Not a detective

Page 99

"Miss, that's really special."

We talked for a while, but I still don't quite understand her. I can't see any "strategy".

To me, she was like an alien species thrown into an aquarium, a glass bottle made of elements different from living organisms.

I want to know this child's strategy.

"Hmm... what's your name again?"

This is how it all began.

Spring of Events: Chapter Five - A New Commission

"Hoshino." Higashino Suegetsu woke up with a start from the table and called out instinctively.

"it's me……"

Asakawa Riku replied helplessly that the detective had gotten up later than usual today, so he had to make himself another cup of coffee.

Maybe I had a very long dream.

About five minutes later, Mo Yue slowly recovered from her dazed state after waking up. Her sleepy eyes and long eyelashes drooped, like a listless, lazy cat.

Seeing her utterly dejected face, he took a sip of his coffee and said, "...Why is it you?"

"It's my shift today."

Seeing that she didn't comment on the taste of the coffee, Asakawa Riku sat back down in front of the game console with a clear conscience: "It's so enviable that there's no concept of Saturdays."

He noticed that the detective seemed lost in thought, as if she had something on her mind, but since she was his boss and hadn't asked to talk, he didn't pry into her privacy.

To change his mood, he knew a very effective method: handing over the handle.

"No customers yet today, probably another free day. Want to play Wilderness with me?"

Yes, another gaming companion that Asakawa Riku thought of was Shinonome Suetsuki. She was also an excellent player with a high level of intelligence and skill. Although she only started playing games half a year ago, she spent a lot of time on them every day and had become a dedicated player. You could even say that she had been transformed into a complete homebody.

Upon hearing this, Mo Yue said with a look of disdain:

"It's been months since it was released... I've already finished it and am waiting for the DLC. Well, it seems that without my help, the progress is slow."

"Yes, yes, yes." Asakawa Riku, who was indebted to the man, had a good temper and smiled as he patted the other cushion next to him.

Suezuki walked over, but just as she picked up the controller...

Ding-dong-

They've almost forgotten what the doorbell sounds like.

Is it just my imagination?

But it rang again.

Ding-dong-

After exchanging bewildered glances, Asakawa Riku took ten seconds to turn off the screen, tidy up the cushions, controllers, and other clutter on the floor, and restore a normal reception room.

Could it be that... the peace we've maintained for over a year, the "no guests" we just mentioned, is about to be shattered at this moment?

...

"Hello, both of you. I am Kirisame Aoi."

The visitor was a young woman wearing a familiar black trench coat, who held up her identification: "From the [Non-World Inspection Department]."

The document had her name and photo on it, but no serial number or anything else; all that was left was the gold-embossed logo.

The emblem of the Non-World Inspection Department is a sharp inverted triangle that looks like both a shield and a peering eye. The design is simple and without any superfluous symbols.

Riku Asakawa had seen this sign once, in that building in Kyoto.

"Did you come to ask about that matter?"

He placed the coffee cup meant for the guests on the woman's table and asked her to sit down.

Compared to that little maid, his skills in serving guests seem to need more practice, since he hasn't had much opportunity to practice in the past year.

"That's all I know about what happened in Kyoto, and I've already told you everything."

Asakawa Riku calmly said that since he had decided to protect Chizuko-senpai, he would not go back on his word now.

The woman, who identified herself as Kirisame, smiled and put away her identification. Instead of answering immediately, she took a sip of coffee.

She looked at Asakawa Riku and suddenly asked a very strange question:

"……do you remember me?"

"Ok?"

Asakawa Riku was taken aback. He didn't remember seeing this person when he was being investigated in Kyoto.

He doesn't have a particularly good memory. Because he has memories from two lifetimes, he always feels that his brain is sometimes not enough and he often gets confused or makes mistakes.

Especially when it comes to remembering people, Japanese names are often long and complicated, with different pronunciations and spellings, making it even more difficult to match them with faces.

But to be honest, if you've met this person before, you really shouldn't forget them—

The misty rain sunflower is very beautiful.

Her short hair was even shorter than Chizuko's; it wasn't just a bob. The roots reached her earlobes and neck, with wispy strands falling down. But it didn't look like a tomboy because of her delicate face and features. Her eyes were clean, and her lips were slightly red. Simple makeup was enough to showcase her natural beauty, making her unforgettable after just one glance.

She was about 1.7 meters tall without wearing high heels, and while slender, she didn't look sickly. Like the detective next to her, she was a mature beauty.

But he actually looks very young, probably only in his early twenties.

In comparison, Shinonome Sugetsuki possesses a more "gentle" beauty, with delicate features where they should be and prominent features where they should be. Kirisame Aoi, on the other hand, is more "sharp." She doesn't have such a voluptuous physique, but you can actually see the outline of her muscles, as well as the look in her eyes that have experienced battles and struggles. The calluses on her fingers and the friction on her joints also show the marks of a martial artist.

It was the aura of someone of their kind. Asakawa Riku wasn't Sherlock Holmes, but he sensed that the other party was definitely not an ordinary person.

Then he remembered: "You are... the police officer who came to the school last time, and you gave us a commendation because of the school doctor."

"...Haha, I didn't expect you to remember, little brother."

Kiriyu Aoi smiled.

Yes, Riku Asakawa remembered. She was a policewoman. Last autumn, while investigating the "Seven Mysteries of the School" of Aoandon, they inadvertently discovered an underground morgue and a clandestine operating room hidden beneath the school buildings. It was where the school doctor, Sho Suzuki, secretly disposed of corpses and illegal organs. In the end, they reported this to the police...

Then Officer Kirisame arrived, met with the principal to commend them, and indirectly helped them resolve the "dissolution of the Mystery Club incident."

