THE LIǍNGLÍNG TIMES
POLICE RAID GANG HIDEOUT, RECOVER ILLEGAL WEAPONS
Officers intervene following violent confrontation in East District
By Uehara Sawao | Crime Desk
LIǍNGLÍNG — Police raided a suspected gang hideout in the East District yesterday afternoon, recovering several illegal weapons and apprehending multiple members of the organization.
According to police officials, officers were responding to reports of an armed confrontation at the premises when they entered the building.
Several suspects were found injured at the scene.
Authorities said officers were in the process of apprehending the assailant believed to be responsible for the injuries when the situation was brought under control.
A number of weapons were recovered from the building, including swords, knives, and an unidentified object.
Police have not released the identity of the assailant and declined to comment on reports that the individual may have been acting independently of the gang.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Authorities have urged residents to report suspected criminal activity and reminded the public that possession of unregistered weapons remains a criminal offense.
WEAPONS RECOVERED
- Multiple swords and knives
- Unregistered polearm
- Assorted firearms
- Other weapons currently undergoing examination
No civilian casualties have been reported.
---
"Why is the newspaper reporting the event like that?"
Megumi came into the room with the newspaper in her hands.
I was sitting on the edge of the bed, trying to fix my hair.
"What does it say?"
She dropped the newspaper onto the table.
"They framed it as though we weren't there."
I laughed.
"Technically, you weren't there. You should be the least upset."
I remembered the report mentioning that one of the women had apparently vanished into thin air.
"I was there, I…"
Megumi paused.
Her face twisted with annoyance.
She walked over to the bed and dropped herself onto it.
I looked at her.
Then at the newspaper.
Then back at her.
"Get up. We have to bake the cake."
I stood.
"Megumi?"
There was no response.
I turned around.
She was still lying on the bed.
"Megumi!"
I looked away for only a moment.
When I looked back—
She was gone.
"Oh, my…"
I stared at the bed.
The covers were closed.
I hadn't heard them move.
I hadn't heard the bed creak.
Nothing.
"What the—"
My breathing became short.
Then I heard laughter.
"Ha-ha. I'm sorry."
Her voice came from the doorway.
I turned.
Megumi stood there, smiling.
"Megumi."
Relief washed through me.
Then the relief made way for anger.
"You little—"
"I'm sorry!"
She laughed as she ran out the door.
I followed.
"Come back here!"
Her laughter continued down the corridor.
---
"Are you doing your laundry today?"
Megumi asked.
I added the milk and vanilla extract to the batter without answering her.
"Are you still upset?"
She sounded amused.
"I said I was sorry."
I continued mixing.
"If you were you, you'd show yourself."
I sighed and poured the batter into the pan.
"Better?"
Megumi opened the oven for me.
"Yup."
I placed the pan inside.
Then reached over and flicked her forehead.
"Ouch!"
She rubbed the spot.
Then broke into laughter.
"You know, it's really odd."
She looked at her hands.
"Nothing looks strange from my perspective."
"Is that so?"
I murmured as I began cleaning up.
There was something unsettling about that.
Not because I didn't believe her.
Because I did.
"You can do your laundry first," I said, still a little upset.
She went quiet.
For several seconds, I heard nothing.
Then—
Her fingers found my side.
I jumped.
"Stop!"
She tickled me again.
"Stop, stop!"
I tried to pull away, but she only laughed harder.
"Megumi!"
I was laughing so hard my stomach hurt.
"Okay!"
She finally stopped.
"I'm no longer mad."
I wiped the corner of my eye.
"I'm serious."
Megumi smiled.
---
The sun eventually made its way across the sky.
By the time it began sinking into the clouds, the cake was finished.
Megumi poured the tea while I arranged the plates.
"Mr. Nicholas and a lady called…"
She paused.
"Hmm."
She frowned.
"I've forgotten her name."
She took another piece of cake.
"But she was really impressive."
"Is that so?"
I wasn't quite sure what to picture.
Megumi nodded enthusiastically.
"I love breaks."
She poured herself some tea.
I watched her take another bite.
"Do you think the Superintendent would like the castella?"
I took a sip of my tea.
"I like it. I'm sure he would too."
Megumi immediately reached for another piece.
"You like everything," I murmured behind my cup.
She looked at me.
Then smiled.
"Your cheeks are red."
I lowered my cup.
"They are not."
"They are."
I ignored her.
"You are giving the rest to others at work."
I stood and made my way toward the kitchen.
"No…"
Megumi sounded genuinely distressed.
"Why?"
She looked down at the remaining cake.
"We can just eat it all."
I stopped.
I turned around.
She was already eating another piece.
I stared at her.
She stared back.
There was a long silence.
"Megumi."
"Yes?"
"That is exactly why I'm taking it away."
She hugged her plate protectively.
"No."