This Japanese Monogatari Isn't Lame-Chapter 600 - 376: Past Events (4000 words)

Beichuan Si’s primary task at present was to find the past connections to either the Inagaki family or the Shindai family, grabbing the clue that tied to Shindai Kanari.

With the Shindai family having moved away from Tokyo and their whereabouts unknown, those in Tokyo who knew about Shindai Kanari’s initial situation also knew the Inagaki family.

"Inagaki Shizuka..." Beichuan Si murmured this name to himself.

This might be the person who made the promise with Shindai Kanari; judging by the name, it should be a girl.

Likewise, she was also the key figure of this trip.

What kind of promise had been made between two people of similar ages in that distant place?

Beichuan Si, while confirming the address in his hand, moved forward.

It was already past four o’clock in the afternoon; Beichuan Si set out towards the Inagaki family’s residence as soon as the classes ended.

According to Gangye Yoshiko’s information, the Inagaki family seemed to be Tokyo Minato District natives, always wealthy.

After "Inagaki’s Longhouse" fell into disrepair, they moved back to the Minato District and settled down.

But here, too, was a problem.

Why would people from the economically superior Minato District run off to live in the more ordinary Adachi District longhouse?

They could still collect rent if the longhouse was left there, and wasn’t it still a waste to leave their homes in the Minato District empty?

This point was also part of the puzzle.

Thoughts collided in Beichuan Si’s mind.

Following the guidance of the navigation, Beichuan Si arrived in front of a two-story duplex house.

He stopped in his tracks and looked at the nameplate beside the house door.

Inagaki’s name was cleanly inscribed on the nameplate.

It seemed this was where the Inagaki family had moved to.

Beichuan Si did not hesitate.

He put away his phone and pressed the doorbell.

Along with the crisp sound of the doorbell, a gentle inquiry from a middle-aged woman emerged from the intercom at the door, "Hello, may I ask who it is?"

"Sorry to bother you, my name is Beichuan. You may not understand this, but I actually came for a little girl."

Beichuan Si chose his words carefully, trying to convey his purpose to the other party.

"A little girl?" The person on the other side didn’t quite understand Beichuan Si’s meaning.

"Yes."

Beichuan Si answered, then explained, "A little girl named Shindai Kanari... Ms. Inagaki, you should have some impression of her.

Jing—

No sound came from the intercom, as if the other party had hung up, completely ignoring what Beichuan Si was saying.

After about one or two minutes, a voice finally came from the intercom, "...please come in."

The iron gate latch made a crisp sound as it opened.

"Thank you very much." Beichuan Si expressed his gratitude and then pushed open the latch gate to enter the front yard.

A flower bed was being tended in the front yard.

It was identical to the flower bed Beichuan Si had seen in "Inagaki’s Longhouse."

It must have been made by the same person.

However, nothing was planted in this flower bed; the empty raised beds looked somewhat desolate.

Beichuan Si glanced at it and went to the front door, then rang the doorbell.

The door responded.

A face of a gentle-looking middle-aged woman appeared.

Although her expression was gentle, her eyebrows were furrowed tightly, showing a worried look.

As Beichuan Si observed the middle-aged woman, she likewise observed Beichuan Si.

However, she had no recollection of Beichuan Si’s face and a hint of perplexity appeared on her features.

But since she had already let someone into the house, it would indeed be impolite to send him away now.

And besides... she was also very interested in the topic of "coming for Shindai Kanari" mentioned by Beichuan Si.

The woman stepped aside and softly beckoned, "Please come in, Mr. Beichuan."

The two conversed as they walked toward the living room. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

During this conversation, Beichuan Si also learned the name of the middle-aged woman in front of him.

Her name was Inagaki Kaori, a full-time housewife.

Her husband’s name was Inagaki Yuushou, and he was still at work, hence not at home.

Passing through the entryway and then turning right led to the living room.

The living room was simply furnished, similar to the Beichuan family’s, with nothing more than a sofa, television, and coffee table.

At the same time, there was...

Beichuan Si thoughtfully looked towards the innermost room next to the living room.

"Please help yourself." Inagaki Kaori handed the teacup beside her to Beichuan Si, then sat in the main seat, eyes fixed on him.

She was full of questions, her gaze on Beichuan Si filled with confusion.

After Beichuan Si had taken a sip of tea, Inagaki Kaori didn’t hesitate to ask, "May I know what brings Mr. Beichuan to us?"

Her question was straightforward, her voice full of bewilderment.

Certainly, it wouldn’t do to reply with something like "I can see the Spiritual Body of Shindai Kanari, so I came here."

Beichuan Si thought for a moment, then spoke, "Actually, the reason for my visit is to see your daughter, Inagaki Shizuka; there is something I desperately want to know, hoping she could help clarify."

While speaking, he observed Inagaki Kaori’s expression.

Inagaki Kaori’s expression turned to one of surprise, seemingly astonished that Beichuan Si knew the name Inagaki Shizuka.

Then her expression quickly darkened—

She fell silent for a long time...

Her face was a picture of gloom, and after a long while, she sighed deeply and looked toward Beichuan Si, "Knowing Kanari’s name... and also knowing about Shizuka... Mr. Beichuan, are you, by any chance, a relative of the Shindai family?"