Disclaimer: Tenoh Haruka and Kaioh Michiru do not belong to me. They belong to Naoko Takeuchi.

A/N: Finally I'm back after 6 months. I realize it's a wise decision not to split out the sub chapters as I am really unsure when I could be able to update the story. Another 20k words chapter. Sometimes I feel amaze with myself. HaHa. Want to let you guys know I met some Japanese with the name Haruka and Michiru and I'm sorry to say, I feel very disappointed with this real life Michiru. She totally spoilt Michiru's image in my heart. Feel so sad...


Haruka watched on as the same black hair man helped Michiru and her violin with the narrow staircase, leading down to the press, from the makeshift stage. With his hand firmly on the back of the violinist's waist, they stopped to pose for the photographers. Not long, they were joined by other players, posed for last round and the group then went to the other side of the stage, talking about their performance perhaps, with Michiru giggled happily, actively involved in the discussion. Playing violin was Michiru's favourite hobby. Haruka came to this knowledge about 6 months ago, although a little too late, considering they had been in relationship for 3 months on that time. Michiru was part of the Association of Japanese Symphony Orchestra, which Haruka only got to know around 6 weeks ago, when she saw the invitation card from the Association, the same Association that organized 2 days orchestra performance in front of Tokyo Philharmonic Hall. The non-permanent stage was built on the Metropolitan main road for alfresco orchestra performance, perfectly suited to the main purpose of this event; to promote orchestral music to young people.

This was the second day of the performance. Haruka missed out on the first performance due to unavoidable duties so she make it up with her attendance today. But for Haruka, it proved to be a mistake for her. Haruka had been watching Michiru closely for the whole night. As she looked the black hair man now lightly caressed on Michiru's back, she abruptly got up from her seat and simply walked away. Away to her car, which was parked few blocks away from the hall.

Haruka climbed into her car and closed the door rather harshly. Haruka couldn't deal well with her own jealousy. Most of the time she would walked away from her own jealousy as she feared she might did something that she would regret later. Today was no difference.

The other side of the door was opened suddenly and soon Haruka was joined by the violinist. The violinist was not blind to the anger on Haruka's eyes, when her senior attempted to get close to her at every opportunity. She too, had been concentrating on Haruka for the whole night, except during her time on the stage. Watching the blond's every moves, for every unnecessary stupid move, if any. 9 months into their relationship, Michiru knew very well for every signs not to rub Haruka on the wrong way. Michiru barely able to close the door when Haruka accelerated without warning. This prompted Michiru to sigh inwardly and she was suddenly thankful the ride back to her house was in complete silence.


Haruka got undressed and went straightly into the bathroom. She turned on the shower and let herself drown in the pouring water. To wash away all the jealousy and anger that took over her body. She stiffened when a warm body embraced her from behind. She was being turned around rather forcefully and was welcomed by a pair of concerned blue eyes.

"Tell me, what's on your mind right now." Michiru caressed Haruka's cheek attentively. To coax Haruka to calm down and to cajole Haruka to speak out her mind. But all Michiru got was silent stare from Haruka. Michiru sighed. "Please, Haruka?" Michiru tried again with patience but again, another cold treatment from the blond. "It won't help us Haruka when you always keep all the thoughts to yourself. We will second guess each other and…your silence will only push us further apart." Michiru raised her voice slightly and she was getting impatient with Haruka.

Haruka was a person with few words. She always kept her thoughts to herself. There were numerous times where Michiru had to coax, plead, and sometimes had to practically beg for Haruka to speak out her mind in their previous disagreements. Haruka was hard headed. Michiru on the other hand, for their sake of their love, would always be the one to forgive and forget. Michiru was the one that always took the initiative to comfort Haruka first. They had been only together for 9 months and Michiru wasn't sure how long would they last if Haruka kept on living in her own world.

"I'm not your subordinate, Haruka. I don't have to report anything to you. If there's anything that you want to know, for god's sake open your mouth and ask." With that being said, Michiru shook her disappointing head, prepared to walk out from the bathroom, only to be stopped by a firm grip on her arm.

"I don't like the way that guy touched you." Haruka said silently.

Finally. Michiru of course knew his senior was the reason behind Haruka's madness but she wanted, needed to hear it from Haruka.

"He was just trying to be polite."

"A gentleman should keep his hand to himself and not letting his hand to crawl on some woman's back."

"I was going up and down the stage with my violin and a pair of 4 inches stiletto. He was just trying to help me."

"You didn't reject him even for once. You seem to enjoy his…caress." Haruka growled and her face hardened.

Michiru took offence of the accusation and her own temper immediately flared. "What are you trying to imply on, Tenoh Haruka?"

Haruka scratched her hair with frustration. "I don't know Michiru. All these while you had been dating men. I'm your first intimate girlfriend. And you are getting close to him. You did not reject his advances."

"So now you are trying to say I take you as an experiment? Or I'm taking you as a short term fling just like my previous old flames?"

"No!" Haruka shouted. She closed her eyes, trying to bury her own fury. "I…I…I feel insecure, Michiru." This time Haruka said it softly. Like it was some secret, that shouldn't go beyond the bathroom.

Michiru laughed. It was unbelievable from Haruka. "Like I feel secure with Superintendent of Bed Hopper."

"I told you it was just a misunderstanding."

"Why do I have to believe in everything that you said, when in the first place you are questioning me all these time? I see you as someone that I wanted to spend my life with but you…..you flirted with the entire woman population in this island and you expected me to trust you. Why couldn't you do the same to me, Haruka? What have I done for the past 9 months that make you so insecure? Except for some touching today. I excused myself immediately once I felt comfortable with it but you were too blinded in your own jealousy that you never notice it."

Michiru felt lighter after she had vent out all the anger, all the words that needed to be said to Haruka. She didn't flinch at her own words. Even if it would cost her the relationship, Michiru won't regret it. If Haruka was serious in settling down with her, both of them needed to speak out their mind. Now Michiru had screamed out hers, it Haruka's turn. If Haruka decided to run away again, so be it. Nothing Michiru could do anymore. Michiru had been fighting for the last 9 months and now it's Haruka's turn to show her effort in this relationship.

But too bad. All she got was the same empty stare from Haruka. Michiru was disappointed. She didn't notice tears were escaping from her own closed eyes as she turned her head away.

"I'm sorry." Haruka murmured. Finally. "I'm sorry." Haruka gently pulled Michiru to her embrace. Haruka tightened her hug, repeating her apologies at Michiru's ear. She was relieved when Michiru did not reject to her hug. She was being selfish. She was just thinking the whole situation from her own perspective. Only when Michiru threw everything at her, she saw the whole picture. And Michiru had to bear with her stubbornness for 9 month.

Michiru lightly disengaged herself from Haruka's tight embrace. She caressed Haruka's cheek again and staring hard at her lover. The anger was still there but most of it had evaporated into thin air, joining the steam, occupying every corner of the bathroom. "I don't want your apologies, Haruka. Just tell me what's on your mind right now." Michiru then pulled Haruka down for a kiss.

It was strange. Few minutes ago Michiru was practically screaming almost at the top of her lung, and few minutes later they were kissing passionately. With Haruka, her anger always came and gone as fast as Haruka's racing car. This tall woman was driving her mad for all the wrong and right reasons.

'What's on my mind? What's on my mind? Only 1 thing.'

"I love you."

Michiru froze. Haruka panicked. 9 months. For 9 whole months, they never professed their love to each other. It was like an unspoken taboo. Haruka remembered Michiru's every single words from 9 months ago.

'All of them just kept on breaking the rules of the game by declaring their undying love or a marriage proposal.'

'Have I lost it?' Haruka stared timidly at Michiru. Fear overtook her face. 'Will I ended like her previous fling?'

Michiru looked at Haruka's fearful face. She loves me. Now she finally understood the source of Haruka's jealousy and possessiveness. Because she was feeling exactly the same thing now. She suddenly felt jealous with the woman that managed to get the same confession from Haruka in the past. And right now, she wanted Haruka to only declared her love to Michiru alone, and not to anybody else, be it a friend, a colleague, relatives, parents or anybody else because she wanted all of Haruka's love to herself. She didn't want to share it, hell, she realized now she hated to share it. It was a feeling that she never had the chance to experience with the men that she used to be together with. She finally came to know that actually she make the right choice 9 months ago. Haruka was indeed the one.

Haruka was getting more distressed with her own confession when she saw Michiru lost in her own thought. When Michiru finally got her senses back, Michiru almost laughed at Haruka's sudden alarmed face.

"Actually I….I ….what I meant was….." Haruka stammered for an explanation. Her brain was running in every direction to rescue the situation. But Haruka didn't has to fear much. Because she got a helping hand from Michiru herself. Haruka was being pulled down again for a hungry kiss this time. Her mind went blank but she replied the kiss nonetheless, albeit timidly.

"I love you too."

Haruka pulled back with surprised written on her face but Michiru captured her lips again in a fast motion. Huge relief washed over Haruka when she learnt that Michiru actually reciprocated her feelings. This time, she kissed with more confidence and their lips finally moved in sync.

"Actually Michiru….. I love you more."


The peace of the darkness was interrupted by a very familiar ringtone. Again. Haruka growled in annoyance. She pulled her personal comforter closer, ignoring the noisy ringing phone and got back to sleep.

But whoever was trying to get hold of Haruka was persistent enough to let the phone kept on ringing even though the moon was still on duty up in the dark sky. Surprisingly, the notorious impatient Superintendent was able to put up with the determined ringtone but not the small woman under her tight embrace.

"Get the damm phone, Haruka." The irritating noise finally woke Michiru from her slumber. It irked her even more when Haruka just decided to ignore it. Michiru nudged rather harshly at Haruka, causing Haruka to clutch her own painful rib then Michiru hide her head under the blanket.

