Tokyo: I'm really not a killer

Chapter 85 The Junior Senior is Slacking Off Again

Seeing that Attorney Sakuma was firm and articulate, and that Komi Yui was also cooperative, Hara Masa knew that without solid evidence, it would be difficult for the police station to continue detaining her.

He felt relieved and stopped paying too much attention to the matter to avoid attracting unnecessary attention.

Yuan Zhensheng returned to the office and asked Director Nishio for leave.

"Director, I've been working overtime a lot lately and handling a lot of things. I'm feeling a bit physically exhausted and would like to rest for a few days to recuperate," Yuan Zhensheng said sincerely, his face showing just the right amount of fatigue.

Chief Nishio looked at him, remembering that he had indeed been involved in a lot of work recently, such as setting up checkpoints and making arrests, and that he had been suffering from diarrhea for a long time a couple of days ago. He nodded and said, "Alright, you've been working hard lately. But remember, don't take too long of consecutive holidays, so as not to interfere with your normal work."

"Yes, thank you, Director!" Yuan Zhensheng bowed and thanked him, thinking to himself that he could take advantage of this time to rest.

After leaving the office, Hara Masaki took off his uniform, changed his face, and returned to the safe house in Komi Yui's apartment.

When he pushed open the door, Shinomiya Rin was sitting at a low table, idly fiddling with an orange.

Upon seeing Yuan Zhensheng enter, she immediately stood up, her eyes filled with urgency.

"How is it? How is Miss Komi? Has she been released?" Shinomiya Rin asked anxiously.

Yuan Zhensheng sat down across the low table, picked up the kettle, poured himself a glass of water, took a sip, and said, "The situation is better than expected. I found a pretty good lawyer, and I estimate that Miss Komi should be released soon."

Shinomiya Rin breathed a sigh of relief, her shoulders slumping, but then she remembered something and her face showed annoyance: "We haven't made any progress at all—Shiraishi Hideaki ran away, the clues about the Swamp Man have gone cold, and Ms. Komi was almost caught—it feels like we've been busy all this time, but haven't accomplished anything."

Yuan Zhensheng looked at her dejected appearance, but he was thinking about something else.

"Don't overthink it," he said calmly. "At least Ms. Komi is alright. We're safe for now too. Right now, the police are focused on hunting down Hideaki Shiraishi and dealing with the public outcry over the prison break, so the pressure on us should be less. While I'm on vacation for a few days, we can think about what to do next."

Rin Shinomiya nodded, though she was still somewhat unwilling, she knew that there was no better option at the moment.

She sat back down at the low table, picked up an orange and began peeling it, muttering, "Okay—so what are you planning to do during your break?"

Yuan Zhensheng glanced at the darkening sky outside the window and casually said, "Get a good night's sleep first, and then—maybe go see if there are any new clues, or think about how to find a safer place."

He stood up and walked towards the bedroom, leaving Shinomiya Rin alone in the living room, continuing to peel the orange.

Having just peeled the orange, Shinomiya Rin took a bite of a segment, her mouth still filled with the sweet and sour juice, and couldn't help but stand up, walk a few steps to the bedroom door, and peek inside.

Just as Yuan Zhensheng was about to close the door to rest, he saw her blocking the doorway with a "I have something to say" expression on her face.

"Hey," Shinomiya Rin lowered her voice, but her tone was urgent, "Are you really going to sleep? Didn't you say you were going to investigate new leads during your vacation? It's only evening!"

Yuan Zhensheng sighed, leaning against the doorframe as he looked at her: "Investigating clues requires a direction, and besides, I just got home from get off work, I need to rest for a bit, right?"

"Rest?! The Swamp Man hasn't been caught yet, my warrant hasn't been withdrawn, and although Ms. Komi will be released soon, we haven't figured out her father's situation!" Shinomiya Rin became more and more agitated, like a cat with its fur standing on end. "As your senior, how can you slack off at a time like this!"

She remembered how this guy always scolded her for being lazy, and now it was her turn to urge him on. She felt a little relieved, but also more anxious.

Yuan Zhensheng casually replied, "Clues don't just appear out of thin air; we have to look for them slowly. Besides, you need to rest; don't keep tense up all the time."

"I don't need to rest! I'm full of energy right now!"

Rin Shinomiya stood with her hands on her hips, trying to appear imposing, but because of her short stature, the way she tilted her head back to speak looked rather comical. "Quick, think of something!"

Yuan Zhensheng felt a headache coming on as he looked at her determined to solve the case. This girl was certainly full of energy, but it was all reckless and unplanned.

"Alright, alright," he waved his hand, "we'll talk about it tomorrow. I'm going to sleep now, so be quiet and don't make a sound."

After saying that, he was about to close the door.

Shinomiya Rin quickly reached out and braced herself against the door: "Wait! What am I supposed to do if you're asleep? I'm so bored here all by myself!"

"Watch TV, or go to sleep," Yuan Zhensheng said.

"They're probably showing news about me being wanted on TV again. It's so annoying!" Shinomiya Rin pouted, then suddenly had a brilliant idea. "How about you tell me about your investigation plan before bed? Consider it a bedtime story!"

Yuan Zhensheng was speechless at her nonsensical suggestion, so he simply closed the door and left with only the words, "Go make up your own bedtime story."

"Damn it! You lazy senpai! All you do is slack off!" Shinomiya Rin muttered under her breath as she looked at the closed door. She returned to the low table, stuffed the remaining oranges into her mouth, and chewed them vigorously, as if she were chewing on Hara Masaki.

She stared at the bedroom door, mentally planning that she must get up early tomorrow and drag this guy out of bed so he wouldn't sleep in.

Investigate!

This case must be investigated!

Attorney Sakuma acted swiftly.

With his exceptional professional skills, he successfully made the police department realize within a few days that continuing to detain Komi Yui without evidence would pose greater legal and public risks.

The prosecution ultimately did not approve the arrest warrant, and the police could not find any legal basis for further detention. Komi Yui was released without having to go through a court hearing.

That evening, accompanied by lawyer Sakuma, Komi Yui walked out of the Minato Ward Police Station.

"Thank you very much, Attorney Sakuma." Komi Yui bowed slightly in the direction of the lawyer, her voice sincere. "Thank you for your hard work these past few days."

"It's my duty, Ms. Komi." Koichi Sakuma nodded. "If the police engage in any further inappropriate harassment, please contact me immediately. Well then, I'll take my leave now."

"Okay, take care."

The lawyer, carrying a briefcase, turned and walked towards the car parked by the roadside. Komi Yui, leaning on her guide cane, was preparing to feel her way out of the area in front of the police station.

Just then, several steady and imposing footsteps approached from the side, quickly surrounding her. She could smell a faint scent of tobacco and leather, and sensed several tall figures blocking most of her path.

A deep voice rang out, its tone not exactly fierce, but carrying an undeniable authority: "Ms. Komi, please come with us. Our team leader wants to see you."

Komi Yui's grip on her guide cane tightened slightly. She paused for a moment, her hazy eyes looking in the direction of the voice, her voice calm: "Excuse me—which team leader is this?"

The other party did not answer directly, but added, "It's about your father, Mr. Kuwata Kenkichi. Please rest assured, it's just a few questions."

Komi Yui knew that she could not refuse.

She nodded gently. "I understand. Please lead the way."

A black sedan silently slid to the side of the road, and the door was opened. Accompanied by two yakuza members, Komi Yui got into the back seat.

The car door closed, cutting off outside light and sound.

The car slowly drove away from the police station entrance and merged into the traffic; the freedom it had just gained was fleeting.