Takagi Wataru honest officer of the Third Division led Kotoko and Minoru to the evidence room. The moment he opened the door, Kotoko Iwanaga sensed a sinister demonic aura.
She held up a hand to stop him: "I'll go in alone no need to trouble you. You must have plenty of work to do."
"Oh right! I still have case records to finish. Just leave the key in my office when you're done." Takagi didn't think twice all evidence here was from closed cases, so he saw no risk.
Once he was gone, Kotoko slowly pushed open the door. At the room's center stood a suit of armor, radiating ominous malevolence.
Minoru Kageno's eyes flickered as she hid behind Kotoko, feigning fear: "Wow was this armor put together like this from the start?"
Kotoko stepped aside with a scoff: "Are you even a guy? You took on dozens of bikers, but now you're scared of this?"
Minoru calmed down thinking she doesn't recognize me. Then he continued the act: "I'm better with opponents I can beat with brute force. This kind of thing… no way! Besides, I'm just an ordinary person no magic or skills awakened."
Kotoko gave her a long look, then sighed she'd have to handle this alone.
"Stay here then…"
She walked forward slowly. The moment she entered, the armor let out a metallic scrape and stood up, crimson light flashing from its helmet's eye slits.
"As expected evil spirits at work."
The knight glanced at Kotoko, grabbed its sword, and raised it high. But Kotoko didn't dodge or flinch, advancing step by step on her cane…
When she reached the armor, it froze unable to select her as a target.
"What a handy ability," Kotoko smirked. The God of Wisdom cannot be targeted by abnormal attacks giving her an invincible edge.
Her staff blazed with purple flames, aimed at the knight's eyes: "Aim for the weak point, and one hit is enough…"
Pfft
Flames engulfed the eye slits, and black smoke twisted away under the heat. The armor crashed to the ground, but the mist churned briefly before escaping through the window.
Minoru walked over, still pretending fear: "Is it over?"
Kotoko's eyes narrowed: "No this is more complicated than it looks."
She held out her hand, and a scissor-shaped tattoo on her palm glowed. The Slit-Mouthed Woman materialized in the room, first glancing at Minoru with shyness in her eyes wanting to approach but hesitating.
"Um… do I look pretty?"
Kotoko launched into mechanical flattery: "You're the most beautiful woman alive. No beauty compares moon hides its face, fish sink, geese fall. Your lips are like the moon palace's curve, flawless. Your eyes are stars in the sky…"
She rambled on, but the Slit-Mouthed Woman wasn't satisfied her sparkling eyes were fixed on Minoru.
"Could it be because there are two of us here?" Kotoko wondered, then nudged Minoru with her foot.
Minoru caught on, stammering shyly: "I-I think so too…"
The Slit-Mouthed Woman let out a soft sound, grabbed her giant scissors, and charged out the window after the black mist.
"Phew..." Kotoko exhaled in relief. Rules and props are such a hassle waste of breath and brainpower. Mess up and nothing gets done.
But one thing confused her: "How come she was satisfied with just one sentence from him? Did she not hear my whole speech?"
"Is the Slit-Mouthed Woman a pervert who plays favorites based on status?"
Regardless, the spirit had locked onto the yin energy and would track it to its source soon enough.
---------
Kotoko pulled her thoughts back and glanced at Minoru's calm face: "Let's go. As payment for bailing you out, you're coming with me."
"Where to?"
Kotoko checked the message from the Slit-Mouthed Woman: "The museum."
They returned the key and left the police station, hailing a taxi at the door.
"Boss to the Art Museum."
The driver looked suspicious in the rearview mirror: "Going there? Someone just died there."
Kotoko pointed at the police station: "I'm a detective."
"Phew,.." The driver relaxed and stepped on the gas.
Back at the Police Station
A chestnut-haired girl with twin ponytails and peach blossom-shaped pupils sat on a desk, swinging her legs while sucking a lollipop.
Takagi pushed open the door: "Inspector the key's been returned."
"Hmm." Megure nodded, then asked casually: "Did they take anything?"
"No."
After Takagi left, Megure turned to the girl: "Should we have someone follow them?"
"No need." She watched the taxi drive away through the window, then smiled slightly: "Perfect timing Japan is dangerous right now, business is booming and we're short-staffed. Might as well look into them could be future colleagues."
Megure looked embarrassed: "We could provide manpower if you need it…"
The girl winked and stuck out her tongue: "Pah! Cops who can't even solve a simple murder? Our 'Special Division' doesn't take slackers."
Megure's face grew more strained blaming the media and famous detectives for making the force look incompetent.
The girl sighed: "You've been in Oiwa's territory for decades and still haven't changed your ways. That's why even tho im super busy as I am, had to come help. Fire the slackers and hire people who actually work!
Megure grumbled: "I don't get paid extra for this. Every murder, I'm first on scene."
"Don't care." She waved him off, then clutched her head and swayed out of the office: "The moon's out! So many cuties waiting for me to help them move on. Gonna go for a walk~ Help them pass on, help them pass on!"