This trust came somewhat abruptly.
Even Yumi Miyamoto herself couldn't explain why she felt this sense of security, like "he'll be there for me if the sky falls," towards a boy she had known for less than an hour.
It's just... a woman's intuition.
Or rather, it was the composure and mystery that Yuzuru possessed that transcended his age that gave her this confidence.
Hearing Miyamoto Yumi's heartfelt request, Hanyu Nan also put away his joking expression and became serious.
Looking at the genuine worry and pleading in Yumi Miyamoto's eyes, he nodded earnestly: "Yumi-nee, don't worry, Officer Sato is a respectable and good policeman, and also a very good... friend. I will do everything I can to ensure her safety."
Such a good officer as Officer Sato deserves to be well protected.
Upon hearing Yuzuru Hanyu's solemn promise, Yumi Miyamoto's face lit up with a relieved and happy smile, as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
She took a step back, stood in front of the blue and white police car, straightened her back, playfully brought her legs together, raised her hand, and gave Yuzuru a standard, clean and crisp police salute.
"Then... I'll leave it to you, Yuzuru-kun!"
Unlike Sato Miwako, who prefers casual wear and seeks ease of movement, Miyamoto Yumi is currently wearing a standard summer female police uniform—neat epaulettes, prominent traffic armbands on the cuffs, a well-fitting dark blue pencil skirt, a black leather belt that accentuates her waistline, and a pair of shiny black low-heeled leather boots.
Her long, straight, jet-black hair was neatly tied under her police cap and cascaded down her shoulders.
The night breeze lifted a few unruly strands of her hair.
The moment she made that salute, she appeared smart, capable, and spirited. Under the flashing red and blue lights of the patrol car, she possessed a unique charm that blended feminine grace with the fortitude of a police officer.
His handsomeness level is off the charts!
This is the true professional demeanor of Yumi Miyamoto, one of the Metropolitan Police Department's three most beautiful female officers, when you set aside her playful and quirky side in private. She is the ace of the Traffic Division.
Yuzuru Hanyu looked at Miyamoto Yumi, whose style had suddenly changed, from a funny girl to a cool policewoman, and a hint of undisguised admiration flashed in his eyes.
He nodded slightly, which was his way of responding to this solemn entrustment.
"We guarantee the mission will be completed."
Yumi Miyamoto lowered her hand, her smile brightening once more. She waved, her tone lightening, "Then I'll go on patrol now. Once this is over, Miwako will treat you to a big meal! It has to be a big meal! Goodbye, Yuzuru-nii~"
After saying that, she opened the car door, picked up Miike Naoko, who was still waiting obediently with a look of "Who am I? Where am I?", and the blue patrol car made a slight engine sound as it merged into the traffic in the early morning.
Yuzuru watched the patrol car leave, smiled slightly, then turned and walked towards the red Mazda that was waiting for him.
......
Inside the car.
Sato Miwako watched him get in with some curiosity, and as she started the car, she asked, "What did Yumi say to you so mysteriously just now? Did she say something strange again?"
She knew her best friend's character all too well.
Yuzuru opened the car door, sat in the back seat, fastened his seatbelt, and his usual lazy smile returned to his face: "It's nothing. Yumi-nee just told me to make sure I protect Officer Sato, and said that you'll treat me to a big meal after it's done."
Upon hearing this, Sato Miwako was taken aback at first, then chuckled, a warm feeling welling up inside her. However, she feigned displeasure and snorted, "This Yumi... is such a busybody. I should be the one protecting you."
She glanced at Yuzuru and Ai with a determined look in the rearview mirror: "Don't worry, I will definitely catch that bastard and protect everyone's safety!"
This is her duty and belief as a police officer.
......
However, reality is often harsh.
The police's all-out search lasted through the entire night, turning almost the entire possible area upside down, but still came up empty-handed. It was as if the other party had vanished into thin air, leaving no valuable clues behind.
The morning sunlight shone through the thin mist, dispelling the chill of the night, but it could not dispel the gloom that loomed over the police.
Only five hours remain until the bombing time announced by the perpetrators.
The atmosphere was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.
In a breakfast shop that opened early, Takagi Wataru, with dark circles under his eyes, mechanically ate breakfast with the three equally exhausted children and Conan.
Their group also barely slept a wink all night, rushing to every possible location, but to no avail.
"Haaah—" Genta let out a huge yawn, his head bobbing up and down, almost falling into the miso soup in front of him.
"I'm so sleepy..." Ayumi rubbed her sleepy eyes.
Mitsuhiko tried to stay alert, but his eyelids kept drooping.
Even Conan couldn't help but cover his mouth and yawn. His eyes behind his glasses were bloodshot. Although he was full of energy, he was not the same body as before, and staying up all night still made him feel very tired.
However, some people are exceptions.
At another table, Ai was sitting quietly with a glass of warm milk in front of her, which she was sipping slowly.
She still held the photocopy of the notice in her other hand, her icy blue eyes intently scanning every word on it, her face showing no sign of fatigue, as if staying up all night last night was just an ordinary occurrence for her.
Scientists, especially those trained under the high-pressure environment of the former organization, are, to some extent, mental monsters.
Their need for sleep is far lower than that of the average person.
Besides, even if she really can't take it anymore, she still has a backup plan.
The little girl, drinking her milk, silently reached out without changing her expression and very naturally took out a horse talisman from the pocket of Yuzuru's coat next to her, and calmly cast a "purification + rejuvenation spell" on herself.
Yeah, this is getting exciting! I'm fully revived in a second, my mana and health bars are instantly full, and all debuffs are cleared.
If science isn't enough, metaphysics will do the trick; there's nothing wrong with that.
Takagi Wataru glanced enviously at Hanyu Nanami, who was whispering something with Sato Miwako, then looked at his own group of little kids slumped over, feeling a pang of jealousy.
He also wanted to work alongside Inspector Sato, analyze clues together, and demonstrate his wisdom as a detective...
However, even the first meaning of the code was deciphered by Ai. Now his mind is a complete mess, and he can't make sense of it at all. Instead, he has to ask these kids to help him keep an eye out for suspicious situations.
Sigh... such a gap.
The difference between people can sometimes be greater than the difference between a person and a dog.
Another person, utterly devastated by Ai's inhuman intelligence, silently crouched in a corner to piece together their shattered self-esteem.
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