Tokyo, 1991: Starting as a bank clerk

Chapter 196 The Convergence of Clues [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

March of Showa 61 (1942).

Lin Kong City.

With Takashi.

This clue finally connected the East Central Association, the Miyazawa Group, the Rinko City plot, Kouyu Tianyan, and the man who casually threw out ten million yen in the underground meeting room.

Seiichi Takatsukasa.

In 1986, he was in his early forties, in the prime of his life. Wearing a light gray suit, he stood on the site of the under-construction Rinko City, with Miyazawa Hara by his side.

At that time, the location of Kansai International Airport had just been officially announced, and land prices in the airport area were still in their early stages.

The planning for the Dongzheng Association had already begun at that time.

"Kiryu-kun?"

Keiko Miyazawa's voice pulled him back from his thoughts.

"This person, your uncle has never mentioned him?"

Keiko Miyazawa shook her head, her gaze falling on the unfamiliar face, her brows furrowing slightly.

No, I've never even seen this photo.

Kiryu Yaya nodded and put the photo into the envelope.

"I'm taking all of these things with me."

Keiko Miyazawa nodded gently without hesitation.

"My uncle said in his letter that he wanted me to give these to you."

Kiryu Yaya didn't tell Miyazawa Keiko much.

For her, there are some things that are better left unknown than known.

Kiryu Yaya put the envelope and notebook into his briefcase, put the tape recorder and cassette tape into a separate paper bag, and then stood up.

"Let's go, your mother is still waiting for you."

Keiko Miyazawa nodded and stood up with him.

As the two left the study, Miyazawa Keiko turned back and took one last look at the room.

Desk, bookcase, safe, pine branches outside the window.

Everything remains the same.

But the master will never come back.

She gently closed the door and turned to follow Kiryu Yaya's steps.

On the way back to Nishimiya from Ashiya, Kiryu Yaya rode his motorcycle with Miyazawa Keiko sitting on the back, her arms wrapped around his waist.

The wind blew in from the sea, carrying a salty, damp scent.

Keiko Miyazawa sat in the back seat, watching the hedges and stone walls on both sides of the road recede into the distance, and suddenly said softly, "This morning, I have to go to the funeral home."

Kiryu Yaya didn't turn around, but simply hummed in agreement, signaling her to continue.

"My uncle's body was moved to the funeral home last night. Today we need to confirm the dates for the overnight farewell ceremony and the farewell ceremony with the monks."

Her voice was somewhat scattered by the wind.

Kiryu Yaya knew what she was talking about.

The core of Japanese funeral rites is Buddhist ritual.

After a person passes away, a "night vigil" is usually held within two days, where relatives and friends gather and monks chant sutras.

The "farewell ceremony" was held the day after the all-nighter.

The body was cremated after the farewell ceremony, and the ashes were collected by the family and placed in an urn, which was temporarily stored at home for forty-nine days, during which time a religious ceremony was held every seven days.

The ashes will be formally interred after the forty-nine-day period ends.

Miyazawa Hara passed away on Saturday night.

If all goes well, the funeral service will be held tonight at the earliest, and the farewell ceremony will be tomorrow.

Keiko Miyazawa continued, "This morning, Mom said that Auntie wants things done as soon as possible."

"My aunt cried all night at the hospital last night. When she came back this morning, her eyes were so swollen that she could barely open them. She wanted to get things done as soon as possible and didn't want to drag it out for too long."

Kiryu Yaya nodded without commenting.

"But Mr. Uesugi said that Miyazawahara's identity is special, and that people from the group, the bank, and the senior figures in the Kansai financial world should all be notified."

Keiko Miyazawa lowered her voice: "If the funeral is held too hastily, people will be picky about the gifts."

Kiryu Yaya knew what she meant by "tiao li".

In Japan, funerals are not only a matter of mourning, but also a social occasion.

The identities of the attendees, the order of the condolences, the amount of incense offered, and the wording of the condolence messages—everything has its unwritten rules.

Although Miyazawa Hara has been relieved of his executive duties, he is still a member of the Miyazawa family and the second son of the previous head of the Miyazawa Group.

His funeral represented the face of the Miyazawa family.

If the event is held in a shabby manner, it will be a loss of face for the Miyazawa family.

"So Mr. Uesugi said that at least those people should be given time to adjust their schedules."

Keiko Miyazawa sighed, "The earliest we can hold an all-nighter is tomorrow night, and the funeral will have to be scheduled for the day after tomorrow."

Kiryu Yaya glanced at her in the rearview mirror.

Her face was very pale, and the dark circles under her eyes were particularly noticeable in the morning light.

She barely slept last night and got up very early this morning to finalize the details of the funeral.

Contact the funeral home, confirm the monks, notify relatives and friends, arrange condolence messages, and prepare incense offerings and return gifts.

Because Miyazawa Hara had no children, and Miyazawa Keiko was the only heir of the Miyazawa family.

Therefore, all these tedious tasks fell on her shoulders.

She was only twenty-three years old.

Just a few months ago, she was a female college student with a happy family, studying at university.

Now, she has to face not only the death of her father and uncle, but also the future of the entire Miyazawa Group, and the invisible yet ubiquitous network of the Dongzheng Association.

"Thanks for your hard work."

Kiryu Yaya only said one sentence.

Keiko Miyazawa shook her head without replying, but tightened her grip on his arm.

A dozen minutes later.

The motorcycle slowly came to a stop on the slope of Kurenaiku Shibancho.

Keiko Miyazawa got out of the back seat, stood in front of the wrought iron gate, and reached out to tidy her hair, which had been ruffled by the wind.

"If there's anything I can help with regarding the funeral, just let me know."

Kiryu Yaya took off his helmet, hung it on the handlebars, and turned to look at her.

Keiko Miyazawa shook her head, her lips curving into a weak smile.

"I've already troubled you too much."

"It's too formal to say something like that."

Keiko Miyazawa paused for a moment, then nodded slightly.

"Then I'll go in first."

"it is good."

Keiko Miyazawa turned around, pushed open the iron gate, took two steps, then stopped and looked back.

"Kiryu-kun."

"Um?

""

"Can you come to the all-nighter tomorrow night?"

Her voice was very soft, so soft that it sounded like she was afraid of being rejected.

Kiryu Yaya looked at her, paused for a second, and then nodded.

"What time is it?"

"Starting at six o'clock, at the funeral home in Nishinomiya City."

"Okay, I'll be there."

Keiko Miyazawa's shoulders relaxed slightly, as if she had let go of something that had been hanging over her.

She didn't say anything more, turned around, crossed the courtyard, and disappeared behind the entrance door.

Kiryu Yaya stood there, watching the door close, then got back on his motorcycle and started the engine.

The motorcycle made its familiar sputtering sound as it drove down the slope along the same route it had come from.

It was 9:30 a.m. when I got back to my apartment in Ezaka.

Kiryu Yaya pushed open the door to the second and third rooms, placed his briefcase on the table, and took out the items inside one by one.

Kraft paper envelopes, blue notebooks, tape recorder, cassette tapes, and photographs.

Five things are laid out on the table.

Then Kiryu Yaya sat down.

He had already seen through the game.

just now.

It was his turn to make a move.