SCIAW: Chapter 325/326

Chapter 325: No Matter What You Choose

[According to reports from the scene, the museum where the explosion occurred is still under emergency response. The explosion resulted in 37 deaths and 351 injuries.]

The reporters on TV were giving rapid updates from the scene.

The situation was even worse than expected, especially with such a high number of injuries. This had already become a major incident with far-reaching impact. If the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department couldn't resolve it quickly, their credibility with the public would likely plummet.

However, if they did solve the case swiftly, at least for the time being, the police wouldn't be mocked as tax thieves.

"Should I help Officer Sato secure her golden badge?" Ren rubbed his chin, lost in thought.

The true cause of the explosion was easy for him to figure out. After all, he was a Beyonder, not a detective. He didn't need to chase after so-called evidence like the usual sleuths.

Divination was far more unreasonable than detectives with high IQs.

As Ren thought about this, footsteps approached from behind.

They came closer until the backrest of the sofa next to him dipped slightly. The familiar scent of bath products lingered in the air.

"Is that the explosion incident just now?"

"Yeah. It's pretty serious. Thirty-seven people were confirmed dead on the spot, and 351 were injured. That qualifies as a severe and malicious crime. Once they catch the person behind it, there's no way it'll be handled lightly."

Nagi glanced at the TV showing the explosion. The live broadcast didn't display the most tragic scenes. After all, excessive gore couldn't be shown live or it'd trigger regulatory issues.

But just from hearing those numbers from Ren, Nagi could grasp the horror of the scene.

"Internal organs ruptured from the shockwave at close range?"

Ren nodded slightly.

"The explosion occurred too close to the street, and the museum was hosting its 20th anniversary celebration. It was inevitable that visitors would gather nearby. The word 'free' is always a strong pull. Even if people think the museum is boring, if it's free, there'll always be someone who shows up."

Nagi furrowed her brows in confusion.

"So, who did the bombing this time, and why?"

"I'd like to know that too."

Ren took out his tarot cards, shuffled them casually, spread them out in mid-air, and selected three cards at random.

Reversed High Priestess. Reversed Magician. Reversed Chariot.

"Hm~ A paranoid who's already on the verge of madness."

The divination revealed enough. It even directly exposed the real culprit behind the bombing.

"Moriya Teiji."

"Moriya Teiji?"

Nagi felt the name sounded familiar. She racked her brain, trying to dig through messy memories. Then it clicked.

"Moriya Teiji… Isn't he that famous architect in Japan? Why would an architect be involved in a bombing?"

"Artists are often linked to paranoia. Add in career setbacks and some psychological strain, and you get this type of person who projects their delusions onto the world. Psychopaths like this are capable of anything to satisfy their own obsessions."

Nagi noted that "career setbacks" seemed like the key.

After pondering silently, she asked:

"Could this be related to Kudo Shinichi?"

That question made Ren give her a slightly different look.

Nagi covered her face, exasperated.

"So it really is connected to Kudo Shinichi."

Considering the types of incidents they'd encountered before, it seemed like such high-level murder cases only popped up when they were linked to Kudo Shinichi.

In fact, Nagi had just been taking a stab in the dark. Who knew it would be spot on?

"I feel like, from now on, I won't even be surprised if murders happen every week in this city."

Though she said it jokingly, Ren couldn't help but laugh.

"You're not wrong. But Nagi, don't forget, there's still a difference between reality and fiction. Reality isn't always logical, and stories don't revolve around just one person. Sometimes, things don't go according to the script."

"I know."

Despite being only thirteen, Nagi understood this very well.

Don't rely too heavily on predictions. Don't assume the story will unfold exactly as told. A story may hint at possible futures, but it doesn't guarantee them.

"So, what are we going to do about Moriya Teiji?"

The perpetrator had already been identified. Now it was a matter of what Ren wanted to do about it.

"To be honest, I'm pretty conflicted. This kind of psychopath needs to be taken care of soon. If he's allowed to keep roaming around, I'm afraid more people will end up getting hurt."

"So, Nagi, do you think I should stop him now, or wait and see how things play out?"

Nagi didn't get upset. She simply continued the conversation.

"It depends on you. Whether you want to prevent someone's tragedy now, or let things run their course for the sake of greater benefit later."

Her voice was a little sharp. But Ren laughed.

He turned around, leaned over the back of the sofa, and pinched Nagi's soft cheek.

"Even though I really want to see how those detectives operate, there are some things I'd rather not witness. I actually don't like tragedy. So let's deal with Moriya Teiji right away."

Nagi snorted and crossed her arms, puffing up.

"That's your decision. What does it have to do with me?"

"You still pretend it doesn't matter?"

Ren chuckled. As he sat up, Nagi, who had been standing behind the sofa, was gently lifted and placed on his lap like a doll.

"If I chose to just observe, you'd definitely hate me."

Nagi didn't argue back. She just kept watching the news on TV.

"I wouldn't hate you just for that choice. I've known your personality for a long time. You naturally avoid getting involved in things that don't concern you, and you often just watch from the sidelines."

"So, even if you did decide to wait and see, I wouldn't hate you. I'd just think... it's just like you, not wanting to interfere."

