Chapter 10
The “Globe” cruise ship, sponsored by the Suzuki Corporation, officially set sail at 10 pm tonight, cruising around the Sea of Japan and scheduled to return to land two days later. Due to the high price of tickets, most of the passengers on board were actors, elites, and officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Half an hour ago, the police department received a threatening letter targeting the councilman’s life. To prevent any unfortunate incidents, and to save face for the police department, after negotiating with the organizer, the Suzuki Corporation, the police department quickly took action.
That was why Matsuda Jinpei was here.
“You’re too tense, Jinpei-chan.”
Hagiwara Kenji, noticing his friend’s mood, patted him on the shoulder.
“The councilman’s double is ready. The higher-ups said that as long as we complete the investigation, the remaining tasks will be officially taken over by the First Investigation Division.”
…
That’s what they said, but how could he relax?
Matsuda Jinpei listened to the surrounding discussions about which actor to ask for contact information, his lips twitching.
“That’s not the problem,” Matsuda Jinpei ruffled his hair. “The companions around that guy are all carrying guns, like they received the news earlier than the police.”
Hagiwara Kenji smiled: “Haven’t you heard?”
“…What?”
“The councilman’s proposal to build an industrial base last month caused dissatisfaction. He receives death threats almost every day.”
That’s why Tanaka Saichiro spared no expense to ensure his safety.
Matsuda Jinpei lazily responded with a “hmm,” his gaze lingering briefly on the man in the distance.
“But in any case, entrusting his life to the mafia is truly ironic.”
The armed group commissioned by Tanaka Saichiro this time was from Yokohama. Matsuda Jinpei heard that since their crushing defeat in the fight against the Port Mafia, they had changed their previous violent style and started seeking cooperation with the government.
What a joke.
Matsuda Jinpei thought.
Could working for the government erase their past violence?
“How did you know they were mafia?”
An unfamiliar voice came from behind.
Matsuda Jinpei turned around, only to find a young man in uniform standing there.
Those green eyes blinked, completely unaware that he had been eavesdropping. He even waved when he looked over.
“…”
Matsuda Jinpei’s tense nerves relaxed slightly. He nudged his friend with his elbow, seemingly guessing something.
“Do you know him?”
“He seems to be Kato-kun from the First Investigation Division, in charge of liaison.” Hagiwara Kenji thought for a moment. “Brought up by Chief Adachi. The team leader of the First Investigation Division just checked his ID.”
Really?
Matsuda Jinpei narrowed his eyes.
This guy didn’t look twenty, did he? Now the First Investigation Division was also employing child labor like Public Security?
And a certain double agent, known as “Kato” but actually Asuka, stood there. He seemed to have guessed Matsuda Jinpei’s thoughts, skillfully putting on a smile.
“Why is the bomb disposal unit here? Did someone say they were going to plant a bomb here?”
“B-Bomb?”
The surrounding guests looked over, seemingly surprised.
Matsuda Jinpei’s face darkened. He covered the culprit’s mouth and pulled him aside.
“Idiot,” he scolded. “Your voice is too loud, are you trying to cause a panic?”
Hagiwara Kenji, skilled in socializing, quickly calmed the guests down, and Asuka Kazuya, whose mouth was covered, didn’t struggle. He watched Hagiwara Kenji’s actions, gestured that he understood, and Matsuda Jinpei released his hand.
“I just came to say hello after hearing what you said.”
Handing his wine glass to a passing waiter, Asuka Kazuya smoothed the wrinkles on his clothes. His appearance wasn’t threatening at all, not like a police officer or a dangerous person, but rather like an invited guest.
But Matsuda Jinpei still felt he was doing it on purpose.
“So how did you know they were mafia?” Asuka Kazuya continued to ask. “As far as I know, the GSS members registered with fake identities authorized by the councilman before boarding. Even the police database wouldn’t have any records.”
Matsuda Jinpei didn’t answer immediately. His gaze swept over the young man’s attire, as if assessing something.
After a moment, Matsuda Jinpei crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow slightly.
“The way they walk.”
Asuka Kazuya: “The way they walk?”
“Generally, holsters are worn on the right side of the body, so whether it’s police or mafia, the swing of their right arm when walking will be smaller than that of ordinary people. But no police officer would wear such conspicuous attire, and they have tattoos on their necks.”
Only then did Asuka Kazuya seriously examine Matsuda Jinpei.
The police officer wearing sunglasses had curly hair, and unlike Hagiwara Kenji beside him, he didn’t seem to care much about his attire.
“So?” Asuka Kazuya asked him. “Don’t you think you also look like a mafia member?”
Matsuda Jinpei paused, feeling that the person in front of him was inexplicably excited.
Come to think of it, why did he answer so many of his questions? This guy was a police officer but wasn’t doing his job properly. Could he be some chief’s son, sent here for life experience?
Matsuda Jinpei narrowed his eyes, becoming suspicious of the young man’s identity.
“If I remember correctly, the First Investigation Division should be staying with the councilman right now,” Matsuda Jinpei said. “What are you doing out here, eating at the buffet?”
Although Asuka Kazuya didn’t speak, Matsuda Jinpei could see the naked desire in his drifting attention and the way he stared at the food.
Matsuda Jinpei’s lips twitched, unable to help but retort: “How did you even pass the exam?”
How else could he have passed?
Asuka Kazuya recalled the identity of the owner of his police ID. “Kato” was the son of an official from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Five years ago, when he was sent to the Special Abilities Division for an internship, he happened to be assigned to the same group as him. Although that guy always slacked off at first, he started working hard after he accepted the mission from the organization.
