Chapter 89: The Reluctant Prosecutor Moonlighting as a High School Girl

“It’s him! It’s him! That’s the one!”

In front of the screen, a seasoned thief with ten years of experience shouted loudly, pointing with his handcuffed hands at a lean, pale-faced young man in a black tracksuit who appeared somewhat gloomy in the surveillance footage.

Seemingly fearing that Aoyama Hidenobu and the others might doubt him, he hurriedly added, “I was making my getaway around 3 a.m. after the theft. To avoid running into any residents, I took the stairs. When I got to the first floor, I saw him coming out of the elevator with a backpack on. I hid in the stairwell and watched him leave before I did.”

“That face was too pale to forget. In our line of work, it’s all about sharp eyes and skilled hands. I wouldn’t mistake him for anyone else—it’s definitely him!”

The thief’s confidence was understandable; helping the police solve the case would be a chance for him to redeem himself.

“Look into this person,” Asai Aya ordered.

“Yes, sir!” A policeman immediately turned and left.

Aoyama Hidenobu turned to the burly, bearded head of the Robbery Division 2 and extended his hand. “Inspector Ishida, I really appreciate your help. Without you, who knows when we’d have found this lead? When we solve the case, drinks are on me.”

“No need for thanks, Inspector Aoyama. We’re all colleagues here. If you ever come across information we need, I’m sure you’ll help us out too,” Ishida Tatsufumi replied with a hearty laugh, shaking Aoyama’s hand without a hint of formality.

“Absolutely,” Aoyama said.

As the Homicide Division 1 finally caught a lead and began their investigation, the morning news reported another woman had been murdered in Arakawa Ward the previous night, killed in the same manner as Masako Mikami.

Two consecutive murders in two days had Tokyo’s female citizens gripped by fear. This meant the copycat killer was striking repeatedly, and surely there would be a third. Everyone was afraid it might be their turn next.

“Inspector Asai, Inspector Aoyama, Prosecutor Konoe is here to see you,” Sakai Ryosai hurried over to report.

Asai Aya and Aoyama exchanged a glance, then excused themselves from Inspector Ishida and headed toward the office.

Just as they reached the door of Homicide Division 1, they saw Prosecutor Konoe Hane approaching through the glass, stepping forward to meet them.

“The murderer who killed my son must be Inoue Miya. That man has always believed that Fuji was responsible for his daughter’s death. It’s no surprise his wife went off the deep end after she died. We need to arrest him immediately!” Konoe declared.

It was clear he had also learned that the victim of last night’s rainy murder in Arakawa Ward was Inoue Miya’s wife, leading him to the same conclusion as Asai Aya.

“Prosecutor Konoe, please remain calm,” Asai said coolly, trying to soothe him. “What you’re saying is just speculation. There’s currently no evidence that Inoue Miya killed your son…”

“Baka yarō!” Konoe shouted furiously, glaring at Asai. “Why not just arrest him and let the trial decide?”

“He’s already disappeared. We’re trying to find him. Please wait for news at home,” Asai replied, holding back her anger.

“Disappeared?” Konoe’s eyes reddened with rage. Pointing at Asai, he cursed, “It’s because you idiots didn’t act sooner that he got away! Issue a wanted notice immediately! Dig up the whole city if you have to!”

“Prosecutor Konoe, how we conduct investigations is up to the police, not you,” Aoyama said, pulling Asai behind him and looking Konoe in the eye. “Besides, you have a conflict of interest in this case.”

Compared to Korean prosecutors, Japanese prosecutors wield far less power. Though they can, in theory, direct police investigations, the police can refuse if they have justified reasons. The police answer only to the Public Safety Commission.

“A conflict of interest?” Konoe sneered at the inspector who had been opposing him repeatedly since last night. “I’m not intervening as a prosecutor. I’m pleading with you as the victim’s father!”

“Oh really? Well, it doesn’t sound much like a plea,” Aoyama scoffed. “Or maybe you’ve gotten so used to ordering people around in your prosecutor’s role that you can’t help yourself?”

“Baka!” Konoe flew into a rage and raised his hand to slap Aoyama.

Aoyama caught his wrist calmly.

Everyone in the office behind them held their breath, intimidated by the tense scene.

Unflinching, Aoyama met Konoe’s glare head-on. “Prosecutor Konoe, are you trying to assault a police officer?”

Konoe stared, incredulous. He couldn’t fathom how a mere inspector dared to challenge him.

“Hmph! I think your department isn’t fit to investigate this case!” Konoe said, wrenching his hand free and turning on his heel.

Aoyama bowed politely. “Take care.”

Konoe did not leave the Metropolitan Police Headquarters but went straight to Chief Inspector Hattori’s office. Without preamble, he said, “Chief Hattori, transfer the police handling my son’s murder to Homicide Division 2.”

“Prosecutor Konoe, Inspectors Asai and Aoyama are excellent officers. I’m sure they’ll catch the killer soon,” Hattori replied cautiously, unaware of the conflict.

