After resting for two days, the "Flower of the Metropolitan Police Department" showed up at the MPD again.
"Morning, Officer Sato."
The officer who always greeted Sato Miwako stared, stunned, and stopped cold on the spot.
A few others nearby were equally taken aback.
"Sato… Officer Sato actually smiled at us…"
In the past, even when Sato Miwako responded, it was always brisk—she came and went like the wind. But just now, she had actually smiled at them.
"Did we just see a fake Officer Sato?"
"Inspector Megure, Officer Sato reporting for duty."
Seeing Sato Miwako standing next to Inspector Megure, face serious as ever, they exchanged bewildered looks.
The familiar Officer Sato was back.
"Guess we imagined it."
"How could Officer Sato smile at us?"
"An illusion. Definitely an illusion."
Amid the noisy chatter, the group dispersed.
"Inspector Megure, is something big going on at the MPD?"
Sato Miwako watched the officers scatter, her expression doubtful.
"Something big?" Inspector Megure blinked. "If you mean a major case, it's still just the Moriya Teiji matter. Nothing else."
Sato Miwako was simply curious.
"Miwako, for this escort mission, you'll be providing support from the side. The one in charge is Officer Shiratori." Inspector Megure spoke with emphasis.
"Yes." Sato Miwako straightened at once.
Then her brows drew together. "Officer Shiratori?"
At that moment, a tall man approached. He wore a beige suit; his face was handsome, and his hair curled softly. When he saw Sato Miwako, he casually brushed the curl at his forehead.
"I'm Shiratori Ninzaburo. Nice to meet you, Miwako."
Sato Miwako's expression turned icy in an instant.
"My name is Sato Miwako. Officer Shiratori can call me Officer Sato."
With that, she strode back to her desk.
"Morning, Officer Sato." Officer Takagi greeted her brightly.
Sato Miwako responded, sat down, and began reviewing the mission brief.
Officer Shiratori flicked his hair with a practiced flourish.
"Inspector Megure, I'll go arrange the operation first. Officer Sato, please come over for a moment."
Sato Miwako frowned.
"Inspector Megure, who is he?"
"Him? Uh…" Inspector Megure laughed awkwardly. "He's an Assistant Inspector. Very capable, good at handling matters. He volunteered to transfer here."
Meeting Room
Officer Shiratori stood in front of the projection screen, looking down at the officers seated below.
"Our mission this time is very straightforward: escort Moriya Teiji to where he needs to go. We'll follow the original route—depart from the MPD, pass by Beika Central Hospital, Teitan High School… Some of these areas will be crowded, especially Beika Central Hospital and Teitan High School. When we reach those points, slow down a little. Don't cause a commotion."
"Officer Shiratori," Sato Miwako asked coolly, "is your plan really that simple? Are we not taking precautions for an attack en route?"
Officer Shiratori smiled, utterly self-assured. "Officer Sato, the subject is just an architect. Who would try to assassinate him?"
"Whether it happens or not, no one can guarantee that," Sato Miwako replied. "Our job is to prevent accidents before they occur."
Officer Shiratori tossed his curls again, confidence written all over his face.
"Officer Sato, please rest assured. I can guarantee no one will harbor murderous intent toward an architect. That profession doesn't draw hatred so easily."
Sato Miwako's brows knit tighter.
"Officer Shiratori, this is a matter of police procedure, not your 'absolute confidence.'"
"This is also my police procedure." Officer Shiratori kept smiling. "That concludes the briefing. Everyone, prepare. We depart at eleven."
"Eleven? Wasn't it agreed on nine-thirty?"
Sato Miwako's heart jolted.
"Nine-thirty is the peak of morning traffic. I already obtained approval from Superintendent Matsumoto."
Sato Miwako stood up immediately and walked out of the meeting room.
Heiji lay on the hospital bed, his upper body bare. Kazuha carefully applied ointment to him.
"Heiji, stay still. Don't move," Kazuha scolded, her voice full of reproach.
Heiji could only comply, helplessly lying there.
The phone rang.
Kazuha paused and picked up Heiji's phone.
"Heiji, it's Officer Sato."
[Miwako?]
Heiji froze for a beat, then took the phone. "Hello."
"Heiji, sorry. The mission time was changed to eleven. I'm afraid I can only come a bit later."
Sato Miwako's apologetic voice came through the receiver.
"It's fine. Be careful."
"Mm. As soon as it's over, I'll come to you right away."
"Mm. Bye."
After he hung up, something shifted in Heiji's mind.
Changed to eleven?
"Heiji, what does Officer Sato want with you?" Kazuha asked casually.
"She said she's coming to see me at noon."
Sooner or later, they were going to find out anyway. Heiji had no intention of hiding it from Kazuha and Sonoko—but it was better to let things unfold naturally.
"Really? That's great. Then I won't have to worry about no one taking care of you."
Kazuha's reaction made Heiji pause.
"Teacher asked me to go to her office at ten-thirty."
Seeing Heiji go quiet, Kazuha lowered her head and kissed his lips.
"Alright, don't be mad. I'll be back very soon."
The sweet warmth on his lips brought Heiji back to himself. He gave a faint smile.
"Idiot. I was just thinking about what to eat for lunch. A bachelor's lunch might actually be pretty nice."
"Annoying!"
Kazuha rolled her eyes, but her heart felt light. Heiji is too outstanding. Becoming Tokyo's hero again… I can't fall behind. I have to become an excellent barrister—more outstanding than Teacher.
---
Ten o'clock
"Heiji, I'm heading out."
Heiji nodded, watching Kazuha leave. Then he lowered his gaze and thought: Kazuha went to Kisaki Eri's place. Sonoko is studying with Suzuki Ayako. Miwako hasn't arrived yet. And today is the last day of the mission.
It's time to finish that special mission.
Buzz buzz—!!!
"Hello, Mr. Heiji. Do you need any assistance?"
"I'm going to sleep for a bit. Don't disturb me unless it's something major."
"Understood."
The special-care ward had dedicated doctors and nurses, and the room had been arranged personally by the second young miss of the Suzuki Conglomerate. Without the patient's permission, even doctors couldn't enter.
Eleven o'clock
"Officer Sato, take my car."
Behind Officer Shiratori was a Mazda 3 Axela.
"No need. I have my own."
Sato Miwako walked to her red Mazda and sat down with effortless poise.
Officer Shiratori only shrugged, still wearing that confident look.
Moriya Teiji sat in a van. Officer Shiratori's car led at the very front, followed by the van. Behind it were Officer Takagi and the others, with Sato Miwako bringing up the rear.
"Time's up. Move out."
The convoy of several vehicles pulled away.
Teitan High School
A person in a peaked cap stood quietly at the roadside corner. Wearing gloves, they pinched a screw made specifically for cars.
[The timing should be about right!]
----------------
Currently on Patreon: 420 chapters available.
You can also read 2 chapters ahead for free on my Patreon.
https://www.patreon.com/cw/LIZBETH1242