Still rubbing at the aching rib, Haruka cursed and stretched out for her phone. 9 months into the relationship, Haruka knew very well not to offend the sleepy Michiru. The wrath from the sleep deprived Michiru was something that should be avoided at all cost. Haruka's mood darkened even further when she saw the caller id from the illuminated screen.

Takumi Takahashi. Her Asst. Again.

"How may I serve you this time Takumi-san?" Haruka asked in sleepy voice. Today was her day off. Today was Michiru's day off too. They spent more time on certain activities the night before considering they had kissed and makeup after a huge argument and the most important was after a long overdue love confession from both sides.

"Morning Superintendent. I apologize for the morning call but we have a situation here."

Again.

"I'll explain when you arrive. We will be waiting for you in your office. Eerrmm…..The Prime Minister is here as well. See you later."

The Prime Minister is in my office?

The phone got disconnected. Haruka frowned. This is not good. Haruka checked the time. It was 5.46am.

"Haruka….?"

Haruka turned her attention to the source of the sleepy voice and found the head of Michiru sneaked out from the hiding place, watching at her with one closed, and one half opened sleepy eyes. "Duty calls?"

"Yes…unfortunately." Haruka answered in robotic voice as she searched through her brain, seeking for a reason for the sudden appearance of Prime Minister in her office.

"Too bad then." Michiru sighed in contend, stretching her hands and legs, turned her body around and let her left hand and leg sprawled across the bed, giving an impression like she was hugging the king size bed. "I got the whole bed all to myself. I got the whole day all to myself. I can sleep until the end of the world." Michiru moaned in satisfaction, sent a teasing smile and a teasing glance at Haruka then trying to return back to her sweet dreams.

Haruka came out from her own reverie and squinted at Michiru. She was already terribly annoyed with the morning call, suspicious with the PM's arrival, and now Michiru was making fun of her. You have to pay for the mockery, Michiru. Haruka climbed back to bed and completely hide herself underneath the blanket. She then flipped the unsuspecting Michiru around, causing Michiru to yelp in surprise. Before Michiru could react, Michiru felt her legs were being spread open, and there was sudden burning sensation in between her thighs due to some sensual contacts. Michiru moaned and her moan gradually became louder when a certain tongue flicked faster, and 2 fingers thrusted harder and deeper. Michiru's hand clenched tightly on the sheet, her back arched upward, when her body was about to hit the climax…..her burning core lost its final momentum to send her up to the sky when the certain finishing touches were abruptly being pulled away. Haruka appeared from the blanket, standing in her naked glory at the end of the bed, facing Michiru, with satisfied smirk plastered on her face. Disbelieved was clearly written on Michiru's face.

"You will remember why you will miss me today." Haruka chuckled, wiping Michiru's sweet nectar that threatened to fall from her chin with the back of her hand.

Feeling extremely irritated with the teasing, Michiru threw a pillow at Haruka only for Haruka to catch it easily and threw it back at Michiru before broke into a loud laugh.

"I'm going for a bath now."

"You better come back Tenoh and finish what you started."

Ignoring Michiru's words, Haruka hummed her favourite song all the way to the bathroom while Michiru growled in exasperation under the blanket.

When Haruka came out from her morning shower, Michiru had went back to her dreamland. Once Haruka had dressed up, she went to the bedside and lightly kissed on her girlfriend's forehead. Haruka caressed the forehead lovingly, taking her own time, appreciating the sleeping woman in front of her, ignoring the warning reminder from her own her head, that a certain powerful figure in Japan was waiting for her in her own office. Michiru stirred, blue eyes slowly revealed itself. Michiru smiled at Haruka. All the earlier infuriation due to Haruka's antics had been long forgotten.

"Come back to me once you are done, okay?"

Haruka lifted one of Michiru's hands, eyes never leaving the sleepy beauty, kissed the hand gently, let her lips lingered on it and nodded.

"Go now. Becareful. I love you."

Haruka's smile widened at the declaration of love. Since she inadvertently blurted out the taboo words the previous night, and much to her relief, since Michiru requited the love, they had been repeating these lovely words to each other endlessly in their love making. And when each time Michiru confessed her love to Haruka, Haruka would reply;

"I love you more." Haruka then placed a chaste kiss on the pink lips that she grown to love so much since 9 months ago. Taking one last look at Michiru, she left their love nest. Once Haruka got out of the room, she hastily went for his bike, breaking all the speed limit on the way to her office.


Haruka saw two burly men, with dark colored suit were standing on guard at the front of her office. Haruka recognized those men were from PM's office, served as PM's bodyguards. The bodyguards bowed at Haruka before 1 of them opened the door and make way for Haruka. Stepping into her own office, Haruka was welcomed by her Asst with another bow and a sharp stare from the PM. Haruka bowed at the PM and the PM motioned for her to take her seat. Once seated Haruka was aware she was being heavily scrutinize by the PM and her Asst. Something's amiss. The PM finally nodded at her Asst and her Asst, Takumi Takahashi finally broke the silence.

"I'm sorry for asking this Superintendent, but where were you at time 0030 till 0200 this morning?"

Haruka pondered at the question. Her eyes were darting from Takumi, then to the PM then backed to Takumi.

"Home. Sleeping."

"Alone?"

"I live alone, so yes."

In the early stage of her relationship with Michiru, Haruka had decided to keep their affair under wrapped for Michiru's best interest. It's not easy for a woman to survive in a field dominated by men, and things might turned even uglier for a homosexual to come out in a closed minded community. The word homosexual itself was still a taboo in Japan. Haruka was an exceptional case where her sexual preference was an open secret since day one she's with the Japan forces but Michiru was different. In public point of view, Michiru was a woman, an ambitious woman but still a woman nonetheless, a woman that dated man. If the news of Michiru swung the other way leaked out, it might hit her career badly. She might be forced to leave DoJ due to peer pressure and the chances for her to practice law again would be even lower. Such were the powers of gossips, rumour and the revenge from the wounded pride of male population. Gender equality would never ever be equaled in Japan. At least not in the short term.

Takumi looked at PM for his approval again. When the PM nodded for the second time, Takumi produced a laptop from his bag and positioned it in front of Haruka. Next, he played a video from a folder. In the video Haruka saw a man was being tied up to a chair, eyes were blindfolded and mouth was taped. Another masked man, standing next to victim, was pointing a gun at the victim's head. Their backs were facing a plain wall and a light bulb was hanging on the ceiling, providing the only source of light for the kidnapper and the victim. Haruka immediately recognized the victim. He was the prince of Thailand, whom just arrived at Japan yesterday afternoon for 3 days diplomatic visit.

"I have the prince with me." The kidnapper spoke in broken Japanese heavily shrouded with unknown accent. "Don't do anything stupid. I will send further instruction." And the video stopped.

Haruka eyes went wide. "The prince had been kidnapped."

"He has been kidnapped from the safe house early this midnight." Takumi explained and glanced at the PM again. He earned himself another nod.

"The video has been sent directly to the PM's personal email account. For the time being we are unable to trace back the source of the email. The video has been sent to the technician for analysis. The technician managed to extract some sound and another voice from the background." Takumi then played the extracted audio. First was some shuffling sound. Then some mobile phone tapping sound. Then a man's voice.

"We got him. Waiting for your next instruction, Superintendent." The same broken Japanese with the same unknown accent.

Now everything was clear to Haruka. The reason behind the earlier questioning. The PM and her Asst were suspecting her based on the audio. Couldn't blame them though. The prince's Itinerary and his accommodation were only known to small handful of people. Haruka and her Asst, the PM, and few men under Takumi's order. Takumi was placed to be in charge of the prince's safety throughout his visit in Japan and reported to Haruka so it's not a surprise for Takumi to handpick his own men and to brief the whole operation to his men.

Well, there were few Superintendents in Japan. Superintendent-General, Superintendent Supervisor, Chief Superintendent, Senior Superintendent and Superintendent. But in this case, the only Superintendent that had knowledge of the Prince's daily activities were Haruka, The Superintendent-General, and her assistant, Takumi, Asst Superintendent-General. The rest would be briefed few minutes before every departures. Since Takumi was in charge of the whole safety operation, it was definite an unwise move to kidnap a prince on his own operation which left Haruka, for the time being, the only suspect.

Haruka remained motionless after the audio had ended. Her brows were knitted together, eyes lost focus staring at the empty space in front of her desk, mind already constructing the next move.

Takumi cleared his throat to break the awkward silence. "As you know, those questions are normal procedure. I hope you will understand, Superintendent. "

"We can't make assumptions base on a single unproven audio. However, a Superintendent is mentioned here and we must act upon it. We are not suspecting you Tenoh-san…" PM said in his most soothing voice. A top officer in Japan was accused in kidnapping but the allegation had not been proven yet. The issue was so sensitive and it had to be handle in subtle way."…. but as you should know, a Prince's life is at stake here as well as the reputation of our country and some international issues that might arise if we failed to handle this delicately. So, a thorough investigation is needed to be carried out. We are closing in on other Superintendents too."

Haruka flashed an assurance smile at the 2 visitors. "Of course I totally understand. I will give my full cooperation in this case"

"Good." PM genuinely smiled in relieve. "For the time being, Takumi-san will be in charge of this kidnapping case and directly report to me. Handle the case discreetly Takumi-san. I don't want any news regarding this kidnapping to leak out and attract further unnecessary complications. And get the Prince back ASAP."

"Understand Prime Minister." Takumi nodded once.

The PM then lifted himself from the chair and straightened his coat. "Guess we are done here." The PM took one last look at Haruka then smoothly left the office followed closely by Takumi. Haruka bowed at the retreating figure of the PM.

The 2 bodyguards left their original post once the PM stepped out from the room. Tracing his way along the long hallway back to the awaiting lift, the PM ushered Takumi to get closer and whispered in a very low voice. "I want someone to monitor Tenoh-san's every movement and report back to me."

