Chapter 700: Date's Feelings

Just as Uesugi Muneyuki was on his way back to Yonezawa City.

The inn in Yonezawa City was shrouded in a deeper, heavier oppression.

Although the culprit had been caught, knowing that a fellow companion had met such a gruesome end, and that they themselves had been exposed to unknown danger (especially Kawabe Mayu), the fear did not dissipate with the solving of the case; instead, it transformed into a more delicate, gnawing lingering dread and sorrow.

The management tried to appease them, but their words were pale; the operations manager Suou Hinata was nowhere to be found, doing who knows what, and the members spontaneously gathered in the largest suite's living room, Akai Saka 46 and YKC48 members breaking their usual group boundaries, curling up on the sofa and carpet. No one spoke, just quietly leaning against each other, sharing blankets and hot water bottles, as if this could draw a little warmth and courage. The curtains were drawn tight, shutting out the outside world's gazes and cold. Only a single floor lamp emitted a dim yellow halo.

After an unknown amount of time, Kawabe Mayu softly hummed a melody.

"Kikun daisho mae no kotoba~"

"Gai geki tai to bo jin chumoku?"

"Michibata no yuu yu douzen, chuu katsu jin muchi utsu ryuu satsu u doku an no dai 5!"

The lyrics were not directly fitting the occasion, but that repeatedly chanted line "Kiku sa daisho mae no kotoba" now held a different kind of power.

At first just a faint humming, gradually, beside her Aika Shida, Tsuchiyo Mizuki, Watanabe Risa, and Sugai Yuuka also began to join in softly.

Then Sashihara Rino, Matsui Jurina, Miyawaki Sakura... more and more voices joined in.

Not the clear resonance of a stage, but a private, stifled and trembling, yet desperately trying to grasp some support, soft singing.

Even Saito Asuka, who had come on orders to scout the situation, started singing along.

"Saitei na ko kuriimu sa!"

"Rakusho kaisho mae zai tashi fu juu!"

"I seki na

"Ana hori - te hi toru te uke ryuu"!"

Everyone sang and sang, and soon they no longer felt the cold and fear.

They sang for each other to hear, sang for Nishino Miki who could never return, and sang for Kawabe Mayu who had been in peril and luckily returned.

The singing gathered into a faint yet warm stream, flowing through the room filled with fear and sorrow, temporarily washing away death's chill. "Aniki deru - 5), yosei sa to bo jin baku) fu sa!"

"Nennen o hitori shime 4 boku dae no te, oi) mo "shou shou fu ka na hachi 754 dai y"!"

However, as they sang, everyone suddenly realized someone was missing!

Akai Saka 46's Second Young Lady Moriya Akane was gone!

"Aaaaaaaaaah!" The courage brought by the singing was instantly dispelled, Captain Mayu Yuka trembling as she dialed the agent's number: "Ma Uchi Ka San! Ma Ri Kamo she, she, she's gone!"

But the agent's reply carried a hint of ease: "No need to worry, Moriya has business out, currently under our surveillance, it's fine, she'll be back soon once she's done!"

Meanwhile, on the mountain path of Uesugi Shinai.

The air was clear and cold, yet carried the tranquil air of the approaching New Year — if one ignored the aftermath of that bloody case.

Date Nagamune followed half a step behind Moriya Akane step for step, his heart pounding faster than when chasing a wild boar.

His buttock wound had not yet healed, his walking posture still had a barely perceptible awkwardness and caution, but his spirit was in an unprecedented state of excitement.

A faint stabbing pain from the chrysanthemum area?

That is all the pain of happiness!

Here is how it happened: just now, Moriya Akane took the initiative to find Date in the hotel lobby handling follow-up police liaison in an awkward posture. The Second Young Lady generously expressed gratitude — thanking the police, especially Patrol Officer Date for his hard work. Then, with a barely perceptible plea, she asked: "Date-san, I heard you're a police officer and know this area well... would it be convenient, before I leave, to accompany me to the Vaisravana statue at the shrine to pay respects? I want to pray for Miki's repose and everyone's safety... I'm a bit scared alone." Date Nagamune's brain went "buzz" in that moment, his thinking almost stopping.

Akane-chan! It's Akane-chan!

Am I not dreaming?!

Active invitation! Alone together! Worship!

Rounding off, it's a date!

He forcibly suppressed the corners of his mouth nearly cracking to his earlobes and the phantom pain in his buttocks, using all his life's self-control to maintain a "reliable police officer" serious expression, replying in a deep voice: "With utmost reverence, born into this chaotic world, I am truly honored beyond measure, Miss Moriya. Please, by all means, let me accompany you." Thus came this current scene. Moriya Akane today wore a simple off-white down jacket and dark blue jeans, long hair falling smoothly over her shoulders, her bare face under the Uesugi Shinai's night lights appearing clean and slightly haggard, yet with a unique pitiful charm. Her worship posture was devout and serious, her profile soft when pressing her hands together in prayer, making Date beside her stare almost dazedly.

