Chapter 87: The Mystery of Human Connections

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Destination: 2 Chome Haisunadai, Kanto Loam Apartments. A quick look at the map app shows me the location.

“Ugh, judging by the map, it’s quite a distance. Are you sure this is just a one-meter taxi ride?”

Muttering to myself, I naturally quicken my pace, feeling slightly winded.

I’ve been slacking on physical training due to all the studying for entrance exams. No wonder I’m out of shape. As I reflect on my pitiful state, relying on the map app to navigate, someone calls out to me unexpectedly.

“Hey, isn’t that Major NTR? What are you doing out so late?”

“Huh?”

It seems I’ve been promoted to Major without realizing it—there’s only one person who would call me that. The pervert is a cop.

“Oh, it’s Captain Scat.”

“Uh, could you not use that nickname? It might give people the wrong idea.”

“Who started it? Also, sorry, I don’t actually know your name.”

I squint slightly and turn towards the voice, finding the two pervert cops standing together. These two really are close, always appearing as a pair.

“Oh, right, I never told you. I’m Saeba Ryo, and this is Makimura.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Makimura.”

“Are you guys the city’s cleanup crew or something?”

I bet if I wrote “WXY” on the bulletin board at Manyo Station, I’d be able to make a request to them.

I’ll be polite and write it vertically:

W 
X 
Y

That’s obscene. They should be pixelated just for existing.

“Haha, people say that a lot, but it’s purely a coincidence. So, what are you up to, Uemura?”

“Sorry, but I don’t have time to chat. I’m in a bit of a hurry.”

“Are you looking for Kojima Aki, by any chance?”

“How do you know that?”

I was about to head towards Haisunadai when Saeba-san mentioned Kojima-san’s full name, startling me.

“Well, someone we owe a favor to suddenly asked us to ensure Kojima-chan’s safety. So we’re heading to the Kanto Loam Apartments in Haisunadai.”

“Why not use a patrol car?”

“It was a sudden request, and it was quicker to come directly.”

Saeba-san explained the situation. What a helpful guy.

But someone they owe a favor to… could it be…

…Never mind. Now’s not the time to get distracted by that.

“Then, since you're officers, you know the exact location, right? Could you guide me there?”

“Oh, a citizen asking us for directions! As officers of the law, we can’t refuse.”

“There’s something off about how you say ‘officer.’ You guys are more like sweepers.”

“Don’t sweat the details. Let’s get moving.”

“Oh, he’s dodging the question.”

I’m not sure if these guys are reliable, but my respect for Misa-san’s wide connections just skyrocketed.

From now on, I’ll never go against Misa-san. Decision made.

—

After some time, we finally arrived at Kanto Loam Apartments.

But now, another problem arises.

“Which room is Kojima-san's?”

I glanced at the officers, but they just shook their heads.

“Now that you mention it, we didn’t ask.”

“Nowadays, there aren't any nameplates or anything.”

The apartment has two floors and eight rooms. What should I do now? The answer is obvious.

“Guess we’ll have to go door-to-door.”

“It looks like it.”

“Hold on a sec.”

Makimura squatted down and started examining the ground.

“What’s up, Maki-chan?”

“These footprints… someone stepped on wet soil before the stairs. They’re semi-dry now.”

“Oh, you’re right. They lead to the second floor. Let's follow them.”

The three of us followed the footprints to room 203. The light inside was on.

Listening closely, I heard a faint voice.

“Stop it…”

I recognized that weak voice, one I wished never to hear again.

“I’m pretty sure this is it.”

Bingo. But of course, the door’s locked.

Knocking probably won’t get a response. Now what?