"...Herm?

Those guys just now..."

"They had National Diet badges."

"Then it's prefectural assembly member Sonozaki and city councilor Sonozaki."

"That's interesting.

The prefectural assembly member and city councilor are related."

"It's dirty is what it is.

Shouting out each other's name during elections.

While one is up for election, the other one holds an assembly, and they double up their campaign activities.

Blatantly."

"I don't know much about this stuff, but isn't that against the rules of the election?"

"As long as they have no prior consultation, there are no restrictions on their political activities.

Kuma-chan, the Second Investigation Division is going to be pretty tough for you.

You should at least brush up on election laws."

"I'm not cut out to handle intellectual crime.

'Cause I'm dumb. Heheheh...!"

There was prefectural assembly member Sonozaki and city councilor Sonozaki.

Also... the Mayor of Hinamizawa.

...So, they're all influenced by the Sonozaki family.

What crap...

"Looks like they were seen off by... the deputy chief and the department chief."

It came to me.

That night, when the department chief invited me along to get some oden, I thought that was it.

"You have a lot of connections, so you might have heard something...

have you?"

"Nope.

Not a thing."

"Ma'am, I'll take a tofu fritter and fish cake.

...The councilors stormed in on the police chief in a rage."

"Oh, my. Is that so?

Ma'am, I'll take another bowl."

Prefectural assembly member Sonozaki and city councilor Sonozaki were both intimidating.

Our snot-nosed career police chief couldn't handle being yelled at by them. They're like yakuza...

"A petition with your name came up regarding how the investigation of the Hinamizawa incident is being handled."

"Goodness, me?

I've not the faintest."

"No need to play dumb.

You're reopening the past cases regarding Hinamizawa,

aren't you?"

"I've already got my hands full with Tomitake's death.

Nahahaha!"

"Really?

I hope so for your sake..."

There was a period of silence.

While we were silent, we made headway on our food and drink.

"Whew, that was quite the feast.

This month has been a bunch of losses for me, so my wallet was feeling the pinch.

Much appreciated."

"Nah, it's nothing.

Tell me a good horse again.

I'll bet on the same one as you."

"Nahahahah!

I haven't been doing well there lately.

I haven't been able to read the horses at all!

...Taxi!!!"

I'm going by train.

The department chief is taking a taxi.

I have my own car, but it'd be rash to drive it home.

Can't blow it right before retirement with a DUI.

Even though he could still rattle off, it looked like his legs were already jelly.

Pushing him into the cab, I gave the driver the department chief's address.

"Well, see you again tomorrow.

Best wishes...!"

"Ooishi-san."

"Yeah, yeah."

"The past incidents have all been closed.

Stop lumping them all together.

Those villagers half-believe it's really a curse."

"Well, I'm not convinced."

"You're going to be retiring next year, aren't you?

Weren't you going to pay off your mortgage with your severance pay and move up to Hokkaido with your mom?"

"Mother pines to return to her birthplace...

It's the least I can do.

And the pension, well, it'll let me enjoy myself in Susukino.

Nahahahah!!"

"The chief said he may have to reconsider issuing your special retirement salary raise."

A public servant's severance payment is calculated based on their monthly salary when they retire.

So, a special promotion of two pay grades is given before retirement.

This tops-up the employees severance payment. That tends to be how it's done around here.

Of course, it's not exactly a commendable custom...

Incidentally, the difference that two pay grades makes to the payout is quite significant.

"I'd expect no less of our egg-head chief, quite the model veiled threat.

But... well...

Considering how our pay comes from the public's hard-earned taxes,

it's the way of the times, I suppose."

It certainly wasn't a laughing matter, but I'll laugh through it, anyway.

"I don't think it's such a model response.

But given how hard you've worked, it's not at all odd for you to take home such a good package.

Personally, I'd like you to get it."

"If I can get it, well, of course I'd want it.

Nahahahah!"

"You'll get it.

As long you're an adult about this."

"Sorry for holding you up here, Driver.

Thank you very much."

I closed the door roughly, interrupting the department chief's conversation a bit rudely.

It looked like he still had something to say, but he just smiled wryly and waved. I waved in return.

The cab sped up gradually, and soon disappeared among the sea of lights.

"Nahahahah!

...Oh, man...

I wonder if I'll be able to repay that loan..."