Chapter 17 Chapter 16 A List

Kumiko moved back to her mother's house after being "suddenly hit" by a stranger, feeling that she was in danger.The "new house" that Yucun lived with was originally Yucun's father's property, so he moved out alone.At the same time, considering that if Yucun's "relics" were preserved, they might be attacked by gangsters like last time, so they sent everything to her in-law's house at once.Kumiko wanted to store these things until she got definite news from her husband, but in doing so, her husband's family might misunderstand it as a clean break.

In fact, they have been married for less than a year, and both of them still lack the real sense of marriage.At the same time, they all believed that Yucun's life and death had long been a foregone conclusion, and hoped that Kumiko would forget about Yucun as soon as possible and seek new happiness. It is a blessing in misfortune that the couple did not have a child.As long as Kumiko thinks so, there are many opportunities for remarriage. Only ten months of married life did not cause any change in her appearance.In the minds of those who don't know, Kumiko still retains the coy, unrequited charm of girls.

Therefore, Kumiko's parents were delighted that she had returned to her natal home, and her mother in particular was overjoyed.Mother has found several families for her.As Kumiko's life gradually settled down, her mother slowly began to reveal this to her. I am afraid that the matter of Yucun has long since disappeared in the heart of his mother Shino.This time, however, Kumiko did not offend her mother's dignity.Despite the difference in degree compared to her mother, Amamura's figure has also faded sharply in Kumiko's mind.To be more precise, it wasn't simply that she became indifferent, but another figure with a clearer outline gradually occupied her heart.

"I think the men in the world are not masculine in Yucun. Don't dwell on the past, and think about your future happiness." Seeing that she was not interested in this matter, her mother repeatedly advised her. "Yeah, Yucun really lacks masculinity." The mother's words really had the desired effect.But thinking about it carefully, there was another reason why she was not interested in the marriage that her parents had been talking about for a long time: a man with a stronger impression had already diluted it. Kumiko was thinking: What kind of person is that person?He appeared in front of him suddenly, and was in danger of saving people twice in a row, but he didn't even leave an address after he left.

Kumiko remembered the previous appointment with Omachi.He once said himself: Let's go find Yucun together! What a kind-hearted person who volunteers to help find someone without any relatives and no reason!He didn't say clearly why he volunteered to help, nor did he have any ill intentions towards Kumiko.If it was malicious, so far, as long as he saw the right time, he could take Kumiko as his own.He said that breaking through the Zhenmu Mountains was a task he had set for himself, and he was willing to combine it with the search for Yucun. However, Omachi had already climbed the mountain before meeting Kumiko, and gave up his career for it.Does the mountain really have the charm that makes people sacrifice their careers for it?

For Kumiko, who knows almost nothing about mountains, this is a difficult thing to understand. However, mountaineering in Omachi is by no means purely for the purpose of mountain tour.He once said that "Dake Acaki is a mountain of problems".But what does this subject refer to?What did Omachi do near Mt. While Omachi is exploring his own subject, he sincerely regards finding Umura as his subject. Kumiko accepted the request.What made her more happy than looking for Amamura was that she could take this opportunity to keep in touch with Omachi. Omachi said that he must get in touch with her in a short time, and then disappeared.That back figure was lonely, as if the shadow of the past was holding him back.After that, he never came to her again.

Thinking about it carefully, Omachi is really a person of unknown origin.Kumiko knew nothing but his name.Even the name, whether it is a real name or a pseudonym, is not clear.About his situation can be said to be equal to zero. Since I didn't know where Omachi lived, it was impossible to get in touch with him, so I had to wait for him to come to me.If he breaks the contract unilaterally, everything will be over. According to the usual practice, the possibility of breaking the contract is very high, and it is even taken for granted.For a person who has no relatives, no old friends, and no close friends, he is willing to put aside his personal livelihood and willingly help find someone. How can there be such a person in the world?

