As Saito walked into the house, a shadowed figure from behind a large pine tree stared across their street and onto the Hijikata residence. A hand reached inside a long trench coat and took out an object that appear to be a smartphone. A long and freshly manicured index finger pressed a number and the phone quickly dialed into destination. The line was answered after four rings.
"Hello..." a woman's voice was heard.
" Madam, it is all green for Project K."
"I assume it would be...good. I want you to proceed as soon as possible. Update me when you have some details."
"Yes, madam. The operation will be in full mode shortly..." The conversation continued for a few more minutes the sound of a large delivery truck had passed by. At that time, the shadowed figure had already returned to a parked vehicle. Its engine started and the vehicle quickly drove down the street, passing the Hijikata's residence.
Back inside the house, Toshi along with the two officers were in-depth discussion while Chizuru had just bought out cups of green tea for each of them.
"I know this is not what you want to hear, but I am going to be blunt..." Saito paused as he was handed a cream-colored cup., "...thank you."
"Go ahead, Saito." Toshi was prepared for any news, he needs to be there for Chizuru no matter what. He reached over to his wife's hand as she sat next to him on the loveseat, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Alright. We know are familiar with Yukimara Kondo's crimes from the past few years, but we have every reason to believe he is linked to many suspicious activities related to the Rasetsu for more than two decades."
"...I am sorry, but how is this possible, Saito-san? Chizuru interrupted politely upon hearing her father's relationship with a name related to the Yakuza world.
Saito continued with his explanation. "The department had investigated for years and we found some unbelievable evidence that can put Yukimara Kondo on death road."
Chizuru understood her father's illegal activities, but connections with the Yakuza would be unreal. "He was always so busy running our health clinic in Kyoto, when and how would this be possible? He hardly had any time for vacation or even take a trip to Hokkaido." This was where the Rasetsu's headquarters located at.
Saito reached into a black briefcase, taking out a thick manila folder. Upon placing it onto the coffee table, some of the photos had slipped out and scattered across the surface. Chizuru froze as she show one of them in front of her.
On a dark and narrow alley, Yukimara Kondo slowly made his way toward a parked black vehicle and stepped out a well-dressed gentleman. Both of them exchanged polite nods and Yukimara then reached into the breast pocket of his jacket and took out a small tassel. It was handled to the other individual.
"Glad that you are back," he too chuckled and placed a friendly pat on Yukimara's left shoulder. "It's been a long time, definitely too long."
"Thank you, aniki." They both exchanged a few words before they headed toward the end of the alley and disappeared into the night sky.
Sen walked out of the hospital happily and gently touched her abdomen. After being married for two years, she still felt like a newly wedded bride and blushed at the thought of telling her husband the good news. Sen snapped back into reality when her cell phone rang, the caller ID showed "Hubby."
"Hi sweetheart," she walked slowly away from the building and into the parking lot.
"How did everything go at the doctor's?" the voice was on other than Saito Hajime.
"Perfectly fine," she said calmly, trying to hide the excitement, "I do have a surprise for you tonight."
"I cannot wait, be home a little after nine after this meeting with the new chief," he sighed. "Well, it's not even a meeting, just a little welcoming party...I really don't enjoy..."
"...I know you don't like these, but try to be behave properly, Hajime-kun." Sen said firmly, she knew how important it was to have a good impression with any new department head, even if it is exchange a few glasses of sake.
"Alright, alright, I will try. Love you."
"Love you too."
In front of Hijikata's residence, Chizuru walking hand-in-hand with her two children to the corner of the street where a school bus was waiting. The precise motions of all of the parents waving good-bye was seen from vehicle parked a few feet away. All of the windows were rolled up, but driver's attire was visible through the windshield, it was the same trench coat from earlier that morning...