"It has been arranged, Prime Minister." Takumi replied in an evenly low voice.

"Good."

Back in the office, Haruka took her mobile phone out from her hidden pocket underneath her suit. Not the usual smartphone that she frequently using but rather a classic Sony Ericsson Xmini, a mobile phone without online networking function. She then type a message and sent it out to 4 different numbers.

'Vettel crashed out. 0900.'


Haruka went back home and connected her computer directly to the modem using LAN cable and turned off the WI-Fi function. She booted her computer, log into a hidden anonymous account instead of her usual personal account, activated a firewall software named Mercury, which could prevent the computer and internet line from being hacked even from the FBI or CIA. Once it was done, she went online for video call. The screen immediately split into 4 mini screens, featuring the Kou brothers and a blue haired IT nerd, Ami Mizuno, better known as Mercury among the hackers. The Mercury firewall software was the brainchild of Ami Mizuno, which she claimed utterly impossible to penetrate.

Haruka got to know Ami in one of her previous cases. Someone paid generously to Ami to hack into Bank of America Merrill Lynch for a complete detailed list of customers with the bank. Ami managed to get the list, but Haruka managed to track Ami before she could hand the list to the buyer. Haruka offered Ami a plea bargain if Ami agreed to cooperate with Haruka to catch the buyer. The main culprit was finally caught, Ami was sentenced to community service, Haruka discovered that Ami was an introvert IT genius and she would seek for her expertise from time to time. Introvert also meant secrecy for Haruka.

"It's only 9 in the morning for god's sake." Ami complained in between of her yawns. She hid deeper into her hood, pulled her legs up, wrapped her hand around her legs and rested her forehead on it.

"Problem?" Yaten asked.

These 4 person were Haruka's most trusted associate. It had been agreed if anyone of them was in serious trouble, and needed secret help from the others, a special code would be sent out along with the time and they would meet up through video call. The code would be the name of the current leader name in F1 scoreboard followed by the 'crashed out'.

"The Prince of Thailand had been kidnapped this morning. At around time 0000 to 0200. The event took place in the safe house. Not long, our PM received a video through his personal email, showing the Prince was bound and gagged with the promise of another contact will ensue soon. For the time being, Takumi has taken over the case….."

"Wait. Wait." Seiya intercepted in. "Why Takumi and not you? You are the Superintendent General."

Haruka sighed. "Apparently the video had been sent for analysis and from the extracted background audio, another voice could be heard saying waiting for your further instruction, Superintendent."

The Kou brothers looked slightly stunned at the same time. Only Ami remain fixed on the same posture, undisturbed by the news.

"I expected to be followed 24/7 by now. It's a normal procedure anyway. So I can't do much. I hope you guys can work the case for me." Haruka said.

"Ok. Let's start from the basic. You are not the only Superintendent here. Basically we are Superintendents too." Taiki stated the obvious.

"Yes. But the only 2 Superintendents that are aware of the Prince's itinerary and the location of the safe house are Takumi and I."

"It could be Takumi."

"On his own operation?"

The Kou brothers kept quiet.

"Let's try to establish the motive here." Yaten said with a sigh. "The Superintendent could be just a nick name. It could be anyone. But considering the confidentiality of the location of the safe house, I think we can safely narrow it down to Haruka and Takumi. Takumi is the head of the operation. I agreed with Haruka here, as stupid as Takumi is, this is not the right time nor place for him to execute this kidnapping. So Haruka is our only suspect now. Either we believe she is the mastermind behind all this or she has been framed."

"So it could be an enemy or someone on the receiving end of the benefits from Haruka's undoing." Taiki voiced out his input.

"To kidnap a Prince from the safe house is no small matter. How many tacticians you need to beat the tight security from the skillful SDF? (Self Defense Forces) I bet it must be someone from the inside. And what's the purpose of this kidnapping? They send the video to our PM means their motive is us and not Thailand. How could the disappearance of a Prince can affect us? Even if Thailand is going to sever the diplomatic ties between us, no one will gain something and no one will lose anything. I'm not trying to belittle Thailand here, but Thailand is not as influential as us. If it's for money, why don't they just grab some billionaire on the road? Easy to plan. Easy to execute. Minimal manpower with limited skills. And the last conversation. Superintendent. If you were the architect of some evil plan, will you reveal your title? Only for your lackey to address you back as Superintendent? If you look on the surface, the plan obviously heading to only 1 direction. To our only suspect. So, maybe we should start to think, who will benefit the most if the plan to get Haruka out of the picture succeeded?" Now Seiya shared his input.

"As far as I'm concerned, in any cause Haruka lost her authority, the tide of favor will only swing to 1 person. To our beloved Assistant Superintendent General Takumi Takahashi." Yaten said.

"Exactly…..what's my role at here?" Ami finally woke up from her slumber and staring at the screen with sleepy eyes.

"Haruka chuckled. "I need your expertise, Ami. And, that's exactly what I thought too Kous." Haruka addressed the 3 brothers. "But I think the risk is too high for him to act alone just for the title. Kidnapping a Prince is not a small matter. Most likely there's another coconspirator. A powerful one. I suggest for the time being we focus solely on Takumi alone. It's not like we have another suspect." Haruka chuckled again. "Ami, I want you to pay attention on his bank account, emails, phone if possible including his wife, children, and all of his relatives. And, I hope you will be able to retrieve the kidnapping video and the audio for our reference. The PM and Takumi should have a copy each. Yaten, you try to get information on what exactly happened on the kidnapping night. Taiki, you incharge of the street informants and Seiya, I leave the rest of the Superintendents to you. Scan them once to be safe. So we meet again at 10 tonight at the same place?"

All 4 of them agreed. Ami was the first one to get offline, followed by the Kou brothers after reminding Haruka to be careful. Haruka slumped back onto her chair after the whole session ended. She rocked the chair back and forth, with eyes closed, to enjoy a small moment of calmness in her own uninvaded space. She then moved out from her own trance and got prepared to visit Michiru, but first, she needed some make up.


Michiru when to get her door when someone rang the doorbell. She was greeted by a very handsome man with dark hair, red eyes, with long sideburn connected to stylish thin strap beard that bordered the handsome face. The man lifted his both hands, showing 2 bags of take away, one on each hands, smiling at Michiru and said "Delivery."

Michiru looked at the man skeptically. "I didn't order any delivery."

The man smirked. "Yes you did."

The smirk reminded Michiru of someone else. The way the man carried himself and the husky voice. It was awfully familiar to Michiru. "Haruka?" Michiru tried

"The one and only." Now Haruka smile gently at Michiru.

"For goodness sake. What the hell with this look, Haruka?"

"It's a disguise Michiru. Can we talk at inside? I'm starving."

Michiru moved away to let Haruka in. Haruka put all the take away on the island, unpacked the take away containers and started to dig in.

Michiru walked up to Haruka and staring hard at her. When Haruka preferred to focus on the food rather than on Michiru, Michiru suddenly make an unexpected move. She put her hand on Haruka's crotch and squeezed it. Haruka yelped and choked on her food. While Haruka desperately pouring the water for herself to drown the food that was stuck in her throat, Michiru on the other hand merely nodded her head in satisfaction.

When Haruka finally got her breath back, she narrowed her eyes on Michiru. "What was that for, love? We can continue where we let off yesterday after my lunch. You don't have to catch me by surprise while I'm eating. Of course it depends on what I'm eating."

Michiru rolled her eyes at the double meaning of the statement and simply shrugged. "I just want to double confirm."

Haruka still looked unimpressed and it prompted Michiru to lean up to Haruka to kiss her. Their lips barely touched when Michiru suddenly pulled back and slapped Haruka on the arm.

"What now?" Haruka frowned.

"Itchy." Michiru rubbed her own chin, her own frown matching Haruka's.

Haruka pulled Michiru closer and wrapped her arms around her waist. "You swing both ways. You had a lot experienced with it. I thought you will like it. Men with sexy beard are charming." Haruka purposely said it in a very deep voice.

"Well yes, it was before I knew how fun and comfortable it is to be with a woman. Minus the PMS of course. So…"Michiru traced her finger along Haruka's fake beard. "…..I don't like this at all now."

"So I take it you are extremely satisfied with your experience with woman."

Michiru smirked. "It is, except all the on and off unnecessary arguments. And oh, I don't do well with any random woman. It has to be one with short blond hair, teal eyes, tomboyish with long skillful fingers…." Michiru now traced Haruka's fingers suggestively with her own and Haruka couldn't help but grinned at it. "...so I want my girlfriend back ASAP."

With that being said, Michiru disengaged herself from Haruka's arm and focus on the food instead. As for Haruka, she was secretly bathing in Michiru's earlier confession. The insecurity had been eating her for the past 9 months and it had led to some disagreements with Michiru. But hearing the admission with her own ears, that Michiru wanted no one else but her, she felt like she was hit with tsunami and it washed away all the insecurities inside of her, bringing it back to the sea when the wave receded. The only thing that the salt water couldn't drag back to the sea was the smile on Haruka's face.

"You haven't tell me the reason of your disguise." Michiru asked with her mouth full.

'So inelegant.' It was just the two of them. They had been dating for 9 months. Michiru didn't need to retain her elegancy in front of Haruka anymore. That was just a façade for the public. She just wanted to be herself, to be comfortable with Haruka, and if Haruka really loved she would accept her every weaknesses. So far, she received no complaint from Haruka.

"The Prince of Thailand had been kidnapped this early morning. I don't want to elaborate much, but there's 1 single evidence that pointed me as a suspect."

"What?" Michiru turned in surprised. "It's impossible. You were with me for the whole night."

