Noda Court pointed out that Suzuki Junko and Asano Hirofumi had been coerced into confessing through torture, causing a huge uproar.
The public vehently criticized Suzuki Junko and Asano Hirofumi, and there were marches demanding severe punishnt for both.
But soon, as more "details" were revealed,
the winds of opinion began to change.
According to the police interrogation in Noda, it was revealed that only Asano Hirofumi had coerced confessions, not Suzuki Junko. He had fabricated her involvent just for revenge on the prosecutor who had charged him.
Four days later, on July 5th, the prosecution office responded to this controversy. After investigation, they confird that Suzuki Junko was completely deceived by Asano Hirofumi and had not participated in the torture. Her position was imdiately reinstated, but due to her negligence, she was fined three months’ bonus as disciplinary action.
At the sa ti, the Police Headquarters publicly disclosed the investigation results concerning Asano Hirofumi. His cris were heinous, including torture for confession and framing his superior, tainting his na even in death.
Only then did the matter truly co to rest.
Stepping into her office and looking at the familiar surroundings, it seed as if nothing had changed, but Suzuki Junko knew she had changed; the prosecutor once passionately committed to justice had disappeared in this controversy.
From now on, within her abilities, she would handle cases fairly and justly, but she wouldn’t be foolish enough to sacrifice everything for so-called justice anymore.
"How do you feel, quite a lot of thoughts, right?"
A familiar voice ca from behind.
Suzuki Junko instinctively turned around and saw Aoyama Xiu Xin, dressed sharply, holding a bouquet at the door.
"This is for you, congratulations on clearing your na and returning to your position," Aoyama Xiu Xin said with a smile, handing over the roses he had picked up from his sister-in-law’s flower shop.
Suzuki Junko looked at him with complicated eyes, took the flowers, and slling them, she said, "They sll good."
"Not as good as you sll," Aoyama Xiu Xin replied with a smile.
Suzuki Junko rolled her eyes. "Are you this slick with all won?"
She was wearing a black won’s suit, seemingly not fond of skirts, with trousers that outlined her shapely form, stirring desires.
"Not everyone gets this kind of treatnt from ," Aoyama Xiu Xin said, glancing at his watch before adding, "I have to leave for another engagent."
With that, he turned away and left without looking back.
Suzuki Junko was stunned for a mont; she hadn’t expected Aoyama Xiu Xin to just co to congratulate her and then leave.
She had thought he was trying to flirt with her.
Although Aoyama Xiu Xin had a fiancée, n, if not nailed to the wall, would never truly be faithful.
It seed maybe she was being paranoid?
This made her lower her guard slightly towards Aoyama Xiu Xin, yet she felt sowhat indignant. Glancing down at her round chest and then at her full hips, wasn’t she attractive enough?
Ultimately, she attributed it to her youthful face; maybe Aoyama Xiu Xin wasn’t interested in that.
But Aoyama Xiu Xin was interested!
He knew he shouldn’t rush things, playing hard to get.
Love-struck as Suzuki Junko was, once she genuinely fell for a man, she would, like with Asano Hirofumi, be totally compliant and considerate.
Thus, Aoyama Xiu Xin aid not only to win her body but also her heart, and he knew this needed to be handled delicately.
Of course, when he said he was busy, it wasn’t just an excuse.
He was indeed busy.
Police Headquarters was holding a eting, and all chiefs and above had to attend.
Due to the large number of people, the conference room was too small.
Thus, the venue was set in the auditorium.
.........
When Aoyama Xiu Xin arrived, many were already there. He just considered himself an observer in such etings, as his role didn’t involve active participation or speaking.
"I’m just here to listen."
"Police Chief Aoyama, this way, this way."
While he was searching for a seat, a young man of average built and appearance but with a comforting smile stood up to greet him, patting the seat next to him.
Aoyama Xiu Xin didn’t recognize him.
But since the man was extending friendliness, he couldn’t disregard it—it was just a seat, after all.
"Hello, how should I address you? I seem to not have seen you before," Aoyama Xiu Xin said, moving to sit down and offering his hand.
The young man shook it, smiling. "It’s normal that you haven’t seen ; I just arrived today. My na is Fujiwara Takahiro, Deputy Director of the Homicide Division."
Aoyama Xiu Xin then realized, this guy was his new assistant after Asano Hirofumi’s death.
How co Asai Ayumi didn’t notify him?
"I see, they didn’t give a heads up to be prepared, catching off guard," chuckled Aoyama Xiu Xin.
He just hoped this new colleague was sensible, as he didn’t want to waste too much energy on internal conflicts.
Though battling with others could be enjoyable, fighting without tangible benefits was just a waste of ti.
Fujiwara Takahiro, smiling, responded, "Police Chief Aoyama can rest assured, I’m not the unwise kind like Asano Hirofumi. I’ll follow your lead."
Aoyama Xiu Xin was sowhat surprised by his directness, struggling to respond imdiately, and with a slight twitch of his lips, he finally said, "Police Chief Fujiwara is quite straightforward."
"I don’t have many strengths, but I am aware of my limitations. Police Chief Aoyama, you have a bright future and won’t be in this position for long. I plan to just get by until you get promoted, then I’ll climb up a level too," Fujiwara Takahiro said, grinning broadly.
Aoyama Xiu Xin ended up liking him quite a bit and firmly shook his hand, saying, "I think, Mr. Fujiwara and I will definitely enjoy working together."
"I feel the sa."
Right then, Renping Kuniaki, along with other high-level officers of Police Headquarters, entered the venue, and everyone stood up to greet them.
Their conversation was paused.
"Gentlen, please be seated."
Renping Kuniaki bowed and then spoke.
