Tokyo: I'm really not a killer

As time went by, the Metropolitan Police Department's investigation into the Empire Hotel sniping case and the convenience store arson murder case made extremely slow progress.

The Special Investigations Division spent a great deal of effort interviewing countless residents and investigating the deceased's social relationships, but the clues were disorganized and ultimately all pointed to ordinary robbery disputes or gangland feuds.

As for the convenience store arson case, as Yamamoto Koji had planned from the beginning, the case was classified as "arson and murder suspected of being caused by robbery." After the report was submitted, it gradually sank to the bottom of the Special Investigation Unit's huge pile of case files, and no one investigated it further.

After being reinstated, Akio Yoshioka worked tirelessly on the case, but aside from exhausting himself, he made no substantial breakthroughs.

The pressure is being passed down from top to bottom. The authorities need to give an explanation to the National Essence Association, the media, and the public, and at least a preliminary result is needed to quell the growing public criticism.

As a result, the atmosphere became delicate during an internal meeting at the investigation headquarters.

"This can't go on any longer."

The commander pounded on the table. "The media keeps asking, and the higher-ups are constantly pressuring us. We have to produce something."

Yamamoto Koji sat in the corner, a cigarette dangling from his lips, already having a premonition of what was about to happen.

He was all too familiar with this process—when the real culprit couldn't be caught, or when it involved people who shouldn't be investigated, a scapegoat was needed to close the case and maintain a semblance of stability and efficiency.

Japan is a country like this, where its citizens must be able to read the atmosphere.

"That guy we caught in the sewers," another supervisor said, flipping through the file, "Hideaki Shiraishi. Has his identity been verified? Is his background clean?"

"We've investigated. He has a dirty past. He used to have some connections with the mountain construction group. Recently, he's been acting suspiciously, appearing in the vicinity of the crime scene around the time of the incident. Moreover..." The reporting officer paused, "His speech during interrogation was incoherent and highly suspicious."

The meeting room was silent for a few seconds.

"Then keep a close eye on him." The higher-up's voice was devoid of emotion. "See how much he actually knows. In these extraordinary times, we can use some... extraordinary measures to make him talk."

The order has been issued; this is not the first time, nor will it be the last.

The Metropolitan Police Department's investigative methods are sometimes quite simplistic and brutal, and the use of torture to extract confessions is quite common.

Soon after, in the dimly lit interrogation room.

Hideaki Shiraishi was repeatedly interrogated, given long periods without rest, and faced increasingly harsh and even suggestive threatening questioning.

He initially tried to defend himself, saying that he was just reporting the incident to the police to find a friend and that it had nothing to do with the assassination.

But when the interrogators became impatient, when his alibi was deliberately ignored or questioned, and when fists and batons rained down on him, his defenses turned into cries and pleas for mercy.

"I really don't know... I'm just an ordinary person... I haven't done anything wrong!"

His screams echoed in the cramped space.

Under immense pressure to solve the case, an insignificant person with an unclear background, suspicious behavior, and who happens to appear at the wrong time and place becomes the most suitable breakthrough point.

Ultimately, under the dual torment of mental and physical suffering, Hideaki Shiraishi broke down.

He began to confess to vague things, things he himself couldn't even explain, following the direction suggested by the interrogator.

The testimonies were carefully edited, and some contradictions were ignored or rationalized.

A report on a major breakthrough in the case, involving a suspect's confession, was submitted up the chain of command.

When Yamamoto Koji saw the first draft of the report in his office, he simply smoked in silence and said nothing.

He recalled the words he had once taught Yoshioka Akio: "In the police force, sometimes the truth isn't that important. What's important is balance, stability, and not causing trouble for those above you..."

Akio Yoshioka felt uneasy. He vaguely sensed that something was wrong, but seeing his boss's silence and recalling his own experience of being suspended from duty while investigating a case, he swallowed his questions.

And so, Hideaki Shiraishi was pushed forward and temporarily withstood the pressure from all sides.

The Metropolitan Police Department can announce to the public that "a key suspect has been arrested and the case is under further investigation," which gives the National Essence Association a preliminary explanation.