"One doesn't have to be involved in the real action of the kidnapping to be prosecuted, love. Masterminding a kidnapping is just as guilty. Anyway, the so called evidence is just a very weak circumstantial evidence. For the time being, I am still head of the TMPD. Takumi is handling the case now. But still, the usual protocol needed to be followed. The first step is to assign a team to follow me 24/7, thus the disguise. I bet they are camping right below of my studio right now. Next, they will find a way to bug my phone. So after I'm gone today, don't try to contact me."

Michiru moved back to Haruka's embrace again. "Anything that I can help?"

"The Kou brothers are helping me right now. Along with the IT nerd, Ami. We will meet again at 10 tonight. The Prince's safety is of paramount importance. We must rescue him ASAP. So the case won't be delayed for long. It's nothing for you to be worried about."

Michiru sighed. She didn't like this at all. She had a bad feeling about it. "Promise me to be careful and contact me once you deem it is safe to do so."

"I will." Haruka then kissed her girlfriend's forehead lovingly only to be pushed back immediately.

Michiru scratched her own forehead with her eyebrows furrowed. "You could disguise as a sexy woman with real boobs, short mini skirt, high heels and some make up instead of a hairy man."

Haruka cringed at the suggested camouflage but then laughed at her girlfriend's cute pout. She really loved this woman so much.


4 pair of eyes stared at her strangely when Haruka finally got her tsukemen strategically placed in front of her seat, at the edge of a 6 seats table. While Haruka devoured her late dinner hungrily; she had nothing since the earlier lunch with Michiru, Ami, sat next to Haruka, timidly reached out to Haruka, trying to pull her beard only to earn herself a slap on the hand.

"Don't mess with it. It took me almost 2 hours to get it right on my face."

"You look ridiculous with it." Ami was happy she manage to irritate Haruka twice in a minute. This time she earned herself a deathly glare from Haruka.

All five of them were flocking at Menya Musashi, one of the most popular ramen house in Tokyo. This was the Kou brothers and Haruka's favourite spot for supper since they were with patrol unit, a unit for the newbies in police department. Now Menya Musashi was named as one of the Top 6 ramen joints in Tokyo by Frommer. The shop actually closed at 9.30 pm, but since Haruka and the Kou brothers were their regular customers for more than 10 years, Menya Musashi would extend the business hours for their convenience. The shop was practically empty by now. Only few staffs remained in the shop for the night closing.

Yaten, the only one decided to skip food and felt comfortable with just a glass of plain water, withdrew a small notebook from his pocket.

"I'll start first. The Prince left the Imperial house at time 2240 after a dinner with the King and Queen, the princes and princesses. He was then escorted back to the safe house by Takumi himself. Takumi left the safe house at time 2350 and the one in charge of the night shift patrol was Toba Yuuchi. A total of 14 officers were on duty that night. 8 for outside and 6 for inside. Sometime after midnight, the HQ lost contact with the team and immediately dispatch a team to the safe house. Once they arrived, they found everyone from the night team patrol were unconscious and the Prince was nowhere to be seen. Takumi was immediately informed. A team from crime lab had been sent afterwards but they found nothing."

"The reason of the passed out?" Haruka asked.

"They suspect it was because of the sleeping gas. The team had been sent for medical test. Still waiting for the result."

"How much sleeping gas you need to wipe out the whole team? I assume they spread the gas from the outside, so we have to consider the wind factor isn't? Does it means we are dealing with some craze scientist cum tactician for an army? Sleeping gas is military's favourite. Especially the Nazis." Seiya pointed out his view but received no response.

Taiki wiped his mouth with tissue, pushed his late dinner aside, and prepared to report his findings. "The big families are out of this. They are too busy in expanding territories now. The head of Dojinkai gang just passed away. The rest of the families are vying for the spot left by the Dojinkai. However, I have a good news and its' all thanks to Ami. As you guys knows, historically, yakuza members are mostly made up by Koreans. When I talk to one of the Korean informants, I realized his accent was so familiar. I showed him the video, and he confirmed those guys are Korean. North Korean. And this Korean informant told me, about 2 to 3 weeks ago, Yamaguchi-gumi clan had just smuggled 4 North Korean militants to Tokyo. The purpose is unknown. But one thing is for sure, they are still in Japan."

"Interesting." Haruka mumbled. Her eyes sparkled. The name Yamaguchi-gumi piqued Haruka's interest. It was an open secret in Japan, some of the top politicians were linked with yakuza group. One of the reason Takumi Takahashi failed to ascend to the top spot of TMPD was because of an old rumour linking him to Yamaguchi-gumi.

"One of the oldest yakuza might be involved in this, so this informant of mine refuse to cooperate more. Now I'm trying to hit on the places frequented by North Koreans to get more data."

Haruka nodded.

"As for me, the rest of the Superintendents are clean. Nothing suspicious. Sorry. I will help Taiki to sniff for more data." Seiya apologized, feeling guilty for his lack of contribution.

"No worries. As long as we stay together, there's nothing we couldn't solve." Haruka smiled gently at Seiya and raised her right fist. Seiya chuckled and knocked his right fist at Haruka's thrice, a sign of their 'brotherhood'.

"As for me….." Ami finally spoke. "…Takumi's financial is clean. Same goes to his wife and children. But, 9 months ago, his Filipino maid of 3 years was corresponding with Swiss bank regarding the procedure of opening a new account."

Yaten's eyes immediately widened in surprise. "Filipino maid and Swiss Bank? It doesn't match at all right?

"I have no comment." Ami replied. "Anyway, it's not easy to hack into Swiss Bank, so I'm not sure this Filipino maid manage to open the account or not. And I found something too. Do you guys know who is Hiroyuki Goro?"

4 shrugged shoulders answered the question. Ami placed her mobile phone at the center of the table. The remaining four of them craned their neck to look at the picture that occupied the whole screen of Ami's phone.

"I am surprise then. Hiroyuki Goro, the brother of Hiroyuki Junko, Takumi Takahashi's ex-wife. If you pull his profile form police database, you could find his file almost half a feet thick in hardcopy. Illegal gambling, pimping, assault, blackmail, dealing drugs….you name it, you have it. He had been in and out from the prison in his 25 years of life. More frequent than you change girlfriend, Haruka."

"Wait." Haruka stopped Ami immediately after the offensive remark. "Why do you have to take my personal life as comparison?"

Ami ignored Haruka while the Kou brothers snickered among themselves. "Around 1 year ago, Hiroyuki had a change of fortune. He was appointed as an advisor for a foreign timber company, Kenzai Co owned by a German, Tomas Klaus. But, strangely, when I check with Immigration Department, there is no record of Tomas Klaus step into our country before."

"Then where is he now?" Yaten asked.

"Spain. He's the team leader for S25Sec apps developing tea."

"A shell company perhaps?" Yaten suggested.

"Most probably." Haruka answered.

"This Kenzai Co has appointed Five Seas Shipping Co as their sole shipping company from their first business day. Five Seas Shipping Co was established 3 years and was registered under name Fuyumi Michiko" Ami suddenly stopped for dramatic effect and eyed at them one by one.

Four of them leaned closer simultaneously and waited for Ami to continue. And when Ami failed to keep the report going, Haruka got impatient. "Come on Ami. It's not the time for prank. Keep going."

"Adults are no fun."

"You are 27, Ami. You are an adult too. Now, stop this nerdy games, continue with your findings for all the oji-san here, will you?"

Ami make a monkey face and slumped back to her chair in a rather dispirited mood. She continued with the report nonetheless but in an annoying robotic voice. "Fuyumi Michiko passed away 5 years ago."

"Another shell company." Taiki murmured. His other 2 brothers nodded in agreement.

"Then who's in charge of the company now?" Haruka asked.

"Why you guys don't feel strange a company was registered under a dead woman's name?"

"Because it's a norm method use by bad guy to 'clean' their dirty money from illegal activities. Another word for this despicable action is money laundering, little one." Haruka explained slowly and in details to Ami but her dark teal eyes already betrayed her impatience. "So, answer my question now, little one. Who's in charge of the company now?"

Ami huffed in annoyance before answered. She hated being called as little one and Haruka knew it. In Ami's dictionary, little one was a reference for someone with abnormally low IQ. "Takeshi Toro. A member from the lowest rank of Yamaguchi-gumi."

"Yamaguchi-gumi again. An indirect link to Takumi Takahashi. A possible link to the kidnapping."

"The business deals in between these 2 companies involved up to hundred millions yen per month. Basically, the foundation for these 2 companies aren't strong enough to handle multi millions projects. I suspect someone with huge financial back up is controlling both companies from the shadow."

Yaten frowned. Taiki sighed. Haruka massaged her own temple, suddenly feeling headache.

"Suddenly the whole damm thing is pointing to money laundering more to kidnapping." Seiya stated out the source of the frown, sigh and headache. "I hope our 12 hours didn't go to waste. How do you manage to get all this, Ami? Rooting on the same spot, in front of the PC for 12 hours? Just like that?"

"I started with Takumi's banking transaction. I noticed that every month, he will transfer the same amount of money to the same account number without failed. I traced the receiver account's holder and it led me to his ex-wife. I assume it's the monthly alimony payment. Now, Haruka told me to check thoroughly everyone related to Takumi so I had a run down at his ex-wife's bank account too. That's where I discovered, every month, a certain non-fixed amount will be credited into her account since 11 months ago. I tried to trace for the source and it led me to Kenzai Co. At this point, there were too many leads for me to be followed. So I asked for help from my group members Anyone, and we manage to get all this within a day. I have to tell you guys, my group will charge you for the service."

"As long as the fees is reasonable, I think I can approve that." Haruka said. "If…we manage to find the Prince of course."

"Well…" Ami hesitated. "…the mode of payment is actually not money."

"Then what does your friends want?"

Ami laughed nervously while trying hard to swallow the lump on her throat. "Actually….my members….prefer…to have a picture of Haruka…" Ami hung her head low. "…..in a skirt. Mini skirt."

