Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Japanese Street
Hidaka Kyousuke is a tall man.
He is 190 centimeters tall and weighs 96 kilograms.Because of his size, he always walks slowly.A year ago, he had been to São Paulo as a commissioner, and he was often mistaken for a Japanese who had come to teach judo and was embarrassed.
Under the afternoon sun, Hidaka walked down the street with his shirt sleeves rolled up.Brazil, located in the southern hemisphere, has the opposite season to Japan, and it is summer now.Compared with Rio de Janeiro, the highland city of São Paulo at an altitude of 800 meters is much cooler.However, the summer sun was still scorching, and Hidaka, who couldn't stand the heat the most, wiped the sweat from his forehead again and again as he walked.
There are many people of Japanese descent in Sao Paulo, it is said that there are 70,000 people.There are as many as 700,000 people of Japanese descent in Brazil, and about 90% are concentrated in the state of Sao Paulo.
Brazil can be said to be a good place for immigrants.Among other things, at least in this country, you don't need to worry about skin color.Various languages can be heard here, which means skin color will not be an issue.Moreover, it is rich in resources and a vast country, so it is no wonder that young people in Japan yearn for it.
Hidaka walked into Calbubeno Street.It is also known as "Japanese Street", or "Little Tokyo".
Both sides of the road are full of Japanese signboards, such as "rice", "grocery", "pawn shop" and so on.Even so, it still makes people feel that the atmosphere is different from Japan.It's not just because of the Portuguese, English and other foreign languages that often get into the ears, maybe it's because of the intentional creation of the atmosphere of the Japanese street.It’s like Ginza in Japan, despite the horizontal signs everywhere, it is still considered the real Japan after all.
Hidaka appears in the Japanese Club, which belongs to the Japanese social organization.After coming to Sao Paulo as a special commissioner, Hidaka has been to this club many times.If you want to know the news about the Japanese living abroad, it is best to inquire here.
Seeing Hidaka, old man Suzuki, a staff member of the club, came forward with a smile, "Isn't this Mr. Hidaka from the Central Newspaper?"
Hidaka swayed his tall body, sat down slowly and asked:
"Do you know the situation of Dr. Taketa?"
"Zhutian? Who is Zhutian?" The old man was thinking.
Hidaka smiled wryly and said, "One of the remaining survivors of the giant tanker 'Daiichi Japan'. He immigrated here. When he arrived in Sao Paulo, there was a big picture of him in the "Journal de Brasil."
As he spoke, Hidaka unfolded the Japanese newspaper of that day for the old man to read.
"Ah, this person, I remembered."
"Where did he go when he got here? I think you'll know."
"No, I don't know."
"But the news about the Japanese living abroad will generally be known when they come here."
"There are 700,000 Japanese nationals, how can we know all of them."
The ruddy-faced old man laughed loudly.Relying on the intuition of the newspaper reporter, Rigao felt the old man's hesitation and vagueness when he spoke.
Hidaka went to the Japanese Club and the "Brazil Daily" office, and the answer to him there was the same.It seems that Dr. Taketa has indeed arrived in Sao Paulo. The question is where and what he is doing now.When Hidaka got the same answer, he couldn't help feeling the same ambiguity he felt in the Japanese club.
In a restaurant called "Kyoto", Hidaka had a hasty dinner, and then in the cool Japanese street, he went to grocery stores, grocery stores, and hairdressers to inquire about Taketa's ship doctor. No satisfactory answer has been received from anywhere.
Looks like there's nothing left to hope for today.Hidaka decides to go back to the rented apartment.
He was walking on the dim stone road with a cigarette in his mouth.When he was about to reach the apartment, suddenly, a black shadow blocked his way.
When Rigao found out, another person came up behind him.
Is it a robber?
Hidaka thought to himself.
