Chapter 3: The End, the Demise, or the Process

Himuro Police Station, located in Himuro Ward, Tokyo.

This is where police officers, who crack down on criminals violating public order and morals and maintain peace, work. Right now, it's the most watched police station in Japan.

A police station boasting approximately four hundred officers, it's usually not a place where manpower is lacking. However, due to a certain incident, most of the officers are currently running around ragged.

"---Listen up! The latest kidnapping incident occurred in Himuro Ward. Considering the pattern of previous crimes, the next one will likely also be in Himuro Ward. We absolutely must prevent it and apprehend the perpetrator! Each of you, thoroughly patrol your assigned areas!"

While the Criminal Investigation Division was rushing around frantically, and even personnel from the General Affairs Division were being mobilized for miscellaneous tasks, officers belonging to the Traffic Division were working on their own duties, watching this commotion out of the corner of their eyes.

Unlike their superiors who were shouting instructions excitedly, fatigue was etched on the faces of the lower-ranking officers who were working themselves to the bone.

The opinion among the Traffic Division officers was that the new head of the Criminal Investigation Division, who had recently transferred here, was just too hot-blooded.

With that kind of approach, even catchable criminals would slip through their fingers, they thought.

"Wow, Asuka-chan, you're so lucky, aren't you? Just look at how busy those guys in the Criminal Investigation Division are. They're mobilizing everyone, regardless of whether they're rookies or veterans. If Asuka-chan had been assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division, you'd be working non-stop right now, wouldn't you?"

"Ehh—, then I'm glad☆. I'm relieved I was assigned to the Traffic Division here with you seniors—!"

"Well, well, well, unlike the Criminal Investigation Division, I'll be here to teach you everything step-by-step! So, don't worry about a thing!"

"Wow—, senpai, you're so cool—"

With the hurried footsteps as background music, a frivolous-looking man and a seemingly empty-headed female rookie belonging to the Traffic Division were chatting away without a care for their volume.

They didn't seem to mind even when the Criminal Investigation Division officers glared at them with irritation.

The frivolous man elegantly sipped his tea, slowly typing on his computer.

"But still, the 'Serial Child Kidnapping Incident' is really something, isn't it? Every news outlet is only covering that, and on my way home yesterday, someone from a newspaper company approached me, asking for an interview."

"Hahaha, well, we'll leave it to the Criminal Investigation Division to solve that. We have to do our own jobs properly. We don't have the leeway to help them out. That newspaper person probably approached you to flirt because Asuka-chan is cute, isn't that it?"

"Oh, come on, senpai. You're so good at complimenting me—"

The opinions of these two, chatting lightly, were certainly not the consensus of the entire Traffic Division.

However, it was also true that they didn't feel obligated to warn them out of any sense of duty to the Criminal Investigation Division, and no one showed any sign of trying to scold them.

"Um, could you teach me how to prepare the next document?"

"Hmm? Oh, no, Asuka-chan. That's enough for today. If you just properly remember what I taught you today, you'll have plenty of time to learn the rest slowly. Besides, Asuka-chan picks things up so quickly, if you show your excellence to those around you any more, you might get snatched away by the Criminal Investigation Division."

"…Is that so—, then I guess it can't be helped☆. I'll review what you taught me! Oh, I'll make some tea, is hot tea okay for you?"

"Thanks—, as expected, Asuka-chan is so thoughtful!"

The empty-headed woman, beaming a fawning smile at the frivolous-looking man who was frankly pleased, went to make tea.

The frivolous man, entrusted with guiding the rookie, had initially been anxious about his first time guiding a newcomer, but his anxiety had completely vanished as he realized the rookie was far more capable than he had imagined.

At this rate, he would be in good graces with his superiors, and his own evaluation might even improve—the man was in a cheerful mood, and he turned his gaze to the seat next to him.

