Disclaimer: This web novel is created with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI). While AI tools are used to help generate ideas and content, the final story, characters, and narrative are carefully edited and refined by the author to ensure it aligns with my creative vision and original style. Any resemblance to real persons, events, or places is purely coincidental. The author retains full creative control over the work, and AI is simply a tool used in the storytelling process.
Opening Scene
The cold embrace of the ocean swallowed him whole.
The man drifted downward, his body growing heavier as the water pressed against him. Bubbles escaped from his lips, rising toward the distant light above. His vision blurred as fragmented memories surfaced—brief flashes of his life, his time on the police force, the moments leading up to his fall.
Just as darkness threatened to take him, he saw a figure cutting through the water, moving toward him with steady strokes. His consciousness faded before he could make sense of it.
Sudden Awakening
A sharp gasp.
Ryo's eyes snapped open as he coughed up seawater, his lungs burning. He lay sprawled on the damp pavement beside a warehouse, the rough texture of the sidewalk pressing into his back. His drenched clothes clung to his skin, the night air chilling him further.
"Thank god you're awake Ryo"
A familiar voice. He blinked, forcing his vision to focus on the man leaning over him—Kaji, his partner. His expression was a mix of relief and mild frustration.
"Kaji… what happened?" Ryo rasped, his throat raw.
Kaji let out a sigh. "Our suspect landed a roundhouse kick, and you went straight into the ocean. Sank like a rock."
Ryo sat up slowly, rubbing his head. "Great. Another mission, another embarrassing failure. The chief's gonna love this one."
Kaji gave him a pat on the back. "You're not cut out for high-speed chases or hand-to-hand combat, but at least your brain works better than your reflexes."
Ryo Kuroda
Age: 25
Occupation: Police Officer
Strengths: Sharp deduction skills
Weaknesses: Everything else
Ryo Kuroda wasn't the kind of cop who burst through doors or threw punches in back alleys. No, he was the kind who tripped over his own feet during a chase but somehow still figured out exactly where the suspect was going.
As he sat there, soaked and exhausted, he already knew—this was just the beginning of another long day.
Scene Shift – Police Headquarters
The tense atmosphere in the police station was almost suffocating. Officers moved about, some pretending not to listen, others silently watching as the Chief stood in front of Ryo Kuroda, veins practically bulging from his forehead.
The chief's booming voice echoed through the room.
"OFFICER KURODA! DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY FOR YOURSELF?!"
Ryo, standing stiffly, forced an awkward laugh. "Ah… hahaha… I kinda slipped."
"YOU MORON!!!" The chief's roar shook the walls. "THE SUSPECT WAS ALREADY IN YOUR GRASP, AND YOU LET HIM GO! NOT TO MENTION GETTING KICKED IN THE FACE! DIDN'T YOU LEARN ANYTHING IN THE POLICE ACADEMY?!"
Ryo rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah… I did. But, you know… mistakes happen."
"FIFTY TIMES, KURODA!" The chief slammed his fist on the desk. "FIFTY TIMES YOU'VE SCREWED UP! YOUR COLLEAGUES HAVE TO COVER FOR YOU AND CATCH THE CRIMINALS THEMSELVES! YOU'RE LUCKY THE SUSPECT WAS CAUGHT RIGHT AFTER YOU GOT SENT FLYING INTO THE OCEAN! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO HE WAS?!"
Ryo looked down, avoiding eye contact. His not-so-bright smile twitched slightly.
"…Uh."
The chief's glare intensified.
"HE'S BEEN BLOWING UP BUILDINGS LEFT AND RIGHT! AND YOU JUST LET HIM ROUNDHOUSE KICK YOU INTO THE SEA?!"
Silence filled the room. Ryo stood there, unable to offer a good excuse.
His partner, Kaji, sighed from the sidelines.
Chief let out a long, slow breath, his previous rage settling into something colder—something final. The tension in the room didn't ease; if anything, it grew heavier.
He straightened his posture, his gaze locked onto Ryo.
"Kuroda… give me your badge."
Ryo's body tensed. "Huh? …Why?"
The chief's voice, though steady, carried the weight of authority. Then, in a tone so loud it shook the entire station, he declared:
"AS OF THIS MOMENT, YOU ARE DISMISSED! YOU'RE WEAK! YOU'RE FIRED!!!"
A wave of silence crashed over the room. Officers stopped in their tracks. Papers rustled in the lingering echo of the chief's words.
Ryo stood motionless, his expression blank. Slowly, the color drained from his face, his body unresponsive as if his mind had shut down entirely.
From the sidelines, Kaji watched in silence.
"I feel sorry for you, partner."
