No one understands the laws of Collider better than me.

Both are young people in their late teens, and for two days in a row they first "openly met" in the swimming pool, and then had "emotional exchanges" in Ginza. I think they will soon be able to get married with my help.

Oh, you could say it's mixed with too much utilitarianism and dirty psychological suggestions that only adults understand.

But if the result is good, isn't that enough?

The next day, Kitahara Masaki, who had intended to continue resting, suddenly received a call from the manager, who asked him in a tone that was both angry and unusually kind, when asked when he would recover.

Kitahara Masaki's initial answer was "a year later," but after some haggling, it became "an hour later." After finishing his breakfast and washing his face, he reverted to being the "ruthlessly" exploited Inspector Kitahara.

"Oh! Brother Kitahara, you're finally back. Although I'd love to celebrate with you, I still have a bank robbery to investigate, and those bastards also injured my wife. She happened to be at that bank withdrawing my salary for me."

"Oh, good luck, Inspector Megure. I believe those arrogant robbers will realize that messing with a police officer can have serious consequences."

As a member of society, Kitahara Masaki has always maintained the image of a police officer who doesn't care about money and can solve cases quickly. So, he will definitely go to buy a gift and visit Inspector Megure's wife afterward, since Inspector Megure and he have always had a pleasant working relationship.

Two weeks after noting this down in his memo, Kitahara Masaki finally returned to his seat. As soon as he sat down, the police officers around him looked up, holding case files and staring at him expectantly.

"Bring them all over here, let me see if there's anything I can help you with."

They were probably waiting for me to say that. The surrounding police officers were so annoyed by the case that they wanted to close it down with the reason that "more than a dozen gunshot wounds were found on the back of the deceased, and it was determined to be suicide." But when they saw Kitahara Masaki, the only one who could think, they all came up with a smile and gave him a gift.

Shiroi Koibito, ROYCE, Rokkatei, Meiji, Morinaga, Bulben, Glico Mosa, Matsuo, Moutai.

Chocolate and alcohol—that was indeed the gift these roughnecks came up with after racking their brains. You could say they bought almost every famous Japanese chocolate brand, with every flavor imaginable.

"Hmm... why is this witness's testimony still so clear a week later? Isn't he from the same company as the victim?"

"Then here, it's clearly shown in the photos of the evidence. There's something that looks like a fishing line tied here, and the marks here indicate that something was left here a long time ago, but was only recently taken away."

"The deduction based on this footprint is clearly wrong. The criminal is a person with small feet wearing big shoes, so it is impossible for him to be 1.8 meters tall. In fact, when you determined that the criminal was 1.8 meters tall, you should have realized very quickly that there was no suspect with that height."

"Intimidation by yakuza? Don't be so hasty. We must find out the details of this so-called victim's assets before drawing any conclusions."

As they talked, after finishing everyone's cases, it was almost 8 p.m. The group of middle-aged men naturally wouldn't let this opportunity pass, so they dragged Kitahara Masaki along to their usual izakaya for drinks.

Soon, Kitahara Masaki was surrounded by a group of burly men... who asked him how he managed to win over a beauty of Vermouth's caliber.

Ah... I really want to quit my job. I really want to sell the organization and run away.

Chapter 84 Could this police officer possibly be able to predict the future?

"No, what I mean is that you should learn more about the woman's profession, instead of just complaining about how hard it is to be a police officer. If you sit down and say that this is your hard-earned break time, it won't move the woman you're meeting for the first time; it will only make her feel pressured."

"Also, you're going on a blind date, not interrogating a criminal. Don't just keep asking and answering questions. You need to interact with the other person and let them know what kind of person you are and what kind of partner you want."

"Tips? If you don't want to be a player or a scumbag, just tell the truth honestly, because if your lies are exposed later, there will be even more serious consequences."

Why would I need to do relationship counseling in a place that's drinking? I'm so confused.

