The First Investigation of Rookie Career Police Officer Akechi - Chapter 24
Chapter 24 : Akechi’s home
“Taking another look, this doesn’t seem like just an ordinary private home.”
After taking a shower, Kobayashi walked down a long hallway decorated with art pieces to the dining room.The set of casual suits and other clothing that the butler had prepared fit perfectly. Kobayashi wondered how he managed to acquire them. Through the hallway’s windows, a Western-style garden with various colorful flowers planted could be seen.
Last night, Kobayashi and the others, in a black car arranged by the butler, headed to Akechi’s residence in Nishigahara, which could be better described as a Western-style mansion than a personal home, located near Komagome. Upon reaching the mansion, they immediately took Akechi to his bedroom, where the butler and Mayumi helped him change clothes and gently removed his makeup.
Later, a doctor summoned by the butler examined Akechi and determined that he had no injuries, and the amount of sleeping pills he had taken was fortunately minimal, resulting in little more than a lingering hangover. Thankfully, nothing serious occurred.
However, just to be safe, they decided to take turns keeping an eye on Akechi throughout the night, in case anything happened. Kobayashi opened the door to the dining room. The interior feels more like a historic high-end restaurant than a dining room.
Furniture with a calm atmosphere was neatly arranged. Akechi was sitting at the right end of a long table in the center of the room, waiting. Mayumi and Nakamura seemed to have not arrived yet. Guided by the butler, Kobayashi took a seat diagonally in front of Akechi. As Kobayashi looked around, he asked Akechi.
“Mayumi’s house was amazing, but Akechi’s house looks like an aristocratic Western-style mansion that appears in movies.”
Akechi replied with a hint of embarrassment. “This place was originally used by my mother for welcoming overseas guests in Tokyo. It’s sort of like renting out a company’s vacation facility, right, Jiiya?”
“It’s as you say, indeed.”
As the butler poured water into a glass and replied, ‘As you say, indeed,’ Kobayashi had never seen such an upscale vacation spot before. However, seeing that Akechi was still struggling with a hangover, he didn’t say anything more and simply picked up the glass filled with water. There was a faint scent of roses.
†?†?†
A while after Kobayashi took his seat, Mayumi and Nakamura arrived at the dining room. Mayumi was wearing an elegant kimono, while Nakamura was in a beige dress. Nakamura’s makeup was different from usual. Perhaps Mayumi had taught her.
Mayumi sat at the left end of the long table, directly across from Akechi, while Nakamura sat diagonally to Akechi’s left, facing Kobayashi. The butler and the chef brought the dishes. It was a full breakfast. Since Akechi was still dealing with a hangover, he had opted for just yogurt and apple juice. He slowly ate the yogurt with a spoon while Akechi explained yesterday’s conversation with Kadono to everyone once again.
“Is the story about the contractors employing the yakuza true?” Akechi asked Kobayashi. Kobayashi swallowed a piece of bacon before responding.
“The possibility isn’t zero, but it’s hard to imagine a construction company hiring the yakuza to commit murder for such a reason, you know.”
“Is this a story made up by Kadono?”
“No, I don’t think Kadono could come up with something like that on the spot. It’s probably something planted by Haruki. It might all be a lie though.”
After listening to Kobayashi, Mayumi placed her bread on the plate and began to speak. “As Mr. Kobayashi said, it’s hard to imagine that a contractor would do that much. The Ministry of Defense’s construction work is not that big compared to public works projects as a whole. However, I’m concerned about the story of the OB[1] (former employee).”
“The former member ‘endo-san’….” Kobayashi muttered while eating tomatoes.
“Speaking of former employee, do you happen to know who it might be among the Ministry of Defense personnel?” While taking a bite of her bread, Nakamura casually inquired. Mayumi responded upon hearing her.
“Shall I ask Mr. Takayanagi about it tomorrow? It seems he has a good reputation within the ministry, and he seems trustworthy so far.”
“Thank you very much. I appreciate it. Also, if you receive any strange calls or anything from Kadono, please contact me immediately. I think I’ll have to meet with that guy again, but if he does anything strange, I’ll give him a piece of my mind.”
Kobayashi mentioned Kadono’s case while giving his gratitude to Mayumi. Mayumi replied with a smile.
“Thank you very much. If that man has the audacity to come after me again, I’ll reach out to you right away. Even without taking matters into my own hands, I’ll ensure he’s legally and socially erased. He put my beloved brother through such an ordeal.”
The butler, who had brought a juice refill for Akechi, also agreed.
“It’s just as the young lady said.”
“Sis, Jiiya, it doesn’t sound like a joke.”
Akechi laughed at that, but Mayumi had an icy smile on her face. The butler also has a calm face, but his eyes aren’t smiling. Kobayashi shuddered, thinking that Kadono had angered someone who was outrageous.
OB – Old boy, can also mean as former member or former employee?
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Translated by : Cutae30