In the dean's office at Toito University Hospital, Daimon's agent—and the director of the physician placement agency she belonged to, "Uncle Jing"—was currently "collecting a debt" from the old fox, Dean Hiruma...
"This time, you perfectly restored Officer Shiraishi's body after his severe injuries. Your hospital's reputation must have soared, right? Here's the bill... Of course, same old rule: once you accept it, no matter who asks, the surgery was completed independently by your hospital!" Uncle Jing said, handing over a bill for 100 million yen.
They often made deals like this. Uncle Jing only wanted money, while Daimon only wanted surgeries difficult enough to challenge her. As for certain special cases, the hospital could reap the prestige—after all, Daimon was merely a "temp." Anything she did brought no credit to the hospital; it might even embarrass it. The credit had to be placed on someone else.
"Pfft... Cough, cough, cough. Isn't this extortion? How many zeroes are on this thing? And... what do you mean our reputation soared? The National Police Agency even suspects that we exaggerated his injuries from the start!" Hiruma said irritably.
Hiruma was puzzled as well. This guy had recovered far too quickly... No matter how skilled Daimon was, she couldn't raise the dead or regrow flesh and bones, could she?
"No, Dean Hiruma. You're a hospital; you don't need to worry too much about what the National Police Agency or the Ministry of Justice thinks. Officer Shiraishi is a hero to the people. Since you cured him this time, Toito Hospital's reputation among the public has become excellent!" Uncle Jing said, displaying his talent for negotiation.
"Director Kanzaki, this isn't a matter of what I choose to consider. This time... forgive me, but I won't sign it. If you want to publicize Officer Shiraishi's recovery yourselves, then go right ahead! Naturally, I'll pay the standard overtime fees." Hiruma pushed the bill back, making it clear he wasn't buying it.
For one thing, Shiraishi Kuro's injuries were external wounds. What use was the prestige of treating injuries like that? It wasn't cancer! How often would ordinary people—or important figures—suffer such injuries? From the standpoint of surgical skill, this sort of reputation was insignificant to begin with!
As for being some "hero to the people," that was even more ridiculous... Without publicity, everyone would forget him in a few days. Besides, no one would choose a hospital because of that kind of "good reputation"!
The other reason was, of course, that... Shiraishi Kuro was still in an "awkward position." For nearly half a month, ever since his condition had begun improving, every side had been downplaying publicity about him personally. As an old fox, Hiruma naturally understood that this was a sign the higher-ups had already decided to put him on ice!
In short, Hiruma did not think this was an "achievement" worth boasting about for Toito University Hospital.
But just then...
Knock, knock, knock—
A sudden knock sounded at the door...
After opening it, the secretary saw who had arrived and quickly informed Hiruma, "Dean, it's Miss Suzuki."
"Oh... Please, bring her in quickly," Hiruma said at once.
The visitor was none other than the young miss of the Suzuki Group—Suzuki Ayako.
"Miss Suzuki, this is..." Hiruma was still somewhat puzzled. The Suzuki Group had indeed arranged a meeting beforehand, but he did not know why. He hurriedly rose to his feet.
After all, the Suzuki Group was one of Eastern Island Nation's foremost conglomerates. Suzuki Ayako was also the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Suzuki, who headed it. Moreover, the new laboratory Hiruma wished to establish depended on investment from the Suzuki Conglomerate.
Whatever reason Suzuki Ayako had for seeking him out, Hiruma had decided he would satisfy her demands no matter what!
"Dean Hiruma, I came to thank your hospital for treating Kuro... Cough, Officer Shiraishi. I truly... cannot thank you enough!" Ayako said, bowing deeply with gratitude written all over her face.
"Eh? Ah, I mean... It was what we at Toito University Hospital should have—"
"Cough, cough, Miss Ayako, actually, regarding Officer Shiraishi's surgery..." Uncle Jing said as he withdrew the bill, intending to interrupt Hiruma.
"Mm?" Ayako looked over in confusion. "And you are?"
