Chapter 23 Chapter 22 Towards the Abyss
Kumiko was woken up suddenly.
"Kumiko get up quickly, Fuyuko is likely to leave this morning." Omachi said regretfully while carrying the travel bag.
"Where might it have gone?"
"I've called everywhere, and I heard that I just took the cable car to the top, and I must be climbing a mountain!"
Omachi found out that Fuyuko had left, so he inquired about the situation while Kumiko was still asleep.
"Only her?"
"It looks like a man went with her."
"Sure enough... Could that person be Yucun?"
"No, judging from its characteristics, it doesn't look like Yucun. I guess that person came here last night."
"But, no one came to Dongzi's room yesterday! At least no one came before we fell asleep."
Could it be that after dawn, when Kumiko and Omachi fell asleep in a daze, that person came?
"No, that person didn't come to the next door, it was Dongzi who went to the man's room."
"Men's room?"
"We were deceived. We were fooled by Dongzi renting a double room. The man lived in another room. He probably asked Dongzi to ask for a room first, and then called her to his own room after the silence. We I only thought that I would meet with Dongzi, so I was deceived."
The so-called tranquility, of course, also includes Kumiko's room.
"Who is that man?"
"I don't know. The passenger registration book uses a false name. He has made such painstaking efforts, there must be something ulterior. I will follow them first. Fortunately, I will catch up after they are not far away. Please. You wait for me here."
"I'll go as well."
"Going to climb the mountain, there is still snow on the mountain!"
"Didn't Dongzi go up too? It's okay, it won't drag you down." Kumiko also wanted to see who the man who was walking with Dongzi was.If it is not like Yucun, it may be that Yucun has put on makeup.
"Well, you can go wherever you can. The other party is also leading a woman, and it is estimated that it will not be too difficult to walk. Then please prepare to leave quickly! I have prepared the food. I'm very sorry, let's eat after breakfast!"
Take the lift car and cable car from the station at the foot of Mt.
I have inquired at the halfway cable car station and the Tudaira station of the elevator. It is said that about two hours ago, Dongzi walked up with a man.
"Maybe we're going to the first cairn!" Omachi murmured while looking up.
It was still overcast when they left the foothills.Starting from Tuping, the dark clouds gradually dissipated, and when we arrived at Heiling, when we got off the lift, the sky cleared up.Through the sea of clouds, you can see the beautiful scenery of the foothills like a bonsai under your feet from the gaps in the clouds.Not long after, the cloud cluster under his feet gradually dispersed.
Kumiko followed Umura to climb the first cairn.Isn't the man who wants to accompany Dongzi to climb the cairn also Amamura?Amamura once filmed Kumiko in various poses in that place.That time, Amamura stared at Kumiko so endlessly through the camera's viewfinder that she had to bow her head in embarrassment, while Amamura told her to "don't move, don't move" and watched greedily.
But this time, Yucun came to the same place to take pictures of "me"!A conclusion can be drawn immediately, as long as one climbs to the first cairn...
Walking in the direction of the first cairn, you will find a zigzag stone climbing path on the slope, but it is already unrecognizable due to the snow cover.
On the valley where the snow has not disappeared, clear footprints are left.The snow surface of the slow slope is not difficult to walk, but it is still very difficult to walk without hiking boots.
"You wait for me at the lift station first, and I'll just chase them by myself." Omachi really couldn't bear to see Kumiko go on like this, and the melting snow had already wetted her feet through her shoes.The snow water is icy cold, how can I bear it.
"Please, take me to the first cairn too!" Kumiko begged bitterly.If you stay here for nothing, you won't be able to find out the truth.
"I can't help it!" Omachi nodded with a wry smile.In order to take care of Kumiko, Omachi walked on the easy-to-walk road in the snow.After crossing a sea of snow, the road is in a zigzag shape, and there is another slope in front of it.
Sitting on a rock at the end of the remaining snow was a man rubbing his feet.He had obviously noticed that Omachi and the others were approaching him, and raised his head.
The moment Kumiko saw his face, she couldn't help but groaned and was stunned.
"It's a coincidence, I'm still thinking it's better not to face each other!" The man smiled wryly and said.He is Shiraki detective.
"Is it an acquaintance?"
After Omachi asked in surprise, Kumiko nodded and said, "He's a criminal police officer, and he's met me a few times about Mr. Dokiya."
"Then why did he come here?" Omachi didn't lose his vigilance.Shiraki was wearing a normal suit and shoes and socks, so he didn't look like he was here for mountain climbing.
The two men were looking at each other vigilantly, as if they were saying, "Why did you come to this place because of Yucun?"
Kumiko hurriedly stood between them and introduced that Omachi was a distant relative who helped her find the whereabouts of Amamura.
"I also came to chase Dongzi. Unexpectedly, another person came in during the chase."
"Cut someone in?"
"Toko and Matsuo made an appointment in advance to meet at the hotel in Hakuba."
"With Matsuo..."
The eyes of the two met.So, the man hiding behind Dongzi is Matsuo?At first, I thought that she got along with Matsuo out of compulsion, and the relationship was broken after Dongzi returned to her mother's house.It never occurred to her that the man who lured Dongzi to the place where Amamura and Kumiko had been on their wedding trip would be Matsuo.Kumiko's negligence prevented her from making this association.
"So, you are the one following us?" This was a new guess of Omachi.
"I don't want to follow you. I'm afraid that if you find out, my follow-up mission will not be easy."
It turned out that it was for this reason that the driver was kept secret.The honest driver was entrusted by the police and has been refusing to tell the truth.
The criminal police followed Dongzi all the way, it must be because he was very suspicious of Dongzi's every move.
"Mr. Interpol, why are you staying here? Where are Matsuo and Toko?" Under Omachi's repeated questioning, Shiraki frowned and said, "I'm not used to mountain climbing. I fell down in the valley below and broke my foot. I managed to get here and couldn’t walk any longer. Excuse me, can you call someone at the station of the lift? It’s impossible to follow after it’s like this. Oh, it hurts..."
It seems that the pain in the foot is minor, but what is frustrating is that it was so easy to catch up here, but the foot was frustrated unexpectedly.
"In my opinion, going down is better than going up. There is a hotel not far from here. Let's call someone there!"
"Thank you. Where are you two going?"
"Go after Matsuo and Toko. For some reason, there seems to be an ominous omen."
"Please be careful. Matsuo is very suspicious. To tell you the truth, I regard him as an important witness of the earthenware house incident, and I have been watching him secretly. The day before yesterday, Matsuo suddenly disappeared. I had been paying attention to Dongzi's movements and followed Dongzi, but unexpectedly I found Matsuo here."