Hidaka is still confident in his wrist strength, but if the other party is a robber, he still intends to obediently hand over the money to them.Because South Americans are excitable, they get excited when watching football matches and even take out their pistols and shoot players.In such a state system, it is better to hand over money than to take careless confrontation and lead to death.
"Do you want money?"
Hidaka asked.
However, the other party did not answer.Suddenly, the front and rear people rushed up together and started beating.
Although both of them are shorter than Hidaka who is 1.90 meters tall, they are both physically strong.Hidaka resisted desperately, giving full play to his wrist strength, grabbed the opponent and threw him outward, swinging his arm and beating him hard.
But those two were also stubbornly reluctant to give up.All this is done in silence.The other party's rapid breathing could be heard clearly.Hooks from Hidaka's powerful arms, and every time they hit the opponent's abdomen, they heard their almost crushed groans, and Hidaka was also beaten back and forth.
Suddenly, there was a sharp whistle.
In an instant, the two thugs disappeared into the darkness.Although it was not found, there must be a third person on guard.
Hidaka breathed a sigh of relief, and immediately felt the pain in his body.Frowning in pain, he picked up the wallet that had fallen on the floor and put it in his trousers pocket.
Back at the apartment, he went to the bathroom to wash his face first.When I looked in the mirror, my right eye was swollen.His hands and feet were also in pain.He lay on the bed and downed the rest of his whiskey.
Who are these guys?
Not robbers.But after arriving in St. Paul, he did not do anything to offend others.
Is it a warning?
he thought.
This is a warning to myself today to inquire about Zhutian's ship doctor.
On the second day, Hidaka decided to go around from the Japanese club to the Japanese club, the Brazilian newspaper office, etc. as yesterday, as a response to the warning.
If the attack last night was a warning as Hidaka thought, then there must be some reaction today.
However, whether at the Japanese club or at the Brazilian newspaper, seeing Hidaka's swollen face, people asked, "What happened?" When Koyuki was attacked on the way home, they said The police should be reported immediately.Obviously, nothing happened.
At noon, Hidaka came to the "Kyoto" restaurant where he had dinner last night.This is a restaurant run by the Japanese. After ordering, it is the same as yesterday, and a young girl in a tight Japanese kimono waits for the meal.
As always, nothing happened.It may be an illusion of myself to interpret what happened last night as a warning.
Hidaka asks for checkout.The little girl just brought the settlement statement, a total of 300.Really cheap.But at this time, Rigao found something written on the back of the settlement statement.
It's written in Japanese.
Hidaka only felt a chill run down his spine.Finally, there was a reaction, and a burst of pleasure passed through my heart.At the same time, the sense of terror of not knowing what will happen also hits my heart.
Hidaka is full of confidence in his physical strength, but he is not a reckless man without nerves, and the terrible situation is scary.
After asking the little girl who entertained him for dinner, Hidaka opened a heavy and thick door inside the restaurant.The decoration in the restaurant is completely Japanese style, but the manager's room of about 5 ping has carpets, hanging chandeliers, bookshelves, etc. are completely Western style.
A man with a mustache and whose age is not easy to determine sits at a large table, asks him to sit up in a chair in Japanese, and pours himself a martini.
"For some reason, I just like martinis."
The manager looked at Hidaka with his small eyes.Although the intonation of the Japanese pronunciation is a bit strange, the flat face and the small eyes behind the glasses clearly confirm that he is Japanese.
"I don't hate this wine either."
Rigao took the conversation and said.In this case, it is better to let the other party raise the topic.
"Then," the manager began to turn to the topic, "Mr. Hidaka is a special correspondent of the "Central Newspaper". Why is the reporter of such a big newspaper trying his best to investigate the matter of a Japanese?"
"I can't let you know the reason. Do you know where Dr. Taketa lives? If you don't know, it will be a waste of time for us to talk about it."
"What are you going to do?"
"Look until you find it."
"It's really difficult."
The manager sighed softly.Hidaka smiled:
"There's nothing wrong with you, right? Did you instigate the person who attacked me last night?"