"Ah, ah, ah... He, he, he's... not important!" Hiruma said, trying to take back the bill. Seeing that Kanzaki Jing refused to let go, Hiruma secretly held up two fingers.
Two hundred million? Mm...
Only then did Kanzaki Jing quietly release the bill. At the same time, he said gentlemanly, "It's nothing. I was merely saying... Officer Shiraishi's surgery was exceptionally difficult. Only Toito University Hospital possessed such skill... Well then, I'll take my leave first!"
After leaving, Kanzaki Jing was delighted, but he also thought, Officer Shiraishi actually has a connection with Suzuki Ayako? If I'd known... I would've asked for more!
"You're looking for Shiraishi Kuro? He was already discharged." Daimon looked at Suzuki Ayako before her in surprise.
"She's an important guest of the dean's. Could you be a little more polite..." Doctor Kaji, who had brought Suzuki Ayako over, reminded her unhappily.
"Mm? It's fine... Thank you. Then there's nothing else." Ayako's expression plainly turned disappointed upon hearing that.
She did not seem disappointed that she had failed to see Shiraishi Kuro. Rather, she seemed disappointed because... Shiraishi Kuro had been discharged without informing her at all!
After Suzuki Ayako left, Daimon immediately asked Kaji gossipily, "Hey, she's some young miss, right? Looks like she has a history with Shiraishi Kuro?"
"Keep your voice down! Don't be so nosy... But I heard Miss Suzuki had wanted to visit Officer Shiraishi several times before, only Officer Shiraishi kept avoiding her..." Kaji whispered, being thoroughly nosy himself.
Meanwhile, Superintendent General Haku was nominally going to commend Shiraishi Kuro. Thus, after leaving the hospital, Shiraishi Kuro put on a new uniform and arrived at the Metropolitan Police Department building!
"Officer Shiraishi!"
"Thank you for your hard work..."
"Inspector Shiraishi... No, Chief Superintendent Shiraishi!"
After entering the building, quite a few people who saw Shiraishi Kuro took the initiative to greet him—after all, with a build like his, one look was enough to ensure no one forgot who he was!
Naturally, plenty of others... pretended not to see him, lowering their heads and turning away.
Overall, those who actively greeted Shiraishi Kuro were mostly frontline officers, particularly inspectors and below. Those who avoided him as if he were contagious were, naturally, the desk-bound police...
Anyone with eyes could see that Chief Superintendent Shiraishi Kuro... would not have a smooth road ahead!
Though he appeared to have been promoted ahead of the pack, he would likely be pushed away from the center of the police world afterward, perhaps even earn the resentment of powerful figures.
Of course, even the rank of "Chief Superintendent" was already beyond the reach of the beasts of burden in the "Non-Professional Group"—that was, the vast majority of frontline police officers!
Even for the "Quasi-Professional Group," reaching this level was no easy matter. Only the "Professional Group" could remain indifferent.
Shiraishi paid no attention to the differing attitudes people showed toward him. He merely responded to the officers who greeted him with a smile and nod, then made his way to the superintendent general's office.
Knock, knock, knock—
After Shiraishi knocked, there was no response from inside.
"Mm?" Shiraishi was puzzled as well—wasn't this the agreed-upon time? Why was Superintendent General Haku absent?
Moreover, Shiraishi could not hear any breathing from inside at all. So he opened the door and looked in—fortunately, no one had died.
There really was no one in the room!
Shiraishi Kuro entered with a frown, then noticed a transfer order on the superintendent general's desk, facing outward. From that angle, it was clearly meant for him to see...
And it was indeed a transfer order for Chief Superintendent Shiraishi Kuro!
Appointing Shiraishi Kuro as...
Chief of Beika Town Police Station, 11th Regional Headquarters, Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department!
Note: The hospital characters were modeled after the Japanese drama Doctor-X, used only as a reference. It is enough to know that "Daimon Michiko" is a [surgeon who never fails].
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