Book 3: Chapter 5: Part 7 (Horikita)
Amidst the rain which began to fall heavily, I forced my sluggish body to chase after Ibuki. The sky, covered with rain clouds, blocked the sun, and visibility was poor. Even though I couldn't see Ibuki, fortunately there were footprints on the muddy ground. I'm sure that if I follow them, they will lead me to her.
She walked around a 100 meters from the base camp, going sometimes left and sometimes right, along the way. Then, unexpectedly, her figure stood still, as if she stopped and waited for someone to come and meet her. Inadvertently, I went into hiding, even though this action had no meaning.
“What do you think you're doing?”
Without even turning to look back, I heard Ibuki's calm voice through the sound of the falling rain.
“I am aware that you have been following me. Why don't you come out already?”
“Since when did you notice it?”
“Right from the start.”
Her short answer, gave me an ominous feeling that I had not felt from her before. Her quiet and reticent impression didn't seem to change. But, something was different.
“So, what is the reason, you've been following, me?”