Chapter 3

There’s some barricade tape, but doesn’t look like any guards.

Still, we can’t stay for too long. We gotta hurry and find some clues and—

………

What’s wrong? Don’t just stand there spacing out; we need to investigate this place fast!

You said they left some evidence here, right?

……I know that.

……No. You’re right. I wasn’t being considerate.

It’s been a few days since then, but this is still the scene of that terrible incident.

I’m already used to seeing this kinda thing, but it’s probably too much for an ordinary guy like you.

…But still, we can’t afford to take our time. We don’t know when those guys are gonna catch up to us like before.

There’s no way around it. You rest here. I’ll check things out first…

—I appreciate your concern,

But that’s not why I’m not moving.

The reason is you.

Me? Sorry, but I have no idea what you’re…

I thought I was going to die!

Even if it was to escape, driving like that……

It’s a miracle we even made it here in one piece.

Oh! You’re talking about my driving. I was wondering what you were going on about!

But I already gave you a heads up that it’d be a bumpy ride, right?

They were dead set on taking us out. If I didn’t drive like that, we probably wouldn’t have made it here.

I understand that. I know I couldn’t have gotten here on my own if I was being chased.

Still, I just want you to understand—I felt more in danger with you than when I was being chased alone……!

Cars colliding head-on, an explosion behind us. When parts of the vehicle fell right beside us from the blast, I felt like I was going to die.

Hahaha ☆ You’re exaggerating!

I don’t think I am. I never imagined I’d experience a Hollywood-level car chase in a place like this.

Fufu. But I’m glad to see you’ve got enough energy to complain like this……♪

…I’ve never been involved in such nonsensical events before this.

At this point, coming to a crime scene hardly fazes me.

Then that’s a relief!

Seeing how hellbent they were on stopping us… no, stopping you.

The information you got must be extremely inconvenient for them.

It might even be a silver bullet that could pierce the mastermind themselves deep within the organization.¹

If that’s true, then I definitely can’t afford to lose you.

No, even if it wasn’t like that, you’re still one of the friends I gotta protect.

Don’t worry. I’ll protect your life even if it costs me my own.²

………

To be honest, I still don’t fully understand what kind of person you are.

Should I call it an abnormal sense of justice or a hero complex that makes you unable to ignore people in trouble?

While I understand that side of you, I can’t help but feel there’s more to you right now than just that.

Why are you so fixated on this case?

Is throwing myself into chasing down evil that strange?

I can’t turn a blind eye to those who hurt others or disrupt the peace of daily life.

—But that’s not the answer you’re looking for, huh? I can see it on your face.

Given the situation,

I can’t simply entrust my life to someone without understanding their motives.

Fair enough. ……You want to know why I’m pursuing this case?

—It’s for revenge.

……!

Haha, do you think less of me now?

……Let’s take a trip down memory lane. Though this only happened a few months ago.

The truth is, something similar to this incident happened before. At the time, my juniors got caught up in it…… I don’t need to say more, do I?

They were a colorful bunch with strong personalities—very reliable too. Though, it took a bit to get close to them.

Another colleague and I looked after them. We ran around to different crime scenes and carried out acts of justice together.

……Those days were really fun.

I see. It all makes sense now.

That’s why you were suspended, isn’t it?

They probably thought you’d go out of control trying to catch those who brought harm to your precious juniors.

Good guess. That’s exactly right.

Though, I felt like the guys at the scene were just being nice, telling me not to push myself.

That colleague of mine probably pulled me off the case because he was worried too.

……Instead of being so considerate, I wish they had lent me their strength.

But I guess in the end I’m ignoring the suspension and investigating anyway.

Is the culprit of that incident the same as the current one?

Yeah, no doubt about it. The MO is pretty much the same. The strange markings at the crime scene are the same as the previous case too.

Well, there’s a possibility it could be a copycat, but…

Either way, I can’t let someone that dangerous run free.

I will definitely catch the culprit. And then…

—I’ll make sure they pay for their sins.

……

(Those cold eyes—hard to believe this is the very same cheerful man who was talking up until now. Judging from how he said “revenge”...)

(His idea of making them pay for their crimes probably goes beyond just legal punishment.)

(So this is how hatred can change a person.)

(……No, I suppose I’m no different.)

My younger brother was also put in danger because of this case. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the anger I felt back then.

Please lend me your strength. Let’s catch the culprit together.

Yeah, of course. I’m counting on you, Great Detective!

We’ve talked long enough. Let’s hurry and find the culprit’s trail.

Based on the message left by the victim of the second incident, there should be something here…!

……! Jesus! That scared me half to death.

(A ringtone? Who could be calling at a time like this……)

Hello……

“—Feeling better now, little bro?”

Little bro? Who are you…!

Look out!

……!

“Ah~ah, I missed. Nice reflexes, ‘Mister Officer’?”

(A gunshot. His shoulder is bleeding. Did he shield me!?)

Calm down, it’s just a graze…

It’s so dusty here, how disgusting~ I wasn’t planning to come back here, but

I heard that the pup and his pals were sniffing around, so I came to clean up…… ♪