The lights were still shining brightly inside; after all, given Tokyo's persistently high crime rate, it was likely no easy feat for the police of Investigation Division One to get a decent vacation.
Just like his poor class monitor, who was only just finishing work now, looking exhausted, even on the way back, he still didn't forget to discuss work matters with the colleague beside him.
"Yo, Class Monitor." Matsuda Jinpei had a smile on his face like a man who had won at life. He passed by Date Wataru's side, greeting him in a casual and natural tone.
"Uh.. good evening." Date Wataru looked at the curly-haired man passing before his eyes with a dazed expression; the familiar voice and face gave him the illusion that he was dreaming.
'Could it be that I'm having hallucinations because I've been working overtime for too long and am overly fatigued?' Date Wataru stopped in his tracks, rubbing his temples, thinking that after this case was over, he really did need to get some proper rest.
"Is that person a friend of Brother Date?" Takagi Wataru asked Date Wataru curiously, watching the two people walking hand in hand past them.
Date Wataru: ".."
Takagi," Date Wataru stopped and rubbed his temples, a complicated look in his eyes, "Can you see my hallucinations too?
"What hallucination?" Takagi Wataru blinked, looking confused.
The two looked at each other for a few seconds, Date Wataru's exhausted, slow-reacting brain finally began to function.
"It's not a hallucination!" Was he seeing ghosts?
Just as Date Wataru was about to chase after him, a blinding light suddenly shot from the distance. A truck, swerving wildly as if driven by a drunkard, finally came to a halt only after crashing straight into the roadside greenery at an extremely high speed.
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Author's Note: Thank you to all the little angels for your support, mwah 030
Chapter 108
If one were to say that the sound of tires screeching violently against the road was merely ear-splitting, then the sound of the vehicle crashing must have been like a deafening thunderclap, brutally tearing through the tranquility of the night.
Matsuda Jinpei turned and ran back almost instinctively. He didn't know what he was afraid of; it was just that the moment he heard that sound signifying a car accident, his heart suddenly gave a violent thud, a sense of unease instantly filled his entire chest.
Only when he ran back to the site of the accident and saw the figure standing in front of the car, its front end somewhat deformed from the impact, did Matsuda Jinpei finally feel his heart settle.
"Matsuda," Kisaragi Chiyo said, falling a few steps behind. He watched the scene unfolding before him with suspicion, his brows furrowing involuntarily.
Date Wataru and Takagi Wataru rushed forward immediately to check on the situation of the driver in the cab. Due to the vehicle rolling over, some of the cargo in the truck's container had already been thrown out onto the side of the road.
Kisaragi Chiyo cast a casual glance over, identifying it as likely a vehicle responsible for transporting convenience store goods, carrying the fresh supplies that were meant to be delivered on time to replenish the shelves of various convenience stores.
Let's go." Kisaragi Chiyo lightly patted Matsuda Jinpei's shoulder. "You want to go up and help, don't you?
"Won't that cause you trouble?" Matsuda Jinpei, his head spinning from the pink bubbles, finally snapped back to reality; in Date Wataru's eyes, he must have already been martyred two years ago.
That was why when he had greeted him just now, Date Wataru had worn that look of dazed shock and self-doubt, as if he had seen a ghost.
What kind of trouble could that be?" Kisaragi Chiyo smiled. "Just act according to the situation when the time comes. If that doesn't work, just say you're Matsuda Nobutoshi, the uncle of Matsuda Jinpei.
A nephew takes after his uncle," Matsuda Jinpei couldn't help but let a smile curve his lips. "In that case, Officer Date will have to call me uncle when the time comes.
By the time Kisaragi Chiyo and Matsuda Jinpei arrived beside the overturned vehicle, Date Wataru and Takagi Wataru were already struggling with the situation before them.
Because the front of the car had sustained an impact, the side of the vehicle had become deformed. One part was wedged tightly, despite several attempts, the two men were unable to force the door open.
"It's not working, Brother Date." Sweat was already forming on Takagi Wataru's forehead from anxiety. Although the combined strength of the two grown men was considerable, it was still not enough for the current situation.
"We need to find a crowbar." But in the dead of night, with all the surrounding shops closed, where could they find one?
If it were just a matter of the car door being deformed, it wouldn't actually be that difficult. After all, the window glass had already shattered; by smashing enough of the surrounding glass to create sufficient space, a person of normal build could crawl directly out of the driver's compartment.
