Chapter 152: The Disappeared Wife of the University of Tokyo Professor

PS: My energy was over-expended yesterday, so there is only one update today; I will resume two updates tomorrow!

After finishing the official business, Oshima Kenzaburo gestured for Kosaka Shinichiro to sit down, and the two old friends had a good catch-up.

Oshima Kenzaburo is the same age as Watanabe Eiji, fifty-one years old, actually only a few years older than Kosaka Shinichiro. He once served in the Organized Crime Countermeasures Department, but because he was capable yet there was no position for him at headquarters, he was transferred out to serve as the Police Station Chief of Ikebukuro Police Station.

Originally, being transferred out meant moving further and further away from the position of Division Chief, but as a result of Kashiwagi Jin's error in judgment last time, the former Division Chief Mikasa voluntarily chose to resign to protect his subordinates, and Oshima was unexpectedly promoted.

When he sat on this throne of the Division Chief, with the two Rising Sun flags behind him reflecting the massive Metropolitan Police Department cherry blossom emblem on the wall, he instantly felt his hemorrhoids had healed.

This truly is a top-tier fully automatic massage chair that the Panasonic Group could never make!

"How have things been while I was transferred out? Is Investigation Division 1 doing alright?" Division Chief Oshima leaned back in his chair with a smile and said to Kosaka, "How did you get along with Division Chief Mikasa before?"

"It's a pity about Division Chief Mikasa. He clearly made such great contributions; he served as the Special Investigation Headquarters Chief for the Fuji TV Case, and he also participated in the Chiba Prefecture Case, yet he ended up being transferred to Shiba Police Station as the Police Station Chief. There is no longer any chance for him to be transferred back to headquarters in the future."

The wrinkles on Division Chief Oshima's face were both loose and deep, and his small eyes, contrasted by a pair of large ears, were bright and piercing: "Kosaka, you have also worked in Investigation Division 1 for many years. Now that Megure has been promoted to Management Officer, you shouldn't have lost heart yet, right?"

"Of course not!" Being promoted to Superintendent later than Megure is a pain in Kosaka's heart.

The highest goal for a Non-Career Track officer is to become the Investigation Division 1 Chief. In Kosaka's heart, Megure is inferior to him, yet it was Megure who was promoted first; falling behind by one step could mean falling behind in every step.

"That's good." Division Chief Oshima patted Kosaka on the shoulder: "Be careful. For those of us on the Non-Career Track, if we cannot continue to stay in Investigation Division 1 and are transferred to a local branch, it is equivalent to a death sentence. I was just lucky; normally, for someone like me who gets transferred to a local branch, there is almost no possibility of returning to the main headquarters."

"However, personnel transfers are not absolute. Like that Ikeda Erena... she was actually able to rely on hugging the thigh of little brother Uesugi to get transferred to the main headquarters. The affairs of the human world are truly ever-changing! In the end, it is still decided by people. Kosaka, at this moment you are still behind Megure, but what will happen later, no one can say. Even if the situation is temporarily unfavorable right now, as long as you firmly grasp the opportunity and keep yourself within the game, this struggle is not yet completely lost."

The Division Chief sighed, then smiled until the wrinkles on his face piled up, just like a Michelin tire: "It is a pity, we are Non-Career Track. Kosaka, high-ranking Public Servants of the Career Track can get promoted just by sitting in the office drinking coffee, while we must jump into the mud and get covered in filth, until our eyes are blinded, and struggle to reach out our hands to find hard-won opportunities in the mud."

"This is the way we Non-Career Track officers get promoted in the organization." Division Chief Oshima widened his small eyes: "Do you understand?"

"Yes!" Kosaka lowered his head.

The gap between the Career Track and the Non-Career Track is just that large.

A great fire rose in his heart.

Because the place he was going to investigate next was the nest of the Career Track—the University of Tokyo!

…………

University of Tokyo, Bunkyo Ward, Hongo Campus, Yasuda Auditorium.

As the academic center of Japan, the University of Tokyo campus carries an inherent quiet and solemn academic atmosphere. People come and go in a hurry on the roadside, but it is neither noisy nor chaotic. Most people are carrying backpacks or holding books, and even people walking while chatting are rare.

Kosaka and his subordinate Assistant Police Inspector Yamada and several other detectives from the First Division arrived at the University of Tokyo.

At this time, a grand academic report was being held inside the Yasuda Auditorium, and the reporter was none other than the University of Tokyo biology professor Tsuda Daisuke, who had come to report the case earlier.

Tsuda Daisuke was on the podium explaining his recent major project—a transnational research project jointly established by the University of Tokyo and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States, abbreviated as "PT".

As for the specific content, Kosaka could not understand it at all. He only knew that this project was a US-Japan collaboration, the project leader on the University of Tokyo side was Professor Tsuda, and Professor Tsuda announced that he had already achieved huge progress in his experimental research, and this result would make a huge contribution to the future of humanity on Earth!

