Not a detective

Page 105

Inspector Takahashi: Now it's our turn to ask questions, and you answer them. Don't get it wrong.

Yoshimura Shuo: Okay, okay. I think I've explained things clearly enough. Any other questions?

Inspector Takahashi: In view of your good deed in reporting the crime, we only asked you this question: Among the other people, who do you think is the most likely perpetrator?

Yoshimura Shuo: I have repeated this many times, and I believe other colleagues have said the same thing: no one committed the crime. The patient was suddenly killed by an invisible monster.

Inspector Takahashi: Let me rephrase the question... Who do you think is the most suspicious among the others?

Yoshimura Shuo: ...Probably Mr. Omura.

Inspector Takahashi: The surgeon? Why him?

Yoshimura: There are many reasons. For example, the operating room was so dangerous, yet he wasn't afraid and stayed until the very end. I didn't see what he and the anesthesiologist did inside. After he came out, he looked terrible and rushed off to go home. He even went downstairs again before leaving; I really don't know what he was doing. I guess—and this is just my guess—that during the surgery, the patient was writhing in pain because his hands and feet had been cut, and he accidentally stabbed the patient too deeply in the face with his scalpel. You can see it in the wound on the patient's face. Ordinary plastic surgery wouldn't be that bad; it's practically disfigurement. Mr. Yoshimura probably tried to hide this situation. Maybe he was worried that he would also be responsible, which is why he acted so strangely, trying to cover up the truth, even bluffing. But if you ask me, there's nothing he can do about it; you can't blame him.

Inspector Takahashi: The main cause of the patient's death was the dismemberment of his body and limbs. His struggle and pain were a consequence of this, and the facial injuries are not the doctor's fault, but rather an accident. I will explain this to him. Your testimony is very helpful to our investigation; thank you for your cooperation.

Spring of Items: Chapter Eighteen Outsourcing

“These are all six witnesses.” Inspector Takahashi walked outside, lit a cigarette with a weary expression, and said, “Or should we call them suspects?”

"Ah."

Asakawa Riku accompanied him while he gave his statement. Although other police officers were taking notes, he also took notes himself.

The more you experience it firsthand, the more you realize how difficult the job of a police officer really is. Although there are people who cooperate with investigations, dealing with troublesome individuals can be a real headache.

Seeing how much pressure Inspector Takahashi was under, I didn't try to persuade him to quit smoking.

What are the police's current speculations?

"The most suspicious person is Takesuke Ōmura."

Perhaps mistaking Asakawa Riku, who was posing as an inspector, for one of his own, Inspector Takahashi spoke of the case without any concealment: "First of all, he was the chief surgeon, the one who held the scalpel during the operation, and also the most likely person to commit the crime. He is very familiar with the human body, and there are many instruments and tools here, so the dissection shouldn't be difficult. Moreover, he even went home after the incident, probably to escape. During the interrogation, it should be clear that he has a good reputation among these people. If he asked for closure, they might have protected him."

Asakawa Riku felt that the police's suspicions were reasonable, but he also had some differing opinions:

"If it were the two assistants and the anesthesiologist who were committing perjury to cover up the crime, that would indeed be possible, but the nurse doesn't seem to be on the same side as them."

He vaguely sensed that there was an underlying hostility and conflict between the doctors and nurses here, especially the nurses' obvious aversion to the doctors.

As for the two assistants, they were just the surgeon's lackeys, while the anesthesiologist had no opinions of his own and could be simply divided into two camps.

"Or there is another possibility."

Asakawa Riku changed the subject: "As you said, all of these people are murderers. Their discord is just an act. In reality, they had already colluded on their testimonies. If six people committed the crime together, there would be more people and more strength. It would be easy to cut the body into those pieces. Then, when the police investigate, they can cover for each other and shift the blame for the crime to the monster."

He thought of a classic detective novel.

"Also a possibility……"

Inspector Takahashi exhaled a puff of smoke, his already deep forehead wrinkles becoming even more pronounced due to his thick eyebrows.

He flicked off his cigarette ash and continued, "But neither the 'chief surgeon' theory nor the 'all the prisoners' theory can explain why the body was dismembered."

"yes……"

Asakawa Riku understood his meaning: "If these doctors committed the crime, they could have easily disguised it better. Since it happened during surgery, as long as it was treated as medical malpractice or a patient's unfortunate sudden illness, it should be very difficult to find out. Why did they have to make the victim look so disfigured? That's a problem too..."

There was no reason to deliberately prepare the body like this; it wasn't for moving the body or destroying evidence.

This will only attract more attention and concern from the police, which will do nothing but harm the criminals.

"Unless there's extreme hatred for the victim, it has to be done this way... They're blinded by anger..."

