Chapter 310 - Crisis
(1)
"I'm sorry! We're reflecting on it too."
Watanabe-kun stood up and bowed his head.
I watched Watanabe-kun while eating.
"I heard the situation from Miyuki-senpai. It can't be helped. We understand too."
Manabe-kun said.
"Toya-kun, shouldn't you say something too?"
Airi said.
"It was me who formed the other group. I also bear responsibility."
Makoto apologized.
"Well, I was the one who steered things that way, though."
I said.
"Isn't there an apology from Katagiri-senpai?"
Saki-san said.
"It was a snap decision, and there was no time or leeway to explain. It's just an excuse, but I do feel bad about it."
However, without doing that, rescuing Akira-san would have been impossible. I needed to make an appeal that I hadn't done anything. I explained it that way.
In hindsight, I couldn't do anything anyway.
"I'm the leader of Unity. I'll take responsibility for all decisions. Otherwise, Toya can't move freely."
Watanabe-kun said.
"Us... what's going to happen to us from now on? Are we still going to be targeted? As long as we're in Unity?"
"That's why we have SPs on you, isn't it?"
"But even those SPs are no match for them, right?"
It was when Manabe-kun and Emi-san were arguing.
There was Sakura-san, who slammed the table with a bang!
"Hey, Manabe-kun, isn't it strange that you guys try to rely on others for everything~? Even Haruto took time off from his part-time job to receive training~ If you recognize yourselves as involved parties, why didn't you receive it~?"
"We have jobs too, and..."
"Watanabe-senpai and Haruto took time off their part-time jobs to receive it~. ...It must be nice and easy, just being protected."
Sakura-san said.
Manabe-kun couldn't say anything anymore.
"The fight will continue from now on! Anyone who's chickened out, get out now!"
Mika-san made things more complicated.
By the way, this is an izakaya.
There are only so many places on a weekend where this many people can gather.
One week since the attack by Jackal and his group.
Their jabs still continue.
Letters are being put in each of their houses, and they are being blatantly tailed.
But they don't make a move.
It was clear their aim was to stir up anxiety among Unity's members and whittle down their strength.
Everyone is wavering like this.
We have to take some countermeasures.
That's why we all gathered today.
But as expected, we're split between the combat faction and the non-combat faction.
I listened to that exchange while eating rolled omelette.
"What Mika says is an extreme argument. We're not a gang or anything like that. Manabe-kun's opinion is correct in principle."
"But being left to do nothing about it isn't fun either, right?"
Watanabe-kun and Kosei said.
"Even a middle schooler like Kosei is showing a will to fight! Don't you think it's pathetic!?"
Kanna said.
"Please don't misunderstand the issue. We also have the will to fight. The problem this time is that you kept things hidden from us."
Saki-san said.
Lately, I've also taken an interest in the combination of beer and fried chicken. This is pretty good.
The long-awaited mizutaki hot pot arrived. This is delicious too.
A perfect menu for the cold season.
"That's why I said I felt bad about it. But there was no other way. I want you to understand that."
"I think it couldn't be helped because I had my smartphone taken away. If we all went to the other group, it would look suspicious, right? To deceive the enemy, you must first deceive your allies. That's what Katagiri-kun's action meant."
Watanabe-kun and Akira-san explained.
I don't think they're the kind of people to stay quiet after hearing that, though.
Airi took ingredients from the pot for me.
I ate them. The finishing touch has to be champon noodles.
"Katagiri-senpai, instead of just eating, please say something."
"Toya, it's strange that you have nothing to say. It was originally your decision, right?"
I answered while eating yakitori.
"Fate is cruel. Yet fear her not, for the goddess never smiles upon those who do not fight."
We have already boarded a train where getting off midway is not permitted.
"Everyone, fight, for you are not powerless forever. To reclaim our capricious fate and future."
There are different ways to fight. But we can't just be unresisting. We have to fight; we mustn't give up.
"Sorry, but give me everyone's lives."
Poke.
