Chapter 16 Section 16

Two days later, Koichi went to Yokohama.Get out of Sakuragicho Station and go south along the path of the restaurant Astroba Rob.There is a "Horse Tree" coffee shop in front of the overpass across the Ooka River. It looks like a wooden house, and the shop is also decorated with a lot of wood. Koichi sat down at the bar counter made of logs and ordered a cup of coffee.There are other customers around.The bald and white-bearded store manager skillfully made a cup of coffee. "How many years has this shop been here?" Gong Yi asked while drinking black coffee. "25 years," the store manager replied with a low voice, "everything is very old, rattling everywhere, it must be repaired, it will cost money."

"It's been a long time since I opened it, and this area has changed a lot." "How should I put it. It hasn't changed much, and the area is not too big." "I used to come here when I was a child. I wonder if the foreign food shop I went to is still there?" As soon as Gongyi finished speaking, the store manager nodded heavily. "You mean 'Togami Pavilion', right? It used to be diagonally ahead, but now it's a second-hand CD and DVD store." "Ah, what's wrong with that store...?" "I moved to Kannei. Haven't you heard of 'Hushen Pavilion'? It's very popular recently."

"I seem to have seen it in Ginza." "It turned out to be here. Although it was a small shop, it was quite popular at the time, and people had to line up to eat. Those who were impatient in queuing came to us." The store manager said heartily, not at all. The past is unbearable. "So welcome." "Beef diced rice is very popular. It has been introduced on TV and in magazines, and I have eaten it a few times. It is really delicious." Koichi recalled that Shizuna had said that she was going to a tasting session where diced beef was topped with rice.Togami Xingcheng intends to serve as the main dish of the new store.

"What kind of people run the store?" "A person called Togami, that's why he is called 'Togami-tei'. He is passionate about management. He also came to say hello to me when it opened. I heard that the store opened independently after studying elsewhere. It was nothing at first. Customer, it’s hard to bear. It suddenly became popular three years later, and people have to line up to eat. It’s amazing. Not long after that, the store moved to Guannei. It must be because the store is too small. Ah, yes, do you want to Can you tell me the address of the store in Kannei?"

"No, I'll look for it myself, thank you." "I moved to Guannei about 10 years ago. After that, the business has become more and more prosperous, and now there are many branches. I am really far behind." Kung nodded and finished the rest of his coffee.According to his investigation, "Hushen Pavilion" was moved to Guannei 12 years ago. Two years later, Masahiro Togami moved.Looks like he made a lot of money. Gong Yi and their parents were killed 14 years ago.If the store manager's words are to be believed, it was just when "Togami-tei" became popular.At that time, it was necessary to carefully consider whether Togami Masayuki committed robbery and murder in Yokosuka.

After paying for the coffee, Kouichi walked out of the store and looked at the second-hand software store diagonally ahead.The front of the store is lined with glass windows, covered with posters and gravure photos of actors.You can't really see it unless you go inside the store, and the store is a little smaller than "Ariake".If you are so popular that you have to queue up to eat, you will naturally want to move to a more spacious store. On the way to Sakuragicho Station, he suddenly remembered something, and he turned and walked towards Hinodecho Station.While walking, he took out his mobile phone and pressed a few numbers.He never mentioned to Taifu and Shizuna about keeping in touch with this person.

The phone was connected, and Koichi said, "I'm in Hinode Town now, can I meet?" The other party readily agreed, and made an appointment to meet at Yokosuka Chuo Station. It's been a long time since I took the Keihin Express.Gong Yi stood by the door, looking at the scenery flowing outside the window, the past also emerged bit by bit.He has a special feeling for the places where the mountains and the sea are close, and he can see the stars and his fatigue is completely eliminated. Gongyi shook his head slightly, feeling sentimental.It's okay to go back to that place, he comforted himself.

We arrived at Yokosuka Chuo Station and dialed the phone again.The other party was waiting at a nearby coffee shop, at a spot called "SERUFUSABI". It was no trouble finding this shop.Koichi walked into the store nervously.They haven't seen each other for several years, although they've been in constant contact. The other party was sitting at the bar counter facing the aisle.From the side profile seen diagonally from the rear, it seems that there is not much change.It's just that the black hair is mixed with a little white hair, and the body under the gray suit is also a little thinner.