The chief scoffed, his patience long gone. "Hmph! Someone get this fool out of my office."
Kaji stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Ryo's shoulder. "I'll take him."
Without another word, he pulled Ryo's arm over his own and guided him toward the door.
As they stepped out, Ryo's legs moved, but his mind remained frozen. The weight of his dismissal pressed down on him, heavier than any mission he had ever failed.
Scene Shift – Police Headquarters Hallway
As Kaji escorted Ryo out of the chief's office, the atmosphere in the station was mixed. Some officers looked at Ryo with pity, their gazes sympathetic as they watched their former colleague stumble forward, lost in his own mind. Others, less kind, exchanged quiet chuckles and whispers, shaking their heads at yet another one of his failures.
Ryo barely noticed. His mind was blank, his body moving on autopilot as he let Kaji lead him down the hall.
After a few moments of silence, Kaji sighed.
"Partner… how about some coffee? My treat."
Ryo, still looking out of it, barely managed a response. "S...s...sure..."
Kaji nodded, guiding Ryo outside and toward his car. He opened the passenger door, helping his partner into the seat before settling into the driver's side.
Without another word, the engine hummed to life, and they drove off toward a nearby café.
Scene Shift – Café
The air was cool as Ryo and Kaji sat at an outdoor table, their drinks in front of them. The quiet hum of the city filled the space between them.
Kaji, his usual confident demeanor dimmed by concern, offered a small, uneasy smile.
"You okay, partner?"
Ryo stared at his coffee for a moment before letting out a sigh. "I really screwed up big time."
Kaji hesitated before speaking. "Buddy, I… unfortunately, I have to take your badge. You were so out of it back in the chief's office that you didn't even hand it over. Chief told me to do it instead… though it pains me."
Ryo didn't protest. "It's okay…"
He reached into his pocket and handed over his badge. Kaji took it reluctantly, setting it down beside his drink before changing the subject.
"Ryo, back then, why didn't you just switch to the investigative team? You know deduction work is your strong point."
Ryo leaned back in his chair, eyes distant. "Because I like being out on the field. I want to be part of the action."
Kaji sighed. "I've heard that a lot already, man."
Ryo let out a small chuckle. "You know... I've always been inspired by those heroes on TV. Some of them don't even have superpowers but still manage to take down criminals with their own strength."
Kaji raised an eyebrow. "Come on, those are actors in movies. You realize they have to yell 'cut' every time something risky happens, right? And they have stunt doubles doing the hard work."
Ryo fell silent.
Kaji smirked and continued. "You know, back at the police academy, you barely passed. The only reason you got into the force was because of your deduction skills. That's why we were able to catch so many criminals. The chief gave you chance after chance because of that. But I guess after seeing you getting knocked down fifty times, he finally hit his limit."
Ryo tilted his head back, looking at the night sky. "Well… I don't know. There's just something in me that screams 'GET HIM!' My body moves on its own. I can't just sit still while the rest of you do all the action."
Kaji chuckled, shaking his head. "You really do have a strong sense of justice."
Ryo glanced at him. "That so?"
Kaji smirked. "Yeah, but in the end, you still end up getting beaten down every mission."
Ryo groaned. "Ugh…"
Kaji laughed, taking a sip of his coffee. Even after everything, Ryo was still Ryo.
Ryo stared into his coffee, his fingers idly tracing the rim of the cup. His expression was lost, his thoughts spiraling.
"I really don't know what to do now," he admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. "I've dedicated my whole life to becoming a cop. I made it… but now, everything came crashing down, and I got my butt kicked out of the force."
He sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Should I go for a mundane job now? Like a convenience store clerk? A construction worker?" He exhaled, his shoulders slumping. "I don't know…"
Kaji, who had been quietly listening, suddenly had an idea. His eyes lit up as he leaned forward.
"Ryo, why not take advantage of your strong point?"
Ryo blinked, turning to him. "You mean my deduction skills? But how?"
Kaji smirked. "Why not become a detective? Not a police detective, but a private detective."
Ryo raised an eyebrow. "Heh… I'm not sure, man."
Kaji shrugged. "Well, you did mention you like action-packed stuff. Just hit the gym and learn some martial arts, bro."
Ryo narrowed his eyes. "Are you saying I should become a private detective who can fight?"
Kaji chuckled. "I mean, a detective should at least know some self-defense. You know… unlike you, who failed that part back in your police days."
Ryo groaned. "Ugh…"
After a moment, he eyed Kaji with curiosity. "But why are you suggesting this to me?"
Kaji leaned back, sipping his coffee. "Because the police don't always have time to handle cases that detectives can take on. You've seen how it is—we get swamped with high-priority missions while everything else piles up."
