The day Koharu withdrew from the Thesis Competition, Chiaki headed to a meeting spot. She'd arranged to meet her online confidant, someone she'd been consulting for a while. Though wary of the risks, her lingering distrust of Tatsuya—despite his seeming kindness during their outing—drove her.
"Here, right?" Chiaki murmured, scanning the area.
It didn't feel dangerous, but the vibe was off-putting, somewhere she'd rather avoid.
"Excuse me, Hirakawa Chiaki-san?" a voice called.
"Huh?" she turned.
"First time meeting. I'm Zhou Gongjin," the man said with a charming smile.
"Zhou Gongjin-san?" Chiaki echoed.
"Just Zhou is fine."
They sat at a table in the back of the shop.
"So, your concern?" Zhou prompted.
Chiaki hesitated, then spoke. "My sister's accident… I think Shiba-kun might've known something. I'm confused."
"This Shiba-kun noticed the cause of your sister's confidence loss?" Zhou asked.
"He caught someone tampering with his sister's CAD on-site and stopped them," Chiaki said.
"Then he likely knew about your sister's case too," Zhou said, his tone suggestive. "And pretended he didn't."
"Why would he do that?" Chiaki asked, staring into Zhou's eyes, unaware she was falling under his subtle influence.
"To drive your sister to despair," Zhou said. "To prove his superiority. To show the world's judgment means nothing, your sister and her friend were sacrificed."
"But Shiba-kun told her not to quit school…" Chiaki protested weakly.
"He didn't want his prey to escape after pushing her to the edge," Zhou replied. "What do you want to do with him?"
Zhou, a master manipulator, stoked Chiaki's jealousy and vengeful impulses.
"If it's true, I want him to suffer like Onee-chan did," Chiaki said.
"I'll help," Zhou offered.
"But I can't do anything now," Chiaki said. "He's not doing anything critical, and I can't beat him in combat."
"Your sister withdrew from the competition, yes?" Zhou asked.
"Yeah…"
"Who's her replacement?"
Chiaki shook her head. "I don't know."
"Let me know when you find out," Zhou said.
"Okay…"
Zhou escorted her out, viewing her as a potential tool, one he'd nurture for its possibilities.
(Shiba… The one with that asset was called Shiba, wasn't it? Worth looking into.)
After parting, Zhou vanished without a trace, as if he'd never been there.
That night, as the date neared midnight, Yokohama's Yamashita Pier was alive with hushed activity.
"Why do we have to do this?" Chiba Toshikazu grumbled.
"It's our job, Inspector," Inagaki replied. "Do it properly."
"Easy for you to say, Inagaki," Toshikazu sighed. "I was about to go home, and now this?"
"Quit whining and move," Inagaki urged.
"I'm your boss!" Toshikazu protested.
"I'm older," Inagaki shot back.
The two detectives were there to catch hidden figures.
"That's the spot, huh?" Toshikazu said.
"Inspector, a ship!" Inagaki pointed.
"Can't let them escape there," Toshikazu said.
"Then do something!" Inagaki snapped.
"Me?" Toshikazu groaned.
"Come on!" Inagaki fumed. "You're the son of a swordmaster! Act like it!"
"Fine, fine… Feels like my sister's nagging me," Toshikazu muttered.
Reluctantly, Inspector Chiba Toshikazu unleashed a slash toward the ship.
"Inagaki, stop the ship?"
"I might sink it," Inagaki warned.
"It's fine. The chief'll take the blame," Toshikazu said.
"Not you, huh?" Inagaki quipped.
"Take the fall for their mess? I'd cry," Toshikazu said.
"Whatever…"
Ignoring Toshikazu's complaints, Inagaki activated magic to halt the ship.
"Nice work," Toshikazu said. "But we're shorthanded."
"Can't help it," Inagaki said. "Only magicians can counter magic-related crimes."
"There are others, but…" Toshikazu trailed off. "Empty ship."
"They slipped elsewhere," Inagaki said.
"What a waste," Toshikazu sighed. "Inagaki, you handle the report. I'm out."
"Inspector! You'll get another write-up if you don't report!" Inagaki warned.
"I didn't do anything wrong last time!" Toshikazu grumbled, dragged back to headquarters by his older subordinate, unable to slack off.
Their targets weren't far off but had relocated to Yokohama's Chinatown, greeted by a striking young man.
"Well done, Your Excellency Chen," Zhou said. "And everyone. Change and rest. Breakfast is prepared."
"Thanks, Zhou-sensei," Chen replied.
"Just doing my job," Zhou said with a sly smile.
Chen raised an eyebrow briefly, then lost interest. Behind him trailed illegal immigrants from a certain country. Zhou's role included receiving them and providing shelter.
"By the way, Chen," Zhou said. "The one with that asset—Shiba Sayuri, was it?"
"What about her?" Chen asked.
"Just a fortunate coincidence," Zhou said. "I've gained another card."
"Do as you like," Chen said. "But don't interfere."
"Understood."
Zhou replied curtly, awaiting Chiaki's intel. Days later, her information confirmed her usefulness as a pawn.
Note on Chiaki's Path: Chiaki's entanglement with Zhou risks dangerous consequences, her manipulated suspicions about Tatsuya deepening. Koharu's expanded role in the Disturbance Arc will likely intersect with this brewing plot, escalating tensions.
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