Chapter 36: The Young Are Still Too Young—Return to the Metropolitan Police Department

“What? Yes! I understand, yes!” In the department head’s office, Ayaka Asai—her cheeks rosy, eyes brimming with spring, clothes and skirt in disarray—hung up the phone and turned to Hidehiko Aoyama. “The Metropolitan Police Department has ordered our Shinjuku precinct and the First Investigation Division to jointly select personnel to form a headquarters tasked with capturing Takeda. My father will be chief, and Sato Toshitomi will be deputy chief.”

“So it seems my brother isn’t as impressive as he claims?” Hidehiko Aoyama, his suit jacket neat but trousers slipped to his knees, cigarette dangling from his lips, let out a soft laugh, teasing.

“If it were anyone else, the First Investigation Division would have snatched the case away already.” Ayaka Asai defended her father, then began tidying her clothes. “Aoyama-kun, hurry up and put your trousers on. We need to go report to my father; you’ve been assigned to the headquarters as well.”

“Add Nakamura to the team too.” Hidehiko flicked ash from his cigarette, stood up, and pulled up his trousers.

Ayaka replied offhandedly, “All right, I’ll suggest it to my father—it’s just one more person.”

When they arrived at the chief's office, they found more than a dozen people already inside, representatives from various departments of the precinct—Tomoaki Takahashi and Ryoichi Fujimoto among them.

“All right, everyone’s here.” Yoshihiko Asai nodded slightly, his expression stern. “The Metropolitan Police Department has ordered the formation of a headquarters to capture Ichiro Takeda. I will serve as chief, Sato from the First Investigation Division will be deputy chief. The headquarters will be set in the Metropolitan Police Department. This is cooperation, but also competition. All of you are elite members of the precinct, so I chose you. Bring honor to our precinct!”

“Yes, sir!” Everyone snapped to attention and replied in unison.

Yoshihiko Asai’s face softened. “Good. Go and prepare. The Metropolitan Police Department is already arranging office space for the headquarters. We leave in an hour.”

“Yes, sir!”

Everyone bowed and departed, leaving Ayaka Asai alone for a moment before she left as well.

Just as he sat down in the office, Shinichi Nakamura immediately brought hot tea to Hidehiko Aoyama.

“Thank you for your hard work, Deputy Chief. Please have some tea.”

“Just leave it.” Hidehiko said as he removed his jacket. Seeing this, Shinichi quickly set down the teacup and took the jacket, discreetly wiping lipstick from the collar with his sleeve.

“Nakamura.” Hidehiko sat down, sipping his tea before continuing. “The Metropolitan Police Department has formed a headquarters for Takeda. I just proposed to the chief to include you as well.”

“Yes, sir! Thank you for your support!” Shinichi’s face lit up with excitement, and he bowed deeply.

Hidehiko waved him off with a smile.

Shinichi returned to his desk.

Sachiko curled her lip in disdain, turning to Inoue to complain, “Senior, Nakamura really cheapens himself—he hasn’t gotten much in return, has he?”

Since Inoue, like her, never fawned over their superior Hidehiko Aoyama, she considered him someone who maintained his dignity.

“Who knows? All right, let’s get to work.” Inoue replied perfunctorily, unwilling to comment further.

He couldn’t help but wonder why this young woman always sought him, an “old man,” for conversation.

Suddenly, he stood up. “Good morning, Inspector.”

“Inspector!” The others rose as well.

“Hmm.” Ayaka Asai simply nodded to Hidehiko Aoyama and entered her small office.

About an hour later, she emerged, clapped her hands to draw everyone’s attention, and announced, “Deputy Chief Aoyama and I have been assigned to the headquarters for capturing Ichiro Takeda. Until the headquarters is formally disbanded, Inoue will temporarily manage the daily affairs of the Firearms and Ammunition Division. If anything important arises, report to me or Deputy Chief Aoyama.”

She had chosen Inoue because he was the most senior officer in the division, experienced and steady, able to keep the others in check.

“Yes, ma’am!” Inoue stood up and replied.

Ayaka nodded and left.

Hidehiko rose. Shinichi Nakamura saw this, hurried forward to hand him his jacket, and silently followed him out of the office.

“What’s with Nakamura…” Sachiko was stunned by the scene, a vague suspicion rising in her mind, though she refused to acknowledge it.

Inoue glanced at her, saying softly, “He must have been assigned to the headquarters as well.”

“This… Why him?” Sachiko couldn’t hold back. She and Nakamura had joined the team together, “He’s only been a police officer for a few days…”

“He hasn’t been an officer long, but Deputy Chief values him.” Inoue interrupted, sighed, and gently pulled Sachiko into her seat, lowering his voice. “There’s something I’ve wanted to say for a while, but I’ve hesitated, worried it might hurt you. If you want your career to advance, don’t follow my example—learn from Nakamura.”

“What’s there to learn from me? I’m at an age with no room for promotion, so I don’t need to serve my superiors like Nakamura does.”

He paused, then smiled wryly and pointed at himself. “Sachiko, do you know why, after twenty years as a cop, I’m still on the front lines? Because, when I was young, I was just like you.”

According to regulations, officers who prefer fieldwork can opt not to pursue promotion—but how many truly choose to sacrifice advancement for the sake of staying in the field?

Most experienced officers remain unpromoted for various reasons.

Sachiko felt as if she’d been struck, sitting dazed in her chair, staring at Inoue, her gaze lost. She always looked a bit vacant, now even more so.

“Think it over.” Inoue patted her shoulder and turned back to his work.

One could only say—the young are still too young.

