Chapter 13: Words That Astonish, Or I Shall Not Rest (Vote for Monthly Ticket!)

“Please, madam, do get up quickly.” Akira Aoyama helped Noriko Nohara onto the sofa, his tone righteous and resolute. “As a police officer, it is my duty to bring lawbreakers to justice. Since you are willing to cooperate, I will not rest until evil is vanquished!”

“Mr. Aoyama, you truly are a good man.” Noriko Nohara was moved to tears, sniffling as she tried to compose herself. “Please, tell me how I can help.”

“You need to arrange a meeting with Akihiro Nakayama… first like this, then like that.” Akira Aoyama began to explain, speaking in measured, careful detail.

After hearing his plan, Noriko Nohara hesitated, pressing her knees together, anxious and uncertain, and tentatively asked, “Is… is this actually legal?”

Something about it didn’t feel like standard police procedure, and her reason urged her to refuse.

“Mrs. Nohara, of course it’s legal—how could I, a police officer, possibly break the law?” Akira Aoyama gave her a gentle smile. “Please, don’t worry.”

Noriko Nohara wanted to point out that both Akihiro Nakayama and Hiroshi Yamamoto were police officers too, but then realized that comparing the upright Mr. Aoyama to those two would insult his noble character. She swallowed her words and chose to trust him, nodding softly.

“Then I leave everything in your hands, madam. Let us join forces and bring Akihiro Nakayama, that scoundrel, the punishment he deserves!” Akira Aoyama rose, his expression solemn, and offered a deep, respectful bow.

Noriko Nohara, swept up by his fervor, felt a rush of warmth throughout her body, her breath quickening. She hurriedly stood and returned his bow with vigor. “Yes!”

“Farewell, then. I will await your good news, madam—I am certain you will not disappoint me.” Akira Aoyama lifted his head with a slight smile before turning to depart.

Leaving the Nohara residence, Akira Aoyama continued his investigation into Akihiro Nakayama, throwing himself into his work with tireless energy.

By the time evening came, after nine o’clock, he hurried back to the police station. When he entered the department chief’s office, Ryoichi Fujimoto and Aya Asai were already waiting for him.

Now that they were all in the same boat, Ryoichi Fujimoto, for once, refrained from mocking his tardiness. Instead, he breathed a genuine sigh of relief, stood, and said, “Detective Aoyama, you’re finally here. Let’s update each other on our investigation progress—I’ll go first.”

“Hiroshi Yamamoto didn’t lie about everything. I spoke to a few yakuza who keep an eye on the casinos, and it’s true he’s been there gambling many times. He’s borrowed money from several loan companies, but Nohara Finance Corporation has no records of his loans. Even though he claims his loan contract was destroyed, the loan information should have remained.”

“According to the forensic report, Nohara Daito’s time of death was between nine and eleven that night. Yamamoto wasn’t at home during those hours; his own statement says he went to see Nohara Daito. But his neighbor says he left home around seven, which doesn’t match his story. That proves he’s lying!”

Ryoichi Fujimoto rattled off his findings in one breath, then gulped down a glass of water and wiped his mouth. “Time was short, so this is all I found. But it’s not enough to prove Nakayama’s involvement in the murder.”

Despite his modest words, the sheer amount of valuable information gathered in just one day impressed Akira Aoyama. It seemed Fujimoto had deep connections in the underworld and knew all sorts of people.

“When I visited the Nohara house, I happened to run into Detective Konichi Yanagawa from the criminal division. He was sent by Nakayama, supposedly investigating, but actually searching for Nohara Daito’s secret ledger.” Akira Aoyama’s words immediately sharpened the attention of both Fujimoto and Asai.

His ability to extract information was clearly remarkable.

Akira Aoyama continued, “And according to Mrs. Nohara, Daito had dealings with Nakayama while he was alive—clearly a tale of a loan shark colluding with a crooked cop, both profiting together.”

“I also discovered Nakayama’s wife is in America with their child. The family’s only source of income is Nakayama himself, yet they live in comfort, and he has enough extra money to support his colleagues and win their loyalty. Most likely, he’s secretly profiting from Nohara Finance Corporation.”

“As for motive? There are plenty—maybe Daito threatened him with that ledger, or perhaps he was dissatisfied with how their profits were divided. Either way, we can now be fairly certain Nakayama is the true culprit behind it all.”

