"... Criminals have human rights too," Hattori Heizo frowned. "Even the police force is currently striving to reduce violent interrogations."
Yet even decades later, violent interrogations haven't been completely eradicated...
Hayashi Shuichi curled his lip. The current Hattori Heizo was still too young; his understanding and experience of the police profession were not deep enough.
He didn't want to continue this dull topic, so he turned his gaze to the arena. "Who do you think will win today?"
"Osaka University had a member get into trouble, which easily affects morale," Hattori Heizo narrowed his eyes, starting a serious analysis with an expression as focused as if he were studying a complex case. "Their opponent, Chuo University, is also a veteran powerhouse. When our school beat them last year, luck played a certain part..."
Hattori Heizo analyzed at length, but when he turned his head, he saw that Hayashi Shuichi clearly wasn't listening anymore, his gaze fixed on a specific spot in the arena.
"Hey, who do you think will win?" Hattori Heizo was a bit annoyed and jabbed the other party hard with his elbow.
"Osaka University," Hayashi Shuichi said without thinking.
"Reason?" Hattori Heizo frowned.
"Because I know them," Hayashi Shuichi turned his head with an amused look. "Of course I hope my acquaintances win."
His answer made Hattori Heizo roll his eyes involuntarily. "I feel like an idiot for answering your question seriously just now."
"Alright, why care about that?" Hayashi Shuichi laughed it off. "The match is starting."
Because Morisono Mikio didn't have much time, Osaka University arranged for him to be the vanguard and go first.
On the court, perhaps out of guilt toward his teammates, or maybe a desire to clear his name and prove himself, Morisono Mikio was full of drive today.
Less than five minutes into the match, he scored two consecutive points, ending the bout cleanly and decisively.
"That young master performed quite well," a trace of surprise flashed in Hattori Heizo's eyes. "I thought after spending a night in police custody, he would definitely lack spirit today."
"It seems the heartbreak is truly in the past for him," Hayashi Shuichi noticed that before leaving the court, Morisono Mikio returned to his previous style, specifically waving to Shigematsu Akio and Kazumi in the stands, the smile on his face regaining its confidence.
"Aren't you going to watch him?" Hattori Heizo asked. "What if he takes the chance to flee..."
"He's a smart man; he knows what to do," Hayashi Shuichi waved his hand indifferently.
After Morisono Mikio left, the competition continued.
Just as Hattori Heizo had said, Chuo University was indeed a strong team.
In the following three matches, both sides went back and forth with fierce competition. Osaka University only won one match, quickly bringing the score to a two-two tie.
The atmosphere in the entire gymnasium instantly became tense. Who would take home the kendo tournament championship this year depended entirely on the result of the final match.
On Osaka University's side, before stepping onto the court, Ikenami Shizuka subconsciously glanced at the stands, a hint of expectation in her eyes.
However, she only saw Kisaki Eri and the others from the izakaya there; Hayashi Shuichi was nowhere to be seen.
This result made the girl's heart skip a beat, and various thoughts flashed chaotically through her mind.
Why isn't Hayashi-kun here? Did something happen?
Over in the stands, Reiko was also looking around in confusion. "Strange, it's already the last match. Why hasn't Big Brother come yet?"
"That guy Shuichi, don't tell me he's with some beauty again..."
Mouri Kogoro's joke was cut short as he felt three sharp glares shoot toward him like arrows.
Kisaki Eri's glasses reflected a dangerous light, Orikasa Midori pursed her lips tightly, and Reiko stared at him angrily, puffing out her cheeks. Terrified, Mouri quickly made a zipping motion across his mouth.
"Senior should be handling Morisono Mikio's matters," Orikasa Midori guessed.
"Impossible," Kisaki Eri shook her head directly. "He has a very good relationship with the First Investigation Division. Something like this..."
As she spoke, the girl spotted Hayashi Shuichi sitting in a corner diagonally behind them.
Seeing Kisaki Eri looking his way, Hayashi Shuichi specifically waved his hand.
"Big Brother?" Reiko asked in surprise. "What is he doing sitting over there? And the person talking to Big Brother is... a black person?"
"That gentleman came to the izakaya before; he came with Inspector Megure and the others," Orikasa Midori explained. "He just has darker skin; he isn't black."
"Big Brother leaves three beauties like us alone and goes to watch the match with a man," Reiko pouted, her small face full of dissatisfaction.
