Chapter 46 Lies
The police system is an institution born to maintain social order and public order. It is also the largest law enforcement agency besides the army. In this world with superpowers, the existence of the police agency is even more terrifying.
An organization like the Heroes Association naturally cannot be a civilian organization. It being founded by some rich tycoon does feel a bit like a comic’s nonsensical plot. However, in reality, such organizations that gather a large number of powerful individuals with strong destructive capabilities must be tightly controlled by the authorities.
Although the Heroes Association has its own operational order, it is nominally on par with the public security system, serving as an organization to assist the police in maintaining social order. The consequence of this setup is that the strong practitioners within the police system are actually not inferior to those in the Heroes Association. In fact, some of the top-ranked strong practitioners on the Heroes Association’s roster are themselves affiliated with the public security system or the military.
After all, this is the real world. It’s impossible for the task of maintaining public order to be handed over to vigilantes from civilian organizations, nor are the police useless individuals who only know how to be late and clean up crime scenes. They are genuine law enforcement agencies that maintain social order. Especially with the increasing prevalence of superpower-related crimes, the police have very sufficient response measures, a perfect education and training system, high-quality superpower users, various high-tech weapons and equipment, and well-trained, disciplined elite troops. It can be said that it is precisely because of their efforts and the efforts of the heroes that this society with superpowers can remain so stable.
At this moment, standing in the homeroom teacher’s office, facing Kazumi Shimizu, are two police officers, a man and a woman, dressed in uniform, holding prepared recording instruments, and seeming to have been waiting for some time.
“Hello, Miss Shimizu, I am Niino Suzumi, an investigator from the district 12 police department. This is Officer Kitahara. Sorry to disturb your life, but some investigation may require your cooperation.” The police officer named Niino Suzumi has a very gentle appearance and gives the impression of being approachable, but although she is making a request, she does not give the impression that she can be refused.
“Ah… Officer… Sis.” When Kazumi entered the office and saw the two police officers in uniform, she instantly understood the concern hidden behind her homeroom teacher Ishiryu’s serious expression. Her guard was immediately raised to the maximum, but on the surface, she responded with the reaction of a normal high school girl.
“Don’t be too nervous, it’s just a simple routine inquiry.” Niino Suzumi smiled, gestured for Kazumi to sit in the chair opposite, and said softly, then turned to Officer Kitahara beside her. “Officer Kitahara, please assist.” The tall man nodded, took out a special projector-like instrument from his pocket, pressed it, and a soft green light shone on Kazumi, momentarily dazzling her eyes.
“Little sister, don’t be afraid. This is our lie detector. It can determine if someone is lying by their physiological reactions.” “Of course, we will absolutely not use this to ask about personal privacy. The case number for this investigation is 100082. The body camera is also recording the entire investigation process. If you have any questions, you can check our official website to report them.” Sensing the girl’s fear the moment the green light shone on her, Niino Suzumi spoke to comfort her. After all, she is just a young girl who has experienced nothing. It’s normal for her to be afraid the first time she encounters such an interrogation as if she were a suspect.
【It’s over, it’s over, it’s over!!!】 Kazumi’s face looked a little scared at this moment, but her heart was in chaos. She could only pretend to be scared and lower her head to hide her inner anxiety. As a top student, Kazumi Shimizu of course knows the true function of a police lie detector. Although Niino Suzumi described it very simply, Kazumi, who understood it, knew its powerful effect. Relying on the human body’s physiological reactions during speech, including heartbeat, micro-expressions, and actions, to determine whether the words spoken at that time are lies. For ordinary people, the accuracy of lie detection is almost 100%.
【Why did it escalate to this extent?! Are Sato Shinichi’s measures useless??】 Strictly speaking, if it were just an ordinary incident, a lie detector would not be used. After all, it still infringes on personal privacy to some extent. Therefore, this incident of hers is considered a not-so-small case in the police department. Suddenly, the image of a smiling old man flashed in her mind, and Kazumi felt a bad premonition. Kazumi’s breathing was a bit chaotic at this moment, but thinking of the lie detector’s function, she forcefully suppressed her panic, raised her head, showed a forced smile, and said, “Okay, please ask.” Seeing the dejected look of the frail girl opposite her, Niino Suzumi’s eyes flashed with a hint of pity. She had also read the information of this cold and aloof young girl. She lost her parents at a young age, and her only reliance, her uncle, is now a wanted criminal. Such a blow is not something she should bear at her age. However, work is work, and one cannot have the slightest mercy. As long as it concerns that organization, it is given the highest priority in the police department. Any negligence in this regard would be irresponsible to all the people under their jurisdiction. The emotions in her eyes turned into a trace of determination. Niino Suzumi raised her head, straightened her posture, and professional interrogation words came out of her mouth.
“Name?”
“Kazumi Shimizu.”
“Gender?”
“Female.”
“Occupation?”
“Student of Class B-1, year 1, Regular Department, Shikoku High School.”
…The questioning proceeded in an orderly manner, and there seemed to be no problems. The questions were only simple personal information. Niino Suzumi was also recording something while asking, as if it were a normal routine inquiry.
“Yes, okay, then one more question. May I ask, Miss Shimizu, do you know that your uncle, Fukada Akihiko, is a member of the [Dark] Organization?” Niino Suzumi stopped her recording pen, raised her head, and asked casually.
【Here it comes!!!】 Kazumi, who had been on guard the whole time, instantly heightened her entire perception to the maximum. She looked at Niino Suzumi opposite her with a dazed expression and replied in a calm tone, “I don’t know.”