"No way. I wouldn't do that kind of thing. I just wanted to give you a good idea of the situation we Japanese are in in this country. Brazil is the country with the least racial prejudice. It's a country where people live It’s a good place. However, despite this, there was a restriction on immigration in 1953; there were also incidents where the Japanese provoked troubles and made people annoying. I think Mr. Hidaka, who is a newspaper reporter, will be very clear about these things.”
"Of course I know. In the agreement between the two countries in 1960, the number of Japanese immigrants must be agreed every time."
"So don't start gossip about a Japanese."
"I didn't come to arrest Yoshihiro Takeda, but I just wanted to ask him something. I think you seem to know where he lives."
"Yes, I know. I am also the person in charge of the Japanese club."
"So, can I see you?"
"If you abide by my conditions, I will let you see."
"What conditions?"
"Please don't ask questions that Mr. Taketa doesn't want to answer, that's all. If you obey, I will take you there."
"What if I don't obey?"
"Then I won't take you. You might be in danger."
The manager spoke in a calm tone that gave the impression that there was more than just a threat in his words.
"Understood, I keep the agreement. Where is he?"
"I'll take you there. Today is Sunday, see you soon."
The manager stood up, and the two went out the back door to the parking lot and got into a white Mustang.
Brazil's roads extend in all directions from the center of Sao Paulo.The manager put on his sunglasses and drove west along the highway in the Mustang.
In a blink of an eye, the car drove out of the city center full of high-rise buildings, and there were large cotton fields and coffee gardens on both sides of the road.
"Is this the way to Santos?"
"Yes. Mr. Yoshihiro Taketa is open in Santos."
"Oh, it looks like work is going well."
"You'll know it when you see it."
Santos is both the customs gate for the city of São Paulo and the number one coffee export seaport in the world.
This seaport also has a deep relationship with the Japanese.When the first batch of immigrants entered Brazil, it was through this port that they landed.After that, most of the migrants went to the port of Santos by boat, and then went to Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais, Bato Grosso, Parana and other places.Now, there are about 3,000 Japanese in Santos. It is said that they are mainly engaged in vegetable cultivation and fishery, and occupy a large market.
Passing through the road dug in the mountains, the Mustang vehicle in which the two were riding entered the city of Santos.
The port of Santos is not directly connected to the sea.The harbor developed on the small island of the Santos River is a natural good harbor with complete docks and docks.Here, like Sao Paulo, is constantly developing towards modernization, and you can see those eye-catching high-rise buildings while sitting in a car.The whole of Brazil is full of vitality.In Hidaka's eyes, the vast wilderness also seemed to contain infinite energy.
There is a 5 km journey from the mouth of the river to the port.On both sides of the Santos River between the urban area lined with houses and the pier, there are coconut groves and sand dunes in a graceful posture, forming a beach like Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro.
The low hilly area with the smell of the sea is a high-end residential area.The Mustang carrying Hidaka was parked in a corner of the residential area.
In front of the beautiful white house is a front courtyard with a green lawn.In the garage, the body of an American limousine was exposed.In the middle of the summer sunlit lawn, sprinklers spun lazily, a tiny rainbow emerging from the spray.
"This is the house."
Although the manager had said it, Hidaka was still skeptical, because the house in front of him was too luxurious.
The land here is cheaper than in Japan, right?How much money did Dr. Taketa bring to Brazil?It has been less than a month since he and his family moved to Brazil.In such a short period of time, will you get such a big house in front of you?However, the name of "Tanaka" is written on the letter box above the gate.
"The name is wrong."
"I heard it's his wife's surname. Anyway, the person you're looking for lives in this house. Just please don't forget the agreement just now."
"Aren't you going in together?"
"I'll wait for you in the car."
The manager sat in the driver's seat without moving, Hidaka swayed his tall body, walked across the path in the lawn, and rang the doorbell.