But the situation was dire because the driver's legs were trapped under the seat, unable to move, the person's consciousness was on the verge of fading into unconsciousness.
Tsk.
Date Wataru broke into a sweat in the cold night. He stared intently at the driver in the cockpit, whose eyes were tightly shut and whose face was covered in blood from a wound on his head.
While observing, Date Wataru suddenly realized a problem: given this angle and the force of the impact, the driver's ribs and internal organs had likely sustained significant damage.
"Takagi, call an ambulance first." Date Wataru decided to crawl inside to see if he could pull the driver out, but just as he was about to act, someone spoke up to stop him.
"Excuse me, officer, do you need some help?" A familiar voice came from the side. Date Wataru instinctively looked up, that face, which had only occasionally appeared in his dreams in the past, was now less than an arm's length away.
".. Matsuda?" Date Wataru's eyes widened slowly. He instinctively wanted to reach out and grab him, but suddenly realized he had more important things to attend to right now.
"Then I'll leave it to you." Date Wataru raised his arm and casually wiped the sweat from his face. It was only then that he noticed another young man with a completely unfamiliar appearance standing beside Matsuda Jinpei.
But at this moment, Date Wataru didn't have much time to think about anything else. Even if Matsuda Jinpei had died in the line of duty two years ago, he would just treat it as if his friend had missed him and had come back specifically to see him tonight.
Isn't it said that late at night is when you're most likely to encounter ghosts? Date Wataru thought optimistically, he called out to Takagi Wataru, who had just finished the emergency call, to try one more time together.
With the addition of two kindhearted people this time, their combined strength was significantly greater. With a loud creak, the four of them exerted force simultaneously, the deformed car door was finally pried open.
Date Wataru dove straight in without hesitation. With the car door no longer an obstacle, the space available to work in became much larger.
With the help of others, the driver, whose legs were trapped under the seat, was quickly rescued by the four people.
Because someone needed to follow the ambulance to the hospital, the person who took the initiative to stay behind to handle the follow-up matters and the report naturally became Date Wataru.
You two kind gentlemen." Date Wataru looked cheerfully at the two people he had quickly caught before they could successfully escape, invited them in a pleasant voice, "As a token of my gratitude for your help, would you mind if I treated you both to some late-night snacks?
Matsuda Jinpei and Kisaragi Chiyo exchanged a glance; the former was still thinking about how to reasonably bluff his way past this sharp-witted colleague, while the latter had readily agreed with a carefree attitude, even making requests with an air of familiarity.
I want oden," Kisaragi Chiyo raised her hand. "Two servings each of fried tofu, egg, radish, fish cake sausages.
No problem!" Date Wataru nodded magnanimously, then turned his gaze toward Matsuda Jinpei and asked with a hint of a smile in his eyes, "And what about this kind, curly-haired gentleman?
"I'll have yakisoba and pineapple buns." Seeing that he couldn't avoid it, sticking to the principle of not letting a free meal go to waste, Matsuda ordered without hesitation.
"Hmm.. no curry rice?" Date Wataru raised an eyebrow slightly, looking somewhat surprised, as if he had just seen the Superintendent General show up to work wearing a Hawaiian vacation outfit.
Matsuda Jinpei: ".."
Although he liked curry rice, please don't assume that's all he ever eats, okay? Just where did this stereotype come from? Matsuda Jinpei thought indignantly, remembering how he had chosen curry rice eight out of ten times back during his time at the police academy.
Seeing the hesitant expression on Matsuda Jinpei's face, Date Wataru finally let go of his tension and let out a relaxed laugh.
"Let's go." Date Wataru looked at him, his broad hand resting on Matsuda Jinpei's shoulder. Although it looked casual, only Matsuda could feel the immense strength behind it, making it impossible to break free easily.
Matsuda Jinpei: ".."
So, he really had no intention of running away.
*
Whether Matsuda Jinpei was there by choice or by force, he was sitting face-to-face with Date Wataru, while on the other side, Kisaragi Chiyo looked on with an air of complete detachment, gazing affectionately at the oden.
Matsuda Jinpei felt that the attention Kisaragi Chiyo paid to the oden in her hands was greater than the attention she paid to him.
