Chapter 2 train to winter

Shimai and Kuno set off for a small town called Nagaizumi.You have to take the train first, then walk. The railway station platform in the deep mountains, and it is not the peak tourist season, there are almost no people.Elderly station masters sweep along the sidelines.A naughty wild ghost with the appearance of a child followed behind him, blowing away the piles of rubbish one after another.The old station master Chong Shiwu shook his head helplessly, "It's such a troublesome wind", so he had to go back to work again. There are very few people who can see ghosts. When getting in the car, he probably thought of his granddaughter, and the old man was a little rambling about saying goodbye to Shiwu.So much so that the last sentence "Going out alone, be safe" left two endings and was locked outside the car door.

Kuno was next to Shimai, seeing her immature face showing the humility of "thank you for your concern", he raised his eyebrows, and his half-smile expression was warmed by the sunlight. To Changquan, the train takes four hours. In fact, except for travel.Shimai and Kuno also participated in garden parties together, and they always met a lot of undead who came to join in the fun. In places where people could not see, the venue became twice as lively.In addition, Shikimai went to the beach last summer vacation, and Kuno followed.Shimai made a snowman in the yard during the winter vacation the year before last, and Kuno was on the side.They couldn't find briquettes for eyes that day, so they used freshly baked muffins.

A snowman with milk-sweet eyes. When Shikimai went to school, Kuno wandered around.When Shikimai was catching up with homework in the evening, Kuno chatted with the wild ghost in the form of a butterfly in the courtyard. Sitting barefoot on the wooden floor.It's already autumn, but I don't feel the change of heat and cold.Just like in this season, it is obviously impossible for butterflies to appear. Kuno knew that it was because time had stopped on him.In the days to come, even if they want to run with themselves again, they can only go straight through and rush into the distance.He lost his real sense of touch in this world, even though everything was moving forward with deafening sound, he stopped in place.

He looked towards the window where Shiki Mai was.Compared with the first time we met, she has grown from a ten-year-old child to fifteen.A gradual greenness began to slowly take shape.That is the brilliance possessed by a person with an infinite future.The time frozen on Kuno's body dissolved Shiki Mai into a bright shell. After eleven, twelve.After twelve, thirteen.After thirteen, fourteen.Fourteen years later, fifteen years old.After fifteen...they flow forward, irresistible. Kuno Natsuki is still eighteen years old.End here, irresistible. The train stopped at two small stops and continued on its way to Changquan.The rhythmic sound passed through the forest, and the road was slowly extended in the breathing of the machine.

Kuno had already fallen asleep after Equation Mai finished eating the bento.Shimai wanted to wash her hands, but because Kuno was sitting near the aisle, she blocked her way a bit.Shi Wu didn't want to wake him up, so she sat for a while and secretly rubbed against the tablecloth to wipe her hands.It was still very sticky, but she was determined to wait until Kuno woke up. In fact, there is no need to be so troublesome.In fact, there is no need to worry about it. No matter where Kuno sat, it made no difference.One can easily cross him.It's like walking through air.Through a patch of sunshine.Or through a burst of fragrance.In this regard, Kuno sometimes showed a very academic indifference and said to the busty girl who had just walked past her, "You have too much silicone pads".Fortunately, no one can hear his voice, nor see him.

And Hayama Shikimai is the youngest daughter of the Hayama clan of the psychic family, so she can do it. If others can see that Kuno is such a boy like Shiki Mai.The little person in their pupils, because of dozing off, nodded his head, and finally opened his eyes in a daze after falling down by a wide range. "Excuse me, I'm going to wash my hands." Shi Wu stood up. "Oh." Kuno thought of something, "When will I be there?" "The conductor said Changquan... well, there are four stops." Nagaizumi is Kuno's hometown. Although Shiki Mai first met Kuno in Tokyo.At that time, Shi Wu could already see all wandering ghosts, but she still couldn't tell them apart.It will be a matter of the next few years to be able to understand that this is an earth-bound spirit and that is a normal person.

That day Shiwu was taken by her parents to make friends.They came to the newly opened theme park, took photo stickers, and played on the slide car.Mr. Hayama did not let his daughter ride the relatively dangerous turntable.At noon, the family ate bento on the lawn, and Mr. Hayama drank some beer, and his mood gradually improved.He threw the camera to Shi Wu, urging her to "go for fun and take pictures of things you like". The girl grabbed the camera and ran within sight of her parents.It still can't be operated smoothly, but it hasn't weakened the little girl's high enthusiasm.She finished taking pictures of the kiosk selling ice cream, Mr. Mickey Mouse's big butt, and the uncle selling balloons, and finally pointed the camera at a bench by the roadside.Hold the fuselage and straighten the lens.

Kuno straightened his back suddenly. Then he laughed that he hadn't adapted yet, and his stiff body relaxed. How can ordinary people see themselves?The girl was just taking pictures of the yellow chair she was sitting on, so it couldn't be him.Uh, although I don't see anything worth capturing about this chair.But there is no need to question the child's aesthetics, right? But Shiwu grabbed the camera and took two steps closer to him. Kuno could almost clearly feel that he was looking at himself through the eyes of that small lens.Not passing through, not staying on the chair below and the green grass behind.It's looking at yourself.

There is a small frame that frames myself in the middle. The time that has been frozen on him flows instantly because of this shot.The wind whistled and rumbled in my ears.The excessive turbulence made it difficult to breathe. The boy bit his lip.Until he heard the girl holding the camera say: "Brother, can you smile?" After passing the Grass Patrol Station, the next stop is Changquan.The surrounding scenery shows considerable differences due to the continuous change of regions.There was an unfamiliar air of ease covering the surface.Shiki dance felt fresh, she leaned against the windowpane and looked out, while asking Kuno:

"Is that your hometown?" "Huh? Huh." That's it. Never came home. Perhaps for such a reason, Kuno even went into a trance after getting off the car.The part of the mind related to this place was obviously not ready, so that the body didn't know how to react.On the other hand, Shiwu happily grabbed her luggage and ran towards the exit, kicked a can on the way, and rolled away far away.A staff member on a platform picked up the sound source and threw it into the trash can while gesticulating, "This is not acceptable." Kuno stared blankly at the man for a while.