"Why didn't Matsuo be arrested?"
"You can't just arrest a person so simply. We haven't got enough proof yet. Besides, the investigation of witnesses can only be done in an informal way."
"Isn't it already tracked here?"
"At most, I was observing secretly, and I didn't intend to do anything. I want to ask you to do something for me."
"What's the matter?"
"I know that Mrs. Amamura suspects Matsuo as someone who is malicious to your husband. Tokiya Toko may be here because she was coerced by Matsuo. For some reason, I always feel that Matsuo may harm Toko. "
"Understood. I just need to pay more attention. If Matsuo really wants to take some action against Dongzi, I will try to rescue her."
"It is an active crime, and anyone can be arrested on the spot without an arrest warrant."
Since Shiraki detective mentioned the active criminal, it means that Matsuo is a very bad guy.In this case, the danger of resisting arrest and causing trouble will be great.
"You must be more careful!" Kumiko told Omachi unabashedly in front of Shiraki.The word "you" she blurted out contained infinite affection.How could Baimu know what happened to them last night?
In the words that Kumiko uttered, it contained the inseparable pure and passionate feelings between the lovers who have not yet reached a final conclusion.
"I'll go and track it down first. Mr. Detective, Mrs. Kumiko will be entrusted to you. I'll call for someone right away."
Omachi leaves Kumiko and Shiraki alone.
The cliff on the right side of the mountain road is steep, and the stream meanders in the canyon.Across the valley is the east peak of the Three White Horse Mountains.
Clouds and smoke linger on the mountainside, like white flames constantly spraying into the clear sky.The sky that had just cleared a little bit became unpredictable as time went on.
The Nanguchuan Valley, which is separated from the Bafang Mountain Ridge and the East Peak of Baima Mountain, is also filled with mist and clouds.The figure of Omachi, who was climbing the ridge path, disappeared in an instant along with the towering mountains.
Kumiko stood still and watched, waiting for the clouds to clear.However, the higher she was standing, the more she was blocked by thick clouds and mist, and her sight was blocked.
For a moment, Kumiko seemed to have a premonition that nature was planning a disaster.
The rescuers Omachi invited from the National Hotel helped Shiraki and Kumiko down the mountain.Because it is still unclear what Matsuo's intentions are, the two of them had to stay in a hotel at the foot of the mountain and wait patiently for news from Omachi.
From that night, the weather changed suddenly and the wind was strong.Under the influence of high pressure in Ogasawara, the Meiyu front moved northward, and the entire mountain area was hit by strong wind and cold rain.
Kumiko didn't close her eyes all night because she was worried about Omachi on the mountain.If Omachi, Dongzi and the others could take refuge in Tangsong Villa or a small hotel on the ridge for a while, then there was no need to worry.If you encounter such bad weather on the ridge, you must suffer a lot.
Unfortunately, in the past few days, due to a problem with the line, the phone with Tangsong Villa has not been connected.Other small hotels have not yet opened due to seasonal relations.I have contacted all the places where I can get through by phone, and they all said that I have never met anyone who looks like Omachi and Fuyuko.
As if trying to make Kumiko feel more uneasy, the weather got worse and worse.
"It doesn't matter, it's different from the severe winter now, and besides, Mr. Omachi is a veteran mountain climber."
Bai Mu comforted her, but his words were not convincing enough.Even though Omachi is a seasoned person, it must be seen that what he is chasing is a cunning person like Matsuo!
As long as Fuyuko and Matsuo are killed, Omachi is in danger of being involved.
Of course, it is inconvenient to ask for rescue if the death has not been determined.Kumiko and Shiraki could only wait patiently.
At this time, suddenly heard a burst of creepy loud noise in the mountains.Kumiko seemed to vaguely hear Omachi's desperate cry for help.
"I hope Mr. Omachi is safe!" Kumiko prayed to the sky.
The Ogasawara high pressure extending from the southern sea collides head-on with the cold high pressure of the Sea of Okhotsk, forming a rainy front.
Signs of worsening weather had been revealed as early as two days ago.However, the Meiyu vanguard, which was in the south of the mainland, unexpectedly moved northward under the impact of the fast-moving Ogasawara high pressure.
The dark clouds were dense, and the south wind was blowing more and more fiercely.It just so happened that the sunny cycle of several consecutive days has passed, and the high pressure approaching from the mainland stimulated the plum rain front even more violently.Originally located north of Karamatsu, the Hou Tate Mountain Range is indifferent to weather changes from the Pacific Ocean, but it is sensitive to the low pressure in the Sea of Japan and the front of the rainy season. Even a weak low pressure will rain immediately.
Therefore, whenever there is bad weather, there will be miasma coming from the Sea of Japan on the mountain ridge, while on the Shinshu side, due to the terrain, it is mostly sunny.So standing at the foot of Shinshu Mountain and looking up, it looks like the sky is sunny, but don't believe it.That is to say, when layers of dark clouds emerge from the ridge and float in the eastern sky, it just means that the ridge is being hit by strong wind and cold rain.
Omachi would not be unaware of this.However, he was currently concentrating on chasing after Fuyuko and Matsuo, so it was possible that he had ignored the signs of the weather change from the start.
The whole central mountain region was shrouded in low-hanging clouds and rain.The average wind speed is fifteen meters, and sometimes even exceeds thirty meters.Especially the area around Mount Hakuba on the northern side of the Northern Alps is directly affected by this bad weather, and the weather gets worse the higher you go up from the Happo Ridge and other places, often accompanied by strong winds and cold rain.
On the other hand, Dongzi and Matsuo headed there wearing light clothes for walking on the city road.
Omachi and Fuyuko still hadn't heard from the next day.Kumiko once asked the mountaineering team who went down the mountain in bad weather, and the answer was that the average wind speed on the ridge was about 20 meters. similar people.
The always optimistic detective Baimu could hardly conceal his restlessness.
"If they hadn't stopped at Tangsong Villa, in your opinion, where would they have gone?"
Shiraki asked Kumiko, but she couldn't answer.The Bafang Ridge is an important mountaineering route to the back of the Lishan Mountains.Although there is no ready-made mountain road to go up from the first cairn, it is an ideal route for those who are willing to climb the mountain.And since there is no forest to block the view, it can be regarded as one of the few viewing spots. You can enjoy the magnificent and strange peaks such as the three white horses, the Kashima gun, and the five dragons on both sides of the ridge.However, once the weather makes trouble, this advantage will turn into a disadvantage, and it will become the most troublesome place for climbers.In this snow-covered season, if you make a wrong judgment, you will lose your way.There is no shelter from the wind and rain in this area, and the situation gets worse the higher you go.
