SCIAW: Chapter 340/341

Chapter 340: Four?

"Invite me?"

Sato Miwako looked at Ren in astonishment. She really hadn't expected the boy to say something like that.

"You can just invite someone for this kind of thing?"

"I can."

"..."

Sato Miwako fell silent for a moment, then cautiously asked,

"You're not actually interested in me, an aunt, are you?"

She clearly saw the boy's expression freeze slightly—then he chuckled.

"If Officer Sato wants to think that, I won't stop you. Even though you've worked as a detective for so long, you're still very beautiful. I doubt any man would actually think of you as an aunt."

"And didn't you say a few days ago, if I pursued you, you'd give me a chance? Are you regretting that now?"

It wasn't hard for Miwako Sato to tell the boy was teasing her. Her face grew slightly hot, and she coughed awkwardly.

Ren returned to his usual smile and waved the topic away.

"Well, Officer Sato, don't overthink it. Dating always depends on both parties. Although I've dated two girls and am currently dating two more, all of it is based on mutual consent."

Once his teasing tone faded, Sato Miwako visibly relaxed.

Of course, she had meant what she said back then, but romance should always come down to mutual choice.

However, something about his follow-up left her a little stunned.

"You… you're seriously dating four girls at once?"

"Yeah."

"You—you admit it just like that?!"

"There's nothing wrong with admitting it. Would Officer Sato prefer it if the guy she dated hid the fact that he was in a relationship?"

"Definitely not!"

Sato Miwako rejected the idea outright.

If she were dating someone, she certainly wouldn't want to hide that relationship.

"Wait, wait, that's not the point! The point is—how are you dating four girls?!"

Realizing something, Sato Miwako froze.

"Don't tell me... they're also in our circle?"

Ren simply smiled in response.

Sato Miwako's pupils narrowed.

"Seriously?! You're not using this whole thing to build a harem, are you?"

That nearly made Ren burst out laughing, but fortunately, his expression control was excellent.

"No idiot would do something like that. I'm only dating them because we genuinely like each other. Some parts of it may seem exaggerated, but I can't explain the reason just yet."

Sato Miwako rolled her eyes.

"Besides, relationships like that are often temporary. They could end up leaving both people with bad experiences."

"Wow, I didn't expect Officer Sato to have such thoughts on dating. Oh right, didn't you say before in the Metropolitan Police Department—if someone could solve the mystery of your father's death, you'd grant them one request?"

"What if someone really smart in the department solves it and makes that kind of request?"

"I would agree."

Sato Miwako answered without hesitation. But she quickly added with a mischievous smile,

"However, I only agreed to date. I didn't promise anything more. It's normal to realize you're not compatible after dating a while, right?"

"Of course, if I find that the other person really is worth dating, then I'd want to continue the relationship."

That was a very logical approach. Ren silently agreed with her view.

After all, dating and marriage were two separate things.

People can break up after dating, and Ren didn't think someone like Sato Miwako would be the type to suffer a loss.

Especially when he recalled her infamous German suplex scene.

"That's enough about dating."

Sato Miwako cut off the dating talk and her tone gradually grew serious.

"So... you really know about my father's death?"

"I do. But I don't recommend revealing it yet, especially now that you've just become a public figure."

Sato Miwako paused for a moment, then nodded.

"Let's wait until things calm down."

With Ren's ability, finding the truth behind her father's death was easy. And since she always remembered her father's memorial day, she would still have time to act before then. As long as she knew the truth before the day arrived, she could seek justice as a police officer.

"Then let's talk about your ability."

Now that her father's case had a direction, Sato Miwako felt much lighter. Her curiosity took over again.

"How do you know so much in advance?"

"Divination."

Ren answered with just one word.

Sato Miwako was silent for a moment, then slowly asked,

"Is it the kind of divination I'm thinking of?"

"Exactly. But not some psychological gimmick. It's actual, true divination. I can see past events, present circumstances, and things that might happen in the future."

"...That's too unfair."

Sato Miwako couldn't help blurting out. An ability like that could theoretically solve any case that came to the Metropolitan Police Department.

No criminal could escape being divined. And once divined, their fate would be just like that bomber who was defeated before he ever got the chance.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 341: Can Change the Belief

The ability of divination was nearly unreasonable.

It didn't require deep investigations or deploying large police units to search for evidence like the police normally would.

For the first time, Sato Miwako felt that she was just an ordinary person. As a detective, she could never compare with someone possessing this kind of ability.

"Hold on."

