Taira Sakurako has a habit of hoarding and reading newspapers.
This habit stems from her survival experiences; without acquiring external information, one cannot stand firm in society.
Even though she now has a stable living environment, she still insists on watching TV, reading newspapers, and listening to the radio, partly to keep up with the outside world and partly to search for clues about her mother and Yukimura Aoi, her possible sister.
Her father had once mentioned that she was born in Shizuoka Prefecture, so she focuses on news related to Shizuoka Prefecture.
Fortunately, it is still the era of print media, not as overwhelmed by information as it would be ten years later with the birth of the internet. This indeed allowed her to find that needle in a haystack.
Taira Sakurako called the number above immediately, her heart filled with apprehensive anxiety as she heard the cold prompt tone.
Unexpectedly, it was a vacant number, leaving her with empty joy.
Right now, Taira Sakurako personally went to the newspaper office, earnestly saying, "Please, I want to know the information of the publisher."
The security guard was taken aback, then nodded seriously with a solemn expression and helped inform the editor. Upon learning of this, the editor warmly welcomed Taira Sakurako and had the team retrieve the files from five years ago, finding the publisher’s name and approximate address.
「Name: Koizumi Mizuki」
「Contact: 080-XXXX-XXXX」
「Address: South Izu Town, Shizuoka Prefecture」
Japan is prevalent with the seniority system, employees do not easily change jobs, most Japanese plan to work in one company for a lifetime.
The editor has been employed for more than twenty years, every issue of publication is his heart and soul. When Taira Sakurako took out a newspaper from five years ago, he still remembered the publisher: "Ah, sorry, I can’t remember what she looked like, I just remember she once argued with the team members..."
Saying that, the editor waved his hand: "Kobayashi, this section was your responsibility, right? Do you have any recollection of the publisher?"
The subordinate reporter came over, after pondering for a long time, he too couldn’t recall the publisher’s appearance, he only remembered that she refused to leave detailed address back then... now thinking about it, perhaps she had some unspeakable secret.
Taira Sakurako obtained the name and approximate address, took a lollipop out of the paper box, and thanked the editor.
Next, all she needs to do is go to South Izu Town, either check the household registration at the local police station or use the phone directory to locate the residence, and she will be able to find her mother.
"Ah, I would better not..."
The editor, who has diabetes, instinctively refused. However, Taira Sakurako was very persistent, forcing him to accept it with a smile. He couldn’t help but exclaim: "It’s great that our published newspapers would help readers."
The subordinate reporter sensed the aroma of a hit news story and suggested conducting a follow-up interview with Taira Sakurako. The story of a seven or eight-year-old autistic girl’s five-year journey to find her family surely has a strong appeal, more than sufficient to make into a documentary.
The editor was quite intrigued and sought Taira Sakurako’s opinion, asking if she would mind the interview by the reporter, and the newspaper was even willing to reimburse her search expenses or even pay an extra material fee.
Taira Sakurako was initially reluctant, but upon hearing the money involved, she agreed immediately.
Thus, reporter Mizutani Hiroshi and photographer Mori Hajime packed their equipment and set off with Taira Sakurako.
As soon as the three of them got into the taxi, Mori Hajime opened the camera cover and aimed it at Taira Sakurako. Mizutani Hiroshi raised the microphone and asked: "Excuse me, how old are you this year?"
Taira Sakurako didn’t want to speak but since she took others’ money, she had to do the job, so she answered seriously:
"About... seven years old."
"Eh... so young, did you come out alone?"
"I have my guardian’s consent."
"I see, does that mean you have been adopted by kind people?"
"That is personal privacy, no comment."
"Ah, you seem very mature... By the way, why are you wearing this mask? Does it have any special meaning?"
"No, I just don’t want others to see my face."
"Very mysterious indeed!" Mizutani Hiroshi exclaimed, turning and introducing the incident’s origin to the camera.
The uncle driving the car in front listened and with a grand gesture, said he wouldn’t charge them for the ride. Mori Hajime immediately turned the camera towards the uncle, while Mizutani Hiroshi jokingly said: "Driver uncle, why so generous all of a sudden? Can I get a free ride next time too?"
"Of course not! I have my family to support!"
The driver uncle casually said: "But I also have a daughter. If one day she goes missing, I would surely hope she comes back safe and sound... Such feelings, I guess only parents can understand."
Mizutani Hiroshi was touched by his words, expressing it and enhancing the atmosphere.
He could roughly envision what effect this video segment would have when edited: The heartwarming assistance of strangers met by a girl seeking family alone, would certainly make the audience shed tears.
The ride from Atami to South Izu Town takes about an hour and a half, and it is the tourist peak season now. With heavy traffic, it actually took them over two hours to arrive.
South Izu Town is seventy percent forest and its three sides are surrounded by the sea, with a permanent population of fewer than seven thousand, making it a picturesque yet remote place.
Taira Sakurako took the reporter to the local police station, where they rummaged through the archives but couldn’t find Koizumi Mizuki’s household address, but instead found her missing person report record.
The Town District Autonomy Association managed the missing case, it dates back two years, the record paper is somewhat yellowed, but the handwriting is still legible:
"I went to overdue gas bills, she hasn’t paid for a quarter, knocked on the door for a long time but no one responded, neighbors also said they haven’t seen her for many days..."
"Ms. Koizumi was usually a nice person, everyone is worried something might have happened to her, yet couldn’t get in touch with her family, they always help each other in the town district..."
"If possible, please help to find her whereabouts"
The police officer and Mizutani Hiroshi stared at each other without saying a word.
Not finding the missing person in a missing case is all too common, Izu Town Police Station only has three officers, even more humble than Nakagawara Police Station, there’s no way to conduct a thorough search, after looking for some time with no result, naturally, they gave up.
"At least the address was locked in..."
Mizutani Hiroshi consoled, seeing Taira Sakurako being silent, he proposed going to the town district to take a look and asking her mother’s former neighbors, possibly discovering some clues.
Taira Sakurako naturally agreed as she planned to do so, set off immediately. The police officer guided along, they marched along the mountain road and arrived in Izu Town by dusk.
Spring is the peak tourist season, the town is bustling. The renowned "Izu Dancer" is well known among Japanese, and travelers come in an endless stream to visit.