Chapter 113: Reunion

Nakajima Takuto once again requested Sato Miwako to provide the case file on the car accident.

Out of curiosity, he asked about the progress of the investigation.

The result obtained was different from the previous one: the motorcyclists matching Akikawa Kyousuke's confession had been narrowed down to one person, but the last individual could not be located.

"Even if they're found, I'm afraid it will all be in vain."

Nakajima Takuto lamented in his heart.

Nakajima had discovered this while re-examining the files from the car accident case with Toda Kyouji. Ever since he replaced the image of Akikawa Kyousuke as a naïve child with that of a criminal genius, his perspective on many aspects of the case had completely shifted.

First, in the car accident case, everyone believed that the most significant motive for Akikawa Kyousuke was the three insurance policies listing Akikawa Ryoko as the insured party.

The only reason the police's suspicions had been dismissed was that Akikawa Kyousuke had ingested a lethal amount of sleeping pills.

In other words, the act of killing his mother to claim the insurance money contradicted the image of Akikawa Kyousuke as a child.

But if Akikawa Kyousuke wasn't mentally innocent, then this motive would definitely stand.

Second, the most direct element that severed the connection between Akikawa Kyousuke and the murderer was the lack of fingerprints on the dagger.

There are many ways to erase fingerprints from a weapon without leaving a trace.

However, the police had originally believed that Akikawa Kyousuke, having been kept under house arrest by his mother for many years, would be incapable of mastering such skills and knowledge.

Now, however, it seemed entirely plausible that Akikawa Kyousuke could leave no trace.

---

"I noticed that the case file states, 'According to the investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department, there was no indication that the deceased Akikawa Ryoko had any enemies.'

"And Akikawa Kyousuke himself never claimed his mother had enemies.

"There were multiple stab wounds on Akikawa Ryoko's body. Criminal investigators and detectives determined this was an act of vengeance, that the murderer harbored deep hatred for the deceased.

"Additionally, the detectives at the time had concluded that the poor living conditions of Akikawa Kyousuke and his mother did not align with the standards for a vendetta.

"Based on their judgment, the only person who matched the murderer's profile was Akikawa Kyousuke."

This was what Toda Kyouji said while reviewing the case file.

"But all of these are subjective assumptions made by the police. Just like the two subsequent cases, there's no direct evidence."

"Isn't it the police's job to find evidence?"

Toda Kyouji smiled.

"Then why don't you share this with the detective? If the detective assists, the case should move faster," Nakajima Takuto suggested.

"And what, let the detective see us tricking Akikawa Kyousuke into confessing?"

"Besides, relying entirely on detectives for every case—isn't that embarrassing as an investigator?"

"Or do you think I can't make Akikawa Kyousuke confess?"

"No, no!"

Nakajima Takuto quickly replied, realizing his words were out of line.

He vividly remembered the time he grabbed Akikawa Kyousuke's hand in a fit of rage, trying to force a confession, only for the tomboyish detective to punch him in the ear.

Although it might have been an exaggeration, Nakajima Takuto truly felt that if Sera Masaki had punched his face instead, his head might have burst like a watermelon.

"With that kind of combat ability, I'm afraid the Toda Police Department doesn't stand a chance against that detective," Nakajima mused silently.

"Alright, the matter has essentially been investigated. Now, it's time to meet Akikawa Kyousuke in person."

As Toda Kyouji spoke, he stood up as well.

---

Elsewhere.

In the reception room at the Metropolitan Police Headquarters in Chiyoda District, Akikawa Kyousuke and his manager, Itakura Misaki, sat waiting.

Due to yesterday's shooting, the Hong Kong Film Festival had been temporarily suspended for a day.

The festival, which is open to tourists, was set to resume the next day—tomorrow.

Akikawa Kyousuke and Itakura Misaki had come today to give their statements.

After all, Kyousuke had been the target of Takao Ohga's attempted assassination.

Since Akikawa Kyousuke and Itakura Misaki weren't suspects, the police typically conducted these interviews in a more relaxed environment.

"Ms. Itakura, please follow me to the conference room."

Suddenly, a police officer entered and called for her.

Misaki Itakura agreed and followed the officer.

"Mr. Akikawa, please come with me."

Shortly after, another officer called for Akikawa Kyousuke by name.

Akikawa Kyousuke stood and followed the officer to a different room.

---

Here, Akikawa Kyousuke encountered the detective named Toda, whom he had met the previous day.

"It seems Takao Ohga confessed about me too."

If Akikawa Kyousuke had been unsure the detective knew him yesterday, after seeing the man taking notes for him today, he was now certain that the detective had heard about him through Koichi Nishihara and Takao Ohga.

"Hey, aren't you Officer Toda?"

When Akikawa Kyousuke saw Toda Kyouji, he displayed a very surprised expression.

Seeing Kyousuke's reaction, Toda Kyouji mirrored the surprise.

"Akikawa-kun, is it? What? Do you know me?"

"Yesterday, in the lounge on the second floor of the Harbour Royal Court Hotel, I remember Officer Toda was the one who came and took screenwriter Oda away."

"Ah, I see. My apologies, there were too many people yesterday, so I don't recall Akikawa-kun specifically."

Toda Kyouji smiled at him.

Kyousuke sat down across from Toda, wearing a gentle smile and appearing at ease.

It was as though he felt relieved to see someone he recognized.

"Even though you remember my name, Akikawa-kun, let me briefly introduce myself.

"My name is Kyouji Toda. I'm an officer in the Criminal Investigation Section 3, Division 1, under the Metropolitan Police Department. I also report to Inspector Megure.

"I'll be responsible for taking your statement today, Mr. Akikawa."

Toda Kyouji knew one of his greatest advantages was that Akikawa Kyousuke was unaware of his true identity or that he already knew about Kyousuke's crimes.

Based on Akikawa's arrogant demeanor, he likely wouldn't expect anyone to figure out what he had done.

To avoid raising suspicion, Toda deliberately refrained from mentioning his police rank.

After all, having a senior officer take notes for an "insignificant" individual might raise questions.

"Alright, that's fine," Akikawa Kyousuke nodded.

"He withheld his police rank when introducing himself. Does that mean he's worried that mentioning his rank might arouse my suspicion? So, his rank must be quite high."

"He reports to that chubby officer named Megure. In other words, he's a senior detective."

"The detective, Nakajima Takuto, who tried to trick me into confessing, held the rank of Chief Inspector. And that beautiful officer, Sato, who investigated the car accident case, held a higher rank than Nakajima."

"Considering Sato's strong sense of justice and her distaste for coercive confessions, it's unlikely she ordered Nakajima to trick me into confessing."

"Given Nishihara's attack on the police and the fact that this detective clearly knows my details, the answer is clear."

"He's the superior who directed Nakajima. The rogue cop from the Metropolitan Police Department who doesn't hesitate to use illegal methods on suspects."

Akikawa Kyousuke silently evaluated the kindly-looking Toda Kyouji seated across from him.

---

(End of Chapter)