Everyone had just taken their seats.
As the eting began, Aoyama Xiu Xin’s mind started to wander, hoping it would end soon.
"Police Chief Aoyama!"
A voice suddenly broke into his ears.
A distracted Aoyama Xiu Xin was jolted to attention and instantly stood up, "Hi!"
Why was he suddenly being called?
"Bang bang bang!" Renping Kuniaki banged on the table crisply, his face expressionless and his tone displeased as he questioned, "Why haven’t I received any report on the progress of the serial murder case investigation so far? The entire nation is concerned, reporters keep asking about it every ti, what am I supposed to tell them?"
"Hi!" Aoyama bowed in apology.
Being criticized and questioned in front of everyone was not a pleasant feeling, even though he was already an adult.
"Ten days, just ten more days," said Renping Kuniaki, giving a number and spoke solemnly, "Based on the investigations of your predecessors, if even Police Chief Aoyama can’t find results, then we might as well announce the resealing of this case, but for the reputation of the police force, I hope Police Chief Aoyama can push harder."
"Hi!" Aoyama Xiu Xin bowed again.
Renping Kuniaki’s tone softened slightly, earnestly saying, "I entrusted this case to you because I have high hopes for Police Chief Aoyama’s abilities. Please do not disappoint and all our citizens!"
"Hi!" Aoyama Xiu Xin seed to only know how to bow.
Damn it, old fart Renping, just wait, you want to make a laughing stock, but I’ll turn it into a legend.
Renping Kuniaki did not continue to berate Aoyama Xiu Xin, as he was just a minor character, and continuously targeting him would seem too narrow-minded.
So he quickly let Aoyama Xiu Xin sit down.
After the eting, the leaders left first, and others followed them toward the exits like a tide.
"Police Chief Aoyama, do you need my help with the serial murder investigation?" Fujiwara Takahiro volunteered.
Aoyama Xiu Xin smiled helplessly and shook his head.
It seed he didn’t want to drag the other party into this ss.
"Police Chief Aoyama."
A familiar voice ca.
Aoyama Xiu Xin and Fujiwara Takahiro promptly bowed to the newcor, "Police Chief Asai."
"Police Chief Fujiwara, I’d like to have a word alone with Police Chief Aoyama," Asai Ayumi said coldly.
"Hi!" Fujiwara Takahiro turned and left.
"What is it with him?" asked Aoyama Xiu Xin.
Referring, of course, to the sudden appearance of Fujiwara Takahiro.
"He must have so connections, I only found out about him today, his paperwork ca directly through Police Chief Hattori," Asai Ayumi explained briefly, then turned to the matter of the serial murders, "The chief clearly wants to use this case to suppress you, are you confident?"
"Until the final mont, who can be truly confident? I can only say, I’ve picked up so clues," replied Aoyama Xiu Xin conservatively.
Asai Ayumi nodded and briskly walked away.
When Aoyama Xiu Xin returned to his office, Nakamura Shinichi was already waiting at the door, handing him a docunt, "Chief, here is the thing you asked for."
"Good, thank you," Aoyama Xiu Xin took the docunt, entered, and sat down on the sofa to read it.
It was the information about the beautiful female judge.
Hashimoto Miho, 32, judge at the Tokyo District Court, daughter of ordinary farrs, yet had shown excelling grades from a young age, graduated from Tokyo University’s Law program, married to Takizawa Shikou, 55, Deputy Chief Justice of the Supre Court, and they had a 5-year-old daughter.
"Damn!"
No wonder a woman so young could be the judge at the District Court, she had real connections indeed.
Seeing Hashimoto Miho’s husband’s status, Aoyama Xiu Xin then dismissed any inappropriate thoughts; the woman was charming and tantalizing, but he wasn’t foolish enough to cuckold the Deputy Chief Justice of the Supre Court.
Playing around has risks, can’t be reckless.
The Supre Court, as the na implies, is Japan’s highest court, comprised of 15 esteed justices including one Chief Justice and one Deputy Chief Justice.
With such a powerful and influential husband, Hashimoto Miho would be insane to collaborate on anything shady with him, a re police chief, let alone engage in a liaison.
He carelessly tore up the information, dismissing any wild fantasies.
"Ding-dong, ding-dong."
Just then, his phone suddenly rang.
Aoyama Xiu Xin answered, "Moshi moshi?"
"Police Chief Aoyama, this is Judge Hashimoto Miho from the Tokyo District Court. We t briefly in court a few days ago. Could I have the pleasure of your company for dinner tonight?"
A gentle voice ca through the phone, as if soone was whispering in his ear, it felt ticklish.
Aoyama Xiu Xin was quite astonished, not expecting that just after giving up on the idea of seducing her, she would take the initiative to contact him, plans always seem to never keep up with changes.
"If Judge Hashimoto invites, Xiu Xin naturally has no reason to refuse," Aoyama Xiu Xin accepted.
Even though he had dismissed the idea of flirting with Hashimoto Miho, he didn’t want to offend her either.
Even becoming acquaintances would be beneficial.
"Then tonight at nine, Ginza... Western restaurant, let’s not miss it," Hashimoto Miho hung up.
Aoyama Xiu Xin was still sitting, lost in thought.
Why did that woman ask him out?
Could it be because of her age, like a wolf at thirty and a tiger at forty, her old man can’t satisfy her, so she’s coveting his body to plow her field?
"Knock knock knock."
It wasn’t until the knock sounded that he was brought back to reality.
"Co in," Aoyama Xiu Xin cleared his ssy thoughts and called out properly seated.
Yoshikai Yoshitsune hurried in, holding a docunt, "Chief, the test report is out."
Reviews
All reviews (0)