It seems to be, my former classmate. I can't remember the other person's name, and I still remember that that person has always been a quiet and introverted boy.Now, have you become a staff member at the train station?Wearing a very serious uniform, but his expression obviously became brighter.Do you still have the shadow of when you were sixteen or seventeen? Kuno felt that he was on a very strange path.On this road, he met the granddaughter of the proprietress of the tofu shop, who is now a high school girl wearing elephant trunk socks.Does it mean that no one except herself remembers the past when she always stuck her fingers in the tofu?He also met a senior who had fought before, a "master" who could crush a brick, and now he held his son on his neck and shouted "Watch Daddy fly".On the contrary, the old clerks at the post office just looked older, without any major changes. strange way.In a world where everything changes.The only thing that hasn't changed is yourself. "...Kuno's parents are still here?" "Huh? It's gone." Shi Wu showed a sad look, the boy understood another meaning in her question, and quickly explained the misunderstanding: "They just moved to another place." "Huh? Really?" He smiled obviously, "I'm still afraid..." "What are you afraid of?" "I'm afraid you will be sad or something." "If you're sad, you won't come." Shimai originally only understood Kuno's proposal as homesickness.In addition, Kuno added that Changquan has an excellent hot spring although it is not famous.If you wait for winter, there will be no trains at that time, so it is best to go in late autumn... This is a very convincing set of words, let Shiwu sneak away when the family is rushing to participate in the psychic competition Get out and get on the train. Having not left Tokyo for a long time, Shiki Mai is full of love for this town.So soon, they found a hotel where they were staying.It is the inn suggested by Kuno.Because its hot springs are the best.The girl excitedly hugged her things and was about to take a bath, and shook her finger at Kuno again: "Don't rush into the women's bathroom just because others can't see you." "Occasionally, I also want to see girls with undulating breasts. Correct the bias you have brought to women—" A slipper was thrown from the opposite side.Kuno sideways avoided.The sound of smashing on the window edge attracted Mama-san in the aisle. She looked towards Kuno in confusion, and asked Shiwu again: "Guest, what's the matter?" "Huh?... nothing, uh, there's a cockroach in there..." When girls go to the hot springs.Kuno walked around the hotel for a while.It is obviously a very old inn, but there is no creaking sound with every step you step on.There were two drunken men coming straight towards him, Kuno wanted to get away, and staggered with them slightly.Although he didn't feel it, he still frowned. It was very windy outside.But the lights of the hotel are all soft in the dense water vapor.He remembered the days when he came here to soak in the hot springs with his friends.At that time, he was a naughty boy like himself, but now all of them have become adults.Their world creates an unconnectable chasm from their own.If you want to touch your body, it will be as inextricable as snowflakes melting quickly. Kuno looked at the place where steam was constantly rising under the dark sky.You can vaguely hear the joyful voice of Shiwu chatting with people.She still accepted the explanation of "because of the hot spring" very simply, and was very happy and enjoying it. Kuno also hoped that it would be great if this trip was only for the purpose of "hot spring". A while ago, dance fans read comics and wanted to drag Kuno into the water, but because most of them were girls, this made it difficult for boys to follow. Only when he read a comic called "Shaman King" did he change his previous attitude and devote himself to it. stand up.On the contrary, Shi Wu didn't take this set of books seriously, and even said, "It doesn't reflect the real life of our psychics."Kuno didn't answer, he was thinking about something else. It seems that compared to those powerful ghosts who can use spells to resist thousands of armies, I can't do anything.He is so ordinary.If the ghost world is a picture scroll with all kinds of strange things, then Kuno is just an inconspicuous boy in the corner. "But you are prettier than those guys!" Shiki Mai is a little girl who grew up from a shoujo manga.Has a righteous sense of aesthetic justice. Kuno smiled and blew on her forehead: "Don't compare me with Bruce Lee's ghost." It's just that Kuno Natsuki's reason of "looking better than them" is not an argument that can be easily passed in the eyes of Shiki Mai's parents.No matter how you say it, the Yushan family is also a nobleman in the psychic world.Although Yushan Shiwu is bestowed by the two elder brothers, it does not have to shoulder the future of the family.But if she is only accompanied by a "high school student", it is always