Faced with the incessant chatter of the middle-aged man, Kitahara Masaki's throat grew dry, and he even stopped drinking alcohol, opting instead for water. The dishes on the table changed several times, but despite eating intermittently, Kitahara Masaki was still not full.

"Senior Kitahara, I'd actually like to hear how you and Miss Evelyn met?"

Seeing the drunken Takagi, Kitahara Masaki naturally didn't say anything about how Vermouth had given him a gift during their first meeting, along with a 'bomb'.

"Ahem, she saw my talent back then, and when I only had a million in assets, she invested tens of millions in me."

"so much!"

"It is a lot, but compared to their family's annual cosmetics sales, it's just a drop in the ocean. Of course, I don't mean that she gave too little, but that she can casually give this level of investment. So—Takagi, don't use my story with her as a model. Our story is not something you can replicate."

"Oh! I understand."

I don't know if you really understand. It's not a bad thing to go all out to pursue Sato, but isn't it a bit reckless to risk your life?

However, Kitahara Maki knew that Takagi's road was still long, and so was Inspector Shiratori's... In fact, the entire First Investigation Division was like this, with several middle-aged men who had been single for a long time gradually losing their ability to communicate with women.

After Kitahara Masaki got most of the people drunk, he paid the bill and left. He didn't want to hang out with a bunch of drunk middle-aged men anymore.

On the second day, after receiving emotional counseling from Kitahara Masaki, Takagi still appeared shy in front of Sato, her innocence belying someone over twenty-five years old.

“Takagi, I just received a call saying that the person in charge of that bank robbery—the one that injured Inspector Megure’s wife—said he remembered something and plans to come to the Metropolitan Police Department at 2 p.m..”

"Uh—but the person in charge's wife also called yesterday, saying she would only be coming at 5 p.m. today."

"Yes, the bank manager also mentioned it, but he said he decided to come before dawn because he was afraid the robbers might harm his wife."

Kitahara Masaki sipped his coffee, leaning back in his office chair without saying a word. Since a witness was willing to come forward and provide information, wasn't that a good thing...?

However, most people wouldn't do that. In fact, the only ones who would have the time to spend all day coming to the Metropolitan Police Department to give statements are the Junior Detective League.

Ah—I envy elementary school students so much! They don't have to work every day, and all they have to think about is what to play today and what their mothers will cook tonight.

Kitahara Maki lay on his workstation, yawning and thinking about unrealistic things. He slept from nine in the morning until almost two in the afternoon.

"Uh—why hasn't anyone invited me to eat? I'm so hungry."

Kitahara Masaki looked at the alarm clock on the table and the almost empty office. After washing his face in the restroom, he ordered takeout.

"Senior Kitahara, you're awake. A witness is coming over soon. I hope it won't disturb you."

Takagi, next time you see I've slept for so long, come and wake me up, okay?

"Takagi, the most important thing is to listen to the witnesses' testimonies, not my sleep."

Well... although in reality, my sleep is definitely much more important than those unreliable witnesses.

“You’re right. I’ll bring that bank manager, Masuo Keizo, over right now.”

What?! I haven't even had a meal yet, and I have to listen to an old man talk about his tragic past.

Then Takagi brought in a middle-aged man who was as round as a ball.

"Mr. Masuo, didn't you and your wife agree to come at two o'clock? May I ask where your wife is?"

"Huh? Hasn't she arrived yet? Is she still sleeping at this hour?"

The middle-aged man took out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat and kept checking his watch to confirm the time.

Kitahara Masaki subconsciously thought of one of the laws of detective fiction—the person who keeps checking the time at the beginning is likely the culprit. Could this guy be trying to get the police to make an alibi for him at the Metropolitan Police Department?

"It can't be that coincidental," Kitahara Masaki thought, taking a sip of hot water to calm his nerves. "It shouldn't be that I'm receiving news of another murder before I even get my takeout. Hmm... probably not."

"Officer, may I use your landline to make a phone call to my wife?"

"No problem, please go ahead."

"Hey, where are you right now?"

After asking that question, the fat man handed the phone to Takagi, seemingly asking him to confirm.

