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墨書 Inktalez
The wind after the snow seeped into the bones, like a supervisor's whip urging the crowd of workers to hurry along. The streets were filled with the sounds of hurried breaths, mixed with the rush of passing cars, honking horns, and the whistles of trams. It seemed that the warm winter snow had already begun to melt in the city, revealing the initial state of the roads. But if this snow was deeply embedded in one's heart, could it really be slowly dissolved by a sunny day after the snow?
This question had no answer for Nishijo.
Sunlight spilled into Nishijo's yard, filtering through the balcony into Sakuma's sleeping room. It seemed that part of the darkness inside had been chased away, allowing a clear view of the room. From where the sunlight fell, a few steps away stood a mahogany cabinet, on top of which rested a group photo: Wen Liang smiling as he embraced Sakuma.
A line of small text recorded the date of this photograph. However, countless days and nights had passed, and it seemed that someone had gently moved this picture, replacing it with a black-and-white photo of Wen Liang's last days.
The light stopped three steps to the right of Sakuma's bedding, perfectly positioned above the cabinet, making that memorial photo particularly striking.
Two years ago, Wen Liang and Sakuma were both corporate drones from Inada Company. By chance, they were assigned to go on a business trip together to negotiate with clients at the dome.
"I'm sorry I'm late."
Sakuma rushed in, not even bothering to straighten his crooked tie as he stumbled toward Wen Liang, his face filled with panic. However, upon turning around, this female colleague fell silent for half a minute without speaking.
This person... why does she look so familiar?
Wen Liang thought he was momentarily disoriented. The perfectly styled bangs, the identical face, and those sharp eyebrows—how could his long-buried memories play such a trick on him after all these years?
"My name is Sakuma Fumio. Nice to meet you."
Sakuma assumed that her counterpart was still unfamiliar with her and immediately introduced herself, nervously rubbing her hands over her trousers while clutching her briefcase.
"My name is Yamada Fumiyoshi. Please take care of me."
Upon hearing this name, the hope that had ignited in Wen Liang's eyes seemed to be doused with cold water. He forced a smile at this familiar stranger.
Fortunately, Sakuma had checked the weather in advance and found a hotel at the dome for them to stay in before they arrived.
"Sakuma? Why such an unusual name?"
"Take this fever medicine. You need to rest for the next few days, so don't move around too much. After you finish the medicine, tidy up the house."
Nishijo spoke slowly, her apron dusted as if she had just discovered something. She didn't mention where the fever medicine had come from.
Halfway through drinking, Sakuma suddenly remembered something.
He recalled that ever since Wen Liang's father, his father-in-law, had passed away, they rarely kept such medications in the house. When he visited before the funeral, he noticed an empty medicine box on the cabinet, placed there by someone unknown. It stood out glaringly in Nishijo's room. Where did this medicine come from?
"You’re right; it was Keiko who bought it for you."
Nishijo lifted her eyes to observe Sakuma's reaction. It seemed she knew he would see this when he woke up, but Sakuma appeared to be in a daze from his high fever.
Perhaps he had forgotten that he had been holding Keiko's arm while talking about Wen Liang.
Feeling a poke from his mother-in-law, Sakuma's face turned crimson, and he dared not respond.
"Keiko is a good girl, but you still have a bit to go," Nishijo remarked.
Sakuma was taken aback.
"What are you talking about, Mother-in-law? We're just... seniors and juniors," he stammered.
Nishijo smiled slightly upon hearing this.
"You silly boy, what am I going to do with you?"
Sakuma was left speechless by her words, seemingly unaware of what had happened after he grabbed Keiko's arm. At least before waking up, his mind was filled with memories shared with Wen Liang.
The doorbell rang, prompting Nishijo to get up and leave, reminding Sakuma to finish his medicine.
Sakuma gulped down the medicine in one go and immediately felt sweat pouring from his body. However, he sensed that his mother-in-law might have prepared many things for him to help with. Listening to the footsteps and voices outside, Sakuma refrained from acting out and waited for her to call him.
Meanwhile, Nobu no Suke was on his way to Osaka to visit his former classmate Sasaki Saburo. He had asked him last night via email to investigate Yamada Fumiyoshi’s past, hoping to find a way for Sakuma.
Sasaki happily agreed to help but days had passed without any response.
"Nobu no Suke-senpai, do you really think this will work?"
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