Ryo nodded slowly. "Yeah… the most serious cases always get prioritized, while the smaller ones just sit in the queue for weeks. Sometimes months."
Kaji smirked. "That's exactly why. You could take on a few of those cases—the ones that get pushed to the back. Some of them might even involve a bit of action."
Ryo tapped his fingers on the table, his lips curling into a smirk.
"Heh… sounds interesting. Guess I'll think about it."
The two continued to relax, sipping their coffee in comfortable silence. Kaji, casually scrolling through his phone, suddenly froze. His eyes widened in shock before he practically jumped out of his chair.
"HOLYYYYYY!!!!"
His voice boomed, turning heads from nearly every other customer around them. Ryo, mid-sip, choked on his coffee, sputtering as he glared at Kaji.
"Hey! Shush!! Keep it down!"
But Kaji was too frantic to care. "But—but—!!"
"Huh?" Ryo wiped his mouth, now slightly annoyed.
Kaji quickly shoved his phone in Ryo's face. "LOOK! IT'S BEEN CAUGHT!"
Ryo squinted at the screen. On it was a breaking news article—a bold headline in capital letters:
"REAL-LIFE YETI CAPTURED IN THE HIMALAYAS! 10 FEET TALL MONSTER CONFIRMED!"
Ryo leaned back unimpressed. "Dude… are you sure this isn't a hoax? It's probably just some guy in a yeti suit. People have 'debunked' these before, you know."
But Kaji grinned. "Oh, I'll show you proof. Watch this."
He tapped on a video.
The footage showed a massive, white-furred creature locked in a steel cage, surrounded by reporters and scientists. It let out a deep, guttural growl, its sheer size making the reporters hesitate.
Then— BAM!
The yeti's fist slammed against the cage bars. The entire structure shook, a deep dent forming where its knuckles hit. The reporters screamed, backing away in panic.
A team of security personnel rushed forward, rifles raised— then fired a tranquilizer dart straight into its neck.
The yeti staggered, letting out a final growl before collapsing.
The video ended.
Ryo blinked. "Wow… I guess it is real."
Kaji, practically shining with excitement, clenched his fists. "RIGHT?! To think I'd see the day where a mythical creature is caught and revealed to the world with no nonsense!! This old-age mystery is finally SOLVED!"
Ryo smirked. "Oh yeah, you've always been into this sort of thing. You used to pester me about it all the time to the point where it got annoying."
Kaji nodded enthusiastically. "Yup! Myths, legends, aliens, ghosts, otherworldly creatures—the list goes on!" He grinned. "Want to hear more about it?"
Ryo sighed dramatically. "Hell no! I've had enough of your nerdy ramblings."
As Ryo continued to complain, Kaji simply smiled in anticipation of something.
Then, with a smug smirk, Ryo spoke again. "As of today, you shall be known as… Fantasy-chan!"
Kaji clapped his hands, mockingly delighted. "That's the Ryo I know! The man with the worst naming sense ever!"
Ryo frowned. "Really?"
Kaji grinned. "Yeah. At first, your names were cringy, but lately, they've become my favorite form of entertainment." He leaned back. "But Fantasy-chan? Now that's a fitting nickname for me!"
Ryo sighed. "You're actually embracing it…?"
Kaji laughed, then suddenly remembered something. "Oh yeah, remember when you used to call the chief 'Futsal' behind his back?"
Ryo smirked. "Yeah. His hair looks like a football pitch, so I named him Futsal."
Kaji burst into laughter. "And then he found out, and we both got in trouble! Even though it was your fault, I still got dragged into the scolding!"
Ryo grinned mischievously. "Heh, well, you were with me. You got pulled into my mess."
The Topic Shifted
Kaji stretched. "But seriously… this yeti thing. That's one hell of a mystery solved."
Then, he smirked, looking at Ryo with a teasing glint in his eyes. "Hehe… if you're a private detective, maybe you'll start getting cases like this."
Ryo raised an eyebrow. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Kaji leaned forward dramatically. "You know, cases like finding aliens, solving the mysteries of Atlantis, getting clients from another world… you know, supernatural detective stuff. Hahaha!"
Ryo sighed, rubbing his temples. "Are you seriously suggesting all that unrealistic nonsense?"
Kaji shrugged. "Or… maybe you'll even have your own arch-nemesis—like Moriarty or Jack the Ripper."
Then, a lightbulb flickered in Kaji's head. His grin widened.
"Oh yeah, I'm giving you a nickname too."
Ryo crossed his arms. "Go on. I'm ready for a terrible name."