As the three continued to climb up, the signs of worsening weather began to appear, but it was after nightfall that the entire mountain was tightly embraced by the bad weather.
If they climbed the mountain at a normal speed, they would have already reached the Bafang Ridge by this time.Tangsong Villa is not far from the border with the main peak ridge.
If you don't go to the mountain villa and go right, you can go to Baima Mountain after crossing the top of Tangsong Mountain; if you turn left and go south, you can reach Wulong Mountain and Ludao Gun.
It is obviously unbelievable that Matsuo did not go to Tangsong Villa with the frail Dongzi.In this season of snow-covered and snow-covered ground, coupled with the worst weather, wearing light clothes and not bringing any climbing equipment, no matter which direction you go to the main road, it is difficult for you. , worrying.Omachi, who followed closely behind, only had a small amount of climbing equipment for his own use.But on this unpredictable and fierce peak, how far can it withstand the bad weather?
"It seems that something may have happened." Baimu criminal police finally had no choice but to ask for help from the local area because they still hadn't received any news from the three of them after two days.Different from the simple death in the mountains, it involved the important witnesses of the earthenware house case that the Metropolitan Police Department was very concerned about. Therefore, the local police station also took active actions and cooperated closely, and immediately formed an ambulance team.
At this time, Bai Mu's foot had basically healed, so he decided to do his best and went into the mountain with the rescue team.Kumiko also climbed up to the first cairn with everyone.She originally planned to follow up, but later she considered that this would drag the rescue team down, so she had to give up.
The ambulance team started at about eleven o'clock in the morning.The weather has eased slightly, but there is still no sign of abating the Meiyu front.The ambulance team knew the reprieve was temporary.
In order to take advantage of the limited opportunity, they raced against time and climbed quickly towards the high mountain with dense clouds and low hanging.
The further up we went, the worse the weather became.From the second cairn, the concentration of miasma became more and more serious, almost reaching the point of suffocation.The fascinating scenery of the Bafang Ridge has been shrouded in layers of miasma and can no longer be seen.The figures of Fuyuko and Matsuo, who were heading straight ahead, were also blocked by the miasma, appearing and disappearing from time to time, as if they were not there.
This is different from the tracking in the urban area. There are no forks on the ridge road, which is strange and easy.As soon as we passed the third cairn, it started to rain, the air-conditioning hit people, and the whole valley seemed to be spinning in a ruthless sky.
Omachi's mood was still calm.He thinks that Dongzi and the others' whereabouts must depend on the weather, or go back, or temporarily live in Tangsong Villa, there is no other choice.Even though their figures disappeared completely from Omachi's field of vision due to the miasma, he remained calm and collected as usual.
The wind whirled violently over the ridge.It mixes miasma and hailstones together, making it impossible to maintain what little body heat there is on the human body.Omachi hurried into Tangsong Villa, expecting to meet Dongzi and Matsuo there, but was disappointed.He asked the management of the villa, and the answer was that no women had been here at all recently.
Omachi decided they must have taken a detour.So, braving such bad weather, where to go?Walking in any direction from the north to the south, there are 3,000-meter-high mountain ridges. Moreover, it is not the climbing season, the mountain roads are deserted, and the small hotels are empty.
Omachi couldn't figure out what they wanted.When he was thinking hard at the gate of the villa, a climber came along the ridge of Baima Mountain and said that he met a man and a woman on the downhill of Tangsong Mountain.
"They stored their belongings in the small hotel, and it looks like they will return after reaching the top of the mountain. But how can they go down with a suit like them?" said the climber casually.
There are not a few people who climbed to the top of Tangsongyue Mountain from small hotels and came back.Twenty minutes at most would suffice to climb up to the narrow path between the rocks and the pine woods.However, Omachi didn't think that they would really go north from Tang Songyue, because going any further would be the so-called "No Return" of Houlishan's natural danger.Going from Baima Mountain to Tang Song Mountain is the way to go. On the contrary, if you continue to walk along the ridge road, you will not be able to move an inch.
Omachi thought it was an ominous omen for Fuyuko and the others to go straight to the top of the mountain without stopping at Tangsong Villa.After venturing through the long mountain road, I finally came to the villa. Even if I didn't have anything to store, I should go in and have a rest.But even though they knew that climbing to the top of the mountain in such bad weather was not worth the loss, they still ran to the top of the mountain without looking back.In doing so, they may rather say that they deliberately avoided the villa.
"Put your things here and walk lightly."
Omachi politely declined the manager's kindness, and chased them without unloading his luggage.The reason why he didn't unload his luggage was because there was an ominous omen reminding him.
As expected, Omachi did not meet them on the top of the mountain.The wind swirls on the top of the mountain, making it almost impossible to stand.In an instant, the wind speed reached about 30 meters.The temperature is dropping sharply.It is said that for every one meter increase in the wind speed in the mountains, the human body temperature will decrease by one degree.Some people have seen with their own eyes how serious consequences can be caused by letting the wind and rain beat without any wind and rainproof tools.
Suddenly, a bell sounded from the foot of the eastern ridge that we had just come over.This is probably because the duty officer of Tangsong Mountain Villa rang the bell in order to remind the climbers walking along the ridge road to be more careful in this bad weather.Perhaps the bell was rung specifically for Omachi.
"Mr. Matsuo!" Omachi finally revealed his identity as a follower, shouting.
Getting over the top of the mountain and going further is no easy task.Barring an unexpected miracle, death will be inevitable.
"Ms. Tokiya, Miss Natori Toko, where are you? Go back quickly, there is danger ahead! Please come back to the inn!" Omachi called out Toko's maiden surname and married surname.
No echoes were heard from the vortex of miasma.Because the violent wind and rain from the Kurobe Valley and the resulting flash floods immediately swallowed Omachi's weak shouts.
Where did Fuyuko and Matsuo go?Omachi only stayed at the mountain villa for seven or eight minutes, and when he realized that they were not there, he climbed to the top of Tang Songyue in one go.Dongzi walks slowly, Omachi walks fast, and it is possible to make up for the missed time.
If they really walked in this direction as the climber they met in the mountain said, the distance between them would not be too far away.Omachi reckoned that they were right next to him.If this is the case, there are two possibilities: either it is going down in the direction of "Buguiyan"; or it is going down in the direction of Grandmother Valley.It must be one of the two.