However, Kumiko trusts him.The scene of the appointment is still vivid.The eyes that Omachi gazed at her were sincere.Compared with the look in which Umura stared at her as Dongzi's substitute, it was fundamentally different.Those were eyes looking at Kumiko herself.There was no malevolence hidden in those eyes.There is only selfless longing there. Kumiko realized this with her feminine instincts.So she completely trusted this stranger.To show concern for a newly proposed marriage before fulfilling the previous appointment would mean betraying the way he stared at her.It is winter in the mountains now.

The mountain has covered itself with white armor with a majesty that is difficult for people to approach.Before it took off its armor, Omachi must have been running around somewhere to raise living expenses. Kumiko was sure that Omachi would greet her when it was time to enter the mountain. That being said, where the hell is he now?Not long ago, the object of her concern was Yucun.But now it was transferred to Omachi.It's a woman's heart moving subtly.This movement is both subtle and cruel to Umura. "Kumiko, Kumiko, are you listening?" After her mother asked her, she suddenly came to her senses.Mother chattered endlessly, but she was unconsciously immersed in reverie.The mother said with a look of astonishment, "What a stubborn child, I broke my heart because of you!"

Kumiko received a visit from detective Shiraki at the end of January. She still clearly remembers that when she first went to the search headquarters of the Akasaka Police Station to express her thoughts on whether the murder of the earthenware house was related to the disappearance of Umura, it was Shiraki who could always listen patiently. "long time no see!" When Kumiko walked into the reception room, Shiraki smiled at her with a mild manner rarely seen by a detective.That smiling face aroused her clear memories of Shiraki even more.He smiled like an innocent child. After saying the greetings after parting, the two sat down facing each other.Bai Mu said: "This is the list my wife gave me last year." He said and put the list on the table.She still clearly remembered that it was entrusted by Bai Mu and written down by herself. It was a list of some people who Yucun often dealt with on the eve of his disappearance.

