Land of Tanabata (七夕の国)

The loneliest thing in the world...

Only you... are going Beyond the Window.

It might look different this time,

but the same thing that happened 400 years ago could be happening again.

I think that might be a bit of an exaggeration.

Professor Marukami...

Let's make a deal.

We won't leave here ever again.

You hope to persuade Yoriyuki Marukami?

If persuasion is enough...

The order is reversed... I get it now.

Everything started with this.

When the sun sets for a second time...

Is this the Kasasagi flag?

A section of ground surface,

lit up by the second sunset.

The round summit of Mount Marukami

is the central circle.

The ridge that extends

from Mount Kurone to Mount Marukami forms the shape of a human hand.

The complex terrain of the Seven Peaks

conjures up a shape resembling Kasasagi.

Aligned with light, from a singular fixed direction,

everything has been perfectly calculated.

Based on the angle and direction of the mountain slopes

and the overlapping ridgelines, and then carved into terrain

that withstands the harsh winds and snow.

It's a vast and magnificent sculpture of the earth,

spanning several square kilometers.

Of course, it would be impossible for humans to achieve such a feat.

Then, who made it?

You could call them ancestors,

or even patron deities.

But let's assume that the Kasasagis created this terrain.

There are hardly any records left,

so I will include my own conjectures here.

I believe that 1,000 years ago,

the Kasasagis appeared in this area.

From the sky, for instance.

How might people have reacted

upon seeing the Kasasagis?

This is the land of myriad gods.

Regardless of whether their superhuman abilities and unusual appearances

were considered good or bad,

they would surely have been deemed divine.

And the Kasasagis, having become gods,

began to visit this land regularly.

Regularly?

Several folk tales from this region mention that,

"The year a god descends upon the mountain will surely be a year of great harvest."

Now assume that this mountain refers to Mount Marukami.

Doesn't it start to resemble something like a helipad?

I see.

Which means,

the torches from the festival were like...

guide lights?

The festival began as a ceremony to welcome the gods,

and it began around the summer solstice.

But at some point,

the Kasasagis stopped appearing altogether.

Still, people continued the festival every year.

Year after year...

For 1,000 years.

No matter how long they wait, the one they wish to meet does not appear.

Just like the Tanabata story.

The fact that they still eagerly await the Kasasagis, and even now,

continue the sacred mountain rituals,

shows that they truly worship them.

Would you agree?

The feeling that everyone in the town, including you, must protect the mountain...

Do you think it truly stems from respect for those things?

"Those things..."

I think it's because of what you said.

"The invisible chains...

wrapped around our necks."

Chains?

The Window...

That's what...

Beyond the Window is.

Unbearable fear and loneliness.

These things were instilled in the Window Openers.

Window Openers like myself and Sachiko are compelled to wait

for the Kasasagis here on this land, as they occasionally appear in our dreams

and reach out to us.

Which means

we have been chained.

Fear and loneliness...

Chained up by the Kasasagis...

1,000 years ago...

the Kasasagis spread the Ability to Reach and the fear of seeing Beyond the Window,

within the blood of the humans who lived in this land.

How did they do that?

This is just speculation...

but perhaps the Kasasagis

considered settling in this place,

or maybe it was a site for their experiments.

Then, they tamed the creatures

that lived there as their loyal servants, and even tested whether they could be used

as material for their own breeding experiments.

Surely not...

That spoiled the wonder of the story.

Now, ask yourself this...

Why would they carve this huge Kasasagi flag into the mountain?

Perhaps to use it as a signpost for when they arrive.

Something like that?

Would those with such terrifying technology

rely on the light of sunset as a signpost?

A signpost that can't even be seen through clouds or rain?

I suppose not.

I'd say the Kasasagi flag that appears here

is a test of loyalty.

A reminder to never leave this land.

To repel outside interference,

reserve the terrain, and await their arrival.

That's what the weapon known as the Ability to Reach is for.

It's what the fear instilled in the Window Openers is for.

I will not allow any interference with this village.

That's why,

in every era...

Jeez...

The local people

have fought to protect this land.

Historic Mount Marukami Don't defile our precious land

It's hard to believe...

Professor,

will the Kasasagis never come back?

I don't know their circumstances.

Perhaps they simply abandoned this land,

or maybe they have already perished.

Either way, it's been centuries since they last appeared.

We can't expect anything now.

Yoriyuki Marukami

must have thought the same.

Land of Tanabata

We have given top priority

to restoring the lives of those who have been evacuated.

After careful consideration,

we have decided to lift the state of emergency in Tokyo...

Letter of Resignation

What?

The criminal group has not yet been arrested...

Let's talk in the meeting room, shall we?

I think there might be better work out there for me.

Our country, Japan,

absolutely does not tolerate acts of terrorism.

I am fully committed to resolving this situation.

I'll take care of this for now. You take some time off.

Think carefully.

...no impact on the Japan-US summit

-scheduled to be held in Japan next month. -

Now, onto the next news.

Actors Saki Nikaido and Yugo Nakazaki have been caught having an affair.

Cafe Marukami

Will Yoriyuki really show?

We have no other option.

We must follow Professor Marukami's instructions.

Take a break.

A midnight snack.

Thank you.

Marukawa Town

Mr. Minamimaru, do you want seconds?

No, I'm fine.

Oh, right,

we might run out of firewood soon.

I'll let the next group know.

Mr. Minamimaru,

do you plan to take over after Professor Marukami?

No, I don't think so.

I see...

That's a shame.

Sorry about that.

Thanks for the meal.

How about some tea, Professor?

Here you go. Some tea?

-Oh, thank you. -There you are.

Professor!

Nanmaru!

You're all here. Sachiko too!

- -

-Thank you. -Sorry.

-Thank you. -

- I appreciate that. - Thank you.

- -

Why don't you go down to the town?

Take a rest...

No, I'm fine.

For some reason, I feel relaxed up here.

I see.

Besides,

I was the one who said we should meet Yoriyuki first.

But do you think he will really come?

Is that right? Oh, yeah.

Thank you so much.