The taxi's radio is playing classical music programs from FM radio station.The piece is the symphony "SINFONIETTA" composed by Janacek.It's hard to say it's suitable for listening to this music in a taxi caught in a traffic jam.The driver didn't seem to be particularly enthusiastic about listening to the music either.The middle-aged driver, like an experienced fisherman standing on the bow to observe the ominous tide, could only keep his mouth shut and stare at the row of cars in front of him.Aomame leaned back deeply in the back seat, gently closed her eyes and listened to the music.

As soon as you hear the beginning of Janacek's "SINFONIETTA", you can tell that this is Janacek's "SINFONIETTA". How many people are there in the world?Probably somewhere in between "very little" and "almost never".But Aomame didn't know why it worked. Janacek composed this small symphony in 1926.The theme at the beginning was originally composed for the opening drum and trumpet of a sports meeting.Aomame imagined the Czech Republic in 1926.After the end of the First World War, it was finally liberated from the long-term rule of the Habs royal family. People drank Pilsen beer in the coffee shop, made cold and realistic machine guns, and tasted the short-lived peace of visiting Central Europe.Franz Kafka died underappreciated two years ago.Soon Hitler would appear out of nowhere and annex this small and beautiful country in a blink of an eye. No one expected it at the time.Perhaps the most important proposition that history has revealed to mankind is "what will happen in the future, no one can predict at that time".While listening to the music, Aomame imagined the leisurely wind blowing across the plains of Bohemia, while thinking about all kinds of history.

After Emperor Taisho passed away in 1926, the era name was changed to Showa.Japan is about to enter a dark and loathsome age.The brief interlude between modernism and democracy ends, and Italian fascism begins. History and sports were among Aomame's favorite things.Although she rarely reads novels, she reads a lot of books related to history.She likes history because all the facts are basically connected to a specific year and place.It is not too difficult for her to memorize the year number of history.Even if you don't force yourself to memorize the numbers, as long as you grasp the context of various events, the year name will automatically emerge.When Aomame was in junior high school and high school, she often got the highest marks in her class on history exams.Aomame found it inconceivable every time someone said that they were not good at memorizing historical year names.Why can't something so simple?

Aomame was her real name.The grandfather on my father's side was from Fukushima Prefecture, and it is said that there were actually several people with the surname Aomame in that small township or village in the mountains.But she hasn't actually been there yet.Before Aomame was born, her father severed all ties with her family.The same goes for the mother.So Aomame never met her grandparents.She seldom traveled, but when she had the chance, she always used to look through the spare phone book in the hotel to see if there was anyone with the surname Aomame.However, she had never seen anyone with the surname Aomame in any city or town she visited.Each time she felt like a lonely castaway thrown alone in the open ocean.

It's troublesome to say what my last name is.Every time she said it, the other party must have looked at her face with strange or suspicious eyes.Miss Aomame?Yes.Written as cyan beans.Read as green beans.When I go to work in the company, I have to use a business card, so there are a lot of troubles.When handing out the business card, the other party will stare at it for a moment.It was like receiving an unfortunate letter all of a sudden.Say your last name on the phone, and sometimes the other person giggles.Everyone looked up at her when their name was called at a government agency or in a hospital waiting room.See what kind of face the person with the surname "Aomame" looks like.

Sometimes people call it "edamame" by mistake.Sometimes called "broad beans".At this time, it is necessary to correct "No, it is not edamame (broad beans), it is green beans. Although it is very similar."So the other party will smile bitterly and apologize at the same time.Or say "Oh, what a strange surname".In thirty years of life, I don't know how many times I have heard the same statement.I don't know how many times I have been made a joke by others.If I wasn't born with this last name, my life might not be like this.For example, with surnames such as Sato, Tanaka, and Suzuki, I may be able to live a more relaxed life and look at the world with a more tolerant perspective.maybe.

Aomame closed her eyes and listened to the music.The beautiful sound of wind instruments playing in unison came to my mind.Then suddenly remembered one thing.The sound quality was pretty good for a taxi radio.Although it can be said that it is played at a lower volume, the sound has depth, and the overtones can be clearly heard.She opened her eyes and leaned forward to look at the car stereo buried in the dashboard.The pitch-black machine is crystal-clear and shining with a proud luster.Although the name of the factory brand cannot be seen, it can be seen at a glance that it is a high-end product.There are plenty of buttons attached, and green numbers float noblely across the dash.It may be a high-end high-end model.The average taxi shop should not install such a magnificent audio equipment in the car.