"Matsuo Shunsuke, can you hear me?" Omachi called out to Miasaki again.He yelled at Tianxian and Qunmugu several times before and after, but there was no response.
During this time, the distance between each other is continuing to widen.It's a life-or-death distance.Omachi clearly knew that this unlucky weather was by no means capricious.
Omachi doesn't know what Matsuo's intentions are, is he going to climb a mountain with Dongzi to commit suicide?It is Omachi's greatest duty to stop their desperate actions right now.
In which direction should we go?Omachi hesitated for a moment, and was about to go north along the ridge road when two figures suddenly appeared in the miasma.One of them is a woman.They were walking down the Kurobe Valley.
Omachi thought to himself: What are they going to Kurobe for?There are jagged cliffs like natural barriers, and if you walk down, you will be a gloomy and terrifying mountain stream.
Omachi, who is used to climbing mountains, let go of his pace and quickly rushed up.He shouted towards the two figures exposed in the mountain mist:
"Are the two in front Mr. Shunsuke Matsuo and Ms. Toko Natori?"
The shadowy figure has already reacted clearly.I saw the two of them standing in the clouds for a while, as if they were spying on what was going on here.
"It's Matsuo-san and Natori-san!" Omachi called again.
"Who are you?" A person in the shadow asked back.This is Matsuo's voice.
"Please go back quickly, there is danger ahead!"
"Are you a policeman?" An impatient voice still came from the other side of the cloud.
"no!"
"Who the hell?"
"You don't need to worry about it. If you go any further, you will die!"
"You don't need to worry about this! If you can die, how will you know if you don't try it yourself?" Matsuo's words did not mean any compromise.
"Are you trying to commit suicide?"
"It's for this purpose. Please don't hinder us!" The voice was extremely cold, and it was by no means child's play.
"What did you say?"
"Please don't approach us! Know that everyone has the right and freedom to choose to die!"
"What exactly do you want to do?"
"Didn't you just say it? It's because you want to die. You don't want to take care of other people's affairs."
"Miss Natori, what's your plan?" Omachi asked another figure.
Before she could reply, Matsuo replied instead of her:
"Her mood and thoughts are the same as mine. She wants to die where her beloved brother died. Our thoughts will not change. Our hearts have long since withered, and our bodies have long since lost their life. It's no different than The Walking Dead."
"Don't mess around. I don't know why you have to die, but death is always bad. Come back to the inn with me, and we'll have a good chat and we'll think about it!"
"It's not something that can be solved in a few words. If it can be solved so easily, will you still come to this deep mountain? You should be the one who goes back! I warn you again, don't hinder us."
"That won't work! I can't do nothing. Besides, I haven't heard Miss Natori's opinion directly yet."
As Omachi spoke, he hurried forward, trying to shorten the distance separated by clouds and mist.
"Don't come close to us! You are not allowed to go any further! If you don't want to get hurt."
"Injuried?"
"We have prepared a simple lethal weapon. We are not afraid of anyone who dares to interfere with us."
There was a sinister intention in Matsuo's tone.
Although it wasn't very clear because of the miasma, Matsuo was indeed wielding a pistol-like murder weapon.
"Miss Natori, Mrs. Fuyuko, you didn't mean it yourself. You must have been threatened to do this." Omachi thought, Dongzi was dragged here under the threat of Matsuo holding a murder weapon!If this is the case, then we must try to rescue her.
"It's my own idea." Unexpectedly, Dongzi gave an unexpected answer.
"Why are you so stubborn? Hurry up and throw away your wild thoughts and go back to the inn, it's not too late!" Omachi called out desperately to make the woman change her mind.
"Please go back quickly and leave us alone. We have already thought about this matter."
"Aren't you afraid of causing trouble to the locals?"
"That's why we didn't tell anyone we wanted to come here. We don't know who you are or how you know we're here, but I should tell you that it was a decision we made together. We Our own affairs should be decided by ourselves." Dongzi's voice was so firm, there was no room for compromise.
"The matter should be cleared up, right? I don't have time to nag you now, explaining why we are going to die. Go back quickly, indecision can only be bad for you." Matsuo said step by step.
The wind and rain became more and more fierce, and the body temperature also dropped sharply.Unlike Omachi who had made preparations for climbing the mountain in advance, the two of them were almost naked in the storm, and the situation was undoubtedly very miserable.
No matter what Omachi tried to persuade, the other party remained indifferent.He thought: Even if Dongzi is the only one left, he should do everything possible to rescue her.
Omachi took a few steps forward.At this time, there was only a bang, and the bullet rushed out of the cloud, and a rock under his feet flew into the sky.
"The murder weapon is no more than a toy, it's not a joke. Go one step further and try, then it's not a problem of rocks going up to the sky!"
"Please, don't worry about us anymore!" While Matsuo was intimidating, Dongzi said in a pleading tone.
"Go, there's no need to talk to this guy."
Matsuo urged Dongzi, and the two walked forward again.Omachi continued to chase, and kept a certain distance.It's a fantastic track.Omachi doesn't believe Fuyuko's words, it's obvious that she said it against Matsuo's threat.If they died, Masao Amamura's whereabouts would never be clear.
They both know the whereabouts of Yucun.Finding out the whereabouts of Umura is an obligation that Omachi has set for himself.Without fulfilling this obligation, there will be no future for Kumiko and herself.
Omachi was thinking.If the two people in front thought of death, he thought of life.The fate of Omachi is at stake for both of them to survive.You can't just watch them die like this.
Although a considerable amount of time has passed, the distance traveled has not actually been too far.The weather was so bad, they climbed the long Bafang ridge and crossed Tang Songyue, and they were overwhelmed by excessive fatigue.The reason why he can still struggle with what little physical strength he has now is all due to the abnormal frenzy of wanting to die.In this case, if you lose the ability to act, you are on the verge of death.
Once the body temperature drops to about 30 degrees, it is impossible to return to normal.If things go on like this, the body temperature can only drop lower and lower until finally freezing to death.Then it will be too late.
The so-called freezing to death by the mountain people refers to the last breath left by a person. Once he falls down, he can no longer move.There have been instances before of people who filled their knapsacks with food and died before opening them with their hands on them.
At first Matsuo kept yelling "Go back! Go back!" to Omachi, but the exhaustion of physical strength made him gradually unable to speak, and his mind was not so clear.