“We have investigated and found that none of these six people have any family, friends or social relationship with the victim, Rika Otsuka. However, Rika Otsuka is a well-known person, so whether any of these people are her fans, or whether they discovered that she had undergone plastic surgery and were unable to accept it, leading them to commit the murder... these are things that can only be investigated slowly.”

Upon hearing Inspector Takahashi's words, Riku Asakawa immediately recalled the woman who had been fawning over the old man at his feet in the pub on Christmas Eve.

If her fans had seen that scene, they might have had a motive to kill her... but those doctors and nurses obviously couldn't have been in that building.

"Then I'll trouble you."

The incident occurred last night, and less than 24 hours have passed since then. The police may still have limited information and it will take some time.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing, about motivation."

Inspector Takahashi stubbed out his cigarette, turned around and said, "We also suspected that the doctors and nurses might have been tempted by the money. After all, Rika Otsuka is a celebrity, and she should have a lot of savings. If she had enough money, she could have made these people share the spoils and shut them up. Remember when Dr. Omura went home after the incident? We suspect that there might have been cash hidden in the bag he was carrying."

"I did have my suspicions," Asakawa Riku said calmly. "In other words, you've ruled out that possibility."

"Yes."

Inspector Takahashi gave a helpless wry smile: "However, when we checked the victim's personal belongings, we found that her expensive luxury handbag was still at the hospital, containing valuable jewelry, gold and silver pendants and rings. Her wallet was also stuffed with a lot of cash and various bank cards, far exceeding the wealth that a celebrity should have. Yet, no one had touched any of this money."

Riku Asakawa understood that these were likely gifts from Kosuke Shinonome to his mistress, not entirely from Rika Otsuka's earnings.

"Therefore, the motive of killing for money is basically invalid... Now, the mystery of why the body was dismembered is even more difficult to solve."

He understood why Inspector Takahashi looked so worried; this case was indeed a very difficult problem.

"Please send me a copy of the case investigation materials and the transcript from earlier. I will have a professional review it when I get back, and I will let you know if there are any developments."

Asakawa Riku and Inspector Takahashi exchanged contact information, but unexpectedly, Inspector Takahashi's expression suddenly changed, and he seemed very happy.

"Oh, that's great. With experts from the Inspection Department here, it should be resolved quickly. We also suspect that this might really be the work of some strange force."

Asakawa Riku instantly understood. The police were probably eager to get rid of this hot potato. If it was proven that it was indeed the work of a monster, then it would fall under the jurisdiction of the Inspection Department.

He didn't expose the poor policeman's fantasy because his "go back and ask the professionals" was not actually a report to the Inspectorate.

Instead, he is the most unreliable detective in the world.

After exchanging contact information, Asakawa Riku looked around and asked, "By the way, have you seen the woman who came with me, the one in the trench coat?"

Kirisame Aoi disappeared from the moment the statement was taken, and even her 911 parked on the side of the road has now driven away.

He didn't know how to get back.

"Hmm? Isn't she your colleague? You two should have communicated, right?"

Inspector Takahashi was surprised and said strangely, "She told our officers that this case is entirely under Mr. Asakawa's jurisdiction, and you are here to represent the opinion of the Inspection Department, aren't you?"

Asakawa Riku's eyes widened, his mouth agape but he couldn't say anything, because he couldn't possibly sabotage the situation at this moment.

...He finally realized where the trap was.

It turns out that the Ministry of Supervision had outsourced the case to them!

Spring of Events: Chapter Nineteen - Provocation

Riku Asakawa sighed, bid farewell to Inspector Takahashi, and walked back to the bustling streets of Kabukicho.

He was quite indignant about Kirisame Aoi's outsourcing. As a public servant bearing heavy responsibilities, how could he outsource a murder case to someone of unknown origin?

On the other hand, since he had agreed to take on the commission, he couldn't go back on his word now.

The Non-World Inspection Department is at least an official organization, so they shouldn't be stingy with the commission fee. If the issue can be resolved smoothly, they might be able to make a fortune.

Even disregarding the commission fee, Asakawa Riku felt that maintaining a good relationship with the Inspection Department was very important.

His own past, Chizuko's past, and Shinonome Suetsuki's past... they might have too many weaknesses in their hands, but we don't know their trump cards.

If I can take this opportunity to get to know more people in the Ministry of Supervision, starting with that unreliable Kirisame, it will be beneficial in the long run.

"At least reimburse me for the taxi fare."

Asakawa Riku couldn't help but complain that after giving him a ride, they didn't even think about taking him back, and now he had no choice but to take the train.

The investigation took a long time, especially taking statements from the six people, so much so that by the time he left the alley, the streets of Kabukicho were already shrouded in night.