"That person has a good head on his shoulders and is also skilled at reasoning and investigating cases. Our school's Nagashima Ruko was saved by him," Orikasa Midori said with a hint of admiration in her eyes. "Senior shares the same hobbies as him, so they probably get along well."
The final match began. Ikenami Shizuka felt somewhat unsettled, constantly wondering why Hayashi Shuichi hadn't come to watch.
Kendo places great emphasis on attention and concentration. with her mind distracted, her opponent quickly caught an opening and scored a point.
The team leader from Osaka University thought Ikenami Shizuka was too nervous, so he hurriedly signaled the referee to pause the match and called Ikenami Shizuka over.
"Ikenami, reaching the finals is already a good result for our school. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."
Other teammates also gathered around, each offering words of encouragement.
Ikenami Shizuka nodded silently, but her gaze involuntarily drifted toward the stands again.
Among the group from the izakaya, she still couldn't see Hayashi Shuichi.
Has he not come yet?
Even though we saw each other at the back door of the gym earlier...
Ikenami Shizuka frowned slightly. Seeing the referee preparing to announce the resumption of the match, she hurried toward the starting line.
Just then, the girl suddenly noticed that in a quiet corner of the stands, Hayashi Shuichi was standing up, clenching his fist, and making a cheering gesture toward her.
Why is he sitting over there? Was he there the whole time?
Ikenami Shizuka paused for a moment. Her previously chaotic heart suddenly calmed down the moment she saw Hayashi Shuichi.
I promised Hayashi-kun I would win!
The girl took a deep breath, her eyes gradually becoming determined as she stepped up to the starting line.
Ten minutes later, as Ikenami Shizuka scored another point, deafening cheers erupted in the gymnasium, accompanied by the excited shouts of the Osaka University crowd.
While clapping vigorously, Hayashi Shuichi said smugly to the person beside him, "See? I told you Osaka University would win!"
"You just got lucky, a blind cat meeting a dead mouse," Hattori Heizo shook his head speechlessly, his gaze following Ikenami Shizuka on the court with admiration. "That female ace from Osaka University is indeed formidable. To stabilize her footing even after losing the first point."
"It's truly a regret not to have crossed swords with her in this year's kendo tournament."
Saying this, Hattori Heizo stretched.
"The match is over, so I should be going. By the way, the streets of Beika were quite lively last night."
"You went out?" Hayashi Shuichi noticed a strangeness in his tone.
"Yeah," Hattori Heizo nodded, his eyes turning sharp. "I wanted to see what the situation was, but who knew that as soon as I stepped onto the street, I was blocked by two gangsters asking where I had been last night."
"I told them only the police are qualified to ask citizens such things, and then they tried to beat me up..."
Hayashi Shuichi knew the result without Hattori Heizo needing to finish.
Hattori Heizo was a master of both kendo and judo; ordinary gangsters falling into his hands would naturally only end up getting beaten.
"Listening to those two gangsters, they went to the streets to find the killer who assassinated their boss," Hattori Heizo lamented. "Beika really is chaotic. I've only been here a week, and I've already encountered several murder cases."
"Beika's security wasn't this bad before..."
Hayashi Shuichi offered a dry explanation, knowing full well his words lacked persuasive power.
"Alright, until we meet again," Hattori Heizo patted Hayashi Shuichi on the shoulder. "When you go to Kyoto, don't forget to call me."
With that, he turned and left, his figure gradually disappearing into the crowd.
That evening, to celebrate winning the kendo tournament championship, the Osaka University group came to the izakaya again.
Everyone was acquainted by now, and Orikasa Midori warmly invited them to sit.
"Tonight, everyone can eat and drink to their heart's content. It's my treat," the team leader announced boldly. "As long as you can crawl up to catch the bus tomorrow!"
His words immediately caused the male team members to cheer, loudly ordering their favorite drinks.
After drinking two glasses with her teammates, Ikenami Shizuka came to the counter with a bottle of sake and a cup.
"We have to thank Hayashi-kun for our victory today," the girl said with a beaming smile. "If you hadn't helped allow Senior Morisono to participate, it probably wouldn't have even come down to my turn, and we would have lost. Let me toast you."
"Sorry, I'm still a minor, so I can only drink tea," Hayashi Shuichi smiled and lifted his teacup.
Only then did Ikenami Shizuka suddenly remember that this young man who made her feel reliant on him was actually several years younger than her.
