have a bit of time left before my appointment. Making a turn, I traverse the road heading away from the center of the shopping street, and after walking for a bit I find myself back on the promenade. As I continue to walk, the wind continues to blow softly, gently cooling my body down and occasionally disturbing the surface of the lake. The sky continues to clear, letting more and more sunshine through the dark gray curtains on the sky, which in turn slowly warms the temperature. By the time I finish my walk around the promenade while waiting for the appointment time, the sky has completely cleared, and the earlier chilling cold weather, which is typical for the winter here, has been blown away completely, replaced by a gentle, warm winter air. 

After thoroughly enjoying the short walk, I gather my thoughts and start to head towards my next destination. I start walking away from the promenade and the shopping street towards the residential area located nearby. As I go further from the crowded street, the large, modern buildings that populate the area are replaced by small- and medium-sized houses that serve as residences for the people of the town. As I go deeper towards the center of the residential area, my destination comes into view; a large, western-style building, complete with tall fences and a gate. Along one of the fences is a sign, which serves as an indicator of who resides within such a house:

Psychiatrist
Mikazuki Nouhara
With Appointment

As per usual, I walk towards the huge gate that separates the house from the surrounding, and press on the intercom attached to the wall on the right side of the gate. Before long, a voice comes out as the intercom springs to life.

"Who is it?" 

"Good afternoon, doctor. This is Kusakabe speaking. I've come for our appointment today," I reply using the intercom like I always do.

"Of course. Please, wait a moment. Someone will let you in shortly," The voice at the intercom replies before it turns off. I turn and lean at the wall as I wait, and before long the sound of a lock opening can be heard, and the gate swings open, and a young woman steps out and takes a look at me.

"Mister Kusakabe, please enter. Miss Mikazuki is waiting for you," She says as she takes a slight bow, before gesturing her hand towards the gate, welcoming me to enter. Nodding back at her, I enter through the gate and head toward the wide-open front door. Entering through the door, I take off my shoes and take a pair of slippers and put it on as I take a step on the wooden floor that lines the entrance of the house. The young woman follows promptly behind me, and then takes a step in front of me.

"This way, please," she says as she turns around and starts walking to the hallway to the right of the entrance. I promptly follow suit behind her, trying to not make a sound as I walk. The young woman then stops in front of a thick wooden door, and gestures with her hand towards the door. Nodding to thank her, I knock on the door, and enter it as soon as I finish knocking. 

The sight that welcomes me is the same as every time I come into this room before. A velvet sofa, a large bookcase containing books of various thickness, a locked cabinet containing what looks to be medicine bottles, as well as a large desk with two chairs in front of it. Behind the desk sits a somewhat young woman, who looks at most in her mid-30s. Her short hair shines under the relaxing yellow lights, and her sharp eyes shine with curiousity. On top of the table in front of her is several folders, as well as a thick leather-bound book and various writing instruments.

"Welcome, Kusakabe," She says when she sees me entering the room. 

"Good afternoon, doctor."

"Please, make yourself comfortable."

I nod silently as a reply, and after contemplating for a little bit, I put my bag down and take a seat on the sofa. 

"Are you comfortable enough? If so, let's begin today's session."