Although it was somewhat impolite, the work of a detective often required being shameless.
So at this moment, Senichi and his companion followed Mrs. Matsushita on the road to pick up her daughter.
Walking along the road in an awkward silence, Senichi was the first to speak, "May I ask if the fur on your coat is from a gray squirrel?"
"No, it's mink fur," Mrs. Matsushita replied and asked, "What's the matter with this coat?"
"It feels like I've seen it somewhere," Senichi said, "Is it the one your mother left you? It seems to have been passed down through the generations."
"Yes, but it's already very old," Mrs. Matsushita smiled as she touched her coat, "But I really like this piece of clothing, so I've always taken good care of it."
"I wonder if Mrs. Matsushita has any other fur coats?" Takagi asked in a timely manner.
"I have another fur coat besides this one," Mrs. Matsushita replied with a smile.
"Then, do you have any other leather garments besides coats?" Senichi asked.
"No, this coat is the only leather garment I have," she replied while denying and straightening her clothes, "So you see, this coat is so old, but I still wear it."
"It suits you very well."
Senichi's compliment was not flattery, but the truth. Although the coat was old, it was well preserved. Combined with Mrs. Matsushita's temperament and appearance, it gave a sense of luxury.
But before Mrs. Matsushita could respond with a smiling modesty, Senichi's words came again.
"I also want it."
Immediately, the smile on Mrs. Matsushita's face disappeared, and she looked somewhat displeased as she said, "What did you say?"
"I guess, if it were Mrs. Sanniao, she would most likely say the same thing," Senichi continued to speak calmly despite Mrs. Matsushita's increasingly unpleasant expression, "And you always comply with her requests."
"Through our investigation, it seems that Mrs. Sanniao is quite greedy and has asked you for many things," Takagi added, supporting Senichi's words, "May I ask why? I think most people wouldn't tolerate such a thing."
The words of the two men made Mrs. Matsushita somewhat flustered. She then uttered a reply that seemed absurd to Senichi and his companion, "Why... because she said she wanted them."
"Just that simple?" Senichi asked further, "She says she likes something, and you don't refuse at all?"
After a moment of silence, Mrs. Matsushita nodded and admitted, "Yes."
"Is there any reason for it?" Takagi gave an example, "Could it be that she used something to blackmail you?"
"There is no reason, and there is no trace of blackmail," she replied.
"In that case, can I ask for something from you as well?" Facing Mrs. Matsushita's answer, Senichi stood in front of her with a smile on his face and extended his right hand, saying, "Please give me that coat, I really want it."
With Senichi's words, the usual response of "Are you kidding? Of course not" that most people would give when faced with such a request did not appear at all. Mrs. Matsushita just looked at Senichi with an unpleasant expression and remained silent.
One could discern her inner hesitation and struggle, which itself indicated a problem.
"Sorry, I withdrew my request before, I just wanted to test you."
Without waiting for her to make a decision, Senichi preemptively stopped her struggle. But even so, Mrs. Matsushita naturally didn't show him a good face and left with an unpleasant expression.
Senichi and Takagi exchanged glances, naturally anticipating the reaction of testing the other party and not paying much attention. They continued to follow behind, with their faces shamelessly thick.
In a detective's work, it was quite similar to using a plaster for a dog's wound. There were examples of annoyingly persistent people.
Although you had the right to refuse to answer and cooperate, it was also normal for me to carry out my official duties.
There was no conflict with your civil rights, but you couldn't bother me by not cooperating.
However, Senichi and his companion didn't go to the extent of being shameless. They just followed Mrs. Matsushita from a distance despite her cold demeanor.
When Mrs. Matsushita entered the floor of the cram school, Senichi and Takagi finally stopped in their tracks.
But it wasn't because they lost sight of her; they had already caught a glimpse of her daughter's figure. However, there seemed to be some "ripples" happening.
"Haru, stop crying!" At this moment, a mother was comforting her daughter, "I'll buy another one just like it for you."
The girl named Haru continued to cry loudly, ignoring her mother's comforting words. Meanwhile, May, Mrs. Matsushita's daughter who was at her home yesterday, stood silently by the side.
"Oh, hello. Is something happening?"
Mrs. Matsushita saw this scene and thought that there was some conflict between the children, so she hurriedly ran to her daughter's side.
"I want that!" The girl cried, pointing at the small bag in May's hand.
"Alright! You can't be so willful!" The mother tried to comfort her daughter. "That belongs to May-chan. Mommy will buy you a new one."
"But it's so pretty, and Haru wants it too!" The girl shook her head and continued to cry and protest.
Before Haru's mother could say anything, Mrs. Matsushita took the bag directly from May's neck.
"May, can you give this bag to Haru?"
Although Mrs. Matsushita spoke with a negotiating tone, her actions left no room for negotiation. After taking off her daughter's bag, she opened it and prepared to take out what was inside.
"Oh, you really don't have to, Mrs. Matsushita." Haru's mother quickly waved her hand. "How can we accept this?"
"It's okay." Mrs. Matsushita said as she handed the contents of the bag to May, while lecturing her, "Didn't I tell you not to be too attached to material things?"
As she spoke, Mrs. Matsushita handed the small bag to Haru who was standing beside her.
"I'm sorry for the trouble." Haru's mother declined, "How can we accept this?"
"It's okay, take it." Mrs. Matsushita smiled and placed the small bag in front of Haru.
Upon seeing this, the crying girl named Haru stopped and took the small bag with both hands.
"Let's go back." Mrs. Matsushita hugged her daughter and bid farewell to the others. "Well then, we'll go ahead."
"Thank you so much, Mrs. Matsushita!" Haru's mother expressed her gratitude and made her daughter bow. "Haru-chan, you should say thank you as well..."
And while Mrs. Matsushita was standing still and talking to the others, May took the opportunity to run out with her school bag.
"Hello~"
Outside the door, May saw Senichi and his companion standing and greeting her with a smile.
"Hello!"
As she spoke, May quickly took out a hat from her school bag. "Please hold this for me!"