Chapter 367: It’s Good That You’re Okay
“Mhm, Director Tokugawa, I understand. I won’t trouble him.”
Kitahara Itoru, standing outside the hospital room, ended the call with a strange expression. He narrowed his eyes, his gaze deep, as he put his mobile phone into his pocket. He then turned and pushed open the hospital room door, walking in.
“I’m sorry to have caused you trouble, Officer Kitahara.”
Seeing Kitahara Itoru’s somewhat unusual expression, Sato Shinichi lowered his head and apologized decisively. As a young man who was half a professional hero, he understood that while the two organizations were on a similar level, influencing another organization’s decisions through higher authorities would definitely displease the person involved.
“In a way, it was quite troublesome…”
Sitting back down on the previous chair, Kitahara Itoru pinched the bridge of his nose with a headache. He knew that the young man came from a family of heroes, but the success he displayed, similar to the Life Foundation’s achievements, was why Kitahara Itoru wanted to question him. However, the current outcome seemed to be a bit too significant.
He was only a newly promoted senior superintendent. By rights, he was not qualified, nor did he want to meddle in the affairs of the higher-ups, but now, due to his suspicion of Sato Shinichi, he was forced to learn some of the hidden details.
It was quite troublesome.
“I’m really sorry. It would be even worse if this blew up.”
Feeling very embarrassed, Sato Shinichi rubbed his head. He knew that his privileged actions had caused significant trouble for the officer in front of him, and he continued to apologize sincerely with his head lowered.
“It’s alright. It’s also my fault. I suspected you were involved in the case I’m investigating concerning the Life Foundation.”
Kitahara Itoru waved his hand. If this young man was related to that person, it would be necessary to build a good relationship.
“Case?”
Sato Shinichi was a bit confused by the other party’s response. Did he and the police’s investigation seem to be related?
“Yes, it’s a highly addictive ability-enhancing agent. Long-term use also has the side effect of making one’s body strength unlike ordinary people. We’ve already found records of professional heroes using it.”
Kitahara Itoru picked up a nearby paper cup and drank it down, explaining.
“Ah… I see.”
So, the other party had thought of so many things just from his physical condition? As expected of a professional police officer, his formidable detective’s intuition was truly admirable.
“However, if you are that person’s disciple, then there’s no need to worry about that at all. I won’t inquire about other matters. Just pretend I never knew about this.”
Seeing Sato Shinichi’s somewhat awkward expression, Kitahara Itoru continued, indicating that it was all just an accident and that he certainly wouldn’t inquire about anything else.
“Thank you for your trouble, Officer Kitahara. I’m so sorry, so sorry.”
While apologizing with embarrassment, the young man also got out of bed. Since the other party already knew about his status as a psychic, he had nothing left to hide. Although he felt very sorry for the tall police officer in front of him, what the young man was thinking about most at this moment was his girlfriend who had just escaped the incident.
“Then, Officer Kitahara… I’ll be going now? I want to check on my girlfriend. I’m a little worried about her after what happened.”
“Yes, okay. I’ll inform the doctor for you.”
Kitahara Itoru waved his hand, signaling for him to leave. However, after hearing Sato Shinichi’s words, his eyes flickered twice. When the latter reached the door, he couldn’t help but speak.
“Hey, kid.”
“Yes?”
Sato Shinichi, who was eagerly about to open the door, paused. He turned his head with some confusion, looking at Kitahara Itoru, who had already walked behind him.
“That girl doesn’t know you’re a psychic, does she?”
“Kazumi… she doesn’t know yet.”
Kitahara Itoru’s abrupt question surprised Sato Shinichi, but he answered obediently.
“Although I don’t know why that person wants you to hide your identity in Shikoku, I can feel that girl’s feelings, even as an outsider.”
“In such a situation, for her to do that much for you as a civilian, I believe you understand better than I do how much determination it requires.”
Kitahara Itoru looked down at the young man in front of him, his expression unreadable, and spoke faintly.
“Officer Kitahara, what you mean is…”
“It’s nothing. Just some personal thoughts.”
Kitahara Itoru paused, his eyes glancing meaningfully at the young man who was still thinking. Then, he reached out and patted him on the shoulder, walked past Sato Shinichi, leaving behind a meaningful sentence and Sato Shinichi, who remained there, lost in thought.
“Treat her well.”
…
“Kazumi, Kazumi!”
At the bottom of Hokudou Prefecture Hospital, the young man with bandages wrapped around his hand ran forward excitedly. Not far away in the stairwell stood a black-haired girl holding her mobile phone with a cold expression.
“Hm? Why are you here?”
Her originally statue-like indifferent expression melted away in an instant. The coldness in her eyes turned gentle, and she frowned with displeasure as she looked at the foolish boy who had already reached her. She spoke with a hint of questioning.
“I… I was worried about you, so I came to see you.”
Sato Shinichi seemed a little intimidated by the girl’s unusually stern tone, and his speaking voice became less confident. He looked at Kazumi, whose brows were already furrowed, with a flustered expression.
“I’m fine. What’s wrong with you? Go back to your room, you’re injured and running around!”
Answering the young man’s question coldly, Kazumi’s expression began to show a hint of displeasure. She grabbed Sato Shinichi’s other hand and walked towards the hospital room from which the young man had come.
“Wait, wait, Kazumi, I’m fine now. It’s just some minor superficial wounds. The doctor said I can go home today!”
Feeling the considerable force from her hand and his girlfriend’s extremely gloomy expression, the young man knew that Kazumi was angry because he was running around injured. He walked forward with her force, explaining.
“Really?”
Kazumi stopped and looked at Sato Shinichi with an expression that clearly showed she didn’t believe him, asking coldly.
“Yes, yes, it’s just superficial wounds. There are healers here too, so it was treated quickly. Both the doctor and Officer Kitahara said I’m fine and that it’s best for me to go back with the school car.”
Seeing the girl’s disbelieving expression, the young man simply tore off the bandages on his hand, revealing smooth skin that had healed as if he hadn’t been injured at all. Then, he pulled Kitahara Itoru into the explanation.
“Let me see.”
Kazumi grabbed the young man’s right hand, stopping him from further unraveling the bandages. She leaned in with a cold expression, and only after seeing his smooth, scar-free arm did she relax her brows.
Then, still worried, she poked the place where Sato Shinichi had been injured. The touch of his skin convinced her of his story, and she nodded with considerable dissatisfaction.
“Hehe, I told you I’m fine now.”
Feeling the girl’s deep concern, Sato Shinichi rubbed his nose sheepishly and said.
“You’re really okay?”
Her icy gaze swept from the top to the bottom of Sato Shinichi. Her small hands were not idle as she carefully examined the previously injured areas. Only after confirming that the young man had fully recovered did Kazumi stand up straight and ask in a low voice.
“Yes, yes, I’m more worried about you, Kazumi…”
The girlfriend’s resentful little glance made Sato Shinichi a bit awkward, but he was still more concerned about the girl’s safety. He reached out, wanting to grab her small hand and ask about her condition.
Unexpectedly, a strong force came from her hand, pushing away his outstretched right hand. A familiar faint fragrance entered the young man’s nostrils with the breeze as she moved. By the time Sato Shinichi looked up, all he saw was the indifferent back of the girl leaving him.
“It’s good that you’re okay!”