Omachi thought he couldn't wait any longer.Originally, they wanted to find a chance to rescue them after their physical strength was exhausted, but now that the situation was urgent, there was no longer any delay.
When they come forward to rescue them when they commit suicide, Matsuo may use the murder weapon, but it will be difficult to rescue them if they are not willing to take this risk.
In front of him was a boundless and hideous cliff.It is a downhill road from the top of the mountain to Grandmother Valley Hot Spring. The further you go down, the more rocks pile up.Even if the miasma dissipated, it was still a mountain stream surrounded by cliffs.The current miasma can only add to the eerie atmosphere.
When the miasma gathered and kept coming towards him, Omachi finally made up his mind to catch up and shortened the distance.
"Good guy!" Matsuo noticed that Omachi suddenly followed behind him, and quickly raised his pistol.Before they had time to shoot, the two of them were twisted together and fell into the miasma together.
Gunpowder smoke filled the miasma with the sound of gunfire.I don't know who groaned in pain.
After a while, the man who fell on the ground managed to get up and staggered forward a few steps, only to hear a scream, from near to far, disappeared in the miasma.It turned out that he was flying with his feet, and fell down the cliff together with the rocks.
Dongzi seemed to be petrified by the sudden fierce fighting scene in front of her eyes, and stood there motionless.Seeing someone moaning there, he woke up from the dream and ran towards him.
"Oh, so much blood!"
Lying on the ground was Omachi.During the fight, a bullet fired by Matsuo pierced the hipbone of his right leg.
"I have emergency medicine and a triangular bandage in my backpack." Omachi endured the pain and said to Dongzi.
With trembling hands, Fuyuko managed to remove the backpack from Omachi's body, and opened the pocket cover.She added terror and uneasiness to the cold, because she still didn't know who Omachi was.This person followed behind for no reason along the way, and repeatedly persuaded himself to go back, and made a surprise attack on his companion Matsuo, who was also seriously injured, and the life and death of Matsuo who fell from the cliff was unknown.
Fuyuko harbored an indescribable fear of Omachi.After he was injured, he bled profusely, and his appearance became even more frightening. The rain was mixed with blood, dripping on the rocks.
"Please don't be afraid. Have you found the triangular bandage? Please bandage the wound tightly. The bullet may have hit an artery... Okay, try to tie it as tight as possible..." Omachi comforted her, pointing out the precautions again and again .
The bullet kept churning against Omachi's thigh bone.Because it was shot at close range and the bullet exerted great power, not only the femur was shattered, but the muscle tissue was also greatly damaged.The right leg completely lost its function and drooped down involuntarily.
Night falls on the land.Omachi has realized that things are getting worse.It never occurred to him that in order to weep the two of them back from the death line, his own death was imminent.
At that time, he was too impatient, and he didn't expect Matsuo to be so energetic.This was Omachi's miscalculation.I thought it would be easy to snatch the murder weapon out of Matsuo's hand, but I didn't want to encounter resistance, but Matsuo threw it aside at once, couldn't dodge in time, and got a bullet on the hip bone.
Omachi knew clearly that he couldn't go back to the villa as it was now, and could only wait for the dawn.Take a step back and say that you can't go back to the mountain villa. If you can climb the ridge road and meet a mountain climber by chance, then it will be easy.However, now it is urgent to find a place that can somewhat shelter from the wind and rain, try to control the bleeding as much as possible, and maintain the exhausted physical strength.
"Miss Natori, please let me help you with your shoulders, please? Go down two steps and there will be a dwarf bamboo forest. Let's take shelter there for a while until dawn!" Omachi said while enduring the severe pain.
The brutal weapon destroyed Omachi's body. He couldn't hold on any longer. He should start treatment immediately, but now he had to find a place where he could hide from the wind and rain.
