Undercover Teaching

Lin Xinyi's feelings were a mix of emotions when he heard the phrase, "Go join the police":

I've transmigrated to another world and become a criminal…

And now I have to work overtime again?!

Besides, even putting aside his resentment about overtime, Lin Xinyi really didn't want to move from his current position.

How great is it to be this security captain, just coasting along?

It's low-key, safe, easy, high-paying, and the cafeteria even has free gourmet food.

Once I've saved up enough money and figured out The Organization's situation, a low-profile little boss like me could easily just abscond with the funds.

But if he were sent to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department as an undercover agent, becoming a key target for both the police and The Organization, it would be much harder for him to get away.

Lin Xinyi genuinely didn't want to accept this mission.

But…

"Do you have other thoughts?"

Lin Xinyi had only hesitated and remained silent for two seconds when Gin's questioning voice came through.

His voice instantly dropped a few more degrees.

Before, Lin Xinyi would have just thought his boss was being theatrical.

But now, realizing that the other party was actually a profound and unfathomable high-ranking member of a criminal organization, that cold, sinister, and murderously intent voice seemed rather chilling.

"I'm willing to accept the mission."

Lin Xinyi immediately chose to comply.

He calmly used a question to cover up his recent hesitation:

"It's just, Boss, I want to know exactly what I should do."

"Should I directly accept the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's invitation and infiltrate as a part-time Forensic Consultant?"

"Or should I find a way to get a formal identity from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and become a full-time, officially registered police officer?"

This question was crucial.

Because it would determine Lin Xinyi's future workload:

The former meant Lin Xinyi would have more freedom within the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department; as an external Forensic Consultant, he could essentially come and go as he pleased.

If it were the latter, he would directly become a cog in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's system—and given the shortage of forensic personnel in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, he would definitely work himself to death with overtime.

Lin Xinyi was a bit worried that if they were planting an undercover agent, The Organization would probably want him to infiltrate the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department with the identity of a formal police officer.

However, unexpectedly, his boss didn't make things difficult for him here:

"Of course, you'll infiltrate through a part-time position first."

"It just so happens that this invitation came directly from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. If you smoothly take on this part-time Forensic Consultant role, it will arouse even less suspicion."

Gin started to talk more.

He was meticulously instructing Lin Xinyi on how to be a good undercover agent:

"Furthermore, don't show too much concern for police matters initially."

"You can occasionally participate in cases, but don't be on call 24/7 or act overly enthusiastic."

"Haste makes waste. You need to gradually demonstrate your abilities in your work. Wait for the police to actively invite you to participate in more important cases, and absorb you into more critical departments, then you can capitalize on the situation and climb up."

"I understand!"

Lin Xinyi grasped it immediately, even extrapolating from the idea:

"So, I should first assist the police in solving cases as an 'outsider,' making the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department gradually depend on me."

"Then, when they actively invite me to take on a formal position, I'll pretend to hesitate, 'think it over carefully,' and finally reluctantly agree."

"That's right," Gin continued, clearly satisfied.

"You want the enemy to actively invite you in, not for you to desperately force your way in."

"Only then can you gain the enemy's true trust."

"Besides that, there are a few other key points…"

Gin's instruction was very detailed and professional.

And he was very invested in teaching; after all, it was a rare occasion for him to train an undercover agent.

However, as he taught…

A wave of sadness suddenly washed over him:

Damn it, why am I so skilled at being undercover?

Of course, it was because there were simply too many "rats" in the house, causing him to unconsciously memorize their habits while catching them.

Gin's face remained cold, as did his voice.

His suffering was something only he knew.

Sigh, I'm exhausted.

Noon, Beika Station, train station entrance.

Summer was in full swing, and the sun beat down on the steel, concrete, and asphalt, turning them into a scorching oven that baked the tiny ants scurrying through the streets until they were burning hot.

To escape the blazing sun, citizens heading to catch the Tohto Loop Line quickly entered the station as soon as they arrived, eager to enjoy the air conditioning.

Flies and mosquitoes, however, seemed to revel in the heat, buzzing around the station entrance, bothering every passerby.

But Kudo Shinichi and Mouri Ran still stood at the sweltering, mosquito-infested station entrance.

This spot was quite conspicuous, and they were waiting for someone.

"Shinichi, Ran!"

A high school girl in a blue school uniform with short brown hair, looking full of energy, slowly squeezed through the dense crowd, waving and greeting them.