Kaji smirked. "Sherlock."
Ryo's eyes widened slightly.
Kaji leaned back. "Your deduction skills are masterclass, so basically… you're like Sherlock."
Ryo scratched the back of his head. "Huh… I guess that does sound like me."
He let out a relieved sigh. "Thank god it's not as cringy as my own naming skills."
After hours of rambling and pointless debates, the sun had dipped lower, casting a golden hue over the city. Ryo and Kaji stretched as they prepared to leave.
Kaji turned to Ryo, his expression a mix of concern and reassurance.
"Hey, Ryo… I know things are about to be a little tough for you now that you're out of the job, but if you ever need help with anything…"
He suddenly bumped his chest with his fist, standing tall with a ridiculous grin.
"FANTASY-CHAN IS HERE TO HELP YOU!"
Ryo let out a small smirk. "Okay, thanks. I guess you really fell in love with that cringy name." He waved as he walked off. "See ya, Fantasy-chan."
Kaji laughed, waving back. "Yeah, see ya, Sherlock!"
And with that, the two went their separate ways.
Scene Shift – Ryo's Walk Home
As Ryo walked home to his small apartment, the night air was cool, and the neighborhood lights flickered around him. His mind wandered back to Kaji's suggestion.
"A private detective, huh…?"
It was an idea that hadn't left his mind since the café. He had spent his life working toward becoming a police officer, and now that it was over, he had no clue what was next.
Then— something caught his eye.
A small storage space stood at the corner of the street. It was rectangular, slightly larger than a regular apartment room, and it had a 'FOR SALE' sign plastered on its door.
Curious, Ryo walked up to check the price.
"...This is cheap."
He glanced inside through a dusty window. The space was empty but manageable. Big enough to work with—just enough for one guy to live and work in.
Then, suddenly—an idea struck him.
His eyes widened, and an unusual spark of enthusiasm flashed in his gaze.
"This… this could be my private detective office."
Ryo had some funds saved up—money that had barely been touched because of his simple, uneventful life.
A few days later, he met with the owner and purchased the place.
From that day on, Ryo threw himself into fixing up the space.
The old, dusty storage room was remodeled into a minimalistic office. He moved in his furniture, bed, cupboards, and even installed a small bathroom to make the space livable.
It took a full month of work.
But now—standing outside, with his hands on his hips, staring at the finished product—Ryo couldn't help but smirk.
"Finally… it's completed."
Ryo stood in front of his newly renovated office with a sense of accomplishment.
"From this day on… this is my office and my new home!"
As he took in the moment, a car engine approached from the side. He turned to see Kaji pulling up, parking just outside.
Kaji stepped out, looking up at the small yet clean-looking office.
"Well, didn't think you'd actually go with my suggestion and open this up."
Ryo smirked, nodding toward the parking lot beside the office.
"Park your car there. Come in."
Kaji did as told and followed Ryo inside.
The interior was minimalistic—neat, simple, and practical. Nothing excessive, just a desk, a couch, a coffee table, and a few cabinets.
Kaji looked around with a grin.
"The design's pretty simple… I guess it reflects your boring and uneventful life."
Ryo crossed his arms, unimpressed.
"Hmph. My boring life assisted my money-saving skills. Besides, it's better to save money when you're as boring as me."
Kaji chuckled, taking a seat as Ryo served him tea.
After taking a sip, Kaji leaned back and asked, "So, partner, got a name for your business?"
Ryo blinked in realization.
"Oh yeah… I gotta register a name for my detective business."
Kaji's eyes lit up, and he immediately leaned forward with enthusiasm.
"How about 'The Cosmic Investigation'?"
Ryo cringed instantly.
"Oi, don't add your nerdy touch to my business, Fantasy-chan."
Kaji pumped his fists.
"COME ON NOW, IT SOUNDS COOL!"
Ryo ignored him, rubbing his chin in thought. Then, suddenly, his eyes widened as an idea struck him.
"You know what… since you're the reason I decided to become a detective, I'll add a tiny bit of your cringy fantasy touch to the name."
Kaji's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"Well, go on! Tell me the name you came up with!"
Ryo smirked, letting the suspense build for a moment before finally announcing—
"Odyssey Investigation."
For a brief second, silence filled the air.
Then Kaji sighed dramatically, looking unimpressed.
"Is that it?"
Ryo frowned. "Oh, come on! It sounds cool, right?"
Kaji shook his head. "Nah, mine was cooler."
Ryo groaned. "Oh, shut up, you nerd!"
Kaji chuckled. "But does it have a meaning?"
Ryo leaned back, arms folded. "I guess it's about uncovering legendary, often forgotten tales or secrets. It suits your cringy fantasy taste."
