"Here's fine," Shuichi Hayashi said, glancing out the car window.
With the nightclub case resolved, Officer Megure was driving him home.
"There's still a bit to go," Megure said. "Why stop here—"
"I'll walk the rest," Shuichi said, yawning. "It'll wake me up. I've got school soon."
"Hayashi, I can't thank you enough for last night," Megure said. "If you're too tired, I can call the school and get you a day off."
"No need. I'm a good student. No skipping class."
Shuichi waved him off, pushed the door open, and stepped out.
Dawn had just broken, and the streets were still quiet, with few pedestrians around.
The police car had stopped in the commercial district, not far from the Mouri family's building.
"I haven't pulled an all-nighter in ages. One night, and I'm already feeling it," Shuichi muttered, stretching as he walked.
Nearing an alley, he overheard menacing voices. "Little girl, hand over your money, or we'll take more than just your cash!"
A robbery?
Still raw from last night's case, Shuichi's mood was sour. Someone picking a fight now was practically begging for a beating. He sprinted toward the alley.
At the entrance, he saw three sleazy-looking punks surrounding a pretty girl with a high ponytail, dressed in a white tracksuit.
Despite holding a wooden sword, the girl's hands trembled, her voice shaky. "Y-you're really going to rob me?"
"We were just gonna take your money," the lead punk leered, "but seeing how cute you are, we'll have some extra fun too!"
His two buddies snickered lewdly.
At their words, the girl's trembling stopped, her demeanor shifting to steely calm.
"Robbery and assault? You said it yourselves!"
With a swift swing, she struck the leader with her wooden sword, sending him to the ground, clutching his neck and wailing.
The other two rushed to help, but in two or three moves, she floored them too.
"Take that for robbing!"
"And that for assault!"
Her sword rained blows on their heads and bodies, leaving them bruised and battered.
Shuichi, watching from the alley's entrance, stood dumbfounded.
Wasn't this supposed to be a hero-saves-the-damsel moment?
Since when are girls this tough?
After thrashing the punks, the girl propped her sword in front of her, glaring. "Wallets! Hand them over!"
Terrified, the trembling punks surrendered their wallets.
"What? Empty?" She smacked each of them again with the sword. "Where's the cash?"
"We… we lost everything playing pachinko all night," the leader stammered. "If we had money, we wouldn't be robbing anyone."
"Tch, wasting my time with no cash!"
She kicked each punk once more, slung the sword over her shoulder, and turned to leave—then spotted Shuichi.
"Hey, you're not planning to call the cops, are you?" she snapped. "Get this straight: those three tried to rob me. I was just defending myself!"
"Self-defense?" Shuichi said, his expression skeptical. "Demanding their wallets counts as self-defense?"
"Hmph, I put in all that effort to correct their criminal behavior," she said, as if it were obvious. "Don't I deserve a little compensation?"
Her gaze shifted, suddenly puzzled. "Wait, have I seen you somewhere? Why does your face make me want to punch you?"
"Huh?"
Shuichi was baffled, but the moment he saw her face clearly, recognition hit. Last week, after the apartment robbery case during that stormy night, he'd gone with the Mihama police chief to a flower shop in the commercial district. This spirited girl was the shop owner's daughter.
"You must have the wrong guy," Shuichi said, shaking his head and turning to leave.
She looked like trouble, and he was too exhausted to deal with it.
But the girl wasn't letting him off. "No way I got it wrong! Don't move!"
With a shout, she charged, wooden sword raised.
"Hey, I'm just passing by, don't—"
Before he could finish, her sword swung down at his head.
Instinctively, Shuichi raised his hands, catching the blade barehanded.
As his palms clamped the wood, he realized the swing, though fierce-looking, lacked real force. She was just trying to scare him.
"You…"
"Not bad!" Her eyes lit up, excitement replacing her scowl.
She tugged at the sword, but Shuichi held it firm, immovable.
"Let go!" she demanded.
Kicking at his stomach to force him back, she aimed to free her weapon.
But Shuichi didn't budge. Sidestepping her kick, he yanked the sword, expecting to pull it free. Instead, she clung on stubbornly.
She was no match for his strength. As he pulled, her refusal to let go sent her crashing into him.
"Ow!"
"That hurts!"
No romantic collision followed. Instead, Shuichi clutched his nose, fighting tears, while she rubbed her forehead, grimacing.
"No airbags on your chest, and you still dare crash into someone?" Shuichi grumbled, wincing from the impact.
"Who puts airbags on their chest? I'm not a car…"
She paused, glanced down, and caught his meaning. Her face darkened. "Pervert! Mocking me? I'll kill you!"
She shouted, but Shuichi still held her sword.
"Let go!"
"Promise not to attack, and I will."
"Fine, I promise."
"Sorry, don't believe you."
"You!" Her face flushed with rage. "I remember now! Last week, you came to my family's flower shop in a police car! Hanging with cops—you're no good!"
"Hey, that's some twisted logic," Shuichi said, exasperated. "What's wrong with being with the police?"
(End of Chapter)
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/TripleCrown07
If you guys wanna check it out.