Looking at the dying man in front of her, Toko seemed to have forgotten her determination to die, and obediently obeyed Omachi's orders.
Fuyuko supported Omachi and came to the low-lying dwarf bamboo forest with weak wind.Omachi was ruthlessly devastated by the wind and rain, his body temperature dropped, and he was bleeding profusely.
In the face of the unstoppable wind and rain, the dwarf bamboo forest is naturally not a place to escape the wind and rain.
At this moment, the premonition of death welled up in Omachi's heart.This time was far more serious than any danger he had ever experienced.Even Omachi himself has no confidence in being able to return to Tangsong Villa with such an injured body in bad weather, even if he is seriously injured and has to take care of Dongzi.
In this off-season of mountaineering, it is even more impossible to expect someone to walk through this dangerous mountain road.
"Miss Dongzi, please take out all the things in my backpack. Spread out the backpack and it will be a sleeping bag for one person. It is waterproof. As long as you get in, you can barely hold on until dawn." Omachi said while enduring the labor pains.疼痛从伤口扩及全身，脚的末梢几乎失去了知觉。
冬子按照大町的吩咐，铺好了在紧急情况下可以当睡袋用的背包。
“在塑料袋里装着干净衣服，快把湿衣服换下来，钻进睡袋里休息吧！”
“那……”一直在顺从地听大町指挥的冬子不免犹豫了一下。
“还在那儿愣着干什么？快！不然要冻死的！”
“那么您呢？”
“不用管我。快点照我说的做！”
“要知道您是受了伤的人啊！我用睡袋，那您……”
“您不必为我担心。两条性命能留下一条就比什么都强。”大町申斥着。他神志逐渐不清，已觉察到自己没有救了。冬子的情况固然也很惨，但只要今天夜里能闯过去，还有活下去的希望。然而对自己来说，这种可能已不复存在了。如今迫切需要的是，设法使有一线希望的人能够活着回去。
大町的血继续从伤口往外流着，这同时也就是生命在流逝着。他一面意识到这一点，一面强行振作精神，对冬子说：
“请您听我说一句话好吗？……我也许不行了。到了明天早上，如果我死了，那您就一个人……往上边走去……虽然很危险，只要多加小心就一定上得去的。要一步一步往上走，千万别退下来。这样就一定会找到山脊路的……到了山脊就往右边走，走不多远就是唐松山庄……您明白了吗？……明白啦？”
“明白啦。那么，您到底是谁啊？为什么要在后面跟着我们？为什么要救我？”冬子问正在急剧虚弱下去的大町。
这个人突然出现在面前，为了阻拦他俩上山自杀而跟松尾搏斗起来，被松尾击中一枪，倒在血泊之中。如今他身负重伤，奄奄一息。她总觉得大町是个不可理解的怪人。
他置自己生死于不顾，却一心想要救出冬子。虽不了解其中的奥秘，但她还是很受感动。在感动之余，她不知不觉地抛弃了绝望的念头，把自作自受造成的危险状态也置之度外了。
“那，您究竟是谁啊？”
当冬子再一次问他的时候，只听大町突然喊了一声：“久美子！”
“您刚才在说什么？”冬子听她喊了另外一个女人的名字，以为附近有谁在场，便看了一下周围。“久美子……”
大町清清楚楚地在唤着另一个女人的名字。他已经神志不清。如同雨村征男在久美子的背后看见了冬子的面容一样，大町在朦胧之中，从冬子脸上看到了重叠着的久美子的面容。
“久美子，请等一等我。明天我就要下山了……您能原谅我吗？……是我杀害了您的丈夫。我感到内疚……能原谅我这样一个人吗？……我们没有可能了……我需要您……却没有资格……请原谅我。”
大町精神恍惚，陷于休克状态。他对冬子谈话实际是在讲给久美子听。
“请您坚强一些！可不能让我一个人呆在深山里啊，听我说呀……”
冬子紧紧抱着大町的身子摇晃着。从他的身上已经感觉不到正常人的体温了。
山被笼罩在黑暗之中。风雨毫未减弱，无情地抽打着这个一息尚存的男子和全靠他给予帮助才幸免一死的女人。在这险恶的环境里，为能留下一条性命，两个人正在进行一场心意难通的对话。
无论是救人的人，还是被救的人，都已感到越来越陷入朦胧的状态之中。
揭开内幕
名取冬子在唐松岳南面山腰上冻得死去活来。救护队发现她，是六月八日午后四时左右的事。
南方的小笠原高气压突然加强了势头，把梅雨前锋推向了日本海北部。气温开始回升，回到了往常的平稳状态。得助于天气好转，一息尚存的冬子才侥幸地脱离了险境。如果坏天气再延续一天，不，哪怕是五、六个小时，恐怕就完全没救了。
被救护队救起时，冬子神志不清，问她什么都说不上来，只好暂时先把她送进唐松山庄就地诊治。由于一时没有找到跟冬子一起上山的松尾和大町，救护队的主力便从唐松岳南西两面的半山腰下到黑部溪谷一带继续寻找。同一天午后六时左右，在唐松岳以西的矮竹林下边先发现了大町尸体，大约三十分钟后，又在往下走八十米左右的地方，也就是袓母谷上部支岔一块湿漉漉的岩石上发现了已经摔死的松尾尸体。由于时间已晚，加上刚见好转的天气又重新恶化起来，救护队只得改变当天收尸的主意。为了免于被雨水冲走，以及不至于蒙受鸟兽之害，救护队员把尸体装进睡袋里，妥放在安全地方之后，便返回唐松山庄。
第二天，在收大町和松尾尸体的同时，救护队员把冬子背下山，送进了山麓医院。由于哪块儿都没有受伤，身体恢复很快，只是精神有些萎靡不振。为此，警察当局决定一天以后再向她作口头调查。
久美子是在山麓旅馆里得知大町遇难的消息的。最初透露这一消息的是为了向上级报告先行下山的救护队员。
“大町先生遇难了？到底是怎么回事？”
久美子听了这个消息不由得打了个寒战。她只觉得眼前昏天暗地，甚至连自己现在在什么地方，是什么时间，都分辨不清了。她被无边无际的黑暗吞噬着，包围着，完全丧失了抵御的能力。
记得当大町跟冬子、松尾的消息一起断绝的时候，久美子并没有产生不祥的预感，更没有跟遇难直接联系起来。她曾确信大町既然是带着必要的装备上山的，又有丰富的登山经验，这一回一定会逢凶化吉，战胜恶劣天气，带着冬子和松尾一齐下山的。
因此，当这个消息（大町确确实实象蜡烛熄灭般地死去了）传来的时候，她也没有立即相信这是真的。
当雨村的余韵在经历了那么长的时日依然没有完全消逝的时候，正是大町填补了这个空白。那虽是短暂的，却是充实的。那火一般的热情至今还在久美子的心房里燃烧着。她一直在热烈地期待着大町回来之后，追补上极不自然的中断了的爱情。只有走完爱的全程，新的未来才能展现在他俩的面前。久美子没有当即相信大町已死，不是毫无理由的。
尽管久美子一再追问“为什么？怎么搞的？”救护队员们还是默不作声。这是他们无法回答的，因为知道内情的只有还活着的名取冬子一个人。
第二天，冬子被救护队员背下了山，与此同时大町和松尾之死也得到了证实。他俩的尸体先停放在唐松山庄，一天之后被抬到山麓的。
呆然若失的久美子禁不住大声哭泣起来。大町死了！他的死是个不可否认的事实。
好容易在久美子面前打开的新的未来的大门，由于大町的死而关闭了。记得在黑部跟他第一次相逢是去年十月。打那以后，在不到八个月的时间里，他和她的心紧紧地贴在了一起。然而不幸的是，还没有等看到最后的结局，大町就如同第一次匆匆相见时那样飘然离去了。这时，久美子才觉察到自己对于大町的一切竟毫无所知。
回想起来，大町对于他自己的事什么都没有跟久美子说过。从对他倾心的那一天开始，直到盼着有一天能把他和未来结合在一起时为止，久美子什么也没有问过，只是打心眼里信任他。
大町在久美子的身心上留下了难以消失的印记，便无声无息地逝去了。
“大町先生，您是谁？您到底是从哪里来又往哪里去了呢？”久美子凭靠着旅馆临山的窗子不住地叹息着，却没有谁能够回答她提出的问题。
“在雨村先生的生死得到完全证实时，我就全都告诉给您！”大町曾经这样许诺过，不料却成了一位有毁前约的人。
早知今日，当初对大町的过去即便有个片断的了解也好啊！——这，巳经是后悔莫及了。深深地怀恋往日之情，使这一悔恨更加深深地刺痛着久美子的心。
冬子的身体刚一好转，调查马上就开始了。名取龙太郎听说冬子遇难也立即赶到。他的出现虽然有许多风传，但警察当局对这些全不加以理睬。
在龙太郎看来，冬子一旦说出事实真相就将导致不良的后果。而对于警方说来，冬子则是幸存下来的唯一宝贵的证人。
调查是在医院的一间屋子里进行的。
当地警察署得知冬子就开始议论纷纷，她是土器屋产业代总经理被害事件的见证人，而且又是被害者的遗孀，感到十分震惊，便把调查的主持权全部转让给东京方面。
调查的负责人是石原警部和大川刑警。冬子的脸色有几分苍白，身体却好象业已恢复。对待调查的态度也是老老实实的。
当石原警部把大町和松尾已死的消息告诉给她的时候，她颤抖着嘴唇，低下了头。她竭力控制自己翻腾着的内心的哀痛。调查者猜不出此刻的冬子是在为松尾的死而悲痛，还是为大町之死而叹息，抑或是为他俩的死而共同哀悼？ !
