Tokyo, 1994, starting with medical training

Chapter 59 Good Citizens

Push open the door.

Mina Saionji was already standing in the corridor waiting.

"Is this... alright?"

She tugged at the hem of her dress somewhat uneasily.

After rummaging through the closet for a while, I finally changed into a dark gray tracksuit.

Although the style is a bit old-fashioned, like a school uniform from college days, it is loose and comfortable.

She was wearing white sneakers, and her hair was tied in a simple ponytail, revealing her smooth forehead.

She looks much better than that timid, submissive office lady.

"Can."

Kiryu Kazusuke nodded, quite satisfied.

The two went downstairs one after the other.

It was already 9:30 p.m.

The streets of Maebashi are not as noisy as those in Tokyo, which are bustling all night long.

Except for a few main roads and shopping streets that are still lit, most residential areas have fallen asleep.

Kazusuke Kiryu did not call a taxi.

The starting fare for taxis was just raised to 600 yen this year, and a 20% late-night service fee will be added after 10 p.m.

Moreover, walking helps with blood circulation.

It can also calm down the woman next to me who is so nervous that she's almost moving her hands and feet together.

The two were walking on the sidewalk.

Mina Saionji kept a half-step behind, her head down, staring at Kazusuke Kiryu's heels, afraid of losing him, yet not daring to get too close.

It took about fifteen minutes to walk.

The surrounding scenery began to change.

The area gradually transitioned from low-rise residential areas to administrative districts with neat rows of trees and wide roads.

Saionji Mina looked up and glanced at the road sign.

She paused for a moment.

This road...

She knew it all too well.

Every morning, she drags her heavy steps, blending into the expressionless flow of office workers, and walks along this road toward that gray building.

That's the road to hell.

It is also the road leading to the Citizens' Affairs Section of the City Hall.

Why did Kiryu-san bring her here? Are we going to take care of some kind of paperwork?

But it was already evening, the city hall had long since closed, and even the security guard who only ever rolled his eyes at her had gone home.

"Um... Kiryu-san..."

Saionji Mina spoke softly, wanting to call out to the person in front of her to ask for clarification.

But Kiryu Kazusuke didn't stop; he just tilted his head slightly.

"What's wrong? Can't walk anymore?"

"No, it's not..."

Saionji Mina swallowed back the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

Maybe I was just passing by.

Or go somewhere near the city hall.

After all, it's in the city center, and there are many shops around that stay open all night.

The two continued on their way.

As he passed a hardware store that was still open, Kiryu Kazusuke stopped.

These traditional grocery stores were common on the streets of Japan in the 90s, with their entrances piled high with brooms, buckets, and all sorts of daily necessities.

The shop owner was an old man with gray hair, sitting behind the counter listening to a baseball game broadcast on the radio.

Kiryu Kazusuke turned around and looked at Saionji Mina.

"Did you bring any money?"

"Huh? I brought it, I brought it."

Saionji Mina quickly pulled a small coin purse from the pocket of her sweatpants.

Give me 3000 yen.

Kazusuke Kiryu extended his hand, as if it were perfectly justified.

Although Saionji Mina didn't know why he suddenly asked her for money, she still obediently took out three 1,000 yen bills from her wallet and placed them in his palm.

"Wait here."

Kiryu Kazusuke took the money and went into the general store.

He came out in less than two minutes.

There was something extra in my hand.

A baseball bat made of aluminum alloy with a cold, silvery-white sheen.

While wooden bats remain the preferred choice for professional players, lightweight, flexible metal bats with a crisp sound are more popular among amateur enthusiasts and high school students.

Most importantly, it's tough.

Kiryu Kazusuke swung his sword twice, tearing through the air with a whooshing sound.

"It feels nice. Do you want to try it first? You can exchange it if you're not satisfied."

"No, no, that's not necessary..."

Saionji Mina quickly took two steps back.

Why buy a baseball bat?

Are we going to play baseball?

But at this time, which baseball stadium is open?

and……

Kiryu-san's figure, carrying a baseball bat, didn't look like he was going to exercise at all; instead, he looked like one of those delinquents about to get into a street fight.

They are even more oppressive than those delinquent teenagers.

"Let's go then."

Kazusuke Kiryu slung the baseball bat over his shoulder, put his other hand in his pocket, and continued walking forward.

We passed two more intersections.

That familiar yet oppressive gray building appeared at the edge of the horizon.

Maebashi City Hall.

The massive concrete box stood in the night, devoid of the daytime hustle and bustle, now silent like a giant tombstone.

Only the two streetlights at the main entrance were still shining with a stark white light.

Saionji Mina's breathing began to quicken.

Even though she had already finished get off work and the place was now empty, just seeing this building would reflexively cause a wave of acid to rise in her stomach.

Section Chief Yoshino's screams, the sarcastic remarks of his colleagues, and the never-ending reports...

These memories flooded back like a tidal wave, making her want to turn and run away.

Kazusuke Kiryu stopped in the plaza in front of the city hall.

It's very spacious here.

Because it's an administrative district, there are hardly any pedestrians at night, only the occasional passing vehicle leaving two red taillights trailing behind on the asphalt road.

"Take it."

Kazusuke Kiryu turned around and handed her the baseball bat he was holding.

"Huh?"

Saionji Mina instinctively took it.

It's a bit heavy.

The cool touch of aluminum alloy travels from your palm throughout your body.

She gripped the handle of the baseball bat with both hands, looking completely bewildered and lost.

"Hold on tighter."

Kazusuke Kiryu pointed ahead.

Look in the direction he's pointing.

Next to the flower bed on the left side of the city hall gate stands a half-person-high information board (notification board) made of stainless steel frame and tempered glass.

Inside, various municipal notices and floor plans of different departments are posted.

Of course, there is also a display board showcasing outstanding staff members of the Citizens' Affairs Department.

Although there was some distance between us, the photo above was not clearly visible.

But Saionji Yūna knew that Yoshino Keiko's photo was posted in the most conspicuous place, her smile disgusting.

"Kiryu-san, what's this?"

She had a very bad feeling, so much so that her voice trembled slightly as she spoke.

Why are you looking at me?

"what?"

"The bat is in your hands, go smash it."

"ha?"

Saionji Mina's hand trembled, and the baseball bat almost fell to the ground.

Isn't this a crime?

Isn't this vandalism?

Will the police arrest him?

"No! No, no!"

Saionji Mina's body kept moving backward.

All she wants to do now is turn around, run home, hide under the covers, and never come out again.

"Why not?" Kiryu Kazusuke retorted.

Saionji Mina was taken aback: "Because it's illegal."

"So what?" Kiryu Kazusuke interrupted her. "There's no one here right now."

There are no surveillance cameras either.

"If you don't say anything and I don't say anything, who will know it was you who did it?"

In the era before surveillance systems were ubiquitous like they are in later times, large blind spots did exist in cities at night.

Saionji Mina shook her head vigorously.

She understands the reasoning, but she doesn't dare to.

She was a law-abiding citizen who had been domesticated for twenty-four years. She would even wait for the green light to turn on for two seconds before daring to cross the street. How could she possibly do such a crazy thing?

(End of this chapter)