Konoe sneered. “I doubt their professionalism. Chief Hattori, this is a small matter. You’ll do me this favor, won’t you?”

“This…” Hattori hesitated, then said, “Prosecutor Konoe, unless they make a mistake or voluntarily hand over the case, I cannot make that change.”

Konoe was stunned. Since his son’s death, the police headquarters seemed to have changed. Why was everyone suddenly disrespecting him?

“Inspector Asai’s full name is Asai Aya,” Hattori reminded him, emphasizing her surname.

No matter who worked the case, the credit would go to her and her leadership. He wasn’t foolish enough to offend Asai just to appease Konoe.

He was also displeased by Konoe’s commanding tone interfering with investigations within the department.

This was Hattori’s division!

Konoe suddenly understood Asai’s position. Feeling both frustrated and resigned, he composed himself and said politely, “Chief Hattori, please encourage Inspector Asai to be more diligent.”

Though a prosecutor, Konoe’s connections at the Prosecutor’s Office paled in comparison to the Asai family’s influence.

After all, he had only labored a few years.

The Asai family had been prominent for generations.

“Understood,” Hattori replied. “I sympathize with your loss, Prosecutor Konoe. Please accept my condolences. I will have them focus on this case. We will inform you of any developments immediately. You can rest assured.”

Konoe nodded and turned to leave.

…

After work that evening, Aoyama Hidenobu did not go straight home but drove to a flower shop to pick up his sister-in-law.

Parking by the curb, he entered the shop and found not only his sister-in-law but also a tall young girl.

She looked about seventeen or eighteen, much taller than Aoyama Haruko. Her short hair was neatly styled, tips slightly curled upward. Her facial features were clear-cut, blending youthful sweetness and purity with a touch of mature grace. Her pink short-sleeved shirt subtly outlined her healthy upper body curves, and her blue skinny jeans hugged her long, well-proportioned legs, giving her a vibrant presence.

“Hello, looking to buy flowers?” the girl greeted Aoyama with a slight bow.

“Ah! Hidenobu, you’re here,” Haruko turned and put down the flowers she was holding, approaching him.

“Sis, who is she?” Aoyama asked, pointing at the young woman with curiosity.

Before Haruko could answer, the girl bowed politely. “My name is Uchida Yuki. I recently started working part-time here. Please take care of me.”

The moment Aoyama heard the name, he recognized her. He first knew this woman from watching Crayon Shin-chan in a previous life.

Indeed, Shin-chan’s taste was always trustworthy.

Uchida Yuki was truly young and fresh—so tender it seemed one could squeeze water out of her.

“I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before,” Aoyama said tentatively.

“Hi!” Yuki smiled sweetly. “I do some part-time modeling and take advertising photos. Maybe you’ve seen me by chance.”

Aspiring to become a big star like her idol Nakayama Mie, she had just dropped out of her second year of high school this year. Her career was not going smoothly. Having grown independent due to her parents’ divorce, she didn’t want to ask her family for money and therefore juggled multiple jobs.

She didn’t yet know that by the end of the year, she would find success and be chosen for her first starring role.

“I see. Miss Uchida, you’re young but very capable,” Aoyama said with a look of realization, smiling in praise.

“You flatter me. Please just call me Yuki,” Uchida replied bashfully, then looked at Haruko. “Shall I get back to work?”

“No need, Yuki. You can leave early today,” Haruko said with a gentle smile.

“Really?” Yuki was momentarily stunned, then gratefully responded, “Thank you, Haruko-nee-san. I’ll be off then. See you tomorrow.”

She bowed again to Aoyama and hurried out of the flower shop.

Aoyama watched her youthful figure disappear into the crowd, still lingering in his thoughts.

Reborn in Japan, he wanted to meet all the famous actresses from his past life, but unfortunately, his current status was too low. Plus, he was focused on promotions and salary raises, unwilling to waste time chasing women.

So for now, he could only admire from afar.

Seeing Uchida Yuki today only strengthened his desire to improve. When he reached a high position of power, there would be plenty of popular actresses eager—whether actively or passively—to climb into his bed and use every means to please him.

Reborn and chasing actresses? No.

Reborn and striving to advance, waiting for actresses to come to him? Yes.

“Sis, shall we head home?” Aoyama pulled his gaze back and asked Haruko.

“Wait!” Haruko turned, holding a bunch of bright flowers and smiled as she handed them to Aoyama. “Look, Hidenobu, aren’t these beautiful?”

Sis, I can’t see through your skirt either!

“They’re beautiful. You’re truly a master of flower arrangement,” Aoyama said seriously.

Haruko smiled radiantly and stuffed the flowers into his arms. “Then they’re yours!”

Aoyama hadn’t expected that the first time a woman gave him flowers, it would be from his sister-in-law.

“Let’s go home,” Haruko declared.

At the same time, Nakayama Naka, head of the Sex Crimes Division 2, was also on his way home—unaware that Inoue Miya was already waiting at his house.