The sun had started to climb higher in the sky, chasing away the chill of the morning as Hana and I stepped out of the shop.

The air between us felt lighter now that we had some leads, but there was an undercurrent of unease—Harada wasn’t your run-of-the-mill thug.

I could tell Hana was thinking the same thing, though her posture remained relaxed, almost casual.

She glanced over at me with a small smile, the kind that said she was in control but still ready to joke around if I needed it.

“So”

She said, hands in her pockets as we walked.

“First real case on the job. How does it feel to be out of the academy and into the wild?”

I chuckled, loosening up a bit.

“Honestly? Feels like I’m playing catch-up. Four months of drills don’t really prepare you for this kind of thing. It’s surreal.”

“Don’t worry”

She said, giving me a quick nudge with her elbow.

“You’ll get used to it. Besides, you’ve got me as your partner, and I’m practically a legend around here.”

I grinned.

“That right? Guess I’m in good hands then.”

Her smile faded just a touch as her expression grew more focused.

“Joking aside, this one feels off, Keisuke. Harada’s not just some petty criminal, and I’ve seen enough of these setups to know when something bigger is lurking under the surface.”

I nodded, feeling the seriousness settle in.

“What do you think his angle is?”

“Hard to say”

She replied, her gaze scanning the street ahead.

“But we’re about to find out. Let’s follow the breadcrumbs.”

We started canvassing the area around the shop, talking to store owners and passersby who might have seen something.

A convenience store clerk next door mentioned a figure in a hoodie slinking through the alley, but he didn’t catch any more details.

At a café a few doors down, a barista told us she’d seen someone who fit Harada’s description hanging around the night before, smoking a cigarette and looking suspiciously like he was waiting for something—or someone.

“Didn’t catch what he was saying on the phone”

She added, stirring her coffee absentmindedly.

“But he looked... I don’t know. Too calm, you know? Like he wasn’t worried about getting caught.”

“Thanks”

Hana said with a quick smile, turning away as we pieced the clues together.

With each stop, the picture became clearer.

Harada wasn’t acting alone—he was too calculated, too deliberate.

But for now, all signs pointed to him as the key player.

As we regrouped outside, I looked over at Hana.

“So, where do we go from here?”

“I’ve got one more lead we can check out”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

She said, her voice thoughtful.

“Tetsu’s Garage. It’s a sketchy place, but Tetsu knows everything about the local gangs. If Harada’s been working with a new crew, Tetsu’s the guy who’d know about it.”

We headed over to Tetsu’s Garage, a grungy, dimly lit spot known for being a haven for small-time criminals.

The metal sign creaked in the wind, and the smell of oil and cigarettes clung to the air.

Inside, Tetsu, the owner, was working on an old motorcycle.

He wiped his hands on a rag when he saw us, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.

“Hana”

He greeted her, leaning against the counter.

“It’s been a while. Who’s the new guy?”

I opened my mouth to speak, but Hana beat me to it.

“This is Keisuke, and we’re here for information, not chit-chat.”

Tetsu chuckled, shaking his head.

“Same old Hana, straight to business. Alright, what’s this about?”

“We’re looking for Harada Sugo”

She said, her tone casual but firm.

“He’s been hitting some spots lately, and word on the street is he’s got ties to a new group. You heard anything?”

Tetsu scratched his stubble thoughtfully.

“Harada, huh? Yeah, I’ve heard he’s been laying low. Got himself holed up in an old building over on Tsuki Street. Five floors. Mostly empty.”

Hana exchanged a glance with me, her eyes sharpening.

“That the spot where he’s been meeting with this new group?”

“Could be”

Tetsu replied with a shrug.

“All I know is, he’s been using that place as a hideout. If you want to find him, that’s where you’ll start.”

Hana gave him a nod and tossed some cash onto the counter.

“Thanks, Tetsu. Stay out of trouble.”

We left the garage and headed toward the address Tetsu had given us.

The building loomed ahead—old, run-down, and the perfect hideaway.

As we approached, I noticed how quiet the street was.

The place had a forgotten feel, like it had been abandoned by the city long ago.

“You ready?”

Hana asked, her voice light but serious.

“As ready as I’ll ever be”

I replied, pulling myself together.

We slipped into the building through a side door, which creaked as we entered.

The interior was just as dilapidated as the outside—cracked walls, broken furniture, and the smell of mildew filling the air.

The place was silent, but the quiet wasn’t comforting. It felt like a waiting room for something bad.

We searched the lower floors, finding nothing but dust and old office supplies.

Finally, as we reached the fifth floor, Hana held up a hand, signaling for me to stop.

I heard it too—someone moving around in one of the rooms up ahead.

“Stay close”

Hana whispered, her tone sharp and serious now.

We approached the door cautiously, and through a crack, I caught a glimpse of Harada Sugo.

He was alone, sitting at a table, fiddling with a cigarette but not lighting it.

His calm demeanor told me he wasn’t afraid. He was expecting something—or maybe he just didn’t care.

“On my count”

Hana whispered.

“Three… two…”

We burst through the door, guns drawn.

“Harada Sugo! Hands in the air!”

Harada looked up, his expression barely changing.

He raised his hands slowly, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

“Took you long enough”

He said with a smirk.

“You’ve got me.”

His eyes widened as he placed them on me.

I felt a slight discomfort while looking at him.

Hana moved in swiftly, cuffing him.

“You think this is funny?”

She asked, her voice steady but icy.

“You’re coming with us.”

“Funny?”

Harada laughed.

“No, not funny. Just inevitable.”

I kept my eyes on him as we escorted him out of the building and back to the station.

He didn’t resist, didn’t fight.

But something about the way he carried himself—like he knew more than we did—made me more uneasy.

Once at the station, Harada was placed in an interrogation room.

Hana and I stood outside, watching him through the one-way glass.

He sat there calmly, waiting for us, as if the entire situation was playing out exactly as he had expected.

“You want to take lead, or should I?”

Hana asked, her tone more casual now.

“No, I'm the new one here, you should start.”

I said.

“I think we both know this guy’s not going to crack easily.”

Hana smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

“Don't worry, we’ve got time.”

Inside the room, I sat across from Harada, who looked up at me with the same relaxed smirk he’d worn during the arrest.

“So, Harada-”

I began, trying to keep my voice calm.

He interrupted me.

"I recognize you! You’re not a fat man anymore it is you! You’re the one that Mitsuo-san was looking for. What luck!"

I stayed still on the chair unable to move.

Hana looks shocked beside me.

"He was so happy to kill that cop... he was so happy to gut him! Just thinking about it makes me nostalgic..."

I look at Hana who has brought her hands to the mouth and looks at him in terror.

My body was burning.

He was in contact with Nagasuki.

He knew about Kento.

His face as he told it was disgusting.

It seemed to amuse him.

He laughed.

He laughed.

He laughed.

"..."

In a fit of rage I got up and took him by the neck.

"You asshole dare even talk at this point?"

Harada smiled.

"Did I touch a sensitive spot?"

I punched him in the face and he fell on the floor.

Harada chuckled while cleaning his beeding nose.

Sasaki entered the room.

“I'll take it from here. You two should go.”

Hana, standing behind me, started walking towards the exit.

"And... Keisuke, in my office."

Harada’s smirk faded slightly, but he didn’t break.

“Good luck with that.”

As we got out of the room, I realized something—this case was much bigger than we thought.

Harada wasn’t just some thug.

He was a pawn in something much larger, and we were just beginning to scratch the surface.