The thick teak door opened, revealing the face of Yoshihiro Taketa whom he had seen in the photo. "Mr. Hidaka?" Takeda said with a smile.Hidaka glanced at the Mustang car parked in front of the house. The manager must have called him in advance.Coming to the spacious living room, Takeda said that his wife and children went fishing.
"It seems that life is very comfortable."
Hidaka looked around the air-conditioned room.
"Yes. It's not easy to have today. My wife and children are yearning for this country."
"Still working as a doctor?"
"Yes. There is a clinic in Santos. Today is Sunday, so I can rest leisurely like this."
"Do you usually get a job right away?"
"It's my luck! Moreover, developing countries like Brazil are in great need of people with professional skills like doctors."
"Do you know the news that Captain Miyamoto died in Japan?"
Hidaka got to the core of the question, but Takeda calmly answered only affirmatively, "Yes, I know."
"Japanese newspapers can also be received here, but it will be a week later."
"First-class crew members Sato and Tsuji are also dead, were they killed?"
Hidaka told Taketa what the chief of the first search section told him by international phone call.
Ship doctor Taketa's expression darkened.
"is that true?"
"Yes, sorry."
"Was it killed in Japan, or was it killed in Brazil?"
Takeda asked.
"Why do you want to be killed in Brazil? Did they decide to come to Brazil too?"
Hidaka asked back.Zhutian was a little embarrassed for a moment.
"There is no particular reason, it's just that what you just said gave me the illusion that I was killed in Brazil."
"Why, were they killed one by one?"
Hidaka asked, and lit a cigarette, staring at each other.
Dr. Taketa returned to his calm demeanor just now.
"Well, I don't understand that either."
"Do you have any memories of being hated by anyone? Did the six remaining survivors of your 'Daiichi Japan' offend anyone?"
"That's not the case at all."
"What was the reason for the sinking of the 'Daichi Nippon'?"
"Captain Miyamoto has spoken to reporters about this issue."
"Yes, that's right. But I want to hear your story directly, and hear your personal experience."
"Then I can't, because I don't know."
"I don't know why you said that?"
"I was talking to Mr. Tsuji in the chief purser's room at that time. Suddenly, I was hit hard. I hit my head on the wall and lost consciousness immediately. When I woke up, I was already in the lifeboat. It was Mr. Tsuji who took me He was carried into the lifeboat. Therefore, I have no knowledge of the situation at the critical moment."
"What do you think was the cause of the accident?"
"As I said just now, I'm a layman about things on board. Isn't what Captain Miyamoto said is the reason?"
"Which of the three causes, lightning strike, magnetic mine, and ship collision, do you think is more likely?"
"this one……"
"But I always feel that the reality of magnetic mines is unlikely."
When Hidaka said this, Takeda immediately answered, "That's not necessarily the case. Please read this." Then, he took an English newspaper next to him for Hidaka to read.On it, the following AP report was published:
"What an interesting news report."
Hidaka said.This is indeed what he has in mind.This report is interesting in many ways.The ambiguous performance is the official statement of the United States.The statement pointed out that the sinking of the "First Japan" may have been caused by magnetic mines dropped by the Soviet fleet.
Why informally, and why make that statement?Come to think of it, there are many considerations.Now, the American fleet and the Soviet fleet are engaged in a fierce power struggle in the Indian Ocean.
According to information obtained by newspaper reporter Higao, there are currently 26 Soviet warships in the Indian Ocean.Moreover, there are indications that this number will increase.To fight against it, the United States dispatched an aircraft carrier and several frigates of the Seventh Fleet.The restlessness cannot be concealed.Therefore, it plans to invest 29 million US dollars on Diego Garcia Island in the center of the Indian Ocean to build a huge base that can take off and land B52 aircraft.Although there is also a naval base now, it is just a small base that can only park submarines.