"What are you doing with this list?" Bringing out an old list that she had filled out that she had forgotten, Kumiko was taken aback.The criminal police came to her with it, apparently because it was useful in the search. "With your help, this list is of great reference value for the search." Bai Mu took a sip of tea, and then said: "To be honest, I came to you because of Matsuo Shunsuke on the list." "Oh, Mr. Matsuo." She tried her best to search her memory according to the name Bai Mu proposed, but she didn't recall it right away. "What happened to this man?" "This person has also appeared in other clues." "Another clue?" "It's the Earthen Qiwei incident we're investigating now. After thinking about it for a long time, I feel like I've seen this name somewhere before. Finally, I found it on the list given by my wife." Kumiko silently listened to Shiraki's explanation.What does Matsuo have to do with the earthenware house incident?While listening to Bai Mu's speech, she thought about it. In both cases, where his name came up, was there a connection like the one Kumiko had theorized? "I would like you to recall carefully the time when Matsuo visited your husband." "There's nothing to go into. My husband never saw him." "Oh, hasn't your husband seen him?" "Yes. He didn't say hello in advance, nor was he introduced by anyone, so he came to visit rashly. My husband didn't want to receive people in his home who he had neither agreed nor met, so he politely declined!" "Did Matsuo come to your house only once?" "No, I've been here several times since then. I feel embarrassed that I haven't seen each other so many times, so I told my husband that it's better to meet. My husband knew why he came here, so he Saying that we met would only cause unhappiness, and finally we did not see him." While talking, Kumiko's memory became vivid.Matsuo's single eyelids, thin lips, and a sick face appeared in front of her eyes. "Your husband hasn't even seen him, so how do you know what he's here for?" "At that time, several people came to him for the same matter. It seemed that he had guessed eight or nine points. Besides, that person also went to the company to find him many times. My husband couldn't satisfy him in the company. I had no choice but to come to my door.” "That's right. Didn't Matsuo and the murdered Ukiya meet at your house?" "Yeah, I don't think there's anything like that." After answering, she was taken aback.The police are suspecting that Matsuo is the murderer of the earthenware house incident.Dokiya and Matsuo are antagonists over the issues surrounding Amamura's invention.Could it be that Matsuo killed the earthenware house because the earthenware house was in a favorable position? But there are many people who want to take over Yucun's invention.Killing only one person in the earthenware house does not make the invention his own and win the championship.Furthermore, Umura hates Matsuo very much.Even if he wanted to entrust the invention to someone, it would not be Matsuo's turn. Matsuo is always rejected, but still entangled.His shameless appearance hurt Yucun's feelings. "Didn't your husband reveal the close relationship between Dokiya and Matsuo in his words?" "Not in my memory. My husband doesn't think much of Matsuo at all." Originally, he wanted to say that he was treated as the most annoying fly, but he swallowed the words again.She felt that it was too impolite for Umura to treat Matsuo like this. "It seems that Dongzi is still involved!" Bai Mu murmured.Although she was talking to herself, her voice was very weak, but Kumiko heard it very sensitively.If he hadn't mentioned the name of "Fuyuko" maybe he would have let it go.It seems that Kumiko is extremely sensitive to Fuyuko's name, and Shiraki's inadvertent words got an immediate reaction. "Toko? Is it Toko from the earthenware house?" "no……" Because of the sudden question, Bai Mu stuttered.Kumiko couldn't help but regret that she had taken things so simply.Unfortunately, now is not the time to reflect on this. "Could it be that there is some relationship between Tokiya Fuyuko and Matsuo-san?" Under Kumiko's questioning, Shiraki was speechless.This is his gaffe.The relationship between Fuyuko and Matsuo involves searching for secrets. Interpol has yet to identify him as the perpetrator.As a police officer, you must limit the information you search to the minimum to prevent it from spreading. Shiraki came to Kumiko originally to add some strong evidence to Matsuo, who was showing his feet more and more, and to investigate whether he had any disputes with the earthenware house on the Umura issue.Shiraki never expected that Kumiko, who was originally in a calm mood, would have such a sensitive reaction when he recklessly leaked about Fuyuko. "No, there's nothing important about it." Bai Mu immediately changed his words, pretending not to know.But in Kumiko's view, that's enough.From his unnatural expression, it can be seen that there is a delicate relationship between Fuyuko and Matsuo.She thought: What does this have to do with Yucun's disappearance? Bai Mu must have come here to collect evidence about the earthenware house incident!He put the death of the earthenware house at the core position from beginning to end.That's what raiding headquarters does, it goes without saying.In their view, Yucun is always just a "supporting role". However, for Kumiko, Amamura is a "protagonist".She put Yucun at the center to observe everything.On this point, it is very different from the views and assumptions of the criminal police. After Shiraki left, she sat on the sofa in the reception room and continued to think.Kumiko thought: The police see Matsuo as a suspect who killed the earthenware house.However, have they noticed that this point of view can still be applied to Yucun? (On the point that Matsuo made Umura disappear!) Umura once loved Dongzi.The intensity of that love can also be seen from the fact that I am her substitute.What's more, the police hinted that there is also a relationship between Dongzi and Matsuo?Although it is not clear what the relationship is, since the police have already regarded this as a problem, they might as well regard it as a relationship between a man and a woman first! It may be considered that Yucun and Matsuo sandwiched Dongzi in the middle, forming a confrontational relationship.Therefore, in order to monopolize Dongzi, Matsuo made Yucun's whereabouts unknown. Not only that.If Yucun is no longer alive, from a profit point of view, Matsuo can also reap benefits. Like a sudden inspiration, a series of conjectures flashed in Kumiko's mind. "We should also find out the whereabouts of Matsuo." She couldn't help talking to herself.What is the whereabouts?Needless to say, it was Matsuo's whereabouts when Umura was traveling.If Matsuo has anything to do with Yucun's disappearance, then Matsuo must not be at home around July 18th.He's not going nowhere. "Could it be that that matter is also..." It was like opening a floodgate, following a conjecture followed by the next association. "Isn't it Matsuo who ransacked the house that time?" Kumiko recalled that when she traced Amamura's footsteps from Niigata to Kurobe, there was always a tight gaze fixed on her back. There are various sights.The well-intentioned gaze gives people infinite warmth, while the malicious gaze is both cold and stinging.The gaze Kumiko felt was neither cold nor warm. That gaze was as calm as watching a guinea pig intently, it could even be said to be cold, but there was absolutely no stinging malice. Even the subtle parts of the body can be seen clearly in that line of sight, but it is indifferent, without any emotional color.It was like the line of sight from Matsuo's small, slender eyes. "When I was traveling in Kurobe, what did Matsuo do? This also needs to be investigated clearly!" However, Kumiko didn't know how to investigate. When investigating the circumstantial evidence of Dokiya and Fuyuko last time, I went to the Xingshin Institute.Matsuo, on the other hand, is a formidable investigation expert, and it is difficult to understand his situation. Kumiko remembered the title that was printed on Matsuo's business card when she first came to visit."Peace Political and Economic News Agency" is printed on the front, and the words "comprehensive investigation" are printed in the business items printed on the back.She also remembered that Amamura had said that Matsuo was a "spy-like figure". If Xingxin is entrusted to conduct an investigation, it may fall into the trap of the opponent.Matsuo is not an amateur like Tokiya and Fuyuko. "Then what about calling the police?" They are currently investigating the earthenware house incident.They are not enthusiastic about the question of "the whereabouts of Matsuo when Umura went missing" which has little to do with the earthenware house. Besides, Yucun's body hasn't been found yet.The absence of a body does not constitute homicide. Kumiko thought: It would be great if Omachi was here at this time!She misses Omachi somewhere. At this moment, Kumiko had an idea: Can I place an advertisement in the newspaper to find him?I don't know if Omachi can read the advertisements.Besides, is it a bit of a fuss to do so?But there is no better way to communicate than this.What's more, an advertisement with only one or two lines of characters doesn't cost much. "Mr. Omachi please contact us quickly, Kumi." Two days later, an advertisement bearing the above words appeared in the advertisement columns of newspapers distributed nationwide.If Omachi saw it, this sentence alone would be enough to communicate the message.Omachi knew that she was living with her parents. Now Kumiko's activities seem to be being watched by several groups.They are trying to find out the whereabouts of Amamura from Kumiko's actions.Therefore, if they found out that the advertiser was Kumiko Amamura, they would be in danger of causing trouble for Omachi. Because of this, from Kumiko's point of view, even though it is only a few short words, it can be seen that she has good intentions. "Mr. Omachi, please read the newspaper!" Kumiko seemed to be praying to a god, hoping that the advertisement would work.Perhaps because her prayers had worked, Omachi called the morning the ad was published. "It's Mr. Omachi calling." As soon as his mother picked up the phone, Kumiko flew over. "Mr. Omachi, where are you? I want to see you. Could you come right away?" She seemed to be confiding her heart to her lover. "Did something important happen?" Omachi's calm tone was simply unbearable. "It's inconvenient to talk on the phone. Can't you come today? I learned a new situation." "What's new? I'm looking for you too. Then