"That's why I keep telling you to stop mimicking anime lines! Everyone is talking seriously here!"
I was scolded by Airi.
"I'm fine with it! I entrust my life to Toya-senpai!"
"We've said it many times too. We entrust the future to Unity... to Katagiri-senpai."
"We're the same. It's as good as having our lives saved by Katagiri-kun. We entrust our lives to Katagiri-kun."
Haruto, Nishimatsu-kun, Kamenashi-kun, and the other four said.
Everyone else seemed the same.
"Don't worry, I don't actually intend to let anyone die."
I said with a laugh.
"Excuse me, sir... This was ordered by another customer..."
What the waiter brought was duck soup.
"Another customer?"
I asked.
"Well, they already paid and left..."
It's Jackal. I can't think of anyone other than Jackal who would do something like this.
If so, they probably wouldn't use a cheap trick like poisoning it.
"Thank you very much."
When I said that to the waiter, he said, "It will be time for last orders for drinks soon."
"I'll have a highball," I ordered, and everyone ordered their own drinks.
And then I ate the duck soup.
It seems champon is the best for the finish after all.
Everyone was watching me worriedly.
"It doesn't seem to be poisoned," I answered with a laugh.
"Why do you bite at anything edible you see!?"
I got scolded by Kanna.
"Jackal wouldn't use such a cheap trick."
"Jackal!?"
Akira-san repeated.
"It's probably a threat to let us know they're constantly watching us."
I explained that there was probably meaning in sending the duck as well.
"What do we do? Spring another trap?"
Watanabe-kun asked.
"No, let's all party tonight. It's rare that we're all gathered."
Tomorrow is a day off too.
After that, we enjoyed the second party at karaoke.
Manabe-kun and the others were still tense.
Wondering if they themselves would be targeted.
Well, I can't blame them.
While Ai-san and the others were singing, I offered drinks to Manabe-kun and the others.
"Is this really the time for this?"
Manabe-kun said.
"It's precisely because of this situation that we party. Nothing starts if we just get gloomy. That's playing into the enemy's hands. So we won't cry. We'll laugh."
"Katagiri-senpai is strong..."
"That's not true... I'm weak. That's why I struggle. I hate letting them have their way."
"Is there anything we can do?"
"For now, let's party. Party to the fullest. Party until the light shines. Then you'll feel better."
Saying that, I offered Manabe-kun a drink.
Manabe-kun downed it in one go.
"Let me tell you, I have a hollow leg."
"That's how it should be."
When I said that, Manabe-kun laughed.
"What's this!? A drinking contest!? Then we're joining in too!"
Kanna and Mika-san joined in.
Let's party precisely because it's a time like this.
Even if it's just false cheer.
Because someday, the time will come when we can truly laugh.
(2)
"Welcome back, Allen."
"I'm home, everyone."
Allen was embracing everyone.
Then they raised a toast.
Allen had returned.
That meant the complete regeneration of the Nine-Tailed Fox.
I also drank the toast.
"So, what's the current situation?"
"It hasn't changed. I'm sorry, but..."
"There's no need to rush. If we rush, we'll fail again."
When Allen said that, Viper relaxed.
"What are we going to do from here, Allen-san?"
I asked Allen.
"So you're Jackal... You seem like a quite capable warrior."
Allen looked at me and said.
"Not as much as Viper."
"Don't be modest. I've heard about your and X's exploits."
"So, what are we going to do from here?"
"For a while, we'll help the Sudo Group with their games. There are no instructions from the Moon either."
The Moon?
"What is this 'Moon'?"
"The ruler of the night that illuminates the darkness."
"I don't really get what you mean, but is it higher up than the Sun Knights?"
"You don't need to know that."
It's probably best to obediently follow here.
"Understood. I'll do as you say. I've got my own plaything now anyway."
"I'm glad you're a reasonable guy."
"Jackal, it's about time. They're moving."
"Well, that's how it is, Allen. I have to get moving now."
"Be careful not to play with fire."
"I know."
Saying that, I leave the building with X.
"Can we trust that guy?"