If the earlier dramatic prank from Ami couldn't elicit any response, the latest demand did its job wonderfully. The Kou brothers broke into unstoppable maniac laughter. Not even the murderous look on Haruka could stop them. Soon, Ami joined the fun too.

"Gosh. I don't understand what's so funny with me in skirt."

"Then just foot the bill, Haruka." More laughter from the Kou brothers.

Haruka couldn't help but contemplated at the idea of murdering the Kou brothers on the spot since she was in disguised and the shop was half closed. It should be a clean murder. Haruka got more and more irritated with the mocking laughter but at the same time she secretly thanked the god that Michiru was not around. Michiru would teased her mercilessly with the joke and it's definitely would be a huge turn off if Michiru mentioned it during their intimate time.

"What if I refuse, Ami?"

Ami stopped laughing. She looked at Haruka with all the seriousness that she could master. "We will inform the world the Prince of Thailand had been kidnapped and you are under PM's radar and you are spying on TMPD Asst Superintendent General."

Haruka exploded. "Are you trying to threaten me, Mizuno-san?"

Ami sighed. Haruka called her by her last name was not a good sign. "You know how it works, Haruka. You seek for our expertise before."

"But I only ask for your assistance this time. Not your member."

"I alone couldn't get so much information in such short notice. I know this is important for you Haruka. And that's why, if you refused our initial request, there's an alternative actually."

Silence.

"One of my members was detained last week for attempting to hack into classified files stored in the Ministry of Defense's server. We hope you could help us to get him out."

"So this is the truth."

"They said a genius and a retard separated only by a thin line." Taiki suddenly said.

"So can you help, Haruka?"

Haruka inhaled slowly. "I'm in charge of all the police officers in Tokyo. But the Ministry of Defense is an independent body headed by the Minister of Defense. They are soldiers. Military armies. Your friend is threatening the safety of our country by trying to penetrate into our country's defense system. I am incline to agree with Taiki here. It was an act from a retard." Haruka paused. Ami looked troubled. "However, if we manage to secure the Prince's safety, before something bad happened to me, then I will have the bargaining chip to negotiate for you your friend's freedom. So….help me. Then only I can help you."

Ami nodded.


When Haruka returned to the HQ the next day, everything was the same as before. The bow, the salutation, the smile, the greetings were still poured in from every human figures that walked past her. No one seemed to notice a VIP was not seen for the entire day the day before. The elevator stopped at 18th floor, and Taiki bumped in along with few other suits men, blocking Haruka of her only exit. Once Taiki and his followers realized Haruka was in the elevator, they immediately bowed and stepped aside to create a clear path for the Superintendent.

"Something's up Taiki? You seem in hurry." Haruka asked.

"Yes. It's about the Korean guy that refused to cooperate." Taiki spared a knowing glance at Haruka which Haruka replied with a nod. 'The Korean informant.'

"Good. I expect good news from you soon." Haruka left the elevator after Taiki responded with another nod. He then motioned his team to hurry up before he lost this important trail.


With the Kou brothers running around the city in hot pursuit for hints for the location of the Prince, and Michiru was off-limit for the time being, Haruka had to spend the lunch hour alone in the local cafeteria. Well, not entirely alone, considering she's currently under heavy scrutiny from Takumi's tailing team.

Haruka took out her smartphone to check for any messages. She received none. From the Kous nor from the obedient Michiru or any of her close associates. The Prince had disappeared for 36 hours and she's extremely worried for his safety. There was no further contact from the kidnapper since the last video that they sent it more than 30 hours ago. She put her phone down, on top of the dining table, teal eyes impatiently scanned through the menu once.

Something knocked on her side and it landed on the floor with a soft thud, followed by a low sobbing. A child, who Haruka perceived not more than 4 years old, was sitting on the floor and she was furiously rubbing her own by now slightly bruised forehead. To Haruka's amusement, the little girl was actually well mannered enough by trying very hard to refrain herself from actually crying out loud in the packed restaurant, although her free flowing tears suggested an excruciating pain. Haruka crouched in front of the little girl and helped her back on her feet.

"I'm sorry onee-san. I didn't mean to knock on you." The little girl apologized in a shy and teary voice with her hand gently soothing the small bump on the forehead.

Haruka smiled. "It's ok. Are you hurt?"

The girl pouted even more but shook her head.

Haruka chuckled. Just at the same moment, a woman came forward to apologize to Haruka and the little girl immediately hugged the woman. And after some soothing words from the older woman, both of them bowed at Haruka and returned to their own seat. Haruka's gaze followed the little girl's trail. She couldn't have her own child. She couldn't impregnated her partner, in this case, Kaioh Michiru for an offspring. But she was toiling with the adoption idea and she wondered and worried for the same time how Michiru would react to this idea. Maybe not now, but perhaps 2 years later. Shrugging herself off from the day dreaming, Haruka returned to her seat and almost immediately, she noticed something's amiss. Haruka had a habit of placing her smartphone facedown for secrecy purpose. Especially to hide all the calls from Michiru from all the confidants that sometimes shared the same table with Haruka. But now, her smartphone was facing up. Someone had tampered with her phone. She was still staring intently at the phone when the phone suddenly rang. The caller ID was hidden but Haruka still answered the phone nonetheless.

"Hello."

"Superintendent." Broken Japanese.

"Who am I speaking to?"

"It's me."

"Who are you?"

A pause. "Come on. It's not the time for game. What are we going to do with the hostage?"

It was the kidnapper. Haruka's eyes quickly swept the whole restaurant. Nothing's suspicious.

"Is the Prince unharmed?"

"Of course. We didn't do anything to him. We are waiting for your instruction."

Haruka secretly sighed in relief. Then she calmly said, "I'm not sure what are you talking about."

"Fxxk. You told us to kidnap the prince and wait for your instruction. It's been 2 days but you never call."

"Look. As a Superintendent of TMPD, I strongly advised you to surrender immediately to the nearest police station. Failure to do so will only leads to…."

"Are you not convenient to talk? I'll call again later."

"Wait…"

The line went dead. Haruka was frustrated but she didn't have much time to ponder what had just happened. 2 smartly dressed men suddenly joined her table and introduced themselves.

"Superintendent. I'm Fuyuki Hisato from OCCB. (Organized Crime Control Bureau). I'm sorry for the interruption but we would like to request Superintendent back to the HQ to assist in a recent kidnapping case."

Haruka stared at the men then at her smartphone. Her phone had been tempered. The kidnapper called in. Officer from OCCB swiftly moved in. At this moment Haruka realized her phone had just be bugged. Ignoring the protest from the smartly dressed men, Haruka make a call before agreed to the intruders' request.


Taiki led the team through the narrow, filthy stairway in Tokyo' red light district in Kabukicho, Shijuku. From the outside. the stairway looked like a fire escape route, but once they entered through a wooden doors 2 floors above, it led to a dimly lit hallway. At the end of the hallway was a receptionist counter. A young man dye in blond was sitting behind the counter. His upper body was hovering above the counter, lazily flipping through a porn magazine. Taiki rapped his knuckles on the wooden table top.

"What do you want?" The man asked without bothering to look up. "We have local, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Thai….."

"How bout North Korean?" Taiki asked.

"You came to the wrong place pal." Eyes still glued on the porn magazine.

"Where is this man?" Taiki put a mug shot of a Korean man on top of the porn magazine.

"We only supply pussy. No dick. You want dick, walk 3 shops down….."

The words left hanging in the air when Taiki put his gun on the counter. The blonde man finally raised his head to meet Taiki's strong gaze. With shaking hand, he pointed at the same dimly lit hallway. "Th…third room o…on your left."

Taiki replaced the gun back to his holster. Next he grabbed the porn magazine and throw it at the now meek man. The blonde man scooted further to the corner and gulped nervously. Taiki then walked to the pointed room with long stride. With 1 strong kick from his right leg, the door flew opened. He walked into the room, followed by 2 officers, to find a man and a woman fighting for sheet to cover their naked bodies. The North Korean man instantly recognized Taiki. Their gazes met but not a single word was uttered in between them. Taiki scanned the room once and his gaze rested on a woman's handbag, rested comfortably on top of a stained square table. Taiki ruffle through the bag and pulled out a small purse. He went through the purse then fished out an ID card. He whistled and grinned.

"What are you laughing at?" The North Korean man asked anxiously. "She's not a prostitute. We are a couple. This is a consensual sex."

"She's underage." Taiki shoved the ID to his informant's face. "Having sex with minor could be prosecuted with statutory rape. Jail term is between 3 years to 20 years. No sympathy to the foreigner raping our own local girl. You are facing with maximum jail term here, my friend." Taiki snickered while the informant's face totally drained of color.

He stared at the ID in disbelieved then whipped his head to face the girl. "You told me you were 19. You are only 15 for god's sake."

The girl merely shrugged.

The Korean looked at Taiki helplessly. After a short moment of silence, Taiki instructed the underage girl and the other officers to get out from the room. He then relocated the only chair in the room, with the back facing the Korean, and straddled against it.

"I can cut you a deal."

The Korean man looked up at Taiki expectantly.

"An intel in exchange for your freedom."

"What do you want?"

"The location of the 4 illegal North Korean that were smuggled in by the almighty Yamaguchi-gumi clan. You have 24 hours."


Takumi decided to interrogate Haruka at her own office to avoid the unnecessary gossip from flying around the HQ. The other main reason was, he wanted to encourage himself to get used to the Superintendent's office which he believed would belong to him soon in the near future. Lastly, he wanted to indulge with the authority that he had over Haruka now, the authority that he had been thirsted for since the first day Haruka was appointed at TMPD Superintendent.