………………………

About twenty minutes later, Yoshihiko Asai, Hidehiko Aoyama, and their party arrived at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department at 1-1 Kasumigaseki 2-chome, Chiyoda Ward.

“Aoyama-kun, returning here again—your feelings must be complicated?” Yoshihiko Asai looked back.

“Yes, sir!” Hidehiko admitted, his tone tinged with melancholy. “There is indeed a certain indescribable emotion.”

In truth, he felt nothing at all.

“Do your best. Aim for the next time you return, never to leave again.” Yoshihiko Asai encouraged him, then smiled as he approached Sato, who had come out to greet them.

From a distance, Sato extended his hand and strode forward. “Inspector Asai, welcome, welcome.”

“Inspector Sato, it’s been a while. Now that we’re on your turf, I hope you’ll take good care of us.” Yoshihiko grasped his hand warmly.

“What do you mean, my turf?” Sato laughed, shaking his head. “This is the turf of all Japanese police. Inspector Asai and your colleagues—think of this as coming home. Make yourselves comfortable.”

“Haha, Inspector Sato, you’re as eloquent as ever.” Yoshihiko Asai laughed heartily, let go, and turned to Hidehiko. “Hidehiko, you used to work under Inspector Sato, didn’t you?”

“Yes, sir!” Hidehiko stepped forward, facing Sato Toshitomi, “Inspector Sato, it’s been a long time.”

“Aoyama-kun, welcome back.” Sato smiled broadly and offered his hand, turning to Yoshihiko Asai. “Aoyama was a junior I once had high hopes for. Fate can be cruel, Inspector Asai—you must make good use of him, don’t waste his talent.”

Suddenly, his expression changed. He turned sharply to Hidehiko, jaw clenched, feeling his hand nearly crushed, but dared not cry out.

“Inspector Sato, are you all right? Why is your face red?” Hidehiko asked, feigning concern.

Sato endured the pain, forcing out words through gritted teeth, “I’m just overwhelmed to see you return.”

“I’m overwhelmed too. I vividly recall your lectures when I first joined…” Hidehiko shook his hand, reminiscing.

“Let’s not stand at the door—let me show you to your office.” Sato quickly interrupted, not wanting a long speech.

Hidehiko finally released him.

Sato’s fingers quivered with pain, yet he had to act normal and lead the way. “This way, everyone.”

Damn it, Hidehiko Aoyama, you bastard!

The headquarters was set up on the same floor as the First Investigation Division. As the group entered, people were busy arranging the site and organizing materials related to Ichiro Takeda.

On the first day—more precisely, the first afternoon—of the headquarters’ operation, there was no substantive work. Only a meeting was held, dividing everyone into ten groups of three, each assigned different tasks.

Hidehiko Aoyama, Shinichi Nakamura, and Ayaka Asai formed one group, with Ayaka as team leader.

Yoshihiko Asai analyzed that Ichiro Takeda’s high-profile return was likely a prelude to another crime. Hidehiko’s group was tasked with investigating whether anyone had recently purchased large quantities of firearms, ammunition, or—especially—explosives.

After work, Hidehiko drove home early, for his elder brother was returning tonight.

………………………

“Ring ring~ ring ring~”

His phone rang abruptly as he drove.

“Moshi moshi, this is Hidehiko Aoyama.”

“Mr. Aoyama.” The voice on the line was gentle—Mrs. Nohara. “Today I arranged a meeting with several presidents from companies that frequently work with ours. Using some of our company’s major client records, I obtained information on Sato Toshitomi from two firms. A year ago, Sato borrowed a total of 170 million yen from them in several installments, which he repaid, principal and interest, in multiple payments during the first three months of this year.”

Using some of Nohara Finance’s major client records, she managed to get Sato Toshitomi’s loan information from only two companies—a deal that seemed costly, but she did it because Hidehiko asked.

“Good. I understand. Keep collecting information on Sato’s loans. I’ll cover any losses you incur.” Hidehiko replied lightly.

Mrs. Nohara said, “Mr. Aoyama, you’ve already helped me so much. This is the least I can do.”

“That’s all for now.” Hidehiko hung up.

Including his loans from Nohara Finance, Sato Toshitomi had borrowed nearly 300 million yen, all repaid this year in a lump sum—evidence he’d suddenly come into a fortune.

Such a large sum could only have a dubious origin—embezzlement or bribery. Once he gathered enough evidence and exposed it through the media, Sato would be unable to explain the source of the repayment, and his downfall would be inevitable.

Of course, the ideal would be to trace the exact origin of the funds, ensuring Sato’s downfall was certain.

…………………………

Inside a van parked in a lot.

Ichiro Takeda sat eating bread.

On the dashboard lay two phones—one his, the other belonging to Fumihiko Imamura.

“Ring ring~ ring ring~”

Suddenly, one of the phones rang.

Ichiro picked it up, but said nothing.

There was silence from the other end as well.

“…………”

After a moment, a man’s voice finally came through. “Ichiro Takeda has returned.”

“I know. I am Takeda.” Ichiro replied calmly, chewing bread.

The other man’s breathing quickened.

Yet he did not hang up.

Ichiro said coldly, “I’ve come back only to reclaim my money. Once I have it, I’ll leave immediately. Otherwise, if I’m caught, I will certainly give you up. If my guess is right, you’re a police officer. I can’t trace your exact identity, but you can gamble on whether, once I tell the police this, you’ll be exposed.”

Only a police officer could quietly obtain Fumihiko Imamura’s criminal evidence to threaten him, and tip off Takeda before the police came for him.

That was why Ichiro deliberately revealed his identity.

Because, as soon as the police knew he was back—

That person would know too.

And now, as expected.

The greedy partner was a cop!