Gossip and Appointments

In the dean's office of Toito University Hospital, Daimon's agent—also the director of the physician referral agency she worked for, "Uncle Jing"—was currently "collecting a debt" from the old fox, Dean Hiruma...

"This time, perfectly restoring the body of the seriously injured Officer Shiraishi has brought your hospital great fame, hasn't it? Here's the bill for this case... Of course, as per usual, once you accept it, no matter who asks, this surgery was completed solely by your hospital!" Uncle Jing said, handing over a bill for one hundred million yen.

They often made such deals. Uncle Jing only wanted the money, Daimon only wanted surgeries difficult enough, and for special cases, the hospital could reap the fame—after all, Daimon was just a "temp worker." Whatever she did didn't bring face to the hospital; in fact, it often brought shame, so the credit had to be pinned on someone else.

"Pfft... cough, cough, cough. Is this extortion? How many zeros is that? And... what 'great fame'? The National Police Agency is now even suspecting that we initially exaggerated the severity of his injuries!" Hiruma said irritably.

Hiruma was also puzzled at this point—this guy had recovered far too quickly... No matter how good Daimon's skills were, she couldn't raise the dead or regrow flesh from bones, could she?

"No, Dean Hiruma, you're a hospital. You don't need to overthink what the National Police Agency or the Ministry of Justice thinks. Officer Shiraishi is a hero to the public. By curing him this time, Toito Hospital has gained a stellar reputation among the people!" Uncle Jing said, a skilled negotiator.

"Director Kanzaki, this isn't a matter of what I consider. This time... I'm afraid I won't sign off. If you want to publicize the fact that Officer Shiraishi was healed, go ahead and do it yourselves! Of course, I'll pay the regular overtime fees." Hiruma pushed the bill back, indicating he wasn't falling for it.

On one hand, Shiraishi Kuro's injuries were external. What use was fame from handling that kind of injury? It wasn't cancer! What ordinary person or big shot would get hurt like that? From a surgical standpoint, this kind of reputation was essentially irrelevant.

As for "public hero" and such—even more laughable. Without publicity, everyone would forget about this guy in a few days, and no one would decide which hospital to go to based on that kind of "good reputation."

On the other hand, naturally, it was because Shiraishi Kuro's "status was still awkward." For the past half-month, ever since his body started recovering, various parties had been downplaying any publicity about him personally. As an old fox, Hiruma understood this was a sign that the higher-ups had already decided to bury him.

In short, Hiruma didn't think this was a "merit" worth Toito University Hospital bragging about.

But just then...

Knock, knock, knock—

A sudden knock at the door...

The secretary opened it, saw who it was, and quickly informed Hiruma: "Dean, it's Miss Suzuki."

"Oh... please, come in quickly." Hiruma said hastily.

The visitor was none other than the eldest daughter of the Suzuki Group—Suzuki Ayako.

"Miss Suzuki, this is..." Hiruma was still puzzled. The Suzuki Group had indeed scheduled a meeting earlier, but he didn't know the reason. He quickly stood up.

After all, the Suzuki Group was the leading conglomerate in the Eastern Island Nation, and Suzuki Ayako was the eldest daughter of the Suzuki couple, who were at the helm. Moreover, Hiruma's push to establish a new lab depended on investment from the Suzuki Conglomerate.

Whatever reason Suzuki Ayako had for seeking him out, Hiruma was determined to satisfy her!

"Dean Hiruma, I've come to thank your hospital for treating Kuro... ahem, for treating Officer Shiraishi. I am... truly, deeply grateful!" Ayako said, bowing with a face full of gratitude.

"Huh? Ah, I mean... this is what Toito University Hospital should..."

"Ahem, Miss Ayako, actually, regarding Officer Shiraishi's surgery..." Uncle Jing said, pulling back the bill while trying to interrupt Hiruma.

"Hm?" Ayako looked over in confusion: "And you are?"

"Ah, ah, ah... he, he, he's... that... not important!" Hiruma said, reaching for the bill. Seeing Kanzaki Jing not letting go, Hiruma secretly gestured a "2."

Two hundred million? Hmm...

Kanzaki Jing then quietly released the bill, saying gentlemanly: "Nothing, I was just saying... Officer Shiraishi's surgery was extremely difficult. Only Toito University Hospital has that level of skill... Well then, I'll take my leave!"

After leaving, Kanzaki Jing was both pleased and thinking: So Officer Shiraishi has a connection with Suzuki Ayako? If I'd known... I would have asked for more!

"You're looking for Shiraishi Kuro? He's already been discharged." Daimon looked at Suzuki Ayako in front of her with surprise.

"This is the dean's honored guest. Could you be a little more polite..." Doctor Kaji, who had brought Suzuki Ayako over, reminded her irritably.

"Hm? It's fine... Thank you. Then, that's all." Ayako said, her face clearly showing disappointment.

It didn't seem like disappointment at not seeing Shiraishi Kuro, but rather... disappointment that he had been discharged without notifying her!

Seeing Suzuki Ayako leave, Daimon immediately gossiped to Kaji: "Hey, that's some kind of 'Young Miss,' right? Looks like there's a story between her and Shiraishi Kuro?"

"Keep your voice down! Don't be so nosy... But I've heard that Miss Suzuki had tried to visit Officer Shiraishi many times before, only for him to keep avoiding her..." Kaji said, gossiping in a very low voice.

Meanwhile, on the surface, Superintendent General Haku was to commend Shiraishi Kuro. So after leaving the hospital, Shiraishi Kuro, wearing his new uniform, 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, many people who saw Shiraishi Kuro greeted him proactively—after all, with that build, you couldn't forget who he was at a glance.

Of course, there were also many... who pretended not to see him, even lowering their heads or turning away.

In general, those who proactively greeted Shiraishi Kuro were mostly frontline police officers, mainly at the rank of Inspector or below. Those who avoided him like the plague were, naturally, the desk-bound police officers.

After all, anyone with clear eyes could see that Chief Superintendent Shiraishi Kuro... was far from having a smooth path ahead.

On the surface, his promotion seemed a step ahead, but later on, he would likely be distanced from the core of the police force, or even resented by powerful figures.

Of course, even the rank of "Chief Superintendent" was already an unattainable height for the "Non-Professional Group" workhorses—that is, the vast majority of frontline officers.

Even for the "Quasi-Professional Group," reaching this step was no easy feat. Only the "Professional Group" could take it in stride.

Shiraishi paid no attention to the different attitudes people had toward him. He simply smiled and nodded in response to the officers who greeted him, then made his way to the Superintendent General's office.

Knock knock knock—

After Shiraishi knocked, there was no sound from inside.

"Mm?" Shiraishi was a bit puzzled—wasn't this the agreed-upon time? How could Superintendent General Haku not be here?

Moreover, since Shiraishi hadn't heard any breathing from inside at all, he opened the door to take a look—fortunately, it wasn't a case of death.

The room was indeed empty!

Shiraishi Kuro frowned and stepped inside, then noticed on the superintendent general's desk a transfer order facing outward—positioned at this 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 the Beika Town Police Station, 11th Regional Headquarters, Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department!

Note: The hospital-related character is based on the prototype from the Japanese drama Doctor-X, used only as a reference. Just know that "Daimon Michiko" is a [surgeon who never fails].