Chapter 9 iron pillar

1 The big truck of the moving company drove away, and the breath of Tokyo seemed to gradually fade away.The red sign painted on the back door of the car made Masahiko feel reluctant to leave. Great breath, the whole body cells seem to be alive. Standing in front of the house that will become her new home, Akiko took a deep breath, her thin chest wrapped in a white T-shirt undulating slightly. It is indeed full of rich green flavor. There are also small-scale green spaces and parks near the building where I lived before, but of course it cannot be compared with this place.Here is the real nature, full of rich spring green field fragrance.

Just breathing in this kind of air makes people feel lucky to be able to move here. According to you, I seem to be lucky to be sent to the frontier.This statement is very strange, right?Masahiko said, while doing a swing. Not bad, because it is considered a high promotion after all.Isn't there an extra long character in the title? This is true. Akiko comforted herself so much, Masahiko felt a little complicated.He deduced that the change this time was said to be affected by factional struggles, but the real reason was hard to explain. What a great house. The two stood in front of the entrance, looking at the house they were going to live in in the future.This is a medieval two-story wooden house with brown decorative panels on the white exterior walls and a blue roof.When Masahiko was a child, most of the houses mentioned by ordinary people probably looked like this.

It feels like Nobita's home in Doraemon. Ah, really. Masahiko and Akiko smiled at each other. Although the house is not brand new, it is well maintained and the whole house looks clean.It has a small courtyard with a covered parking space attached to the corner which is a delight. The house seems too big for two people.There are a total of six rooms on the two floors, so no matter how extravagantly used it is, there will definitely be more vacant rooms.It may be just right after having a child, but there is no plan to do so now, nor in the future, because Akiko is infertile. Well, it's tiring after that.

The moving company has packed everything into the house.Large furniture is also deposited with the freight company.The boxes then had to be opened and the trinkets inside put back in their place. Just as he was about to enter the house, a woman walked out of the next door.She was probably a little younger than herself and Akiko's mother, she was plump and looked quite happy, wearing a white apron with sleeves and carrying a vegetable basket in her hand.I'm afraid this retro outfit can only be seen in reruns of old TV dramas.This must be the mistress of the house next door. Hello. The sooner you say hello to your new neighbors, the better.Akiko doesn't know how to talk to people who meet for the first time, so Masahiko is the first to say hello.

We are Muto who just moved in today.I will make a special visit another day, please give me more advice. The lady next door returned the greeting with a smile. She looked very nice, with puffed cheeks and drooping eye corners, which made people feel easy to get along with.She doesn't seem to have any makeup on, but she is neatly dressed, and she feels like a standard Japanese mother. It's a young couple.How old are you? Both were thirty-two years old. Ouch, I thought I was only twenty-five.The neighbor's wife widened her eyes and said. The next step is to ask if you have any children.Every time a husband and wife appear at the same time, the other party will definitely bring up this question, especially elderly women, who like this topic the most.

Did you move here this time because of work? Well, it's H Electric.Transferred from the Tokyo head office to the sales office here. Totally unexpected.The lady did not bring up the subject of children.This alone already made Masahiko feel grateful. If the other party comforts or encourages them because they don't have children, Akiko will fall into serious depression.Akiko has not often shown her face in front of people recently, and for a while, Masahiko felt sad just looking at Akiko from the sidelines.People are so cruel to couples who want kids but can't. Moving from such a lively place in Tokyo, I must have found this small country inconvenient and boring.However, once you get used to it, you will find it quite comfortable to live in.The lady next door said it in a friendly way.

Masahiko didn't know how to answer (it's true, it's really inconvenient and boring so I can't go along with it), so he forced a specious smile and lowered his head. If you need any help, just tell me anytime. After chatting for about five minutes, the lady next door just ended the topic and went out. I feel like a very nice person, and it seems that we can get along very well. Akiko looked at the back of the lady next door who was gradually going away and said in a low voice.Probably because of the excitement of moving to a new house, Akiko, who has always been shy, would say such confident words.

When the two were busy unpacking cardboard boxes in the house, the doorbell suddenly rang from the entrance.Because there was no walkie-talkie, I had to answer the door. Probably to sell the newspaper. When I opened the door, there was a white-haired man standing outside.Wearing a light green polo shirt, he was small but strong, with a kind smile on his dark face. Ah, sorry.The man's attitude is very hearty.I am the president of the Town Council of this town, and my surname is Ono. Hearing what he said, Masahiko remembered that there was such an organization as the Town People's Association.Masahiko hurriedly called Akiko who was in the kitchen, and the two bowed to the chairman of the town council.