He remembered that she was a beautiful policewoman, but the last time he saw her, she was wearing a police uniform, so he didn't recognize her at first glance.

Kirisame Aoi realized Asakawa Riku's subtext and explained:

“Our field officers from the Inspection Department are usually seconded to the police department. This makes it easier for us to investigate and handle criminals, and it’s in accordance with regulations. I also have a police officer’s ID, but this time I’m handling a case for the Inspection Department, and you all know about ‘that side,’ so I’m here in this capacity.”

"I see." Asakawa Riku nodded, then glanced at the detective.

Dongyun Sueyue remained silent, sitting behind her luxurious table without even looking over. She simply took out a medicine bottle and swallowed a few pills.

She seemed completely uninterested in what was happening here, leaving Asakawa Riku helpless; he could only do his job as an assistant.

"So, Officer Kirisame, Operator Kirisame? What brings you here this time?"

"Calling me Aoi is fine too."

Kirisame Aoi laughed heartily, seemingly possessing a cheerful and enthusiastic personality, but what she said next sent a chill down one's spine:

"I'm here today because I have a detective's investigation to handle, and it's a murder case."

Spring of the Item: Chapter Six - Three Knives

"When we discovered Suzuki Sho's incident last year, we actually suspected Ryugu Palace, but at the time we didn't think it was related to Shinonome... sorry, to their funding, so we were a step too late and couldn't find out about Shutenkan. I didn't expect you to beat us to it, what a coincidence."

Kirisame Aoi noticed that there was another person in the room with the surname "Shinonome," so she smiled and changed her words: "Fortunately, everything was resolved smoothly. However, this matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Kyoto branch according to the territory. I am from the Tokyo headquarters, so it has nothing to do with me. I actually came here this time to entrust another matter to you."

"What... is it that you absolutely have to hire this detective agency?"

Asakawa Riku made a statement that was not appropriate for an employee, lacking confidence.

To be honest, over the past year, the firm has mostly handled lost and found items, pet cats and dogs, infidelity investigations, and evidence gathering for divorces.

Moreover, there are basically no opportunities to start work; you could count them on two hands.

Not to mention a "murder case," seeing that the detective himself didn't care at all, Asakawa Riku became even bolder: "I don't think we have the conditions to take on such cases here."

He might be fine playing mystery games occasionally, but he didn't want to jeopardize other people's lives.

"That would be underestimating yourself."

Kiri Aoi smiled and shook her head: "You guys solved the Kyoto incident, you know. I heard that the branch sent a lot of people, and they might not even be able to kill that monster."

"That was thanks to the Onmyoji. It was her spell that killed it. We were just bystanders."

Asakawa Riku unhesitatingly passed the buck to Chizuko.

"Oh? Is that so?"

But then Kirisame Aoi said something that sent a chill down one's spine: "But I don't think so. I saw what happened. The one who defeated that monster shouldn't be an Onmyoji."

She stared at Asakawa Riku: "Asakawa-kun, you're the one who actually made the move—"

"I can not understand what you say."

Asakawa Riku's face immediately turned ugly.

He understood. Since he could see traces of training and the temperament of a warrior on Kirisame, the other party could also see something similar in him.

The "crime scene" in the Dragon Palace was not completely cleaned up. If someone knowledgeable could tell, they might be able to tell that a rather fierce battle had taken place there.

He had thought that as long as everyone's testimonies matched and they all said that Chizuko did it, everything would be fine. He hadn't expected the Inspection Department to be so serious.

"The detective was also at the scene; you can ask her if you don't believe me."

"It's true~~" Mo Yue drawled out her words as she answered slowly.

"Don't worry, don't worry, I won't expose you. As long as the matter is resolved, it's fine. How you distribute the credit is none of my business."

Kirisame Aoi smiled, indicating that she had no hostility. She said, "I'm just using this to prove that Asakawa-kun definitely has the ability to handle things, and that's enough."

"I'm not interested, please leave."

Asakawa Riku simply gave them the order to leave.

He had realized that getting involved with the Ministry of Supervision was not a good idea; continuing to associate with them might expose his past identity.

But Kiri Aoi showed no intention of standing up; she smiled and pressed her fingers against her cheek.

"Are you really not going to consider it? I've kept your secret for you, so consider this returning the favor?"

"Are you threatening me?"

Asakawa Riku frowned, stood up, and an invisible pressure spread out, trying to force the other party away.

The next instant, Wu Yu Kui also stood up, her right hand slightly raised and moved to her waist—

Swish!

Swish!Swish!

It was as if three gusts of wind suddenly blew through the room, and the speed of light and movement exceeded the limits, making it impossible to see what happened in that instant.

Then, Asakawa Riku and Kirisame Aoi stood still, staring at each other. The boy's expression was serious, while the woman still had a slight smile on her face.

The room fell silent again. The lights dimmed for a moment, then came back on, as if nothing had happened.

Even Dongyun Sueyue turned around, her eyes wide, as if she couldn't believe it:

"What just happened?"

"I was beheaded, three times."

Asakawa Riku explained to her in a deep voice.

“The first cut.” He pointed from his left shoulder to his right shoulder.

"The second cut." He pointed from his right shoulder to his left leg.

"I dodged both of those attacks, but perhaps they were feints, and then came the third one."

Pointing from head to toe: "I couldn't dodge it."

Asakawa Riku's words were puzzling and hard to understand. He was still standing there perfectly fine, without a single wound on his body, and there was no sign that he had been slashed.

Kirisame Aoi stood calmly in place, her hands empty of any knife. Of course, one shouldn't walk in the street with a knife in hand.