Aomame looked around the car again.I kept thinking about things after getting in the car, so I didn't pay attention, but this is not an ordinary taxi.The interior decoration is of good texture, and the chair feels very comfortable to sit on.More importantly, the interior of the car is quiet.The sound insulation performance is excellent, and the sound from the outside can hardly enter.It's almost like a recording studio with soundproofing equipment.Probably a private taxi.Among the drivers of private taxis, some do not hesitate to spend money on the car.She only moved her eyes to look for the taxi's registration card, but couldn't find it.But it's not like an illegal taxi without a license.Attached with a formal meter meter, the fare is correctly marked.2050 yen fare is being displayed.But I can't see the registration card with the driver's name registered.

"It's a nice car. It's very quiet," Aomame said behind the driver. "what car is this?" The driver of "TOYOTA's CROWN Royal Saloon" answered succinctly. "The music can be heard clearly." "This car is very quiet. That's why I chose this car. Especially in terms of sound insulation, TOYOTA has one of the best technologies in the world." Aomame nodded and leaned back in the chair.Something in the driver's statement caught her attention.I often leave important things unsaid.For example (just an example) I have nothing to say about the sound insulation of TOYOTA cars, but I have problems with other things.And after finishing speaking, there was a little silence that was still unfinished.In the small space inside the car, it floated alone like a miniature imaginary cloud.As a result, Aomame began to lose her composure.

"It's really quiet," she began, as if trying to drive the cloud away. "And the audio equipment seems to be quite high-end." "When buying, you need to be decisive." The driver spoke in the tone of a retired staff officer talking about past battles. "However, it takes a long time in the car like this, so I want to hear as good a sound as possible, and—" Aomame waited for something to say and continued.But there is no more text.She closed her eyes again and listened to the music.What kind of person Janacek was in private, Aomame didn't know.In any case, he must have never imagined that his composition would be heard by someone in the quiet car of TOYOTA CROWN Royal Saloon on the very congested Metropolitan Expressway in Tokyo in 1984.

