Shiga Prefecture was located at an important junction between the coastal prefectures of the Island nation and the neighboring regions. Therefore, the area surrounding the eastern side of Lake Biwa had a well-developed transportation network.
When one was not in a hurry, one could take the train or bus from Yonehara City to enjoy the scenery of Lake Biwa. It was the most convenient and economical way to get to Otsu.
"Ticket vending machine. Found it."
San Qianko stood in front of the ticket vending machine and operated it clumsily. It was her first time using such an instrument.
"Station, route, and money. Ah, it's a little expensive, but it's okay. I have enough money." San Qianko inserted her pocket money into the coin slot.
The price of the Island nation's routes was not uniform. Depending on the operating company, the routes varied from cheap to expensive.
The sky was just beginning to brighten. It was the first time San Qianko left the school route and ran to the station alone. After getting the ticket, she immediately sat on the bench.
Fear, fear, all kinds of news of children being killed made small places seem unsafe.
The train arrived at the station at 5: 15 in the morning. She still had to wait a little longer.
She looked down at the red children's shoes on her feet. There was a mixture of worry, excitement, and fear in her heart.
Was it a good idea to run out in one go? Also, she spoke to Sister Angel in such a manner. If Sister Angel really ran away because of her, how was she going to explain Saiko's complaints in the future?
Just as San Qianko was lost in her thoughts, an old guard with a cap walked over. He had been observing for a few minutes. The child was sitting alone on the bench.
"Little girl, are you riding the train alone?"
Shocked, San Qianko almost fell to the ground. She shook her head with all her might. "No, no, I'm with my mother. She just went to the toilet. She'll be back soon."
"Is that so? With an adult?"
"Yes!"
Clang! Clang!
At the end of the sleeper, the train with its headlights on roared, smashing through the gray sky.
In the eyes of many people, trains were an object full of images. There were train fans all over the world. Thanks to Lake Biwa, the trains traveling along the shore of Lake Biwa were famous objects in the photographer's camera.
Avoiding the sight of the railway staff, Sanqian boarded the train immediately after the ticket was checked.
Due to the harsh climate along the coast of the Island nation, there were not many people. Therefore, the passenger capacity of the railway on this line was not high. Moreover, it was early in the morning, so the seats around San Qianzi were empty.
Someone was snoring in the carriage, and someone had just woken up. There was also a faint aroma of food.
Mi Yuanang's breakfast was too disgusting. When he reached Dajin City, he didn't even know if he had enough pocket money to buy a meal.
Dajin City should be considered a big city.
"Huff! Huff!"
Feeling the power of the train moving forward and looking at the Pipa Lake that suddenly appeared and then slowly receded outside the window, Sanqianzi's eyes reflected the light of the water and the sky.
…
Dajin City.
The city where the camp was located was slightly more imposing. Although it was still dominated by low-rise houses, there were also a few tall buildings.
However, the thoughts of some people in Dongjing were reasonable. Apart from Dongjing, the rest of the Island nation was a village!
The monks in the temple were sweeping the rubbish on the streets with brooms. As clergymen, apart from acting as psychologists, their only other role was to clean up the streets.
The residents of the temple were buried in the cemetery. It was not an ancient temple, so there were not many people who came to buy the property after death.
Seeing the tall Tamaki walk to the entrance of the courtyard, the monk lowered his head and said warmly, "Hello."
The monk smiled the same no matter who entered the cemetery. Such a smile made the people who came to pay their respects feel that the monk still recognized them. Their sorrowful days were brightened because of this smile.
So I am also a person of some importance. Even the monks in the temple still remember me.
The nuanced rituals of religious service.
"Yes."
Tamaki only held a white flower in his hand. There was no one else beside him. That was all. It was simple to the bone.
"Eight rows in, turn left, the fifth one. Yes, this is it."
A small tombstone appeared in front of Tamaki. Compared to the imposing tombstones that were half the height of a person, this tombstone could only be said to be a dwarf.
It was just like the person under the tombstone when he was alive.
[Tamaki Yuma]
The inscription on the tombstone was also very simple. It was as if the inscription was afraid that others would find out about his past from the tiny traces. The inscription was written in the most standard font.
There was not even a black and white photo on the tombstone, let alone a brief introduction or epitaph.
"Mom, that's all. I wish you all the best in heaven."
"Brother, let's go."
"Yes, yes."
A pair of people in their thirties or forties, who looked like siblings, placed a bouquet of flowers in front of the tombstone and immediately stood up to leave.
When Tamaki came in, the two of them seemed to have just squatted down. When he walked to the tombstone, the two of them had already finished their work.
Everyone had their own happiness and sorrow. Tamaki was very open-minded.
He did not know if anyone would come to his grave to express their gratitude after he died.
"Swoosh."
After placing the flowers used for worship in front of the tombstone, Director Tamaki put his palms together and closed his eyes in deep thought.
After the siblings left, the cemetery was so quiet that for a time, the sound of the monk sweeping the floor could be heard.
"Two flowers."
The monk's cleaning skills were rusty. White flowers grew beside the tombstone. Including the one he placed on the tombstone, there were two flowers in one go.
However, compared to the colorful flowers in front of the other tombstones, it was still a far cry.
"Not bad. Two flowers."
Tamaki took out his phone to look at the time. Cai Zi should still be sleeping. Even if he had the recommendation letter and wanted to undergo surgery, he had to listen to the arrangements.
"Time flies, but it also passes very slowly. Not long after you left, the stalker Mi Yuan returned to the orphanage with a head full of bruises."
"He's not suitable to make a living in society. Oh, right, I told you about this three years ago."
"Then, let's change it to something you don't know …"
"Yuma, the little girl back then is now seven years old."
"Primary school student, first grade."
"She's grown up safely, but the injury on her leg is still there."
"You didn't expect this, did you? You purposely hid from Mi Yuan to Dajin City, but some things still can't be avoided. Today, I brought her to see the doctor, and I also came to visit you."
"If at that time …"
Tamaki half-squatted on the ground. Just as he was about to touch the tombstone, the phone in his pocket rang.
It was an unknown number, but it was a local call from Shiga Prefecture.
Adoptive family?
Foster child?
"Hello?
Hello, I'm Tamaki … "
"Director Tamaki, did Sansan go to your place?"
It was a woman's voice. After losing his spouse and semi-quitting, Director Tamaki entered a semi-isolated state with women.
The young voice should be Takahashi. How did this angel get the phone?
No, the problem was Sansan?
"Sansan?"
"She went to Dajin City to look for Cai Zi."