最後のバスに乗って

Frankly, I did think it might be a good idea to check the route with the station worker-san, but I've already checked everything, so I'll be fine.

If I loiter about too long, it's going to get late, anyway.

Renewing my hold on my heavy bag, I leave the station building.

Let's see... the bus stop is......

Being used to excessive artificial lighting, I find the view of the quiet station front to be awfully dark.

I won't ask for anything as extravagant as a shopping mall, but it would've been nice if they had the usual street market.

Although I imagine it's just not at the station front, instead located elsewhere in town.

......Hmm, maybe that's it?

A circle and square connected by a rod... one hodgepodge silhouette discovered.

I don't see these in my neighborhood, but I've seen things like them in manga, thus I judge it a bus stop indicator-style with an extensive record of service.

Stepping close, I confirm.

Floating upon the rusted metal panel, coated in water-proof vinyl (though the characters are somewhat blotted, regardless), the stop schedule is pasted there with packing tape.

This seems to be the place.

Which one, then?

In the darkness, I push my face close.

After finding my destination, I take in the times on the front, from the top down.

I don't know whether I'm annoyed or relieved.

About the route having one pass per hour.

That'll be fine. I expected as much.

But here, where the schedule has these blank spaces, could it be-----

Taking out my cell phone, I confirm the current time.

The departure of the last bus was precisely three minutes ago.

......Gods, this is too much.

When circumstance treats me this badly, I wind up wanting to resent something beyond human ken.

Although I don't pray outside of New Year's, or meditate, or anything like that, so I don't really have the right to complain...

If I'm going to resent someone, I guess the person who made this diagram would be more appropriate?

But, if I just came here right after disembarking the train, I might have made it......

In that case, maybe I got what I deserved. Maybe the blockheaded Kei is at fault.

Anyway, what should I do?

---and then, at that exact moment...

Sensing the presence of a strong light, I squint my eyes to prevent the dizzying blindness.

The sound that comes to my ears is the rumbling of an engine, slightly worn, but still going strong.

The light that stings my dark-adjusted eyes springs from there, a one-person bus, coming to a stop aside the sign.

Letting loose that unique sound, the door opens.

says the driver-san, hoisting his body from the driver's seat.

But, the last bus is supposed to be gone, already......

In the lax schedules of country buses, it's common enough to be five or ten minutes late, or so I am told by an elderly fellow passenger.