"Clap, clap, clap, clap~" Thunderous applause erupted from below, and all the students and teachers stood up collectively, offering their applause to Professor Tsuda.

Although they didn't understand it, it felt very impressive, so the several detectives from the First Division of Investigation Division 1 instinctively clapped along.

When the lecture was almost over and Professor Tsuda was coming down from the podium, he suddenly encountered several men in suits.

"Who are you?" Professor Tsuda looked puzzled.

"Hello, we are from the Metropolitan Police Department's Investigation Division 1." Kosaka secretly flashed his police notebook: "Sorry to disturb you in your busy schedule, we are here regarding the disappearance of your wife."

"Eh?!" Professor Tsuda was stunned. He froze for several seconds before saying: "Didn't I report the case at the Hon-Fuji Police Station? How come Investigation Division 1 is here?"

"Yes, we received the report from the Hon-Fuji Police Station. The Metropolitan Police Department attaches great importance to your matter, so we specifically rushed over." Kosaka bowed very respectfully: "Sorry to disturb you in your busy schedule, and I apologize for the trouble."

"No, it is I who should apologize for the trouble my wife's matter has caused you." Professor Tsuda cleared up the situation and also hurriedly bowed to apologize: "Ah, sorry to trouble the Metropolitan Police Department's Investigation Division 1 to come in person, it is truly a sin. Could you wait a moment?"

Professor Tsuda turned his gaze toward the white American old man who was still lecturing on the stage: "That is Professor William Edwards from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He flew specifically to Tokyo from San Diego, California. Time is precious, and I need to seize the time to discuss the project with him. Could you give me a little time?"

On the stage behind them, the large screen displayed the subtitles: "America, San Diego, Doctor William Edwards".

"Very well, see you later." Kosaka nodded.

"Yes, see you later."

Professor Tsuda went off to attend to his business. The US-Japan cooperative project is of the utmost importance even at the University of Tokyo; even a powerful department like the Metropolitan Police Department would not dare to touch such a matter casually. Seeing this, Kosaka's subordinate, Assistant Police Inspector Yamada, asked in a low voice: "What should we do? Police Inspector, are we going to wait here?"

"No... do we have the list of Professor Tsuda's team and his students?" Kosaka asked with the experience of a veteran.

"We do." Yamada handed the list to Kosaka.

Kosaka slid his finger down the student list until the name stopped at one name.

"Hayakawa Nanami."

A female student who has already taken out a scholarship loan of 8 million yen and has a record of being checked and registered by the Metropolitan Police Department for working part-time off-campus.

According to Kosaka's rich experience, this type of impoverished woman is the easiest to break through!

Five minutes later, University of Tokyo Hongo Campus cafe.

Hayakawa Nanami is a woman wearing a very simple red A-line skirt and a white hoodie, with a fresh face and shoulder-length medium-long hair, and she is only in her early twenties.

"Regarding the disappearance of Professor Tsuda's wife, is there anything you know?" Kosaka asked seriously: "Please tell us; we are doing this to find Tsuda's Wife as soon as possible."

"Even if you say that..." Hayakawa Nanami lowered her head in embarrassment: "I'm about to go to my part-time job, I don't have time..."

"Then it seems you do know something?" Kosaka said with great confidence: "We will pay you a reward."

"Eh?" The University of Tokyo female student looked up in surprise.

The police will pay me a reward?

"Miss Hayakawa, we know you work at the Cocori shop off-campus. It was registered last time when the main headquarters inspected and patrolled Kabukicho. Of course, we also know that this type of work is legal. We are not here to arrest you; we are here to ask for your help." Kosaka lowered his head very humbly to show he had no ill intent: "Can you help us?"

After speaking, Kosaka signaled his subordinate to take out 30,000 yen in cash: "This is an information reward."

"Eh? Is this really okay?" Sure enough, facing three "Fukuzawa Yukichi" bills, Hayakawa Nanami wavered: "Is it really okay to take this?"

"Of course it is. Giving informants sufficient remuneration is recognized by the Metropolitan Police Department and the Police Law." Kosaka said in a low voice: "As long as the information you provide is valuable, we will pay you the reward."

Sure enough, Hayakawa Nanami wavered even more obviously. She looked left and right at the surroundings and found that no one was paying attention to them, so she made up her mind: "Um, can we change to another place to talk?"

Several people moved to a parking lot outside the University of Tokyo.

"Actually, one day I went to visit my mentor, and I found my master and mistress arguing at the door." The female student revealed what she had witnessed: "It seemed to be because of money."

"Money?"

"Well, my teacher's wife said that my teacher only earns a salary of a little over one million, and this bit of money is simply not enough for her to manage a family of four. She only has that one kimono for attending professor's wives' gatherings, and she has already worn it four times; she finds it embarrassing," the Tokyo University female student said weakly. "I don't know about anything else."

"Moreover, there is a rumor in the research group that the teacher's wife seems to have been secretly embezzling the salary the teacher handed over, transferring it abroad through travel. The reason she won't divorce him is that she is waiting for the teacher to retire so she can take away a large portion of his retirement pension in a lump sum."