X asked.
"We'd better look into this 'Moon' thing for now."
"Got it."
And then we head towards the next target.
The next target is...
(3)
The car repair is done, and today I pick it up.
Until then, I was commuting to school with a loaner car.
The repair cost was high, but since it was an accident during a mission, Emi's company paid for it.
"You might as well just buy a new car. You'd want to drive something better, right?"
Emi said.
"It's the first car I ever bought. I have a certain attachment to it."
"Is that how it is?"
Emi didn't seem interested.
"So, what are we doing today?"
Emi asked.
Today is a day off for everyone.
I don't have any particular plans.
There isn't much we can do on a day like this.
"I was thinking of going for a drive, partly as a test run."
"Then I'll go get changed."
Saying that, Emi went to the bedroom.
While Emi was getting ready, I cleaned my handgun.
I remember that night.
An opponent that even with Katagiri-kun and me working together, we couldn't capture.
I had heard about it from Katagiri-kun.
That there was a provocation that night.
I thought while assembling the gun.
How can we beat those guys?
I need to get stronger.
Should I receive special training during spring break?
But I'll have to start job hunting soon.
Oh, right, I already have a job lined up at Emi's company.
Emi's preparations to go out were done.
We left the house.
"Mountains or sea, which is better?"
"I'll leave it to the driver."
"Then we'll go to both."
Saying that, I started the car.
"Is it okay if we stop by my parents' house?"
"What's up?"
"I was thinking of inviting Kosei and Naru too."
"I see."
We stopped by Emi's parents' house and picked up Kosei and Naru.
"Sorry. It was supposed to be your date, wasn't it?"
"I invited them, so don't worry about it."
Kosei and Emi were talking.
"It's eerie, too peaceful to be normal..."
Naru muttered.
"Isn't peace fine? It's way better than dangerous days."
"That's true, but... it's like the calm before the storm..."
Naru said that and then fell silent.
We went to the mountains and then went to see the sea.
On the way back, we stopped by Blue Bird.
At Blue Bird, Sakai-kun, Ichinose-san, Nakajima-kun, and Akira-san were there.
"Working part-time today too? That's tough."
"I know, right? Well, it's nice to have the time to work part-time in peace."
Akira-san said.
"I hope this peace continues."
It was just when Ichinose-san said that.
Jingle jangle.
An unfamiliar man entered the shop.
"One blended coffee, please."
The man ordered coffee.
Sakai-kun brought the coffee.
He savored the coffee leisurely and calmly.
"Is it okay to smoke in this shop?"
"Ah, go ahead. I'll bring an ashtray right away."
Ichinose-san brought an ashtray.
Sakai-kun was also on guard, as if sensing something.
I couldn't take my eyes off him either.
I've seen this person somewhere before...
Where?
When I remembered, I instinctively reached into my pocket.
Then the man said, without looking my way.
"I just came to enjoy some coffee today. If you pull that out, this old man will have to get serious. Put it away."
Everyone couldn't grasp the situation.
"Everyone, this guy is Viper!"
When I shouted, everyone looked at the man.
"Excellent observational skills. Impressive. Hedgehog... and Death. But you guys are showing too much wariness. That'll let your presence be read."
Everyone's movements stopped.
"So, what does this Viper want?"
Akira-san said.
"Well, since I've been seen through, I suppose I'll call a few friends."
Saying that, the man made a phone call.
Jingle jangle.
Three men entered.
Jackal, a man with a laptop PC... and one more person?
"This is Allen Smilkov. The founder of the Nine-Tailed Fox."
When Viper introduced him, the man with the laptop PC also introduced himself.
"You can call me X."
Emi, drinking her tea without looking our way, was contacting everyone.
"What's the meaning of big shots coming in a group like this?"
Akira-san asked.
"Is it wrong to come to enjoy some coffee?"
"Is it that good? Then how about a cup for us too?"
Jackal said.
Sakai-kun prepared three coffees.
"Hoh, this is indeed good."
Jackal was savoring the taste of the coffee.
