Chapter 57
Kenji Hagiwara sat at his desk in the dormitory, waiting absentmindedly.
The room lights were off, and the night outside was hazy, with only a little moonlight providing illumination.
Kenji Hagiwara sat patiently in the dark room.
After an unknown amount of time, a slight noise came from outside the window. Kenji Hagiwara, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them and cast a focused gaze toward the window.
A few seconds later, the window was opened from the outside, and a figure nimbly jumped in.
Kenji Hagiwara, who had been lurking in the shadows since hearing the commotion, suddenly appeared and threw a punch. The other person instinctively tried to retaliate, but stopped at the last moment, merely deflecting Hagiwara's force.
However, Kenji Hagiwara did not stop when his opponent tried to back down. Instead, he pressed his advantage and, taking advantage of the fact that his opponent did not fight back, used grappling techniques to pin him to the bed and mercilessly handcuffed his wrists.
"Arrest the perpetrator caught in the act."
The person he had pressed face down on the bed spoke in a muffled but calm voice: "Why aren't the lights on?"
Hagihara Kenji: "…………"
He was stunned by the guy's nonchalant attitude.
Do you know you've been caught committing a serious disciplinary violation?! How can you still be so self-righteous?!
Kenji Hagiwara released his hand from the other's back, somewhat speechless, and turned on the bedside lamp.
The lights illuminated this small space.
In the dim light, his short, dark blue hair, already as deep as the night sky, seemed to blend into the shadows, making the young man lying on the bed appear even paler.
He did not resist, maintaining a relaxed posture with his arms tied behind his back. He slightly turned his head to look back at the person who had captured him. Beneath his messy bangs, his scarlet eyes reflected the dim yellow light, like a bright flame lit in a pool of blood.
Kenji Hagiwara's figure was right in the center of the flames.
The submissive attitude of Hanakawa Shinryu made Hagiwara Kenji, who wanted to teach him a lesson, feel as if he had punched cotton.
Kenji Hagiwara sighed silently, and with the hand that was handcuffed to Shinryu Hagiwara, he pulled the other person out of the uncomfortable position and sat down normally on the edge of the bed.
Because one of his hands was still connected to Kenji Hagiwara, it hung unnaturally in the air until Kenji Hagiwara sat down in the chair opposite him, and then his hand finally fell down along with Kenji Hagiwara's hand.
Kenji Hagiwara's tone was filled with danger: "So you know how to come back?"
Feeling guilty, Shinryu Hanchuan lowered his head and even awkwardly tried to flatter Kenji Hagiwara: "I knew you would find out."
Kenji Hagiwara was so angry he almost laughed: "And you think I'd cover it up for you, huh?"
As he spoke, Kenji Hagiwara quickly glanced at the person opposite him.
Sure, he wasn't wearing the police academy uniform, but civilian clothes. At least Xiao Shenliu knows that he should change his clothes before doing something bad, otherwise he won't be able to continue protecting someone if someone reports him to the police academy.
There was some white powder on his black trousers, probably from when he climbed over the wall. His gray shirt was a bit disheveled from the fight, and the collar was crooked, but overall he didn't look injured.
Han Chuan Shenliu's tone was calm yet confident: "The second-year graduate student did help me cover it up, didn't he?"
“It’s only temporary.” Kenji Hagiwara raised his hand and shook the handcuffs binding the two of them, threatening with a cold smile, “Explain clearly what you went to do, and I will consider whether to report it depending on the situation.”
“…Hmm.” Hanchuan Shenliu seemed to be thinking about how to reply.
Kenji Hagiwara is also thinking about it.
Even if they are friends, he can't cover for everything forever, especially when the other party keeps hiding things from him. He believes that Xiao Shenliu wouldn't really do anything that could be punished, but Xiao Shenliu's attitude is not how one should treat a friend.
He could understand that Xiao Shenliu was relatively inexperienced in making friends and was willing to teach him, but if Xiao Shenliu didn't cooperate, then he would have to be a little ruthless.
"You'd better think carefully before you answer," Kenji Hagiwara cautioned. "Even with friends, my patience is limited."
Kanakawa Shinryu looked directly at Hagiwara Kenji, his tone slow and probing: "I'm going to meet some very troublesome and dangerous people, so I have to keep it a secret from the school."
Kenji Hagiwara relaxed a little.
Even though the remaining part of the story, Shinryu, refused to continue, just from that one sentence, Kenji Hagiwara understood that the other person truly considered him a friend.
"I guessed it," Kenji Hagiwara replied. "What exactly happened?"
Han Chuan Shenliu recalled and summarized: "They thought I was capable, tried to bribe me with money, and even threatened me with my future. If I didn't go today, someone would be in trouble, so they had no choice but to resort to this tactic."
Upon hearing this, Kenji Hagiwara felt that this was a perfectly normal development for Shinryu Hagawa, and besides, there was no reason to lie about it; this was basically the usual process. Shinryu Hagawa would have guessed it even without him saying so. He was just a little puzzled: "Which gang is so arrogant?"
"If you knew, you would also be in danger. Don't worry, I'll handle it."
Although Shinryu Sukawa spoke as if nothing was wrong, Kenji Hagiwara knew immediately that the problem was probably quite serious, and the level of trouble was somewhat beyond his expectations: "I think you shouldn't be too stubborn. Asking for help is not a bad idea. I know people at the Metropolitan Police Department—"
"They also have connections in the upper echelons of the Metropolitan Police Department."
