Chapter 599

Late at night, heavy rain fell outside, inside the Public Security secret facility.

Smoke swirled in the room, the atmosphere so heavy it could wring out water.

Detective Kino-shita Tōya sat on one side of the long table, opposite two stern-faced superiors—Section Chief Hasegawa Soun of the Security Planning Division, and Management Officer Ichijo Kaoru, Superintendent.

Hasegawa was older, his eyes deep and unfathomable like an ancient well, his crew cut already streaked with gray; Ichijo, comparatively younger, radiated sharp intensity, his long hair tied back, his fingertips tapping rhythmically on the table.

"So," Hasegawa spoke slowly, his voice low, "you confirmed that after Nakamura collapsed, you immediately recovered all his belongings?"

"Yes, Section Chief Hasegawa." Kino-shita answered firmly, "A notebook, a disposable phone, his wallet contained only some small change and identification. Nothing else."

"The technical team reported," Ichijo Kaoru interjected, her tone laced with suppressed anger, "the notebook contained nothing, the disposable phone held only records of our single-line contact. What we poured vast resources into recovering, risking exposure, was an 'empty shell'."

Hasegawa drew a deep breath of smoke, exhaling thick clouds: "Nakamura was shrewd, but also greedy. He likely held back, wanting to auction the most critical information for a better price. Result…… the price wasn't agreed upon, and he lost his life first." His tone held no regret, only displeasure at losing control and cold indifference toward a disobedient pawn.

Kino-shita felt a wave of helplessness—the informant's petty calculations had ultimately led to total failure.

"The focus is the attack itself," Ichijo Kaoru looked at Kino-shita, "Tōya-kun, recall it once more, any detail—sound, light, smell, or Nakamura's unusual movements before death?"

Kino-shita carefully recounted that strange scene: rainy night, blurred impact sensation, Nakamura's sudden painful reaction, foaming at the mouth, his dying words "Arisu".

"Arisu…… Arisu……" Hasegawa repeatedly chewed on the word, "A name? A codename? An organization? Or was he already delirious, uttering nonsense?"

"It could also be a real estate or company name, even a place name, like Arisugawa, for example." Superintendent Ichijo also hesitated.

"This is too broad—there are at least twenty to thirty thousand people named Arisu in Japan alone, streets, companies, and place names with this number exceed three hundred." Beside her, Ozawa Sumiko added.

"Any findings on the body?" Section Chief Hasegawa had to ask.

"The forensics team says cause of death was acute myocardial infarction accompanied by severe coronary artery spasm, triggered in a state of extreme mental tension (meeting) and harsh environment (cold rainy night), activating a latent, undetected heart condition." Ozawa Sumiko looked somewhat embarrassed: "But…… but this is actually impossible!"

"Why?"

"Because Nakamura had no history of heart disease, and simultaneously, both parties had agreed to meet—there was no possibility of a frightening situation. When I saw him, he showed no abnormality." Detective Kino-shita's face was grim: "I believe it's highly likely—no, it's absolutely—that Nakamura was struck, absolutely!"

However, this is too inconceivable!

Because Detective Kino-shita fundamentally saw no one!

That is, the killer acted in the pitch-black rainy night with extremely low visibility, striking from a place undetectable by Kino-shita and Nakamura!

This, this simply isn't human!

"I think Kino-shita makes sense, but…… currently there's no evidence to confirm it." Superintendent Ichijo said.

The discussion reached an impasse.

The opponent's methods were too sophisticated, leaving almost no traces.

Standard autopsy likely couldn't reveal the truth.

After a long while, Hasegawa stubbed out his cigarette, made a decision: "Standard forensic path won't work. We need a pair of eyes that can see through 'disguise'."

Ichijo Kaoru immediately understood: "You mean…… Doctor Uesugi?"

"Exactly." Hasegawa nodded: "He's Japan's top forensic authority, especially skilled at deciphering unconventional poisons and causes of death. Only he could possibly read from Nakamura's corpse the killer's invisible 'signature' we can't see."

"We need Doctor Uesugi's strength!"

How to dispel sorrow? Only Uesugi!

"But." Kino-shita couldn't help reminding: "Doctor Uesugi has a special background—would the Special Mission Unit intervening in Public Security's sensitive case be……"

"Risks and benefits coexist." Hasegawa interrupted him, "We must know who the opponent is, what means they used. I will personally apply to superiors and coordinate this."

"Miyawaki Sakura's side, it's time to deploy her!" Section Chief Hasegawa's gloomy gaze fixed on Detective Kino-shita: "Train soldiers for a thousand days, use them for a moment—let Miyawaki Sakura take the vanguard!... Kino-shita, did you warn Miyawaki of possible danger?"

"Warned." Kino-shita Tōya clasped his hands: "I already warned her of possible danger, to evacuate immediately!"

Having said this, the Public Security officer revealed a meaningful smile: "With her connections, in this crisis, the people she could seek help from are only Shirakawa Mai and Uesugi Muneyuki."

"Shirakawa Mai is backed by the Kanto Shrine Alliance, and Uesugi Muneyuki…… well, as long as Miyawaki Sakura wants to survive, she'll definitely seek help, so we'll just happen to drag Uesugi Muneyuki into this, right?"

In the dim, smoke-filled room, the Public Security elites all wore strange smiles.

This, is Miyawaki Sakura's true value!

Look well! Edit, this is how it's used!

……………………

Time rewinds to one hour earlier.

Miyawaki Sakura dragged her exhausted body from finishing the late-night program back to her apartment building.

The rain still fell, the atmosphere not harmonious.

Streetlights cast a dim yellow glow on the wet ground.

