A big thank you to kudoShinichi_1708, thanks for all the reviews, powerstones, and support on this project!
So I decided to release 3 more chapters!
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"Just stop here. I can walk the rest of the way myself."
The Porsche slowly pulled over at the entrance of a quiet alley with little foot traffic. Sitting in the driver's seat, Vodka looked worried.
"Are you sure you can walk on your own with those injuries? Why not come up with an excuse and skip it? Let those cops—"
Ritsu cut him off. "Didn't I just walk out of the research facility by myself? Don't worry, Vodka. The more the police trust me and the higher I climb, the more useful the identity of Onizawa becomes for us."
Thinking of the task assigned by that man, he smiled and added,
"Besides, I still have a mission from theBoss. If those police officers let the criminal get away, I won't be able to buy that mansion at the lowest possible price."
Vodka nodded. "Then be careful. Call me anytime if something happens."
"Yeah. Thanks for your hard work, Vodka."
"Hahaha! You don't have to be so polite with me!"
Only after confirming that no one was paying attention did Ritsu carefully step out of the car. He slipped into the alley and headed toward the MPD.
After successfully entering the building, he took the elevator to the ninth floor. Before he even reached the conference room, he heard the voices of children coming from inside.
Pushing open the door, the three children standing nearest the entrance immediately cried out in surprise.
"Wow! It's the super amazing big brother!"
Ritsu froze for a moment. Looking down, he realized these three children were actually old acquaintances.
Weren't they the same kids who had handed him a calculator and helped him solve that kidnapping and extortion case?
"Sensei, you're here!"
"Inspector!"
After greeting everyone, Ritsu crouched down and asked, "What are you three doing here?"
Shinichi explained, "The first plastic bomb was hidden inside a remote-controlled airplane. These three happened to be the unlucky kids Moriya-san chose."
'Their luck really is terrible,' Ritsu thought silently.
"We're not unlucky!"
"We have names!"
"I'm Yoshida Ayumi, not 'Unlucky Girl'!"
After listening to the three children enthusiastically introduce themselves, Ritsu smiled warmly.
Patting Ayumi's head, he asked, "Ojou-chan, do you remember what the culprit looked like?"
He wanted to determine whether Teiji had acted alone. If there were accomplices involved, solving the case would become much more difficult.
Ayumi nodded vigorously. "I remember! That uncle had a mustache this big!"
She stretched her hands apart dramatically.
"And he wore black sunglasses and a hat!"
"That's right! And a long black coat!"
"He smelled nice too! But it wasn't the same perfume this big sister wears!"
It seemed Teiji had not recruited any helpers. His crude disguise matched the one he had worn during his transaction with Ritsu.
As for the scent the children mentioned, it was probably connected to his pipe tobacco.
"You three were very observant. Thank you for the information. Leave the rest to us police officers."
Turning toward Takagi, he said, "Takagi, you're responsible for taking them home."
"Yes, Inspector! Children, please come with me."
"Bye-bye, big brother!"
Once the children had left, Ritsu was about to ask about the new code when he sensed someone staring at him.
Looking up in confusion, he spotted a familiar head of naturally curly black hair.
Dressed in a black suit and black sunglasses, with one leg crossed over the other as he lounged in an office chair, Jinpei casually toyed with a silver lighter.
Apparently noticing Ritsu's gaze, he stood up lazily and said, "So you're the MPD's newest superstar?"
"And you are?"
"I'm Matsuda Jinpei, Captain of Bomb Disposal Unit Squad One."
Of course, Ritsu knew exactly who he was. However, for Onizawa, this was supposedly their first meeting.
He nodded politely but made no move to shake hands.
Turning to Shinichi, he asked, "How far have you gotten with the code?"
"There wasn't really a code this time. The culprit directly stated that he'd planted five bombs along the Tokyo Loop Line."
