Chapter 141
While the two undercover agents discussed finding their predecessor together, Usuha Izuki's side suddenly began receiving large amounts of suspicion values.
Usuha Izuki looked at the contributors' names: [...What's going on with these two?]
The system subconsciously said its catchphrase: [Reflect on yourself.]
[What the hell should I reflect on? Isn't it good that they're willing to give suspicion values?] Usuha Izuki was unconcerned. After carefully thinking about everything he'd done today and confirming he had no flaws, he set the matter aside. [Anyway, given these two's caution, if they really want to do something, they'll definitely prepare in advance. I'll just activate "Universal Navigation" when I see them in the future and avoid surrounding dangers.]
System: [............]
This mentality was truly awesome. It felt like no matter what circumstances he was in, he wouldn't wrong himself. Even if someone tricked him, seeing his carefree attitude, they probably wouldn't feel accomplished but frustrated instead...
Saying he didn't care, Usuha Izuki really didn't care and leisurely took a taxi to the hospital.
Wearing Samukawa Shinryu's mask, as usual, of ten passing taxis, only one honest driver would stop. But as long as he could get a ride, he didn't ask for more—the suspicion values from those drivers who didn't dare stop were also delicious! He didn't lose out anyway!
With an excellent mentality, Usuha Izuki took a taxi directly to the hospital where Fukasawa Yasuyuki's mentally ill sister—who had died from parasites—was staying, planning to see if there were any clues to take back and report.
After all, to make Furuya Rei's side decide quickly so he could adjust his plans on the police side, he'd found an excuse to sneak out alone and make phone calls. But he couldn't really go find Kitami Hitoshi, who had told him about the website, and ask "Do you have evidence to help me arrest you?" He could only find other clues to hand in.
As a working person, just show that you're doing work and the progress bar is moving. As for what specifically you did, as long as it helped case progress, Inspector Megure probably wouldn't mind these details. At worst, he could say he didn't find the person and wouldn't waste time, advancing the investigation independently.
However, when Usuha Izuki wanted to find Fukasawa's sister, he encountered some difficulty at the reception desk.
"Uh... by regulations, we can't casually inform others about patients' conditions..."
The receptionist was careful, choosing words cautiously while trying to politely refuse Usuha Izuki's request to visit Fukasawa's sister.
Usuha Izuki had anticipated this and took out his police badge: "I'm a police officer investigating a case. Her brother is already dead—she might be next."
Receptionist: "............"
From the receptionist's ever-changing expressions and the background suspicion values frantically scrolling, Usuha Izuki could roughly judge what level of shock this person was currently experiencing.
[When using Samukawa Shinryu's mask, the most interesting thing is watching others' incredulous reactions.] Usuha Izuki was pleased. [I can earn suspicion values and satisfy personal hobbies. "Black Screen Aura" is divine!]
System: [........As long as you're happy.]
Though speechless, the system thought this was actually quite good—at least he wouldn't be depressed like some previous hosts who ground suspicion values...
And this wasn't even finding joy in suffering—this person's personality was just this terrible! He seemed super happy being suspected!
With Usuha Izuki's behavior, making him grind [Trust Points] might actually make him suffer, since there'd be no fun and it would test his acting skills.
The undercover system really picked up a demon!
While Usuha Izuki was tormenting the receptionist, someone hesitantly called out from behind him.
"Samukawa-kun?"
Usuha Izuki turned around and was surprised to find Shiratori Ninzaburo and his partner.
Now everyone was from Criminal Investigation Division One, but he'd just joined and immediately encountered a case, becoming very busy with interviews and meetings. He'd only nodded at Shiratori Ninzaburo today without time to talk. He hadn't expected to run into them here.
"Why are you here?" Usuha Izuki asked.
"Inspector Megure had us come find Fukasawa's sister..." Shiratori Ninzaburo asked in confusion, "Why are you here?"
Samukawa Shinryu was currently with Hagiwara Kenji, following Inspector Megure's actions, right?
Inspector Megure had already assigned this task to his group—how could he have Samukawa Shinryu come again? Wouldn't that be wasting manpower?
Moreover, Samukawa Shinryu was here alone. Detectives operated in pairs—this sudden solo action was strange.
Shiratori Ninzaburo was still manageable since his intelligence could offset part of the "Black Screen Aura's" effect, but his partner wasn't as capable. After hesitating in the back for a long time, he couldn't help quietly sending Shiratori Ninzaburo an email.
Usuha Izuki answered: "I was originally looking for other leads but didn't find the person. Since I was nearby, I came to check the hospital."
Shiratori Ninzaburo felt his phone vibrate and, worried it might be a new arrangement from his superior, took out his phone while continuing to ask: "Just you alone?"
"Mm, I told Inspector Megure I wanted to act independently." Usuha Izuki was very calm. "Because bringing police to meet that person wouldn't be convenient."