But why did she immediately know that the music was Janacek's Sinfonietta "SINFONIETTA"?Aomame found it incredible.Moreover, how do I know that it was composed in 1926?She's not particularly into classical music.There are no personal memories of Janacek either.However, from the moment she heard the first stanza of the music, all kinds of knowledge reflexively appeared in her mind.Like flying a flock of birds into a room through an open window.Moreover, the music gave Aomame a strange twisting feeling.There is no pain or unpleasant feeling in it.I just feel that all the components of the body seem to be physically twisted and twisted bit by bit.Aomame didn't understand why.Is it the music "SINFONIETTA" that brings me this inexplicable feeling? "Yanacek," Aomame said half-consciously.After I said it, I thought it would be better not to say it. "what?" "Yanacek. Composer of this music." "have no idea." "A Czech composer," Aomame said. "Oh." The driver said with admiration. "Is this a private taxi?" Aomame asked to change the subject. "Yes," said the driver.And pause. "I'm doing it alone. This is the second car." "The chair is very comfortable to sit on." "Thank you. By the way, miss," the driver turned his head slightly and said this way. "Are you in a hurry?" "I have an appointment in Shibuya. So please go to the Metropolitan Highway." "What time is it?" "Four thirty," Aomame said. "It's three forty-five. It's too late." "Is the traffic jam so serious?" "There must have been an accident ahead. This is no ordinary Sai. It has barely advanced since just now." Why isn't this driver listening to the traffic radio?Aomame found it strange.The highway is stuck in a devastating traffic jam and is blocked here.A normal taxi driver should switch to a dedicated channel to listen to traffic information. "Don't listen to the traffic reports, do you know that's the case?" Aomame asked. "Traffic reports are unreliable," the driver said in a slightly hollow voice. "Half of that kind of thing is a lie. The Road Corporation only broadcasts information that is convenient for you. What is really happening now, you can only see it with your own eyes and judge with your own mind." "So according to your judgment, this traffic jam can't be easily resolved?" "Not yet." The driver nodded quietly. "It's guaranteed. Once it becomes like this, the capital city will be hell. Is there something important about your date?" Aomame thought about it. "Well, it's very important. Because it's an appointment with a client." "That's going to be a headache. There's nothing I can do about it, but it's too late." The driver said so, shaking his head a few times as if trying to relieve the soreness in his shoulder.The creases at the back of the neck moved like ancient creatures.While watching those movements inadvertently, Aomame suddenly remembered the sharp object under the shoulder bag.His palms were slightly sweating. "Then, what should we do?" "It can't be helped. This is the Metropolitan Expressway, so we can't help until the next exit. If it's an ordinary road, you can get off here and take a train from the nearest station." "Next exit?" "Ikejiri, but it might be dark by the time we get there." dark?Aomame imagined being locked up in this taxi before dark.Janacek's music continues.Stringed instruments with mutes floated forward as if to soothe the high spirits.The feeling of tightening just now is much more restrained now.What the hell is that? Aomame hailed a taxi near the anvil, and took the No. 3 Metropolitan Expressway from Yonghe.The traffic flow was smooth at first.But when approaching Sanxuan Tea House, traffic suddenly started to jam, and finally became almost immobile.Downline cars are still flowing smoothly.Only the upside has tragically stalled.If it is past three o'clock in the afternoon, there will be no traffic jams in the upward direction of Line 3.That's why Aomame instructed the driver to get on the Metropolitan Expressway. "The expressway does not impose a time fee." The driver said to the mirror. "So don't worry about the fare. But it must be troublesome if you can't make it to the appointment time, miss?" "Of course it's nerve-wracking, but there's nothing you can do about it?" The driver glanced at Aomame in the mirror.He wears light-colored sunglasses.From the light conditions, Aomame couldn't read the other person's expression. "However, the method is not completely lacking. Although it is a bit forced and extraordinary method, it can also be obtained from Take the train to Shibuya from here. " "Extreme means?" "It's not a way to say it openly." Aomame said nothing.She narrowed her eyes and waited for him to continue. "Look, isn't there a space for a vehicle to temporarily park in front?" The driver pointed to the front and said. "The area where the big signboard of Esso stands." Aomame stared intently. On the left side of the two-lane road, there was a temporary parking space for broken down cars.Because the Metropolitan Expressway has no shoulders, there are many places where such emergency evacuation sites are installed.There is a yellow box with unused telephones, and you can contact the Expressway Office.There is no car parked in that space now.There is a huge Esso oil billboard on the roof of the building across the oncoming driveway.The grinning tiger holds a refueling hose in his hand. "Honestly, there is a ladder that goes down to the ground. In case of fire or earthquake, drivers can abandon their car and go down to the ground. It is usually used by workers who repair roads. Go down from that ladder, and there is a Tokyu Line nearby. station. Get on the train from there, and you will be in Shibuya in a blink of an eye.” "I didn't know there was a fire escape in Capital High," Aomame said. "Usually almost nothing." "But there is no emergency, so using that ladder without authorization, will it be a problem?" The driver paused for a moment. "I don't know what will happen. I don't know the detailed regulations of the Road Corporation. But since it won't cause trouble to anyone, it shouldn't be pursued. There is probably no one guarding such places. Although the Road Corporation is everywhere They all have a lot of staff, but they are famous for having very few people who can actually act.” "What kind of stairs?" "Well, it's like a special ladder for fire. The kind that is often attached to the back of old buildings, is there? It's not dangerous. Although the height is about three floors of the building, it's easy to go underground. There is a fence at the entrance. , but not