Gongyi buys a cup of coffee and walks over to him.The other party realized immediately and turned around.For a moment, his eyes widened in surprise. "Kong Yi-kun, you've grown up." Gong Yi sat down beside him, smiling wryly. "You said the same thing last time, I'm as tall as I was then." "Really? In that case, it's true." The other party smiled, with a scruffy beard around his mouth, the same as fourteen years ago. It is Kashiwahara of the Yokosuka Police Station.Seems to be working at the same police station now.He got in touch with Koichi shortly after Koichi left the orphanage.It is said that they asked the orphanage for contact information.After that, there will always be a contact once or twice a year.Basically nothing important, just simply asking what's going on.

Kou lied to Kashiwahara, telling him that he had never met Taifu and Jingna.He knew it was extremely dangerous to keep in touch with the police, given the "jobs" they were doing. "The last time we met was four years ago." Bai Yuan said. "Well, because of the gambling..." "Yes indeed." Four years ago, Kashiwahara called him out.A gambling organization was dismantled in Yokohama before, and they found Yukihiro Ariake's name on the organization's customer list.Needless to say, this was Gong Yi's father's name. Xingbo has a loan of 3 million.It seems that the reason why the couple asked their acquaintances to borrow money before they were killed should be to pay off their gambling debts.

Regarding the relationship between the gambling organization and the murder of the couple in the foreign restaurant, the Yokosuka Police Station launched a search again.It was also part of the process that Kashiwahara called Koichi for questioning.However, no matter how they searched, the police still couldn't find the truth.The likelihood that a gambling organization was directly involved in the incident appears to be low. "What's the matter today, what's the rush?" Bai Yuan asked. "Ah, it's nothing important. I just happened to be nearby and wanted to meet up for a while. I'm too busy to bother you." Kashiwahara grinned, showing teeth yellowed from years of smoking. "Wannian is just a little policeman. It's better to say that he's doing miscellaneous work than being busy. It's okay to be a little lazy. There haven't been any cases recently, so it's relatively easy. It's the last time to investigate cases with all your might." The "at that time" in his mouth is self-explanatory, and he understood it as soon as he worked. "It's been 14 years... Time flies by so fast." Gong Yi said, "The statute of limitations is about to expire." Bai Yuan nodded and took a sip of coffee. "Recently, the search seems to have started again. What else can be done now? Cases happened one after another, and the unsolved cases were slowly forgotten. The search was started in a hurry when the statute of limitations approached. Everyone knows that doing these things will not help. 15 years without a clue, what evidence can be found now? It's purely to gag the media." Gong nodded.Bai Yuan seems to have forgotten that he also said these words 4 years ago.After confirming that it had nothing to do with the gambling organization, both the Yokosuka Police Station and the prefectural headquarters pulled away from the murder of the couple in the western restaurant again. "Sure enough, there is still no progress." Gong Yi asked. Bai Yuan turned his expression solemn. "The only evidence is that portrait. It has been 14 years, and the appearance of the person has changed." "Have you found any similar people?" "No, there are a few that look alike. There are quite a lot of reports from the citizens. Every time at this time, we rush over. Whether it's Kanagawa, Tokyo, or even Saitama and Tochigi. I rushed away. But everyone is innocent." "Is the list of those people still there?" "Those people? Those guys who look like them? Of course they are still there. What's the matter?" "Hmm... I don't know if I can take a look." Kashiwahara suddenly showed a surprised expression, looking Koichi up and down.Gong Yi avoided his eyes, took a sip of coffee from his cup. "The statute of limitations is approaching. Anyway, this list is not very useful to the police. I want to investigate as much as I can and ask for information online." "In that case, you don't need this list. What's your plan?" "Attempt... It's nothing like that. I just want to double-check the people on this list." Said Kouichi, staring at the glass as if wishing to see through, and Kashiwahara's sharp gaze could be felt on his cheek. "Have you found it, a similar man." Bai Yuan asked, "Then I want to confirm whether this man's name is on the list." Gong Yi was a little shaken.What a cop, he thought.I guessed it all. Gong Yi smiled and shook his head. "If I find out, I will tell