Chapter 45
“Kazuya.”
Before Asuka Kazuya could react, Officer Makino, initially assisting Superintendent Adachi in collecting statements, turned around and waved to him.
“What are your thoughts?”
First the Tanaka case, then the cafe attack, Makino Haruki instinctively realized that his colleague wasn’t simple, but he didn’t say anything more in front of his boss.
His tone was gentle, directly calling Asuka Kazuya’s name in front of Superintendent Adachi.
“The disappearances all happened during the day,” Officer Makino turned a page in the file, continuing, “although we can’t rule out the possibility of someone they know, the locations are scattered, we haven’t found anyone connected to all the victims.”
“…” Not expecting to be called out, Asuka Kazuya was silent, feeling like being called on in class—
This was a novel feeling, Makino Haruki was too kind, Asuka Kazuya felt he should be holding a gun to his head.
“…Why do they have to know each other?” Asuka Kazuya finally asked.
Officer Makino: “Because…”
“Because Kaori would never go with a stranger.” Mrs. Yunoki, her arms crossed and eyes red, interrupted them. “I always taught her not to talk to strangers, she’s very cautious, she would have screamed if someone forced her away.”
Asuka Kazuya didn’t speak, briefly recalling their conversation.
The places where the victims disappeared weren’t remote alleys, if he were to kidnap them…
“What if it was a police officer?” Asuka Kazuya said.
Mrs. Yunoki was stunned: “…What?”
Asuka Kazuya met her gaze: “If I showed my ID and offered to take her home, would she come with me?”
Mrs. Yunoki’s face paled, seemingly recalling what she had taught her daughter.
“Impossible, you mean…”
“Someone who can act in broad daylight, smoothly take a child of this age to their destination, without attracting attention.” Asuka Kazuya glanced at his watch, saying absentmindedly, “As for the things left at the scene, I haven’t read the Bible, there should be people in the MPD who know more.”
A murderer impersonating a police officer—Superintendent Adachi’s expression turned serious, realizing the situation had become even more dire.
After all, unlike adults, children had almost no ability to distinguish between real and fake. If this crime was imitated, Tokyo’s already high crime rate would soar.
Jodie and Camel exchanged glances, seemingly wanting to say something, but hesitant due to their FBI identities.
It was strange enough for American tourists to speak Japanese, if the Japanese police noticed, they would be subjected to another round of political scrutiny.
Not to mention Shuichi was currently…
“Love is patient,” to Jodie’s surprise, Akai Shuichi said smoothly, reading from the page, “Chapter 13, Verse 4, I don’t think the culprit necessarily impersonated an officer.”
Adachi Yuhei narrowed his eyes, recognizing him as the one who claimed to be Kato’s older brother on the street before. He hadn’t pursued it because of that official, and now he was even questioning their police work.
“The surveillance cameras on that road broke down yesterday morning due to a problem with the nearby power box.” Akai Shuichi’s voice was calm, his gaze sweeping over the file in Officer Makino’s hand. “If you go check now, there shouldn’t be any maintenance notices posted yet.”
Makino Haruki instinctively covered the file, then realized that Akai Shuichi couldn’t possibly see anything from this distance.
“…Makino,” Adachi Yuhei’s face was expressionless. Although he didn’t quite believe Akai Shuichi, he still gave the order, “send someone to investigate the notice and also the personnel list from the electricity company and the traffic department in charge of that area.”
“Yes.”
“However, I have another question.”
Adachi Yuhei’s gaze lowered, looking at the bag in Akai Shuichi’s hand.
“How did you know something that even ordinary residents don’t know?”
Sherry’s address.
Asuka Kazuya immediately realized this. He was about to slip away when Akai Shuichi’s words stopped him.
“He told me.”
Instantly, the police, the victims’ parents, the FBI agents posing as witnesses, everyone’s gaze focused on Asuka Kazuya’s awkward attempt to take a step.
How presumptuous.
Asuka Kazuya silently retracted his foot, reflecting on his sympathy for Rye just now.
After this was over, he would go to Gin and yell that Rye was FBI.
By the time Asuka Kazuya dragged himself back to the apartment, only half the sun remained.
Bourbon and Scotch were discussing the files from the USB drive when they saw the ghost-like Asuka Kazuya.
The young man was wearing slippers, looking listless, his first words being, “Ask me what I’ve been through.”
Bourbon didn’t want to ask.
Usually, once he asked, Calvados would spend the next few hours trying to force him to agree with his wild theories.
It was a waste of time. Bourbon was about to refuse when he heard Scotch say—
“What have you been through?”
…You’re cooperating too quickly! Are you trying to replace Vodka?!
Bourbon stared at them: “Shouldn’t we be discussing that list now?”
“I saw Rye,” Asuka Kazuya said.
Bourbon stopped his reprimand, trying to analyze Asuka Kazuya’s expression. He hesitated for a few seconds, then decided to follow Scotch’s intuition.
“What about Rye?”
Asuka Kazuya, with a serious face, got to the point: “After I disappeared last time, didn’t Gin secretly transfer Sherry for safety? Based on what Rye said, I think I’ve deduced the area where Sherry is.”
Bourbon frowned, looking him up and down: “Did he set you up?”
