Chapter 51: Speed to Live or Die (Second Update!)

Outside the Odaiba building, a crowd had gathered. At the entrance of the restaurant on the first floor, a massive sign reading "Odaiba Building Missing Persons Special Investigation Headquarters" was posted. Inside, dozens of police officers were crowded together, with laptops and various devices scattered haphazardly across the dining tables. The large screen inside the restaurant was broadcasting a live show about the missing person case.

"Salute to Section Chief Isu!"

Everyone saluted.

"At ease!"

Everyone took their seats.

The detectives from the First Investigation Division's Third, Sixth, Ninth, and Thirteenth Sections were all participating in the investigation on the front lines. Apart from senior police officers, most of those remaining at the investigation headquarters were administrative or internal affairs personnel.

A live broadcast was playing on the television when the doors of the Special Investigation Headquarters were pushed open.

A female police officer, accompanied by an attendant, walked briskly into the Special Investigation Headquarters. The late September weather in Tokyo was already turning slightly chilly. She was wearing a standard Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department winter administrative uniform—a dark navy blue police jacket over a white women's dress shirt, paired with a matching dark navy blue tie. Golden patterns adorned her cuffs, and a golden lanyard extended to the police badge on her shoulder. Even with only simple, delicate makeup on her sweet and exquisite face, her extraordinary beauty could not be concealed. Below, she wore a slightly flared dark navy blue uniform pencil skirt that fell about five centimeters above her knees. The narrow hemline exuded a solemn yet dignified aura, accentuating the slimness of the female officer's waist. Beneath the skirt, her tender, jade-like calves were encased in slightly thick flesh-colored pantyhose, and her delicate feet in flesh-toned silk stockings stepped into standard five-centimeter-heeled commuting pumps, adding a touch of cuteness and vitality to her demeanor.

"Watanabe, Okada! What are you two doing standing here?!" Section Chief Mikasa spotted the two people who shouldn't have been there at a glance. "Sit down quickly!"

Inspector Minami Watanabe of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's Personnel Division in the Police Affairs Department—the face of this generation of the Metropolitan Police Department.

Inspector Okada, the personal chauffeur of the Superintendent General of the Metropolitan Police Department, and Inspector Watanabe's dedicated driver.

These two career-track officers had no business being here, but Section Chief Mikasa only dared to scold them briefly before hastily telling them to take a seat.

Minami Watanabe was the only daughter of Superintendent General Watanabe, and Inspector Okada was the Superintendent General's driver. The arrival of these two indicated the severity of the situation.

Against the backdrop of the Fuji TV live broadcast behind them, the Special Investigation Headquarters' Victim Countermeasures Team was introducing the situation.

"The missing person, Mariko Hironaka, 28 years old, graduated from Keio University and joined Fuji TV five years ago!"

Sitting in the audience, Minami Watanabe, the face of the Metropolitan Police Department, furrowed her brows deeply.

It had taken her a long time of pleading to get her father to agree to let her come to the scene.

Yet the situation at the scene filled Minami Watanabe with profound anxiety.

When the main force of the First Investigation Division rushed to Fuji TV to establish the Special Investigation Headquarters, Fuji TV emphasized its willingness to cooperate fully, even permitting direct searches of the station's confidential areas and the president's office. However, based on negotiations with Nippon Life Insurance and Dentsu Hakuhodo, once the building was locked down for more than three hours, the pressure would escalate exponentially every single minute—for both the Metropolitan Police Department and Fuji TV.

However, merely assembling the police force, formulating the plan, and herding all onlookers into different areas had taken over half an hour.

With no other choice—since it was already off-duty hours and the First Investigation Division headquarters lacked sufficient personnel—it took a great deal of effort to summon the criminal investigation personnel from several police stations in Minato Ward, not to mention that Fuji TV had to broadcast live simultaneously.

