After leaving the craft store, Naoko happily stroked the Fukuro doll in her hand, unable to put it down, her expression like that of an innocent young girl.
"I don't see what's so interesting about this thing," said Masashi.
"Don't you think it's cute? It kind of looks like you," Naoko teased.
"You're joking, I don't look like that at all," Masashi replied.
"Don't you think your expression looks similar? Especially when you're not smiling, you look just like this doll."
Masashi couldn't see any expression on the doll at all.
Suddenly, a figure dashed past them, followed by a loud scream, "Someone's stealing! Help, someone's stealing!" A very fat woman came running, out of breath.
"Just stealing, it's not like they're cutting off your flesh, why scream for help?" Masashi thought.
"Masashi, what should we do?" Naoko asked, her voice filled with concern.
"What does this have to do with me?" Seeing Naoko's caring eyes, Masashi sighed and walked over to a nearby vending machine.
"Let me borrow this for a moment," he said, taking an unopened can of soda from a girl standing at the vending machine.
The girl looked at him in confusion, and Masashi, without hesitation, threw the soda can at the thief.
"Boom!" The soda can hit the thief with incredible speed, and the thief fell to the ground like a lifeless pig, without even a scream.
The fat woman paused for a moment, then immediately ran over while calling the police on her phone.
"Sensei, let's go." Masashi gently pulled Naoko's hand and quietly walked away.
"But what if that person has a weapon? The woman could be in danger," Naoko said, worried.
"The thief is already unconscious. It'll be fine," Masashi reassured her.
"Is it really?" Naoko asked, still unsure, glancing back at the thief lying motionless on the ground.
Masashi nodded confidently. Although it was dark, it wasn't an obstacle for someone skilled. He had aimed at the "Yuzhen Point" on the thief's head, which meant the thief would likely stay unconscious for at least two or three days. As for whether there would be any long-term effects, that was hard to say.
As they passed by the girl, Masashi casually tossed her a 100-yen coin.
"Here's the money for your soda."
Without waiting for her response, he pulled Naoko away.
The girl stood there, confused, watching them disappear.
On the second and third days, the principal took the students to visit various famous tourist attractions in Okinawa.
Masashi wasn't interested in the busy streets, shops, or the aquarium, which were more modern. Instead, he lingered at historical sites like Tama-ryou, Shurimachi, and Shuri Castle, often standing still for half the day.
Looking at these buildings, worn by time, Masashi's thoughts stirred.
"Last year, on this day, at this door, the face and the peach blossoms bloomed together, but now the face is nowhere to be found, while the peach blossoms still smile at the spring breeze." Perhaps he was the peach blossom in the poem. No matter how many years passed, he would remain the only one, coldly watching the changes in the world. At this thought, he couldn't help but smile bitterly.
"Masashi, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Naoko noticed him frowning and immediately walked over to him.
"I'm fine."
"Your hands are so cold." She wiped his forehead as she spoke.
Seeing Naoko's worried expression, warmth spread through Masashi's heart.
"I really am fine. Thank you, Sensei."
"I'll walk you back to the hotel. You should rest."
"No need. Let's keep walking." Masashi smiled at her and walked outside.
Naoko had no choice but to follow.
As they walked outside, Naoko looked at him with concern. Suddenly, they heard a strange dog barking sound.
"Sorry, it's my phone ringing." Masashi felt a bit awkward, regretting that he had set his ringtone like this.
Naoko couldn't help but laugh. It was the first time she had seen him like this, and she found it amusing.
Masashi cleared his throat and stepped a few paces away to answer the phone. "Is this Little Black?"
"It's me, Master." Lei Li's voice was no longer lighthearted.
"What is it?"
"I found the person you asked me to look for."
Masashi took a deep breath. "Is he dead?"
"Yes, the man named Nagakawa Kyuujirou died five years ago, at his home in Hokkaido."
"How did he die?"
"Heart disease. We checked his hospital records, and there was nothing suspicious."
"Looks like good people don't live long, while bad people live for thousands of years," Masashi muttered bitterly.
"Please accept my condolences, Master." Lei Li understood how much the old acquaintance meant to Masashi.
"Does he have any family?"
"Two sons, one is a police inspector at the Sapporo Police Department, and the other is a department head at a not-so-well-known company. He also has two grandsons and a granddaughter, who are still studying."
"See if they need any help. If they do, assist them. Send me the detailed address of Nagakawa's home, I'll visit Hokkaido myself."
"Yes, Master. Take care."
After hanging up, Masashi stood silently, a solemn expression on his face.
"Masashi, what's wrong?" Naoko gently took his hand.
"I'm fine."
"If you don't want to talk about it, that's okay. I just want you to know that many people care about you."
"Thank you, Sensei. Please tell the counselor I want to rest at the hotel."
"I'll go back with you."
"No, it's your first time in Okinawa. You should enjoy yourself. I'll go first." Without waiting for her to respond, Masashi turned and left.
Watching his retreating figure, Naoko sighed softly, "You fool. How can I have fun if you're not here?"
Soon, the three-day trip ended. Despite their reluctance, the students had to leave.
On the way back, almost everyone was carrying large bags of souvenirs or local specialties, like refugees. Only Masashi, just like when he arrived, had nothing but two sets of clothes, completely alone.
While others were excitedly discussing their experiences, Naoko quietly watched Masashi. Since he received that phone call, he hadn't smiled once.
She asked his sister, Kazumi, but got no answer, just a strange look from her.
What had happened to him?
Back at school, after the principal gave a short speech about things to remember during the summer vacation, the students were dismissed.
Naoko found Masashi and quietly slipped a note into his hand, whispering, "If you need help or want to talk, call me. This is my home number. I'll be waiting for you."
Masashi paused, realizing she had been worried about him all this time.
"Thank you." He looked at the kind woman with a warm gaze.