Aoyama Xiu Xin naturally didn’t know that soone was actually discriminating against him based on his lineage, just like Renping Kuniaki was unaware that soone had secretly installed a bug in his office when he went to et Hatanaka Zizi. At that mont, he was studying the file on the newlywed couple’s murder case.
The murdered Takahashi couple were only twenty-four years old, childhood sweethearts who started dating in middle school and smoothly stepped into marriage after graduating from college, only to be tragically murdered on their wedding night.
Takahashi originally lived with his parents, but considering that it was his wedding night, his parents didn’t stay ho and left the house to the young couple, so only the two of them were ho.
Otherwise, perhaps this tragedy might not have occurred.
But it’s not certain; given the brutality of the killer, it’s possible that all four mbers of the family could have been murdered.
Both the couple were violated, Takahashi had blood in certain areas, and Mrs. Takahashi had tears below. The autopsy revealed both had sedatives in their systems, indicating they were drugged by the perpetrator, which explained why the neighbors didn’t hear any cries for help or screams.
The biggest challenge in this case is that the Takahashi family lived in an older neighborhood, with no surveillance caras near the house, only at the entrance of a lane so distance away. The large number of guests attending the wedding that day also made the investigation much more difficult.
The police conducted multiple examinations of the cri scene. The doors and windows were intact, showing no signs of forced entry. Hence, Miyagi Youcai speculated that the suspect might have taken advantage of the chaos during the wedding to hide inside the Takahashi house early on and then committed the cri after the guests left in the evening.
As a result, he focused the suspect search on the guests that day. The suspect might have used protection, leaving no bodily fluids inside or outside the couple, but so skin tissue was found under Mrs. Takahashi’s nails, possibly left during her awakening and resistance. The police compared the DNA from all the n present on the guest list that day.
But there wasn’t a single match.
Miyagi Youcai felt the suspect had prepared the drugs in advance, acting with preditation, and might not have registered on the guest list at all. The perpetrator could also be a stranger rather than soone known to the victims. He had people interview guests who attended the wedding that day, but no one reported seeing any unfamiliar faces.
Although the lane entrance’s surveillance couldn’t capture the Takahashi house, one had to pass through there to reach it, so Miyagi Youcai even had friends and relatives of the Takahashi couple identify the surveillance footage, yet no one could identify any strangers who attended the wedding.
Miyagi Youcai checked everyone who left the lane from that night to the following morning based on the surveillance, but no DNA matches were found. Due to the severity of this case, the police even conducted large-scale DNA comparisons afterward, but none matched.
The case thus stalled and reached an impasse.
The police initially considered letting it go cold, hoping to wait out the dia’s interest before giving up on the investigation. However, Mrs. Takahashi’s best friend continually caused a stir, persistently urging the police via the dia to solve the case quickly.
"Baka! This is really a troubleso matter."
Aoyama Xiu Xin couldn’t help but sigh after reading through it.
It wasn’t that Miyagi Youcai lacked ability; he had already done everything possible, but the suspect was too cunning.
However, Aoyama Xiu Xin was also curious, wondering how the suspect managed to enter the Takahashi house and leave after committing the cri without leaving any traces.
As an experienced individual in dealing with cris, Aoyama Xiu Xin firmly believed there is no such thing as a perfect cri!
There must be overlooked evidence.
He made a call to summon Yoshikai Youzai and brought two people to personally examine the cri scene again.
"Minister, Miyagi Youcai has visited dozens of tis, and the Takahashi parents moved back into the house half a month ago. The scene has long been compromised, so even if you go, there might not be any gains. Why not let go instead? There’s no need for you to go in person."
On the way to the scene, Yoshikai Youzai said.
"So things you have to see for yourself; even if you find nothing, seeing it for yourself puts your mind at ease. Otherwise, you’ll always be wondering if soone else overlooked sothing." Aoyama Xiu Xin shook his head and said.
When they reached the lane entrance, Aoyama Xiu Xin got out of the car, looked at the surveillance cara that indeed covered everyone entering and exiting the lane. The end of the lane was a sealed dead-end. Without climbing the wall, this was the only way in or out, so the suspect had to have been caught by the cara.
He walked straight to the end of the lane, looking at the tall wall behind him, dismissing the idea of the suspect climbing over it. Inside the wall, one could hear the flow of traffic and conversations, indicating a road on the other side.
The wall was very high, difficult to climb without tools, and using tools might have been captured by street surveillance, even if not seen by anyone. Since the suspect was so cautious, they would have known this.
"No traces of being climbed were found on the wall after the incident," Yoshikai Youzai supplented from the side.
Aoyama Xiu Xin nodded slightly, then turned toward the Takahashi house while Yoshikai Youzai stepped forward to ring the doorbell.
"Ding dong! Ding dong!"
After a while, the door opened, and it wasn’t Takahashi’s parents, but a young woman with a delicate appearance, short hair, and a clearly defined figure.
She wasn’t the fragile type of beauty but had a youthful, boyish charm, with fair skin, a well-proportioned physique, and an air of health and vitality.
An athletic beauty who worked out regularly.
"Minister Aoyama!" The woman imdiately recognized Aoyama Xiu Xin, her eyes widened as she blurted out.
