In the ramen shop, Kinno Nobuko fell into silence.
Her worldview had completely collapsed. She couldn't imagine that the senior she respected so much could harbor such thoughts while remaining at the police station.
Beautiful, knowledgeable—that was her ideal.
But that wonderful impression was shattering bit by bit.
"Senior Morimoto, I thought you were different from the rest."
"Nobuko, the fact that you can recognize this shows you've grown. Resign. You're not cut out for this line of work."
Morimoto Chiyoda advised her to resign, feeling no burden in doing so.
Aside from the career-track officers, doing field patrols is the most dead-end job. You could work hard your whole life and still not achieve the rank or benefits of a police inspector by retirement. Even delivering food would earn more money than being a patrol officer, and you wouldn't have to endure people's disdain.Or being called a tax parasite, or something like that.
The light in Kinno Nobuko's eyes dimmed bit by bit. "That's true."
If not for wanting to be a messenger of justice, Kinno Nobuko wouldn't have taken this job.
"That you've figured this out is something worth celebrating."
A smile appeared on Morimoto Chiyoda's face; she knew very well that with a personality like Kinno Nobuko's, if she stayed at Ayase Police Station and didn't change, she would definitely meet a bad end.
The chief might seem stupid and incompetent, only capable of bellowing and cursing, but anyone who could become chief wouldn't be so foolish as to be unaware of Yoshinokawa's cause of death. He simply doesn't want to get involved in troublesome matters. Pachinko parlors, adult entertainment establishments, and horse racing venues—places legally operated by Violent Gangs—generate enormous tax revenue for the government annually. They can also offer a retired chief a leisurely, high-paying job. Considering his future, the chief is willing to feign ignorance of Violent Gang vendettas, as long as they don't go too far.
Morimoto Chiyoda saw this clearly, which is why she chose to change herself and become a slacking police inspector.
After all, a career-track police inspector like her was different from a patrol officer like Kinno Nobuko. Her salary, benefits, and such an easy job weren't something one could find just anywhere.
With this job, even if Aozawa failed to get into Tokyo University, suffered setbacks, and became a shut-in capable of nothing but pestering her, she could still support him.
「…」
"Goodbye."
At the school gate, Aozawa waved goodbye to the members of the Sword Dao club and turned to walk towards the Morimoto house.
He didn't use his X-ray Ability to look into the houses on either side; instead, he took out his phone and searched for today's news about Adachi District.
He couldn't find any reports related to the murder case.
Aozawa was somewhat surprised.
That guy died naked on a bridge in the park. Such a sensational incident, and there's absolutely no news about it?
It's impossible that no one passed through the park all day, Aozawa complained internally.
A message suddenly popped up.
"Are you there?"
He instinctively opened the message. The avatar was a very glamorous Hot Girl. Her fingers typed, "I just finished Sword Dao club practice. Have you thought about where we should go for fun on Saturday?"
Ayatsuki Ayaka's brows furrowed slightly. Why did Aozawa reply so quickly?
Could it be… he's been staring at his phone waiting for my message all this time?
No way, she grumbled internally, turning over and pressing down on her ample bosom. And I've already read the message; I can't keep letting my thoughts run wild.
Ayatsuki Ayaka hurriedly typed back, "The place is Arakawa Amusement Park."
Choosing Arakawa District was a conclusion Ayatsuki Ayaka had reached after careful consideration. If they stayed in Adachi District, they might easily run into classmates, which could lead to gossip.
She didn't care.As a Hot Girl, she was often the subject of gossip about being with various guys.Aozawa was different, though. In Ayatsuki Ayaka's eyes, Aozawa should be the type of diligent student focused solely on his studies, a real goody-two-shoes.
"Got it," Aozawa replied.
Ayatsuki Ayaka stared at the message marked as 'read' and seethed internally. Why did they have to design this 'read receipt' feature? It gives me no time to think; I have to end the conversation as quickly as possible. Otherwise, a message left on 'read' for a long time without a reply can easily create awkwardness between us. It also makes it increasingly difficult to reply.
"Alright then, that's settled. I'm going to take a bath."
After sending this message, Ayatsuki Ayaka suddenly realized something was amiss. Why did I have to tell Aozawa I'm going to take a bath? Couldn't I have just found some other excuse?
I'm such an idiot! Ayatsuki Ayaka slapped her forehead. All that theory I learned is useless! When it comes to a real situation, I completely expose my fatal weakness: no experience!
Wait a minute, she reconsidered. Being able to casually tell a guy I'm going to take a bath… that must be something only a Hot Girl can do, right?
Ayatsuki Ayaka secretly sighed in relief.
The message shows as 'read.' Next, he'll just send a casual reply, and then we can end this conversation.
"I'm all sweaty too. I plan to go home and take a bath."
Aozawa's response was unexpected. He sent a selfie of his abdomen and typed, "Sword Dao club training is okay in spring, but in summer, it's incredibly hot."
Ayatsuki Ayaka's face turned red as she looked at the picture.
I never would have thought! Aozawa usually looks so slender, but under his clothes, his muscles are actually so well-defined.
The eight-pack abs in the photo even seemed to have a sheen of sweat left from his training.
After staring at the picture for a moment, Ayatsuki Ayaka suddenly snapped back to reality. How did the topic shift to this?! she internally screamed. Is Aozawa deliberately trying to tempt me?
She stared at Aozawa's profile picture. His features were regular and handsome, and his expression showed none of the usual frivolity of the flirtatious guys she'd met at mixers.
He probably just doesn't know how to talk to girls, so he did something this outrageous.
Imagining Aozawa's blushing face, Ayatsuki Ayaka shook her head and muttered to herself, "What an idiot. Who sends that kind of photo right when they start chatting with a girl?"
With that said, Ayatsuki Ayaka typed with both hands, her fair, bare feet kicking playfully in the air. "I don't know much about Sword Dao, but I think guys who can stick to their training are really cool."
"Ayaka, it's your turn for the bath! If you keep dawdling, don't complain to me later that the bathwater is cold!"
Her sister's loud voice floated in from outside the door.
Ayatsuki Ayaka hurriedly looked up and said, "I know, I'm coming."
Quickly, she typed back a message, "I'm going to take a bath now. Let's talk another time."
"Mm."
Aozawa replied with a sticker of a panda nodding, a smile on his face.
Teasing an innocent Hot Girl is pretty fun.
He had deliberately sent the photo precisely to make Ayatsuki Ayaka blush.
Pocketing his phone, Aozawa used his X-ray Ability to observe the houses on either side.
He realized that what most people did every day was pretty much the same, like NPCs in a game.
Mrs. Imamura was still preparing dinner, and the man of the house was still lying on his side, munching on chips and watching short videos to pass the time.
Come to think of it, my own daily routine is also very fixed.
But going to the amusement park with Ayatsuki Ayaka is an unexpected event.
Thinking of this, I suddenly feel a bit excited.