Kaji took another sip of his tea, smirking. "Heh… I guess it's acceptable."
Kaji leaned back on the couch, sipping his tea with a nostalgic sigh.
"Man, it sure is boring without you in the force these days."
Ryo raised an eyebrow. "Why so?"
Kaji grinned mischievously.
"Not only are your bad naming skills comedy gold, but watching you get beaten down by criminals was prime entertainment."
Ryo cracked his knuckles. "Want me to kick you out, bastard?"
Kaji chuckled. "Also, your self-deprecating jokes, man—those are the best!"
Ryo looked at him, utterly confused. "Huh? I never did that."
Kaji gave him a deadpan stare. "Are you serious, man? You don't even realize it yourself. Well, I guess you wouldn't notice it since it's just a part of you. Hahaha!"
Ryo sighed, unknowingly slipping into another self-deprecating remark. "Well, thanks to you, I had a partner who does nothing but laugh at my life."
Kaji slammed the table, laughing. "SEE! Hahaha! That's it!! There we go!"
Ryo gave him a side-eye. "Oh really now?"
Kaji leaned forward, squinting at Ryo's arm.
"Dude, look at you! You grew some muscles! Ooh, trying to impress the ladies, huh?"
Ryo scoffed. "I'm not flexing for anyone, you moron. What you told me last month made sense—I really do need to learn some self-defense. So, I set up a home gym and started learning martial arts through online videos."
A sly grin spread across Ryo's face. "In fact, I even got some weapons."
Kaji raised an eyebrow. "Eh? Really?"
Ryo walked over to a cupboard, opened it, and pulled out a box. Inside were a taser, a handgun, a pair of tonfas, and some flashbangs.
Kaji stared at the collection, then back at Ryo. "Umm… are you planning to fight crime or commit one?"
Ryo chuckled. "Relax, it's just insurance. After getting my butt handed to me by criminals so many times, I figured it wouldn't hurt to be prepared."
He picked up a handgun from the box. "And don't worry, I still have my gun license."
Kaji smirked, shaking his head. "Whatever you say, man."
Then, his eyes landed on something else—a gray trench coat hanging by Ryo's desk.
Kaji pointed at it, a slow grin forming. "Well, well, well… look at this. Trying to look the part, Sherlock?"
Before Ryo could respond, Kaji grabbed the coat and tossed it at him. "Here, put it on."
Ryo sighed but slid his arms into the sleeves. The coat fit snugly, the weight of it settling on his shoulders like a new identity.
Kaji stepped back, crossing his arms. His teasing tone faded, replaced by something more genuine. "You look cool, my friend."
Ryo adjusted the collar, looking down at himself. There was a quiet moment between them. It wasn't just a coat. It was a symbol—of moving forward, of owning this new path.
He exhaled, a small smirk playing on his lips. "I mean… why not, right?"
Kaji chuckled, patting Ryo's shoulder. "Yeah… why not."
For once, there was no sarcasm, no jokes—just silent understanding. Kaji had always believed in Ryo, even when he couldn't believe in himself. And now, standing there in that coat, Ryo finally looked the part of the detective he was meant to be.
Kaji grinned. "But hey, don't lose your terrible naming sense. That's part of the charm."
Ryo rolled his eyes. "Tch… Fantasy-chan, you really know how to ruin a moment."
Kaji smirked. "Shut up, Sherlock."
As Kaji stretched his arms, he let out a sigh. "Well, gotta go on patrol now."
Ryo leaned back in his chair. "Oh yeah… that boring duty."
Kaji chuckled, shaking his head. "Not all of us get to sit around waiting for mysterious cases to land on our doorstep, you know."
Before stepping through the door, Kaji paused and turned back. "So, got any incoming clients?"
Ryo exhaled, crossing his arms. "Nah, Odyssey Investigation officially opens for business in a week."
He glanced at his desk, deep in thought. "Though I doubt clients will just come rushing in. Should I promote my business on social media? Hmmm…"
Kaji smirked. "Well, I actually know a few people who might need a detective, though they'd probably be small jobs."
Ryo looked up, a small smile forming. "That's fine. You always gotta start small in the beginning, right?"
Kaji gave him a thumbs-up. "Alright, man. I'll spread the word and update you if anyone's interested."
With that, he stepped outside, heading to his car. As he pulled up in front of Ryo's office, he rolled down the window and waved.
"See ya, Sherlock."
Ryo smirked, waving back. "Alright, get going, Fantasy-chan. I'll see you soon."
Kaji laughed before driving off, leaving Ryo standing in front of his new office, ready to take his first step into the unknown.