Japan is a society where conglomerates reign supreme. The phrase "conglomerates of Japan, Japan of conglomerates" is not just a snappy saying, so people in Japan strive to find work in big banks, big trading companies, and big factories under these conglomerates, which is quite different from China. In Japan, being a civil servant is definitely not a top career choice, at least not a very popular one.
Therefore, every year the Japanese Police Agency racks its brains to find ways to lure people into becoming police officers. Police associations across the country also spare no effort in coming up with clever schemes, organizing large events, and inviting various idols and stars to support them. The less clothing they wear, the better. They're even willing to provide student loans for impoverished students—the interest rates on these loans are so low it's laughable, and sometimes you only need to pay back a part of the principal. It's an incredibly good deal, but you have to serve as a rank-and-file officer for at least ten years after graduation.
Even so, the Japanese police organization is still shrinking, and staffing has always been tight, with numbers falling below three hundred thousand.
The fundamental reason is probably that the pay for Japanese police officers is not very good.
Take the lowest rank of patrol officer as an example; in the first year of employment, the monthly salary is just slightly over 170,000 yen, which is only barely above the average social wage. As time goes on, compared to those who join conglomerates, the gap widens and can easily double, triple, or even quadruple.
In response, the Police Agency has tried to solve this problem from the ground up, but unfortunately, with the Civil Service Act in place, a raise requires parliamentary approval. It's tough to implement a large-scale pay raise, so instead, they decide to think creatively in other ways—if they can't increase salaries, they help officers save money—the hidden benefits for Japanese police are pretty good.
As soon as you join, you can apply for subsidized housing, with rent usually at about half the market price, with no security deposit required;
Police associations would regularly organize group social events to help with matchmaking (police officers struggle to find spouses);
They run daycares and kindergartens to help officers watch their kids for free or at cost price, and they even periodically offer wholesale deals on vegetables, rice, and oil, selling them to police officers at cost price or even at a slight loss.
Honestly, the Japanese police organization is not so much a functional governmental institution as it is like a large-scale state-owned enterprise enjoying national subsidies, with its own ecosystem. Sometimes even the police themselves refer to the police headquarters as the "main shop," police stations as "branch shops," and police boxes as "stalls," which says a lot.
What Okuno Yasuharu is now pulling out is one of the "hidden benefits" of the Japanese police organization—a massive amount of discount coupons.
Nanahara Takeshi curiously took a look and found soup base coupons, which the Traffic Police Association got from the Ramen Association. With these coupons, you get an extra portion of the soup base for free at every ramen restaurant in Hirarano;
There were hairdressing coupons, which the Traffic Police Association got from the Barber's Union. With these coupons, you get a haircut at forty percent off, and hair perms at twenty percent off (mainly used by family members, but there's also a large demand among detectives with slick hairdos);
There were bathhouse coupons, also from the Traffic Police Association, where with these coupons, you get a thirty percent discount for a soak in a public bathhouse, and they even throw in a free bottle of warm milk after;
...
There was a dazzling array of these discount coupons, touching on all aspects of life. They truly are a nice benefit and reduce a lot of the living costs for police officers, effectively placating any grievances their families may have due to their irregular work schedules.
Kiyomi Liuli is seeing such a large collection of discount coupons together for the first time, and after standing on tiptoe to sneak a peek for a moment, she is rather speechless. She feels like Okuno Yasuharu and Hidaka Tsukasa are a bit too imaginative. These things might be useful, but after all, they can't replace money. Trying to buy off a money-grubber like Nanahara Takeshi with these is just daydreaming.
To her surprise, however, after browsing through them for a while, Nanahara Takeshi's eyes suddenly lit up, "A two-day, one-night stay at an inn for seventy percent off, fifty percent off meals, and fishing gear and boats at cost price?"
The usually taciturn Detective Hidaka also had his interest piqued, speaking for the first time, "Does Nanahara also like sea fishing? That store is run by the Traffic Police Association, which is why they can offer these cost-priced discount coupons. I've been there once, and the experience was quite nice."
