"Sorry, Brother Senichi, I was too impulsive."
The moment Makoto Kyogoku's wrist was gripped, the reflexive tension in his muscles intended to counter, but he quickly controlled his actions and looked at Senichi apologetically.
After their last meeting, Senichi and Makoto Kyogoku had changed the way they addressed each other, showing closeness and acknowledging their support for each other's relationship. So, there was nothing awkward about Makoto Kyogoku calling Senichi like this now.
"Alright, I've finished watching the video. Let's go now," Senichi stood up. "Let's see if we can find anything on the 'acpany' website office."
"Brother Senichi, I have something to ask for your help!"
Seeing the group about to leave, Makoto Kyogoku quickly blocked Senichi's way and bowed 90 degrees with a serious expression. He requested, "I know it's presumptuous, but please let me contribute to the investigation! I want to catch the criminal myself!"
"Me too! Detective Senichi, If there's anything we can help with, please let us assist!" Hearing Makoto Kyogoku's request, Ran couldn't help but speak up.
They already knew that the person who attacked Sonoko was someone randomly attacking pedestrians while wearing a clown mask. In such a situation, they wanted to contribute to the search, even if their presence didn't make much difference among the vast number of people. But they didn't want to sit idle without doing anything.
"You both go back and rest properly," Senichi passed by them with a calm expression. "The investigation is not over yet, and we don't need you right now. If needed, we'll inform you."
The two were momentarily stunned at his words, then their expressions brightened. "Understood!"
Senichi didn't say anything more, just waved his hand without turning back. At this moment, he was still reflecting on the videos he had watched earlier.
It wasn't that he discovered something, but he was critiquing the attire of the criminal.
A clown.
This guy also wore a clown mask. Although it had no apparent connection, it reminded Senichi of the previous case he dealt with involving a clown kidnapping.
After all, clowns were originally meant to bring joy and laughter to people.
But at some point, the comical clown had become a favorite of criminals. Every time someone wore a clown mask to commit a crime, a strange and terrifying sense of horror would spread in people's hearts.
And whether it was the previous guy or this one, there were clearly abnormal aspects in their psychology.
Perhaps, this kind of dark distortion is the essence of what people fear.
Dark, it's so damn dark. Why does DC always make people's hearts so dark?
When they walked out of the hospital gates, Chiba, who was beside Senichi, woke him up from his thinking. He couldn't help but ask, "Detective Senichi, do you really plan to let those two participate in the investigation?"
"Well... who knows?" Senichi couldn't deny it and smiled, "Did I promise them?"
Chiba was stunned at his words, then sighed helplessly and said, "But you didn't refuse either."
"Although I understand their feelings, this is still our job."
Senichi took the keys from Shiratori, sat in the driver's seat, and said, "But if we refuse, those two might cause trouble. It's better to give them a vague promise to delay them a bit."
"That makes sense. If they walk on the streets, we really can't stop them," Chiba nodded in agreement.
"But how long can you delay?" Shiratori, sitting in the passenger seat, fastened his seatbelt. "With their current anxious state, I'm afraid they won't wait for you for too long."
"At that time, it depends on whether I can catch the criminal or not." Senichi stepped on the gas pedal, and the car instantly shot forward, performing a beautiful drift on the upcoming bend.
"Ahhhhhh!!!"
In the next moment, Chiba's scream echoed in the car, and even the usually composed Shiratori's mouth began to twitch uncontrollably.
The two people who hadn't ridden in Senichi's car much regretted not driving themselves at this moment.
Amidst Chiba's screams, the police car sped through the busy streets with urgent sirens blaring.
...
Tokyo at night wasn't particularly "hot," but because of the night activities of the working population, it gradually became a bit "warm."
Well, that's normal. After all, crowds gathering together tend to raise the temperature in a localized area~
But within the bustling Tokyo, there was still a group of people working hard because they dared not leave work.
Originally, Senichi looked down on this "salaryman culture," but as a detective, he found this system to be quite convenient for them.
The "acpany" website, being an emerging industry, wasn't a particularly large company. It could even be considered a studio by some people.
Due to the prior notification, after stating their identities and purpose, they easily met the owner of the website, Sakuraba.
"Is this visit about the 'Just Clown' videos?" Sakuraba led everyone to the meeting room, poured tea for the three while smiling. "I guessed it when you called. There shouldn't be any other reason for you to come knocking on our door."
"That's correct," Chiba said with a serious expression. "In that case, I presume you know the reason for our visit?"
"Well... I can make a rough guess..." Sakuraba placed the poured tea on the coffee table in front of the three. "It's probably about those few things..."
"Since you know, it makes things easier," Shiratori expressed thanks and picked up the teacup. "Please take down all the videos related to 'Just Clown' and suspend the associated user accounts."
"That's not possible..."
Despite Sakuraba's expression showing a headache upon hearing Shiratori's request, his tone remained unchanged. "The purpose of our website is to 'accompany' you anytime, anywhere. This 'accompanying' means being able to share life at any time and place. Can't just casually shut down someone's account, right?"
"Can those kinds of videos be spread on the internet?!" Chiba, angered by the statement, said, "Those are criminal videos, causing a significant uproar not just online but also in society."
"In the online world, videos of criminals are released almost every day, right? You can go catch those who are uploading videos, and I'm just providing a platform," Sakuraba said in a frivolous tone.
"Enough with the nonsense. Delete the videos quickly," Shiratori coldly demanded. "Otherwise, the next time we come won't be for a simple visit."
"Wow, how scary~ But I don't think you can do that, Detective-san~"
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