Chapter 99: Anomaly

A black beret for ladies.

What May hastily handed over from her bag was a black beret made of fur, which was the same style as the one worn by Mrs. Matsushita's mother in the photos at the other party's home.

May held the hat and handed it to the two of them. "Uncle Detective, please help me keep this."

Although they had only met in the living room yesterday, May should have heard her mother introduce the identities of Senichi and his companion. So now, upon seeing the two of them, she directly and trustingly hoped that they would help her preserve the item.

"Ah, but this should be your mother's hat, right?" Takagi waved his hand to politely decline.

"It will be May's in the future." The girl turned her head and glanced at her mother who was coming out, sounding anxious.

"Haha..." Takagi smiled bitterly. "But for now, it still belongs to your mother."

"But my mom always gives everything to others." May looked at Takagi, who kept refusing, and pleaded as she looked at Senichi, "Please, help me keep it."

"Then I'll keep it for you for now." Senichi bent down, smiling, and took the hat.

"Ah... Senichi-san, this isn't good." Takagi looked at Mrs. Matsushita, who was walking towards them, in a flustered manner.

However, Senichi, who was beside him, had already seen Mrs. Matsushita coming, and calmly hid the hat behind him.

Afterward, Mrs. Matsushita saw her daughter with Senichi, and couldn't help but smile helplessly. After some social pleasantries, she left with her daughter.

"It seems the search can only end here for now." Takagi scratched his head in resignation, watching the mother and daughter walk away without any intention of chasing after them.

After all, Senichi's previous probing had been too impolite, resulting in an awkward relationship between the two parties.

"Well, let's go." Senichi hugged Takagi's shoulder. "Food is the most important thing. We need to fill our stomachs to continue our efforts. It's the perfect time to go back to the cafeteria. Let's hurry back."

...

In the cafeteria of the police station, the usual hustle and bustle filled the place.

Men and women in various uniforms or suits walked through the aisles between the tables in the cafeteria.

The people gathered here were generally taller than those outside, and there were even many burly men.

That was only natural since it was a professional requirement.

Many people chatted with their colleagues, enjoying a rare moment of relaxation. After all, work was often a serious matter, and lunch was the only time to relax a bit.

Some people were in a hurry even while eating, and others discussed cases with their colleagues while having their meals.

Senichi ordered a curry pork cutlet rice and carried his tray, planning to find an empty seat to wait for Officer Takagi. But he suddenly saw someone waving to him from a table on the left, saying, " Senichi-kun, over here, over here!"

There, Yumi Miyamoto was waving her hand to beckon Senichi over, and Misako Sato beside her also smiled, indicating for him to join them.

In an instant, with Miyamoto's call and Sato's inviting gesture, the burly men around them all turned their heads.

Killing intent!

In the next moment, the sharp gazes of numerous seasoned investigators swept over Senichi with a fierce pressure, as if an overwhelming force crashed against his spirit.

Well, it wasn't that exaggerated, after all, this wasn't a fantasy world, but the pressure from the people around was still quite strong.

Only now did Senichi remember that Sato had a "Sato Defense Line" as well.

He had completely forgotten about it until now, but now he truly felt the terrifying power of that force.

However, Miyamoto kept waving and beckoning, so Senichi had no choice but to face the gazes of the many burly men and, with a stiff expression, walked towards the two of them.

But well, he made a wise choice and chose a spot next to Miyamoto.

After all, she was the one who called him.

"Hehe, how have you been recently? Have you found a girlfriend?" Although they had only met once, Miyamoto greeted him in a friendly manner. "Do you want to join our gathering?"

"Thank you, but no need." Senichi politely smiled, raising his voice unintentionally. "To be honest, I've made some progress recently, although the relationship hasn't been confirmed yet."

"What? You already have someone?" Yumi Miyamoto expressed her disappointment. "You're getting out of singlehood pretty fast. It seems the partners at the gathering will be disappointed."

"Come on, Yumi," Sato interjected with a smile. "Don't tease him too much."

"It's just fate." Senichi politely smiled.

With Senichi's words, the heavy "pressure" disappeared in an instant. It was evident that the people around had also heard their conversation and categorized Senichi as being on the "harmless" side.

" Senichi Detective, you're here... Ah..."

On the other side, Officer Takagi walked over with his tray, but in the next moment, an even more terrifying pressure swept over him, causing him to involuntarily break into a cold sweat.

At that moment, he saw who was sitting next to Senichi and who intentionally left a seat beside him for Takagi.

Although it was nice to be able to sit next to his goddess, the surrounding terror made every step he took incredibly difficult.

"Oh, Takagi~ Come, come, sit~" Misako Sato turned her head upon hearing the voice, beckoning Takagi to sit beside her. "I heard that you and Senichi-kun are in charge of a case. How's the progress?"

Thus, under Senichi's sympathetic gaze, Takagi "painfully and happily" sat next to Misako Sato.

However, with Misako Sato's inquiries, Takagi gradually relaxed and completely disregarded the terrifying pressure around him. He began chatting and laughing with Misako Sato, displaying a somewhat "willingness to die for love."

Since the outcome had already been determined, he might as well seize the opportunity to spend time with his goddess.

Based on Senichi's observation, Takagi's change in mindset most likely followed this path.

Of course, it was also possible that he simply forgot about the threats around him. But it had to be said, the power of love was truly formidable~

"Will she give everything?" Misako Sato shook her head after hearing Takagi's story. "The mindset of wealthy people is truly difficult for us commoners to understand."

"What does her husband think about it?" Yumi Miyamoto also asked beside them.

"Currently, as a diplomat, he is overseas." Senichi replied based on the investigation's information. "So we don't know what he thinks."

"Truly a 'Happy Prince'." Misako Sato couldn't help but exclaim.

"The 'Happy Prince'?" Senichi asked.

"It's a fairy tale." Misako Sato explained. "It's a story about a prince who gives away his own belongings and gives everything in the fairy tale."

At that moment, Senichi seemed to feel that he had grasped something.