“您是出于被迫才跟松尾俊介一起登山的吗？”
石原警部首先问她登山的理由。大町受白木的委托，在后面追赶他们二人，这早已从白木的汇报里听说了。在松尾尸体附近发现了手枪，大町右大腿骨有枪伤，从这两点来判断，松尾是向大町开了枪的。子弹打碎了大町的大腿骨，动脉流血不止，构成了大町的直接死因。加上风雨和低温，就更加速了他的死亡。
警察当局也曾推测过，大町是为了从死死抱住不放的松尾的手里夺回冬子，才被松尾击中的，然而推测终归是推测，详细情况只有去问冬子。
必须向冬子询问的事情堆积如山。首先要弄清楚的是，松尾俊介跟冬子的接触到底是基于何种机缘？他们之间的接触跟土器屋的被害又有着怎样的关系？其次就是松尾与中桥正文、三杉小百合之间的纠葛。土器屋被害现场的不可解之谜也必须揭开。除此之外，冬子和至今消息不明的雨村征男之间似乎也有某种微妙的关系。雨村死于飞机失事，至今没有找到尸体，可不妨认为另有原因。
从雨村的妻子以及最近跟她一道频繁活动的大町来看，他们对雨村的飞机遇难是并不真正相信的。
关于雨村的去向，由于不属于直接负责处理的案件范围，搜查总部并未怎么关心，而冬子说不定会知道他的去向。如果雨村和冬子之间有什么牵扯的话，那将会给土器屋被害一案带来微妙的关系。
揭开这一事实真相的钥匙有可能握在冬子的手里。无论如何要从唯一幸存的宝贵的证人口中把事实真相搞清楚，这就需要从冬子易于回答的问题入手，循循善诱，舍此无他。对此，石原不得不慎重对待。
跟这一调查齐头并进，还调查了大町的身世。久美子自称是她的远亲，其实连久美子本人也不完全知道他的身世。这就非进行调查不可了。
“登山完全出于我的自愿。”按照石原提问的顺序，冬子从容不迫地回答说。
“您的自愿？这就是说，您是情愿跟松尾一起自杀的了？”
在那么恶劣的天气里，奋力奔向高山深处只能是抱着自杀的目的。
“是的。我是情愿跟松尾一块儿自杀的。”
“能把理由说给我们听吗？”
石原把视线停留在冬子忧郁的脸上。如果是出自被迫，那么就可以断定松尾俊介不是冬子的心上人，即使是她的心上人，那也是松尾强加于她的。松尾为什么决意自杀，这一点冬子当能清楚。
“就是活下来了也是无路可走。”在冬子那灰暗的目光里掠过了自甘暴弃的阴影。
“为什么无路可走呢？”
“我是一个只能给男人带来不幸的女人。”
“给男人带来不幸？”
“我曾经爱过好几个男人，其中包括我真心爱过的人。但是，所有跟我亲近过的男人都无一例外地不幸死去了！”
“莫非这就是导致您想要自杀的诱因吗？这也许是偶然的巧合吧？”
“我不认为是事出偶然。偶然性重复多次就会导致必然。当我对一个男人寄托着女性的新的梦幻的时候，这个人就必然要遭到不幸。我已经为追求这个必定破灭的梦而弄得筋疲力尽了。”
“那么，跟松尾一块自杀的理由呢？”
“偏巧他也想到要死，才诱我一起上山。我丝毫也不爱他。由于他也是一个刚跟我接触不久就遭到不幸的人，所以才决定跟他一块去死。”
“您知道松尾为什么想死吗？他不象是一个随随便便就自杀的人。”
“那是因为他得了不治之症。肠癌转移到肝脏，没有治好的指望了。他所以偏偏要诱我一道自杀，恐怕也有对我父亲复仇的因素在内。”
“您父亲？是指名取龙太郎先生吗？松尾为什么非要对名取先生复仇不可呢？”
“他已经被我父亲利用够了。不仅是我父亲，公司方面也把他象工具一样地利用过。一旦用完了就卸磨杀驴。为此他决计带着我去实现他那梦幻般的复仇。其实这样做，对我父亲不起任何作用。松尾真是个可怜的人啊！”
以下是冬子断断续续提供的证词：
三年前的九月中旬，名取冬子跟义兄名取一郎一起登上了白马岳。虽说是哥哥，其实是父亲龙太郎的后妻带来的男孩子，跟冬子没有任何血缘关系。冬子对继母，一郎对龙太郎，都没有把两位老人当做生身父母看待。不知从何时起在他们兄妹之间萌发了异性的感情。奇怪的是，他俩都对双亲的感情格格不入，彼此爱慕之情更加深了。
名取夫妇知道了这种情况甚为震惊，千方百计想把他俩拆散开。在他们看来，即使没有血缘关系，如果“兄妹”成亲，那在感情上也是通不过的。至于在法律上，同旁系血统联姻本是可以容许的，而名取夫妇则百般阻挠，坚决反对。冬子和一郎碰了钉子之后，决定走出这个家庭。年轻、不曾走出家门的这对情侶没有抗婚的勇气，恣意沉醉在但愿来世再结良缘的甜蜜幻想之中。
他俩是为了寻找殉情的地点才登上白马岳的。在那里偏巧遇上了土器屋贞彦和雨村征男。不，除了他俩之外还有一个男人，他就是松尾俊介。
松尾对什么都引不起浓厚的兴趣，唯有高山峻岭是个例外。他觉得它可以使女人和工作都无法填补的空虚得到充填，或者是可以借此把空虚再向深处掘进一步。总之，没有比在登山淡季里，独自一人在山里饱尝孤寂之感更使他心旷神怡的了。他认为，避开人群，选好登山的时间和地点，便可以真正体验到这种孤独感的妙趣。他喜欢在杳无人烟的地方，沉浸在自己所设想的憧憬之中。他不能让天地间除自己而外有任何人出现在他的眼前，否则，将会使他苦心设计的宏伟图画归于破灭。
不料，中途有一对青年男女闯进他所设计的画面中来。他们就是名取一郎和冬子。只见他俩亲昵地偎依在一起，抢先来到松尾要到的地方，无情地破坏了他的画面。松尾对他俩产生了近于杀机般的憎恶心情。他真想一下子把这对青年从自己前进的路线上排除掉。