By this time, all of Tokyo and the Kanto region were in an uproar, with the internet flooded with posts about the lockdown of the Fuji TV building. After other TV stations had already been broadcasting live for a while, Fuji TV finally began its own live broadcast, recounting the incident from the beginning.

"The missing person, Mariko Hironaka, 28 years old, was hired by Fuji TV five years ago as an anchorwoman, primarily responsible for reporting entertainment and weather news. With a gentle and elegant appearance and outstanding temperament, she enjoys a moderate following."

"Mariko Hironaka became engaged last year to Rentaro Shimokawa, the senior managing director of Tokyo Ota Real Estate Co., Ltd. Their wedding is scheduled for tomorrow."

"Ms. Mariko Hironaka expressed anxiety and anticipation regarding wedding preparations over the past few days; other than that, there were no abnormal behaviors. Last Friday, Ms. Mariko Hironaka came to Fuji TV to clock in for work for the last time, and was subsequently captured on surveillance in the afternoon for the last time before disappearing completely."

"Her family was unable to contact Mariko Hironaka at all, so they reported her missing on Saturday night."

"The Akasaka Police Station in Minato Ward deemed that since less than 24 hours had passed since her disappearance and Ms. Hironaka was a fully competent adult, she might simply be busy or relaxing elsewhere in preparation for her wedding, and thus refused to accept the case."

"It wasn't until Monday, when Ms. Hironaka's family discovered that Mariko Hironaka still had not appeared and reported the case again, that the Metropolitan Police Department decided to launch an investigation, only to discover through surveillance that Ms. Mariko Hironaka most likely never left the Odaiba building."

The Special Investigation Headquarters described the situation regarding Mariko Hironaka almost simultaneously with the Fuji TV live broadcast playing behind them. Then, the live broadcast footage cut to the upper floors of the Odaiba building, where Inspector Himura, accompanied by First Investigation Division detectives and Fuji TV security guards, was tearing open the ceiling of the president's office.

They found nothing.

"Just assembling took nearly an hour. Has the SIT not arrived yet?" Minami Watanabe said to Inspector Okada beside her. Although she maintained her composure, her voice trembled slightly; after all, her father was the one responsible for this case.

SIT referred to the Special Investigation Team of the First Investigation Division— SWAT officers clad in bulletproof vests and helmets, equipped with submachine guns.

"It takes some time for the Public Security Division of the Metropolitan Police Department to process and approve the request," Inspector Okada said, his expression even grimmer. "Besides, judging by Fuji TV's attitude, they probably have no idea either."

By this time, the Victim Countermeasures Team was already discussing details that had not been made public in the live broadcast.

"Currently, whether Mariko Hironaka is dead or alive and where she is remain entirely unknown. The investigation into witnesses within the television station is ongoing. According to intelligence gathered so far, after Ms. Hironaka was hired, she maintained a relatively close relationship with quite a few senior executives of the television station, especially President Kameyama. She participated in business banquets with President Kameyama on numerous occasions, and it wasn't until her engagement last year that the frequency of her attendance at banquets dropped significantly."

"We have reason to suspect that Mariko Hironaka's disappearance may be related to the senior executives, but since the live broadcast is currently underway, we temporarily lack the opportunity to conduct further inquiries."

Section Chief Mikasa on the stage nodded repeatedly and randomly cast his gaze toward a police superintendent management officer: "How many alternate personnel do we currently have?"

"Only fifty-one," the management officer stood up.

"How many reinforcements from local precincts can arrive within ten minutes?"

"The ones currently on the way and closest are Inspector Hayata from the Akasaka Police Station and his 14 subordinates."

"How many of them have experience with this type of investigation?"

"Not a single one, Section Chief!"

"Not a single one? What on earth do these local precincts do all day long?" Section Chief Mikasa roared. "As police officers, shouldn't they always be prepared for the worst?"

