Chapter 82: The Interrogation
"Kira-kun, thank you so much for coming with me to the police station to file a report." Satomi Ishihara sat on the sofa in the police station's reception room, her voice as prim and proper as if nothing had happened, as she thanked Yoshikage Kira, who was sitting on the sofa next to her.
Yoshikage Kira shook his head and said softly, "It's no problem. After all, even if I hadn't been there, Kamui Woods was on his way."
In addition to Yo Shindo, Kamui Woods had also arrived at the scene. After understanding the situation, he had used the hero hotline to inform headquarters, canceling the distress signal. It was from HQ that he had learned that Endeavor and Shindo had already completed their mission.
Worried that Kira and Satomi might be attacked by the criminal's accomplices, he had volunteered to be their escort, seeing them both safely to the police station.
"Kamui-san, thank you for your help," Satomi said, bowing to him apologetically. "I shouldn't have poked at your sore spot last time, reporting on TV about how Mt. Lady stole your victory."
Kamui Woods gave a wry smile. "I'm used to it by now."
He recognized her as the reporter who had interviewed him before. Yes, she had embarrassed him in front of Mt. Lady, but so what? He was a Pro Hero. Saving citizens was his job. (Well, he was still a little resentful about her stealing his thunder.)
Suddenly, the door opened, and Endeavor, wreathed in flames, strode in. Kamui Woods instinctively did a backflip, putting distance between himself and the Number Two Hero.
"Uh, sorry. Professional habit." Seeing Endeavor look over at him, Kamui Woods scratched his head, embarrassed. He knew Endeavor wouldn't harm him, but he still instinctively reacted to the intense heat. After all, his body was just wood.
Endeavor paid him no mind. He turned his gaze to Yoshikage Kira, sizing him up with a cold stare. After a moment of silence, he spoke. "Yoshikage Kira?"
"Yes." Kira wasn't surprised that Endeavor knew who he was. After all, he was the one who had defeated the son Endeavor had so carefully cultivated. A little attention was to be expected.
Endeavor suddenly asked, "The Sports Festival ended a while ago. It's so late. Why aren't you home?"
"You're Todoroki's father, so you should know that our school let out a little late today. I was on my way home and stopped by a classmate's house for a bit. I noticed it was getting dark, so I said my goodbyes and headed home. On the way, I saw someone furtively following Ms. Ishihara. I was just acting as a good Samaritan," Kira said, glancing at Satomi. "I've already explained all of this to the police. They've called my classmate to confirm and have accepted my statement."
Detective Tsukauchi, once again in his light trench coat and holding a bowler hat, was following behind Endeavor. He smiled. "That's right. I've already confirmed with Shiozaki-san. Kira-kun left her house a short while ago."
Although Tsukauchi was a little curious as to why Kira would be at a girl's house for so long at night, he didn't press the issue. He knew that, when it came down to it, it was just a matter of young love. It was best for an old man like him not to get involved.
Endeavor understood that Kira's presence was just a coincidence. He nodded, then suddenly changed the subject. "I heard you fought with that criminal. How strong was he? Do you think you could have beaten him?"
Although he didn't want to admit it, Kira had indeed defeated his son, Shoto, fair and square. Endeavor acknowledged his strength. In his opinion, Kira could probably defeat some Pro Heroes—for example, that greenhorn he had just run into, Yo Shindo.
Kira replied calmly, "At the time, I was focused on protecting Ms. Ishihara and didn't use any offensive moves. I was just defending and counterattacking. If you think I've committed a crime by using my Quirk in public, that's completely unfounded."
Endeavor was momentarily stunned. I see. This one follows the rules. He was worried about being punished for illegal Quirk use outside of school, so he hadn't used his full strength. That would also explain why the sausage-mouth man had escaped; he had been unable to succeed and had grown frantic when he heard Shindo arriving, running away in a panic.
In truth, Endeavor didn't care about any of that. He just wanted to know why that enemy had suddenly self-destructed. But it seemed Yoshikage Kira didn't know, and it was even less likely that the female reporter had anything to do with it.
Endeavor had no intention of announcing to the public that the criminal he had been pursuing had suddenly exploded. He had also firmly instructed Shindo to keep his mouth shut. That kind of information couldn't get out; it would cause a public panic.
However, the taint I saw on Yoshikage Kira before seems to be gone now. Could it be that he just accidentally came into contact with it somewhere?
Endeavor said nothing more. He suppressed the questions in his heart, gave Kira one last deep look, and turned to leave.
"What did Endeavor come here for? He just asked a bunch of random questions and left. He didn't even try to comfort the victim. He's nothing like All Might," Satomi Ishihara muttered, annoyed by Endeavor's dismissive attitude.
Yoshikage Kira, however, had a guess as to why Endeavor had asked him those questions. It seems that guy happened to blow up right when Endeavor caught up to him, so Endeavor got curious about his cause of death.
Detective Tsukauchi smiled and walked forward, handing a transparent evidence bag to Satomi. "Ms. Ishihara, the criminal has been apprehended by Endeavor. These are the items that were stolen from you, recovered from his person."
Satomi's eyes instantly lit up. She eagerly took the bag and pulled out her wallet and phone. Seeing that none of her IDs were missing from her wallet, she breathed a sigh of relief.
"So that's why Endeavor was here. Why couldn't he just say so? I would have thanked him properly," Satomi said, waving at Endeavor's retreating back. "Thank you, Endeavor! I'm really grateful!"
Endeavor's footsteps paused for a second, then he continued toward the main exit. On his face, which no one could see, a strange, terrifying smile suddenly appeared.
"Hmph. It seems my efforts weren't completely in vain."
Even he felt a sense of satisfaction when he received the sincere gratitude of the public.
Detective Tsukauchi looked at his watch and smiled. "Kira-kun, we meet again. It's getting late. Allow me to make up for last time and drive you both home."
The last time Kira had been at the police station was after the League of Villains incident. Tsukauchi had offered to drive him then, but had been held up. This time, he was determined to see him home.
Yoshikage Kira thought for a moment and smiled. "Then I'll accept your kind offer, Detective. But could you please take Ms. Ishihara home first? She must be terrified by now."
Satomi Ishihara shot Kira a resentful look. If I'm terrified, it's all thanks to you! You made me say those things... How am I ever going to face you again?
Satomi suddenly remembered the way Kira had ruffled her hair in the alley, and her face flushed. He probably doesn't care, right? Should I use this as an excuse to ask him out for a meal, to thank him?
Just as she was summoning her courage, Kira's gaze turned to her. Seeing her suddenly blush, he placed the back of his hand on her forehead, concerned. "Ms. Ishihara, do you have a fever? Should I have the detective take you to the hospital now?"
Hearing that Kira wanted to take her to the hospital, Satomi quickly shook her head, her face burning as she stammered, "N-No, that's not necessary! I just need to go home and get some sleep!"
I'm such an idiot! Satomi cursed herself. I was so calm when I was facing that mugger, but now I can't even speak properly!
Watching this scene, Detective Tsukauchi was suddenly filled with emotion. It seemed Kira and this female reporter had a close relationship. And he had just come from a female classmate's house at night... It really was—
"Youth..."
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