"But... if you can change something that can be changed, I think I would like you for that."

Ren, looking at the girl sitting with her back to him, noticed her ears turning slightly red. It was clear how embarrassed she was to say those words.

"Well~ in that case, we really should make arrangements to deal with that psychopath."

(To be continued.)

Chapter 326: Sato Miwako’s Doubts

At this moment, the Metropolitan Police Department was flooded with the sound of ringing phones—countless calls reporting the same thing.

The Museum explosion.

It was now a full-blown crisis and had escalated into a major social incident requiring immediate response.

Even before the fire at the museum had been extinguished, the police had already determined that the explosion was no accident. It had been orchestrated.

There were no flammable or explosive materials stored inside the museum. Moreover, the museum had undergone a thorough renovation ahead of its 20th-anniversary celebration, including updates to all safety systems. This made the possibility of a spontaneous explosion virtually nonexistent.

Once this conclusion was reached, the upper ranks of the Metropolitan Police Department immediately recognized it for what it was—an intentional act of terrorism.

Which made the situation significantly more serious.

To cause an explosion of this scale, the amount of explosives used couldn't possibly be small. And if this much explosive had gone missing, the quantity stolen was likely far more than what had already been used.

Once they understood that, the leadership launched an urgent investigation into the source of the explosives.

But to identify the specific type of explosive, they would have to wait until the fire was fully extinguished so a forensic analysis could be performed.

This delay caused chaos inside the Metropolitan Police Department.

"Ugh…"

Sato Miwako leaned back in her chair and exhaled. She had spent the past two days investigating the Takahashi Ryoichi incident.

She had sorted through a lot and uncovered some leads, but many parts of the case were still frustratingly unclear.

Just as she was about to contact Ren, the museum exploded, interrupting her plans.

But priorities were priorities. The museum bombing was far more urgent.

Ring, ring, ring…

The sudden ring of her phone made her snap back to attention. She sat upright, glanced at the caller ID, and instinctively lowered her voice as she answered.

"What's up?"

"Officer Sato, I assume the Metropolitan Police Department is still scrambling over the Shinjuku bombing, right?"

Miwako immediately perked up when she heard the voice on the other end.

"You know about it?"

"I can guess. I was meeting a friend in Shinjuku today, and the explosion happened across the street. I know stuff like this happens all the time in Beika City, but it still gave me a scare. After I got home, I did some digging and figured out who was behind it and why."

"!?"

Her jaw nearly hit the desk.

"You… How do you already know that?"

Investigation? The entire department was investigating, yet they had no leads. And here her informant had already uncovered the truth?

"I just have a simple and efficient way to get answers. I'm not as clever as a detective, but my method makes up for the lack of brainpower."

"So, Officer Sato, do you want to know?"

That line made Miwako pause. She changed the topic slightly, her tone now filled with curiosity.

"I'm more interested in how you got your hands on that intel."

"You're curious about my method? Sorry, but that's a secret. Not something I can disclose just like that."

Miwako really was curious. What kind of method could uncover the culprit before the entire police department had found a single lead? But she understood—this was likely a private matter. It made sense he wouldn't reveal it so casually.

"Then let me ask you something else. Why contact me after getting this intel?"

"Same reason as before. I don't want unnecessary trouble. Rather than reporting it through official channels, isn't it easier to reach out to you? And didn't you promise to keep it between us?"

"Just to avoid trouble? I feel like you're baiting me… luring me in step-by-step with your mysterious info-gathering methods."

"Hey~ Does Officer Sato think I'm trying to pursue you?"

"No, you wouldn't need to try so hard to pursue me. And besides, there are so many cute girls your age around you. Why would you go for an older woman like me?"

Sato Miwako didn't really think he was pursuing her.

It wasn't about fame or profit. Just avoiding trouble. But she couldn't shake the feeling that he was slowly pulling her into his world out of curiosity.

Not through romantic pursuit, but through intrigue.

Still, she found it strange. Aside from her looks, what could possibly attract anyone?

Being a cop wasn't exactly a popular profession when it came to matchmaking. She'd been on countless blind dates because her mother insisted her job was too dangerous and wanted her to marry early and settle down.

Of course, once the word "police" came up, her dates usually lost all interest.

"So, what if I was pursuing you?"

"Then I'll give you a chance. But a kid like you would definitely lose interest in an older woman like me after just a few days."

"Pfft~ Officer Sato, you really are something else. But let's leave that topic aside and get back to the real point. Officer Sato, do you want to know who was behind the bombing and why?"

"Yes."

Sato Miwako didn't hesitate for a second.

She was, of course, intensely curious about the Shinjuku bombing. The entire department was in motion, which meant this was an enormous case. A major challenge to the Metropolitan Police.

"Moriya Teiji. He planned the bombing. The reason? He suffered a career setback and wanted to challenge a detective who had also fallen from grace."

"…Insane. That bastard's completely lost it!"

That was Miwako's first reaction. This man had triggered a large-scale bombing just because of some career issues?

And to challenge a detective with it?

"I think the police department will soon get reports about the theft of explosives from the JSDF's storage. Once it's confirmed that plastic explosives were stolen, things will escalate fast."

(To be continued.)