Tokyo: I'm really not a killer

Chapter 86 Swamp

The next morning, Hara Masaki was still asleep when Shinomiya Rin shook him awake.

He groggily opened his eyes and saw that Shinomiya Rin was already dressed, her hair neatly tied in a bun, standing by his bedside with an urgent expression that said, "Get up and get to work."

"Hey! You noob senior! The sun's already high in the sky! Get up! We agreed to investigate a case today!" Shinomiya Rin's voice was crisp and clear, with an undeniable urging.

Yuan Zhensheng glanced out the window; it was just beginning to get light.

He rolled over and pulled the blanket over his head: "—It's only a few o'clock, there's no need to start investigating so early."

"The early bird catches the worm! Get up!"

Shinomiya Rin persisted, reaching out to pull at his blanket. "We need to hurry! Ms. Komi is alright for now, but we haven't solved our own problems! Hideaki Shiraishi is gone, the trail to the Swamp Man has gone cold, we have to start searching again!"

Yuan Zhensheng was so bothered by her noise that he could only sit up, rub his eyes, and sigh inwardly.

"Alright, alright, get up."

Yuan Zhensheng yawned as he got out of bed. "But we can't investigate blindly; we need a plan. Let's go get some breakfast first and think about it while we eat."

"That's more like it!" Shinomiya Rin nodded in satisfaction, but then looked at him suspiciously. "You're not trying to stall for time by eating, are you?"

"Am I that kind of person?" Yuan Zhensheng asked innocently. "You need to be well-fed to have the energy to work. Besides, some clues might be found in the streets and alleys. Observing while eating is also part of the investigation."

This made some sense, and Shinomiya Rin agreed with a skeptical attitude.

The two tidied themselves up quickly. Hara Masaki changed to an inconspicuous face, claiming it was the effect of makeup. Shinomiya Rin also made a simple disguise—wearing a hat and a pair of non-prescription glasses.

They left the safe house and blended into the bustling streets of Tokyo.

Yuan Zhensheng didn't take her to any suspicious location, but instead headed straight to a well-known breakfast shop nearby. The shop was full of office workers and students, bustling with activity and full of life.

"What are we here to investigate?" Shinomiya Rin asked in a low voice, glancing around warily as if every diner could be a spy for Swamp Man.

"observe."

Hara Masaki said in a serious tone, ordering a set meal for himself and another for Shinomiya Rin, which she liked. "Listen to what people around you are talking about. Sometimes, important information is hidden in ordinary chatter. Don't forget, whether it's the Swamp Man or other incidents, they don't happen in a vacuum."

Shinomiya Rin thought it made some sense, so she also pricked up her ears and tried to listen to the conversation at the next table. But all she heard were trivial things like "last night's baseball game," "today's stock market," and "the parents' meeting at her child's school."

"What can you possibly glean from this?" Shinomiya Rin said, somewhat deflated.

"Be patient." Yuan Zhensheng ate his breakfast slowly. "That's how investigations are; most of the time it's tedious waiting and observation. Come on, let's eat first. The tamagoyaki at this shop is pretty good."

Rin Shinomiya ate her breakfast with some skepticism. It did taste quite good, and her tense nerves relaxed a little.

After breakfast, Hara Masaki said, "Next, we'll go to a few areas that Hideaki Shiraishi might have visited, or areas frequented by yakuza members. But we can't be too obvious; we have to pretend to be ordinary passersby."

"Okay!" Shinomiya Rin perked up again.

Gensei first took Shinomiya Rin to a bustling commercial street, ostensibly to "observe the flow of people and look for suspicious signs of a rendezvous." However, as they walked, they ended up entering a large arcade.

"What are we doing here?" Shinomiya Rin looked at the flashing lights and loud music inside, completely bewildered.

"Relax and get yourself together," Yuan Zhensheng said without changing his expression. "Besides, this kind of place is a melting pot of all sorts of people, and it's also a place where information is exchanged. Come on, try this."

He pointed to the claw machine.

Shinomiya Rin's attention was immediately drawn to the adorable dolls; she rarely visited such places before.

"What—what does this have to do with the investigation?"

"Cultivate observation skills, patience, and the ability to make quick judgments." Yuan Zhensheng inserted a coin, indicating that she should operate it.

Shinomiya Rin manipulated the joystick with some skepticism, and naturally suffered repeated defeats.

Yuan Zhensheng watched from the side, occasionally offering a few words of guidance. Seeing her puffed-up face because she couldn't catch the doll was definitely more relaxing and interesting than watching her seriously ponder the Swamp Man.

After much effort, Shinomiya Rin finally caught an ugly-cute frog doll.

Holding the doll, she wore a rare, innocent smile that belonged to her age, though she was still saying, "Hmph, what a waste of money, I should have just bought two more rice balls."

After leaving the arcade, Yuan Zhensheng suggested going to the nearby aquarium.

"It's said that some underworld deals are made in public places like this, where the environment is complex and makes it easier to escape. Let's familiarize ourselves with the terrain."