Allen and X were the same.
"So, after you drink the coffee, are we going to have a shootout?"
When Akira-san asked, Viper laughed.
"I have no such intention. I just wanted to observe what kind of opponents you are. I didn't expect someone who remembered my face to be here."
"It's not just going to end with you enjoying the coffee, is it?"
Emi said.
"This is a good shop. I won't do anything to ruin the atmosphere."
Jackal said with a laugh.
"We plan to leave soon. Don't worry."
Viper said.
"But the next time we meet, we'll be enemies. I won't hold back."
"You just came to say 'let's fight'? That's quite some confidence."
Emi said.
"I'd rather not meet you if possible. But if you insist on getting in our client's way, we'll have no choice but to deal with you."
"Who is the client? The Sudo Group?"
"Sharp."
"What's your goal?"
"Unfortunately, we also have a duty of confidentiality. I can't answer that question."
"Did you think we'd just let you leave after revealing your identity?"
"I don't want to fight here. It would ruin the atmosphere of this nice shop."
"We are professionals. We don't fight outside of work. We just came to enjoy ourselves today."
Allen said. This person is probably a professional too.
At least three of the enemies are professionals. I don't know X's combat ability, but even so, the current situation creates a numerical disadvantage.
Emi and Akira-san aside, Nakajima-kun and the others are defenseless.
For example, if a gun were pointed at Nakajima-kun and the others, it would be over right there.
These people would probably shoot without hesitation.
"Shall we get going, Viper?"
When Allen, who had finished his coffee, stood up, the other four also stood.
They paid the bill and left the shop.
"Well then, I look forward to our next meeting, Hedgehog."
Viper left those words behind and left the shop.
We also returned to our seats.
"Why didn't you make a move?"
"It wasn't that we didn't make a move, we couldn't... That's right, Ishihara-kun."
When Emi said that, Sakai-kun answered.
Sakai-kun is right. We couldn't make a move.
I didn't feel any killing intent, but they also showed no openings.
They seemed serious about not wanting to destroy the shop.
Emi received a call and was on the phone.
When she finished the call, she clicked her tongue.
"What's wrong?"
"I put a tail on them, but they shook it off cleanly."
"I figured as much..."
Because that guy Jackal's driving skills are on par with Katagiri-kun's.
Plus that combat ability. A troublesome opponent.
Are all the members of the Nine-Tailed Fox like that?
"What's going to happen to us from now on...?"
Honoka-san was frightened.
Nakajima-kun is calming her down for now.
What will happen from now on?
We didn't know that either.
The only clues are that they don't fight outside of work, and the client is the Sudo Group.
Did they come all this way just to tell us that?
Don't do anything? If we don't, they won't either.
Is that what they're trying to say?
"Maybe we should just pull out..."
Honoka-san said.
But Katagiri-kun and the others will probably fight.
To make them realize that messing with Unity isn't worth it.
They're probably searching for that method.
Don't let personal feelings interfere with the fight. Always stay calm!
Words my master told me.
Cast aside hesitation, don't be swayed by emotion, and cut off fear.
That's what I was taught.
"It's probably silent pressure. Telling us to back off from the Sudo Group..."
"So the Sudo Group equals the Nine-Tailed Fox?"
"I think that's correct."
I answered Akira-san.
The pressure we've been feeling up to now probably means the same thing.
The Sudo Group is plotting something.
Pressure to smooth over the current operation of Stinger?
A message from Katagiri-kun.
It's a group chat.
"Don't worry about it. It's fine to proceed as usual."
"That's easy for you to say! Could you stay calm if you were in the same situation!?"
Honoka-san was indignant. But...
"He has been in the same situation. That other night, he walked the line between life and death, one step away from dying. His own family members have been kidnapped too."
Emi said.
Honoka-san fell silent.
I didn't know how to talk to Honoka-san.
Because Honoka-san is also one of the victims.
"Honoka!"
It was Nakajima-kun who called out to her.