(Among the three types of pensions in Japan, the corporate pension is paid in a lump sum upon retirement.)

"I see," Kosaka said thoughtfully. "Anything else?"

"No," the Tokyo University female student said, feeling somewhat anxious.

"Thank you very much!"

Kosaka handed over two "Fukuzawa Yukichi" notes, signaling that was enough. "Two pieces of information, twenty thousand in payment. Student Hayakawa, the Metropolitan Police Department thanks you for your contribution."

"Thank you." The Tokyo University female student was very uneasy, but she still took the money. She needed money, really needed it—the huge tuition for Tokyo University, the expensive cost of living in Tokyo, and the 30,000 monthly club fee for the tennis club she joined.

She couldn't get by without money!

Otherwise, she wouldn't have secretly engaged in the hostess and soapland industries.

One hour later, Oiwake Dormitory, Hongo Campus, Tokyo University.

Although he was already a distinguished professor at Tokyo University, Tsuda Daisuke still lived in the dormitory provided by Tokyo University for teachers. His family occupied an entire dormitory suite with a living area of about 144 square meters, which was already slightly cramped for a family of four living at the level of a Tokyo University professor.

"I heard from the Metropolitan Police Department that you, Kosaka, have been very active in the Metropolitan Police Department lately," Professor Tsuda said, leading the way and smiling at Kosaka. "As a confidant of Director General Watanabe, you have high hopes for the position of Division Chief in the future!"

"You flatter me," Kosaka said, lowering his head, not daring to accept the praise.

"No need for modesty. With a talent as excellent as you, perhaps in the future you will even have the chance to serve as a Police Department Chief! By that time, it will truly be the greatest glory for the Non-Career Track," Professor Tsuda said quite freely.

He opened his front door right in front of Kosaka.

The scene before his eyes took Kosaka by surprise.

So messy!

In the already small home, the floor, sofa, and tables were covered in miscellaneous items. Dirty clothes, case files, videotapes, and some tools were thrown everywhere; there wasn't even a place to step!

"Professor?"

"Sorry about this, Kosaka." Professor Tsuda signaled for Kosaka to sit down. He said to Kosaka with some bitterness and sadness: "You see the situation; the house is very messy. I'm not in the mood for pleasantries with you. Actually, regarding my wife..."

Professor Tsuda told Kosaka about the matter.

"What? You mean the 20 million yen in the house is gone?" Kosaka raised his head in surprise.

"Yes. Along with my wife, the 20 million yen in emergency funds I kept at home also disappeared. After my wife vanished, Megumi and I searched the whole house but couldn't find where the money went," Professor Tsuda said, feeling truly bitter about this. "And I only found out in the last few days that my salary account was managed by her into a complete mess. She had been using the excuse of going abroad for travel and shopping to secretly wire the money from my salary card to a private account overseas."

"I am already 54 years old, a dignified Tokyo University professor. Kosaka, do you know what it feels like to have my meal card prompt that there is no money when I go to the cafeteria, and to have to borrow from a student because I couldn't produce cash? It is truly... how embarrassing."

"Then why didn't you inform the Honfuji Police Station when you reported the case?" Kosaka couldn't help but say. "This is already a crime of theft!"

"Kosaka, people have their pride," Professor Tsuda shook his head repeatedly. "If this matter were exposed, it would affect my personal reputation and the image of Tokyo University. Besides, ever since Takako married me, she has managed the household and raised a son and a daughter, which can be considered fulfilling her duties as a mother and wife. Since she chose to run away with the money, I think we should just leave it at that. We don't owe each other anything."

"Kosaka, you have also seen that Tokyo University is collaborating on a major project with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Now is the critical period for producing results. How could I delay public business for my own selfish interests?"

"Serving the people, I can endure any hardship. Kosaka, everyone is having a hard time. For the sake of the country, let us just bear with it!"

Professor Tsuda let Kosaka and the others search the house for a while, and after the police found nothing, he indicated that he had other things to do and would not be keeping them company.

More than an hour later, the First Unit of the Criminal Investigation Division 1 of the Metropolitan Police Department came out of the student dormitory and met up.

"Kosaka, we contacted the immigration department, and we didn't find any entry or exit records for Mrs. Tsuda," one of the Police Sergeants said in a low voice while holding a notebook.

Another Patrol Sergeant said: "We also asked other students, but they all seemed to know nothing about what happened. It seems Professor Tsuda really doesn't intend to make it public."

Kosaka Shinichiro of the First Unit of the Criminal Investigation Division 1 stood downstairs at the dormitory, looking from afar toward the direction of Professor Tsuda's home in the dormitory building.

He didn't expect that there would be such hidden circumstances within this missing person case.

However, if there were no entry or exit records, then where did Mrs. Tsuda go?

"Return to the Metropolitan Police Department and report this matter to Division Chief Oshima."

"Yes!"

"Also, go to the Special Mission Unit and ask for Uesugi's opinion."

(End of chapter)