Although Shinomiya Rin felt the reason was a bit far-fetched, she didn't seem to have been to an aquarium much, and in the end, her curiosity overcame her doubts.

As you enter the deep blue aquarium tunnel, a giant whale shark swims slowly overhead, while colorful tropical fish dart around you.

Rin Shinomiya tilted her head back, her eyes wide open, completely captivated by the tranquil and magnificent scene before her, temporarily forgetting her troubles.

"So beautiful—" she exclaimed softly.

Yuan Zhensheng walked beside her, looking at her profile, which appeared exceptionally bright in the dim light.

When this guy is quiet and doesn't make a fuss, he's not that annoying.

"Hey, do you think the Swamp Man might have been here before?" Shinomiya Rin suddenly turned her head and asked seriously.

Yuan Zhensheng almost choked on his own saliva.

"—Maybe so. Assassins are human too, and they need to relax as well."

"What kind of fish does he like to watch?" Shinomiya Rin continued to let her thoughts wander.

"Probably... a piranha?" Yuan Zhensheng made up a random guess.

Rin Shinomiya actually thought about it for a moment, then nodded: "That makes sense."

It was noon when we came out of the aquarium.

Rin Shinomiya's stomach started growling, and Masaki Hara readily agreed, saying that after investigating all morning, she should replenish her energy, so he took her to a well-known conveyor belt sushi restaurant.

"This shop has a lot of customers, so you can hear all sorts of things," Yuan Zhensheng continued with his investigative theory.

Rin Shinomiya sat at the bar, her mouth watering as she looked at the dazzling array of sushi on the conveyor belt.

She carefully took plate after plate and ate with great relish.

Yuan Zhensheng sipped his tea slowly, occasionally eating a plate or two, but mostly he watched her puff out her cheeks like a hamster as she tried to eat.

"Aren't you afraid of getting fat from eating so much?" Yuan Zhensheng couldn't help but tease her.

"Mind your own business! I'm replenishing my energy used up during the investigation!"

Shinomiya Rin glared at him, then shoved another salmon roe warship into his mouth. "Besides, your ears are even more sensitive when you're eating!"

She strained her ears to listen to the conversation of several office workers at the next table, but all she heard were them complaining about their bosses.

In the afternoon, Hara Masaki took Shinomiya Rin on a sightseeing bus, saying it was to "observe the city layout from a macro perspective and analyze possible hiding places."

At first, Shinomiya Rin tried hard to remember the route and landmarks, but she was soon captivated by the bustling streets of Tokyo and the multilingual commentary on the bus, and like a real tourist, she kept looking out the window.

As the sun set, they sat on a park bench, watching the sky turn orange-red. Shinomiya Rin was still holding the frog plush toy in her arms, and several snack bags she had bought during her investigation lay beside her legs.

She suddenly fell silent, looked at the distant sky, and whispered, "Today—it seems I haven't found anything."

"That's how investigations are; you can't expect breakthroughs every day." Yuan Zhensheng looked at the sunset, his tone calm. "Often, seemingly useless strolls and waiting are actually essential."

"But—" Shinomiya Rin turned to look at him, "Why do I feel like—we were just playing around today?"

Yuan Zhensheng's face remained impassive: "A balance between work and rest. Being constantly tense will only cause you to miss the details. Besides—"

He paused for a moment, then said, "You were too tense before. If you kept this up, you'd collapse before we even found the Swamp Man. Relaxing a bit is also for the sake of solving the case better."

Rin Shinomiya blinked, seemingly convinced by this explanation.

She lowered her head, touched the frog doll in her arms, and smiled slightly: "But—I had a pretty happy day."

"That's good." Yuan Zhensheng stood up, stretched, and said, "Let's go back. We'll continue the investigation tomorrow."

"Yes!" Shinomiya Rin nodded vigorously, hugging the doll and following in his footsteps.

Although she vaguely felt that today was a bit too relaxed, her tired body and cheerful mood made her not want to delve into it for the time being.

Seeing Shinomiya Rin following quietly and obediently behind him, Hara Masaharu breathed a sigh of relief.

Finally, I managed to fool this troublesome little guy for a day.

As for investigating the case—we'll talk about that tomorrow.

Meanwhile, inside the Yamaguchi-gumi office.

This is a traditional Japanese-style room with tatami flooring and a scroll bearing the inscription "benevolence and righteousness" hanging on the wall.

After being brought in, Komi Yui was seated on a futon, with her guide cane placed beside her.

Sitting opposite were several men with unfriendly expressions; they were Kuwata Kenkichi's trusted subordinates. The leader was a burly man with a scar on his face and a shaved head, named Kajiwara Tsuyoshi, who was Kuwata Kenkichi's junior aide.

"Ms. Komi," Kajiwara began, his voice rough and scrutinizing, "Don't be nervous. There are just some things the group wants to ask you. After all—you are the daughter of Group Leader Kuwata."

"Yes." Koji Yui nodded slightly, placing her hands neatly on her knees, her face calm, but one could feel the pressure emanating from all around.