Whether it's a joyous and enthusiastic atmosphere or an atmosphere of extravagance and decay, it doesn't matter. This special street will have different meanings depending on the perspective. Scantily clad hostesses stand in a row on the street, the smell of perfume and alcohol fills the air, and amidst the chaos and unease, the expressions on people's faces are filled with desire.

Neon lights illuminated the night, and weekend evenings were the perfect time for revelry. With the arrival of spring, it was the perfect season, and all of this was a scene that was hard to forget.

Asakawa Riku didn't blend into the atmosphere; he just stared blankly as he searched on his phone, looking for the nearest subway station on the map.

"Hey buddy, watch where you're going!"

Suddenly, an impatient smacking sound rang out in front of me.

Looking up, I saw four or five young men walking together. They were wearing casual black suits with open collars and tattoos on their chests and wrists.

Some had dyed their hair, while others had shaved their heads and grinned with unfriendly expressions, causing passersby and shopkeepers to keep their distance.

...Are all the videos on Shenren TV updated at night?

The thought flashed through Asakawa Riku's mind, but the other party was probably a more troublesome gangster. He noticed that these people had badges pinned to their collars, but he was too lazy to read the words.

“I’m not blocking the way, you can go past me.”

He calmly looked back; these people were generally a head shorter than him, so he was looking down at them.

That's the truth. Even when he's using his phone, he can still see his surroundings out of the corner of his eye. Even if he completely closes his eyes, he can't possibly bump into anyone while walking. The sidewalk is left mostly open, but these thugs walk in a row, and everyone else avoids them like the plague. Only Asakawa Riku walked up to them.

In other words, they're just looking for trouble.

"Hey! You look down on us, don't you!"

"You scoundrel, how dare you talk back!"

"Let me show you what we're made of, kid!"

This statement quickly provoked their dissatisfaction. The thugs rubbed their fists together, roaring with exaggerated rolled "r" sounds, and surrounded and approached Asakawa Riku.

Some even pulled out batons and knives, which were clearly visible, causing screams from passersby. Some wanted to call the police, but their companions quickly pulled them away.

The atmosphere left over from the underworld still exists on this chaotic street.

"Don't use such a classic plot."

Asakawa Riku was helpless. If it were the young, impetuous man who had just started learning martial arts, he might have been excited about this development.

But to be honest, from his current perspective, these people don't deserve to be called "opponents." Defeating them would only be considered bullying, and there's no sense of fighting at all.

It's a complete waste of time, and on such a busy street, you might even get surrounded and cause trouble.

correct.

He suddenly thought of something, and a smile appeared on his lips.

Then, his expression changed instantly. At that moment, you could see that his hand was still holding the phone, and his other hand was hanging down beside him, without moving at all.

But the four thugs cried out in surprise and took several steps back:

"What...what did you do?!"

"How dare you hit us!"

They covered their noses, and in that instant, they saw a fist come crashing down on them. They had no time to dodge and it swiftly punched their faces.

The thugs were astonished by the terrifying speed of the punches, but when they covered their faces, they were puzzled to find that they felt no pain at all.

"Ah... he really is a little kid, his punches don't even hurt."

"Hahaha, that's it?"

After they discovered they were unharmed, they burst into laughter, mocking Asakawa Riku's strength.

Asakawa Riku simply waved his hand innocently: "What are you talking about? I didn't lay a hand on you."

Yes, he didn't actually use his fist. It was a move he learned from Wu Yu Kui, an invisible blade from imagination, a cleaving of light and shadow from his imagination.

Ever since he saw that move, Asakawa Riku was extremely excited. He hadn't seen anything so fresh in martial arts for a long time, so he immediately wanted to copy it.

These troublemaking gangsters provided him with perfect test subjects, and he never expected that he could recreate this move in just half a day.

...Since it's a sword of imagination, let's call it the "fist of imagination".

However, Asakawa Riku was not satisfied. Although he had recreated the stance and successfully made the thugs see the invisible fist, it did not achieve the desired effect.

why?

Kirisame's three slashes were extremely realistic; you could feel the cold metal slicing through your skin, hear the sound of bones cracking, and feel the pain of blood splattering.

It's no exaggeration to say that Asakawa Riku even felt a moment of "being killed." If his spirit hadn't been strong enough, an ordinary person would have been shocked and terrified by this "Imaginary Blade," and would have suffered a severe blow, possibly even collapsing to their knees, exhausted, fainting, or dying on the spot. This was a truly "lethal" move.

However, Asakawa Riku failed to recreate this effect; his fist remained in the simulation stage without any subsequent effects.

"Am I still lacking in experience, or have I not yet grasped some kind of essence?"

Asakawa Riku muttered to himself that he wouldn't give up until he achieved that effect. It seemed that this move wasn't as easy to master as he had expected. No wonder it was someone else's family heirloom.

"You bastard, do you look down on us? What are you talking to yourself about!"