"I understand Honoka has been through terrible things, being kidnapped, having her parents hurt. But blaming Unity for it is wrong. You have to accept reality. You can't run anymore. We have no choice but to push through."
"You can say that because it doesn't involve you, Nakajima-kun!"
"It does involve me! Honoka is a victim whose important person was hurt. Not just that, everyone here has had their comrades hurt. There's no one in Unity so heartless as to treat it as something that doesn't involve them."
"It looks like we can't back out now."
Emi said.
"That's right. If we tuck our tails and run now, we'll cause trouble for everyone. More than anything, we won't be able to regain our peace."
Akira-san said.
"You still intend to continue?"
Honoka-san said.
"Of course!"
Emi and Akira-san said.
"...First, we need to find the tail of the Sudo Group, the Red Society."
When I said that, the three of them nodded.
Finding out the goal of the Sudo Group and the Red Society. That's not my job. It's Makoto-kun and the others' job.
I just faithfully carry out what I'm told.
But that tail still hasn't been found.
(4)
I can't believe it!
When I get home from my part-time job, there's no time to relax.
Every time the floorboard creaks, I flinch.
And then I breathe a sigh of relief when I hear the door of the next room open.
No matter what I do, I can't settle down.
Even watching TV doesn't distract me.
"Is everyone okay?"
"For now, yes."
"I'm fine."
"Are you okay, Honoka?"
There's no way I'm okay, but...
"Yeah, I'm fine."
Then a private chat arrived from Tosaka-san.
"It was a tough day today, wasn't it?"
"Yes..."
"You're scared, right? Terrified, right?"
"It must be nice for you, Tosaka-san. You have Katagiri-kun by your side."
"I'm scared too."
Huh?
"I'm scared thinking about what if Toya-kun gets hurt because of me, what if something happens to him."
I see... I'm scared thinking about what if Ryuji-kun gets hurt because of me.
I got an incoming call on my phone.
It was from Tosaka-san.
"Hello?"
"Toya-kun said you were probably all alone and scared, so I thought I'd call~. Are you okay?"
I poured out everything I was thinking to Tosaka-san.
Including my dissatisfaction with Unity.
"I thought that was probably the case."
I guess I can't hide anything from Tosaka-san.
"All the women feel the same way. We just think differently. Honoka, you think the same way as Manabe-kun, don't you?"
Manabe-kun?
"Because you don't want to lose something important, because you're afraid of losing it. That's why you're hesitating."
"Aren't you different, Tosaka-san?"
"I entrust my back to Toya-kun, I stay hidden behind him. In return, I support Toya-kun's back. So that he can jump out at the right timing, I put strength in my legs and stop my trembling, telling him I'm okay."
"Tosaka-san, you're strong."
"It's not a matter of being strong or weak. It's about state of mind."
"What do you mean?"
"I'd hate it if Toya-kun messed up his timing because of me. So I support him from behind. I send him off, telling him 'now's the time'."
"Are you saying I'm just dead weight?"
"Nakajima-kun's role isn't to jump out front. It's the same as Manabe-kun. He's the one who maintains Unity. Honoka is the same. You two just need to support Unity together."
Tosaka-san said that what Katagiri-kun fears most isn't himself getting hurt, but involving others, getting them injured, and causing Unity to fall apart.
"Probably, this is just the beginning. I think it will get more intense from here. If we can keep smiling then, it will be a strength for Unity."
Our role isn't to be frightened by unknown terrors.
It's to smile with hope for an unknown tomorrow.
Believing that Unity will win in the end.
Can even me and Manabe-kun be of help?
"Toya-kun said it. 'Let's win together.'"
"Yeah... let's win."
"Are you okay now?"
"Thank you..."
"Call me again if anything happens. I'll listen anytime. Our commander is having a tough time. He's always thinking about everyone."
"It's tough for you too, Tosaka-san."
"Hehe~. Well, talk to you later."
"Yeah, please tell him I'll treat him to Neapolitan pasta next time."
"Toya-kun will be happy. See you."
The call ended.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Who could it be?