The Japanese police organization has over twenty-seven thousand affiliated enterprises nationwide, mostly inns, hot springs, and dining establishments, intended to accommodate police officers on business trips or vacations. It also runs over nine thousand similar facilities itself to earn money to subsidize the police organization, while further providing better services. The Hokkaido Prefectural Police Association is no exception, it also runs its own inns.
This coupon was contributed by Hidaka Tsukasa. He doesn't have the time to use it recently anyway, and in the future, he can reapply or exchange it with colleagues, so it's not a big loss.
"Fishing is a good way to pass the time," said Nanahara Takeshi after going through the coupons again, thinking some of them were also not bad. After pondering for a moment, he assumed a serious expression, "Helping the police is the right thing to do. I'll accompany you two right away!"
For these discount coupons, he decided not to set up his stall today. Saying this, he opened the door of Okuno and Hidaka's rundown car. Liuli instinctively wanted to follow, but Nanahara abruptly closed the door and, looking at her through the window, asked oddly, "What are you doing?"
Kiyomi Liuli whispered, "I... I'll go help out!"
"You're not needed, just go home early and do your homework," Nanahara Takeshi flatly refused. "Besides, didn't you break off our friendship? It wouldn't be convenient to go with me, would it?"
Kiyomi Liuli was choked up. She had not expected Okuno Yasuharu and Hidaka Tsukasa to return. If she had known they'd come back, she wouldn't have said those harsh words. Yet, Okuno and Hidaka only needed Nanahara Takeshi's help; whether Kiyomi Liuli went along didn't matter to them. With a brief farewell, they drove off.
As she watched the clunker belch black smoke and speed away, Kiyomi Liuli felt so wronged her eyes turned red, and she kicked a clump of flowers by the roadside vigorously!
Jerk, so petty. He clearly knows I really wanted to go!
What difference does it make if you take me with you? It's not like I'll harm you!
Bastard, such a big bastard. If I ever speak to you again in this life, I'll be a dog!
Kiyomi Liuli was extremely distressed, standing there with a heart so heavy it hurt. Suddenly, she heard a noise behind her and turned to see the junker car backing up. Nanahara Takeshi smiled through the car window as he asked, "I thought it over, and it seems I do need an assistant. Would you be willing to come? I'll count it as 500 yen per hour..."
Before he could finish, Kiyomi Liuli excitedly interrupted, "I'm willing! I'm willing to work unpaid, you don't need to pay me!"
"Pay you?" Nanahara looked at her oddly, "What wishful thinking. I barely have enough money for myself, why would I pay you? The 500 yen per hour is what you owe me!"
"Huh?" Kiyomi Liuli said incredulously. "I work as your assistant, and then I pay you?"
"Considering the help your mother has given me, I came back to ask you," Nanahara said indifferently, signaling to Okuno Yasuharu, "Sorry, Officer Okuno, we can go now."
"Wait!" Kiyomi Liuli didn't dare hesitate and quickly gave in, grudgingly agreeing, "I didn't say I wasn't willing, so... five hundred is... fine."
"Then hop in!" Nanahara Takeshi opened the car door, all smiles.
He still had to live in Higashitama Town for at least three more years, and with Kiyomi Liuli, it was impossible not to cross paths frequently. He didn't want to spoil their relationship completely. After all, it didn't matter. If she wanted to tag along, let her. It wouldn't increase any additional costs.
As for taking money, it wasn't about the amount, but about setting rules—with two people together, there must be a leader and a follower. He certainly didn't want Kiyomi Liuli to get the upper hand in the future.
If he didn't take money this time, she'd likely push even further in the future, or even become angrier if her demands weren't met. That's human nature and nearly inevitable, so it was essential to set clear boundaries from the outset.
He tossed the backpack onto Kiyomi Liuli, chuckling, "Assistant-chan, carry my bag, and don't lose it."
Kiyomi Liuli's eyebrows shot up, and she puffed out her chest, ready to protest, but Nanahara gave her a sidelong glance and asked with a smirk, "What, already don't feel like working just after you've started?"
Kiyomi Liuli instantly caved, furious but not daring to speak, and silently clutched the backpack close.
Fine then... at least...
At least I get to follow to the crime scene. A little discomfort for the sake of the case is no big deal.