Entering the office that morning, Takashi felt uneasy.
The warehouse had been shut down. Another one of them had been arrested.
That should have made him proud. Satisfied.
But instead, there was a weight in his chest.
He hadn’t seen Sota since that night.
And he didn’t dare call him.
What if he was in a meeting?
What if someone noticed the call?
What if suspicion started because of something so small?
Takashi clenched his jaw.
He knew Sota would find him after the news announced another successful police operation.
He always did.
He’ll find me soon…
“Good morning, Takashi,” his colleagues greeted him as he entered the office.
“Good morning,” he replied automatically.
Kenta approached him right away.
“The Chief was looking for you,”
he said, placing a hand around Takashi’s shoulders with a grin.
“He told you to go to his office as soon as you arrive.”
He lowered his voice slightly.
“We did a great job at the warehouse. I think the Chief is proud.”
Then, more quietly:
“Did you see Sota?”
Takashi paused for a moment.
“No,” he said.
“He hasn’t called me yet.”
There was a shadow in his eyes.
“I’m kind of worried. I’m sure there’s chaos inside the organization right now.”
Kenta lowered his voice as well.
“He knows how to take care of himself. Don’t worry too much.”
Takashi nodded slightly, then asked,
“What about Kenji?”
“No reaction,”
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
Kenta replied, staring off into the distance.
“Maybe we’re wrong about him.”
“We’ll see about that,”
Takashi said quietly.
“For now, keep an eye on him.”
He slipped his hands into his pockets, staring down at the floor.
“I told him to go to my place if anything unusual happens… to Sota.”
His voice grew distant. Empty.
“I just hope he’ll have time… if something goes wrong.”
“Everything’s going to be fine,”
Kenta said firmly.
“Sota’s smart.”
Takashi didn’t respond immediately.
“Now go,”
Kenta added.
“The Chief is waiting for you.”
Takashi gave Kenta’s shoulder a light tap.
“I hope you’re right,”
he said before turning away.
He knocked on the office door and entered without waiting. He knew the Chief was expecting him.
“Good morning, Chief. Kenta said you were looking for me,”
“Good morning, Takashi. Please, sit down.”
The Chief stood up to greet him.
Takashi remained standing for a moment.
“Is there something wrong?”
he asked carefully.
“No,”
the Chief replied, a faint smile
appearing on his face.
“I just wanted to congratulate you on the successful operation.”
“Please, sit down,”
the Chief offered again.
Takashi pulled out the chair and finally sat.
“I’m very proud of you, Takashi,”
the Chief said gently.
“You’re a determined and hardworking detective.”
Takashi listened carefully.
“But…”
He had expected that word.
“You’ve opened Pandora’s box,”
the Chief continued, his voice lowering slightly.
“From now on, you need to be very careful.”
He paused.
Takashi remained silent.
“You know you can trust me with anything,”
the chief stood up and turned toward the window, looking down at the street below.
“Please… don’t act on your own. Not like you did with Hotel Shion.”
Takashi’s jaw tightened.
“Whatever you need,”
the Chief continued more quietly,
“you know I can cover for you. And I’ll help you.”
“Yes, Chief. I’ll remember that. From now on, you’ll know my every move,”
Takashi assured him.
“I want to bring them down just as much as you do.”
The Chief turned around to face him.
“You can count on me for whatever comes next,” he said firmly.
“We’ll do this with discretion.”
“Yes, Chief. I understand. Thank you.”
Takashi stood up, ready to leave.
“Don’t go yet.”
The Chief raised his hand slightly, gesturing for him to sit back down.
Takashi paused.
“If you’re right… and someone from our department is working for them,”
the Chief continued, his voice lower now, more serious,
“then we need to be prepared for them to strike back.”
He held Takashi’s gaze.
“And your name is already out there.”
Takashi slowly sat back.
“I’m aware of that, Chief.”
“But I’m not afraid of them.”
Takashi’s gaze was firm, determined.
The phone vibrated in his pocket.
Sota.
His heart started racing.
For a second, he felt the urge to run out of the office and answer immediately — but he didn’t.
He let it ring.
Then he silenced it and slipped the phone back into his pocket.
The Chief watched him carefully.
“I know you’re not afraid,”
he said calmly.
“But you need to be more careful from now on. We’re closer to them than ever before. And if you want to finish this… you need to listen to me.”
Takashi nodded once.
“Will your source back out?”
the Chief asked.
“No,” Takashi answered without hesitation.
“I’m sure he won’t.”
“That’s good to hear.”
The Chief studied him for a moment.
“I think you should answer that call.”
Takashi exhaled quietly.
“Yes… I think I should.”
He stood up.
As he reached the door, he paused and turned back.
“Chief… can I take tomorrow off?”
He hesitated for a second.
“It’s important.”
He stood by the door, waiting.
“If it’s important,”
the Chief said with a faint smile,
“you’re free tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Chief.”
Takashi closed the door behind him and walked quickly down the hallway.
By the time he reached the balcony, his pulse was already pounding.
He pulled the phone from his pocket and hesitated.
What if something had happened?
What if he was too late?
He lit a cigarette with unsteady fingers, took a slow drag, then pressed the number.
The phone began to ring.
“Yes.”
Sota’s voice instantly eased his mind.
“I couldn’t answer before... I was in the office. Is everything all right?”
Takashi asked quickly, the words rushing out.
“Yes. Everything’s all right… for now,” Sota replied.
Takashi exhaled smoke slowly.
“Where are you?”
“At my apartment.”
“That’s good,” Takashi murmured, taking another drag.
“How is the situation inside the organization? Are you really safe?”
Takashi closed his eyes, letting the cold air steady him.
“Yes. I’m safe for now,” Sota replied calmly.
“They’re shaken. But no names have been mentioned.”
“Everything’s all right. I called to tell you that, like I promised.”
Takashi exhaled a slow stream of smoke.
“Are you free tomorrow?”
he asked, before he could stop himself.
There was a brief pause.
“Yes. Why?”
Sota sounded curious now.
“Come to Shirogawa East Station tomorrow at nine,”
Takashi said.
“I’ll be waiting.”
Silence lingered for a second.
“All right,”
Sota finally replied.
“I’ll see you there tomorrow.”
