In a coffee shop in Chiyoda Ward.
Juzo Megure, still clad in his brown-yellow suit and matching hat, sat at a corner table by the window.
Before him lay a half-drunk coffee, an opened sugar packet beside it. He stirred the cup relentlessly, creating ceaseless whirlpools with his spoon.
Between stirs, Megure's eyes darted to his wristwatch every few seconds, alternating with anxious glances toward the entrance.
Amidst this restless wait, the door chimed as wind bells jingled.
Megure looked up instantly. Spotting the casually dressed, handsome youth entering, he exhaled in relief and rose to his feet.
Meanwhile, entering the coffee shop, Luo Shu quickly spotted Juzo Megure after scanning the room.
With a smile, he informed the approaching waiter that he was a pre-booked guest before heading straight towards Megure. Upon reaching him, Luo Shu extended his hand:
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Megure."
"Not at all, I'm the one who made this sudden request."
Juzo Megure shook Luo Shu's hand, his eyes briefly flickering to the latter's empty hands. Though disappointed, he still asked warmly:
"The lattes here are excellent. Would you like one?"
"I'll take one then."
Releasing the handshake, Luo Shu sat opposite Megure. He waited patiently as Megure summoned the waiter, ordered the coffee, and dismissed the staff before speaking:
"Considering your position, shall we get straight to business?"
As he spoke, a stack of finger-width documents materialised beside Luo Shu's hand. He placed them on the table:
"This is the SDS's intelligence on the Phenex Society - though limited to their Tokyo-based senior members."
Megure instinctively glanced around, verifying no one was watching before lowering his voice:
"What exactly are you suggesting?"
Luo Shu studied Megure's anxious expression and chuckled:
"Old friend, didn't you request this information?"
Megure opened his mouth, then awkwardly adjusted his hat:
"I suppose... we haven't discussed what we can offer in return?"
Luo Shu tapped the table before sighing:
"Forgive my bluntness, but your bargaining position isn't strong, is it?"
"Frankly, the SDS has numerous records of Metropolitan Police Department directors reneging on deals. Politicians... their promises often carry as much weight as a fart."
Megure offered no rebuttal, silently sipping his coffee.
Observing this tacit admission, Luo Shu smiled:
"Tell me, why do you think I gifted you that credit this morning?"
The question immediately reminded Megure of the captured Phenex Society members. While the entire police force had failed to locate them overnight, he'd single-handedly apprehended eight informants - a feat that had significantly boosted his reputation.
Even now, his remarkable achievements were being passed around by word of mouth at the Metropolitan Police Department.
Apart from a few high-ranking officials privy to the inside story, Juzo Megure was practically becoming the 'ageing rising star' of the department in the eyes of lower-ranking officers.
Yet despite being elevated by his colleagues, Juzo was well aware of his own limitations.
Solving cases relied on detective pals, apprehending suspects depended on younger subordinates – he was merely average at best, clearly undeserving of the credit Luo Shu was handing him on a silver platter.
Thus, when Luo Shu inquired, Juzo answered honestly:
"I've already reported all details regarding this morning's incident to Director Matsumoto. It shouldn't be long before everyone at the Metropolitan Police Department realises you contributed most to investigating the cult members."
Luo Shu nodded silently at this, waiting until the approaching waiter had set down their coffee before remarking:
"I see you understand. This honesty of yours is precisely why I chose you."
'No, I still don't understand...' Juzo watched Luo Shu with sweat beading on his forehead, yet couldn't bring himself to contradict his young superior.
"The higher-ups at the Metropolitan Police Department are all masters of bureaucratic evasion. I've no interest in wasting time haggling with them. Therefore, having someone competent within the department to assist me seems rather meaningful."
Luo Shu took a sip of coffee, swallowed, then smiled faintly:
"Those above police inspector rank are management – mostly elite graduates from proper academies. Clever people overthink things. Collaborating with them requires excessive mental effort – how tiresome."
"Moreover, even when cooperating with them, it's the frontline inspectors who actually implement the details. So why shouldn't I bypass them and deal directly with the inspector level?"
Cold sweat trickled down Juzo's temples as he listened, not daring to reach for his handkerchief. Timidly, he ventured:
"You're not... planning to control the grassroots level and overthrow the hierarchy, are you?"
Luo Shu blinked in surprise, then chuckled:
"Quite the creative thinking there, Juzo~"
"Unfortunately, the Hidden Management Department keeps me busy enough. Adding the Metropolitan Police Department would be downright excessive..."
Resting his chin on one hand, Luo Shu narrowed his eyes:
"I'm merely idly scattering some sand into the Metropolitan Police Department's machinery."
Whether Juzo wished to become that sand wasn't something Luo Shu asked – after all, such choices remained personal.
"Now, back to business."
Luo Shu slid a file across to Juzo, stating calmly:
"All intelligence on Phenex Society's leadership is here. My requirements are simple."
"Conceal the SDS's involvement in this incident both internally and externally. Let the Metropolitan Police Department claim full credit – something your superiors surely won't refuse."
"Additionally, regarding the captured believers and Phenex Society's grassroots followers in Tokyo, I want the department to temporarily turn a blind eye while assisting the SDS in taking custody of these individuals."
Here, Luo Shu fixed Juzo with a dangerous smile:
"I've developed quite an interest in these self-funded intelligence networks."
Hearing this, Juzo Megure finally couldn't help but take out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat before saying solemnly:
"Is that all your requirements?"
"For now, that's all. If there are no surprises, you can go back and report, Megure. I've got another appointment after this."
As Luo Shu said this, he casually added:
"Compared to a chubby middle-aged man, I'd much rather share coffee with a cute girl."
Juzo Megure's face darkened at these words, but he also understood Luo Shu's hint to leave. With that in mind, he quickly gathered his documents, stuffed them into his coat, bid Luo Shu farewell, and hurried out of the café.
Luo Shu watched as Juzo Megure departed. Only after the man had left did he turn back, pick up his coffee, and stand to address the girl with short, curly brownish hair wearing a white beret at the next table:
"Would this lovely lady mind if I sat here?"
Hearing this, Kotoko Iwanaga, who had been flipping through a fashion magazine, looked up, glanced at Luo Shu, and smiled:
"Of course not~"