Th-this, is this a dream?

After worship concluded, the two walked slowly out along the shrine's pure little trail.

The atmosphere was quiet, only the rustling sound of stepping on the stone path.

Now's the chance!

Auntie Big!!!

Date felt the timing had come! Words brewed in his chest for a long time were churning.

I must consider whether this is the only chance in my life!

Reforging Lord Masamune's glory, I, Uwajima Date, cannot shirk this duty!

He took a deep breath of freezing air, just about to speak —

"That, Miss Moriya, actually I've always"

Right at this historic moment, from behind a dense, snow-laden evergreen bush beside the trail, suddenly a "shala" sound, three figures in thick plain clothes but with builds clearly unlike ordinary people leaped out, blocking the middle of the path in a line-abreast formation!

The middle one, handsome and composed, arms crossed, spoke in an exaggerated tone like a flat reading, expressionless: "To prevent the world from being destroyed" the left young man with a slightly frivolous expression immediately followed up, even pushing up non-existent glasses: "To protect the world's peace~" the right baby-faced but sharp-eyed youth brought up the rear, voice loud: "Carry out love and truth's evil — ah no, justice!"

"Cute and charming Metropolitan Police Department characters!"

"Okada! Kai!"

"And Igarashi!"

The three in unison, shouted at the instantly petrified Date Nagamune: "We are the Metropolitan Police Department Criminal Investigation Department Special Mission Unit! Date! You brat, in such a 'dangerous' place, alone carrying out an 'escort' mission, why didn't you call reliable senpai?!"

Date Nagamune's pupils quaked, unable to utter a single word.

Moriya Akane first startled, stepped back half a step, but upon seeing three adult men with a strangely clear art style, and hearing "Metropolitan Police Department", her cheeks "teng" instantly turned bright red, shame and anger making her lower her head, fingers clutching her clothes hem.

The arrivals were precisely Date Nagamune and Uesugi Muneyuki's colleagues from the Metropolitan Police Department Criminal Investigation Division 1 Special Mission Unit, Section Chief Okada Masayoshi Police Inspector, Kai Toru Assistant Police Inspector, and Igarashi Hayato Police Sergeant.

They had indeed been ordered to come to Yamagata Support and take over part of the follow-up work, just that whether rushing fast or slow, by the time they arrived the main case was already solved, leaving only some documentation and coordination matters.

Hearing from local police about Date's "heroic injury" and recent movements, and "coincidentally" learning he was "acting alone" today, the three senpai who feared the world wouldn't be chaotic enough planned this "surprise" entrance.

"O-Okada Section Chief?! Kai Senpai?! Igarashi?! Y-you guys how..." Date's face flushed even redder than Moriya Akane's, half embarrassment, half panic at having his bad deed caught, and a thread of indignation at the romantic atmosphere he'd brewed being ruthlessly destroyed. His buttocks began to ache faintly again, this time definitely from anger!

Gonna split open again!

"Oh dear, Date-kun." Kai Toru drew out his voice, his eyes flashing with mischievous light, "We were worried about your 'injury,' so we came specially to visit and support you. I never thought... your 'injury' doesn't seem to affect carrying out the 'special guard duty'?" He deliberately emphasized the words "special" and "guard."

Igarashi Hayato then gave Moriya Akane a not-so-standard salute with a face of "uprightness": "Miss Moriya Akane, right? We are Date's colleagues, we haven't caused you any trouble, have we? If he has been rude, we apologize to you on his behalf!"

His tone was sincere, yet his gaze drifted toward Date.

Moriya Akane wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into at this moment.

Being seen by other male police officers alone with Date Patrol Officer, and still teased in this strange way... Although she had a lively personality, after all she was just a young girl, thin-skinned.

The Second Young Lady immediately bowed deeply, her voice mosquito-like: "No, no, it's nothing! Date-san takes very good care of me! Each, each officer, thank you for your hard work! I;... I will take my leave first!"

After speaking, she almost fled, giving Date a hurried nod, then lowered her head and quickly stepped past the three "gate guardians" beside her, her figure swiftly disappearing at the shrine entrance.

"Akane-chan! Miss Moriya!" Date reached out uselessly, but could only watch helplessly as the goddess left in anger and embarrassment.

He suddenly turned his head, facing his three laughing colleagues, suppressing a low growl: "You guys one! What the hell are you guys doing here?!"

"Heaven nurtures all things! Man has nothing to repay heaven!"

"Kill Kill Kill!!!!"