When I opened the door, Ryuji-kun was standing there.
He had a lot of luggage.
"I'll be staying here for a while."
"Huh?"
"I can't leave you alone right now, Honoka. Let me stay here until this case is settled."
Ryuji-kun is thinking about me too.
I'll entrust my back to Ryuji-kun too.
Let's protect Unity together.
That's the best fight we can put up.
(5)
I was waiting outside for the children to come home.
It was about time for the school bus to arrive.
But there was still no sign of it.
I call, but it doesn't connect easily.
It finally connected.
"My Hikari and Akari haven't come home."
"Well..."
The teacher said.
The bus left long ago, but none of the children have returned.
My bad feeling became reality.
But there's also the case where the children came home while I was out and no one was home.
While I was frozen, unable to move, my husband called.
"Haven't Hikari and Akari come home!?"
"They haven't. What's wrong?"
"As I thought!"
"Hey, what do you mean 'as I thought'?"
My husband said.
An organized crime.
Kidnappings have occurred at most of the local kindergartens.
I collapsed on the spot.
"Hey, Mayumi! Are you okay!?"
"What's going to happen to the children...?"
"We're waiting for the other side's demands. We don't know what they're plotting."
What a senseless crime.
My head was in a whirl from fear and anger.
"It's only kindergartens with school buses. The goal is still unknown."
Just then, a fax arrived.
'If you mess with us, this is what happens. Unity.'
Unity. A group that has been causing a stir in society lately.
TV said it was just a group of friends.
I told my husband about it.
"That's probably a bluff! Unity isn't that kind of group!"
My husband seemed to know about Unity.
"But we've narrowed down the profile of the culprit. Thank you, Mayumi. I'll let you know if the investigation progresses."
Saying that, my husband hung up.
I cried and screamed.
It was when I pounded the floor.
I heard an explosion from the floor above.
Riiiiing...
The fire alarm went off.
I evacuated immediately.
The fire was put out in about an hour, but apparently that room was vacant.
No one knows who set the fire.
I told the firefighter that there was an explosion sound.
"Mayumi!!"
It was my husband!
I hugged my husband.
"Honey, what about Hikari and Akari!?"
"There haven't been any demands yet! More importantly, this fire!?"
"I don't know. There was a sudden explosion sound."
"Excuse me, let me through."
My husband headed to the scene.
About 30 minutes later, my husband returned.
Seeing my husband's grim expression, my instincts from when I was a policewoman came back.
"Unity again?"
"Yeah, we've been completely played."
"Honey, you said you'd narrowed down the profile of the culprit. Does it have something to do with Unity..."
"Yeah... It's probably the work of a hostile organization."
"A hostile organization?"
It was reported that both Egoist and Urbanity had been crushed.
Are there still hostile organizations?
I wanted to ask my husband, but he was on the phone with his boss.
"I just saw the scene. Written large on the wall was 'If you mess with us, this is what happens. Unity'..."
The exact same crime declaration.
"What about the Superintendent? Is it the same..."
The same...? Are the same incidents happening simultaneously?
I asked my husband after he finished his call.
"Yeah, there were nearly 20 similar explosions in total. It was written everywhere. The same message."
Apparently, they all targeted vacant rooms in similar apartment buildings.
It seems they were timed bombs.
I can guess how they got in.
They probably deactivated the auto-lock, entered the room, placed the bomb, left the message, and escaped.
If they can deactivate the auto-lock, the door lock is as good as nothing.
Since it's a timed bomb, alibis are practically meaningless.
You only know the time of detonation.
The only thing left is to painstakingly check security cameras for suspicious individuals.
Apparently, the group called Unity is capable of carrying out such painstaking investigations immediately.
(6)
"That's why it's not our fault!"
"Then whose fault is it!?"
"It's the police's job to investigate that!"
"False testimony will work against you later!?"
"Shouldn't you first prove that we did it? Don't tell me you're suspecting us just because of one message?"
"With no other clues, we have no choice but to suspect you."
"There are plenty of clues."
