Fourth floor, end of the east corridor.
Inside the Special Supernatural Phenomena Investigation Department—SPID office.
You Hong leaned back in his office chair, the backrest slightly reclined, his gaze, however, held an indescribably complex expression as it fell upon the two people standing ramrod straight opposite him.
He stroked his chin and then surveyed the overly spacious office.
Aside from the large desk, two sets of seemingly new desks and chairs against the wall, a solitary printer, and a coffee machine in the corner, it was empty and quiet enough to hear the echoes of footsteps from the corridor outside.
“Are you… my entire staff?” You Hong’s voice held a hint of uncertainty, his tone rising slightly at the end.
The slightly older, composed Police Officer standing on the left immediately bowed slightly: “Yes, Police Inspector! Police Officer Sato Ichiro, from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department First Investigation Division, Third Investigation Section, reporting for duty!”
The younger one on the right, still showing a bit of greenness and nervousness, also quickly straightened his back: “Same… same section, Police Officer Kondo Motoki! Reporting to the Police Inspector! Please guide me!” His voice was a bit loud, echoing in the empty office.
You Hong’s gaze swept back and forth between the two, then around the overly empty office, finally settling on the coffee machine.
“Two people?” You Hong held up two fingers, a sense of absurdity in his tone, “Including this coffee machine, my ‘Supernatural Phenomena Investigation Department’ luxury team consists of… three people and one machine?”
Sato Ichiro’s expression remained unchanged, clearly having anticipated the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s style: “Police Inspector, the Chief specifically instructed that in SPID’s initial phase, efficiency is key. Kondo and I are the efficient police force seconded to assist you.”
He enunciated “efficient” very clearly, with the smoothness of an experienced Police Officer.
Kondo Motoki secretly glanced at You Hong and quietly added: “Uh… Police Inspector, actually, the Chief said that if you need anything, other departments will fully cooperate… but the core team, for now… uh, it’s just us.”
His voice grew softer and softer, clearly also finding the setup a bit shabby.
“Efficient…” You Hong repeated the word, a meaningful curve forming at the corner of his mouth, and leaned back, the chair letting out a slight creak, “Alright, efficient it is. So, where should our efficient team’s first fire burn?”
He tapped his finger on the clean desktop, his gaze sharpening: “Police Officer Sato, please go to the archives and retrieve all case reports from the past three months within the Tokyo area that are labeled ‘bizarre disappearance,’ ‘witness claims vanished into thin air,’ or inexplicable ‘hallucination attacks.’ I need the most detailed ones, as soon as possible.”
“Understood!” Sato Ichiro responded crisply, turned, and strode out of the office, full of action.
Only You Hong and the visibly uneasy Kondo Motoki remained in the office.
You Hong casually picked up a pen holder from the desk, playing with it, and looked at Kondo: “Kondo, what do you think about these recent ‘mysterious disappearance cases’? Just speak freely, don’t be constrained.”
Kondo Motoki scratched the back of his head, trying to organize his words: “Police Inspector, to be honest… it’s quite eerie. I’ve handled several similar reports with Senior Sato, and the witness descriptions are very consistent: a person, right before their eyes, suddenly gone! And afterwards, no traces are found at the scene, nor do surveillance cameras capture anything unusual. It’s like… like the person was ‘erased’ from this world by something.”
As he spoke, a look of confusion and a hint of imperceptible fear appeared on his face, “Science simply cannot explain it. So… I think the Chief’s decision to establish SPID was truly brilliant!” He quickly flattered, attempting to ease the awkwardness.
You Hong noncommittally hummed in response, but in his heart, he was thinking: Of course, it can’t be explained by science; if Mirror Monster incidents could be explained by science, that would be absurd.
Just then, the office door was suddenly pushed open!
Sato Ichiro, carrying a stack of thick file folders almost up to his chin, hurried in. Due to the sheer number of files, he didn’t even bother to close the door.
“Police Inspector! I just got the files and heard the news!” Sato Ichiro’s voice was urgent. He placed the heavy stack of file folders with a thud on You Hong’s desk, kicking up fine dust, “Shinjuku Ward! Ten minutes ago! It happened again!”
“What happened?” You Hong’s heart skipped a beat, and he instantly sat up straight.
“Witness report!” Sato Ichiro spoke rapidly, “A person, in broad daylight, vanished into thin air! The scene has been cordoned off, and witnesses are temporarily being held! It’s almost identical to the previous cases!”
“Let’s go!” You Hong abruptly sprang from his chair, moving so fast it created a gust of wind, “To the scene! Kondo, drive!”
“Yes!” Kondo Motoki jolted, reacting quickly, and immediately rushed towards the door.
“Police Inspector, the files…” Sato Ichiro looked at the mountain of file folders on the desk.
“We’ll look at them later!” You Hong’s voice was already outside the door, “Right now, catching the ‘perpetrator in the act’ is more important!”
…
Shinjuku Ward, Okubo Station.
Piercing police sirens cut through the station’s original hubbub, and the flashing red and blue police lights continuously flickered on the massive glass curtain walls and station tiles, reflecting a tense and solemn atmosphere.
Yellow police tape strictly cordoned off the affected train car and a section of the platform nearby.
Several uniformed Police Officers stood solemnly outside the tape, preventing curious onlookers and reporters trying to push through.
“Move back! Please move back! Do not disturb the scene!” A young Police Officer spread his arms, trying to maintain order, fine sweat already beading on his forehead.
Right at the edge of the police tape, a young man in a bright blue down jacket, looking a bit clumsy, was anxiously trying to communicate with a Police Officer:
“Police Officer! I really saw it! That person disappeared right next to me! Right there! Please let me through to confirm! I’m a reporter! Kido Shinji! This is my press card!”
He held up a press card, his tone urgent, his eyes full of earnestness.
“Sorry, sir! Not even reporters! This is a crime scene, unauthorized personnel are not allowed near! Please step back!” The Police Officer was unmoved, firmly blocking him with a resolute tone.
“But…” Kido Shinji still wanted to argue.
Just then, a more urgent sound of footsteps came from the station entrance.
The crowd parted, and You Hong, with Sato Ichiro and Kondo Motoki, walked swiftly through the crowd, heading directly to the police tape.
The Police Officer guarding the scene saw the rank insignia on You Hong’s shoulder and immediately stood at attention and saluted: “Police Inspector!”
You Hong nodded slightly, his gaze quickly sweeping over the train car within the cordon, the platform floor, and finally, resting on Kido Shinji, who was being blocked by the Police Officer and anxiously explaining.
When he clearly saw that iconic face, You Hong’s steps imperceptibly paused, and a knowing curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.
“Kido Shinji…” He softly uttered the name, his voice so low only he could hear it.
It really was him! It seemed the plot was indeed about to begin.
You Hong did not stop, directly lifted the police tape, and walked in. As he passed Kido Shinji, the corner of his eye caught the name and photo on his press card.
Kido Shinji also noticed this powerful young Police Inspector who directly entered the core scene, his gaze unconsciously following You Hong’s figure, temporarily forgetting his argument with the Police Officer.
You Hong ignored the gaze behind him; his attention was already focused on the prominently marked empty spot within the cordon.
The air still seemed to retain an indescribably cold Qi, which ordinary people might not notice, but for You Hong, who had experienced the Mirror World, this feeling was all too familiar.