Takumi replayed the earlier bugged conversation in between Haruka and the kidnapper from a tablet. Unlike last time, once the conversation ended, he eyed at Haruka rather arrogantly. Not many people had the privilege to question their own superior and now Takumi was bestowed with this glorious chance, he was going to make sure he make full use of it.

"Tenoh-san…" Takumi purposely addressed Haruka by her first name instead of the usual Superintendent. He was sure, by the end of the day Haruka would be relieved from duty and hopefully would be stripped off of the title too. "….the kidnapper finally contacted you."

"I don't know him." Haruka was quick to reply.

"Then how to you explain why the kidnapper contacted you and ask for further instruction?"

"I am not sure."

"The denial won't bring you any benefit, Tenoh-san. We have recorded your conversation in between you and the kidnapper."

"Then if you listen carefully, not even once in the conversation I acknowledge my relationship with the kidnapper."

"The point is Tenoh-san, the kidnapper called you, pointed out that you are the mastermind of this kidnapping and they are awaiting for next instruction."

"I insist, I play no part in this kidnapping."

Takumi snickered. Haruka's face darkened. The interrogation was interrupted by some knocking on the doors. Takumi gave the entrance permission and another well-dressed officer came to Takumi's side and whispered to his ear. Takumi's eyes widened slightly and staring dagger at Haruka.

"You call in a lawyer?"

"It's within my rights."

"Even though you are a suspect now Tenoh-san, but you are still a Superintendent. What happen to PM's order for discretion? This is a sensitive case."

"The lawyer is someone from DoJ. Someone that we can put our trust upon. I know we have to handle this carefully, but the position that I am being put into require me to exercise my rights. That's why I get someone that we are familiar with."

"Who is he?"

"Chiba Mamoru."

Takumi reassessed the situation.

"I know you couldn't make the decision. Why don't you give a call to the PM?"

Takumi took a moment to ponder at the suggestion but not for long. He finally succumbed to Haruka's request and make a call to the PM. Takumi paced around the room while summarized the situation to the PM. Occasionally he would nod, and replied with an ok or understood. Then out of the blue, he handed the phone to Haruka.

"PM has some words for you."

Haruka spared a curious look at phone then Takumi and went on to retrieve the phone from Takumi.

"Yes Prime Minister? Tenoh Haruka's here."

"Haruka-san. I was being briefed that you requested for a lawyer's presence in this questioning session. I appreciate the respect that you shown to the case by getting someone that we could trust, so I will repay your goodwill by offering my respect to your rights also. However, I have to inform you personally, the evidence that we manage to gather so far, although it's only circumstantial, do not look encouraging to you. So effective from this instant, you are relieved from all enforcement duties until the case is closed."

"I understand Prime Minister."

"Good. And Haruka-san?"

"Yes Prime Minister?"

"This is my deal to you on behalf of Japan. If you were really the mastermind behind this kidnapping, I hope you would return the Prince to us and we will agree to your every conditions. But if you were made as a scapegoat in this case, I make a plea to you, to fully cooperate and help us in this rescue mission."

"Yes Prime Minister. I will offer my full cooperation."

"Good to hear that Haruka-san. I sincerely hope you are not involve in this."

Haruka thanked the PM and returned the phone to Takumi.

Takumi retrieved the phone rather harshly from Haruka's hand, clearly displeased with the PM's decision to grant Haruka's request for a lawyer. "Let him in."

Mamoru walked in through the door, bowed at both Superintendents and took few strides nearer to Takumi. "We would like to have few minutes of privacy, Takumi-san." Mamoru smiled at Takumi and bowed again.

"Tenoh-san is a suspect, Chiba-san. And this is not a normal local national crime."

"I understand Takumi-san but everything happen so suddenly. I need few minutes to review my client's statement first. I promise. We will offer our full cooperation later."

Takumi took a sideway glance and breathed deeply. He was not a short temper person, but he didn't like to lose control to Haruka, especially in a game where he's supposed to be the gamemaster. In his 53 years of life, no one could irritate Takumi as much Tenoh Haruka; especially the day Haruka finally elected as TMPD highest commander. He couldn't bear with the fact the he needed to report to someone younger than him and worst; a woman. Now he got the perfect opportunity to erase Haruka from his life forever and he's going to make sure he seized it.

"One minute. That's all you got." Takumi left the room with a huff and purposely slammed the door closed before Mamoru could voice out her protest.

"One minute? What can I do with 1 minute?" Mamoru spread out his arms at Haruka. His expression was in between puzzled, confused and frustrated.

"1 minute is enough Mamoru." Haruka replied in fast paced considering the narrow time frame they had just been granted. Haruka retrieved her old mobile phone from her blazer's secret pocket and passed it Mamoru. "Keep this for me Mamoru. Listen. Most probably I will be detained for 48 hours. I will be requested to hand out my all of my belongings that I'm carrying with me right now. I can't let them get hold of this phone. The Kou brothers are in hot pursuit for new clue. They will contact me through this phone. Keep in touch with them for me."

"Haruka, what did you get yourself into to?"

"The Prince of Thailand had been kidnapped. For the time being, I am the main suspect."

"Based on?"

"Two recording audios."

"They are circumstantial evidence."

"This is not a normal case, Mamoru. It involves diplomatic tie in between 2 countries. Normal law couldn't be applied at here."

Mamoru exhaled deeply. "Ok. How can I help you?"

"At this moment, there's nothing you could do. Just keep the phone for me."

Takumi decided to barge in without warning at this moment. Mamoru immediately slipped the phone into his pants pocket.

"And tell Michiru I'm fine." Haruka whispered hastily. Mamoru acknowledged it with a light nod.

"So…." Takumi reclaimed his earlier seat. "…..shall we proceed?" Eyes darted in between the suspended Superintended and the lawyer from DoJ.

Haruka and Mamoru shared a brief glance then proceed to take their respective seats, opposite of Takumi.

"Could Takumi-san explain to us again, the nature of the case against my client, Tenoh-san and what makes the OCCB thinks my client is the main suspect in this case? I apologize for troubling you Takumi-san but 1 minute really doesn't enough for me to assess the case." Mamoru bowed again at Takumi, an action Haruka by now found overdone by Mamoru and it started to annoy Haruka greatly.

Takumi however felt greatly pleased with the respect shown by Mamoru. He was more than willing to explain the case again to the appointed defense lawyer. "The Prince of Thailand, Mah Varakon Bodrayarakun, was kidnap from the safe house at around time in between 0030 till 0200. Few hours later we received a video from the kidnapper but they never stated their demand. Our IT department technician analyzed the video and they managed to extract this audio from the video." Takumi then replayed the first implication audio to Mamoru. Mamoru listened to the audio without much response.

"2 days later…." Takumi continued after the first audio had ended. "…we got this." Takumi then played out the second bugged audio.

Mamoru listened to the audio intently but soon his handsome face was marred by a deep frown. "This audio is from Tenoh-san phone. Wiretapping a Superintendent's phone is illegal."

"It's not, if we have consent from the PM himself.

"These are only audio evidence. Circumstantial evidence."

"Yes, but if Tenoh-san insist to maintain her innocence, we could detain her for 48 hours based on this so called circumstantial evidence."

Mamoru was left speechless.

"Tenoh-san, if you are willing to give up on Prince's location, I can discuss with the PM to cut you a deal…"

"I am not involve in the kidnapping and I don't know where the Prince is now. Even if you ask me again for another 10, 100 or 1000 times, my answer is the same. I don't know." Haruka replied much more affirmative this time but still, it won't get her out of suspicious.

"Ok." Takumi decided to give up. "Then we have to detain you for 48 hours without bail."

"I will pick you up 2 days later." Mamoru said after a defeated sigh.

Haruka exhaled tiredly and merely replied in a small nod. She was then was being escorted away by 2 on duty officers. Mamoru took a peek at Takumi. Only a blind couldn't see the satisfaction grin fixated on his face.

Takumi's phone rang exactly after Haruka disappeared from their sight. Takumi checked the caller's ID and it was a call from the PM. Mamoru saw it too. Takumi instantly excused himself and dashed out through the emergency exit door.

Mamoru whipped his head around. The corridor was empty. He walked silently but with fast pace to the same emergency exit door. He peeked through the small rectangular see through glass and saw only an empty staircase. He pushed the door lightly, both feet still fixed on the original position, using his eyes to scan both the ascending and descending staircase but Takumi was nowhere in sight. He took a small step in and the moment he stepped forward he heard Takumi's voice. He stopped dead on his track but still leaving the door slightly ajar. Takumi's low voice could be heard, emitting from 1 floor below.

"Yes…Tenoh-san is under detention now for 48 hours…yes I will….I will send more officer out to search for the Prince…yes…erm….Prime Minister…errmmm…since Tenoh-san as TMPD Superintendent is suspended and is under investigation, regardless the outcome of this case, for the time being it doesn't look good for TMPD's image….may I suggest the Superintendent Election Council to consider another voting session to see whether the Council still deem Tenoh-san is the right person to lead the TMPD?"

Mamoru slowly closed the door, slightly shock with the bold suggestion and cursed. "This sneaky wolf…" He immediately fished out his phone and make a call.


Michiru listened patiently, not interrupted even for once throughout the phone conversation. She was behaving rather calmly and ended the conversation with a polite 'thank you'. She lean back against the chair, eyes staring straight at the blank white wall in front of her. Michiru let her mind to go through every words from her last conversation, forming a question to herself.

'The culprit behind all these is actually targeting the Prince or Haruka?'

Michiru leapt to her feet, navigating her long and fast strides towards State Attorney General's room. Few knocks on the door, she was invited in by the Attorney general himself. Taichi Hajime smiled at Michiru, gestured her to take a seat and politely pulled his attention from the PC in front of him to solely focus on Michiru.

"Well Michiru-san, how can I help you?"