high, as long as you have the heart, it is not difficult to climb over." "Have you ever used that ladder, Mr. Driver?" no answer.The driver only smiled faintly in the mirror.A smile that can do all kinds of explanations. "It all depends on what the customer wants." The driver tapped on the steering wheel with his fingertips in harmony with the music. "It doesn't matter to me if you want to sit here and wait leisurely while listening to good music. No matter how hard you try, you can't get anywhere, so at this point, we have to realize each other. But I mean If there is an emergency, such extraordinary measures are not out of the question.” Frowning slightly, Aomame looked at her watch, then raised her head to look at the surrounding cars.On the right is a black Mitsubishi Pajero covered in a thin layer of white dust.A young man sat in the assistant's seat with the window open, smoking cigarettes boredly.He has long hair, is tanned, and wears a rouge-colored trench coat.Dirty, old surfboards piled in the luggage room.There is a SAAB900 parked in front.The glass window with reflective paper was tightly closed, and it was impossible to see what kind of person was sitting inside from the outside.Waxing is done beautifully.If you pass there, you may be able to reflect your own face from the body of the car. In front of the taxi Aomame was sitting in was a red Suzuki Alto with a Nerima license plate and a dented rear bumper.Young mother holds the steering wheel.The child stood on the chair and moved around boredly.The mother warned the child with an impatient expression.The movement of the mother's mouth can be read through the glass window.The scene was the same as ten minutes ago.During these ten minutes, the car may not move ten meters. Aomame kept using her brain.Organize the various elements in your mind in order of priority.It didn't take long to get to the conclusion.Janacek's music is about to enter the final movement as if it fits well. Aomame took out the small Ray-Ban sunglasses from her shoulder bag and put them on.Then he took out three thousand-yuan bills from his wallet and handed them to the driver. "I'm getting off here. Because I can't be late," she said. The driver nodded and took the money. "Do you want a receipt?" "No need. No change." "Thanks then," said the driver. "The wind seems to be strong, so please be careful. Don't slip your feet." "I'll be careful," Aomame said. "And," said the driver, looking in the rearview mirror. "Remember, things are not what they appear on the surface." Things were not as they appeared on the surface, Aomame repeated that sentence in her head.Then frown slightly. "What does it mean?" The driver chose the language to speak. "In other words, what you're going to do from now on is something unusual. Isn't it? Ordinary people don't do that when walking down the fire escape of the Metropolitan Expressway in broad daylight. Especially women don't do that. " "Exactly," Aomame said. "Then, after doing this kind of thing, the daily scenery, how should I put it, may look a little different from usual. I also have this kind of experience. But don't be fooled by the appearance. There is always only one so-called reality." Aomame thought about what the driver had said.While thinking about it, Janacek's music had ended, and the audience began to applaud without waiting.Occasionally, the voice of Encore can be heard.The commander smiled and bowed several times to the standing audience.He raised his head, raised his hands, shook hands with the head of the orchestra, turned to the back, raised his hands to appreciate the members of the orchestra, turned to the front and bowed deeply again.When I listened to the recorded applause for a long time, it gradually didn't sound like applause.It felt like listening to an endless Martian sandstorm. "There is often only one reality." The driver repeated slowly, as if underlining an important section of a book. "Of course." Aomame said.That's right.One object, one time, can only be in one place.Einstein proved it.After all, reality is cold and lonely. Aomame pointed to the car stereo. "The sound is very good." The driver nodded. "What did you say the composer's name was?" "Yanacek." "Yanacek," the driver repeated.It seems to be reciting important conventions.Then pull the switch to open the automatic door behind. "Go carefully. Hope you make it in time for your date." Aomame picked up the large shoulder bag and got out of the car.The applause from the radio continued as we got out of the car.She walked carefully along the edge of the highway towards the emergency shelter space ten meters ahead.Every time a large truck passed by in the opposite lane, the road beneath the tall building shook precariously.That's closer to a wave than a shake.It's like walking on the deck of an aircraft carrier floating on the waves. The little girl in the red Suzuki Alto poked her head out of the passenger seat window and stared at Aomame with her mouth wide open.Then she turned to her mother and asked, "Mom, what is that woman doing? Where is she going?" She demanded loudly and stubbornly, "I'm going out, too. Look, Mom, I'm going out too. Okay, Mom." Just shook his head silently.Then she glanced at Aomame with a reproachful look.But that was the only sound around, the only reaction the eyes saw.The other drivers only gasped, frowned slightly, and chased after her as she walked between the side wall and the vehicle without hesitation.They seem to reserve judgment for now.Even if the car is not moving, it is not a daily occurrence for people to walk on the Metropolitan Expressway.It takes some time to accept the actual situation as perception.Even more unusual was the fact that the walkers were young women in miniskirts and high heels. Aomame clenched her jaw and stared straight ahead, straightened her back, felt people's gazes with her skin, and walked with definite steps. CHARLES JOURDAN maroon heels made a crisp sound on the road, and the wind fluttered the skirt of the coat.It's already April, and the wind is still cold, with a rough premonition.She is wearing a light tea-colored spring coat on the JUNKO SHIMADA Junko thin wool suit and carrying a black leather bag with shoulder straps.Shoulder length hair is neatly trimmed and well groomed.No decorations at all.With a height of 168 centimeters, there is hardly any fat visible, and all muscles have been exercised hard, but this cannot be seen from the jacket. If you look at the face carefully from the front, you should know that the shape and size of the left and