Tesshi’s moped goes off the prefectural road and climbs up a narrow mountain track. It’s the gentler slope up to the shrine—this way, we can take the moped all the way to the back of the main building and avoid the stone stairs on the shrine approach. The seat shakes violently, and I cling to Tesshi’s back as I listen to Saya’s voice booming through the town. She sounds exactly like her big sister. Nobody would suspect this isn’t a broadcast from the town hall.

“People in the following districts are requested to evacuate to Itomori High School immediately. Kadoiri District, Sakagami District, Miyamori District, Oyazawa District…”

“This’s it. C’mon, Mitsuha!”

“Right!”

We leap off the moped and run down the set of wooden steps up the slope of the mountain behind the shrine. From between the trees, I can see the roofs of the long rows of stalls set up on the shrine grounds and the people milling around among them, like fish crowded too closely in a dark tank. As we run, we take off our helmets and throw them away.

“I repeat: This is Itomori Town Hall. An explosion has occurred at the substation. There is a danger of further explosions and forest fires…”

When we hit the bottom of the stairs, we’re behind the main shrine building. The silhouettes of the people gathered for the festival are just ahead, and I hear an uneasy murmur. Tesshi and I dash into their midst as if we’re racing each other, yelling.

“Ruuun! A forest fire’s comin’! This place ain’t safe!”

Tesshi’s voice is unbelievably loud, like he’s using a megaphone. I shout, too, determined not to be outdone. “Please run! There’s a forest fire! Run!” We emerge in the very center of the grounds.

“Yeah, they said there really is a forest fire!”

“C’mon, let’s get outta here.”

“We’re walkin’ all the way to the high school?”

The broadcast set the evacuation in motion, and our shouts are pushing it along. Men and women in traditional wear, children, and old people holding their grandkids’ hands all begin filing toward the shrine gate at the exit. I’m relieved. If things go on like this, we’ll make it for sure. It’s all thanks to him… “Him”?

“Mitsuha!”

Tesshi calls my name sharply. I look up at him.

“This ain’t good!”

Following his gaze around us, I see lots of people sitting down and taking it easy by the stalls or standing, idly talking. They’re even smoking cigarettes or drinking, chatting away and enjoying the evening.

“There’s no way we’re movin’ all these folks unless an actual forest fire comes through! We have to get them to send out the fire brigade and direct the evacuation. You get to the town hall, and this time make sure the mayor…”

Tesshi’s flustered voice is right above my head, but it sounds terribly far away… Him?

“Hey. Mitsuha? What’s up?”

“…Tesshi, listen, what’ll I do?”

My mind isn’t working, and before I know it, I’m pleading to Tesshi.