“No,” Asuka Kazuya gritted his teeth. “I investigated everyone on that street, except for two houses I didn’t have time to thoroughly search, and even knocked out over a dozen dogs. Guess what I saw?”
“CIA!” Before Bourbon could reply, Asuka Kazuya yelled, “Sherry wasn’t there at all! When I climbed in through the window, those two CIA agents were still setting up listening devices!”
Bourbon wanted to express sympathy, but couldn’t help a bit of schadenfreude: “The CIA took you that long to deal with?”
“Of course not,” Asuka Kazuya looked at him, “I stole their phones and found out who the CIA mole in the organization is.”
“…” Bourbon was silent for a moment.
“Calvados,” he said seriously, “you’re not trying to buy time by selling them out, are you?”
This plan was quite good, but Asuka Kazuya considered himself somewhat conscientious.
“No,”
Asuka Kazuya said matter-of-factly.
“We can threaten them to cover for us after we leave the country, the CIA is even better at hiding than the FBI.”
Hearing this, Bourbon took a deep breath, finally understanding his logic.
“You’re planning to have us escape?”
“I’ve seen the list the Special Abilities Division gave me, fewer people than expected, Gin might find you in just two days.”
“What about the others if we escape?”
As an organization member, Bourbon naturally knew their methods when they couldn’t find someone. Family, friends—they would target anyone connected to them, and with limited police resources, it was impossible to protect everyone.
Asuka Kazuya hesitated, not realizing at first that Bourbon and Scotch were different from him, they had families.
“Even Public Security can’t launch a large-scale operation against the organization without evidence.” Bourbon’s voice was calm as he continued his analysis. “There have been attempts to record their crimes, but they search each other before operations now, it’s useless, Kazuya. As of now, no agency has been able to…”
“Then just create evidence,”
Asuka Kazuya said casually, following Bourbon’s train of thought.
“Lure them to a public place, we don’t even need surveillance, the public will spread the word themselves. British officials are still in the country, considering national pride and public pressure, the higher-ups will definitely agree to let Public Security act at all costs.”
“We have to consider civilian casualties.” Having witnessed the tragedy in Yokohama, Scotch imagined the consequences of Asuka Kazuya’s plan. “Besides, no one can escape the organization’s pursuit for that…”
Scotch trailed off, understanding his meaning.
He glanced at Bourbon, who, as expected, had a dark expression, replying, “Don’t even think about it.”
“But this is the easiest way,”
Asuka Kazuya protested, not mentioning that the Special Abilities Division might also interfere.
Knowing the executive officer, he was probably regretting not helping Dazai eliminate him.
There was no need to be angry about this. The reason the executive officer became the executive officer was because of his ability to make quick decisions in critical situations.
Asuka Kazuya wasn’t like that, he always tried to find the perfect solution. Dazai said this was a waste of time, and Asuka Kazuya disagreed.
He couldn’t expose Verlaine, because then Europe would take him back.
He couldn’t tell Chuuya either, he was doing well in the Port Mafia, but Dazai said the Boss was dissatisfied with his recent behavior.
“If you’re really worried about me, shoot me yourself,” Asuka Kazuya quickly arranged everything, his speech accelerating. “Missing a shot on camera would be suspicious, I trust your marksmanship. The operation will be tomorrow morning, at 6 am, when there aren’t many people around, I can use my ability to ensure no one else gets hurt.”
Bourbon didn’t know what to say.
Thank you for your trust? Still thinking about minimizing casualties at a time like this, no wonder Matsuda and the others said you’re suited to be a police officer?—No matter what he said, it seemed too weak.
It gave him the feeling that it was better not to reveal his undercover identity to Calvados from the beginning.
“I’m not worried about you,” Bourbon said stubbornly after a while. “I still disagree, if there’s an accident…”
“I heard everything,”
Asuka Kazuya interrupted him forcefully, his tone almost cheerful.
“Matsuda told you that day that the class president invited you and Scotch to his wedding next year.”
“Don’t you think that’s a very meaningful event? With cake, flowers, and all your good friends around.”
It was impossible for undercover agents to attend such events. Bourbon was silent, recalling his excuse for refusing Matsuda.
He hadn’t expected Calvados to care.
“You said I should think for myself, I’ve learned,”
“My condition is that you bring me along when you attend the wedding, I think it sounds fun.”
The clock ticked. Bourbon stared at the smug person in front of him, noticing the halo around his long eyelashes under the light.
What did he mean, “he’s learned”? Couldn’t he have asked for something more difficult?
Amuro Tooru was both exasperated and amused, then suddenly realized that Asuka Kazuya wasn’t lacking anything. His secret stash was full of money, and he owned a lot of properties.
“Why do you want to go?”
So Bourbon asked this question.
Asuka Kazuya blinked, answering without hesitation: “Because it looks happy.”
“All humans should know, right? I also want to know, I want to know what that feels like.”
His hardened heart felt like it had been struck. Bourbon’s heart skipped a beat, he couldn’t help but chuckle, hearing him angrily ask, “Are you mocking me?”
No.
Bourbon thought, not telling him.
This guy wasn’t lacking money or a place to live.
Asuka Kazuya, after losing his memory, had explored the world.
He was just lacking a lot of love.
