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Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
This was Akira's second time inside the police headquarters. Compared to his first visit, where
everything felt unfamiliar, this time, he was much more at ease.
"Akira?"
"It really is you!"
"What are you doing at the police department?"
As soon as he stepped into the lobby, he ran into his good neighbor, Yumi Miyamoto.
Today, Yumi was dressed in her traffic police uniform, giving her a more professional and sharp appearance compared to before.
"I'm here to see Officer Sato."
He had no idea where Ran Mouri and Fuyutsuki Shiori were, but he was sure that if there was anyone to ask about the situation, it would be Miwako Sato.
After all…
She was the only person he knew in the Violent Crimes Division.
"WHAT???"
"You do realize it's work hours, right?"
"Is this really the best time to be looking for Miwako?"
Yumi completely understood how couples in love always had their minds on each other, with some even turning parks and secluded spots into their battlegrounds.
But… this was the police headquarters!
If Akira came waltzing in like this just because he couldn't bear to be apart from Miwako, he'd probably get her in trouble.
"What, do you think I can't have a legitimate reason for being here?"
Akira's response made Yumi suddenly realize there might be another side to the story.
"A legitimate reason, huh…"
"Alright, follow me."
Yumi was tempted to ask what this so-called "important matter" was, but in the end, she held back
her curiosity.
"Hey—"
"Have you noticed how everyone's looking at you like they want to kill you?"
Akira smirked slightly.
Oh, this wasn't just hostility—these officers looked like they wanted to tear him apart.
"I can feel the jealousy and murderous intent."
When did all this animosity start?
The moment Yumi called his name.
As soon as that happened, the entire police department's atmosphere took a dramatic shift.
He didn't even have to guess…
It had to be Yumi spilling the news about him taking Miwako Sato away yesterday.
"So you already figured it out, huh?" Yumi giggled before finally asking, "So, why exactly are you
looking for Miwako?"
Alright!
She admitted it—she couldn't hold back her curiosity any longer.
If she didn't ask, she'd die from the suspense.
"Two of my store employees were brought in by the police. As their manager, I need to find out what's going on."
"You mean Ran and that blonde girl?"
"Yeah!"
"Alright, follow me."
Connections made things easier!
With zero effort on his part, Yumi led Akira straight to one of the office rooms inside the department.
And then…
Miwako Sato, whom he had gone on a date with just yesterday, walked in.
"Yumi already filled me in on everything."
"However…"
"Ran and Shiori are currently linked to a murder case, so they have to cooperate with our investigation."
Miwako was a straightforward woman, but at this moment, there was a hint of awkwardness in her gaze when she looked at Akira.
Yesterday, in a moment of impulse, she had confronted him about his intentions.
She never expected to see him again so soon.
Thinking about it now…
She couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.
"Do you really think they'd commit murder?"
Sure, Beika Town was a place full of strange and dangerous occurrences, but it wasn't like high school girls such as Mori Ran and Fuyutsuki Shiori would suddenly grab a knife and stab someone.
"An investigation requires evidence."
"What I believe doesn't matter."
"The case still has to go through the proper procedures."
"Yesterday afternoon, at a store in Beika Town's Fifth District, two girls slit the throat of a middle- aged store owner who sold cosmetics. Based on eyewitness testimony, we started looking for suspects."
"Ran and Shiori match the description perfectly—their height, build, and even the clothes they were wearing yesterday."
"Most importantly…"
"They were both in the area at 3 PM."
"Unless there's solid evidence proving they never entered that store, there's no way to clear them.
But unfortunately, there are no security cameras in that area."
"…"
The situation was clear.
Even though Miwako didn't believe Ran and Shiori were murderers, all the current evidence pointed
toward them.
It was just too much of a coincidence!
"Who said there weren't any cameras?"
Akira smirked slightly.
Just because others didn't have the footage didn't mean he didn't.
The surveillance system at the CLOVER convenience store covered the entire store with 360-degree cameras and even had full real-time monitoring of the surrounding area.
And this real-time surveillance was on another level!
Not only could it capture everything outside the CLOVER store, but it also had a range of up to a thousand meters.
At first, he didn't understand why the system had such an extensive surveillance setup.
But after he completed his first arms deal, he realized how thoughtful the system really was.
"You have footage?"
Miwako frowned slightly in confusion.
"I can take care of it."
"But first, I need to see Ran and Shiori."
The store where the crime happened was on the same street as his shop, so if everything went as expected, it should be right on the edge of his surveillance range.
"..…"