Born in 1962, Hayashi Jyouji primarily writes science fiction and headed Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan from 2018 until 2020. He wrote this piece just as COVID-19 was spreading throughout society. What would need to happen in order to get the virus under control? This short story considers the nitty-gritty of work and social systems in a near-future scenario with regular coronavirus disease outbreaks and looks specifically at funerals. The protagonist returns to his hometown after a 20-year absence to sell his parents' old home for back taxes. He takes a temp job as a funeral proxy to pay his immediate expenses.