Officer Megure's voice rang out, heavy with skepticism. "What are you suggesting, young man? Are you questioning the professionalism of our police?"
A few officers behind him glared at Akihiko Tou, their patience clearly wearing thin. "If it weren't for the police, who'd maintain public order? Stop pretending—you're obviously the murderer!"
Akihiko's sharp gaze swept over the gathered officers, his expression calm but cutting. "Is it wrong to expect competency from those charged with justice? If you can't even follow the basic protocols of the judicial system or criminal investigation, how many wrongful convictions have slipped through your fingers?"
He shifted his attention abruptly, his focus landing on Kimura, the coroner who had timidly stepped back into the crowd. "And you. Have you undergone proper forensic training? Your skills don't even justify the coat you're wearing."
Kimura's face flushed with embarrassment, but he didn't retort. Instead, he muttered defensively, "I graduated from a legitimate medical school, but if I'd had other options, I wouldn't be here. Who dreams of being a coroner in this country?"
Akihiko's sharp eyebrows raised. "What are you implying?"
Kimura sighed. "Forensic medicine in Sakura Country isn't a respected profession. We call it the 7K job: dangerous, dirty, tiring, harsh, no vacation, no makeup, no marriage. Fewer than 200 students nationwide pursue it each year, and most focus on academia rather than fieldwork."
"And when there's a case?" Akihiko asked pointedly.
Kimura hesitated before casting a glance at Shinichi Kudo. "The police often rely on a certain high school detective instead."
The officers nearby shifted uncomfortably, their expressions betraying a mix of shame and irritation. Akihiko scoffed softly, the sound barely audible but cutting.
"Fine," Akihiko said coldly. "If I can't count on you, then I'll handle it myself."
"What?" Megure stared at him, stunned. "What do you mean?"
"I'm going to conduct an autopsy," Akihiko stated firmly.
The gathered crowd erupted into murmurs, the incredulity palpable. "An autopsy?" Megure asked, his frown deepening. "You're a high school student. Do you even know how to do that?"
"Why not?" Akihiko countered smoothly. "If you're willing to believe in a teenager playing detective, why doubt a student with a solid understanding of forensic science?"
His confidence drew silence. Even Shinichi, who had been observing him intently, seemed momentarily taken aback. There was something in Akihiko's demeanor—a rationality and gravitas—that made even seasoned officers hesitate.
Kimura, to everyone's surprise, spoke up in support. "Officer Megure, let him try. His observations earlier were methodical, and I've seen worse from trainees."
"Fine," Megure said at last, albeit reluctantly. "But if you're so confident, explain yourself. How do you plan to prove your innocence?"
"And how do you explain the evidence against you?" a younger officer demanded. "The victim had your photo in her pocket, and witnesses saw you leave the classroom with her."
In the distance, a few students yelled angrily, "He's the murderer! Stop letting him make a mockery of this!"
Akihiko took a deep breath, his sharp gaze cutting through the noise. "You all believe what your eyes show you, but have you ever considered how easily your eyes can be deceived?"
He turned his attention back to the officers. "If I'm innocent, your accusations and blind faith in circumstantial evidence could ruin my life. And what about the next person you wrongly accuse? How many lives have been destroyed by your negligence?"
A heavy silence fell over the group as Akihiko's words sank in. He crouched beside the body and gestured to the white cloth covering it. "This is a serious homicide. The body tells a story—if you're willing to listen."
He pointed to the deceased's leather shoes, her pale face, and faint marks on her arms. "From these alone, it's obvious she fought with her attacker before being pushed into the water and drowned. Yet you've all ignored these clues to rush to judgment."
"Are you going to stop me from uncovering the truth?" Akihiko asked, his tone challenging.
For a moment, no one spoke. Then Shinichi stepped forward, his voice steady. "Let him examine the body. I want to see if his reasoning holds up."
The challenge was clear, and the crowd watched intently as Akihiko began the process, determination written in every deliberate movement.
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