The Difference Between Strength & Power ( MHA x Maki Zenin Reader)

The Interrogation

The police station was alive with activity, despite the late hour, when Maki, Chie and Lieutenant Kishi arrived back from Minami-ku. They were soon directed to a dimly-lit interrogation room by Lieutenant Kawakami.  Superintendent Hino was already sat behind the table, waiting for them.
"Chie, Maki, Kishi, come in," she said as soon as she saw them in the doorway. They walked inside and Maki placed her weapons bag down as the door swung shut behind them.
"How's Minori Miyoshi?" asked Superintendent Hino.
"Shocked and upset, like any mother would be in the circumstances," Chie replied.
"Hardest part of my job," said Superintendent Hino, her face stricken. "Not catching criminals... watching innocent lives shatter."
"I can only imagine the heartbreak you've witnessed," said Chie sympathetically.
"Have you already interrogated Seiichi?" asked Maki.
"Not yet. Just about to start," said Superintendent Hino, who then turned to Lieutenant Kishi, her voice becoming more authoritative, "Kishi! Bring Seiichi Miyoshi here!"
"Yes, ma'am," nodded Lieutenant Kishi, who promptly left the room.
"Have seat, you two.  This could take hours," said Superintendent Hino, turning back to Maki and Chie.
"Are you sure it's alright for us to stay here?" asked Chie.
"I'm sure.  This is our investigation.  You both should be here for the end of it," said Superintendent Hino, reassuringly.
Maki seated herself in the chair next to the superintendent whilst Hirabayashi sat in the one beside the table.  There was a wait of several minutes, in which nobody spoke, then Maki saw the door open.  Lieutenant Kishi moved into the room, gripping the shoulder of Seiichi Miyoshi, whose eyes were darting around the room nervously.  Kishi sat him down in the chair opposite Superintendent Hino and Maki, removed his handcuffs and positioned himself behind Seiichi, in case he tried anything.  The superintendent turned on the recording device on the table and spoke aloud the date, time, location and subject of the interrogation.

"Let's begin," said Superintendent Hino, resting her elbows on the table and interlacing her fingers.  "Seiichi Miyoshi, we haven't formally met.  Superintendent Susumu Hino."  She then gestured towards both Maki and Chie respectively.  "This is Maki Zenin and Chie Hirabayashi.  They will be joining our... conversation, today."
"Um... okay," said Seiichi timidly.
"Mr Miyoshi, you are being charged on multiple accounts of murder..." Superintendent Hino broke off when Seiichi abruptly rose from his seat.
"No, no!  Uhm... this is just a misunderstanding!" said Seiichi, looking aghast.  Lieutenant Kishi firmly placed his hands on Seiichi's shoulders and shoved him back down into the chair.
"Take a breath, Mr Miyoshi.  Calm down," said Superintendent Hino, more softly. "Okay if I call you Mr Miyoshi?"
"Uhm... yes," Seiichi muttered, nervously adjusting his glasses.
"So, Mr Miyoshi, you are being charged on multiple accounts of murder," Superintendent Hino repeated.
"Uhm... that is what you claim..." Seiichi mumbled quietly.
"I can't hear you when you mumble," said Superintendent Hino impatiently.  "We're also investigating other murders with similarities..."
Seiichi looked downward and started to laugh.  Whether it was due to nervousness or smugness, Maki couldn't tell.
"Are you laughing, Mr Miyoshi?" said Superintendent Hino.
"Uhm... no," said Seiichi quickly, his laughter stopping just as abruptly.
"I'm explaining your situation."
"Uhm... okay," said Seiichi.
"This is serious," said Superintendent Hino firmly.  "Now, look at these photos.  Which of these people do you remember?  Think carefully."

Superintendent Hino glanced at Maki, who nodded and passed over one of the files from the small pile of the table.  Superintendent Hino then took out five photos and placed one of them in front of Seiichi, keeping the rest of them in her hands.
"Look at her.  If you remember this woman, say "yes".  If not, say "no"," said Superintendent Hino.
Seiichi looked at the first photo.  It was of Kame Ishibashi's dead body, sitting in a pool of her own blood and green oil paint.  After a minute, Seiichi looked up and frantically shook his head.
"I don't know all this... uhm..." Seiichi trailed off.
"What about this man?  He's a doctor," said Superintendent Hino, placing the second photo in front of him.  This one was of poor Dr Tetsuya Matsuo, stabbed with his own medical scalpel, his blood splattered all over the wall. Seiichi did not speak; he merely shook his head again.
"No? Do you remember this woman?" Superintendent Hino placed the third photo in front of him. One of Yukiko Ohara hanging from the lampshade by a noose.
"Uhm... ha... she's a pretty one," Seiichi mumbled.
"She is pretty," said Superintendent Hino impatiently. "What about her, Mr Miyoshi?"
A photo of Misaki Sawa's corpse (without the paper bag on her head) was placed on the table in front of Seiichi.
"I may have seen her... uhm... somewhere."
"Where did you see her?" Superintendent asked firmly.  But Seiichi continued to mumble to himself; either ignoring Superintendent Hino or being stuck in his own thoughts.
"But she has black hair... uhm... the girl I was thinking of is blonde... So maybe it's not her... uhm... I see so many people every day..."