"Before Old Man Sangtian's accident, did he mention anything special to you? Or give you anything?"

Kajiwara Tsuyoshi cut to the chase, "For example, ledgers, records, or—a secret agreement regarding a certain piece of land?"

Kenkichi Kuwata's real estate and businesses involved a large amount of gray and even black income. His sudden death made many accounts and relationships within the group unclear, and even triggered internal struggles for resources and territory.

They suspected that Kenkichi Kuwata might have left something crucial to this illegitimate daughter who had no ties to the underworld.

Koji Yui gently shook her head: "No, my father has always acted as a real estate agent in front of me. He never talks to me about work, he only asks me if I'm doing well and if I've eaten."

"Really?"

Another officer interjected in a sinister tone, "Miss Komi, your father left behind quite a fortune. Those apartments bought in your name, do you think they're just ordinary houses? They're all money laundering channels, they're the group's property! You're blind, they're useless to you, you might as well hand them over, the group will take good care of you."

They may not truly believe that Komi Yui knows the core secret, but the properties registered in her name are, in themselves, a considerable amount of assets that currently legally belong to her.

During the power vacuum within the group, these became easy targets for some people.

Komi Yui's hands tightened slightly on her knees.

"Those houses—my father said they were investments, meant for me to collect rent and live off. I—I don't know anything else." Her voice remained steady, but a hint of tension lingered beneath.

"You don't know?" Kajiwara leaned forward, his presence intensifying. "Then do you know that Dad's death might be related to some of our own people in the group? Lately, some of them have been quite vocal."

He made a pointed remark, his gaze sweeping over the other cadres in the room.

At that moment, the sliding door of the Japanese-style room was violently pulled open with a "whoosh".

A tall, young man with a buzz cut barged in.

His face was gloomy, his eyes were sharp, and one could vaguely see the shadow of Kenji Kuwata between his brows. He was Kenji Kuwata's eldest son, Kenichi Kuwata, who was currently the leader of the Wakabu group and a young backbone member of the martial arts faction.

"Kajiwara, what do you mean by this?" Kuwata Kenichi's voice was icy as he strode up to Komi Yui, intentionally or unintentionally shielding her behind him. "Bringing my sister here for questioning? Who gave you permission?"

"Kenichi, what kind of attitude is this?" Kajiwara Tsuyoshi's face darkened. "We're just following the rules, questioning people related to the team leader to clarify some things. She's also the team leader's daughter, and she has an obligation to cooperate."

"Obligation?" Kenichi Kuwata sneered. "She's blind and has never been involved in anything within the group since she was a child! Her father made her live outside precisely because he didn't want her to get involved in this! Are you bringing her here to scare a blind woman, or are you after those properties?"

His gaze swept across the crowd with a sharp, piercing light: "Father has only been gone a short time. Aren't some of you getting your ideas a little too soon?"

"I, Kenichi Kuwata, am still alive! It's not my place for outsiders to take care of my sister's affairs!"

"You!" Several cadres were embarrassed and wanted to retort.

Kenichi Kuwata didn't give them a chance. He bent down and whispered to Yui Komi, "Yui, it's alright, let's go."

His tone was much gentler than when he spoke to the cadres, but it still carried an undeniable toughness.

Komi Yui raised her head. Although she couldn't see, she could feel the protective aura emanating from her half-brother in front of her.

She responded softly, "—Mmm."

Kenichi Kuwata helped Yui Komi up, put the guide cane back in her hand, then looked around at the executives in the room and said coldly, "If you have any problems, come at me. If anyone dares to touch my sister in private again, don't blame me, Kenichi Kuwata, for being ruthless."

After saying that, he protected Komi Yui and left the Japanese-style room without looking back.

Kajiwara Tsuyoshi and the others were left with ashen faces.

As a descendant of Kenji Kuwata, Kenichi Kuwata is highly respected within the group, especially among the younger members, and his fighting prowess should not be underestimated.

Openly protecting Komi Yui at this moment is tantamount to asserting sovereignty over those assets and temporarily deterring certain restless thoughts.

In the corridor, Kenichi Kuwata slowed his pace.

"They didn't do anything to you, did they?" he asked, his voice still stiff, but a hint of awkwardness could be detected if you listened carefully.

After all, the two were not familiar with each other and had only met a few times, except for the father's funeral.

"No, thank you—big brother," Koji Yui said softly.

Kenichi Kuwata paused for a moment. "If they contact you again, just call me directly. Your father was right to keep you away from these things. Stay away from the group and live your own life."

He escorted Komi Yui to the entrance of the agency and arranged for a relatively ordinary car and two more composed-looking team members: "Take her home and make sure she's safe."

Watching the car drive away, Kenichi Kuwata stood at the door, lit a cigarette, and looked at it with a complicated expression.

The younger sister, whom the father had protected for over a decade, was eventually dragged into the mess.

The world of the underworld is like a swamp; once you get involved, it's hard to get out completely clean.

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