When Inspector You Hong handed the accurate intelligence about the Mirror World and some experimental data to Kaoru Ichijo, he fell silent.
But from the next day onwards, the entire Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department was thrown into turmoil.
Large numbers of police officers were arrested in their offices, and there was only one reason: the higher-ups demanded a thorough investigation.
...
Masashi Sudo hadn't been doing well lately.
That old geezer Kaoru Ichijo, for some unknown reason, had suddenly started a thorough investigation into corruption within the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
Fortunately, his own actions had always been very discreet and hadn't been uncovered, but if this continued, it would be hard to say what might happen in the future.
"Damn it, why?"
Masashi Sudo stood in the corner of the fire escape in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department building, irritably crushing the bread he was eating for breakfast into a ball of waste.
"Inspector Sudo?"
A voice suddenly rang out from behind him.
Masashi Sudo was startled; he turned around as if shocked by electricity, the gloom on his face instantly replaced by a warm smile.
"Oh, it's Inspector You Hong!"
He rubbed his hands, quickly stepping forward to greet him. "What a coincidence to meet you here! You must be incredibly busy lately, right? SPID was just established and immediately ran into so many major cases. Only a young and promising Superior like you could handle it!"
He knew this young man, or rather, everyone in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department knew this new favorite of the "Ichijo faction" who had rocketed from a low-level patrol officer to Police Inspector in just one year.
Lately, he had been immensely popular, in charge of that mysterious SPID.
Damn it, another one of that old man Kaoru Ichijo's people.
Sudo cursed inwardly, but his smile grew even brighter.
You Hong stood with his hands in his pockets, wearing his crisp police uniform, his posture relaxed.
He looked at the smile on Sudo's face, and the corners of his own mouth also curved slightly upward.
"It's fine, just doing my duty."
You Hong's tone was Frillish, his gaze casually sweeping over Sudo's face. "But Inspector Sudo... you look a bit tired lately, don't you?"
"Haha, thank you for your concern, thank you for your concern, it's just a slight cold..." Sudo quickly waved his hand.
"Oh?"
You Hong seemed to remember something, leaning forward slightly and lowering his voice. "I just wanted to remind you, the higher-ups have been investigating... very strictly lately."
"I heard a lot of people with dirty hands, who usually hide quite well, have been caught this time. Tsk tsk, it's quite a miserable sight."
You Hong clicked his tongue, his eyes glancing at the ceiling. "You're a Senior, very experienced, so you certainly... won't have any 'loose ends' caught, will you?"
Buzz!
Masashi Sudo's smile instantly froze.
Cold sweat immediately broke out on his forehead.
He felt his hands and feet growing cold.
He knew?
What was he implying?
Could it be... could he have really found some clues?
"Ins... Inspector You Hong, what... what do you mean by that?"
Sudo's voice was a bit dry; he tried hard to maintain his composure. "I, Masashi Sudo, have worked in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department for so many years, and I have always been clean and upright..."
Ring ring ring—!!
Just at this suffocating moment, a sudden, piercing phone ringtone broke the almost solidified air in the passage!
Sudo grabbed his phone from his inner suit pocket as if it were a lifeline, quickly pressing the answer button without even looking at the caller ID, his movements as fast as disarming a bomb.
"Hello? It's me!... What?... Good! Good! I understand! I'll be there immediately! Immediately!"
He spoke rapidly into the phone, agreeing to everything, and while speaking, he rushed towards the emergency exit without stopping, completely ignoring You Hong and any need to maintain decorum.
"Sorry, sorry! Inspector You Hong! Urgent mission! I'll be going first! Talk next time!"
Sudo almost fled the fire escape, his hurried and disheveled figure quickly disappearing at the end of the corridor, leaving behind a panicked lingering sound.
The heavy iron door of the fire escape clanged shut, cutting off the outside noise.
You Hong leaned against the wall, unmoving.
He watched Sudo's disappearing direction, the formulaic smile on his face slowly fading, replaced by indifference.
He slowly straightened up, muttering to himself:
"Heh, it seems the story about 'him' is finally about to begin."
...
An inconspicuous antique shop in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward.
The shop displayed various antiques, as well as modern crafts.
Tomoyuki Kaga, wearing glasses, was gently wiping dust off a blue and white porcelain plate with a small brush.
Just then.
A sudden screech of brakes sounded. Tomoyuki Kaga looked up at the sound.
A black car steadily pulled up in front of the antique shop.
As the car door opened, Masashi Sudo stepped out.
Upon arriving at the antique shop, he cautiously checked his surroundings. After confirming there were no suspicious individuals around, he flipped the "Open" sign on the main door of the antique shop to "Closed."
"Why did you call me here? Didn't I tell you not to contact me for now!"
As soon as he entered the antique shop, Masashi Sudo immediately questioned Tomoyuki Kaga.
Tomoyuki Kaga slowly walked to the bar, poured a cup of coffee, and handed it to him. "Nothing much, just to tell you that I've already contacted a buyer."
Hearing Tomoyuki Kaga's words, Masashi Sudo was stunned, then took the coffee and drank it. He hadn't expected a buyer to be found so quickly.
"So, couldn't you have just called me?"
Finishing the coffee, Masashi Sudo asked again.
Tomoyuki Kaga shook his head and slowly said, "The reason I called you here is because some things are better told in person."
He paused, then continued, "Sudo, from today onwards, our profit split will change from 40-60 to 60-40."
Hearing Tomoyuki Kaga's words, a hint of mockery appeared on Masashi Sudo's lips: "Are you kidding me? You're trying to negotiate terms with me now? If it weren't for me, could you have earned this money?"
"Listen to me, I have plenty of partners. I chose you simply for convenience."
"So, behave yourself!"
Hearing Masashi Sudo's mocking words, Tomoyuki Kaga's hands clenched, and a surge of anger rose in his heart.
"Don't get cocky, Masashi Sudo! I know what you people at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department have been up to lately. We can just go down together!"
Masashi Sudo, who was about to take another sip of coffee, stiffened, then anger surged into his heart.
He hadn't expected a mere ant to dare to defy him.
No!
He had worked so hard to reach his current position; he absolutely could not be arrested!
He stared intently at Tomoyuki Kaga, who was still trying to say something, his eyes already filled with icy killing intent.
"So... Ugh!"
Tomoyuki Kaga, who was about to continue speaking, felt a piercing pain in his neck.