12: Something She Forgot

“Artistic illusion…? What kind of technology is that, exactly?”

“Well, if I had to put it simply… It’s like turning your ideals into reality. Or something like that.
Honestly, I don’t really know how it works myself.”

That’s when Rena suddenly realized—her phone was missing.
She couldn’t remember when she’d lost it, or where.

“…So, um… this fishing rod thing—do they sell it somewhere?
Like online? Can you order it on the internet or something?”

“Internet? Hmm… Can’t say I’ve heard of that. Do they teach that in school now?”

His question threw her off. Something about this conversation felt off—deeply off.
The disconnect stirred her unease, and she raised her voice without meaning to.

“You know what I mean! Everyone has smartphones now!
You can get anything these days, with online shopping and all that!”

The man looked a little surprised, scratching his head awkwardly.

“Ah, sorry… Sounds like I didn’t explain things well enough.
Guess my words—or maybe my knowledge—just aren’t up to snuff.”

Then, with a kind smile—the kind an adult might give a child—he spoke gently.

“Tell me. What is it you want most right now?
Close your eyes, and picture it in your mind.”

“…What are you talking about? Are you messing with me?”

She didn’t even finish the thought.
Because right in front of her, the fishing rod he’d been holding…vanished into thin air.

“…What…!?”

“It’s okay,” the man said, calmly.

“Close your eyes. Just try it. You’re calmer than you were earlier, right?”

Rena stood frozen. Was this some kind of trick? A magician’s illusion?
Still—she obeyed. Slowly, she closed her eyes.

“You mentioned something called a ‘smartphone’ earlier. What does it look like?”

“It’s a handheld digital device. Everyone uses one now, you know…”

And just like that—in the darkness behind her eyelids—a white screen appeared.
It was vague at first, just a general image she’d pictured in her mind.
But in the blink of an eye, the shape became clear—like a black-and-white photo brought to life.

“Wha—!? What the heck!?”

Rena’s eyes flew open. Somehow, she was now holding a phone in her right hand.
It fit perfectly in her palm. Like it had always been there.

“…Hmm. You opened your eyes early, so I wonder if it finished generating properly?”

“Generating…? What… is this!?”

Rena’s mind went blank.
The shock of waking up in the park—the golden axe—the mysterious fishing rod—this strange man—
It all came crashing down at once. A pressure burst through the walls of her memory.

“Hey!! Are you okay!?”

“…Park… Bench… Picture book…”

Her voice was weak—barely a whisper.
And then, her legs gave out beneath her, and she collapsed to the ground.