There, ignoring the noisy duo beside them, was a male police officer who looked much older than his actual age, silently and diligently working on his own tasks.

Kagurazaka Kamiya—the police officer who had encountered the bus hijacking incident the other day and successfully apprehended the perpetrator.

"Kagurazaka-san, you did a great job during that bus hijacking incident the other day, didn't you? Did your salary go up or did you get any special leave or anything?"

"Nothing in particular. Rather, something like that shouldn't be considered a meritorious deed. We should have apprehended the perpetrator before the bus hijacking even happened."

"Whoa—, as expected of a former elite, you say different things. But, not to preach, but this isn't the Criminal Investigation Division, so it's better not to move too conspicuously. The Criminal Investigation Division guys probably won't be pleased with that kind of attitude."

"Hah, I'm not afraid of being noticed by those guys who can only act as mere pawns. Rather, I don't want to associate with those kinds of people."

"Well, I agree with the latter part."

Kagurazaka was finishing up his assigned tasks as quickly as possible, and using the extra time to compare materials related to past child kidnapping cases.

For the man, who thought major incidents should be left to the Criminal Investigation Division, Kagurazaka's actions were nothing to emulate.

"Well, whatever. As long as Kagurazaka-san doesn't bring any strange work into our division, it's not like it will burden me."

"Don't you have any ambition to solve cases and get promoted?"

"I doubt Kagurazaka-san wants to get promoted either, right? I don't want to get promoted either, I just want to do a decent job and enrich my private life with that money. I became a civil servant just because it's stable, you know?"

"Being honest isn't always a good thing, you know. Keep things like that to yourself."

"Coming from someone who was on the promotion track in Public Security, but got transferred here for making outrageous claims, it doesn't sound very convincing. Let me see, what was it again—'Humans with supernatural powers that cannot be proven by science exist,' was it?"

"…"

At the man's words, spat out with utter disdain, Kagurazaka didn't even twitch an eyebrow. He just raised his gaze from the materials he was looking at and stared down at the man looking down at him.

The man, momentarily faltering at Kagurazaka's weary, burnt-out expression, pointed at the materials.

"Sure, if we could blame the serial kidnapping incident that's causing a stir in society on something supernatural, it would be easy, wouldn't it? Blame everything we can't understand on supernatural phenomena, and then throw in the towel, saying we can't solve it. Listen, even I, who doesn't have pride as a police officer, understand this—we, who execute our duties based on laws grounded in scientific evidence, if we deny science, we can't solve anything. What we should be doing is investigating illegal activities based on scientific evidence in line with the current times, not proving the existence of occult things that have no basis. What Kagurazaka-san is doing is completely meaningless—"

It wasn't wrong.

Although his attitude was problematic, Kagurazaka understood that the man's opinion was the general view.

However, interrupting the male officer who was speaking rapidly, Kagurazaka stated clearly.

"Yes, even so… powers that cannot be proven by science, they certainly exist in this world. They do exist."

"…Ridiculous…"

Overwhelmed by Kagurazaka's weary words, the man, Todo, could only say that.

"Tea's ready, seniors—☆"

A carefree voice echoed through the department, where the air had turned cold.

The rookie police officer, Asuka, oblivious to the atmosphere, placed cups of tea on everyone's desks.

"Come on, come on—, Todo-senpai, sit down, sit down—☆"

"Ah, ah, Asuka-chan. Thanks. Well then, I'll get back to my work, so please do what I told you earlier."

"Yes—, got it—!"

(Illustration No. 12)

Kagurazaka cast a bewildered gaze at Asuka, who waved her hand flippantly, seeing off the deflated Todo.

She was a newbie, but somehow, each of her actions seemed meaningful, and she didn't seem like just an empty-headed airhead.

(Come to think of it, the police academy instructors all said she was exceptionally talented.)

"Kagurazaka-senpai—, are you captivated by me—? Well—, I am super beautiful, so it can't be helped, but staring at a woman so intently is considered sexual harassment, you know—☆"

"Ah, sorry."

