HA3 9.1 - Arrest
In entire Nichiko, Blue Sora maybe was the only convenience store that had chairs and tables in its terrace. It was only simple tables and stool made of gray mountain stones, with extension roof on top of it, but overall it was very cozy and casual snacking spot.
Initially, Blue Sora’s owner made it for elementary kids who on their way home would buy snacks on his store. He didn’t have heart to see the kids enjoying their snack and drink just by standing in empty space in front of his store.
With ease, the terrace invited the elementary kids who want to hang out before going home from school. After that, mother who just picked up their toddler from nursery or kindergarten also used the terrace as gathering spot while letting their toddler snacking. Before long, passerby who wanted to rest their feet for a bit while having some drinks also joined the fray.
Actually, it was not too unexpected that in the end, from Monday to Saturday the terrace always jammed packed with various kids and people. In a huge metropolitan city where public bench was as rare as unicorn, these dozens of stone table and stool couldn’t help but became a very tantalizing resting spot, even though it was located deep in the residential area.
And right now, in one of the stone tables, Naoto and Paolo sat face to face. It was already the second Saturday since the two stalked Takeo and Hide. Now, they met to talk about their next move.
After putting a piece of potato chips in his mouth Naoto said, “Are you sure you want to stop the surveillance?”
“Yeah,” Paolo casually replied.
“Even though we find nothing so far?”
“That’s the point. We find nothing and it’s already the time to stop it.”
“It’s still bugging me that Hide know how to hike tricky trail under the darkness,” Naoto said. “But… If you don’t want to dig deeper, I have no say on it.”
“Hide is in Hiking Club and he trains in Uruba Hill a lot. It’s natural he knows the trail like his own palm, even under the darkness.”
“Yeah,” Naoto said in low voice before giving his canned juice a sip. “When they will go to make their second ID?”
“In a week or two.” Paolo then put forward a brown envelop as he continued, “And this is a small gratitude for your help.”
“Thanks.” Naoto took the envelope before asking, “Do you have time tonight? Let’s go to some party. I still haven’t uses the money I got from my overseas part-time.”
“I’m too old for a party,” Paolo calmly said. “I also have to take my granddaughter to afternoon mass this afternoon.”
“You don’t take her to the church at Sunday morning?” Naoto curiously asked.
“Sunday morning is nonnegotiable anime time for my granddaughter,” Paolo amusingly said. “If I separate her from her favorite anime, she will declare an all-out war on me.”
“I see.” After a short pause Naoto said, “If nothing else, I will go back to northern island tonight.”
“Have a safe trip,” Paolo said while put his hand forward. “And when you come to Nichiko again, come to my place. I will treat you a nice meal.”
“I will,” Naoto said while firmly shook Paolo’s hand.
After that Paolo took his leave while Naoto continued enjoying his snacking time peacefully, with twenty odds elementary kids who just came home from their school. Naoto really enjoyed his time, but unfortunately peaceful moment never last for long. Out to nowhere, two young patrolling officers from metro police suddenly approached him.
The young police officer asked him why he sat alone in the middle of cheerful elementary kids like a suspicious person. Yup, the young police officer asked him with polite tone, but they blatantly said he looked like a suspicious person. Their eyes were also full of subtle suspicion.
Wasting no time Naoto took out his ID card. Then, he explained to the police officers that right now he was in the middle of reinstatement evaluation before he could go back to his old station in 5th Combat Brigade in Hakaido.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
However, instead of letting him go, the police officer insisted to take him to nearby police station for further questioning. They wanted to know. If he was waiting for re-assignment to a unit under Northern Army, then why he was so far away from Northern Army’s area of responsibility, and why his hairs were too long and his beard was unshaved.
After seeing that the patrolling officers in front of him had Haka VP9 in their waist, and one of them most likely had good martial art, Naoto chose to comply with the request to go to nearby police station.
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While having calm expression in his face, Naoto sat in the small interrogation room. He just sat like that for 30 minutes before a middle-age detective entered the room. While putting a document in the table, the detective took the seat in front of Naoto.
“Mr. Naoto,” The detective said while returning Naoto’s ID card. “I’m Detective Toyohara, a simple detective who will retire in a few months. I hope you don’t mind to entertain me with a bit of conversation.”
“I don’t mind,” Naoto casually said. “But I will appreciate it if we can wrap this conversation as swiftly as possible.”
