Chapter 20
Ever since Usuha Izuki took his seat in the auditorium, he'd been watching suspicion values constantly flood the screen. In less than ten minutes, he'd generated what usually took a full day.
Couldn't help it—Japanese passersby, especially Tokyo passersby, having probably seen all kinds of bizarre death causes, mostly adhered to the principle of minding their own business. Even when influenced by the 'Black Screen Aura,' they'd just quicken their pace and stay away without overthinking, feeling it had nothing to do with them.
Police Academy people had more sense of responsibility and would think more when they saw him.
He'd really chosen the right place to test for the Police Academy!
System: [You really aren't afraid of causing conflicts.]
[I believe Police Academy students can all maintain rationality. Look, although they initially gave high suspicion values, they quickly stabilized, shifting from suspecting I'm a criminal to suspecting why I'm appearing in the auditorium... So far, not one person has rushed up to me!]
This was indeed true.
The entrance ceremony had already begun, and everyone was sitting peacefully in their seats. No one came to chat with Usuha Izuki about random things.
However, the atmosphere had indeed been somewhat restless before, only stopped in time by the instructors' voices. Now everyone pretended to focus on the principal's speech on stage while their eyes wandered.
The instructors naturally noticed these small movements, but with leadership speaking above, they couldn't scold loudly and could only endure helplessly.
This was the most restless class they'd ever supervised during an entrance ceremony.
But it wasn't incomprehensible.
Taking advantage of a pause in the principal's speech when it was the student representative's turn to take the stage and pledge, the instructors couldn't help but gather in corners to discuss.
"Good thing Samukawa scored low on the interview, or he'd be the freshman representative."
The instructors didn't dare imagine that scene.
"It's just that the freshmen have a poor mentality—too restless. Need training."
"I think this isn't entirely the freshmen's problem..."
Everyone gradually fell silent as they talked.
Hagiwara Kenji couldn't help interjecting: "Anyway, since you've decided to admit him, it's better not to view students through colored glasses and just teach as you normally would, right?"
Yes, Hagiwara Kenji was also there. He'd officially become Instructor Onizuka's assistant.
When Instructor Onizuka found out, he felt he should scold him, but thinking about his reason for being here as assistant, the words wouldn't come out.
Having someone who understood Samukawa Shinryu really was a huge help for him...
Hagiwara Kenji also explained: "I need some time to properly think about what I really want to do. Interacting more with new recruits and asking about their thoughts might give me inspiration."
He certainly wouldn't joke around with his own life.
If he really loved the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit, he wouldn't have hesitated back then. It was just because he could work with his childhood friend, plus it seemed fine, he was indeed good at it, and they specially valued him enough to invite him—all these factors combined made him agree.
He was also thinking: if he hadn't received the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit's invitation back then, what direction would he have preferred to work toward?
If he couldn't figure it out, worst case he'd return to bomb disposal after six months. With his skills there, it wouldn't matter.
Besides, at the Police Academy he could ease the atmosphere and clear up everyone's misunderstandings about Samukawa Shinryu.
Hagiwara Kenji's words had an effect. The instructors all felt he was right, and Instructor Onizuka also felt he should just do his job and treat everyone equally.
But actually implementing this would reveal many problems only exposed during real classes.
Physical training was fine—Samukawa Shinryu performed flawlessly, giving instructors no chance to criticize him. The instructors themselves secretly breathed sighs of relief.
But problems arose during practical courses.
In this class, Instructor Onizuka first taught theory about roadside questioning and searches, then conducted practical exercises.
This was very important content—nearly 40% of criminals were caught when police noticed something wrong during roadside questioning and found evidence.
Responsible instructors, when time permitted, would play criminals and have students question them one by one for practice, ensuring they wouldn't make basic mistakes.
"Where are you looking?! I've already put my hand in my pocket and you're still searching the bag? What if I pulled out a knife right now? I raise my voice and you get scared—how can you be a police officer?!"
Instructor Onizuka looked fierce to begin with. Wearing sunglasses and gaudy clothes, with a touch of thug-like rolled R pronunciation, even knowing this was actually a police instructor, the students questioning him still cowered.
"S-sorry."
"Forget it. Go back and write a 10-page self-reflection."
The student nervously returned to his seat.
Instructor Onizuka walked back to the podium, glanced at the roster, and his heart immediately sank.
"...Next, Samukawa Shinryu."
Instantly, the previously quiet classroom erupted in subtle commotion.
The young man with dark blue hair stood up. At the same moment, the classroom returned to silence so complete that even breathing was barely audible.
The young man ignored others' strange behavior and calmly walked to the open space in the classroom center. His blood-red ominous eyes looked directly at Instructor Onizuka, bringing an inexplicable shiver.
Instructor Onizuka tried to stay calm: "Now I'm the criminal, you question me..."
He said this, but his mental activity was the same as the surrounding students—so wrong! Who should be questioning whom?!
Although Samukawa Shinryu had handsome, refined features and wore the Police Academy uniform, while Instructor Onizuka wore gaudy clothes and sunglasses with a fierce square face, everyone who looked felt the one in police uniform should be the one questioned.
This sense of displacement made everyone feel confused.
Students just watching was one thing, but Instructor Onizuka had to personally perform, which was very painful.