unconvincing.Fortunately, Mr. and Mrs. Hayama were too busy after all, and they didn't have time to find an opportunity to give a good lecture.Things are going in the direction of turning a blind eye. "Forget it. At least he's still a kind kid." His tone seemed unwilling to give up. "So, let me tell you, there's no problem." Shi Wu happily made a "V" sign. But Shiwu didn't know that there was a follow-up to the situation.When she and her mother went to visit the class teacher, Kuno was asked by the eldest son of the Hayama family to have a conversation.It's three o'clock in the afternoon.Kneeling and sitting on the wooden floor, there is a clear daylight zone between each other. "Although Father doesn't say anything anymore, I still want to ask you." Kuno looked at Shiki Mai's elder brother indifferently. "You must also know that Shiwu's second brother was seriously injured in the last psychic meeting." "……"Know.The unexpected defeat caused Yushan's family to jump around for half a month. "Shiki has the highest spiritual power in our generation. It's only because I'm a girl that..." "Just tell me what you want to say." Kuno looked back with a smile. "What I want to ask is, do you understand the difference between your own situation and Shiwu?" "I see." "Don't be stubborn." "..." "If you think you can do it and stay with her from now on. Whether she is 16, 26, or 36 years old, then I will say nothing like my father. Do you think you can?" "I……" "I seem to remember that you are from Changquan, right?" The majestic elder brother suddenly changed into a simple thinking expression. "Huh?...Yes, why?" "Have you never been back?" "……Ok……" "I suggest you go back and have a look. Think about my problem again." That was a conversation that happened last week.A few days later, Kuno asked Shiki Mai: "Do you want to go to Changquan with me?" On the way back to the hotel, Kuno met a ghost.Judging by his swordsman attire, it was obvious that he had wandered longer than himself.The two chatted for a while.In the end, Kuno couldn't help but asked, "Were you also from Changquan when you were alive?" The other party was taken aback for a moment, then laughed. "How is it possible! My hometown is far away, in the south." "Oh... have you ever gone back?" "I went back a long time ago, don't mention it. I escaped like I escaped." "why?" "...Because," the man put his hand on the sword and pressed it, "saw my mother..." There is no need to ask any more. When Shimu came back, her face was as hot as a big apple, a specialty of Aomori.He kept shouting, "It's really comfortable, but it seems a little dizzy."Kuno wanted to ask her "Has she been misunderstood as a man because of her figure", but she took it back. "Yeah ... I want to get an adult soon at this time. I can drink ... The hot springs are always discounted." The girl rubbed her eyes and rushed over. ever?" "I drank secretly." I could feel the heat in the air around Shiwu. "Scared! Why am I being bound by morality so hard today!" "You look more bullshit than if you didn't drink." "In three more years!" Shiwu clenched her fists, "When I am an adult! Come here to soak in the hot spring again! Drink!" Kuno stood up: "Okay. It's getting late." Three years later, Hayama Shikimai turned eighteen.What about Kuno Natsuki? In what time sag is he in? Kuno thought, it's nothing, he is not afraid of that brother who is always very strict and strict like the Four King Kong.So it is not difficult to say "I can" to him.For the future, there is no need to be forced to think too much. "I can." On the second day, Shimai followed Kuno to go shopping.I originally wanted to go to the high school I attended before, but I couldn't find my way because of the municipal construction of the town.Shi Wu spontaneously asked someone for directions, and happened to see a woman with a baby walking out of the store.The two talked for a while, Shiwu laughed in surprise, Kuno put a question mark in his heart, and then saw Shiwu walking in his direction behind the man, and yelled loudly to Kuno: "No It’s great to think of meeting people who graduated from there.” It turned out to be the case. But when Kuno turned his gaze to the smiling woman, he clenched his jaw for a moment. The three of them took a detour, and when they reached the high school building that was still basically intact, the young mother who called herself "Ryoko Yamaguchi" couldn't help showing nostalgic looks.She kindly explained to the style dance, "That's my former classroom", "Ah, that's the hall", "Girls often hide here and skip class", "The teacher's office is in the back, and now it seems to be changed to a music hall". classroom." Shiki Mai thought that this was the school Kuno had attended, and her mood softened.Walking slowly and following in the footsteps of this "Mom Yamaguchi".Sometimes Kuno behind him takes a look.He is completely, still the appearance of an ordinary boy in this school.His expression seemed a little sad in the orange-red