I wasn't completely oblivious to what was happening.

I could deduce what kind of information Alice had discovered. The memories of that time were still lodged firmly in a corner of my mind.

In particular, it was not easy to forget the face of the person who had smashed my face with his fist. If it wasn’t my face under that fist, it would surely have been Claire’s, and adding that thought made it even more unforgettable.

I had made some efforts to look for that man on my own. However, I hadn't sought help from others. Unlike Alice, who …