Unfortunately, Inspector Hayata had not yet arrived; otherwise, one could have witnessed a police inspector bowing at a ninety-degree angle and shouting "I'm sorry" at the top of his lungs.

Minami Watanabe stared fixedly at the large screen: "Where is Jin Kashiwagi from the Third Section?"

"Inspector Jin Kashiwagi is probably off investigating the fiancé," Inspector Okada frowned. "In cases like this, the fiancé, husband, wife, and relatives are always the primary suspects, Watanabe."

"Is that so?" Minami Watanabe nodded; she had naturally taken such courses at the Police Academy.

"In any case, the investigation into the senior executives of Fuji TV cannot stop. Everyone, please note that aside from searches, questioning and interviews are also crucial. Proceed with utmost caution. Dismissed!"

"Yes!"

The alternate personnel also filed out, leaving fewer than thirty people in the Special Investigation Headquarters. They stared fixedly at the live broadcast and surveillance footage on the big screen, watching with their own eyes as the Metropolitan Police Department, led by security guards, searched the building floor by floor from the top down, only to come up empty-handed time and time again.

Before they knew it, another half an hour was about to pass.

Fuji TV's live broadcast had also been running for an hour, cycling back and forth through the same intelligence and archives, and they were running out of things to say.

Nothing, nothing, still nothing, absolutely nothing.

Inside the Special Investigation Headquarters, everyone was sweating in the palms of their hands.

Time, time!

"Shh, be careful, Ikeda. You must remember, we are conducting an illegal search."

In the stairwell on the first floor of the Odaiba building, Soya Uesugi and Reina Ikeda were walking along a surveillance blind spot.

Unlike the heavy, congealed atmosphere of the Special Investigation Headquarters, the mood between these two was much lighter.

Faced with Soya Uesugi's careful reminder that this was an illegal search, Reina Ikeda scoffed at the man's warning. The tall beauty followed his suggestion not because she had taken Soya Uesugi's words to heart, but simply because he was him—to her, he was special and a person worthy of trust.

For some reason, Soya Uesugi insisted that Reina walk in front. The man's eyes darted around evasively, as if he harbored some ulterior motives.

Reina felt that he was probably still afraid of being beaten by her, which was why he was trailing behind. She had the urge to apologize, but considering that he was the one who had taken advantage of her and yet acted aggrieved, her expression turned bitter as she thought: *If it weren't for you, the others would have already been beaten by me until their livers and spleens ruptured and they ended up in the ICU.*

Reina was a national-level martial arts expert; she knew that level of force wouldn't severely injure this man, and she had no desire to hurt him.

"What? Still dwelling on what happened just now?" The tall beauty raised an eyebrow. "You were the one who made the first move!"

"Yes, yes, yes, I was the one who made the first move." Soya Uesugi sighed, a trace of sorrow clouding his face. "I'm just regretful, and there's something I don't know whether I should tell you or not."

*This guy, is there anything between us that can't be said?*

Seeing that Soya Uesugi wasn't dwelling on the previous incident, Reina felt relieved, smiled, and said softly, "What is there that can't be said?"

"Master Reina, this police uniform skirt paired with black stockings looks really pretty on you. I'm just worried I won't get to see it anymore," Soya Uesugi lamented quite bluntly. "You never dress like this usually."

The police uniform shirt and jacket were tucked tightly into the dark navy blue tight body-con skirt. The skirt perfectly contoured the tall beauty's devilishly slender figure, not only accentuating her athletic and tender waistline to flawless perfection, but also making Reina's full, rounded curves look exceptionally sexy.

Beneath the skirt, a pair of gorgeous, long legs were encased in translucent black matte stockings. Tracing down those black-stockocked legs, a pair of delicate, stockinged feet stepped into simple patent leather chunky-heeled shoes. Although the heels weren't high, combined with this police uniform on the already tall Reina, it looked infinitely mesmerizing.