light. So ordinary, like an ordinary boy. Finally parted in the sunset.Shiwu bowed many times to the kind mother.Seeing her figure gradually disappearing from sight, Shiwu turned her head and said: "Kuno's school has a great atmosphere." "What atmosphere?" "It is an atmosphere that makes people feel nostalgic as soon as they enter." "Don't speak like an old lady." "...Tch, I thought your high school was all about cultivating hateful guys with poisonous tongues. After meeting Mrs. Yamaguchi, I realized that's not the case at all." Kuno looked at the clouds on the hillside in the distance, moved his lips, but did not speak. ...she wasn't like this before. Her surname wasn't even Yamaguchi before.Before getting married and changing her surname, her name was Ryoko Fujita.She is the little leader among the girls.He behaves majesticly, and even fights with boys.Kuno Natsuki was selected by a boy to compete with her, but the girl accidentally sprained her foot.The unresolved fight turned into him carrying her home.On the way, he heard her confession at last. They were all sixteen years old at the time. But when this "time" passes, what kind of future does time bring to each other? Kuno suddenly felt the dark red sunlight rushing through his invisible blood vessels.They can easily filter out a pure emotion and stop themselves from moving.At that moment, he suddenly wondered whether it was because of his current situation that repressed despair could easily invade his soul, and happiness could not live because he could not find his body. ——If you decide that you can do the follow-up dance from now on.No matter she is 16, 26, or 36 years old, then I will say nothing like my father.Do you think you can. - Can you. Waiting left and right waiting for Shibushi to return to the room after soaking in the hot spring.Kuno was a little worried, found the downstairs, and when he passed the ping-pong room, he was attracted by the joyful voice inside.He looked in.Sure enough, Shiwu was playing ping-pong with people inside. She has always been a little one who loves physical activity.Although Kuno couldn't compete with her, the two elder brothers in the family were always busy and gradually gave up this hobby.But I still have to fight against people every chance I get.Not only ping pong, but also badminton and shuttlecock. There is an element of unwillingness to admit defeat in his personality. It looked like he was sweating profusely. The opponent was a boy who seemed to be the same age as Shiki Mai.Light-colored hair looks very sunny.Every move is decent.There is no distinction between Japanese and Japanese dances. I don't know if it's because the couple on the ping-pong tables is the youngest, gradually people started to stand around them.A middle-aged man stirred up the atmosphere and said, "That young man, don't lose to women."Shi Wu smashed it with a "hum".The crowd naturally boiled up. The Vietnam War became more and more intense.Perhaps it was because the girl's strength was gradually weakening, and she finally pulled out a powerful blow like a show of power.The strength and speed allowed the ping pong ball to fly high along the outside line and over the heads of the crowd. Kuno watched the small yellow ball flying towards the center of his eyebrows, and subconsciously raised his hand to catch it. The ball passed through the palm of the hand. Like passing through a gust of air, a sunbeam, or a scent, it passes through so easily. It bounced back until it hit the wall outside, and bounced on the ground several times. The onlookers whistled for the closing blow.Shiki and the boy smiled and said "thank you".She looked up and saw Kuno, and ran over in surprise.Due to the inconvenience of talking, Shiwu wiped his sweat and bid farewell to the uncle and aunt who went back to the room to rest.When the people were almost gone, Kuno was about to say "You are such a strong woman", when he heard someone shouting "Miss Hayama" from behind, he swallowed the words, and looked at the light-haired boy with Shiki Mai. "Ah, what's the matter?" "... I had a great day today. Thank you, Hayama-san, for your hard work..." "Ha, me too." Shi Wu patted him on the shoulder, "You are also very strong." "In school... there are those who participate in activity training." "Really, no wonder." The two were strangely silent for a while.Kuno couldn't help laughing at the side, and to avoid embarrassment, he left and went upstairs first.When stepping up the steps, I heard the boy muttering and asking: "...Miss Hayama is here for a tour, right? Are you leaving soon?" "He originally suggested that he should be a guide for me." "Are you the one with 'I'm a roadie' written all over your face?" "Cut." Shiwu climbed out of the window and sat on the tile edge with Kuno. "...I said, you are different from me, you are so massive... What if this place collapses?" Kuno supported his aching temple. "It's nothing, it's solid." The girl still came closer, but the slipper on her left