Chapter 32: Coercing the Righteous Policewoman

"You!"

For Sato, who was already furious, Seiichi's words were like adding fuel to the fire. At that moment, Chief Forensic Examiner Nagamune piled on.

"Officer Sato, I have told you time and again to trust the judgment of professionals. If you cannot trust me, the forensic examiner, you should at least trust Mr. Kogoro Mouri. After all, Kogoro Mouri is currently the premier detective in Tokyo."

Seiichi nodded. The forensic examiner was right. Yet, looking at the indignant Sato, Seiichi found it rather strange. They were the ones explaining the truth of the case to her, so why did it feel as if they were a group of people forcing Sato to accept reality? How bizarre.

Sato glanced at Kogoro Mouri. The man was still keeping his eyes closed, feigning sleep. *Do you realize your actions are disgraceful, that you have no face to show the police or the public, and that is why you pretend to solve cases in your dreams?*

"Ahem!" Inspector Megure cleared his throat and whispered, "Since the case is solved, we should wrap up and return to the station."

"But!"

"Sato!" Inspector Megure walked over to her and whispered in her ear, "Seiichi has an alibi, after all; it is impossible to declare him the culprit. Furthermore, Mr. Fujiwara was burdened with heavy debts and had a motive for suicide. Some clues even point toward it being a suicide. This should be the end of it."

Besides, there were plenty of suicides in Japan; one more wouldn't make a difference. Under normal circumstances, a case like this would have already been ruled a suicide. They couldn't treat this differently just because it involved Seiichi, or it would look as if these wealthy scions enjoyed "special privileges."

Sato said with dissatisfaction, "How can you so easily conclude that the deceased committed suicide!"

The forensic examiner was one of Seiichi's people; there was no way to know if there were other fatal wounds on the body. It was possible the victim had died elsewhere and was later staged to look like a suicide. And the so-called alibi was even more laughable. How could a wealthy scion like Seiichi ever commit murder with his own hands?

Inspector Megure sighed helplessly, "There is simply no evidence pointing to Seiichi at this moment. If you have doubts about this result, you will have to investigate it secretly on your own."

"I understand." Sato nodded. She stared fixedly at Seiichi. She would definitely find a way to catch him in a trap.

The sight of Sato watching Seiichi was captured by reporters. An evil conglomerate conspiring with a corrupt police force and a sinful detective to pressure a righteous female officer—what wonderful news material.

"Let's go," Inspector Megure said. Chief Nagamune finished collecting the body and carefully loaded it into the police vehicle.

***

Seiichi called out to Inspector Megure’s group, "Officer Sato, we agreed that you would give me a ride home. You haven't forgotten, have you?"

Ai’s pupils constricted. *Can’t you pick a different driver? If Officer Sato comes, I’m afraid she’ll drive you straight to hell.*

"Coming."

Sato walked toward Seiichi with a gloomy expression. Takagi reached out to try and calm her down, but he opened his mouth and couldn't find the words. Watching Sato slam the car door shut, Seiichi leaned out and asked Sonoko and the others, "Would you like a lift?"

"No, no thank you." Sonoko shook her head. She felt like Officer Sato’s mood was very off. If they got in the car, would they even find their way back home?

Ai obediently fastened her seatbelt, already prepared for a car accident. Seiichi glanced at her. This child was too timid; she was terrified just by sitting in a car.

"After Mr. Fujiwara's death, acquiring his cinema will probably be much easier," Seiichi said to Ai.

Ai’s eyes widened as she stared at him. *Is this really the time to talk about acquiring Mr. Fujiwara’s cinema? The man’s body isn't even cold yet!*

Sure enough, Sato’s emotions fluctuated violently. She gripped the steering wheel so hard that she had to make a sharp turn to avoid hitting a trash can on the roadside.

Provocation! This was an absolute, barefaced provocation! Just like a killer who returns to the scene of the crime to admire their handiwork, Seiichi was taunting and showing off right in front of the police. This twisted psychology of contempt for the law and self-aggrandizement made Sato’s blood boil.

*Perhaps this guy never even considers that what he does is wrong! Conglomerates are the biggest cancer in Japan!*

No matter how angry Sato was, she had to keep it to herself for now.

Seiichi continued to Ai, "Have you learned my business methods yet?"

Ai: "Huh?" *How am I supposed to learn that? By directly getting rid of anyone who doesn't cooperate?* She carefully glanced at Sato and shook her head vigorously. *Can't learn it, definitely can't learn it.*

Seiichi looked at Ai with a feeling of disappointment. "If you never catch on, how can I trust you enough to hand over my business to you!"

***

Ai sniffled. *I am here to avenge my sister.* After she took her revenge, she knew she wouldn't survive anyway, so she had no interest in inheriting Seiichi's business.

"Sincerity! Sincerity is the most important thing in business!" Seiichi declared.

Ai almost laughed out loud. *You just got rid of someone who wouldn't cooperate, and now you’re telling me to be sincere?*

"Heh."

Sato, in the driver's seat, let out a cold sneer and mocked him, "Your so-called sincerity is offering to buy Mr. Fujiwara's cinema for half its value. And when Mr. Fujiwara refused, you had him killed?"

"No, no, no." Seiichi shook his head. "First of all, Mr. Fujiwara was not killed by me. Although various newspapers in Tokyo have some misunderstandings about me, and there are even some unfavorable rumors circulating among the public, I have never even killed a chicken in my life."

*I never pursue those who spread such malicious rumors about me; that alone proves I am a gentle and good person.*

Sato and Ai both snorted coldly.

Sato: *Fujiwara and Yoko Okino’s ex-boyfriend—they couldn't all have committed suicide, could they?*

Ai: *My sister couldn't have committed suicide either, could she?*

Seiichi slowly lowered his head and looked at Ai. "What, do you not believe me either?"

Carefully raising her head to meet Seiichi’s gaze, Ai’s expression froze. *Oh no, I let my true feelings show.*

Then, Ai put on a silly, vacant expression, yawned, and curled up against Seiichi as if she were tired. Seiichi patted Ai’s head, as if stroking a kitten.

Ai closed her eyes. *Endure. Before I get my revenge, I must endure.*

Seiichi added, "Secondly, Mr. Fujiwara was burdened with massive debt. My offer to buy his cinema for half the price was already extremely sincere. You can go ask around—who else would be willing to buy his cinema at this time?"

Now that Mr. Fujiwara had unfortunately committed suicide, Seiichi didn't even have to pay half the price. Sincerity, as it turned out, was truly useful.