Partner: "............"
Shiratori Ninzaburo: "............"
"You came at just the right time—help me verify." Usuha Izuki even started giving orders. "She doesn't believe I'm police."
Receptionist: "............"
Think about what you just said! What do you mean bringing police wouldn't be convenient?! How am I supposed to believe that?!
Shiratori Ninzaburo was very speechless but still cooperated by stepping forward to help Usuha Izuki prove he was indeed police. After the receptionist finally believed them and gave them the office of Fukasawa's sister's attending physician, he followed beside Usuha Izuki, walking while persuading.
"Your way of speaking is too easily misunderstood. Although I can understand you probably went to ask yakuza for information, there's no need to say it that way. Originally simple things get complicated..."
Shiratori Ninzaburo was quite familiar with Samukawa Shinryu's reputation. Without needing explanation, he consciously helped find reasons and convinced himself.
Usuha Izuki remained unmoved: "You mean you want me to lie and deceive you? I understand. I'll pay attention next time."
Shiratori Ninzaburo: "...??? That's not what I meant!"
What kind of comprehension was this? Was he doing it on purpose? Someone who could pass civil service exams shouldn't have this level of understanding!
Another person began suspecting whether Samukawa Shinryu's personality was actually quite nasty...
No, thinking back, during their last meeting when they solved that case, Samukawa Shinryu had already shown tendencies toward toying with people...
Shiratori Ninzaburo was fed up.
He didn't understand how someone in this world could just make you feel you'd misunderstood him and feel guilty, then immediately make that guilt disappear without a trace.
Shiratori Ninzaburo gloomily began checking his email, finding the sender was his partner.
...With less than a meter distance, what needed to be said via email?
Opening it, he found his partner asking: [Is it possible he actually came to silence Fukasawa's sister? First making excuses for solo action, then 'conveniently' coming to the hospital—maybe the hospital was his real destination!]
Shiratori Ninzaburo: "............"
Don't mention it—his partner's reasoning was logical and could serve as a decent red herring in mystery novels, just too biased with obvious prejudice.
He suspected his partner was still holding grudges from being counter-killed by Samukawa Shinryu last time.
So Shiratori Ninzaburo replied speechlessly: [You're overthinking. If Samukawa were really connected to this case, he wouldn't have had people dredge the lake bottom and escalate it to a serial murder case.]
Samukawa Shinryu wasn't that stupid! The biggest progress in this case so far was all brought by Samukawa Shinryu! Other cases aside, suspecting Samukawa Shinryu in this case was truly meaningless.
His partner breathed a sigh of relief.
He didn't really think Samukawa Shinryu was connected to the case either, but with these suspicious points right in front of him, not being suspicious would be unfair to his Police Academy training.
Sometimes even partners had to be suspicious—what about simple colleagues?
How many people only realized their partner's difficulties after they'd committed irreversible crimes, regretting not discovering earlier to provide help...
Uh, this situation was impossible for Samukawa Shinryu—couldn't imagine him not seeing through his partner. For Samukawa Shinryu's partner, it was also impossible.
Because Samukawa Shinryu's partner would probably be extra vigilant from the first moment they saw him, constantly observing whether Samukawa Shinryu had problems. There was no carelessness or overlooking suspicious points. Like him, feeling the need to ponder any problem with Samukawa Shinryu for ages!
They quickly found Fukasawa's sister's attending physician.
When the attending physician saw the three of them, he instinctively stood up from his desk: "What do you want?"
Shiratori Ninzaburo: "...We're police."
What was this expression suspecting yakuza coming to cause trouble?!
Samukawa Shinryu was understandable since he was always easily misunderstood, but why were he and his partner with such upright faces also being suspected?!
The attending physician suspiciously repeated: "Police?"
Shiratori Ninzaburo silently showed his police badge.
The attending physician was half-convinced: "Alright, what do you need from me?"
He'd never seen police badges before and didn't know the difference between real and fake. Showing him like this was useless.
Though he still felt this looked like a yakuza young master touring with his deputy, since they insisted on calling themselves police and even had such complete props, he'd cooperate for appearance's sake.
Usuha Izuki said directly: "I want to see Miss Fukasawa."
The attending physician's expression immediately changed: "She's already suffered enough! Just leave her alone!"
Shiratori Ninzaburo: "............"
This was a tactical error. This was originally his and his partner's job—he should have sent Samukawa Shinryu away earlier. This guy staying here felt like constant hindrance!
He'd heard that when Samukawa Shinryu interned with the Mobile Investigation Unit, his group was constantly being reported or complained about. So this was the feeling.
He somewhat understood the Mobile Investigation Unit now—no wonder the renowned Captain Kikyo, who feared neither the Criminal Affairs Department chief nor anyone else and dared to argue for personnel, gave up continuously rising performance and agreed to Division Chief Odagiri's transfer request. She really couldn't stand it anymore...