foot tripped over a protruding brick, turned over a few times on the eaves, and then fell off. "look at you." "Hey, it's all right." "...Then, have you promised him?" "what?" "The one who will be the guide." "Of course not... Kuno, aren't you already a guide?" "Oh." "Kuno Natsuki is very competent! Very good!" "Your spoken English is already so bad?" The girl shook her bare foot and smiled at him. When Kuno didn't speak, he looked a little indifferent.But in Shiwu's heart, there is no rebellion against her parents at all, and she believes sincerely that the delicate and gentle Kuno is much better than her elder brother's fierce-faced spirit bearers who tie skeletons on strings around their waists. He's been like a big brother in previous years.Often outperforms himself in sarcasm.His hobby of telling jokes with a cold face is also very naughty.But every time the smile finally disappears slowly, it will turn into a warm scale, involving around the facial features, making him a very calm and gentle boy.Therefore, as time progressed and Shimai grew up slowly from the age of ten, the part of Kuno that made her feel like her "brother" began to change quietly. "It's really great to be able to come to Changquan." Shiwu suddenly said in a trance. The return train is in the evening.So there is still a whole day to relax.Kuno suggested a lot of places for Shiwu to go, and Shiki finally chose the hillside closest to the train station.Kuno said that you really picked the least distinctive place.Shiwu retorted resentfully, obviously you said that you used to catch beetles there when you were young. "But it's almost winter now, where's the beetle, the grass is withered too." "Just take a look." To Kuno's surprise, there were still people there, with tablecloths spread out, as if they were having dinner.Shi Wu showed the pride of "Look, don't think that everyone else is as boring as you".Smiling and beckoning to each other as they passed the dinner group.A man inside suddenly shouted "Little Ping-Pong girl!", making Shiwu and Kuno stop at the same time. "Ah, it's you." Shi Wu also recognized yesterday's spectators. He simply joined this gathering of adults.Even though Kuno knew that Shibu was a girl who could easily get along with others, he still couldn't help being surprised.He picked a place a few steps away and sat down.Golden yellow, with slightly depressed hillsides. You can hear the conversation over there one after another. First, they asked each other for their names.Then Kuno heard that this was a classmate reunion gathered here.However, why did the students choose such a place?Soon a male voice inside explained, "I used to come here all the time to catch beetles, and I skipped classes to sleep here, so I have a lot of affection for this place."Kuno raised his eyebrows and laughed: Probably every boy in Changquan has a similar past. The young voice of the style dance is very soft inside.Kuno heard what she said deliberately to himself, "My friend always brags that he is a first-class master in catching longhorns here."Instead, others made fun of him and asked "boyfriend".Until someone takes the topic seriously: "Little sister, you don't know that catching beetles is also very particular, you can't look down on it." "Yes, yes. Remember last time, someone caught more than a dozen longhorned beetles in one go, which shocked us all." Another interjected, "Haha, at that time, we were catching beetles, fighting, Who can dive the longest is a more important indicator than anything else." "That's right, that boy is really strong. He's good at fighting, and he's also good at swimming. Tsk tsk..." "But it's probably too flamboyant. Didn't he die in an accident later?" "Hey, don't blaspheme the dead. Ha." Someone reminded him with a smile, "But you have a really good memory." "Hehe, it happened more than ten years ago. I only remember these things. I have forgotten the rest." "What's the boy's name?" Shi Wu seemed to have noticed something. "I don't remember, it was all a long time ago." That's all.A long time ago. Kuno Natsuki felt that the ground beneath him cracked and cracked, countless seeds sprouted and pulled leaves, green madder rose wildly, and the air echoed with waves of wind.Ten, twenty, thirty, a hundred beetles flapped their wings and flew haughtily through the shade of the grass.Children's footsteps trod the rough path and slid down with cheers. His vision dimmed and blurred in the green of memories. Finally, I understood the purpose of Hayama's elder brother's suggestion.I have been away from Changquan for so long that I almost forgot the time when I was suspended, or even though I knew it, I couldn't appreciate the truth inside. until he returned to his hometown. Teenagers grow up, girls get married, and the children running on the hillside have changed generations. They have already passed the age of drinking.And he, Kuno Natsuki, stood still in place, slowly losing all appearance from people's memory. How can