Tokyo: Rabbit Police and Her Evil Partner

Chapter 565: One wave comes after another

When Yuan Yuzi woke up, she was called to the police station to give a statement.

She recounted the tedious reasoning process, the recorder wrote furiously, and Hijikata Masahiro promised to record it truthfully in the case report. It was Inspector Minamoto who first discovered the breakthrough and identified the suspect; Abe Rokuro was merely carrying out the task, doing most of the hard work.

However, as Representative Fujiwara had already hinted, Abe Rokuro's hard work was certainly enough for a promotion, and his becoming a full-fledged detective was a foregone conclusion.

Yuan Yuzi felt that what she said sounded strange, but she didn't look into it. This ending was a happy one for everyone. Not only did she help her juniors realize their dreams, but she also got a share of the credit. It was a cause for celebration.

However, there is a small flaw in this happy ending.

That is, Horie Kei refused to plead guilty.

In cases like this, where witnesses and physical evidence are readily available, whether the perpetrator pleads guilty or not is irrelevant. At most, the trial process will be a bit more complicated, and the judge will likely impose a heavier sentence afterward.

If it were any other serial killer, in Japan, where there are calls to abolish the death penalty, they would most likely receive life imprisonment, which wouldn't qualify as the death penalty.

But Horie Kei was different. He killed political figures and officials, and even killed Yamaguchi-gumi executives. He offended both the underworld and the legitimate world, so he was doomed.

The other two cases lacked sufficient evidence, but the Special Investigation Division had its own clever plan.

They extracted Horie Kei's fingerprints and hair, and used their "creation out of nothing" technique to find several key pieces of evidence at the previous crime scenes, which were enough to convict him. They connected the three serial murders together, making the case report look perfect and flawless. Even the most professional top lawyers would not be able to find any flaws to overturn the case.

Next, the case should be closed, transferred to the prosecutor, await approval from higher authorities, and in a few days, rewards should be given for meritorious service.

The following day, three days after the murderer was apprehended, the Special Investigation Division detectives gathered in the office. They packed their things in advance to avoid any chaos when their team leader announced that they were to be dismissed.

Fushimi Shika and Minamoto no Tamako were no exception.

The former needs to sign, fill in, and file their field work and sick leave requests, and at least complete the procedures and get the leader's stamp.

The latter required her to organize documents and files. She had previously mainly dealt with archive materials, which meant she was in a logistical role. No one expected her to be of any use after she was placed in the investigation department.

Where are we having the victory celebration dinner tonight?

"The team leader hasn't said yet, it'll probably be Afu Izakaya again..."

The group chatted casually, knowing that they would have a short holiday of about three to five days to rest and take care of their personal matters.

Some people planned to spend quality time with their families, while others intended to travel and relax. As everyone discussed their holiday plans, Yuan Yuzi overheard everything while packing her things, wondering if she should also take a break.

Hmm, I've only read half of "Shinjuku Shark" and I really want to know how it ends. I'll try to finish it when I have some free time...

Oh right, winter's almost here, we need to buy new clothes for the season. I'll buy two for myself, Sakura will buy three, and since Deer-kun doesn't go out much, one piece will be enough...

Come to think of it, this year has gone by so fast, it's already 1993 in the blink of an eye...

As Minamoto no Tamako was lost in thought, Kawada Sanae and Kamisaki Ayaka came over to congratulate her:
"Congratulations on solving another big case."

"From now on, the image of female police officers will depend on you!"

Yuan Yuzi was both happy and embarrassed, and waved her hand repeatedly to express her humility, saying that it was all she should do.

In any other office, someone might have made a sarcastic remark. But this is a police station, and in the end, everyone speaks based on their abilities. Whoever solves the case gains prestige, and everyone in the Special Investigations Division comes to congratulate her. When they walk up to Minamoto Tamako, they say "Oh my god," and nod and smile in acknowledgment.

If they can solve the case in the end, they will also get a share of the profits from their hard work.

Yuan Yuzi did not take credit for anyone's work. She identified the suspect herself and reported it truthfully in the meeting. Even though no one paid attention, she still insisted on going out to keep watch. This ability and determination have nothing to do with gender and deserve respect.

Yuan Yuzi was beaming with joy. She had been holding back her pride, determined to impress the elites of the Special Investigations Division and prove herself. Now she had succeeded, and everyone was praising her. For a moment, she felt a little smug, only able to wave her hands and say, "Oh, not at all..."

Say more! Say a few more compliments!

Yuan Yuzi grinned, her eyes curving into crescents, showing none of the composure expected of a detective.

Just as she was enjoying the highlight of her life, Hijikata Masahiro burst in. The Special Investigation Division members stood at attention and greeted their superior.

The officer leaned closer and whispered to ask where the victory celebration banquet would be held.

Hijikata Masahiro glanced at her, clapped his hands to signal everyone's attention, and announced loudly, "Stop tidying up, the case isn't finished yet, and we have more instructions from above."

Yuan Yuzi was taken aback, wondering what this meant. Hadn't the murderer already been caught?

She was not involved in the subsequent interrogation and investigation, and the case files had not yet been compiled, so she was not quite sure what Hijikata Masahiro meant by those words.

"What happened?" Ayaka Kamisaki asked, leaning closer.

“I don’t know either…” Gen Tamako looked completely bewildered.

Hijikata Masahiro gestured for everyone to sit down, quickly adjusting their mindset and resuming the investigation. He took out some documents, sat at the head of the table, and prepared to start the meeting.

A commotion broke out below. The criminal police officers were human too; they needed rest as well.

Many people had already made travel plans, some even bought tickets and arranged trips with family and friends. Now that everything has been disrupted, it's understandable that they're upset.

"What are you muttering about?" Hijikata Masahiro said sternly. "Sit down! That's an order!"

He emphasized loudly that the upcoming investigation was more arduous and the situation more critical than before. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department headquarters sent twelve faxes, and the Criminal Investigation Department, the Superintendent General, the Inspection Division, and the team leaders all attached great importance to it.

The higher-ups are redeploying personnel again, and elites from various departments are on their way. New recruits will soon join the Special Investigations Division. To back down now would only result in being nailed to the pillar of shame.

Fushimi Shika eavesdropped outside the door for a while. He had just finished getting the chief's signature and was preparing to help Minamoto Tamako move her things. After that, he would go home and have some barbecue.

Upon hearing Masahiro Hijikata's speech, he turned and slipped away when no one was paying attention.

After all, he was a man with an S-rank willpower. Once he set his mind on slacking off, he would carry it out no matter what happened. With his S-rank intelligence, he immediately judged that now was the best time to escape.

If we lingered any longer, we might not be able to escape.

Sure enough, no sooner had Fushimi Shika left than Hijikata Masahiro began calling roll, requiring each member present to sign a confidentiality agreement.

Minamoto no Tamako was so focused on figuring out what had happened that she forgot to consult with Fushimi Shika.

She quickly signed the confidentiality agreement, looked around, and asked her colleagues, hoping that someone in the know would come forward and tell her.

None of the police officers present knew the situation. They had just finished their work and hadn't had a chance to rest, so they didn't have time to inquire about information.

After everyone had signed the confidentiality agreement, Masahiro Hijikata took out a player and projector, instructed the administrator to close the doors and windows, and then personally slipped a videotape inside.

The office lights were turned off, plunging the room into darkness. A whirring sound of gears turning filled the air, and as everyone watched, the screen lit up.

As the progress bar slowly moved forward, the office gradually fell into a deathly silence.

All the detectives present stared wide-eyed, speechless.

(End of this chapter)