I came to bother you today because I hope to invite Mr. Muto's family, who has just moved in, to join the town council.The president still said with a smile on his face.Participation is of course not mandatory, and it's okay if you don't want to.However, it will be more convenient to participate in the future. It's fine if you live in a rental apartment, but since you have to live here for a long time, I'm afraid you have to join.In rural areas, the work of being good neighbors is far more important than in urban areas. Of course we will. Really?Thanks.Then I have the charter here, please browse it a little bit.The membership fee is three thousand a month.

three thousand.It's really not cheap, it costs 36,000 a year, which is not a small expense. Please wait a moment, Akiko is going to get her wallet, but the president hastily stopped her.First year dues are waived in full, so you don't have to pay today. Hey, full exemption? Because I hope to wait until you get used to our place.Also, it doesn't matter if you don't serve as an officer for three years.The chairman of the town council took out a white envelope from his briefcase as he spoke.In addition, this is a gift money for the two new residents, Zhiqing, and it is a little thought from the town council.

Masahiko took the envelope in a daze.On the back of the envelope were written a few numbers with a ballpoint pen, which seemed to be the number of a mobile phone. That's my cell phone number, please call me anytime if you need anything.You can talk to me about anything. The president bowed deeply as he spoke, and then took his leave.He always had a kind smile on his face. Masahiko and Akiko went back to the kitchen and opened the envelope, looking at each other.Inside are all brand new banknotes, and as many as 50,000 won.For strangers, this amount is too much. The town council membership fee is probably so high because of the need to pack so much gift money. Not returning a gift doesn't seem like a good idea. I'm afraid it is. Masahiko spread out the white paper packed with cash, and read the article printed on it. Well, all the townspeople of Jiujiuli sincerely welcome your family to move in.Benjiujiuri Town is a small town surrounded by mountains. The development goal of the town is to hope that the townspeople can be as harmonious as family members, and everyone can live a happy life.Everyone is very happy to have your family join us this time. I hope that your family will settle in this town forever and regard it as your second hometown. This is the common wish of all townspeople.Also, the gift money delivered today is just a little thought from everyone, there is no need to return the gift, and please don't take it to heart.that's all.what do you think? This can be interpreted in various ways.It sounded like I was telling us not to forget to return the gift. Akiko was right.The sophistication of the world is really annoying.If you really take it seriously that you don't accept gifts, and go with empty hands naively, you will definitely be criticized behind your back: you really didn't bring anything! I should send something to the townspeople. Yes, maybe this is more appropriate.But it's also embarrassing if you take something and get pushed back. Most importantly, I don't know what to give to the town council. Masahiko and Akiko didn't know enough about these etiquettes and customs, and they couldn't figure out how much to accept what the other party said.It is a waste of time to read people's faces or guess what the other person really means.I obviously don't like it, but I have to face this kind of trouble no matter where I go.The ways of the world seem simple, but in fact they are extremely complicated. The kitchen is full of cardboard boxes.The two of them stared at the envelope containing 50,000 won, and sighed softly at the same time. The next day was Sunday, and the finishing work of the new home was finally over.There were still a few cartons left that hadn't been opened, but the two decided that Akiko would find time to sort them out in the future. Go for a walk around town. After having lunch early, Masahiko and Akiko went out for a walk. Kukuri Town is a small town, located halfway up a hill called Shide Mountain, so the whole town has a gentle slope.A few families gather on the hillside, like doll decorations lined up on the stairs during Hinamatsuri, forming a town.It is said that the population is about 1,500 people, but Masahiko, who grew up in the city, is not sure about the actual number. What a laid-back and livable town.Akiko said when she was walking uphill leisurely.Compared with the noisy places like Tokyo, I am more suitable for this kind of small town. Maybe so.Living in such a quiet town, maybe Akiko's dreadful mental illness can be cured and never recur.I picked this house at the beginning because it was near the hospital, but then again, if it doesn't happen again, I don't need to live here. (However, it is really inconvenient.) Looking at the small town where time seems to have stood still, Masahiko murmured in his heart. I wasn't expecting to see convenience stores or hypermarkets like in Tokyo, but there isn't even a decent store here.I finally found one, but it was just a small grocery store that put food and groceries together.However, perhaps it cannot be said that it is any different from a convenience store. Wow, so