Kagurazaka raised his evaluation of Asuka in his mind by one point, thinking that she was at least someone who could read the atmosphere and had the guts to deliberately ignore the surrounding situation.

As instructed, he returned his gaze from her to the collected materials and resumed the work of adding notes to the memo summarizing his considerations.

Incident locations, dates, and times, the base and transaction points calculated from them.

He summarized them in his own way, writing down several ideas he had come up with to help solve the case even a little.

He noticed that Asuka, still next to him, was peering intently at Kagurazaka's notes with great interest.

"What is it? You have work to do too, right? Go back to your desk."

"Kagurazaka-senpai, do you think supernatural powers are involved in this kidnapping incident as well?"

"So what if I do? Let me tell you, I've been told by countless people that it's impossible. Even without you telling me, I know that many people have negative opinions. But—"

Asuka spoke, overlapping Kagurazaka's words, who was about to dismiss her面倒くさそう (mendokusasou - as if it's a pain), as if it were a phrase he had heard countless times before.

"But, you're certain, aren't you? Kagurazaka-senpai, about the existence of 'unique abilities'."

"…You…?"

Kagurazaka's eyes widened at Asuka's words, whispered as if right into his ear.

He felt conviction in her voice.

An old-fashioned, handmade blue beanbag was pressed against Kagurazaka's forehead as he spun around as if propelled by a spring.

Her face visible through the beanbag, she grinned like a child who had just pulled off a prank.

"Just kidding—, I don't believe in UFOs or Nessie, though. Well, I do think they're cute—☆"

"…You… you were teasing me, weren't you?"

"It's because Kagurazaka-senpai wouldn't pay attention to such a cute junior like me—☆. This beanbag is handmade by me. I'll make you a Nessie plushie next time for senpai who likes the extraordinary—☆"

Kagurazaka felt a headache as Asuka, who had appealed to her domestic side on purpose, returned to her desk. Another individual with a strong personality had joined them, he thought.

Despite her seemingly nonchalant attitude, the men in this department were all soft on Asuka.

Thinking he would go out for some fresh air, Kagurazaka reached for his cigarettes.

(…Come to think of it, that female student with the dead fish eyes during the bus hijacking. She was quite composed despite being caught up in the incident. If a girl like that became a police officer, she would definitely be exceptionally capable… She seemed smart too, she'll probably get a job at some major corporation or something…)

Just as he was recalling the girl he had met before and was about to stand up to take a short break, the station suddenly became a little hectic, unfortunately timed.

"Emergency call received. A call from a girl living in a house near this police station. However… it's a report that a man with a weapon has broken into her house, but the girl is strangely calm. It might be a hoax call."

"Tch, as if we aren't already busy enough dealing with the kidnapping incident. Is there anyone free right now? Anyone will do, just go to the scene and check it out—! Hey, is anyone available—?"

"…Haa."

Kagurazaka tossed the cigarette he was holding onto his desk and rushed out, putting on his jacket as he ran.

◆◆◆

"H-hey, Nee-chan…? Can I come out of the room now?"

"…Not yet, you still shouldn't leave the room."

"What were those weird noises from earlier!? What's going on? It wasn't Dad who came home after all, was it!?"

"It's nothing, just wait a little longer, okay?"

I gave my sister, who was anxiously calling out from beyond the door, a vague answer, and continued to press my back against the door to prevent it from being opened.

I cracked my knuckles and observed the man standing still in front of me.

Breathing heavily, the man, looking around with a ferocious expression, had bloodshot eyes and was gripping a large survival knife tightly in his trembling hand.

He still seemed to be looking for me, but showed no sign of noticing me standing right in front of him.

The walls and furniture had been torn and damaged by his weapon, but I had somehow managed to prevent him from reaching the room where my sister was.

It took time, but this man was now in the palm of my hand.