Mr. Kashiwahara immediately. I just want to do my best. I don't want to wait for the time limit to come." Kashiwahara looked at Koichi with the sharp eyes unique to the police, as if he wanted to see through his heart. Then, Bai Yuan sighed.At the same time, the sharpness in the eyes disappeared. "It is impossible to give the list to outsiders. Moreover, the police are not without efforts to investigate. Before the statute of limitations expires, there will always be some action. Of course, the people on the list will be checked again." "That's fine." "Speaking of which, what happened to my brother and sister? Haven't heard from you yet?" "Hmm. Nothing." "That's it. Flesh and blood relatives should still live together." Bai Yuan's tone seemed to be filled with a wry smile at his unbearable memories.Gong Yi remembered what he heard four years ago.After Kashiwahara divorced, the child was raised by his ex-wife.Due to congenital diseases, he was admitted to the hospital several times, underwent surgery, and finally passed away before he entered junior high school, and it was too late to put on the prepared uniform. "Mr. Bai Yuan, are you still alone now?" "Ok." "Not remarried?" As soon as Gong Yi finished speaking, Bai Yuan shrugged and smiled. "Who would fall in love with a good-for-nothing uncle like me. You are the one who is about to get married." "I haven't thought about that." "It's not bad to start a new family. Well~ From my point of view, these are not convincing." When Bai Yuan said, the ringtone of the mobile phone came from his chest. "I'm sorry." He said, took out the phone, said a few words before hanging up. "I'm sorry, there's something urgent in the bureau. It's not easy to come to see me, I'm sorry." "I'm the one who apologizes for disturbing you at work." "Keep in touch." Bai Yuan got up and went out with his empty cup, then immediately stopped and turned around, "If you find any evidence, you must contact me. You can't do anything by yourself, you know?" "Yeah." Gong Yi replied. Watching Kashiwahara walk out of the store, Kou thought that he still couldn't tell him about Togami Masashiko.Although Taifu said that he looks like a murderer, it is impossible to determine whether he is the murderer or not.At this stage, he is nothing more than the father of the prey Hushen Xingcheng.If he talks to Kashiwahara, he will definitely pay attention to Togami Masashiyuki.In this case, the current plan in progress must be interrupted.Moreover, Kashiwahara will definitely investigate Togami Yukinari, and will soon notice the existence of Gao Gao Saori.If she realized that she was Shizuna, she would definitely be suspicious.When questioned by Kashiwahara, Koichi didn't have the confidence to justify himself. The Gratitude Party organized by Yukinari Togami was held at the Hiroo branch of "Togami Tei".Sunday, which is closed on weekdays, is still open today, and it is dedicated to entertaining guests with invitations.He started waiting around five in the afternoon.Thanksgiving will begin at six o'clock. In the name of a gratitude meeting, it is actually a tasting meeting to test the response of the new menu.Needless to say, it is naturally for the upcoming Azabu Juban store.The regulars who received the invitation knew it too.Therefore, Xingcheng has already realized that they will hold the mentality of watching the show, and want to find out how capable the son of Hushen Zhengxing is. Just after half past five, the guests began to pour in.Among these people, Xingcheng is quite familiar with them.The impatient customer said "Congratulations" to Xingcheng in advance, wishing him a smooth opening of his new store. Although the tasting session doesn't start until six o'clock, drinks and snacks have already been prepared in the store.The early guests talked and laughed with each other while eating.Although there are certain seats, many customers prefer to stand and taste in groups. As soon as Xingcheng joined their conversation, the clerk in charge of reception stepped forward. "Well, there is a guest over there without an invitation card." He said, pointing to the entrance. Gao Gao Zuo Xuri stood there with a look of embarrassment. "Got it." Saying that, Xingcheng looked at her. Seeing him, Saori smiled reassuringly as if she had grasped a life-saving straw. "Didn't you get the invitation? I should have sent it." "Received. However, I am afraid that I will lose it, so I put it with the friends who made an appointment to come together. It says on the invitation: Two guests are entertained." "So, is your friend coming later?" "Just contacted, she suddenly has something urgent, so... that, if you can't enter the venue without an invitation, forget it." "What are you talking about? It's perfectly fine. I want to invite you. Then, this way please."