"Forgive me for being straightforward Hajime-san but is PM going to call for a voting to decide whether Tenoh-san is still fit to be the Superintendent? Hajime-san is one of the committees in NPSC (National Public Safety Commission) that hold the authority to appoint Superintendent General of TMPD. Surely, Hajime-san is one of the first persons to know."

By now, Hajime looked genuinely surprised. "From where did you get the news, Michiru-san? I know nothing about it."

Upon hearing the answer, Michiru mentally slapped her own forehead. Mamoru just contacted her not more than 10 minutes ago, so it was not a surprise if Taichi Hajime was still in complete darkness. But not for long. Hajime's phone beeped and he momentarily excuse himself to check on his phone. His eyeballs were moving in quick repetition from left to right motion. He then smile slyly and chuckle.

"Michiru-san sure has a wide information network. Well informed in advanced, even the matter is still much under PM's consideration and haven't been consulted…..with anyone."

Michiru suddenly looked embarrassed with herself.

"I just received an email from the PM. He has briefly explained Tenoh-san's situation in the email and was asking for my opinion regarding the voting motion."

"Then what's your answer?"

"Depends on the case outcome. You should know it Michiru-san."

"Haruka is innocent. She is not involved in the kidnapping."

"How come you are so sure about it?"

"Because….." Michiru hesitated. This piece of private information might not help Haruka but it's better than no alibi at all. "On the time of kidnapping, she was with me." A pause. "The whole night." Another pause and breath inhaled deeply. "We are in a relationship."

If Taichi Hajime was shocked with the revelation, he did a marvelous job in hiding it. He maintained his eye contact with Michiru for a few more seconds before he tore his gaze away but not for long. When he focused on Michiru again, he smiled a mysterious smile.

"Tenoh-san was not on the crime scene but it doesn't means she is not involved in the kidnapping. I'm sure you should be well aware with this fact but….this piece of information does explain a lot of things."

Michiru looked confused.

"Michiru-san. You have been working for me for…9 years…9 years correct?"

"Yes, Hajime-san. 9 years."

"You came from a private firm and I was a senior prosecutor in DoJ when you joined in. Up until today, I'm the State Attorney General and in these years you had performed admirably thus you are my assistant now. I also know you are a woman with high caliber and you work twice as hard as other prosecutors to be where you are today. That's why I never underestimate nor disrespect you just because you are a woman."

"I know. And I am grateful for that."

"And I definitely see you as more than a colleague."

Michiru looked alarmed. Hajime chuckled.

"Don't panic, Michiru-san. I am a married man and I love my wife very much. What I meant was, in these 9 years, we may not have even a single after work date, but I definitely see you as a friend. A normal friend perhaps but a friend nonetheless."

Michiru immediately looked relieved.

"There's something that I would like to share with you. I'm not implying there are some connections here, but I leave it to your own judgment."

Hajime took a deep breath before continued.

"I got to know an old friend of yours has set his sight for a seat in Kokkai (National Assembly) on next general election, in fact, he has already set the wheel in motion for some of his plans. This old friend of yours is wealthy and influenced enough to have a smooth and bright political career and I dare to say, similar to Tenoh-san, he could rewrite our country's history by becoming the youngest PM in Japan history in 5 to 10 years' time."

"Now a Superintendent General is not a politician. But to certain politicians, this position is an important ally because this position commands thousands of officers in Capital of Tokyo. It's like commanding a small army in this country. However, the next general election is 2 years away. The normal strategy for an existing or future politician would be first, to campaign for themselves. To leave a clean and reliable image to the public. To imprint, to remind the public of their existence until the next election but of course in a positive way. Secondly, to campaign for their party. If your party hold the majority seats in the Cabinet, it means your party is controlling the government, the country."

"To form an alliance within own party for self-interest before the election of course is not encouraged. But…. which politician is not selfish? To be the leader of a party that control the Cabinet, is the fastest route to be the country's PM. Alliance with other politicians, or other high ranking ministers or officers in the country, for example Superintendent General of TMPD could be schemed after the election. After all, it is unwise for a prospective politician to rub the wrong shoulder before the election."

"And what does Haruka got to do with this?" Michiru finally asked.

"Like I said before, for certain politician, Superintendent General is an important ally…."

"Are you trying to imply that there's a wealthy and powerful politician trying to implicate Haruka with a crime that she doesn't commit just to get her out of this so called alliance? Is it because Haruka refused to cooperate with this politician or this politician prefers to have a puppet ally?"

"Mind you Michiru-san. It doesn't have to be a current serving politician. It could be someone on the path to be a politician. And Tenoh-san isn't always the one that roll the dice. Maybe this person doesn't want Tenoh-san to be in the picture at all. You see Michiru-san, like I said before, this is not the suitable time for a future politician to play tricks on any high ranking government servant, unless, the motive behind all the ruckus is more to personal vendetta against TMPD Superintendent General."

Michiru was momentarily stunned. Who would go such length to implicate Haruka with the kidnapping crime just for a personal revenge?

"Let's say, whatever you said just now is the truth, the police now only have circumstantial evidence against Haruka. It's not enough to prosecute her."

"I believe the motive is not to send her to jail, Michiru-san. The motive is to give an excuse to the NPSC to table a voting against Tenoh-san."

"Haruka had done a great job since succeeded the position of Superintendent General. If TMPD have to drop the case against Haruka due to insufficient evidence, surely the committees would back Haruka, right?"

Hajime let out a long and deep chuckled. Michiru immediately felt insulted.

"Do you know who are the committees of the NPSC?" Hajime asked.

"Kun Masomoto from the Liberal Democratic Party is the chairman for NPSC. The rest of the committees are you Hajime-san, Taki Yomomata a lawyer and also vice president of Tokyo Tori TT and Co., Terushi Kaede a banker and chairman of Japanese Bankers Association, Hitoshi Ukuna Executive Director for TL listed company and Yuno Warashi from Finance Ministry. It's not that I purposely wanted to memorize all these names but the commission's function is to guarantee the neutrality of the police system so in certain area DoJ will cross path with NPSC, so it's out of respect."

"You got it all correct. Which means, the committees are consist of either businessman or politician; the 2 most selfish professions in the world. Self-interest comes before anything else. So tell me Michiru-san, what benefits would these committees received if they vote in favour of Haruka-san?"

"…"

"Of course if TMPD manage to collect enough evidence to press charges against Tenoh-san it would be a bonus. Even if it turns out otherwise, as long as Tenoh-san is stripped off from the top position, and get an ally to replace Tenoh-san to lead this small army, the objective is met. It's like killing 2 birds with 1 stone."

"But….surely not every committee is conspiring against Haruka right?" Michiru asked in hopeful voice. "Maybe you can help to swing their allegiance….."

"What makes you think I'm not 1 of them Michiru-san? I'm a half politician too. What I know is, this alliance would guarantee us the position that we are holding now and the future sure looks bright on us with this promising politician on our side."

The revelation from Taichi Hajime left Michiru dumbfounded. Here she thought Hajime was lending a helping hand to her, next instance he dropped a shocking bombshell to Michiru.

"It doesn't make any difference Michiru-san, whether I'm on your side or not. If you omit me from the council, there are 5 committees left. It's still 5 against 1. No matter how you look at it, it doesn't look good on Tenoh-san."

Michiru let out a defeated sigh. She closed her eyes to fight off the tears, and she clenched her fists tightly in anger. She felt useless for being helpless to Haruka.

"Michiru-san, what I was telling you just now is just my own assumption. I'm not implying that I know who's behind all this but you can take it as a reference. I believe 1 coincidence is really a coincidence. 2 coincidences maybe is fate. But 3, 4, 5 coincidences…..I think it's human handiwork."

Michiru looked slightly puzzled.

"Do you know any acquaintance of yours that has sudden interest in politics, which is wealthy and has connection with people from any classes, and has every reason to loath Tenoh-san because of you?"

'I plan to compete for a place in Kokkai on next election.'

The words came acrossed Michiru's mind and an imaginary of a forgotten man suddenly popped out in front of her eyes.


The hostess led Michiru through the empty tables of three-Michelin-starred venue to a secluded private room located at the corner shop that reserved only for the VVIP. Once the hostess slide the open the shoji (paper door), Michiru was welcomed by a wide smile etched across a handsome face of her former boyfriend, Nobutada Ito. Ito raised from his sitting posture and immediately marched towards the entrance to give a welcoming hug to Michiru, kissed both sides of Michiru's cheek and led her to her seat.

"I feel very happy when I received your call today." Ito said after reclaimed his own place, directly opposite of Michiru. "We have not seen each other for many months and I missed you."

Michiru faked a smile and decided to be straightforward. Michiru had no intention to spend any time longer than necessary with the former boyfriend of her mostly due to Haruka. When they were still a couple, Michiru insisted for her own personal space greatly and she never requested for Ito's company unless she's in the mood. For Michiru, Ito was like a 'delivery' where she would order for 1 when she needed it. She liked Ito, but definitely not in love with him. The knowledge that Ito might be the one that incriminated Haruka with the kidnapping, a woman that she loved very much now, irked Michiru to no end.

"Actually I'm here because I hope you would be able to clarify few things for me." Michiru started her inquiries rather calmly.

"Sure. Ermm…would you like to order first? Wait here. I call for the Itamae (Japan sushi chef)" Just when Ito prepared to get up from his seat again, Michiru declined the offer rather curtly and it annoyed Ito greatly.

"Are you the one pulling up the strings from behind to implicate Haruka with kidnapping?" Michiru asked once Ito dropped back to his original place.

Ito put up an offended face and purposely evaded the question by pouring himself a cup of sake then slowly sipped on it.

"If you did it then admit it like a real man." Michiru provoked and instantly earned herself a deathly glare from Ito.

"So, today you ask me out because of this dyke, Tenoh Haruka. I don't understand Michiru, why you are so obsess with her. I couldn't think of anything that she is able to provide to you and I can't. Money, fame, power, marriage…."