"She is Saito Youi, Mrs. Takahashi’s close friend, and also a good friend of Takahashi." Introducing Aoyama Xiu Xin to this woman who had recently troubled the Police Headquarters, Yoshikai Youzai explained, then said to her, "The Takahashi case has now been taken over by Minister Aoyama, and he wants to examine the cri scene again."
"Hi! Minister Aoyama, you can surely catch the murderer, right?" Saito Youi seed unsure of Aoyama Xiu Xin’s capabilities, emotionally charged as she stepped forward and grabbed his hand, her eyes quickly reddening, "Minister Aoyama, please! They were such good people, how could they encounter such a terrible event? Please, you must avenge them!"
"Miss Saito, my condolences. I will do my utmost." Aoyama Xiu Xin said solemnly.
The records show that Saito Youi and the Takahashi couple have been close friends for over ten years, sharing a deep friendship, so it’s no wonder she frequently urged the police to solve the case after the Takahashi couple’s tragedy.
"Yes, yes, yes, I believe in you, you are Japan’s most excellent detective, please follow inside." Saito Youi bowed, opened the door wide, then turned around and went inside while calling, "Uncle, Aunt, Officer Aoyama Xiu Xin is here, there’s hope for Takahashi’s case! The culprit will definitely be caught!"
After calling out, she turned again with a slightly choking voice to Aoyama Xiu Xin and said, "Since Takahashi’s tragedy, Uncle and Aunt have been crying every day. I have been running back and forth between their two hos to comfort them, offering more companionship on behalf of Takahashi."
"If the Takahashi couple were aware, they would surely be comforted to have a friend like Miss Saito." Aoyama Xiu Xin said sincerely.
It’s not easy to have such a friend in one’s lifeti.
"Where’s Minister Aoyama? Where is he!"
With urgent inquiries, an elderly couple rushed out of the house in a panic.
Upon seeing Aoyama Xiu Xin, the two first froze in place, then burst into tears and fell to their knees.
"Minister Aoyama, you must stand up for our son and daughter-in-law! They suffered too much!"
"What is this! Please get up! Speak up once you’re up." Aoyama Xiu Xin quickly stepped forward to assist, and Yoshikai Youzai helped as well.
Takahashi’s parents appeared almost boneless as they were helped up by the two, tears like rain, clutching Aoyama Xiu Xin’s hand tightly, "Minister Aoyama, the killer is truly vicious, you have to catch him!"
"I will! I absolutely will! The fact that I was assigned to this case shows the police’s determination to solve it. Please calm down and show the cri scene." Aoyama Xiu Xin patiently soothed the couple.
Sniffling, the two slowly nodded, then entered the house, where Saito Youi helped the elders sit down and said to Aoyama Xiu Xin, "Minister Aoyama, let take you there."
"Thank you." Aoyama Xiu Xin nodded slightly.
Saito Youi led Aoyama Xiu Xin to the second floor, pushing open a room door. Inside, the wedding chamber decorations still retained their festive layout. "Since their murder, Uncle and Aunt haven’t changed the room arrangent, though they’ve cleaned it several tis. I don’t know if there are any clues left."
The room wasn’t large, with a double bed, a wardrobe, and a dressing table. Above the bed hung a wedding photo of the Takahashi couple, smiling brightly.
Mrs. Takahashi was very beautiful, and Takahashi had an equally gentle appearance, a perfect pair, a golden couple.
On the dressing table, Aoyama Xiu Xin found a group photo; therein were the Takahashi couple and Saito Youi in the middle, arms around both of them, the three smiling pure and beautifully.
"This was taken during high school." Saito Youi said with a hint of nostalgia in her eyes, approached, and touched the photo, saying bitterly, "Now it’s just left alone."
Aoyama Xiu Xin consoled, "That’s why Miss Saito must be strong and live splendidly because you are now living for the Takahashi couple as well."
"I will!" Saito Youi sniffed and nodded heavily, "I will live well."
After taking a round without discovering anything, Aoyama Xiu Xin departed with Yoshikai Youzai, bowing in the yard to Takahashi’s parents as they supported each other, "Rest assured, I’ll do my best."
Takahashi’s parents, eyes brimming with tears, slowly nodded.
"Minister Aoyama, I’ll see you off." As Saito Youi’s words fell, she proactively opened the door for Aoyama Xiu Xin.
As she opened the door, as her arm moved, the sleeve retracted, revealing several small scars that had scabbed, stark against her fair skin, catching Aoyama Xiu Xin’s attention.
Seeing him continually looking at her, Saito Youi shyly smiled, a crimson flush appearing on her pretty face, lightly biting her lip and pulling at her sleeve with so embarrassnt.
Aoyama Xiu Xin, noticing his impropriety, slightly bowed to express apology, then left with Yoshikai Youzai.
"Minister Aoyama, please! Takahashi greatly admired you too, please don’t let him down!"
Saito Youi bowed deeply at the doorway and urged, only rising to close the door after the vehicle had gone, turning back into the yard to assist Takahashi’s parents and gently whispered, "Uncle and Aunt, it’s chilly outside, let’s go in so you don’t catch a cold."
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