Chapter 53: May I Ask Why Priests Always Like to Come to Japan

When the Shinjuku Police Station received the emergency call, Aya Asai was undergoing an ultrasound at the hospital, and Hidenobu Aoyama was carrying a fruit basket on his way to visit Tanaka. Thus, neither of them joined Section Chief Aoi in the response to the incident.

It wasn’t until Hidenobu Aoyama arrived at the hospital that he received a call from Shinichi Nakamura, learning that a major robbery had occurred in their jurisdiction, and the robbers had escaped after a gunfight with the police.

Yet he didn’t rush back to the station. Instead, he got out, fruit basket in hand, and continued toward Tanaka Norifumi’s room.

After all, he had a compelling reason to pay this visit.

That reason was simply: since he was already here.

Moreover, apprehending the robbers wouldn’t yield immediate results; there was no need to hurry. Besides, it wasn’t his own money that had been stolen.

Why be anxious?

After asking for Tanaka Norifumi’s room number, Hidenobu Aoyama headed straight there. At the door, he peered through the glass window.

Nakako Tanaka was wiping Norifumi’s face.

Her hair was gathered at the back of her head, revealing a slender, pale neck. She wore a patterned blouse and light blue fitted jeans, her bent posture accentuating the curves of her hips.

Hidenobu Aoyama adjusted his collar and pushed open the door.

Hearing the door, Nakako Tanaka instinctively looked back. Upon seeing Hidenobu Aoyama, her expression became uneasy, her eyes evasive as she bent forward in a bow. “You’re here, Aoyama.”

After all, just last night, she had been utterly absorbed by him.

Facing him calmly now was out of the question.

“Madam,” Hidenobu Aoyama nodded, placing the fruit basket on the bedside table. Looking at Tanaka Norifumi, wrapped like a mummy and unconscious, he sighed, “The world is unpredictable. Who could have thought that after parting last night, it would nearly be forever? I had some grievances with Tanaka, but seeing him like this, I find it impossible to hate him.”

“The doctor said Norifumi may never wake again,” Nakako replied, her eyes reddening as she wiped her tears. She bowed, pleading, “Aoyama, I have no other wish—just that the culprit be severely punished!”

She and Norifumi had been childhood sweethearts, their feelings genuine. Last night, because of Aoyama’s lies, her love for Norifumi had turned to hatred. But now, seeing him in this state, how could she still hate him?

All that remained was sorrow for her husband.

“Don’t worry, Madam.” Hidenobu Aoyama moved to her side, resting his hand gently on her shoulder and promised earnestly, “Yoh Yamamoto and Tsukasa Nakayama once betrayed me, and now in their madness tried to kill Tanaka. Whether for public or personal reasons, I will see them punished.”

“Thank you, Aoyama. But please, maintain your propriety.” Nakako pressed her lips together and stepped away from his hand, bowing slightly. “About last night… please forget it.”

“One day of marriage brings a hundred days of grace, but last night we had more than just a day. Yet today you turn away without a second thought. How heartbreaking.” Hidenobu Aoyama inhaled the lingering fragrance at his fingertips and shook his head.

Nakako’s face flushed red with anger and embarrassment as she glared at him, “Aoyama, please stop. Last night was a mistake. My husband is now comatose. I only wish to care for him; I have no intention of remarrying. I hope you won’t disturb my life in the future.”

“You misunderstand, Madam. Who said I wanted to marry you?” Hidenobu Aoyama smiled, then spoke sincerely, “I only want to sleep with you.”

He was not a greedy man; he didn’t insist on marrying a woman he liked and binding her with the chains of matrimony.

He only wanted pleasure, not responsibility.

“How could you—” Hearing his brazen words, Nakako, already embarrassed from her mistaken assumptions, now grew furious. She bit her lip and spat, “Shameless!”

“I call it honesty.” Hidenobu Aoyama defended himself calmly, then looked at the bedridden Norifumi. “Even if Tanaka never wakes, maintaining him in this state costs money. But do you have enough, Madam?”

Nakako fell silent, lowering her head.

Their family’s savings were clearly insufficient.

“So you don’t. That makes things simple.” Hidenobu Aoyama smiled, “Madam, you wouldn’t want your husband discharged for lack of funds, would you?”

Nakako said nothing, head bowed, lips pressed tight, twisting her fingers anxiously.

“Of course, you’re free to divorce and abandon him—no one can fault you for that,” Hidenobu Aoyama continued, seeking to discourage her from leaving. “Let him die wherever fate takes him; as long as you don’t see it, you won’t feel sorrow. After all, he’s just a childhood sweetheart. There are no three-legged toads in this world, but there are plenty of two-legged men…”

“Enough!” Nakako snapped, lifting her stubborn gaze to Aoyama, tears brimming in her eyes. “What do you want?”

“I’ll cover his medical expenses,” Hidenobu Aoyama smirked, stepping forward to embrace her, feeling her body tremble as he whispered in her ear, “You know exactly what I want, Madam.”

“No need to feel guilty. Tanaka intended to give you to me, so he wronged you first. Now you’re sacrificing yourself for his sake; that’s the height of compassion. Even if he wakes someday, he can’t blame you.”

