But suddenly, everything in her heart became clear.
Like a sudden lull after a storm, followed by brilliant sunshine.
The sun abruptly burst out from behind the clouds, catching her completely off guard.
"Ah... um..." Akane Tsunemori was at a loss, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz, trembling ever so slightly. "Thank you very—"
She never managed to say the last word before the shutter came down.
The next day.
Police headquarters.
Criminal Investigation Department.
Hallway.
Akane Tsunemori walked uneasily beside Yan. She stole a glance at him, her young girl's gaze carefully concealing her feelings.
"Anyway, expand the search area for Ouryou Rikako, and then..."
"The issue is Makishima. As long as someone is alive, they will leave behind some kind of evidence."
"Professor Saiga's list of students..."
"It came to nothing. Well, it can't be helped."
They arrived at the room.
Everyone else was already waiting. The moment Ginoza saw Yan, he flew into a rage and strode straight toward him. Akane Tsunemori instinctively took a step back in fright, her small body shrinking behind Yan as fear filled her eyes.
"...You introduced Saiga Joji to Inspector Tsunemori, didn't you?"
"...Yeah."
"I asked him to make that introduction..."
Hearing Ginoza's tone and words, Akane Tsunemori hurriedly tried to explain. She did not want Yan dragged into trouble because of someone else's rash judgment again. But Ginoza completely ignored her and continued speaking to Yan in an extremely unfriendly tone.
"What are you trying to do? Drag her into this too? Have her take the wrong path and become a Latent Criminal like you?"
At that moment, Akane Tsunemori's patience finally reached its limit. She could no longer endure it and actually raised her voice by several decibels.
Her anger erupted completely.
"Enough! Do you think I'm