I was having this futile exchange with these two detectives.
After repeating the same thing for an hour and a half, I was getting irritated.
Just as I was reaching my limit, Superintendent Tosaka and Assistant Inspector Watase arrived.
"Release that kid right now."
"This is the jurisdiction of Minami Station. It would be a problem if you did something arbitrary."
"Say that after looking at the badge on that kid's chest."
I was wearing the badge I was told to always wear when I act.
Seeing the badge engraved with JSS and the cherry blossom crest, the two detectives released me immediately.
"Sorry for always troubling you..."
"I hear they used our name..."
"Yeah, they even left a crime declaration, how courteous of them."
"Masashi!!"
Mika, who was waiting at the entrance, rushed over.
"That took quite a while."
"Some old guys who wouldn't listen to reason."
"Cops are all like that, aren't they?"
Not a topic to discuss in front of two police officers.
"...So, what do you two intend to do from here?"
Superintendent Tosaka steered the conversation.
"Go home and discuss it with Toya and the others."
That said, rescuing the hostages is probably the top priority.
We can't just stand by while they even lay hands on little children.
Moreover, using our name is practically an act of picking a fight with us.
"...Don't do anything reckless. I'll make arrangements so as not to interfere with your 'investigation'."
"Thank you very much."
"...Normally, we should be the ones moving."
"Pressure from above?"
"The station chief said he would take personal command. Don't you think that's suspicious?"
Assistant Inspector Watase said.
It's completely shady.
"Watanabe-kun, actually, my two daughters are involved in this case. Please. Save them."
"Leave it to me."
"Leave it to us! If that's the case, we won't hold back either!"
After that, I went home with Mika.
On the way home, Mika also seemed to notice we were being tailed.
"Masashi..."
"I know."
We went straight home and parked the car in the parking lot.
When we got out of the car, men came out of two motorcycles and one car.
From the look of it, the man I heard about from Ishihara-kun isn't there.
I guess they don't need professionals for us.
"...They're looking down on us."
"Don't think you're going home in one piece."
Mika cracked her knuckles.
The other side's weapons are knives, blunt instruments, and a stun gun.
Six of them in total.
"It's my job to hold Mika back, but unfortunately, I'm in a bad mood too. Don't take it personally."
When the man silently waved his hand, all six attacked at once.
The martial art I learned at the end of last year is one that vows not to kill and incapacitates in one blow.
When someone thrusts a knife at me, I grab that hand and chop the elbow of the extended arm.
If you know where to hit, breaking an arm bone is easy.
Next, I dodge a blunt weapon being swung down with minimal movement, grab the opponent's head, and smash his jaw against my knee.
A man writhes on the ground, his jaw broken, bleeding.
The man with the stun gun was already scared and trying to flee.
Normally, I might have let him go, but unfortunately, I was in a bad mood today.
I grabbed him by the collar and threw him.
He crashed into the motorcycle they came on, and the motorcycle fell over.
As the man struggled, unable to move, I approached him...
"P-please, help me! I'll talk, I'll tell you anything!"
"You guys are from Stinger, aren't you?"
"That's right."
"We were aiming to ambush you as you left the police station and followed you."
"That's right."
"The Nine-Tailed Fox is acting separately, so they can't move."
"Just as you say."
"Your boss is the Sudo Group."
"No doubt about it."
"I see..."
I stomped on the man's arm and raised my other foot.
"Th-this isn't what we agreed on!"
"I never said I'd help you. I warned you I was in a bad mood."
When I stomped on his shoulder, a light cracking sound was followed by the man's scream.
By the time I had finished off three, I stopped Mika, who was single-handedly dealing with the remaining three.
All three were already unconscious.
I called the police.
A patrol car arrived, and they tried to arrest us too, but it seemed what Superintendent Tosaka said was true.
When I showed the badge I was wearing on my chest, the patrol car drove off without any punishment.
From now on, everyone should wear their badges when they act.
I made sure everyone understood that.
(7)
That evening, I was invited to dinner at the Tosaka residence.