Shinichi continued, "The bombs will activate starting at 3:00 PM today. If any train's speed drops below sixty kilometers per hour, they'll explode. And if the bombs aren't successfully disarmed before sunset, they'll detonate as well."
Ritsu lowered his head and glanced at his watch.
It was already 3:27 PM.
Less than three hours remained before sunset.
"Was there any other clue? Even if we mobilize a massive police force to search the entire Tokyo Loop Line, three hours isn't enough time."
"There was. He said the bombs were installed at 'XX no X' somewhere on the Tokyo Loop Line. Each X represents a character."
Each X represented a character.
Under a seat. Above a train car.
There were far too many possibilities.
Jinpei pulled out a cigarette pack, lit one, and placed it between his lips.
"Hey, don't tell me you've got no leads at all? If that's the case, there won't be anything left for the bomb squad to do. The bombs will go off before we even get there."
Hayasaka already disliked the fact that he was smoking indoors, but considering he was Ritsu's academy classmate, she restrained herself.
"Officer Matsuda, please be quiet. Deduction takes time."
"Fine. Take your time. We've still got two and a half hours before detonation."
He exhaled a stream of smoke.
"But don't forget. If those trains keep running without stopping, the passengers are going to riot sooner or later."
For some reason, Jinpei disliked Onizawa. Perhaps it was because so many people referred to him as the star of the police force and a genius detective.
Those same titles had once been used for his best friend.
The same titles. Different people. That alone was enough to annoy him.
So he intended to use a little provocation and see whether this rising star truly deserved the same praise.
"Hm? I've already solved the clue."
Ritsu noticed everyone staring at him and quickly waved his hands. "I was thinking about something else."
Jinpei froze.
Then he immediately grabbed the shoulder bag containing his bomb disposal tools from the conference table.
With an exasperated look, he said, "You solved it and didn't tell us? What, were you afraid I'd disarm the bombs too fast and ruin the explosions?"
"Right, sorry."
After apologizing, Ritsu turned to Hayasaka.
"Hayasaka, immediately dispatch personnel to the railway tracks along the Tokyo Loop Line. Use police dogs to locate the bombs."
"Understood. I'll arrange it right away."
Turning toward Megure, he continued, "Inspector Megure, please contact the railway authorities. They can begin slowing down and stopping the trains."
Megure looked alarmed.
"Onizawa-kun, didn't the culprit say the bombs would explode if the trains dropped below sixty kilometers per hour? If we stop the trains, won't they detonate?"
Ritsu explained, "That's merely a smokescreen. The actual trigger mechanism is based on light. The bombs will only explode when they no longer detect light."
Shinichi's eyes lit up.
"I see! So the phrase 'before sunset' means the bombs will explode moments after they're no longer exposed to sunlight."
"Exactly." Ritsu nodded.
"So go ahead and slow the trains. Get the passengers safely onto the platforms. It'll also make it easier for the bomb squad to disarm the bombs."
"Got it! I'll make the arrangements immediately!"
Watching Jinpei hurry toward the door, Ritsu suddenly called out, "Officer Matsuda."
"Huh?"
Jinpei stopped and looked back. "What now?"
"When you're disarming the bombs... be careful."
Jinpei chuckled. When it came to bombs, there was no way he would lose to a third-rate bomber like this.
Turning away, he casually waved his left hand in a cool, dismissive gesture.
"Yeah, yeah. I'll get the job done."
"Sensei."
"Hm?"
Shinichi assumed his habitual thinking pose, pinching his chin thoughtfully.
"Were you just considering whether Moriya-san might be watching his masterpiece from somewhere?"
"That's right." Ritsu nodded.
"His exhibition room is filled with photographs of all his works. That tells me he's extremely proud of his designs."
"People like him often enjoy admiring their own creations. So I believe he's observing all of this from somewhere."
"If he wanted to watch the entire Tokyo Loop Line..."
Shinichi and Ritsu exchanged smiles. Then, speaking in perfect unison, they confidently declared,
"The only suitable observation point is TokyoSkytree!"