I'll go right away. I'm currently in a worker's dormitory in Chiba Prefecture. So, be hungry today!" "Hungry?" "A strike is called 'hungry stomach' among the laborers. Well, I guess I'll be there in about two hours." Kumiko put the phone down after asking him to meet at a coffee shop in Shinjuku. "See how happy you are." Mother Shinano said to Kumiko who was beaming with joy. "Who was the one who called just now?" Mother seemed suspicious from Kumiko's expression. "It's nothing. I just met." Seeing her daughter's indifference, Xin Nai persuaded her: "Since you have not officially divorced Mr. Umura, you should respect yourself. Although this is your foster home, I always think that you came here from Umura's house for a while. of." Kumiko is not only angry, but also amused by her mother's contradictions.It turned out that since the daughter came back from her husband's house to live in sojourn, it was the mother who repeatedly persuaded her to remarry.Now, when a man of unknown origin called, he suddenly had the cheek to emphasize "self-respect and self-respect".This is too unreasonable! Kumiko forcibly suppressed the joy in her heart.Maybe it was because she was going to meet Omachi soon after a long time! When he came to the coffee shop exactly as scheduled, Omachi had already arrived early.The sun is shining brightly on the street, even if you squint your eyes and look at the gloomy interior, you will feel very uncomfortable.She lingered in front of the door for a while, and saw Omachi from inside shouting loudly as if to startle everyone around: "Mrs. Amamura, I am here!" Maybe it was because he became a road builder, He was even more tanned than when we met in Kurobe.He was not wearing a mountaineering suit but an ordinary suit. "Oh, Omachi-san!" Kumiko ran over affectionately.The surrounding eyes suddenly focused on her.However, the joy after seeing Omachi made her have no time to think about these things. "Even after the advertisement, I didn't dare to have much hope." The two shook hands for a while before they began to realize the eyes of everyone.On the contrary, the parting shortened the spiritual distance between the two of them. "I don't read the paper almost every day here. Just stumbled across it this morning. I was shocked when I read the ad." "It seems that our hearts are still connected, isn't it?" "I thought so too. I was always thinking of you after parting." "Me too..." Before finishing speaking, Kumiko realized that this was a confession of love.They didn't really get close, at least on the surface, until they revealed it to each other. Although they all understand each other's intentions, they have not yet passed the ladder of love that must be crossed. The goodwill accumulated in the heart after the breakup and the love developed on this basis were unconsciously revealed from the infinite joy after the long-awaited reunion. Kumiko blushed.This is the inner shame reflected before stepping on the ladder of love. Omachi did not miss this opportunity. "Can you believe what you just said?" "..." "It's true, you can think so!" After Omachi asked, Kumiko felt embarrassed.This is because she even uttered what she yearned for to a man other than her husband. Although her married life is short, her body has been taken by Yucun.She already understood what the specific relationship between a man and a woman is, and how important sex is in the relationship between a man and a woman. Once Omachi's question is answered, it will not stop at "spiritual love" like an unmarried virgin.There is nothing to be taken lightly in the matter of entering into the realm of real love with him. However, at this moment, the image of Amamura, whose life and death remained unknown in her heart, appeared before her eyes like a close-up shot in a movie.She is still "Umura's wife". The news of the husband is unknown, and the entity of marriage no longer exists. That is to say, it is only a legal formal marriage at most, but it is still valid.Legally, if the life or death of the spouse is unknown, the relationship cannot be dissolved as long as it does not exceed three years.Although formal, it is effective. She doesn't intend to stick to face or form.However, regardless of the unknown news, I always feel that my mood is difficult to calm down.She remembers being tormented by jealousy and regret when she knew that Umura had married her as Dongzi's substitute.If Yucun is still alive somewhere, he must be taken back from Dongzi no matter what.It is under the domination of this passion that Kumiko goes to Kurobe alone to look for him. However, since Omachi appeared in front of her, this enthusiasm has subtly changed.Of course, even now, we still have to do everything possible to find out the whereabouts of Yucun, but that is no longer to regain the body and heart of my beloved husband, but to write a terminator in the depths of my heart . In other words, she now wishes to find out her husband's whereabouts precisely to make it clear: to break free from the shackles of a man who only loves himself as a "substitute" and to devote himself to a life where he no longer sees himself as a "substitute" but as a The sweetheart comes into the arms of the man who loves. Before that, if you dedicate your body to Omachi, but you will inevitably carry the aftertaste left by your husband, it will undoubtedly