Ren could immediately tell that Officer Sato was overthinking it.

"Divination isn't that simple. Even among those with this ability, being accurate is extremely difficult. My situation is rather unique."

After all, how could ordinary Seers compare to someone who held the Four Sefirots—Sefirah Castle, Chaos Sea, River of Eternal Darkness, and the Nation of Disorder?

That was why his divinations were nearly unaffected, often cutting straight to the core. But in that world, most Seers didn't have access to such power.

Moreover, there were many abilities that interfered with divination. Without a high enough rank or anchoring status, achieving precise predictions was nothing but a dream.

"Also, Officer Sato, don't assume there are lots of people with special powers in the world. In reality, they're far fewer than you'd think. Most people with powers try their best to stay hidden, rather than draw attention to themselves."

"A small number of them have some connection with official organizations because of their special backgrounds. But even then, those people rarely get too involved with the authorities."

"Eh..."

This was Sato Miwako's first true exposure to the other side of the world, and it sparked a wave of curiosity. She carefully committed what she was hearing to memory.

"But if they don't usually associate with official organizations, then why did you suddenly step out?"

"As for me, I just want to reduce how often I need to contact the police. Lately, I've been encountering more and more situations during outings. And sometimes, it's not convenient for me to call the police myself. So, I hoped to find someone who could make it easier for me."

Easier…? Sato Miwako stared blankly at Ren, not expecting him to say something like that.

"You're not worried the Metropolitan Police Department will uncover your identity?"

Ren reached out casually, and a phone appeared in his hand.

"The number I gave you is completely anonymous. How would they trace me? Besides, Officer Sato, do you think the top brass at the Metropolitan Police Department don't realize I'm testing them with this deliberate behavior?"

They definitely noticed. Sato Miwako understood that much.

"They're promoting you to act as a bridge between me and them. They have to consider my sensitivity and attitude, which is why they decided it's better not to investigate further."

"There's a silent agreement between me and the higher-ups. That's why they won't contact me directly and will even go out of their way to avoid drawing my attention."

"And why? Because there are some painful lessons from the past. Some people… are not so easy to reason with."

Sato Miwako fell silent. Her mind went to the Takahashi Ryoichi case.

That incident had a huge impact—mainly because the murder scenes were far too gruesome and violent, and Takahashi's behavior was simply abnormal.

That was due to an evil spirit possession granting him power.

The price was steep, but the harm caused by such an individual was immeasurable. Once someone like that lost control, the destruction they could cause might surpass even the societal damage of a bomber.

That was why the senior officials were extremely cautious. They chose gentle appeasement over direct provocation.

Seeing Sato Miwako deep in thought, Ren waited patiently. Once he saw she'd digested the situation, he picked the conversation back up.

"Reducing hassle is one reason. The other is personal. Compared to others, I think Officer Sato is more trustworthy."

"So yes, you are part of the reason."

Sato Miwako pouted. She had assumed she was just incidental, but it turned out she did factor into it—just as a secondary consideration.

"Of course you are. Aside from your keen instincts, I value that you've always kept your promises. But there's one thing that needs to be said—if you accept power, you also have to be ready to pay the price."

"Price? Like what?"

"Officer Sato is an atheist, right?"

"Yeah, I don't really believe in gods or Buddha."

"Then you'll have to change your faith in the future. You'll need to believe in me."

"Huh?"

Change faith? Become your believer? Sato Miwako stared at Ren in astonishment.

"So you want to be a god?"

"Power and belief are intertwined. Faith is a form of power. It benefits me. If you want to gain power, then you must offer something in return. That's how it works."

"...I see. That's fair."

After recovering from the shock, Sato Miwako gave a small nod.

"So, power and faith are like an equivalent exchange? I provide faith and receive power from you in return? And gaining my belief helps you too?"

"That's exactly right."

With Ren's confirmation, Sato Miwako understood.

It wasn't that Ren was trying to become a god in the literal sense. Rather, this was the medium through which he could grant her power.

Of course, she didn't fully understand what kind of power "faith" truly was. She didn't believe that a mere change in belief was equivalent to receiving something as overwhelming as Ren's abilities.

"There are other theories behind it, but it's not something you need to know right now. Just this part is enough."

So there was more... Sato Miwako nodded slightly but didn't ask further.

Ren had just said she wasn't ready to know the rest. If that was the case, she would wait until the time came.

"So then, how exactly are you going to give me power? Is it the power of divination?"

"No. I'll give you something more suited to your identity as an officer."

(To be continued.)