My parents were there too.
I hope they're not going to bring out the marriage registration form again...
"Toya-kun, you know about today's incidents, right?"
The kidnapping incidents and the simultaneous bombings.
Messages hinting that Unity did both were left behind.
So that's what this is about.
I actually had something I wanted to ask about too.
"I know. I heard that Assistant Inspector Watase's children were also kidnapped."
"The chief of Chuo Station has taken personal command... Don't you think that's blatantly suspicious?"
"It is suspicious."
The Sun Knights are involved. I'm almost certain.
"The police investigation is stalled. So I'd like to ask you guys for help."
"Either way, they picked a fight with us. There's no reason to leave it alone."
"...I'm glad to hear you say that."
"Toya-kun~ Watase-san is a rookie detective that Papa likes~ Auntie is asking you too~"
"Understood."
They've helped us out too.
"As long as you're wearing that badge, you can move freely. The police can't stop you. I want to say 'act as you please'..."
"I won't let Airi do anything reckless."
"Not just Airi, you either... I've heard about it. I hear you clashed with the Nine-Tailed Fox."
"Yes... We were completely outclassed."
"Be grateful you weren't injured. Be careful. Don't make my daughter a widow."
"Understood."
After that, we ate, went home, took a bath, and while Airi was in the bath, I looked at my phone.
It seems Watanabe-kun was attacked right away. The Nine-Tailed Fox is acting separately. Are they probably involved in the kidnapping case?
Now, what to do from here.
Rescuing the hostages must be a priority.
But there's no contact, let alone any demands.
Makoto and Kosei are probably working hard to locate the hostages with the police.
I don't really understand the reason for the simultaneous bombings.
What they have in common is that the bombed buildings were high-rise apartments with auto-locks. And the messages on the walls claiming to be Unity.
The bombs used were of the same construction as the timed bomb brought to Blue Bird.
My intuition told me it was the work of the Red Society.
If it were the Nine-Tailed Fox's doing, it would be far too sloppy.
A message from Makoto.
"As you said, Toya, it's definitely the Red Society guys."
The decisive clue was that they were all wearing black suits and carrying black suitcases.
Next is locating the kidnappers.
Something has changed in Unity.
That is...
"I'll... ask around my friends. See if there's anyone connected to Stinger."
"I'll ask around too. My part-time job colleagues and such."
"Katagiri-kun, can you tell me the names of the apartments? I'll look into the owners."
Everyone has become cooperative.
But I say.
"Don't do anything reckless alone. The fox is sleeping for now, but we don't know when it might start rampaging."
"Got it."
"Understood."
I'll just accept everyone's goodwill for now.
"Toya-kun, sorry to keep you waiting~ I brought it~"
Airi brought a chu-hai.
"Any good ideas coming to mind, Commander?"
"Not yet. There are too few clues."
"Yeah~"
Airi was worrying with me.
There's no time to worry. Hostages are being held.
And there are no demands or anything.
"Emi-san doesn't happen to have a UAV, does she?"
There's no way she does, right?
"I can bring one out if needed. Is Predator okay?"
Oh, right, we have that.
"I think the location is probably limited. A place where they can park school buses for all the local kindergarten children."
"So we just need to find that."
"Yeah."
"I'll get ready right away."
"Thanks."
"Did you come up with an idea?"
Airi asked.
"Well, yeah."
"What kind of idea?"
"A way to force them to show their hand if they won't cut the cards."
"Rush them? Like 'hurry up and play~'..."
"...That might be good."
I sent a message.
"...Are you serious about doing that!?"
"It's worth a try."
"Got it... I'll arrange it right away."
I patted Airi on the head.
"As expected of Airi."
"Hehe~"
"Well, shall we go to sleep now?"
"Already going to sleep?"
"Let's sleep when we can."
"Okaaay~"
She seemed a little dissatisfied, but Airi obediently got into bed and fell fast asleep.
I also fell asleep.
I felt like I could overcome any crisis with Airi.
This incident will surely become the clue for Unity's counterattack.