Tokyo: I'm really not a killer

"What I mean is," Hara Masaki leaned forward slightly, his gaze sweeping over Shinomiya Rin and Komi Yui's faces, "if the police's conclusion is wrong, if Shiraishi Hideaki really isn't the real culprit, then he might know something. For example, why did he look for the Swamp Man? Has he seen the Swamp Man before? Even... does he know who the real culprit is?"

"The police have closed the case and will not investigate further. To uncover the truth, clear your name, and help Ms. Fumi find the real killer who murdered her father..."

He looked at Komi Yui, "Perhaps, we can only rely on ourselves."

Komi Yui clasped her hands together, her knuckles tightening slightly: "Mr. Suzuki, do you mean we should make contact with this Hideaki Shiraishi?"

"It's not just about contact."

Yuan Zhensheng's voice lowered, almost seductively, "The police won't let us see him, much less question him. And once he's transferred to the prosecutor's office, it'll be too late. We must get what we know out of him before the police completely pin him down."

Shinomiya Rin gasped, "You...you mean...get him out? From the Metropolitan Police Department?"

"This is too dangerous," Kojima Yui said immediately, her brows furrowed. "The place is heavily guarded, and we... Miss Shinomiya and I are afraid we can't be of much help."

She was referring to her own blindness, while Shinomiya Rin was a wanted criminal.

Hara Masaki looked at Shinomiya Rin:

"You need an alibi, an absolutely reliable witness or physical evidence that proves you were elsewhere at the time of the crime. If Hideaki Shiraishi can provide clues about the real culprit, or even identify the real culprit, then your innocence can be cleared. But the prerequisite is that we can safely question him."

He then looked at Kojimi:

"Miss Komi, you might find a breakthrough in your father's case through him. If the real culprit in the murder of Kuwata Kenkichi wasn't Shiraishi Hideaki, then who was it? Who hired the swamp man? Perhaps Shiraishi Hideaki accidentally learned something about these things while searching for the swamp man."

He paused for a moment to observe their reactions.

Shinomiya Rin's face showed struggle and eagerness, while Komi Yui's was filled with worry and contemplation.

"I know this is risky." Hara Masao softened her tone, but her eyes remained firm. "But this is the only possible way to uncover the truth. The police have given up. If we give up too, then the murderer who killed Ms. Komi's father and the real culprit who framed Ms. Shinomiya will go free forever. And Ms. Shinomiya may have to live with the stigma of being a wanted criminal for the rest of her life."

This sentence struck at Shinomiya Rin's weak point.

"I...I'll do it!" Shinomiya Rin gritted her teeth and clenched her fists. "I have no other way out anyway! Rather than hiding and running, I might as well take a gamble!"

Komi remained silent for even longer.

She gazed in the direction of Yuan Zhensheng, her hazy eyes seemingly filled with complex emotions.

Finally, she nodded gently, her voice soft but clear: "I...I'll help too. Although I can't see, my hearing is still good enough to help keep watch, or do something else...Mr. Suzuki, please tell me what you need me to do."

Yuan Zhensheng was certain in his heart.

He looked at the two of them and, feigning concern, offered his advice:

"Are you sure? If we fail, we could all end up in jail. So, if you want to back out now, it's not too late."

Shinomiya Rin shook her head vigorously.

Komi Yuiya gently shook his head.

Yuan Zhensheng was very pleased, finally managing to get these two onto the pirate ship.

"Okay." He took out paper and pen from under the low table and spread them on the table. "Now that we've decided, let's start planning."

Shinomiya Rin immediately came over, her eyes sparkling, her face flushed with excitement and a little nervousness.

This was the first time she had done something wrong. Although her goal was to clear her name, it felt like a thrilling and exciting infiltration and rescue operation in a movie!

"First, I need to know the specific layout of the Metropolitan Police Department's detention cells, especially which floor and room Hideaki Shiraishi is being held in, as well as the guard shift change schedule."

Yuan Zhensheng drew a simple square on the paper with a pen. "I'll figure out how to get this information. I know people at the police station; I can try to find out indirectly."

"And then what?" Shinomiya Rin asked impatiently, leaning forward and placing her hands on the edge of the table. "How do we get in? How do we get him out? Should we prepare a gun... ah, no, I don't have a gun right now."

She pouted slightly in frustration, but then perked up. "But I can find other weapons! Like... a baseball bat? Or a stun gun?"

"Don't do anything reckless." Yuan Zhensheng glanced at her, feeling a bit of a headache.

This guy is certainly enthusiastic, but it's all reckless and inexperienced. "Our purpose is to question people, not to storm the Metropolitan Police Department. Do you want to be shot on the spot if you bring a weapon? Besides, Ms. Komi is waiting outside to provide backup."

"Then... what should we do?" Shinomiya Rin was a little unconvinced after being given a cold shower, but she still obediently asked.

"Create chaos, and take advantage of the confusion to bring people out," Yuan Zhensheng said succinctly. "Use your brain, not brute force."

He turned to Yui Furami: "Ms. Furami, your mission is very important. We need several routes from near the Metropolitan Police Department to a safe hiding place, avoiding main roads as much as possible. Are you familiar with the alleyways and the flow of people in this area at night?"

Komi Yui tilted her head slightly and said half-jokingly, "I remember it very clearly. I could walk from beginning to end with my eyes closed."

"Very good." Yuan Zhensheng nodded. "Once you've planned the route, we might need to go and walk it ahead of time to confirm its safety. However, we can't go to Shinomiya; it's too dangerous."

"Huh? Why?" Rin Shinomiya protested, "I want to scout the place too!"

"Because you're a wanted criminal, Ms. Shinomiya," Komi Yui gently reminded her. "Many people probably recognize your face now."

Shinomiya Rin then remembered her situation and slumped down, but quickly perked up again:

"Then...then I'll prepare a place to detain him! I'm good at that! Should I prepare ropes? Tape? And food and water? By the way, what if he resists? Should I knock him out first?"

"...Just prepare a quiet, soundproof room." Yuan Zhensheng rubbed his temples. "I'll handle the rest. You just need to make sure it's safe and no one finds out. Remember, we're going to interrogate them, not kidnap them."

He emphasized, but in his heart he was thinking that how to deal with Hideaki Shiraishi would depend on the situation.

"Oh... okay." Shinomiya Rin was a little disappointed, but then a new idea ignited within her. "So when do we move? Do we need a code? Like in the movies!"

"Let me gather all the information first." Hara Masaki put down his pen. "These next few days, Shinomiya, you stay here with Ms. Komi and absolutely do not go out. Ms. Komi, I'll also trouble you with planning the route. Don't rush, just make sure everything goes smoothly."

"I understand." Komi Yui nodded.

"What about me? What can I do now?" Shinomiya Rin rubbed her hands together, looking eager to start taking action immediately.

"What you need to do now," Yuan Zhensheng looked at her, "is to stay quiet, conserve your energy, and don't cause me... don't cause us any trouble."

He almost blurted out what was on his mind.

Rin Shinomiya pursed her lips, but didn't refute it further.

She sat back down on the tatami mat, hugging her knees, her eyes still sparkling. She was already imagining herself successfully rescuing Hideaki Shiraishi, finding out the real culprit, and then gloriously clearing her name, making everyone who had misunderstood her look at her with new eyes.

I'm even a little excited about it; this is much more interesting than dealing with boring reports of surrenders at the liaison office!