After they clinked glasses, the girl rested her chin on one hand, her eyes softening. "Since coming to Beika, Hayashi-kun has helped us so much. I subconsciously started treating Hayashi-kun as someone I could rely on, forgetting that you are actually younger than me."
"What, are you saying this because you want to hear me call you 'Big Sister'?" Hayashi Shuichi raised an eyebrow amusingly.
"Listening to you call me that once would be nice," Ikenami Shizuka's eyes lit up, and she leaned forward unconsciously. "I really have always wanted a younger brother."
Hayashi Shuichi smiled but didn't reply. He wasn't thick-skinned enough; he really couldn't bring himself to call her "Sister."
Seeing this, Ikenami Shizuka blushed slightly, using the alcohol as an excuse to act coquettishly. "Just once, okay? Hayashi-kun!"
In the few days since knowing Ikenami Shizuka, this was the first time Hayashi Shuichi had heard her speak in such a sweet, honeyed voice. It was a complete departure from her usual dashing image.
Not far away, Reiko and Kisaki Eri also noticed the commotion at the counter.
Reiko's face turned red with anger, while Kisaki Eri bit her lip, suppressing the urge to walk over and chase Ikenami Shizuka away.
"Yukiko just left, and another vixen arrives!" Kisaki Eri squeezed the words through her teeth.
"Hmph, she actually wants Big Brother to call her 'Sister'," Reiko gritted her teeth. "That's too much."
"Calling her that once isn't a big deal, is it?" Although Orikasa Midori felt inexplicably uncomfortable inside, seeing the reactions of Kisaki Eri and Reiko, she still spoke up to defend her idol. "Sister Shizuka is older than Senior anyway, and she's leaving tomorrow."
"Traitor!" Reiko rolled her eyes at Orikasa Midori. "Who sides with an outsider?"
"I..." Orikasa Midori smiled bitterly. Seeing Kisaki Eri also casting an unfriendly gaze, she could only fall silent in frustration.
"Hey, Hayashi-kun, just call me 'Onee-san' once, won't you?" Ikenami Shizuka was still pestering Hayashi Shuichi to call her sister.
Just as Hayashi Shuichi was about to cave under Ikenami Shizuka's persistence, a commotion suddenly erupted at the door.
Mouri Kogoro, who was welcoming guests at the entrance, stumbled as he was shoveled forcefully into the shop.
Immediately after, three burly men in black suits, flanking a man with a diagonal scar on his face, strode into the izakaya.
All four had extensive tattoos that were easily visible even though they were wearing suits, fully declaring their identity as yakuza members.
Seeing the four enter, the customers in the shop, who had been noisy just a moment ago, instantly fell silent.
Everyone looked at them nervously, daring not to breathe loudly.
"I'm sorry, four guests, we really don't have any empty seats," Mouri Kogoro's voice trembled with nervousness.
The scar-faced man ignored him, his eyes scanning the shop like a hawk.
Upon spotting Hayashi Shuichi, a cold sneer appeared on the scar-faced man's lips, and he strode toward the counter.
"We meet again, kid. Remember me?"
"Who is your distinguished self?"
Hayashi Shuichi smiled faintly, his eyes showing not a trace of fear.
"I see many people every day. I remember the big shots very clearly, but the small fry... sorry, I really have no impression."
The scar-faced man snorted coldly. "A month ago, at the entrance of Club Yolo..."
"Oh, now that you mention it, I do recall," Hayashi Shuichi put on an expression of sudden realization. "I remember a watchdog blocking the club entrance, not letting me in..."
"Kid, what nonsense are you spouting! Looking for a beating?" The underling behind the scar-faced man glared furiously.
"What did I say?" Hayashi Shuichi asked back.
"You said our Big Brother is a watchdog..." The underling answered subconsciously, then realized something was wrong and flew into a rage out of humiliation, slamming his hand on the counter hard enough to make the cups and plates rattle.
"Try slamming that again?" Hayashi Shuichi's eyes instantly turned ice-cold. "Do you believe I can send you to prison right now to slam to your heart's content?"
"Kid, you..." The underling stared wide-eyed, reaching out with a fierce look to grab Hayashi Shuichi, but the scar-faced man stopped him.
"Enough. This is a consultant for the First Investigation Division, a genuine police affiliate," the scar-faced man said sarcastically, deliberately dragging out his tone. "He really can do what he says and send us to prison..."
(End of Chapter)
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