The First Investigation of Rookie Career Police Officer Akechi - Chapter 41 (end)
Chapter 41 : Grand Finale (End)
On Tuesday after the holidays, Kobayashi, who still had bruises on his face, along with Akechi, and Nakamura explained the incident to the police chief in the presence of the Traffic Division Chief, Security Division Chief, and Criminal Investigation Division Chief.
They had been prepared for a reprimand for acting on their own, but the call of gratitude and praise from the headquarters’ security department to the chief seemed to have an effect, resulting in no official rebuke.
After the three of them left the chief’s office feeling relieved, they bought drinks and snacks from the store and headed to the document storage room, where they found Inspector Namikoshi, drinking from a bottle of carbonated beverage. Kobayashi sat next to Namikoshi, while Akechi and Nakamura took seats opposite them. Namikoshi began to speak, laughing as he did so.
“Oh man, I was surprised when I got a call from Nakamura-san. She said terrorists had kidnapped Kobayashi and Akechi. But to make a quick decision to contact us immediately after noticing the door plate being changed by the employee of the restaurant was just splendid. If it were me, I wouldn’t have been able to contact anyone because I was scared.”
“I thought it’s better to regret making the call than to regret not making it at all!”
Nakamura answered proudly, and Namikoshi continued.
“When I barged into the Aijien, I was honestly nervous over what I’d do if Kobayashi and the others were just sitting there calmly enjoying their meal. Well, it turned out to be even more dangerous than I had imagined.”
With that said, Namikoshi took a big gulp of the carbonated drink. Kobayashi asks Namikoshi.
“In the end, what happened to Endo?”
“Oh, about Endo, I was worried when he managed to escape outside from the secret passage in the pantry. But yesterday we were able to safely arrest him while he was hiding in a nearby building.”
Hearing Namikoshi’s story, Kobayashi and the others were relieved. They couldn’t help but feel terrified at the thought of such a monstrous person being released into the wild.
“Anyway, thanks to your efforts this time, it’s a big win for the Ministry of Public Security. Just for the record, it seems that Endo and Haruki’s relationship was completely unmarked within the Ministry of Defense. It seems like there’s a big fuss all the way to the Prime Minister’s office.Well, it probably won’t be made public.”
“Also, we’ve discovered some exceptional talent. Maybe I’ll be retiring much sooner, but I’m looking forward to the day when I can work under you in the future.”
Namikoshi said that and looked at Akechi’s face, then laughed. Akechi bowed his head shyly.
“Oh, right. The case where Haruki was suspected of causing injury leading to death to staff Yoshida will be handled jointly by our department and the criminal department. The results of the analysis, such as the plum blossom that Kobayashi previously requested for forensics, are supposed to be directly sent to the headquarters. Well, there’s still some discussion about how much of the whole incident can be made public, but it seems like they’ll handle it properly. So, rest assured,”
After saying that, Namikoshi finished his carbonated drink, chuckled, and then left, clutching his belly.
†?†?†
“Come to think of it, Namikoshi, that guy, didn’t tell us anything about what organization Endo and the Aijien employees belonged to, did he?”
A while after Namikoshi left, Kobayashi said as he just remembered something.
“We still have no idea why the Public Security Department took Yoshida’s smartphone, right ?” Nakamura also said while twisting her head.
Suddenly, Akechi, who had been silent, stood up and bowed to Kobayashi. His eyes brimming with tears.
“Kobayashi-san, I didn’t know about your wife and child…I’m sorry if I hurt you by asking you something strange!”
Flustered, Kobayashi replied. “H-hey hey, are you talking about the conversation during the stakeout? I really wasn’t bothered at all! Come on, lift your head. I was saved by working with Akechi-kun.”
Kobayashi gently looked into Akechi’s face, who refused to raise his head.
“I think Natchy knows about it, I lost my wife and son in a car accident. I’ve completely lost my motivation for work for the past few years. I’ve been living as if I were dead.”
Kobayashi noticed that his own eyes were moist.
“But, Akechi-kun, actually my son had the same name as you, Keiichiro-kun. It was seeing your enthusiasm for the job, your sincere and earnest attitude, and your empathy for the victims and their families that made me feel like I could try again. You unknowingly saved me.”
“Ko-Kobayashi-san….”
“Uwaaah! I’m so glad, I’m so glad!”
Suddenly, Nakamura started crying. When Kobayashi and Akechi saw this, they looked at each other and laughed while crying. After a good cry and laughter, the three of them ate snacks and chatted as much as time allowed.
†?†?†
In the evening, the three of them were standing in front of the traffic section chief’s desk. Akechi’s training at the traffic department has come to an end. The Chief of Traffic began to speak.
“Assistant Inspector Akechi, it’s been a short period of just over two weeks, but thank you for your training. I hope you’ve had a good learning experience,”
“I apologize for any inconvenience I might have caused. Thank you very much!”
Akechi saluted, and the Chief of Traffic continued.
“Now, this training group in the Traffic Division will be disbanded… H-hey, Nakamura, don’t cry. Listen to the end,”
After calming down Nakamura, who started crying when she heard that the group was finally disbanding, the traffic manager continued talking.
“Ahem, Assistant Inspector Akechi, your next training assignment will be in the Criminal Affairs Division. According to the Chief of Criminal Affairs, Kobayashi will continue to be your mentor. However, it seems that the Criminal Affairs Division is quite busy, so they have requested one member from the Traffic Division to provide assistance. Nakamura, can we count on you for this?”
“I can do it! I can do it! I’ll do it!”
Nakamura jumped up in joy. Seeing this, Kobayashi and Akechi laughed.
END
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Translated by : Cutae30