Chapter 5: Some People Are Simply Too Eager to Improve

Ayase looked at Hidenobu Aoyama. "Speak."

"The gun has been missing for three days. Why is the officer who lost it only being suspended today?" Aoyama asked.

According to Japanese law, most officers are required to carry a firearm while on duty, but they are only allowed five bullets, with no spares. Except in special circumstances, they must return their guns at the end of their shift and are not permitted to take them home. Therefore, if a gun goes missing, the armory would discover the loss immediately, and the person responsible would be held accountable at once. How could it have been delayed for three days?

Clearly, there was more to this story.

After hearing Aoyama's question, Ayase was silent for a moment before replying. "Yamamoto Hiroshi, the officer who lost his gun, belongs to the Violent Crimes Investigation Division. He has a record of meritorious service. Section Chief Nakayama, wanting to protect his subordinate, spoke with the armory and covered for him. They thought that as long as the gun was found quickly, there would be no issue."

"But they didn't expect the gun to be used in a murder. Only then could he no longer conceal the fact that it was missing." As soon as Ayase finished, the young man on her right gave a cold snort and interjected with a sarcastic complaint, "Now everyone knows Nakayama is such a loyal boss willing to protect his subordinates, but we're the ones left to clean up this mess."

Aoyama glanced at him. The man looked about thirty, stood around 1.7 meters tall, with decent features. His name was Ryoichi Fujimoto, deputy head of the Firearms and Ammunition Division.

Aoyama recalled that Fujimoto seemed to be pursuing Ayase.

"That's enough, Deputy Fujimoto. Nakayama has been suspended and is awaiting further action. His situation is not for us to discuss." Though Ayase did not approve of Nakayama's actions, she felt uneasy, knowing she was also mutually covering for Aoyama. She was unwilling to continue this topic. "Any further questions?"

No one spoke. Fujimoto stayed silent as well. After all, if Nakayama hadn’t already been suspended and was about to be disciplined, Fujimoto would never have dared to complain openly.

"Here is the basic information on the victim. Someone, please hand these out for everyone to review." Ayase passed a stack of files to the person beside her.

Aoyama soon received a copy.

The victim's name was Takeo Nohara, male, thirty-five, residing at 1-5-6 Kita-Shinjuku, married, and the owner of a financial company—which in reality meant he was a loan shark.

Although the bubble economy had burst, many Japanese were still attached to their high-spending habits developed in the previous years. The surge in unemployment meant that many had to rely on loans to get by, causing lending companies to proliferate like mushrooms after rain.

Japan was also the first Asian country to introduce consumer credit. Before 2000, legal consumer loan interest rates could reach as high as thirty percent, with loan sharks charging even more. This was a heyday for lending companies.

The result was thousands taking their own lives every year, unable to repay their debts—a macabre testament to the "effectiveness" of these loan companies.

"If there are no further questions, then those not currently assigned to major cases will be split into two groups. Deputy Fujimoto, you'll lead the first team to review surveillance footage around the crime scene and canvass for witnesses. I will take charge of the second group to investigate the victim's personal relationships and to question Yamamoto Hiroshi." Ayase glanced at Aoyama, then turned to Fujimoto. "Deputy Fujimoto, your task is heavier, so you'll take the available personnel. Detective Aoyama will accompany me."

Although Shinjuku Police Station was now the largest in Japan, manpower was still stretched thin.

"Yes, ma'am!" Everyone bowed their heads in unison.

Ayase straightened, bowed to the group, and raised her voice. "I’m counting on all of you. Please give your best effort and solve this case quickly."

"Yes, ma'am!" came the collective reply.

Ayase was the first to leave, followed closely by Aoyama. Only then did the others look up.

As they watched Aoyama’s retreating figure, there was envy in their eyes. He was the current favorite of their superior, and, being one of the few from the professional track, his future prospects were undoubtedly bright.

"Detective Aoyama truly lives up to his reputation as an elite from the professional track. Even if he has temporarily fallen on hard times, once given the chance, he’ll soar straight to the top."

"That’s right. With the superintendent’s favor, he might soon be reinstated and return to headquarters."

Only Fujimoto’s eyes were shadowed, his knuckles turning pale as he clenched his fists, glaring at Aoyama’s tall, imposing back with unconcealed resentment.

He was not from the professional track. His rise to the rank of chief inspector at thirty had been won at the cost of blood, sweat, and endless currying of favor, yet advancing further seemed almost impossible.

The ceiling for those not from the professional track was always there. At best, after a lifetime of service, he might retire with the rank of superintendent.

But Ryoichi Fujimoto was ambitious; he refused to accept such a fate. He longed for advancement, and the sudden appointment of Ayase six months ago rekindled his hopes.

His plan was to pursue Ayase, marry into the Ayase family, and take their name. If he succeeded, he might, with their support, shatter the glass ceiling for those outside the professional track, or perhaps find another path in politics.

Yet his efforts to win her over had gone nowhere. And now, out of nowhere, this Aoyama had appeared—someone Ayase clearly viewed with special interest—making Fujimoto feel as though his chance for an easy rise was slipping from his grasp.

He also deeply resented and envied people like Aoyama, who had come up through the professional track—because he himself was not one of them.

Just because he wasn’t from the professional track, no matter how hard he worked or how capable he was, leadership roles remained beyond his reach. Even though Aoyama had been demoted, his credentials meant he could always rise again. Was that fair?

Bang! Fujimoto slammed both hands down hard on the table, his body leaning forward, eyes wild with anger.

This world is full of injustice.

Everyone else was startled.

"Deputy... Deputy... Are you all right?"

"Hah!" Fujimoto snapped back to his senses, realizing his loss of composure. He took a deep breath, his face returning to normal, and said in a low voice, "A murderer who uses a police firearm is truly despicable. We must apprehend him as soon as possible. I hope you’ll all do your utmost. Drinks are on me once the case is closed."

"Yes, sir!"

...

"Drive. Let's first visit Yamamoto Hiroshi’s home."

Leaving the precinct, Ayase stopped in front of a red BMW sedan and tossed the keys to Aoyama.

"Yes, ma’am." In public, Aoyama always showed respect to his superior. He accepted the keys, opened the back door for her, and only after she was seated did he close it and take the driver’s seat. He started the car and drove out of the station.

As the vehicle glided smoothly along, Ayase offered a rare compliment. "Aoyama-kun, your driving is impressive."

"Many women have said the same," Aoyama replied modestly. His skill behind the wheel was undeniable—swift and steady, even checkpoint reviewers couldn't keep up with him.

Ayase, who had always been somewhat lacking in wit and knowledge, missed the subtext of his remark and moved the conversation back to business. "What’s your view on this case?"

"Given Nohara Takeo’s background, it could be a debt dispute, a personal vendetta, or a conflict of interest," Aoyama replied as he drove.

Every loan company, without exception, had underworld ties; even banks often sold off unrecoverable debts to yakuza for collection. Nohara’s own company would inevitably have had dealings with such groups.

That means there are countless possible motives for his death, and as many possibilities for the missing gun’s whereabouts. Recovering the weapon and apprehending the killer will be no easy task.