松尾走的路线是从猿仓经过枪温泉，走上后立山连峰的山脊小路。这是去往唐松岳、五龙岳的方向。
这一对青年从白马岳顺着山脊路走过来，在山坳处同松尾相遇。跟松尾的想法相反，在名取兄妹看来，恰恰是在自己前进的路上，这个陌生人无端地从旁闯了进来。对于想要寻找殉情地点的人说来，松尾只能是个障碍物。
就这样，这两伙人一面互相在心里诅咒着，一面沿着同一个山脊路往南走去。
轻装而又单人行走的松尾自然要抢先走在他俩的前面。虽已遥遥领先，松尾还是容不得这对紧跟在后面的情侣。他为甩掉他们，加快了脚步。
松尾抢先来到了插立着路标的天狗头陡坡。
从山坳向前伸展开去，是平坦而又宽阔的山脊路，但一过天狗岳，道路又立刻变窄。从天狗大陡坡到不归崄的底部有个三百米左右的急坡。
松尾来到下坡口的路标面前停了一会儿。原因是路标的指示方向不明确。以前他曾打这儿路过，知道通往不归崄须往左拐，沿悬岩而下。可是从陡坡上看，由于右侧的伏松林一带有一条明显的小道，却好象是一条正路。如果不加思索地走下去，就会走进无比险恶的黑部山涧。
当云雾袭来的时候，初到此地就会迷路。正是为了防备这一点，在这下坡的起点上立了路标，指示去向。
可是，眼下路标指示的方向正好是下坡路口和往黑部方向去的岔道的中央，从后边看去倒象是应该往黑部方向走。
松尾仔细一看，地面已经干裂，路标正在随风左右摇晃。不悉是由于登山者恶作剧的缘故，还是自然形成的呢，路标指示的方位模棱两可，难以辨认。
“若是有人存心捣乱，那品质可就太坏了！”松尾一面嘟囔着，一面想把路标按照原来的方向纠正过来。正在这时猛地从刚才的自言自语里生出一个联想来。
松尾心想：“如果不把路标的方位改正过来而把它照样立稳的话，后面赶来的那对情侣定会误入黑部山涧的。”看起来，他俩对登山完全是个外行。在这个季节到这里来的人都是富有经验的，决不会因路标指示错误而上当受骗。上当受骗的只能是从后边赶来的那对青年男女。
“这不是摆脱这两个碍眼的家伙最好的工具吗？”松尾一面自问自答，一面把指示方位不明确的路标挪动了一下，明确指向黑部方向。
这样一来，紧接在土器屋贞彦之后松尾又搞了第二次鬼。说来凑巧，名取兄妹二人果然上了松尾的圈套，在不怀好意的路标指引下，一步步地朝着黑部山涧走下去了。
可是松尾万万没有料到，一郎和冬子本是为了寻找自杀的场所才登上此山的。松尾不怀好意改变了路标，恰恰正是他们想要去的方向。
路标被搞了两次鬼这件事，是冬子后来从雨村和松尾那里听说的。正因为这样，一郎才如愿以偿，而冬子却免于一死。
两个人都服用了致死剂量的安眠药。因身体条件不同，安眠药在冬子身上没有充分发挥效用。结果，冬子被土器屋贞彦和雨村征男救了过来，以此为机缘，冬子跟土器屋结了婚。
冬子继续供述如下：
“跟土器屋结婚以后，我很快地认识到这是我的失策。我悔不该屈服于土器屋和我父亲的压力，接受他的求婚。那时我真正爱的人是雨村征男。雨村从土器屋背后远远向我投来的视线仿佛在说，无论什么时候都在等待我的应允。他在我跟土器屋结婚的同时也结婚了。后来我才知道，那是为了尽快把我忘掉。
“我曾责怪过他：为什么不早一些跟我说呢？这时，雨村也第一次直率地说出了拿路标开玩笑的事，并且说是他干的。我明明知道那是土器屋搞的鬼，责任不在雨村身上。同时我也知道土器屋并不爱我，而是抱着一定要把所需要的玩具弄到手的心情跟我结婚的。这个纵欲者跟我父亲的策略不谋而合。我做为土器屋的玩具和我父亲的工具，如同买卖一件物品一样拍扳成交了。那正是趁着我无力抵抗因失去一郎而承受沉重打击的时候。
“打那以后，在我的思想深处悄悄地淤积起对土器屋的无比憎恨。但无论我怎样憎恶他，他都执意不肯跟我离婚。我几次提起离婚的事，他只是一哼了事。
“由于我跟他结了婚，我父亲也增加了额外收入。好容易用高价买到手的玩具，在没有玩够之前是不肯轻易舍弃的。我决不会忘记，在土器屋强制下，我做为用金钱赎买的抵柙品，一直处于屈辱的地位。能把我重新唤回来的唯有爱情，而土器屋却继续用金钱占有了它。每当我跟他在一起过着虛伪的夫妻生活的时候，这种屈辱感就更加深深地刻在我的心上。屈辱积淤心底，只暂时保持了岌岌可危的平衡。打破这一平衡的唯一转机是跟雨村的约会。雨村利用到新潟和名古屋公出的机会把我带到了黑部。偏巧那时正赶上土器屋也公出在外，这就决定了我后来的命运。
“我俩约定在黑部的旅馆相会，这是我俩的第一次结合。我忘了家庭，忘了丈夫，也忘了我自己，尽情地倒在雨村的怀抱里。可以说是命运有意开玩笑吧，就在那第二天，雨村本该乘坐的那架飞机，在离我们相爱的地方很近的山里坠毁了。得知这个消息是在去黑部湖的途中。当时雷声大作，我俩正在堰堤上的眺望台里避雨。听了飞机失事的消息，雨村自嘲般地说自己已成过世之人了。
“这时我半开玩笑半正经地说，那就不如死就死在一起吧！不料雨村对我这番话却当真了。
“反正活着我俩也不可能在一起，倒不如干脆死在一块儿的好。雨村除了在跟我的爱情上受到挫折而外，好象在工作上有更大的烦恼在折磨着他。一块去死的想法就在这一瞬间确定下来了。
“我俩好象都在担心会改变主意似的，径直地朝着云雨密布、空无一人的湖畔走去。雨村随