Brush brush brush.
Gargle, gargle—ptoo!
Just after finishing brushing his teeth, Shinichi saw "Onizawa-sensei" names appear on his phone screen.
While pulling out a towel and wetting it, he unlocked his phone and answered the call.
"Hello? Onizawa-sensei? Is something up this late?"
"Sorry about that, Kudo. Did I interrupt your rest?"
"No, I just finished reading a new mystery novel I bought and was washing my face."
Hearing Shinichi's voice become muffled, Ritsu guessed he was wiping his face with the towel. Standing in front of the giant aquarium in his living room, Ritsu held up his phone and asked,
"Good, I'm glad I didn't disturb you. Actually, there's something I'd like to ask a favor about. Could you give me Suzuki-san's contact information?"
"Sonoko?"
Shinichi tightened the faucet and asked in confusion, "What do you need Sonoko for, Sensei?"
"Well, Christmas Eve is the day after tomorrow, isn't it? My girlfriend is always complaining that I'm not romantic enough, so I wanted to prepare a surprise and take her to the newly opened Tropical Land. Could you ask Suzuki-san whether she can help me get two tickets?"
Ritsu felt that he was becoming increasingly skilled at fabricating the lie about having a girlfriend. He was almost starting to believe it himself.
"Tropical Land? The new amusement park in the Tokyo suburbs?"
"Yeah, that's the one."
Shinichi sounded delighted. "I was actually worrying about what to do with the two extra tickets Ran and I managed to get. Looks like I'll finally get a chance to meet your girlfriend, Sensei!"
"...???"
Question marks practically filled Ritsu's head.
Why were high school students with weekends off insisting on squeezing into an amusement park on opening day? Wouldn't it be better to go on Christmas or when there were fewer people?
Why did they have to join the grand-opening crowd?
Still, at a time like this, he could only agree first and secure the tickets.
"Then sell the extras to me. I'll even pay double the price."
"Well, Sensei, there's actually something I'd like to discuss with you too~~"
The moment he heard that strange tone in Shinichi's voice, Ritsu immediately became wary.
"Kid, don't tell me you're trying to borrow money."
"As expected of Sensei! Your insight is truly unmatched! Hehehe!"
"Do you have any idea how much police officers make? I don't have money."
"Huh? A guy driving a Bugatti has the nerve to tell me he's broke? Sensei, you've really changed lately!"
When silence came from the other end, Shinichi hurriedly explained,
"Actually, here's what happened. Last week, Ran and I went to the aquarium, and I accidentally dropped her brand-new phone. I've been short on cash lately because I bought a bunch of mystery novels, so I really can't afford to replace it. That's why I'm asking to borrow some money!"
'Last week... The aquarium?'
Ritsu blinked twice.
If he remembered correctly, a murder case had happened there around that time. However, he hadn't been assigned to the scene because the case had been handed over to the Fourth Unit of the First Investigation Division.
'So this kid had helped the police solve another case, huh?'
"Send me the serial numbers for the two tickets. I'll transfer the money."
"The tickets and the phone come to a total of 15,800 yen. Thank you for your patronage!"
The call immediately disconnected.
Ritsu narrowed his eyes speechlessly. Did the brat hang up so quickly because he was afraid Ritsu would refuse after hearing the amount?
'Oh well.'
It was only a phone. He could easily afford it.
After transferring the money, he soon received an email from Shinichi. Besides the serial numbers for the two tickets, there was also an additional message.
[Kudo: Sensei, looking forward to meeting my teacher's wife tomorrow!]
"Heh. Wife? Something that doesn't even exist."
Ritsu sneered and deleted the line before forwarding the ticket information directly to Gin's email. Looking at the calendar hanging nearby, he picked up a red marker and circled the 24th.
He wondered whether the MPD would approve his leave request this time.
If not... he'd just have to call in sick.
...
The next two days passed quickly, and before long, Christmas Eve arrived.
Although it was a Western holiday, Tokyo was overflowing with festive spirit. Modern businesses were clever. Any holiday-themed promotion could attract more customers.
For example, a box of chocolates available year-round could suddenly become far more appealing simply by switching to limited-edition Christmas packaging.
That was the power of marketing.
Ritsu changed into his black operational outfit and packed all the necessary equipment into a shoulder bag.
Then he mounted his Kawasaki Ninja H2R, now repainted dark crimson. From now on, the motorcycle would serve as Augier's exclusive means of transportation.
Arriving at the parking lot near Tropical Land, he had just parked and removed his helmet when he heard a frivolous whistle.
Turning around, he saw Chianti leaning against a Dodge Viper.
It had been quite some time since their last meeting.
"Augier, you've got good taste!"
Within the Organization, only Chianti dared to speak so freely.
Maintaining his cold and aloof persona, Ritsu didn't immediately reply. It wasn't time to put that particular plan into motion yet.
Glancing at his wristwatch, he said calmly,
"We still have twenty minutes before entering the park. Everything's prepared, right? No mistakes?"
Chianti pulled out a pack of peach-flavored gum and casually popped two pieces into her mouth. Chewing as she spoke, she said,
"Korn and I aren't clueless rookies. Do you really need to remind us?"
She was exactly as Vodka had described. The only time Chianti had ever acted obedient was around his former self.
This arrogant attitude was... well, no wonder Gin had assigned him to supervise the two of them.
Taking a few steps forward and closing the distance between them, Ritsu suddenly moved close enough to startle Chianti.
Instinctively stepping backward, she quickly found herself pressed against the car door. Frowning, she snapped,
"Hey! What are you doing? Why are you getting so close?"
But almost immediately, she felt something cold press against the upper right side of her abdomen.
A pistol.
"This is your liver."
Holding the gun, he slowly moved the muzzle to her upper left abdomen and pressed it firmly against her.
"This is your spleen and stomach. Your kidneys are on either side."
Chianti subconsciously swallowed. Deep down, she kept telling herself not to be afraid. The guy wasn't actually going to shoot. But when she met those cold eyes...
She felt as though an invisible python had wrapped itself around her body, flicking its tongue at her.
"S-Sorry."
Hearing those three words, Ritsu nodded in satisfaction and holstered the gun. As though nothing had happened, he patted Korn, who was standing stiffly beside them, and said,
"There'll probably be a lot of people lining up on opening day. Let's head in early."
"Yes."
Both Chianti and Korn suddenly became much more obedient, especially Chianti. Walking a little slower behind Augier, her eyes were filled with complicated emotions.
For some reason, she couldn't shake the feeling that this man who had returned from Zurich seemed very interested in her.
Of course, Chianti wasn't narcissistic enough to think Augier was attracted to her.
Rather... it felt like they might have known each other before, which was why he seemed interested in her reactions.
Furrowing her brow, she racked her brain for answers. Unfortunately, this line of thinking was a little too demanding for her. Still, she was absolutely certain of one thing,
Among everyone she knew, there had never been a white-haired man.
...
Standing in line, Ritsu wasn't paying attention to either of them.
He was busy trying to maintain his character. Because he had just received a text message from Vodka that nearly made him burst out laughing.
[Vodka: Macallan! How did you not notice when buying the tickets?!]
[Augier: What? Are they fake tickets?]
[Vodka: THEY'RE COUPLES TICKETS!!! I BARELY STOPPED BOSS FROM PULLING OUT HIS BERETTA!!! 〒▽〒!]
Pfft.
So Shinichi had actually given him couples tickets. Suddenly, Ritsu felt a little regretful.
What a shame.
He hadn't been there to witness Gin's reaction when he found out they were couples tickets.