right ears are quite different.The left ear is much larger than the right ear and is not properly shaped.But because the ears are often hidden under the hair, no one notices.The mouth is closed in a straight line, implying a character that will not be easily tamed no matter what.A narrow nose, somewhat protruding cheekbones, a broad forehead, and long, straight eyebrows each add to this tendency.But it is generally a neat egg-shaped face.Even if everyone has their own preferences, they can still be called beautiful women.The problem is, there's an extreme lack of expression on the face.Tight lips, rarely smiling unless necessary.His eyes are unrelenting and cold like those of a good deck watchman.Therefore, her face is not very impressive in the first place.In many situations, what attracts people's attention and concern is not so much the quality of the static appearance, but the naturalness and elegance of the dynamic expression. Most people couldn't properly grasp Aomame's appearance.Once she looked away, it was impossible to describe what her face looked like.It should be considered a face with personality, but for some reason, the detailed features did not leave an impression in my mind.In this sense, she is like an insect mimic.Changing colors and shapes to sneak into the background, as inconspicuous as possible, not easily remembered, is exactly what Aomame is after.She has been protecting her body like this since she was a child until now. However, when something frowned, Aomame's calm face changed dramatically.The muscles of the face were stretched in different directions, causing the left and right skews to be extremely emphasized, deep wrinkles appeared everywhere, the eyes sunk rapidly, the nose and mouth were violently skewed, the lower jaw was twisted, and the big white teeth were exposed on the lips.And it seemed that the fixed tie was broken and the mask fell off, she turned into a completely different person in the blink of an eye.Witnesses are horrified by the astonishing transformation.It was an astonishing leap from the great unnamed fall into the abyss of accident.Therefore, she was absolutely careful not to change her face in front of strangers.She will change her face, only when she is alone, or when she wants to threaten a man she hates. When they reached the emergency parking space, Aomame stood still and looked around, looking for the fire escape.Saw it right away.As the driver had said, the stepped entrance had iron bars slightly higher than the waist, and the door was locked.It is a bit troublesome to climb over the iron fence in a mini skirt, but as long as you don't mind other people's eyes, it is not particularly difficult.She took off her high heels without hesitation and stuffed them into her shoulder bag.Stockings may break if you go barefoot.But it's available in stores everywhere. People watched in silence as she took off her high heels and then her coat.From the open windows of the black Toyota Celica parked immediately in front, the background music of Michael Jackson's high-pitched voice came. "Billie Jean".She felt as if she was on the stage of a strip show.It doesn't matter.Watch as much as you like.But today it's only high heels and coats.Sorry. Aomame tied the bag tightly so it wouldn't fall.The brand new black TOYOTA CROWN Royal Saloon I sat in just now can be seen to be still there.Under the afternoon sun, the front glass of the car shone brightly like a mirror.The driver's face could not be seen.But he should be looking this way. Don't be fooled by appearances.The reality is often only one. Aomame took a big breath in and let it out.Then I turned over the iron fence while chasing the melody of "Billie Jean" in my ears.The miniskirt rolls high to the waist.Who cares, she thought.Watch it if you like it.See what's in the skirt, and you can't see through me.Moreover, her slender and beautiful legs were the part of her body that Aomame felt most confident about. When she got down to the other side of the bars, Aomame pulled her skirt back up, dusted off her hands, put on her coat again, and slung her purse over her shoulder.Squeeze the nose bridge of the sunglasses frame.The fire escape is in front of you.Gray painted iron ladder.Simple and simple, only pursuing the ladder of transactional and functional.It is not made for women who go barefoot in stockings and wear miniskirts.When Shimada Junko designed the suit, she didn't have the emergency escape elevator on the Metropolitan Expressway Line 3 in her mind.A large truck crossed the oncoming lane, causing the steps to wobble.The wind blows through the cracks of the iron ladder and makes a sound.But anyway there are steps.Then just get down to the ground. Finally, Aomame turned her head around, and walked towards the long queue of cars that filled the road, looking around from left to right, and then from right to left, in the posture of someone standing on the podium after a speech and accepting questions from the audience.The ranks of cars have not advanced at all from just now.People were blocked there, with nothing to do but watch her every move.What the hell is this woman up to?they asked suspiciously.Concern and indifference, envy and contempt intertwined eyes, betting on Aomame who came down to the other side of the iron gate.Their feelings can't be turned completely to one side, they wobble like restless scales.A heavy silence enveloped the surroundings.No one raised their hands to ask questions (even if they were asked, of course Aomame would not answer).People just wait wordlessly for an opportunity that will never come.Aomame slightly retracted her jaw, bit her lower lip tightly, and tasted them from behind her dark green sunglasses. Who am I, where am I going and what am I going to do next?You must not imagine.Aomame said so without moving her lips.You are tied there unable to move and unable to go anywhere.Can neither go forward nor go back.But I am different.I have jobs that I have to do.A mission that must be completed.So I'm going ahead. In the end, Aomame really wanted to change his face to the people there.But still gave up the idea.I don't have time to do this superfluous thing.Once the face is changed, it will take a lot of trouble to restore the original expression. Aomame turned her back to the speechless audience, felt the relentless hardness of the iron pipes on the soles of her feet, and began to walk down the emergency stairs with cautious steps.The cold spring breeze that just ushered in April blew her hair, occasionally revealing the deformed left ear.