“Understood.” After a light smile Detective Toyohara added, “Your ID is legit and we have check the military service number you provide. You are truly former member of SDF, being discharged because of knee injury and just return from overseas trip for medical treatment.”
“Yeah,” Naoto casually said. “But please note that I’m just a weak butt soldier from rear unit.”
“Mr. Naoto,” Detective Toyohara said as he looked at Naoto straight in the eyes. “I will appreciate it, if you restrain yourself from trying to trick me.”
“What do you mean?” Naoto innocently asked.
“One of the patrolling officers who took you here, is a 3rd Dan in arresting art. He maybe young and a bit of hot blooded, but he always make accurate assessment about someone physical fitness,” Detective Toyohara casually explained. “And he is very sure you are strong man with decent martial art.”
“I see,” Naoto awkwardly said. “I’m a 2nd Dan in karate actually.”
After a light nod Detective Toyohara said, “From now on, can you be more honest?”
“I’ll do my best.”
Detective Toyohara then pointed the document on the table. “This document clearly mentions that your old unit is army sniper reserve detachment under the General Staff, but you said to the patrolling officer that your old station is 5th Combat Brigade under the Northern Army.
I need explanation for this discrepancy.”
“5th Combat Brigade is truly my last station,” Naoto casually said. “I was being embedded to this brigade as expert armory.”
“And what is your job as expert armory?”
“Primary job, make sure the shooter who comes to northern island to polish their skill have proper equipment.” After taking a deep breath Naoto continued, “And believe me, their number is rather high and that’s why General Staff send additional expert armorer there.
Secondary job, carry out field testing for precision rifle, by mimicking shooter tactic and technique as realistic as possible, in real environment.”
“Any specific reason why many shooters go to train in northern island?”
“It’s because there is an area that is very suitable for their training over there,” Naoto casually replied. “It has dozens of hills and valley, with countless cliffs and ridges. It also has strong and wild wind, nasty humidity, and unpredictable weather all year around.
Only shooter who masters the basic to the highest level can do well in this place.”
“I see.” After glancing at Naoto’s hair and beard for a second Detective Toyohara asked another question, “May I know why you don’t cut your hair or shave?”
“Once I get my reinstatement, I will receive new uniform and free access to barber shop in the base,” Naoto casually said. “That’s when I will cut my hair and shave my beard.”
“Can you just cut your hair and shave in public barber?”
“Military salary is cheap as dirt. I will save every penny I can so I don’t become a butt hurt and salty veteran later,” Naoto genuinely said.
After a small chuckle Detective Toyohara continued with another question, “May I know why you rent a lodging house near Blue Sora, and have snacking routine in that convenience store exactly when the elementary kids who just come home from their school are hanging around over there.”
“Well…”
Naoto couldn’t tell about the stalking job he did for Paolo. He was also very sure Detective Toyohara won’t believe it if told him that his snacking time was purely coincident matched with the elementary kids’ schedule. Unfortunately, he had no other excuse.
So, he carefully said, “I just really like the atmosphere in that neighborhood. As for my snacking time, it’s purely coincident.”
“I’m afraid that’s explanation is not enough,” Detective Toyohara regretfully said. “You have to stay in this station for the next 24 hours, while we do more digging.”
“Seriously?” Naoto vexingly said.
“I know it’s very upsetting, but for the last two weeks all police station in Nichiko receive direct order to increase their vigilant. The HQ even sends people from tactical unit to patrol the street,” Detective Toyohara firmly replied. “So, you have to stay with us a bit longer, but at least your drug test is negative. That’s a good starter.”
“Can you call my old CO?” Naoto said in a drop dead serious tone. “You will get good explanation from him and he will send someone from military police to pick me up.”
“I had tried to contact him earlier.” Detective Toyohara said in low voice. “But Colonel Yamazaki and his XO are in the middle of field training in southern island, and they will be out of the reach for the next 18 hours.”
“I see,” Naoto said before having a deep sigh.
If he could, he really didn’t want to involve his older brother for the matter. Unfortunately, he had no choice. In the end, he mentioned about Shorimachi. Detective Toyohara then contacted him to explain the situation. A few minutes later, he came to pick up Naoto.
After Shorimachi gave him a serious nag, Naoto could leave the police station, and he casually said his goodbye to Detective Toyohara without having slightest idea that he would meet with him again in a very different circumstance later.
*****