tarnish Omachi's pure love. Kumiko said in her heart: Oh, I've already considered the problem on the premise of falling in love with Omachi. I had only known Omachi for two or three months.In the process of emotional tilt, Kumiko couldn't help being surprised at how fast the tilt was. This speed cannot be stopped by any force.She wished she could completely wipe away the aftertaste that Yucun had left on her body all at once. "Mr. Omachi, wait until you find out about Amamura..." It can be seen from Kumiko's eyes that her thoughts are concentrating on this point.There is little hope of Yucun's survival.Her words actually mean that she has accepted Omachi's love, but she will keep it until it is confirmed that Amamura is dead.This is not for Yucun.It is for myself, in order to put a terminator on the love as a stand-in. Omachi seems to share her thoughts. "When it comes time to find out about your husband, I may be a hungry beast. I'm not qualified, though." On the face of Omachi's passionate gaze, there seemed to be a shadow of irreparable despair. "What do you mean by qualification?" This time it was Kumiko's turn to ask. "No, nothing. Did anything happen after that?" When the excitement of the two reunited after a long absence calmed down, it was easy to talk about the main topic. Kumiko tells him about the relationship between Fuyuko and Matsuo. "So, your husband didn't die in a plane crash, but was involved in a conflict centered on Tokiya Fuyuko, and is suspected of being killed by Matsuo!" "This is just my personal opinion. Even if he wasn't murdered, I always feel that Matsuo seems to be inextricably linked with Umura's disappearance." "Then let's get to the bottom of it quickly! If you find out about Matsuo's activities before and after your husband's disappearance and your wife's trip to Kurobe, you will know whether you are right." "I'm really sorry to bother you with such troublesome things. I really can't find a more reliable person." "Where is it? Madam, haven't we agreed to find your husband together? As long as it can help you, I will be happy." "Please be careful. Although I haven't met a few times, I always have an unspeakable fear of Matsuo. If he sees through this matter, he may harm you." Kumiko sincerely For his personal safety. "Haha, it doesn't matter. I have seen all kinds of dangers. My wife should be more careful. Maybe the robber from before is still watching you secretly!" "I don't think there's anything to worry about if you live in your mother's house. Besides, I have one more thing to ask Omachi-san." "What is it? As long as I can do it, I will do it." "Would you please stop calling me madam?" "Then what should it be called?" "Call me by my first name, not my last name, just my first name." "By name? Is it really okay?" Between men and women, especially calling other people's wives by their names, this one end is enough to express sincere acquiescence.Omachi's face suddenly shone with a rare light. "May I call you Kumiko?" He repeated timidly as if intending to verify. "Of course!" Kumiko nodded deeply.She decided to write off the aftertaste of Yucun from the name first. The two walked out of the coffee shop.Walking side by side on the road, like a pair of lovers passionately in love. "Mr. Omachi!" Kumiko said, changing her tone. "Ok?" "Can't you talk to me about your situation? All I know is your name. If it's okay, can you tell me what you were doing in the mountains when we met in Kurobe ? You don’t seem to be just for mountain climbing, you must have other goals. For this purpose, you even gave up your job..." When Kumiko asked, Omachi's face suddenly filled with a bitter expression.That expression was like touching the most painful wound of his own.For this reason, she almost kept her mouth shut halfway through. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't ask such unnecessary things. My question seems to have hurt your heart." Kumiko stopped talking and apologized. "No, I should apologize to you. Make an appointment now! I will tell you everything when your husband's body is found. There is nothing to hide. It's just too terrible to tell before then." gone." "It's scary to say it?" "If I tell you, I'm afraid I won't be able to see you again." "Why? I need your strength now. Can't meet again, is it so serious?" As long as Omachi doesn't refuse, it's hard for him to imagine not seeing him again.From the perspective of Kumiko now, what is needed is not the power of Omachi but Omachi itself. "In short, let's find your husband one day earlier! You can enter the mountain in May. Before that, you can investigate whether Matsuo was at the scene at that time. From now on, we will contact you regularly!" "If I have something urgent to get in touch with you..." "Yes! Let's put up an advertisement like today. Actually, it is not necessary. I will call you often." "Then it's a deal!" Kumiko unconsciously showed a pleading expression. After agreeing to meet again next time, Kumiko watched the back of Omachi rushing into the crowd, and suddenly a faint memory flashed in her mind. Kumiko thought to herself: I did meet Omachi somewhere before meeting him in Kurobe, so where exactly? She recalled the bits and pieces in her memory.At this moment, Omachi's back was swallowed up by the tide crowd.

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