As he spoke, he turned Nakako to face away, preparing for his next move.

“What are you doing? This is a hospital!” Nakako, caught off guard, instinctively pressed her hands against the bed to support herself. Kneeling with her back arched, she felt ashamed facing her husband so near, struggling to break free, yet her movements only seemed to plead.

“Aoyama, I agree, but please, not here… please… don’t…”

“It’s fine, Tanaka can’t see anything.”

Just then, the door swung open with a bang. Aya Asai stood there, her gaze vacant as she witnessed the scandalous scene.

Nakako, mortified at being seen, burst into tears, fat drops falling onto Norifumi’s body.

Aya Asai forced a smile, closing the door behind her. “Seems I’ve come at the wrong time.”

“No, you’re right on time,” Hidenobu Aoyama replied calmly, continuing as if nothing had happened. “Have you heard about the robbery?”

“Shameless!” Asai spat, furious that Aoyama showed no intention of withdrawing. She slammed the door and left coldly, “The Superintendent wants us back at the station immediately. Hurry up, I’ll wait outside.”

About twenty minutes later, Hidenobu Aoyama, fully dressed, stepped out of the room and looked at the emotionless Asai. “Angry? Jealous?”

“Hah! Don’t flatter yourself. I’m angry because yet another innocent woman has fallen into your clutches,” Asai retorted, clicking her heels toward the elevator.

Aoyama caught up with her. “Come on, don’t be angry. Let me tell you a joke. Inspector, do you know why priests like coming to Japan?”

Asai appeared indifferent, but secretly listened—after all, it was the first time he’d tried to cheer her up.

“You don’t know, do you?” Aoyama grinned and supplied the answer, “Because little boys fall from the sky in Japan.”

Asai stopped and turned, glaring at Aoyama. “You think you’re funny?”

She quickened her pace, fuming.

“Not funny?” Aoyama shrugged, following her into the elevator.

He thought the joke was amusing; his friends in Hiroshima would surely agree.

…………………………

Elsewhere.

Noda had already met up with Kobayashi.

They had shared all the details of the incident.

“We didn’t get a single yen, and now we’re wanted by the police,” Kobayashi sighed, looking at Noda. “The bank job was mainly to balance the books. Now they won’t get any money, but the big objective was achieved, so they won’t bother with us anymore. Noda, you should run. I haven’t been exposed yet; I’ll stay in Tokyo and keep you informed.”

“No!” Noda rejected outright, gritting his teeth. “We came to Tokyo to make money. We spent everything we had on supplies, and now we haven’t earned a cent. One of us is dead. We can’t leave with our tails between our legs!”

“So what will you do?” Kobayashi asked.

Noda lifted his head, his eyes fierce. “I want those bastards to give me my money! It’s mine—mine!”

The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became. He couldn’t swallow this insult.

He had never suffered such humiliation in his life!

“It’s not that easy,” Kobayashi said, shaking his head with a bitter smile, doubting Noda’s plan. “After they got the money, they’ll hide out and wait for the heat to die down. Even the police might not find them—how will you?”

“Snakes know snake ways, rats know rat ways. The police might not, but we can. Unless they turn to dust, I’ll dig them up if I have to!” Noda declared confidently; they were all in the same circles, after all.

“Is there anything I can do to help? Don’t hesitate to ask,” Kobayashi asked, feigning enthusiasm.

But Noda understood Kobayashi didn’t want to get further involved and didn’t insist. He made a simple request: “Get us a car and a place to stay. Nothing else.”

“All right! I’ll call you today.”

When Hidenobu Aoyama and Aya Asai returned to the station, they arrived just in time for a meeting. Since the incident happened in Shinjuku’s jurisdiction, responsibility fell on the Shinjuku Police Station. If they failed to catch the perpetrators, Asai Yuhiko would have to bow and apologize.

A bow of apology! Such a grave consequence.

So Asai Yuhiko took the matter very seriously.

“The bank is still tallying the losses, but according to the head of the business section who witnessed the robbery, the numbers are likely staggering…”

“The situation is clear. There were two groups of perpetrators. The first group of four took advantage of the traffic jam to succeed and escape. The second, arriving late, consisted of five and ran into the police, leading to a gunfight.”

“One group committed armed robbery, the other openly exchanged gunfire with the police. Both must be caught! Otherwise, our abilities will be questioned and Shinjuku will be held responsible. I expect everyone to give their utmost!”

“From today, all cases handled by every section are to be paused. Routine cases will go to local precincts. All personnel will focus on this bank robbery. Any objections?”

“No objections!” Everyone rose in response.

“Meeting adjourned,” said Asai Yuhiko, then turned to Hidenobu Aoyama and Aya Asai. “Come with me.”

They followed him into his office.

“You see the situation. We’re short-staffed. I’ll request a delay in your transfer to the Metropolitan Police until this case is closed.”

“Yes, sir!” both replied in unison.

When a superior asks if you have any opinions, he’s not asking for your opinion—he’s informing you.

Asai Yuhiko waved them off.

They bowed again and left.