Samukawa Shinryu spoke politely: "Hello, excuse me, could you answer a few questions?"
"Huh? What's this about? I'm in a hurry." Instructor Onizuka sounded impatient, pretending to yawn.
This was a test point—many criminals would use this action to secretly swallow evidence.
Samukawa Shinryu's gaze swept over Instructor Onizuka's hands.
Being watched by Samukawa Shinryu felt like standing at the edge of an abyss looking down—heavy pressure and anxiety like impending falling.
Instructor Onizuka's hand involuntarily froze.
"Please don't make unnecessary movements." Samukawa Shinryu stared at him unblinkingly. "Give me the bag and put your hands where I can see them."
"...Alright, you pass!"
Instructor Onizuka called a timely stop.
If he didn't stop now, the atmosphere would become even more bizarre and affect subsequent teaching.
Although there were many more traps during bag inspection, on one hand Samukawa Shinryu's early performance was flawless, and on the other hand...
Instructor Onizuka believed that even if Samukawa Shinryu really had loopholes, no criminal would dare cause trouble in front of him.
...Before encountering actual criminals, the students got to enjoy this treatment first.
Samukawa Shinryu sat nearby like a good student, concentrating intently on the center stage. The students responsible for questioning became visibly stiff.
Instructor Onizuka watched students whose attention wasn't on him but on Samukawa Shinryu and felt speechless.
He had to think of a solution!!!
Finally, the class bell rang, and both instructor and students simultaneously sighed in relief.
Even the smallest exhalation, when concentrated, was very obvious.
What had been a long breath was instantly cut short, and many people froze.
Instructor Onizuka: "............"
This class is the hardest I've ever taught!!!
Instructor Onizuka coughed, reminded the class monitor, quickly called for standing and bowing. Instructor Onizuka left the classroom silently amid everyone's relieved farewells.
After class, Usuha Izuki quietly packed his things alone, planning to go to the cafeteria for lunch.
Although school had started nearly a week ago, no classmates had actively spoken to Usuha Izuki yet. He remained solitary, giving a sense of isolation.
Describing this situation in words to others would sound like bullying.
But if someone accused those classmates based on this, the classmates would angrily respond that he alone had isolated all of them!
Japanese people were very good at reading atmospheres. The almost tangible "don't talk to me" meaning around Samukawa Shinryu was as obvious as a light bulb to everyone. People tactfully knew not to disturb him.
Usuha Izuki also didn't plan to build good relationships with everyone—if relationships got too good, he'd have to restrain himself when grinding their suspicion values, which would be awkward.
Maintaining the status quo was best for him.
But someone thought this situation wasn't good—Hagiwara Kenji.
As an Assistant Instructor, he shouldn't show particular closeness to any specific student, but seeing this student was Samukawa Shinryu, everyone thought it was normal.
No one thought Hagiwara Kenji wanted to give Samukawa Shinryu special care. Everyone thought this was the kind of "special attention" from above that no one wanted.
So when Usuha Izuki left the classroom and saw Hagiwara Kenji smiling and waiting at the door, inviting him to lunch together, everyone was used to it.
The two found a table in the cafeteria and sat down. The entire table remained empty of others joining them, though people secretly observed from afar.
Usuha Izuki hadn't intended to monopolize a table. Initially he'd randomly found tables to share, but tablemates always quickly finished eating and fled.
Once someone across from him suddenly choked, and Usuha Izuki had wanted to help rescue them, but the person was so scared they suddenly coughed themselves better, though they still couldn't eat much before hurriedly leaving.
To accommodate everyone's stomachs, he could only seemingly domineeringly monopolize a table. Hagiwara Kenji's arrival finally eased this awkwardness, though Usuha Izuki himself didn't feel awkward...
"I watched a bit of class from outside earlier." Hagiwara Kenji asked with a smile, "I think Instructor Onizuka's effect wasn't great. How about I suggest letting you play the suspicious passerby next class?"
Someone at the next table suddenly choked.
—You're pretty devious too! Instructor Onizuka playing the criminal was already under enough pressure—switch to Samukawa Shinryu and could they still pass?!
Usuha Izuki looked deeply at Hagiwara Kenji: "You don't need to take such care of me."
He could understand that Hagiwara Kenji partly really wanted to help classmates improve their abilities, and partly wanted him to increase interaction with classmates.
Whether good or bad, there should at least be some interaction first.
"What are you talking about? I just think this would have better teaching effects." Hagiwara Kenji still smiled brightly. "If I were taking care of you, I should ask how your day went, right?"
"Pretty good, just heard some strange comments." Usuha Izuki pondered. "I heard someone say the school agreed to admit me because they were afraid if I became a criminal later, interviews would reveal I turned to crime because Police Academy rejected me, which wouldn't sound good for public opinion..."
Hagiwara Kenji silently cursed—who was so loose-lipped to spread such talk?
Before he could figure out how to explain or whether to comfort him, he heard Usuha Izuki continue.
"So if I commit crimes after becoming a police officer, how would public opinion react? Would it sound better?"
Hagiwara Kenji: "............" Why don't I ever learn? This person doesn't need comfort!
Surrounding eavesdropping classmates: "............"
—Could you be curious about normal things?! Hearing this makes us very anxious!!!