old fashioned. There are several old enamel advertising billboards on the wall of the grocery store.Fanatics who collect such things will probably weep with joy if they see it. When the two were looking at these billboards in amazement, a middle-aged woman walked out of the store.It seemed that they were customers who came to buy things, but they nodded at Masahiko and Akiko inexplicably.Although the two were at a loss, they had no choice but to quickly return the gift. Why is she greeting us?After passing by the door of the grocery store, Akiko asked in a low voice. Does she already know we're new here? No way. Although this small town is small, the news should not spread so fast.That woman just now may have the personality to say hello to anyone she sees.Such is the virtue of a countryman. After walking along the road for a while, a fork in the road finally appeared.One is a small slope that continues to climb up the hill, and the other is a more spacious downhill road. In the middle of the fork in the road stands an inconspicuous Ksitigarbha Nunnery.It is not a normal ancestral hall shape, but a simple small temple with a tin roof on a wooden wall.There is a small Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva enshrined inside, as well as flowers, wine and small snacks. Let's say hello too. Masahiko stood in front of the Jizo Temple and clapped his hands twice. You only need to clap your hands when you go to the shrine, not to worship the Bodhisattva. Right. The two smiled and clasped their hands together in front of the temple. Hey, there seems to be something stuck behind Xiaoyan Jizo Bodhisattva.Akiko who opened her eyes before Masahiko said. Looking inside carefully, they found a half-opened piece of paper pasted on the wall behind Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.The paper was quite old, the thumbtacks fixing the four corners had rusted to a dark brown color, and the paper had also been crumpled and discolored. I don't know what to write on it. There are vaguely visible lines on the paper that seem to describe the trajectory of falling dead leaves.That's what's called cursive. that A voice suddenly came from behind.The two were startled, turned around and saw an old woman in a white knitted coat and red thin-rimmed glasses standing behind her, and beside her was a young girl with long hair. The young girl seemed to stay out of it, but the old woman smiled kindly and looked at the two of them.The beautiful white hair is slightly wavy, and the posture is very elegant, but it doesn't feel Japanese style, it seems more suitable to appear in the European countryside. But Masahiko's gaze was involuntarily attracted to the young girl.She is about twenty-two or three years old, and her carefully trimmed eyebrows and double eyelids are very impressive.She hooked the old woman's arm, it seems that she should be a family member.It doesn't seem surprising when you think about it carefully, but it's a bit surprising that such a small town has such a young girl living there. What is written on it is a waka made by a monk in ancient times. ∮ Die under the flowers of spring, On the occasion of the bright full moon. # Ah, it must be Master Xixing.Jing Zi nodded and said. Masahiko, who is completely uninitiated in literature, has no memory of this name. Yes, yes, you know very well. The old woman smiled reassuringly.The young girl also moved the corner of her mouth slightly, but she never turned her gaze away.Maybe she is as shy as Akiko. By the way, it seems that I have never seen the two. We just moved here yesterday, and we live next to the Shanxia Hospital. It seems that the old lady's kind attitude made Akiko no longer nervous.It was rare for her to take the initiative to tell the person she met for the first time. Really, welcome, welcome.Do you still like it here? What a quiet and calm town.Masahiko replied with a friendly smile as much as possible. Yes, this is really a good place, the more you live, the more you feel like this.said the old woman, while looking at the surrounding scenery with loving eyes.Such a beautiful town must not be found in the whole world. This is too exaggerated, Masahiko couldn't help smiling bitterly.It's understandable to prefer her hometown, but she is also too explicit. Compared with big cities, I am afraid it will be a little inconvenient at first, but you will get used to it soon.You will be really glad you moved here. As the old woman spoke, she bowed her head solemnly, and then turned around.Masahiko and the two hurriedly bowed their heads and watched them leave. After leaving, the young girl seemed to ask the old woman a question immediately, but the volume was too low to hear clearly, and she could only vaguely hear the old woman's answer: I think let's forget about it today. Ya Yan noticed that when the old woman answered, she glanced this way, feeling that they were going somewhere, but because they met her husband and wife, they temporarily changed their original plan.But maybe I was thinking too much. Then go home. The old woman let the young girl walk down the downhill road in front of the Jizang nunnery, arm in arm.Masahiko felt awkward walking the same road with them, so he headed uphill on the right. In the end, I forgot to ask why I posted that waka. By the way, who was it just said?Master Xishang? It's not going west, it's going