-----
-----
Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
Ran and Fuyutsuki Shiori sat in an empty interrogation room.
"Uh... Ran?" Shiori bit her lip, gathering the courage to ask, "Are we really about to get arrested as murder suspects?"
She was terrified!
In this high-stress situation, even her love rival, Ran, had unknowingly become her only source of comfort.
"No way."
"The police need actual evidence to arrest someone."
"We didn't kill anyone, so how could we be murder suspects?"
Ran spoke with confidence, but deep down, she was nervous too.
She had been to the police station many times before, but this was the first time as a suspect.
"So... what about you?"
"Are your parents coming to pick you up?"
Shiori knew that Ran's mom was Tokyo's "Queen of Law," and her dad was a detective.
As long as her parents showed up, Ran would probably be free in no time.
And then… Shiori would be left alone in this cold, empty room.
The thought made her feel completely helpless.
"I..."
Ran hesitated, seeing the dejection on Shiori's face.
She understood Shiori's situation all too well.
With parents absent for years, she had been living with her cousin, Nakaizumi Yui, and working at CLOVER convenience store just to support herself.
On top of that…
There were rumors among the delinquent students that Shiori's parents were long gone.
"Don't worry."
"We'll be fine soon."
"Once the police investigate properly, we'll go home together."
She had thought about calling her mom for help.
But when she saw Shiori curled up on the couch, hugging her knees, she just couldn't do it.
"Really?"
"Thank you, Ran."
Shiori lowered her head, trying to hold back her tears.
Just then—
The door slowly creaked open.
Both girls' hearts pounded.
They hoped for good news, yet feared the worst.
"Akira?"
Ran's eyes widened in shock as she saw the person standing at the door.
It was him—Akira.
At that moment—
It felt as if a ray of hope had pierced through the darkness.
Especially for Shiori.
Aside from Nakaizumi Yui, she had no one in Tokyo.
The moment she saw Akira, the weight crushing her heart suddenly lifted.
He was here to save her!
She hadn't followed the wrong person after all.
"Yeah, it's me."
Ran and Shiori were only on the suspect list, and the detectives from the Violent Crimes Division didn't really think they were the murderers.
So…
Seeing them wasn't exactly difficult.
"Did you two kill someone?"
The question immediately made both Ran and Shiori frown in frustration.
"Of course not!"
They were beyond annoyed. How did they even get caught up in something like this?
They were just high school students who hadn't yet experienced the brutal realities of society. Even if you gave them ten times the courage, they still wouldn't dare commit murder.
"Well, I have a way to prove your innocence."
"Interested?"
The two girls immediately nodded like pecking chicks.
Yes!
Yes, yes, yes, bro!
This was exactly what they had been waiting for.
"But..."
"You have to agree to two conditions."
"First: From now on, you two must get along."
Hearing this, Shiori instantly scooted closer to Ran, closing the distance between them.
She wouldn't argue anymore, okay?
Going through this ordeal together had changed her perspective. She no longer saw Ran as a rival.
"And the second condition?" Ran asked eagerly.
She had been trying to keep a cool head, but in reality, she was just as desperate to get out of the police station.
"The second condition is that from now on, you both listen to me."
"Deal?"
"If you agree, I'll retrieve the surveillance footage to clear your names."
The girls exchanged glances, then nodded in unison.
Hmm…
These conditions weren't too bad.
They could totally do that!
"Alright, then prove it to me."
Hearing this—
Shiori immediately grinned and linked her arm with Ran's, while Ran playfully pinched Shiori's cheek.
Perfect!
Akira was very pleased with their cooperation.
"What the hell…?"
"What is this guy even doing?"
Outside the room, Inspector Sato Miwako, who had been secretly observing, looked utterly baffled.
She was completely lost!
Did any of this have anything to do with the murder case she was investigating?
…