Han Chuan Shenliu calmly revealed: "Don't worry about this. If you want to delve deeper, I'll have to drop out of school and leave. I didn't want you to worry."
Kenji Hagiwara's usually smiling face now showed worry and shock, but not a trace of doubt.
He stared at Han Chuan Shenliu for a moment, then sighed: "...I understand. I won't go any further, but if you need help, I'll be waiting for you."
Han Chuan Shenliu suddenly gave a faint smile.
It wasn't the kind of smile that would become a threat or a psychological shadow in the eyes of others, but rather a clear and pure smile, yet as hazy as a mirage, as fleeting as a dewdrop, as unreal as a dream.
"I know... Thank you, second-year graduate student."
Kenji Hagiwara paused for a moment, then tried to rub his eyes. But when he raised his hand, he realized he was still handcuffed. Feeling a little embarrassed, he quickly used his other hand to find the key.
But Hanchuan Shenliu glanced at the handcuffs, snapped his fingers, and the handcuffs automatically opened and fell down.
Hagihara Kenji: "…………"
Thank you so much for being so cooperative!
Your actions have completely disrupted my emotional flow!
Fortunately, at that moment, Instructor Onizuka suddenly texted Kenji Hagiwara, saying that a file was missing, which saved the awkward atmosphere.
Regardless of what Hagiwara Kenji originally wanted to say, he was no longer in the mood for it, and with so much information to process, he needed to think it over. This was a good opportunity to back down, so after offering a few words of reassurance, he hurriedly left.
After seeing Kenji Hagiwara off, Saiki Usubaba finally relaxed completely.
System freezes: [They think you're capable, want to bribe you with money, and even threaten you with your future?]
Bo Yezhai calmly replied: [They covet my sniper command abilities and are trying to bribe me with overtime pay. If I refuse, they'll change my job.]
The system continued, "If you don't go, someone will be in trouble..."
[As my partner, Morofushi Hiromitsu is definitely going to face the wrath of Gin and Vodka for being stood up. Sigh, I'm just too honest with my friends; I tell them everything!]
Why don't you mention that if you went, someone else would also suffer? Isn't the person who died worth remembering?
The system couldn't help but complain: "And why did you just tell Kenji Hagiwara? If you keep disappearing, you won't be able to increase his suspicion level anymore!"
[Weren't you just saying I wouldn't even spare my friends?]
[You didn't do it on purpose, so why didn't you use the opportunity to increase your suspicion level? Now you won't even have that much suspicion left!]
Bo Yezhai was speechless: [[...Are you really not using your brain at all? In the future, although the second-year graduate students will no longer suspect what I went missing for, they will suspect whether I accepted some mission from the organization, or whether I am struggling with how to uphold justice and protect him...]]
The system was greatly shocked: [So this is possible! Was this also part of your plan?!]
No, I just think we should be more sincere with our friends.
The system expressed skepticism: "Fine, I believe you."
[...Does your suspicion really not count towards your points? You should ask your supervisor for permission.]
The next day, Usoppei was fully recovered and regained his original energy. He ate and attended classes as usual. Instructor Onizuka was very pleased, feeling that he had finally figured things out.
Only Kenji Hagiwara couldn't quite manage a smile when he thought about last night's conversation.
They told him not to worry, but how could he not worry! An organization with people even in the upper echelons of the Metropolitan Police Department couldn't possibly be a small gang. Just how much trouble has Shinryu gotten himself into?
In this situation, it's indeed impossible to ask for help from higher authorities, and it might even drag the person being asked for help into trouble as well.
Even though he's already a police officer, he still can't escape the entanglements of that other world... Xiao Shenliu's life is practically hellish.
Usaku Saiki is indeed very good to his friends. He felt that he couldn't put any more pressure on Hagiwara Kenji, so he has been particularly restrained recently. He hasn't taken the initiative to do anything suspicious or get involved in the case. He has only used the "behind-the-scenes aura" to routinely raise some suspicion.
However, with the income of Hanchuan Shenliu decreasing, Bo Yezaki couldn't help but work even harder on the organization in an attempt to make up for the losses here.
A few months later, Usaku Saiki skillfully sent another email to Morofushi Kagemitsu.
[Midori, I've found another promising recruit! What do you think of this guy? Not bad, right? He's a serial killer who hasn't been caught yet. He'd be perfect for the organization. Come with me to recruit him!]
After receiving the email, Morofushi Kagemitsu's lips twitched, and he silently forwarded it to Vodka.
Vodka read the email, tried to hold back, but finally couldn't help himself and complained to Gin.
"Big Brother, Potts has found another guy and wants to recruit him... All his recruitment efforts over the past few months have failed! Every time he fails, he has Midorikawa silence him! He's practically using the organization's manpower to clean up social garbage! Anyone who didn't know better would think he's an undercover agent!... No, even undercover agents aren't this arrogant!"
"Brother! You need to do something about Potts! If he keeps going like this, he's going to become a legendary hero of justice in urban legends!!!"
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Bonus chapter for Landmine! Landmine bonus chapter charge: 42/100
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Hagiwara: Arrest the perpetrator caught in the act!
Thin Leaf: Ah, I've been caught! (Reads in a monotone tone) Falls to the ground
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Thin Leaf: I need to be more sincere with my friends!
System: ………… (Deeply suspicious, but not contributing any suspicion value)
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Vodka: Brother, say something!
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The snap of his fingers to unlock the handcuffs was a reference to Dazai Osamu, and it was really cool.
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