passengers who have already got off the station share the same journey with others on the train? After Shikimai and Kuno returned to Tokyo, Mr. and Mrs. Yushan were very annoyed by the exposure of the trip. On the contrary, Shikimai's elder brother came out to persuade them.Before Shiwu was stuffed into the bathroom by her mother, she complained with a full face of disappointment that "the bathhouse at home can't compare with the hot spring".Juno smiled in relief.He turned around and looked at the elder brother a few steps away.The other party looked serious, as if waiting for an answer. Kuno smiled and bowed, and walked behind him. Some coldness of early winter was blowing from the end of the corridor.Dispersed into the air. "Even if you're enthusiastic, it's a bit out of the ordinary to be open at this time of year." The flowers standing suddenly in the bleak courtyard shook their petals at the young man's doubts. "Because I know you are the incarnation of ghosts, but people outside must not accept such a phenomenon that violates the laws of nature? Well, what?" Kuno moved a little closer to the bright color, then raised his eyebrows and laughed, " Of course, I am not a person within the laws of nature." The flower swayed slightly as if in affirmation. "...And none of us are there." The boy repeated. It is the nature of flowers to bloom in spring and wither in winter. Going forward with time, being rotated day and night, this is the nature of all people. But they are neither. "Then..." Kuno Natsuki said quietly, "After I leave, please take care of her more." Two years long and six centimeters high. It is already possible to reach the third level of kitchen cabinets.It is only a little bit away from the highest fourth floor. If it was two years ago, snacks that caused tooth decay or nutritional imbalances would have been placed high on the back of bad-hearted parents.But right now, these counter-dancing tricks have been ineffective one by one.The altitude of the kitchen cabinet also lost its function of hindering the little girl, and a layer of dust accumulated in the empty space.Right now, it's just a measuring tool used to visualize time and growth. ——In the past two years, it has grown six centimeters in height and can reach the third partition. The girl stood on the floor wearing light-colored socks, looked up at a place she couldn't see on the fourth floor, and pouted. What's the rush, one day I can reach out. Now, Hayama Shikimai is seventeen years old.Become a high school student.Become a beautiful girl.He has become a powerful and strange psychic, and he is well-known in the whole circle. It is really unheard of for a psychic family like Yushan to have descendants without spirits.But Shiwu's idea is very self-contained: "Which high school girl would bring a big monster to class! Do you want to spread the bad luck of not being able to find a girlfriend to me?" So the elder brother who succeeded his father and became the head of the new generation stopped talking, and instead smiled and touched his naughty sister's forehead. How wonderful, she grew up along the road of happiness. The elder brother will not mention the key name.And the complete sentence should be, how wonderful, after Kuno Xiashu left, she grew up along the road of happiness. It sounds like a causal relationship. There are also all kinds of high school boys that Shiki has come into contact with—except for those ghosts who do not belong to this world, tall, short, thin, fat, good-looking, ugly, excellent, and rebellious, and those who strained their muscles in order to compete with her in ping-pong He wanted to tell a ghost story to scare her into his arms, but was scared away by Shiwu's ghost story. He stayed on the road and wanted to wait for her to go home, but the ghost around him reported to the girl in advance, resulting in a miscarriage of the battle.In short, the patterns are flourishing. There are also boys who feel resentful because of this, full of stinginess that would rather be broken than broken, and want to teach them a lesson.Of course, they didn't know the special identity of this girl, and it was only natural that they would be defeated by Shiwu's Xiao Lushen, crying and howling.The girl waved her hand and said goodbye to the ghosts who had been summoned to help, then skipped to the new clothing store. I will mention the above "daily miscellaneous notes" in order to show that "the days of the beautiful girl Hayama dance are full of freshness and vitality".Not an ad for vitamin drinks, that's all. It seems to be demonstrating his brother's point of view.She followed the road of happiness and walked all the way. It has been two years since Kuno left. In the past two years, only a little girl from a relative's family asked Shiwu "where is the big brother who has been with my sister?"There are dozens of people who have seen Kuno in the psychic world, but only one person mentioned him.It seems that for psychics, it is not really "good-looking" teenagers who can attract them, but those powerful shikigami or monsters are the objects of much attention. Few people will remember the ordinary boy who always stands in a corner, even if he smiles very handsomely, so what. As for the girl who was thinking about Kuno, Shimai rolled her eyes and told her, "He just happened to go out. He won't be back until tomorrow." He showed a "I see" expression to Convenience, and then replaced it with "This time It's a pity I didn't see it." Sad.Shiwu was a little surprised at first, "Why is an eleven-year-old girl so sad?!" But then she thought about it, when she first saw Kuno, she was only ten years old.And then until the age of fifteen.Then there was a gap of two years. ——"I'll be back tomorrow." Then, if you don't follow the clichés written in TV or novels, what will happen when Shimai sees Kuno again.The image whose edges had gradually melted into her memory began to sharpen in her sight until the corners of his silhouette became clear again—Kuno Natsuki should still maintain the original appearance, wearing his dark school uniform, picking He spoke with a smile that was not a smile, but his tone was very gentle.He might say "you've grown taller".As for Shiwu himself, naturally he must try his best to show the most mature texture, and say "a little bit" with the proud attitude of all high school girls.Finally, the two talked calmly: "You're finally back." "yes." If this is the case. Too bad there isn't even a photo of Kuno.There are no portraits either. The former is due to irresistible technical problems. "People" like Kuno can't make images on the film.The latter is due to irresistible ability problems. Yushan Shiwu's art score has never been higher than 40 points. Using "who told me to be a psychic" as an excuse, all the rabbits and cats in her works look like swimming ghost.Kuno Xiashu's refusal to be a model of the dance is not only because he is shy. Yes, although he is already a wandering soul, he doesn't want others to point to himself in the painting and say, "Wow, this thing is a human being." Is it a ghost?!" Therefore, people like Kuno did not leave any real traces of their existence.This is a small regret. In fact, a few years ago, Shikimai was keen on a certain game - Kuno put her hand on the paper, and she held the pen to trace the shape of her hand.If you touch Kuno even a little bit, it will be considered a failure and you have to start all over again. Therefore, when Mr. Yushan passed by his youngest daughter's room, he couldn't help but be startled by the stick figures scattered all over the floor.I thought it was a newly invented spell, but no matter how it looked, it was just a curved and undulating line.In this way, there have been many outline drawings of half or quarter hands in the family.Long fingers with protruding knuckles. This is completely a childish product of the little girl's game mentality, but the strange thing is that Kuno has not been very repulsive. It stands to reason that he should wave his hand and say "stop playing", but every time he let Shimai bring the pencil close to him The five fingers, the lines are extended, bent, folded back, and there is a smooth turn, which is where the fingers connect. He saw the true outline of a part of his own body. 扁扁地压在纸上。 这种感觉既奇怪又仓皇。 后来这些图画不知道被收拾去了哪里。式舞也发现着新的游戏，但是，虽然放风筝也很好玩，填字游戏也很好玩，久野还是只记得当时的“手绘”游戏。因为他在那个平面里，看见了可以和式舞直接接触的地方。 灰黑色的，弯曲的细长线条。 又奇怪。又仓皇。 前几天，班里从伊豆旅游回来的学生开始给大家看她拍摄的照片。 伊豆是以温泉著名的地方。天天都有许多游客兴冲冲地往那里赶。每个有特殊功用的温泉都被希望肌肤年轻、解除疲劳的人们所享受着。 旅馆里铺着非常高雅的暗色地板。 照片上的女生和亲人挤在镜头前，露出又快乐又兴奋的表情。是因为在温泉边拍摄的关系吧，画面看起来有点模模糊糊的。反而更像是艺术照了。 有羡慕的人声一直喊着“真想去一次啊”，式舞把手里分发到的照片递还回去。还在对旅行念念有词的女生接过照片时问了一句“羽山应该常去伊豆吧”。 “哎？我？只在很小的时候去过。” “伊豆的温泉真的很棒呢！” “也还好……” "Uh?" “啊？”式舞笑起来，“我的意思是，很不错。” “是啊是啊。”女生又得到了舆论的支持，非常开心。 其实，也只是还好的程度。 长泉有比伊豆更美丽更舒心的温泉，只是还没有被人发现。知道这些的，只有那个小镇上的居民，虽然过于理想主义，可不得不说他们的日子是很幸福的。那里没有慕名而来的客人，有没有装潢豪华的宾馆，长泉的客栈虽然干净却总是老旧些，屋檐上会有东翘西凸的瓦片把人的拖鞋勾绊掉，也许从此要腐朽在院子的角落里。 夏天和冬天分别消耗在捉天牛和泡温泉上，然后一代一代的人，就这样成长起来。 久野夏树也应该是这样。 这样一个人，又是因为什么离开了。 长泉这个小镇，它的温泉，它的客栈，它的弯曲小道，它的暮色校园，它的在冬天取消的火车……对于式舞来说，那是又惬意又温暖，又着柔软边角的东西。但我们只能说那时她还太小，完全体会不到久野的感受。美好的东西，在久野的世界里是缓慢行进的刀，嘶嘶地把原本就微弱的连线切断了。 十五岁的时候还不明白。 班里的女生还没有从“伊豆热”里退出来，放学路上还在计划着该怎样实现这一目标。式舞很想把长泉推荐给她们，可动了个小心眼，还是决定留给自己好。听她们聊得开心，一直到拐角处才分别。 家在城郊，走了几分钟后，周围变得偏僻起来，式舞感觉到一点状况。 她的灵力颇强，很快就发现跟在身后的东西已经流露出凶机。这么判断下来，来者不善。为什么会盯上她，式舞不知道，如果除去“尾行”之类的成人理由，那就是对于恶灵来说，一个没有持有灵的通灵师，多多少少就像是软柿子一样，是很容易先被挑出来捏压一把的。 这不是常常会出现的情况。可一旦出现，还是要较量。 念咒，除灵，施法。按步就班地来。可看起来不是个强敌的对方，却在变形后一下子拥有了强大的攻击力。式舞的蓝色灵光被压迫到一角。她还没来得及追补咒语，抬头就看见面前亮出的巨齿，浓烈的鼻息已经吹到脸上。 心脏像要被恐惧震碎般不顾一切地跳动着。 因此，如果不是有人在这个时候帮了她一把的话，真的发生什么危险也不是没可能的。 赶来的男生有和式舞相当的灵力，但更擅长近身战，加上有式舞作支援，终于把不速之客收拾走了。两人都松了口气。 这个“救命恩人”式舞也认识，记得是和羽山并称名门的通灵世家的少爷，在邻校读书的样子。 他扶着式舞站起来。轻轻一架，就接过了她的大半重量。 但女生还是腿软，走一会又坐了下去。即便很没种，可恐惧是比喜悦更难以掩饰的东西，它们会反应在身体的每个关节，让无数微弱的利针扎在心脏最软弱的地方，而跟着的，许多深处的心理也跟着被曝光出来。 男生感觉到了式舞的颤抖，体贴地脱下外套盖在她身上，又轻声地说：“没事的，已经没事了，不要害怕。” Do not be afraid. 很适时机的安慰，配合着衣料的温度，一下子就让式舞抓着外套“呜”地哭起来。头埋在衣服里，啜泣一阵比一阵强烈。 这个状况显然强烈刺激到了男生的呵护之心，他险些壮大了胆子想把女孩揽抱起来，却在接近时听见对方呜咽里的单词，一个个地，好象要凑成什么句子： “可恶可恶可恶啊……” 男生一楞。（是在说那恶灵吗。） “别让我见到你！