That was one of the two friends they were waiting for: Mouri Ran's best friend, Miss Suzuki Sonoko.

"Sonoko, over here!"

Ran waved back at Suzuki Sonoko.

"Phew, just made it."

Suzuki Sonoko wiped a thin layer of sweat from her forehead, a smile playing on her lips:

"Today's a big day for Ran, winning the Tokyo Karate Tournament, so I couldn't afford to be late because of me."

"Don't say that. It's not certain I'll win the championship," Ran maintained the humility of a martial artist.

"Haha, Ran is so amazing, winning the championship will definitely be no problem!"

Sonoko chuckled, half-serious, then quickly turned her head, casting a meaningful gaze at Kudo Shinichi:

"Oh, Mr. Heisei Holmes~"

"You've made quite a name for yourself again this time! Hahaha~"

She joked without malice.

"Haha…" Kudo Shinichi, however, found it hard to laugh.

Because he knew that the "fame" Sonoko was referring to was actually today's news report that had gone viral across Tokyo: "The Battle of Detective and Doctor: Famous Detective Kudo's Great Defeat!"

In this world, what often captured the public's attention and drew massive popularity wasn't celebrities, but rather brilliant and charismatic Famous Detectives.

Kudo Shinichi was originally a top-tier idol, beloved by the media and elevated to a pedestal step by step through countless news reports.

But the media loved to create gods, and even more, loved to destroy them.

As long as it could create a news sensation and boost newspaper sales, they could, without any psychological burden, turn around and fiercely lambaste the very people they had praised.

And so, unfortunately, Kudo Shinichi's "small mistake" yesterday was magnified infinitely by the spotlight that had always been on him.

"But that wasn't a mistake at all!"

"Shinichi had already seen through the culprit's method yesterday."

"He was just one step slower than Mr. Lin and didn't get a chance to say it."

Even though she knew Sonoko was joking, Ran couldn't help but explain for her childhood friend:

"It's all because that jerk Ishikawa was talking nonsense!"

"What do you mean 'Kudo Shinichi confirmed it was suicide'? That was Shinichi tricking him!"

"Alright, alright,"

Seeing Ran's pouting expression, Sonoko laughed even harder:

"As expected of the future Mrs. Kudo, already defending her boyfriend."

"W-what are you saying?!"

Kudo Shinichi and Mouri Ran's cheeks simultaneously reddened:

"We're not like that at all."

"Hehe,"

Suzuki Sonoko smirked, indicating that she had seen this kind of insincere public display of affection from the two of them since they were little.

"Alright, no more joking."

"By the way, I think I've found a new crush this time~"

"I feel like this time, he might actually be my true love!"

"Hmm…" Kudo and Mouri Ran's expressions both turned strange: "Who have you fallen for this time?"

Wanting to pursue any handsome guy she saw was sort of Miss Suzuki's traditional art.

It wasn't that she was promiscuous, but rather that she had a more uninhibited personality.

Most girls would be hesitant and conflicted about something as important as love, but Suzuki Sonoko was bold and direct. If she liked someone, she would actively pursue them and flirt.

However, as Kudo Shinichi and Ran knew, Sonoko was very proactive, but her taste was terrible.

If you listed the names of all the handsome guys she'd been interested in, you could basically compile a "Tokyo Scumbags Compendium."

"Who is it this time?"

Mouri Ran was very concerned about her best friend's safety.

Even though Sonoko hadn't really been hurt before, if you walk by the river often enough, you're bound to get your shoes wet.

What if some scumbag truly managed to skillfully trick Sonoko into his clutches? Then…

The head of the Suzuki family returns home to find his 17-year-old daughter humiliated by a manipulative scumbag. With a single command, a hundred thousand corporate bodyguards arrive!

The young girl is forced to break up, and the richest men from various countries immediately send their heirs to propose marriage, leaving the playboy boyfriend stunned!

The girl makes one phone call, and 8,000 people arrive outside, shouting, "Greetings, Miss!" The heartless scumbag is instantly terrified!

Ahem.

In short, the consequences would be severe.

But Suzuki Sonoko didn't seem to pay much attention to Ran's worries.

She was very confident in her judgment this time:

"Hahaha, actually, you both know him!"

With that, Sonoko pulled a newspaper from her small crossbody bag.

Then, she pointed to the prominent on-site photo on the front page, her eyes shining like a fangirl's:

"Look, the handsome guy I'm interested in this time…"

"It's Mr. Lin Xinyi!"