However, there are many opponents to this plan.Heard that the US military is in a state of anxiety.In this case, one of the few giant oil tankers in the world sank for unknown reasons in the Indian Ocean. The US authorities may consider using this event to put up an advertising balloon: The sinking of the giant tanker due to the magnetic mine dropped by the Soviet fleet, It is intended to attract the attention of the people to the Indian Ocean, so that the budget for base construction can be passed smoothly.In this information age, everything that happens on earth is inseparable from the politics of the world.
"So……"
Hidaka recalled the words of his friend and the search section chief, and returned to the original topic.
"About the reason for the murder, can you really not think of it?"
"Unexpected. Everyone is a good person. I really don't understand."
Takeda answered with a troubled look.
"Also, among the six of you, has Brazil been talked about in the past?"
"No special talk. I immigrated here on my own terms. Whew, on the tanker, in the small talk during the long sailing life, it was also said that if you live abroad, the Brazil area is very good."
"Can you forgive me for asking something I shouldn't ask?"
"What's up?"
"Did you save the money you bought this house when you were in Japan?"
"Well, yes. And the generosity of some Japanese people after arriving here."
When Takeda answered, the phone rang.Picking up the receiver, Taketa hung up the phone after saying a few words, then turned to Hidaka, and said very apologetically:
"There's an emergency patient, I have to go right away. Although it's Sunday, I'm new to this place after all, so service should come first."
Saying that, Dr. Taketa stood up, and Hidaka had to leave.
Knowing this, will the search chief be satisfied?
Hidaka thought to himself.
the same day.
2 p.m. Japan time.A 900-ton charter ship "Tokai" in Tokyo sent the staff who were going to work in the Ogasawara Islands and headed home.
When near Hachijo Island, which is near the Seven Islands of Izu, the waves are rough and the waves are rolling.Every winter, the sea in this area is often like this. The 900-ton boat tossed and rolled in the waves like a leaf.But the captain felt that today's sea was not bad. If the sea really became violent, even the old seaman would vomit and stand unsteadily.
"Starboard side, found floating objects!" The shouts of the crew reached the ears of the captain standing on the bridge.
The captain raised his binoculars and looked over the starboard side.Due to entering the Kuroshio Sea, the rough sea looks black instead of blue.On the starboard side, some white debris floated here and there.
"Perhaps a piece of the ship."
The first-class crew member standing beside the captain also held up the binoculars and said while looking at the floating objects.
The captain nodded silently. He remembered the request from the Metropolitan Police Department to search for the "Snow 1".The main content is that once the "Yuki 1" is found, Kono Tetsuo and his family members will be told to return to Tokyo immediately, and the police need to know the situation.
The "Yue 1 World" was not found on the voyage when he went there. He wondered whether the boat had gone south from Hachijo Island and took the east route.
The captain ordered to slow down.
Fortunately, these white fragments were slowly drifting towards the "Donghai" under the embrace of the waves.
The crew leaned out against the side of the ship, and with long hooked poles, lifted the debris out piece by piece.
The captain came to the deck, picked up the fragments and observed them carefully.
"It's reinforced plastic."
The captain whispered to the first class.
The fragments vary in size, but they all have one thing in common, which is a broken section.
At this time, a lifebuoy was found, and when it was salvaged, it was only 1/3 of the fragments left.However, the words "Snow 1" were seen on it.
The faces of the captain and the first-class crew member suddenly became gloomy.
"That's right, I said that the hull of 'Snow 1' is made of reinforced plastic."
The captain spoke emphatically again to the first class.
"Yes. In the commission issued by the Metropolitan Police Department, there is an introduction to the reinforced plastic hull."
"Stop the boat."
said the captain.
"It seems that the 'Snow 1' has sunk. Let's find out if there are any survivors."
The "Donghai" stopped advancing.
Then, start the engine again, slowly draw a circle on the sea, and start the search.
Hull fragments are salvaged whenever they are found.
Another broken mast was found.At this time, it can be completely concluded that the "Snow 1 World" has been killed.
Notes:
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