As for where the real culprit is and what will happen next, it seems to have been put on hold for the time being.

After the case was handed over to the prosecutor, the Special Investigation Division was disbanded on the spot at lightning speed, and everyone went home.

Yamamoto Koji organized a meeting and called everyone one by one to notify them.

"Hey, Yoshioka, let's meet up at our usual spot tonight... Oh yeah, that's all done, thanks for your hard work... Remember to bring a bottle of sake, the good kind, we have everything, just missing the sake!"

"Hey, is this Inspector Yuan? This is Yamamoto Koji... The case's closed. Let's go out for a drink tonight and relax... Remember to bring some food, yakitori or sashimi is fine... Oh, right, I've booked a private room."

"Hey, Director Nishio? This is Yamamoto Koji... Are you free tonight? Let's grab a drink and celebrate... You don't need to bring anything... Oh, by the way, don't you have some snacks and treats for the post-commissioning bonuses? Bring some over to go with the drinks!"

"Hello, Ms. Izumi? This is Yamamoto Koji... There's been progress on the case, and I'd like to keep you updated... Would you be free tonight? How about we grab some dinner together? Yes, the same izakaya as before... Just show up, no need to bring anything. If you really want to bring something, it would be best if you brought a few female friends."

After making a round of calls, Yamamoto Koji put down the receiver with satisfaction and lit a cigarette. He didn't need to bring anything tonight; he just had to show up, and he could eat and drink well—he was thrilled.

In the evening, in a private room at Daikichi Izakaya.

Yamamoto Koji arrived first and took the seat of honor, where side dishes and a hot towel provided by the madam were already laid out in front of him.

Next up was Akio Yoshioka, carrying two bottles of fine ginjo sake, his face still showing some excitement.

"Boss, I'm here!"

"Oh, you've worked hard. Please have a seat." Yamamoto Koji gestured to the seat next to him.

Then came Yusuke Nishio, carrying a large bag of snacks such as rice crackers and rice crackers from the Kobanpo (a type of snack distribution program), as well as some pickles.

"Section Chief Yamamoto, congratulations! The case is finally closed!" Yusuke Nishio greeted him with a beaming smile.

"Congratulations to you all! You've all worked so hard these past few days." Yamamoto Koji took the bag of snacks and casually placed it on the table.

Yuan Zhensheng followed closely behind, carrying an exquisite food box containing packaged yakitori and several side dishes.

"Section Chief Yamamoto, Chief Nishio, Officer Yoshioka," he greeted them in turn, putting down the food box.

"Oh! Hara-kun is here! Please have a seat!" Yusuke Nishio was exceptionally enthusiastic. After this joint operation, he admired Hara Masaki even more and felt that this kid had a bright future.

The last to arrive was Izumi Mari, the only female police officer in the station, who mainly handled clerical work. She brought her best friend with her.

"This way, this way please." Yamamoto Koji stood up and gestured for her to sit down. "A seat has been reserved for you."

"Thank you, Officer Yamamoto." Izumi Mari bowed slightly and knelt down in the reserved spot.

Once everyone was present, the madam quickly served up warmed sake and new sake cups.

Yamamoto Koji, as the organizer, raised his glass first: "Come on, everyone's worked so hard these past few days, especially Yoshioka and Hara-kun, who ran around doing so much. The case is finally over, let's relax tonight, and drink until we drop! Cheers!"

"Cheers!" Everyone responded in unison, raising their glasses to clink.

"Yuan-kun, what are you daydreaming about? Come on, have another drink!" Yamamoto Koji enthusiastically poured him a full glass of wine.

Yuan Zhensheng offered a few polite compliments, then subtly inquired, "Who exactly is the murderer?"

"He's a member of the Yamakegumi, named Hideaki Shiraishi. He probably assassinated the group leader and then tried to kill Representative Shinomiya in order to climb the ranks..."

At this point, even Yamamoto Koji himself felt his motives were illogical and was too embarrassed to continue, so he quickly changed the subject: "Let's not talk about work today, come on, let's keep drinking!"

Yuan Zhensheng was taken aback.

This kid hasn't been released yet?

Not only has he not been released, but he hasn't even confessed to anything yet!