*So this guy was worried about this?*

*If you begged me, it wouldn't be impossible to wear it for you on my day off. What's the big deal?*

Reina shot Soya Uesugi a sidelong glance, too lazy to humor him. She grabbed his wrist and dragged him forward, muttering under her breath, "There's no reason to wear black stockings with a formal uniform anyway," while swaying her hips to signal him not to dawdle.

However, Soya Uesugi suddenly reversed his grip on her small hand, pulled her into his arms with a sudden tug, and the two of them squeezed together behind the fire cabinet in the stairwell corner!

"Shh!" Before Reina could ask, Soya Uesugi motioned for her to keep quiet and jerked his chin toward the outside.

A squad of tactical operators in black uniforms, holding riot helmets, wearing police batons at their waists, and with handgun holsters swaying, walked past in a flurry. They moved with hurried steps and grave expressions, and the sound of heavy objects colliding echoed incessantly.

"SIT! Has the Special Investigation Team of the First Investigation Division been deployed?" Reina Ikeda recognized the newcomers.

"Yeah, be careful. We're conducting an illegal search, don't get caught." Soya Uesugi pressed his hands against Reina. Soon, his expression turned very peculiar, and a intense flush spread across the man's cheeks: "Um, Master Reina."

"Hmm?" Reina motioned that the SIT hadn't gone far yet, so there was no rush.

"Um, Master Reina, I'm going to... not be able... to breathe." Soya Uesugi made a wry face.

The tall beauty was wearing shoes with a slight heel and, due to tension, was standing on her tiptoes. Her two long, stockinged legs pressed against Soya Uesugi's knees, and her pencil skirt hitched up slightly, creating a breathtaking contrast between her fair thigh skin and the deep, mysterious black of the stockings.

Reina Ikeda's face also flushed with a blazing red glow. She motioned for Soya Uesugi to wait a moment longer. Only after confirming that the SIT members had all departed did she laboriously extricate herself from the corner, lower her head, bite her lip, and manage to say, "There, happy now?"

Squeezed into the corner of the fire cabinet, bathed in Soya Uesugi's scent, the tall beauty trembled slightly, taking a few deep breaths to slowly regain her composure.

Soya Uesugi did the same, panting heavily a few times: "Alright, let's keep going."

Reina Ikeda lowered her head, a smile playing at the corners of her lips.

"Right, let's keep going!"

The two of them sneaked down the stairs. As soon as they entered the basement area, a pungent odor hit them head-on.

Besides the parking lot, the third basement level of the Fuji TV building was stacked with a massive amount of miscellaneous items: props for sets, decorative clutter, paint tools, and even some animals used for broadcast appearances. With the television station's programs running the gamut, the basement clutter was naturally varied and bizarre.

Soya Uesugi even spotted an Ultraman suit hanging over a pile of animal pelts, exuding a foul odor of leather.

The layout of the basement area was extremely complex, filled with clutter everywhere. Many items were piled right in the hallways, simply covered with plastic sheets or canvas, and scenery backdrops were casually stacked at the end of the corridor.

"I feel like I've entered a catacomb," Soya Uesugi coughed softly. "As expected, every company has legacy spaghetti code."

"It stinks so bad... Will Ms. Mariko really be here?" Reina Ikeda also covered her nose, frowning.

"We'll know once we take a look," Soya Uesugi said with absolute confidence.

"The third basement level, excluding the parking lot, has several hundred square meters on each floor and dozens of rooms. Just the two of us?" Reina Ikeda lacked confidence, but she was still brimming with drive.

Because he was here. Because she had such strong expectations of him.

He always managed to surprise her, and she believed this time would be no exception.

"Yes, just the two of us." Seeing her expression, Soya Uesugi chuckled inwardly, put away his teasing demeanor, and said seriously, "Trust me, it'll be quick."

"Mhm, I trust you," Reina Ikeda replied blankly, then turned around.

*Oh no, the look when he gets serious is a bit hard to resist.*