Moments after Erika's grumbling, Toshikazu Chiba shivered, glancing around nervously.
"Inspector, something wrong?" Inagaki asked.
"Just a chill…" Toshikazu replied.
"Don't play sick now," Inagaki teased.
"Sick? Really…" Toshikazu frowned at the jab.
"No witnesses despite all our inquiries," Inagaki said.
"They're out there. Just tight-lipped," Toshikazu replied coolly.
Inagaki gave him a sharp look, wondering if he had evidence. Toshikazu's demeanor didn't waver.
"What's the plan? Keep questioning?" Inagaki asked.
"Nah, let's call in a specialist. 'The snake knows the snake's path,' right? Time to visit the den," Toshikazu said.
"That's borderline illegal," Inagaki warned.
Toshikazu grinned playfully. Often seen as lax, he took his job seriously.
"It's within bounds. Besides, we're running out of time," he said.
"True," Inagaki agreed.
The two detectives climbed into an unmarked patrol car, heading for the "snake's den." Inagaki, unfamiliar with the location, let Toshikazu drive. When they stopped at a café, Inagaki stared, incredulous.
"Inspector, this is the den? Too early to slack off," he said.
"I'm not slacking. This is the den," Toshikazu replied.
"What?"
Toshikazu stepped out, Inagaki hurrying after. Before entering, Toshikazu clarified, "The master here's clean, no record. Just has a wider net for info than most."
"So, a big shot who keeps their tail hidden?" Inagaki asked.
"More like a craftsman," Toshikazu said.
They entered "Rotterbart," the snake's den. Post-lunch, the café was quiet, but both noticed a woman at the counter.
"Pretty," Toshikazu murmured.
"Inspector, we're here for work, not flirting," Inagaki hissed.
"Rude," Toshikazu shot back.
While Toshikazu casually ordered coffee and probed the master for info, his glances at the woman betrayed his distraction. Inagaki, focused on the task, noticed her chuckling, puzzling them both.
"Sorry," she said, giggling. "I was waiting for you to say something. Shy with women, Chiba's heir?"
Toshikazu didn't hide his Chiba lineage, but thought his brother Shūji was better known. A regular civilian wouldn't know he was a Chiba. Only criminals, police, or those in the combat magic world—like her—would.
"And you are…?" Toshikazu asked.
"First time meeting, Inspector Toshikazu Chiba. I'm Kyoko Fujibayashi," she said.
Toshikazu was stunned. The woman was the daughter of the Fujibayashi clan, granddaughter of Retsu Kudou, elder of Japan's magic community. Her carefree smile captivated him, Inagaki noted, though only slightly.
It'd been ages since Tatsuya's group of eight left school together. Everyone was busy, but Tatsuya's thesis prep and Discipline Committee duties made him especially so.
"Tatsuya-san, done with thesis prep?" Honoka asked.
Though the group rarely walked home together, Honoka worked with Miyuki daily on student council and often joined Tatsuya to the station.
"Mostly. Just rehearsals and demo device tweaks left," Tatsuya said.
"Sounds tough. Isn't Mizuki's group helping?" Erika asked.
"Uh, yeah, second-years are. I'm not involved," Mizuki said.
"Isori-senpai's leading the model-building, so second-years naturally pitch in," Tatsuya explained.
"Hmm… so what's Tatsuya doing?" Leo asked, the group's curiosity evident.
"Adjusting the demo spell," Tatsuya said.
"Usually the other way around," Shizuku quipped.
Everyone nodded, and Erika smirked. "Kei-senpai's more 'alchemist' than 'mage.' Fits, though."
"Alchemist? Like an RPG?" Honoka asked.
"What's Tatsuya-san in that case?" Mizuki wondered.
"Mad scientist," Erika said.
"That's not RPG," Leo countered.
"Then a reclusive sage in the mountains, teaching secret arts," Erika offered.
"Too martial for a sage," Leo said.
"How about demon king?" Shizuku suggested.
"Nah, the final boss who reveals he's the mastermind after beating the demon king with the hero," Leo grinned.
"Why's no one saying hero?" Honoka pouted.
"It's fine, Honoka. I'm no emissary of justice," Tatsuya said.
"Onii-sama, might is justice," Miyuki declared.
"There's the demon king's sister," Leo teased.
The group erupted in laughter.
"Jokes aside, Kei-senpai on models and Tatsuya-kun on spells makes sense," Erika said.
"Isori-senpai did say he's better at hardware. Tatsuya-san can do both, so spells streamline things," Mizuki added.
"Plus, if Tatsuya handled models, a crowd would gather and break them," Leo said.
Tatsuya gave a wry smile as the others nodded, their agreement sparking a mild headache.
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/DaoistRoeoNQ
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