Like being caught in a spider's web, most of his senses were now under my control.

He couldn't properly grasp his surroundings, nor could he find my or my sister's room.

This unique ability that I call "mental interference" can achieve even this if given enough time.

"The call is finished, and he's neutralized. The excuse is… he was on drugs, right?"

"…ッ!! …Agh!?"

I had even silenced his voice so as not to worry my sister, but it seems it wasn't perfect.

I don't usually use it this way, so that's probably why I can't do it well in a pinch like this.

There are many points to be concerned about, but it's enough that his movements are restricted.

Once I've brought him to this state, I can manipulate him however I want.

I gazed at the perpetrator, who was still thrashing around, trying to find us sisters, as if looking at garbage.

(The inside of the house is a mess… How should I make this guy pay for it?)

My power works on the mind, not a force that can directly inflict harm.

So, instead of being able to punch him in anger, I can mess him up without leaving any evidence.

Should I make him feel terror towards everything? Or perhaps, make him unable to feel pleasure in anything?

While pondering this, I turned my palm towards the struggling man and began to interfere with his mind.

First, I made him feel terror when he tried to harm others for pleasure.

Next, I made him unable to feel any pleasure in anything, including the pleasures he usually felt.

Then, I instilled in him the behavior of an ordinary good person.

Finally, I added to the core of his principles of action—to serve his family, whom he had troubled until now, even if it meant working himself to the bone.

--- In this methodical way, little by little, I fundamentally rewrote the values of the dangerous person before my eyes.

And then, look, the man who had been struggling just moments ago became as still as a statue, standing blankly on the spot.

(With this, he's also my puppet.)

The man no longer has free will.

As a good person as I have defined, his only path is to live in this world.

Literally, until he dies.

"N-Nee-chan, police cars…"

I sensed multiple people approaching this house.

It was my first time calling the police, but perhaps because our house is near the police station, they seemed to have arrived in just a few minutes.

"Satori-san—? We're coming in—?"

"…"

The man didn't react at all to the police officer's voice coming from the entrance.

The door rattled open, and multiple footsteps echoed through the house.

While listening to my sister's agitated voice, I turned my gaze to the staircase where they would likely come up.

"…"

The perpetrator, with a lifeless face, was twitching his body, concerned about the direction of the entrance.

He "should escape," yet he also felt he "must atone for his sins."

He "must achieve his goal," yet he "felt as if his goal was terribly wrong" and couldn't bring himself to act.

In this way, the man was caught between his conflicting emotions and unable to move.

In the end, the man couldn't take any action.

In that situation, a face I had seen just recently rushed up the stairs and into my sight.

"Wh-what is this…?"

"Ah, excuse me, mister, long time no see. He's been running wild with a knife, but his words and actions are quite strange."

"You are…!? You just keep running into trouble, don't you?"

It was the police officer with the aged face, whom I had encountered during the bus hijacking.

The police officer was bewildered by the bizarre situation, but quickly snapped out of it, opened and closed his mouth largely, and lunged at the stiff perpetrator.

In the blink of an eye, he disarmed him, pinned him down, and immediately handcuffed him.

Other police officers rushed in to assist, and the perpetrator, pinned down completely, couldn't offer any real resistance.

"---Suspect from the emergency call secured! Resisting, but not violently! Prepare for transport—!"

Feeling the force pushing against the door on my back, I gently moved aside, and my sister, with a pale face, peeked out.

Her eyes widened at the numerous police officers, and her expression contorted as she looked at the pinned-down man.

"It's okay," I tried to say, but I couldn't stop the tears that welled up in my sister's eyes.

While stroking the head of my sister, who had hugged me tightly and started sobbing, I turned my gaze in the direction of the pinned-down perpetrator.

My eyes met those of the police officer with a stern face.

The police officer's gaze, filled with suspicion far greater than during the bus hijacking incident, was fixed on me.