Sakura sighed, her mood a bit low.

After surviving the severe crisis of the Financial Services Agency sanctions at the year's start, with Okada Masayoshi's return, Financial Services Agency Commissioner Okada Masahide finally let YKC48 off the hook, the theater reopened, and idols could once again appear before fans.

However, the massive blow this wave of blacklisting dealt to 48 cannot be described in words—top members like Haruka Watanabe etc. successively jumped ship and graduated, and when 48 had vacancies, Hirate and her Akasaka squad finally counterattacked, seizing the top idol girl group position.

Though the group is now flopping, Sakura herself is hot—by choosing to stay and weather the storm together when the group was most perilous, Sakura not only defeated Matsui Jurina for center for the first time, but also secured her position on Fuji TV, even landing a cameo in a Fuji TV Moon Nine drama!

Though it's a cameo, it's Moon Nine!

Though only a few minutes of screen time and playing a background girl (referring to the heroine's classmate who talks back to the gyaru trio, standing farthest out), it's Moon Nine!

Even more delightful, Fuji TV's "Hand of God" finally got greenlit, Sakura naturally got a role, and will appear as a recurring female police officer every few episodes!

Everything seemed to be smoothly sliding along the preset track—scenery, opportunities, and the favor of a heavyweight figure—letting her almost temporarily forget that ever-present threat and danger.

However, subtle cracks began to appear unnoticed.

The first thing that raised her alertness was the abnormality downstairs in the apartment building.

She several times when returning late at night noticed an unfamiliar black van parked downstairs, windows tinted dark, interior unseen.

When she approached, the vehicle would start silently and noiselessly, drive off slowly, as if merely coincidentally parked there.

Once, when she viewed the street below from her balcony, she seemed to see a man in a gray jacket standing a long time at the corner, neither like waiting for someone nor like making a call, just silently "guarding".

What made her heart pound most was an indescribable shift in atmosphere from within the team.

A stylist usually on decent terms with her, while helping her organize performance costumes, suddenly murmured as if unintentionally: "Sakura-chan, lately…… are you too tired? Some things, don't overdo it." Her eyes held unspoken worry.

These fragmented pieces of information, like cold needles, pierced through the protective shield she had woven from glamour and busyness.

The parent company grew suspicious.

They were uncertain where exactly the source of the stolen documents and leaked intelligence lay, but clearly, the net of internal investigation and screening had already been quietly cast.

And she, this "fortunate one" who had recently enjoyed unusually good resources and interacted too closely with important figures outside the circle, was undoubtedly placed at some position on the suspect list.

Panic submerged her like a tide in an instant; she could almost hear the sound of her own heart beating wildly like a drum. She knew better than anyone what exposure meant — that would be an ending tens of thousands of times more tragic than becoming an informant in the first place.

But she could not panic.

Even more, she could not run.

Once she showed any abnormality, it would be tantamount to confessing without being beaten.

As expected of Black Sakura, she disguised herself well; she pretended to be unaware of everything.

She still rushed to various announcements full of vitality every day, displaying the most perfect smile in front of the camera, still cautiously and cleverly maintaining her contact with Uesugi Muneyuki, playing the role of Shirakawa Mai's fanatically admiring junior.

Walking to the floor where her apartment was located, the hallway was silent and soundless, only the echo of her high-heeled shoes striking the ground. Everything seemed as usual, but just as she took out her key, preparing to insert it into the keyhole, her movement abruptly froze.

On the doorknob, there was an extremely faint, almost invisible water stain.

When she left, she was certain it was dry. Property cleaning usually only cleans in the morning. This water stain... was it someone who had just touched her doorknob before she returned?

Her heart suddenly tightened, coldness crawling up her spine. She immediately associated it with those faint abnormalities she had sensed over the past few days — the strange vehicles downstairs, the neighbors' suspicious "maintenance personnel," and this fatal detail on the doorknob right now.

Just then, that encrypted mobile phone in her bag abruptly vibrated, like a clap of thunder in the silent hallway.

The incoming call read "Tokyo Shinagawa Ward Utilities Repair Agasa Door-to-Door Service."

It was Inspector Kinoshita's call!

She answered almost trembling, lowering her voice: "Moshi moshi?"

"Miyawaki! Now! Immediately leave your current residence!" Kinoshita Tōya's voice had never been so urgent, even carrying a hint of panic: "The situation is extremely dangerous, do not go home! Go to a crowded place, or... find a place you can trust, that is absolutely safe! Quick!"

Kinoshita's warning was like a bucket of ice water poured over her head, instantly confirming her deepest fear!

She forcibly endured the urge to scream, her gaze rapidly scanning the quiet hallway. Run downstairs now? What if the other party was waiting in the stairwell or the lobby? She was alone; it would be no different from walking into a trap.

In a flash, she made a decision.

Mai-sama save me tooth sound!

However, just as she thought this, Miyawaki Sakura suddenly remembered, Mai-sama has an important announcement today!

For such an important announcement, the agent would definitely confiscate her phone!

No good!

Then, there is only one answer!

How to resolve worries, only Uesugi!

She did not turn and flee, but instead immediately used her daily-use mobile phone, with a voice carrying a sobbing tone and panic-stricken, dialed Uesugi Muneyuki's number:

"Hello, is this Mr. Uesugi? I'm Sakura! I, I just saw a man wearing a hat in the hallway prying my neighbor's door! He seems to have seen me! I'm so scared!!!"

Uesugi Muneyuki: "?"

"???"

"??????"

If there's a suspicious person, just call the police!

I'm not a police officer!

(End of Chapter)