“But we still have no evidence,” Aya Asai pointed out succinctly. Without a confession from Nakayama, they had no grounds to arrest him.

Ryoichi Fujimoto, ever the go-getter and never one to succumb to despair, said with renewed vigor, “With this information, we’ll definitely find the evidence if we keep digging!”

“It’s too late,” Aya Asai shook her head.

Both Akira Aoyama and Ryoichi Fujimoto froze.

Leaning against the desk, her shapely figure barely resting on its edge, Aya Asai pressed her luscious lips together and spoke softly, “This afternoon, someone from the Metropolitan Police headquarters inquired about the case, said its nature was too egregious. Since the perpetrator has already confessed and been sentenced, they suggest my father should submit the case for prosecution tomorrow and close it. Before the public outcry grows, the police will announce the matter themselves, creating an image of swift, decisive action against internal corruption.”

“Damn it!” Ryoichi Fujimoto slammed his fist onto the desk, gritting his teeth. “That Nakayama bastard must have pulled strings with his superiors.”

He hated those with connections—because he had none himself!

“In that case, let’s arrest Nakayama tomorrow,” Akira Aoyama declared, calm as ever.

Both Fujimoto and Asai stared at him in disbelief, uncertain if he had misspoken or if they had simply heard wrong.

Akira Aoyama met their gaze and repeated, unflinching, “Tomorrow, we arrest Nakayama.”

“Are you insane?” Aya Asai burst out. Recalling the way he had coerced her in the basement, she realized he really was capable of anything. She rushed to his side, shouting, “Do you know what you’re saying? Arresting Nakayama is easy, but what happens afterward?”

Without evidence to convict Nakayama, arresting him without cause would only leave them in a vulnerable position.

“The madman here is Nakayama. To deal with a madman, you have to be even crazier.” Akira Aoyama smiled faintly, serene and composed. “From now on, leave everything to me.”

“No!” Aya Asai protested.

Akira Aoyama’s expression turned cold. “Remember your place. You’re not in a position to say no to me.”

Ryoichi Fujimoto was dumbstruck.

But the real shock came next.

Aya Asai, clearly furious, merely bit her lip and silently fumed—she didn’t dare say another word.

Ryoichi Fujimoto was left bewildered, swept up in confusion. He only wanted to take the easy road, but Akira Aoyama was forcing his way through every obstacle!

“Well, since there are no more objections, it’s settled,” Akira Aoyama concluded.

Only then did Ryoichi Fujimoto regain his senses. Facing someone who dared to arrest a superior without evidence, he no longer had any bravado, and meekly raised his hand. “Shouldn’t you ask my opinion…?”

“Is your father a commissioner?” Akira Aoyama looked at him sincerely.

Fujimoto shook his head. “No.”

“Then your opinion doesn’t matter.” Akira Aoyama smiled warmly, though his words cut deep.

Fujimoto’s face flushed with frustration. He wanted to retort, “Don’t be so smug—my father is trying his best!”

………………………

Meanwhile, Akihiro Nakayama, dressed smartly in a suit, arrived at the family café, confused by the invitation.

The café was empty, devoid of customers.

After giving Mrs. Nohara’s name, he was led by the waitress to a window seat.

“Section Chief Nakayama.” Mrs. Nohara, who had been waiting for some time, forced herself to stand and greet him despite her nerves.

Nakayama immediately saw through her forced composure, sitting down calmly and taking the lead. “I wonder, Mrs. Nohara, why you’ve invited me here? We don’t seem to have any dealings with each other.”

“We may not, but you and my husband certainly did,” Noriko Nohara replied.

Nakayama’s eyes narrowed. He waved the waitress away and stared intently at Noriko.

From what he knew, Nohara Daito doted on his wife so much that he never let her get involved in business matters. But now, it seemed that wasn’t entirely true.

Nakayama’s gaze was intense, and Noriko’s body tensed. She lowered her head, stirring her coffee to avoid his eyes. “I wasn’t very familiar with the family business, but your recent attempt to find the ledger at my house reminded me. While sorting through my late husband’s belongings, I found something I think Section Chief Nakayama would be very interested in.”

Nakayama’s breath caught. Noriko’s trembling composure didn’t seem like she was lying, and he dared not take the risk.