……” （那大概，就是了吧。） “……我又不需要你来保护……” 男生的脸一下子垮了下去。（难道自己多管闲事了吗？） “……又不需要你帮忙……” （真、真的多管闲事了？冤啊……） “可恶、可恶啊……” （到底哪里做错了，拜托谁来指点一下无辜的自己吧。） “久野夏树你这个混蛋！……什么都不需要你做……你为什么要走呢。” （啊？……啊？） “……混蛋久野夏树……你不知道我快怕死了……” （啊？……啊？……啊？） “……混蛋……别让我见到你啊混蛋……” 可怜的男生满脑弄不明的情况，支支吾吾地说：“那个，可是，羽山小姐，我，我姓秋井，不，不姓久野啊……” 原来在非常非常害怕的时候，被明明白白看穿内心的无助恐惧和怯懦的时候，会清晰地感觉到，有多么需要他。 即便他普通得无法在危机中保护自己。 即便他平凡得什么忙也帮不到。 但是，男生带有热度的外套，覆在自己肩上的手，以及所有可以感觉到温暖和实体的东西，都让独自落单在害怕中的式舞想起一个人。 只想一个人。 式舞知道，无论怎么把一切消化得平平静静，等她再见到久野的时候，绝对做不到若无其事心平气和地说“你终于回来了”。她只会毫无气质地大哭，抓着他的衣领涕泪横流，像个无聊言情剧中的女主角那样不成体统。 Do not be afraid. 不要害怕了式舞。 不是害怕，是在害怕里体会到的其他感觉，他们被这种害怕点燃爆发，突然轰炸，隆隆作响地滚动在心里。 久野在式舞很小的时候还会帮她趋赶那些不太和善的幽魂。当然够得上恶灵级别的，他绝对对付不了，可他会从被幽魂们围观的人群里把式舞带出来，喊着她的名字“该回家了”，像个普通的哥哥那样冷静而可靠。他还会在式舞睡觉前和她说话，一些有来历没来历的故事，好听的不好听的，把式舞送进梦里去。 她在他停止的时间里长大。 有一年冬天，罕见地下了大雪，比起天气学家们对这异常气候的紧张，式舞第一次看见那么大的雪花，只会非常激动地跑去郊野。久野跟着。一红一黑两个小点走在白色的绒毯上，除了有些冷外，更多的是欢欣鼓舞的幸福感。 女生捏着雪球往久野砸过去。虽然即便是站着不动也不会有伤害——雪球一定会穿越过他的身体，但久野还是配合地变换着动作避让起来，更何况比起身高超过178厘米，发育健全的长腿男生而言，还停留在小丫头体质的羽山式舞几乎没有击中他的机会。 两个人玩得很开心。 一直女孩累到气喘吁吁地躺倒在雪地里。久野站在旁边看式舞。像个被嵌进白奶油的糖娃娃——红着脸，呵出的每一口，都是柔软的白色雾气。 男生蹲了下来： “这样会感冒的，起来吧。” 式舞不肯动，虽然冷，可快乐是窜流在全身的发烫的血液：“就一会。” “真是小孩子。” “久野啊。” "what?" 女生笑着：“从我这样看上去，好象雪花是从你身上掉下来的一样。” “嗯？……哦。” 后来，几年后的梦里，式舞还是会梦见这样的场景。躺在雪地里，雪却没有渗人的冰冷，而是单单纯纯软白的样子。她望向天空，雪花从某个地方，惟一的地方不断地撒落下来。然后从那个地方、那个人，朝她伸出手去。 梦得太真实的缘故，差点要分不清这个场景究竟是真还是假。但如果仔细搜索记忆，确实在当时，久野夏树伸出手，非常轻非常轻地触碰了她的脸。 有雪花同时掉在脸上。 一瞬融化的冰凉。 羽山式舞想，啊，被久野碰到，原来就像是这样，好象雪花落在脸上的感觉。 根本不用去分到底是不是雪花。 它们一样。 今年冬天依然没有雪。家人建议着北上渡假，挑选的地方是伊豆。听说去伊豆或许有直达的新干线，总之不用坐着旧式的火车往山间茫茫地展转。二哥找到式舞告之这一消息时，有些诧异妹妹反而一脸失落。 “干什么，不想去么？” "No." “那怎么？” “我想坐那种老式火车……” “电影看多了吧，有先进的技术不享受，倒退思维。” "cut." 旅行的计划没有因为受到“倒退思维的妹妹”影响，还在稳稳当当地进行。出发的前一天，式舞收拾自己的行李，把相机、换洗衣物、口袋书、护肤品、游戏机逐一打点好之后，想起似乎还应该带些浴帽。 记得是被放在厨房的架子上。 下面三层都看得到，没有发现目标。那或许，就是在第四层上了。 式舞想去搬凳子，又嫌麻烦，踮着脚就伸手去摸。 也许还是差一点点的关系，姿势吃力。最后，以至于平衡没掌握好，她脚下一歪，下意识地抓住隔板，结果把它抽落了，一起掉下来。 灰尘扑满在空气里，呛出了两个喷嚏。加上磕着的手肘和屁股，女生忍不住叫起疼。因而过了几分钟，式舞才看清随着隔板被抽开，一起掉在地上的是些什么东西。那些除了袋装浴帽，被遗忘了的调味料罐头外，还有三四张泛黄的简笔画。蹭挤在身边的一小方空间。 上面是，羽山式舞在近百张游戏作品中，唯数不多成功的，画全了一整个手掌的成品。 线条延长、回转、在手指与手指连接的地方柔和转动……最后完成的，久野夏树的手印。 已经褪却模糊的灰黑色线条，但还能看清五指形状。 石磨擦过的这个地方，纤细的铅笔线，是久野夏树存在的痕迹。 他把它们藏在这里。 羽山先生和羽山太太、羽山家的次子——长子还需操持家业，得过两天才能赶去伊豆与大部队汇合——以及羽山式舞和两名家佣一起聚集在车站。前面的电子屏不断地播放着班次的信息，熙熙攘攘的人流来身边交错来回。在这里，是可以好好体会一下什么叫作“繁华城市的脉动”的机会。式舞翻来覆去看着手里的车票，他们的车次将在十分钟后出发。 两为家佣已经开始搬行李上车，父母和哥哥也前后进入了车厢。式舞在站台上喊住他们： “爸爸、妈妈……” “诶？”羽山先生回过头来，和太太一起注视着阳光下自己的小女儿。 “有件事，我一直很想做……” “什么？”做母亲的有些奇怪，“先上来再说啊。” “不了，其实我一直想，试试看像那些电影里的女主角一样，提着婚纱逃跑哈。” “乱说什么啊。”做父亲的先皱起了眉，“快上来，别闹了。” “是真的！”式舞回头看了看电子屏，“就像，我现在要去坐另一辆车了。祝你们玩得愉快！” 她赶在两老没有明白过来的时候，穿过人群，快速地跑向了另一边的站台。撑着扶手跳过栏杆，翻过两条矮墙。在招惹来的一路抱怨声中，拼命地奔跑着。背上的小包随节奏拍打在身上。 一二三四，一二三四。 先坐车去中转站，然后在那里换乘开往长泉的火车。 时间回到两年前。其实久野不是招呼也没有就离开的。似乎这样做更明智彻底些，也符合一贯此类命运中男主角的作风。可久野没有。等式舞洗完澡走出来，久野靠着檐柱坐在角落。式舞也老样子地挨在他身边。男生侧过头看着她： “你每次洗澡，都像蒸馒头一样……” “洗澡嘛……”式舞伸了个惬意的懒腰，“果然家里的澡堂跟温泉就是没法比啊。” “这是废话。” “以后住到长泉去算了。” “不定时的异想天开又发作了？” “不是乱说，是真的，长泉很棒，也许等我长大了，会去那里定居吧。” “那里是永远买不到你最喜欢的电子游戏的小镇，也没有新款的服装，甚至连甜麦圈的连锁店也没有哦，”久野一一分析着利害，叫他好气又好笑的却是，女生真的流露出了艰难抉择的表情，“……所以说，你还是个孩子嘛。” “你也没大到哪里去吧。” “总比你大三岁。” “哼，前年大五岁，去年大四岁，今年不就大三岁了吗？等到我哪里天追上你，久野夏树，你就有得瞧了。” “哪天呢。”男生突然问。 “呃？”式舞转了转眼睛，“也不就是三年以后嘛。” “……三年……”久野漠漠地看着不知哪个角落，“三年以后呢？” “那我就大你一岁了呀哈哈！”式舞很兴奋地摆出“叫我大姐头”的神色。 “你这个小傻瓜……” “照你现在这矮个头啊，即便真的大我一岁，还是小萝卜丁吧。”久野丢掉原来的话题。 "nonsense!" “现在还只能摸到厨房架第一层不是么。偷最上面的零食还得搬凳子。”男生摆出穷追猛打的势头。 “……谁让你不帮我。” “我可没义务对你牙里的蛀虫过度示好。不过……”久野看着式舞的眼睛，“等你可以够到最上面那一层的时候，也许就真的表示你已经十八岁了吧。” “肯定啊，看我每天吃多少！长个儿，还不简单。” “那你十八岁的时候，记得试一试。” "OK!" “……不要忘记啊。” "I know I know." 不用三年，不用到十八岁。现在就可以了。 他想把选择权交给十八岁的她。这个看似成熟勇敢冷静而智慧的人，还是很轻易地在无法考察的未来面前选择了回避。而将重启的开关交给了她。 下了转乘线，走到偏僻的小站就可以购票去长泉。先坐火车，接着再步行一段。 买票的时候，窗口里的欧巴桑用很振奋的口吻告诉她“小姑娘，你买到的是今年去长泉的最后一班列车哦。” 对了，长泉是个小地方，于是在冬季，会被取消所有开往那里的车次。 式舞摇了摇手里的票，露出“托你的福”的笑容，走进检票口。 两年前那位老站长不见了。取代他的是清瘦的中年男子。但酷爱捣蛋的野鬼却依旧不变。新站长也没有之前的好脾气，冲着好象永远打理不整齐的落叶堆一个劲的生闷气。式舞不敢在这个时候与他说话，没想到对方却在火车进站时回头对式舞说了一句“一个人旅行吗，注意安全啊。” 有什么改变的东西里，还有什么是不曾改变的。 去往长泉的列车依然那么空荡荡。只是凳子似乎又陈旧了一些，皮套摩得发亮，边缘破开又露出些海棉的填塞。 只是两年而已。 两年前，他们还坐着同一辆列车，男生的头因为瞌睡可爱地一点一点，等他醒来睁开眼睛则是清亮一片。那时候她是小而单纯的笨蛋，无法去体会旅行里会产生怎样的意义。久野夏树什么也不说，他挑着眉毛笑她天真，不发一语看她上窜下跳，一直到最后建议说“那你十八岁的时候，试一试”。 这个傻瓜，根本不用等到十八岁。 羽山式舞现在就可以回答久野夏树，哪怕再前一年，十六岁时也可以： “什么十六、十七、十八的？我希望你能永远陪伴着我！” 还有大哥这一关？大哥是笨蛋。只要告诉他，“正因为以后会相差得越来越远，所以现在才更要在一起”。 一定要在一起。 想和他在一起。 前方的天空不知什么时候下了雪。火车转弯时能看见铅灰色的云压在车头上。火车好象钻进雪里。然后沿着铁轨推进，直到窗外飞扬起白色的雪片。外面的世界慢慢融成白茫茫的一片。无边无际地伸展。 给人的错觉是，天和地中间，只有这列火车，要载着她，去他那里。 只是偏偏不巧，在临近长泉的时候，由于大雪导致车头脱轨，整列车不得不停下来。温柔而充满歉意的声音在喇叭里广播个不停：“请乘客们耐心等候，不久我们就将重新出发”。车厢里没什么人，也就听不到抱怨声。 反正，马上就要抵达了。 式舞把带着简笔画的纸张摊在列车的小桌板上。看来看去，满心都是“久野的手指很长”的惊叹号，又不自量力地拿自己的手去比试，很快就在“又短！又圆！”里败下阵来，心里跟着忿忿。 其实一直都没能和久野有过接触。没有办法的事。 所以像这样，他的手终于被具象到一根长长的线上，在那么小的范围里，好象彼此贴近在一起，好象真的可以触碰到。 女生站起来走到这节车厢的尽头，车门不知怎么开着。也许是列车员疏忽，总之式舞左右张望了一下，走了出去。 外面的雪很大。 充斥在空气的每个角落。 好像要把自己完全掩埋一样。 冰凉的触点，遍布在脸上。须臾消逝，却又在不断地重复中，变成了一种固定的感觉。反复着唯一的情绪，在视野里无尽的白皙中肆无忌惮地膨胀着。沿着一条铅灰的线条，渐渐变化扭曲，直到充盈成世界里寂静而铺天的呐喊—— 以前就认为，雪融化在脸上的感觉，像是被久野触碰到。 现在它们沾染了眼睛、睫毛、脸、鼻尖、嘴角、头发和肩。 像要把自己整个地拥抱覆盖掉。 他伸出手。像要把自己整个地拥抱覆盖掉。 火车到达长泉。镇子在雪制的外壳下像个软毛的小生物，懒懒地蛰伏着一动不动。即便到了总站，下车的人也不多。最后一班列车，拉了个长长的笛声后就结束了又一年的奔驰。 式舞行李简单，一蹦一跳地就出了站。 四周的路都不陌生。在那头的小店拐弯再朝南走，应该就是当初投宿的客栈。风急雪大的缘故，一段路走得有点辛苦，耳朵冻红了就最明显，而相对突出的鼻子也没能幸免。于是式舞几乎是一头扎进店门里。 里面热气腾腾。 “……好狼狈哪。”柜台里传来了声音。 “啊啊，是啊。”式舞喊着，“老板！快给我一间单人房！哦，再来一瓶清酒！” “你还没满十八岁吧。” 女生抬起头。 “不要冒充店长先生好不好。” 久野夏树弯起嘴角，边说边往外走：“我可没说自己是店长。” “这样到处乱跑，吓坏别人怎么办