Life Will Change Book 2

Chapter 12: Bonding Time

Begin!

~Normal POV

Zenkichi was standing alone in the PubSec briefing room. He was staring at a few case images being displayed through a projector, while being deep in thought about the case. Along with thinking about those Phantom Thieves and what they'd shown him the other day. It was beyond unnerving to think such a strange place existed...

"Inspector Hasegawa?"

Zenkichi turned his attention to the voice addressing him. "Ah, Commissioner Kaburagi." He greeted, bowing in respect.

Miyako Kaburagi was a severe-looking older woman with a very stiff manner. She was almost as tall as him, with grey hair done up in a perfectly proper bun, and cold grey eyes that were sharp and intimidating behind her square rimmed glasses. She spoke with a stern, clear voice of authority. She gave off the perfect vibe of the type of woman one should never cross.

"Are you feeling well," She asked, bluntly.

"It's just been a while since I've been undercover, that's all..." Zenkichi answered, vaguely. "Little tired, but I'll pull through."

"Don't work yourself too hard." Kaburagi said, "Have you liaisoned with the Phantom Thieves?"

"Yes, I've managed to persuade them to assist in this case."

"May I ask then why you have not reported on the identities of the other members?"

Zenkichi swallowed uncomfortably, adjusting his tie in the process. "Ah... About that... I'm sorry, commissioner, but their leader doesn't trust me. I need to show him that I'm serious about working with them peacefully. That includes keeping the others off the record. It's the only way they'll listen to me. Thus, I am not at liberty to disclose the identities of his teammates."

Kaburagi gave him a skeptical look. "Hmph... Very well... I hope you know what you're doing, Hasegawa. Remember, if you find any evidence of their guilt, even the smallest trace, trust will no longer be an issue. If they truly are innocent, as you believe, they'd better be damn ready to prove it." She paused and changed the topic. "So, Kurusu doesn't trust you?"

"Not even a little." Zenkichi said, chuckling nervously. "Geez, every time he looks at me I keep thinking he's gonna set me on fire..."

Kaburagi smirked a bit. "Are you afraid of a 17 year old boy?"

"Of course not," Zenkichi replied, hastily.

"Well, if he ever decides to follow up on that threat, then you'll at least be able to catch him on something." She moved to the other side of the room to pour herself a cup of coffee from a machine on a table. "Damn Phantom Thieves... We know they've done vigilantism in the past, but we couldn't catch them because of the mysterious lack of any evidence... They're quite the crafty nuisance..."

"That's true..." Zenkichi said, thoughtfully. "Quite a few cells are full because of them though-"

Kaburagi nearly choked on her coffee. "Inspector! Are you insinuating these criminals are-!"

"I'm just saying, we caught some pretty big fish thanks to them! I didn't say they were right, just... we can't ignore what they've done for us, even indirectly."

Kaburagi sighed in mild relief. "Choose your words more carefully next time. I'm an old woman, you know." She took her cup and headed for the door. "Good luck on your investigation. And make sure you head home once in a while. Checking on the girl is important too." She left the room.

"...Yes, ma'am..."

~...

The gang had been driving on the highway for quite a while now. So far, much of the conversation had been about the sights to see around them. Akira had been so engrossed in his book he barely acknowledged what anyone was talking about. (Though everyone knew better than to bother him while he read.) Ann had chosen to sit up front, leaving Akira seated beside Yusuke and Futaba, while Ryuji, Haru, and Morgana sat across from them. Akira set up his phone stand on the table to let Sophia be included.