Oh no, this guy is starting to look more and more like the murderer. Normally, she wouldn't need to hand the phone to Takagi; she could have just finished asking the questions directly.

However, in order to ensure that Takagi could hear the voice on the other end, he still handed the phone to Takagi.

"Good day, madam. This is the First Investigation Division."

"Ah, you're the officer named Takagi from yesterday, right?"

"Yes, are you still at home? Has something happened?"

"Huh? What are you talking about? Didn't I agree to go at five o'clock?"

"But your husband then said he'd come over together at 2 PM today..."

Because Takagi had put the phone on speakerphone, Kitahara Masaki was getting a headache from listening. He snatched the phone away, while Masuo Keizo, who had also wanted to grab the phone to stop the two from talking any further, froze in place.

Who is this person? Why is he not playing by the rules?

"Lady Masuo, what are you doing right now?"

"Uh, I exercise at home, by cycling on an indoor bike—"

"Stop right now! Immediately!"

Eh!

Everyone present was confused as to why Kitahara Masaki would say such a thing. Except for Masuo Keizo, who had originally intended to kill his wife through the agency, he finally recognized the seemingly sleeping police officer in front of him as the famous police officer who was frequently featured on television.

I thought he was only in the news because he was handsome, but now he's stopping his wife from exercising on the equipment. Does that mean he can predict the future? Otherwise, how could he know the techniques she's using?

Chapter 85 Doesn't your constant checking of your watch mean you're revealing your identity?

This morning, Keizo Masuo had tied one end of a fishing line to a dagger and the other end to a foot pedal, creating a murder device. He knew his wife would start exercising on the home stationary bike at 2 PM, so if he arrived at the Metropolitan Police Department at 2 PM pretending to remember something, the police could become witnesses to his alibi.

If his wife had continued stepping on the line, the dagger would have been pulled along by the fishing line and pierced her back.

But now all of this has been stopped by Kitahara Masaki.

"Madam, please don't move. Don't let the foot pedal rotate anymore. Take a good look around and see if there are any differences, any strange devices, or anything missing."

"Hmm—it seems not—"

Kitahara Masaki was furious at the tone of the voice. If this woman were killed, he would definitely not be able to eat, and he would have to go to the scene.

How could he let something like this happen!

"Take a closer look! This is a matter of your life! Carefully examine your indoor exercise equipment and see if there's anything different from before!"

Watching Kitahara Masaki earnestly instructing his wife, Masuo Keizo couldn't figure out what he had done wrong. He shouldn't have given anything away, so how could Kitahara Masaki know that he had set up a device to kill his wife?

Could this be a police officer's intuition?

No, no, no, the most urgent thing now is to stop Kitahara Masaki from continuing. Judging by the time, if we move a little longer, the foot pedal will be able to catch enough line to make the dagger in the bookcase behind her smash into her back.

"Officer Kitahara, let me say a few words to my wife."

Seeing that this guy was still wearing that fake smile, Kitahara Masaki naturally couldn't be bothered with him.

"Officer Kitahara! This is a family matter between my wife and me. Are you, the police, going to interfere in such things? I came to the Metropolitan Police Department out of kindness to provide you with clues to solve the case, and this is how you treat me?"

"Shut up."

As he rambled on, Kitahara Masaki silenced him with a single sentence.

"Ah! Found it! I don't know why there are so many loops of fishing line wrapped around the foot pedal!"

“Very good, Mrs. Masuo. Now, slowly move away from that exercise equipment and don’t touch those fishing lines, understand? We will send the police to your house immediately to check for danger.”

After saying that, Kitahara Masaki hung up the phone, turned to Masuo Keizo, and asked:

"What device did you set? Confess honestly, and at most you'll get a few years in prison. But if you refuse to cooperate, it won't just be a simple case of attempted murder!"

"Haha, what are you saying, Officer Kitahara? You can't let this slander against me go unpunished. I'm going to complain to your superiors and expose your rude behavior to the media!"