west, Master Westbound.Although you majored in science and engineering, didn't you study classical literature in high school? In high school, most of these classes were used to catch up on sleep. I really can't help you, Xiao Yan.He was a monk in the Kamakura period and a famous waka writer.Originally a samurai, but because he loved writing waka so much, he became a monk. Is it like an OL (female office worker) who can't give up her dream of being a singer and resigns? I'm afraid it's not the same.But um, it might look alike.Crystal said with a smile. It is said that Master Saikyo once traveled all over Japan, so maybe he has some special connection with this town. Can't do it well.By the way, what does that waka mean? I'm not too sure about this, because our classical literature class is always regarded as a self-study class. What, isn't that the same as me? The two looked at each other and smiled. After climbing along the ramp to the top of the slope, a flat land suddenly appeared, and then there was no way. The size of the land is about ten cars neatly parked. It is an open space where the soil is exposed freely, but it seems to be regularly groomed, because the nearby grass is neatly mowed. What is the purpose of this place?Is there a parking lot? On first impressions, this is the closest answer. But the small road we just climbed up, the car should not be able to pass it. Indeed, starting from the front of the dizang nunnery just now, the road suddenly narrowed, and there were still a few steps on the way.This can't be a parking lot. It is probably a common place for everyone to dance Bon dance during the Obon Festival.And there is a place like a warehouse over there. Akiko's fingertips pointed to a beige cement hut with a sliding door painted light green, which reminded people of the sports goods warehouse in junior high school.The name Kukuri Town Council is written on the sliding door in black paint. When I got closer, I found that the door was not locked, only a metal bolt.Masahiko pulled out the metal indifferently, and pushed the sliding door left and right. Xiao Yan, what are you doing!You can't open it casually. Just look at it. Masahiko opened the gap where only his head could go in, and peered inside.There was a musty smell in the room. You can only see a narrow area where the sunlight can reach the outside, but you can still see the red and white cloth curtains and ropes neatly stacked in the warehouse, which are used by the townspeople for activities. What carelessness.But probably no one will take the public property of the town council arbitrarily. Maybe.The news spreads quickly in the town, so no one dares to do bad things. Makes sense. This is of course a good thing, but I always feel that my hands are tied.If you don't follow the rules, it will spread throughout the town in no time.For myself who is accustomed to the city's own way of doing things, such a situation in a small town is really unacceptable. Xiao Yan, what is that?After a while, Akiko suddenly asked. Looking along her fingertips, what came into view was an iron pillar.The iron pillar stands abruptly on the side of the square overlooking the whole town. The height is about 2 meters and 30 centimeters, and there is a 90-degree turn in the middle.The shape is like an inverted L inserted into the ground.The horizontal extension is about one meter, and there is a circle at the front end.It's just something with a very simple shape. When he first came to this square, Masahiko noticed the iron pillar, but Akiko always thought it was a street lamp until he mentioned it. What is it to Jena? The two approached the iron pillar and tried to touch the cold shaft.The entire column body is dark brown, which shows that it has been used for a long time. Masahiko wondered if he had seen anything like this before.The first thing that comes to mind is a basketball hoop.But it doesn't have a basket but only a bracket, which is really puzzling.It is also like the amusement facilities in the park when I was a child. The touch is very similar to the slide handrail of the slide or the iron frame part of the climbing facility. It should be an amusement facility. As Masahiko said, he jumped up and grabbed the part that extended horizontally, and swung it two or three times.It's solid and in pretty good condition. It's strange that such a thing popped up all of a sudden. It must have been a park in the past, maybe it was abandoned for some reason. In this case, it would be strange to keep this thing alone. That's right too.However, people are always sloppy in doing things. Adults often make mistakes that children would make. This thing is good.From now on, I will come here to exercise every morning. Probably won't be able to play baseball for a while, I really don't want my body to get rusty.If you come here, you don't have to care about other people's eyes, and you can practice your swing to your heart's content. Not a bad idea hmm.The view here is great, and the mood will definitely be relaxed. indeed so.From here, you can look at the whole town, and you can even see the roof of your own house through the gaps in the forest. (Maybe living in this small town will be very happy.) Looking down at the whole town from the hill, Masahiko couldn't help but think so. Anyway, this is going to be a permanent place to live, and it would be nice to like this place.