"Why don't you tell me?" Date Wataru pushed the yakisoba and pineapple buns the other man had specifically asked for toward him, while he himself casually took three rice balls and a can of black coffee.
“Say what..” Matsuda Jinpei asked cautiously, observing Date Wataru's expression.
"Matsuda." Since meeting tonight, this was the second time Date Wataru had called Matsuda Jinpei by his name; compared to the daze of the first time, this time there was much more certainty.
Do you still have some unfulfilled wish?" Date Wataru shook his head, looking at Matsuda Jinpei with a sigh. "As your friend, as long as it doesn't break the law and is within my capability, I will do my best to help you fulfill it.
So, Matsuda, why exactly haven't you been able to pass on to the afterlife? Is it really because you miss me?
"Would you believe me if I said I'm not Matsuda Jinpei, but his uncle, Matsuda Nobutoshi?" Matsuda still tried to argue, unwilling to give up just yet.
".." Date Wataru fell silent, the look in his eyes as he looked at Matsuda Jinpei grew even more melancholy.
Since you like it so much." Date Wataru let out a long sigh and asked in a tone that seemed to be indulging a naughty child, "Then, Mr. Matsuda Nobutoshi, does your nephew have any unfulfilled wishes?
Beside him, Kisaragi Chiyo bit into a fish cake sausage, letting out a muffled, mocking laugh.
"By the way, this gentleman.." Date Wataru sized up Kisaragi Chiyo sitting beside him. The gloomy young man was wearing an oversized black haori, both hands were encased in gloves, one eye was obscured by his hair, leaving only his right eye visible.
Upon noticing the scrutinizing gaze, the young man looked back with a calm and indifferent expression, giving a slight nod in greeting.
"Kisaragi Chiyo." The young man flashed an extremely faint smile, his silver earrings dangling on both sides of his cheeks, swaying slightly with the movement of his profile.
Please, just call me Kisaragi.
Alright, Kisaragi-kun." Date Wataru readily complied with the change in address, then casually asked, "What is your relationship to Mr. Matsuda Nobutoshi?
"Well.." The young man's smile widened slightly, his misty-gray eyes hid emotions that were difficult to read.
"Actually.. you could also consider it a senior-junior relationship." The young man spoke slowly, turning his gaze toward Matsuda, who was busy gnawing on a pineapple bun.
"Seniors and juniors.." Date Wataru couldn't quite follow the logic behind that.
It's just that I haven't officially started the job yet." The young man smiled, clearing up Date Wataru's confusion. "Although I was invited by the hiring personnel, it is a job that requires careful consideration, so I am still hesitating.
What kind of work is it?" Date Wataru's curiosity was piqued, he asked with an unreadable expression, "Perhaps I could offer some advice.
Given the known facts, this Mr. Matsuda Nobutoshi is his fallen comrade, Matsuda Jinpei, since the young man claiming to be Kisaragi Chiyo said that he and the other is senior and junior, then is the job the young man spoke of a job for the living? Or a job for the dead?
It couldn't possibly be that he's going to a haunted house to work as a ghost, could it?
Date Wataru thought about it and felt that even his own speculation was a bit too hellish; it was truly sinful.
He's a civil servant." The young man seemed to have read his thoughts and proactively offered some hints, "And an official one, from a very down-to-earth department.
Date Wataru: ".."
Now it was Date Wataru's turn to be cautious.
“Kisaragi-kun.” Date Wataru suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. He suppressed the urge to rub his arms and lowered his voice, asking cautiously as if afraid of disturbing something, “By 'official'.. you don't mean Hell, do you?”
No way? It couldn't be, right? His colleague wouldn't be heading to Hell, would he?
But looking at the speechless smile on the young man's face, it was clear that he had guessed correctly.
Haha.. So that's what it is. Date Wataru thought listlessly, his eyes lifeless; this joke was more like Hell than a haunted house.
No, rather, it was pure hell.
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Author's Note: Thank you for the support, my little angels. Mwah! 030
Chapter 109
The small talk with Date Wataru didn't take much time; it was just enough for the three of them to finish the food in their hands.
Matsuda..
As they parted ways, Date Wataru paused his steps, the dim streetlights casting a layer of hazy, soft light over his head. The curly-haired man stood a few steps away in the darkness, standing beside him was that strange youth who claimed to be Kisaragi Chiyo.