The executive officer said that “Kato” had recently gone to the Middle East, assisting the Hunting Dogs in cracking down on ability crimes.
Thinking of this, Asuka Kazuya gave a thumbs-up.
“Do you know about ‘Daddy’?”
His expression, tone, and actions were all impeccably sincere. Asuka Kazuya nodded, explaining in front of the increasingly silent Matsuda Jinpei.
“That’s how I passed.”
…
“Pfft, hahahahaha.”
Hagiwara Kenji, who had been watching, couldn’t help but laugh. He put his arm around his friend’s neck, teasing him with a smile.
“What’s the big deal? He’s learning too.”
…It was because of people like this that the police department’s reputation was ruined.
Matsuda Jinpei rolled his eyes, glancing at the other members of the First Investigation Division, but his peripheral vision caught the redness of the other’s wrist.
Upon closer inspection, there was also swelling, clearly having been hit recently.
Matsuda Jinpei’s expression instantly became serious.
“Did you encounter the criminals?”
Asuka Kazuya followed his gaze.
After a brief silence, Asuka Kazuya sighed.
“Well, Daddy doesn’t really support me being a police officer.”
“But I think the criminal who wrote the threatening letter is really going too far, so I wanted to come and have a look.”
In an instant, Matsuda Jinpei and Hagiwara Kenji envisioned a young master joining the police department against his family’s pressure. Although he seemed useless, his determination to stick to his beliefs even after being beaten by his strict parents was already beyond many people.
“Jinpei-chan,” Hagiwara Kenji whispered, afraid that Matsuda Jinpei would say something that would damage the other’s confidence again.
“…I know, I know.” Matsuda Jinpei’s tone was helpless. “I’m not that insensitive.”
On the contrary, the guy in front of him was quite insensitive.
Matsuda Jinpei took a deep breath, apologizing frankly: “I misunderstood you just now, sorry.”
Asuka Kazuya didn’t follow his train of thought. He pondered for a moment, just staring at Matsuda Jinpei without speaking.
Matsuda Jinpei, puzzled, asked if he had thought of any clues.
Asuka Kazuya replied no.
His golden hair was particularly striking under the moonlight, his lips pursed, his tone utterly sincere.
“I just suddenly realized that I still have a conscience.”
Matsuda Jinpei: “…”
“Hey, Hagi,” he said, “why can’t I understand what he’s saying?”
“That’s how it is, I’ve infiltrated the police.” In a corner where Matsuda Jinpei and Hagiwara Kenji couldn’t see him, Asuka Kazuya raised his hand and lightly touched the black earpiece he was wearing. “Do you want to come and meet up?”
Approaching the police and obtaining information about Councilman Tanaka was originally Scotch’s task. However, due to his superb Temple Run driving skills, Scotch was pale when he got out of the car and went straight to the restroom after boarding.
Asuka Kazuya thought about it and decided to do it for him.
“Scotch?”
His message didn’t receive a response, so Asuka Kazuya called him again.
Meanwhile, Scotch, seeing Matsuda Jinpei and Hagiwara Kenji not far from Calvados, fell silent. His mind raced, instantly coming up with many possibilities.
For example, Calvados was indeed faking it, or his undercover identity had been exposed, and Calvados was approaching Matsuda and the others because of this. If so, Bourbon might also be implicated…
Scotch pursed his lips, taking half a minute to prepare himself mentally.
“Why them?”
“Them? …Oh, you mean Matsuda and Hagiwara.” Asuka Kazuya took a bite of cake, his words muffled by the fork in his mouth. “They’re handsome, right? I saw them at a glance in the crowd. Since I have to deal with the police anyway, why not pick someone pleasing to the eye?”
Scotch: “…”
He miscalculated, forgetting again that Calvados wasn’t a normal person.
“If you don’t want to come, then don’t.” Seeing that Scotch wasn’t speaking, Asuka Kazuya, thinking he was angry, said, “Why so gloomy? Young people should be energetic! Scotch, you’re not even as good as Bourbon in this aspect!”
What was energetic?
Like Gin, maintaining his sanity after being tormented for so long?
“…I understand.” Scotch replied speechlessly. “Calvados, be careful not to expose your identity.”
?
What was that supposed to mean? Why was Scotch speaking so incoherently, just like him?
Asuka Kazuya had a question mark above his head, unable to figure out the cause and effect even after the other party ended the communication.
But these two detective-like police officers were really good people. Asuka Kazuya looked at the bandage on his hand, moving his fingers, feeling Ango-senpai-like warmth after a long time.
“Who were you talking to just now?”
Seeing Asuka Kazuya staring at the bandage in a daze, Hagiwara Kenji walked over.
“Hmm…” Asuka Kazuya thought. “Oniisan?” (Older brother)
“You have an older brother?” Hagiwara Kenji continued the conversation. “So you’re the youngest in the family? Why isn’t he with you?”
“Because I’m annoying?”
Asuka Kazuya propped his chin, lost in thought as Matsuda Jinpei also walked over.
“It’s strange, although I don’t know what I said, I was just disliked. Daddy even said I was noisy, always pestering him, telling me to go play somewhere else.”
“Ah, I remember now, could it be because I said the police were a little more handsome than him? But he didn’t have to hit me—it’s still Daddy’s fault.”
Hagiwara Kenji could no longer maintain his smile.
Domestic violence, isolation, being beaten at every turn, it was hard to imagine this being the family life of a police officer.
He exchanged glances with Matsuda Jinpei, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.
“Um… Kato-kun.”
Hagiwara Kenji’s eyes were complex, reminding him tactfully.
“Do you know you can apply for legal aid?”