"You are a married man, Ito."

"I told you before, if you are willing to marry me, I will divorce my wife. I can love you more than this dyke."

"Says a man that is so eager to divorce his current wife." Michiru snickered.

"And the reason is you. I can provide everything that you requested for in your life. Even if you want to head the DoJ, to be the State Attorney General I could arrange that. And what does this dyke can do for you? Provide for you?"

"It's not about the money or power or marriage Ito."

"Then what it is about? Feelings? If you don't love me you won't date me."

'Ohh…I don't think you want to know the truth.' Michiru rolled her eyes.

"Put aside all those materialistic factor. I don't even think she could satisfy your most basic needs."

Michiru spared Ito a questioning glance.

"On bed." Ito chuckled.

Michiru's temper flared straightaway. It was a humiliation from Ito that she couldn't swallow. "Do you know what's wrong with man like you? You guys always think so highly of yourself. On the contrary of your belief, Haruka manage to satisfy me in every aspect on bed where no men including you able fulfil that. You should feel ashamed with yourself on this particular subject."

Not used to be put to shame, Ito flushed angrily.

"Money, I can earn on my own. Head of DoJ, I will work for it. Marriage, we can register outside of Japan. You don't have to worry for us. Actually, besides hiring other people to do dirty works for you, what else can you do? You inherited your fortune from your father. Without those dirty money, you are nothing. A nobody. Haruka and I could be where we are now because we worked for it. We put our effort and we earned our reward. I feel secure with her because she proved to me there's nothing she couldn't set right by herself. But you, with all the riches in the world, I don't feel safe at all. Who knows what will happen when one day the luck decided to desert you and you squander all the fortune. How could I count on a spoiled pampered brat that could do nothing on his own and only know how to sneak on people from behind?"

Now it's Ito's turn to get offended. "I sneak on people from behind?! So? So what if I do? So what if I'm really behind all these, really trying to incriminate the dyke with the kidnapping? What can you do about it? Since you said she's so tough, we'll just see how that dyke crawls out from this mess." Ito angrily swept the sake from the table and shattered noisily into many scattered pieces. Then he stormed out of the room leaving an equaled angry Michiru behind.

"She definitely will." Michiru muttered to herself.


'And the reason is you. I can provide everything that you request for in your life. Even if you want to head the DoJ, to be the State Attorney General I could arrange that. And what does this dyke can do for you? Provide for you?'

Michiru stopped the recorder and shifted her focus on Hajime, Japan's State Attorney General. Michiru hoped, with the confession came directly from Ito's mouth, she could convince Hajime to influence the alliance to stop tabling voting motion against Haruka. But when she saw Hajime merely relaxed deeper into his own chair, she knew she shouldn't put her hope high.

"I guess Ito is the man that you hinted to me yesterday."

"So?"

"So?" Michiru was baffled. How could someone remain so calm when the ally had just admitted his own disloyalty. "Didn't you hear it? How could you still support him when he himself wouldn't stay loyal to the alliance. He's just using you. He could replace you anytime with anyone that pleases him. He's just a normal citizen now and yet his arrogance knows no limit. Can you imagine if one day if he's really going to lead our country? What will happen to you? To our country?"

"Michiru-san, I want to make it clear to you that I pledge my allegiance to the alliance. Not to him. The alliance could provide him power but at the same time to constraint him. He could remove me at any time but at what expense? The other members in the same alliance would be suspicious with his motive and it would bring him no good. I am not worry with whatever he said in your recorder as long as the members within alliance stay on the same boat, no one could take any advantage from alliance. Furthermore Michiru-san, you have set your priority wrong. The voting is the second thing that you should worry now. If TMPD is really going to press the kidnaping charges against Tenoh-san, Tenoh-san definitely won't be the Superintendent General anymore regardless whether the voting takes place or not so, why don't you put your time and effort in helping Tenoh-san with the case?"

Hearing this, Michiru closed her tired eyes and shook her head lightly. The truth was, she didn't know how she could help Haruka. She was just a lawyer and not a detective. She didn't has thousands of lackeys under her disposal. Ito might has admitted to be the main culprit in the recording but audio evidence was only a circumstantial evidence. Without eyewitness and physical evidence, she couldn't make a case against Ito based on the audio recording alone. She expected to get some support from Hajime but it was fruitless and Hajime was right. The main issue was not the voting.

"Michiru-san." Hajime called out for Michiru gently, to get Michiru out of her reverie. Michiru's blue eyes slowly revealed itself, meeting with Hajime's concerned stare. "Go home. Take some rest. I know Mamoru-san is Tenoh-san's defense lawyer. He would bail Tenoh-san out tomorrow and you can plan your next move with Tenoh-san. For now, just take a break. Ok?"

Michiru sighed deeply. She was left with no choice but to listen to Hajime's advice. She nodded her head dejectedly then left the room with heavy heart. Her head was in a mess right now. The recorder was totally out of her mind and it was still remained untouched on Hajime's working table until Hajime took it and placed it safely inside of his coat's hidden pocket.


Mamoru was already awaiting when Haruka was being escorted out from the lock up. Takumi watched with disgust from afar as Mamoru signed on the necessary documents to bail Haruka out.

"Enjoy the freedom while you can Tenoh. I definitely will put you back into jail with my own hands, bloody dyke." Takumi whispered to himself with her hatred eyes burned into Haruka's exiting back.

Mamoru passed the car key to Haruka. "You may want to drive. Taiki called in half an hour ago. Said maybe they have locate the Prince's location."

"Good."

Both of them hurried to the car. While Haruka wasting no time expertly maneuvered the car to the assigned location, Mamoru make a phone call from the passenger seat.

"Michiru wanted to come with me but I forbid her to do so once I received message from Taiki. Thought you might want to head to the suspected location straightaway."

"Wise move, Mamoru. I don't want Michiru to nag on me to back off and leave the whole operation to the Kou brothers. This is my case after all."

"But still I have to inform her I have got you out. Yes good afternoon Michiru-san." Mamoru now was talking to the phone before Haruka could oppose to it. "Yes….I have bail Haruka-san out….oh…she's…errmm…unavailable right now…..well….Michiru-san…" Mamoru pulled the phone away from his ear when an angry Michiru raised her voice from the other side and her words all jumbled together in a light speed speech. The phone was at least 2 feets away from Mamoru, but both Haruka and Mamoru still able to hear Michiru's voice spitting out some fast paced inaudible words like a machine gun. Both of them sweatdropped.

"Settle it." Mamoru pushed the phone Haruka. Haruka swallowed hard.

"Michiru…."

"….."

"Are you there?"

"Where are you now?"

"Taiki might has found the Prince. I'm going there."

"Can't you come back first to let me see you? To make sure you are fine with my own eyes."

"This is a perfect opportunity to catch the kidnappers and clear my name Michiru. You know it. I can't afford to lose this trail."

Deep sigh was the initial reply. Then followed by a warning. "You are going to sleep on the couch tonight."

Haruka's temper flared in record time. "I put my life on line to save my own ass here and you banish me to the couch?"

Both Haruka and Mamoru couldn't believe their ears.

"…..…Unless you come back unharmed and intact." Michiru now spoke in soft and gentle tone.

Haruka was dumbfounded for a second then smiled. So, the truth was, Michiru was damm worried. "I will. I promise. I hate that couch. You know that."

Another sigh. "I don't understand. You are already a Superintendent General. A CEO in top management. Why you still have to involve in field operation."

"Because, regardless of my rank, I am still a police officer. It's my duty catch culprit that brings harm to our country and its citizens."

"…"

"I'll come back for dinner ok?"

Haruka's promise to back for dinner had become a vow to Michiru from Haruka to come back alive and in good condition from field operations since the bomb craze case. And Michiru always felt better when Haruka spoke out that oath because Haruka always fulfilled her promise.

"I'll wait for you. Becareful ok?"

"Ok….."

"I love you."

Haruka chuckled. "I love you more." Haruka ended the call.

Ignoring Mamoru's obvious annoying antics at her latest declaration of love, Haruka threw the phone back to Mamoru and stepped harder at the speed pedal to leave all crawling cars behind.


The GPS led Haruka and Mamoru to entrance of Nihon Suijin Genten Hyoko (The Origin Point for the Vertical Datum of Japan). Haruka stopped the car just behind of Taiki's Mazda CX5 but Taiki was nowhere on sight.

"Are you sure this is the place, Haruka?" Mamoru took a quick peek at the surrounding. Nihon Suijin Genten Hyoko was surrounded by numerous white color office buildings except on the south west side where it faced a flowing river "We are now at Chiyoda, government institution area. Are you sure the kidnappers would hide a hostage in a place that house more than thousands of government staffs daily? Not to mention across the river is the imperial palace."

"I'm not sure Mamoru. Might as well be since people always said 'the most dangerous place actually is the safest place'. Anyway, since we are here, I'll try to locate Taiki and sweep the area. As for you, drive back to TMPD and look for Superintendent Iseki Masaru. Tell him to lead a team here. No worries. He's one of my trusted confidante. Tell him I need him and he would obey without further question. Go now."

Mamoru nodded and drove the car away. Walking through the nicely paved road, Haruka into the 'garden' to look for Kou brothers.

The Kou brothers were gathered at the front of a shrine, not far from the garden's entrance. Haruka greeted them from few feet away. Hugs were exchanged along with their signature 'brotherhood' fist pump.

"So…what are we doing at here?" Haruka asked.

The Kous brothers looked at each other silently then shrugged their shoulder.

Taiki was the one to break the silence. "My Korean informants told me he saw the 4 North Korean militants at Chongryon HQ. Then he followed them when they left the building and it led him to here. He saw those 4 men walked into here then they suddenly vanished. Pfftt, Disappeared into thin air. He waited for half an hour, still couldn't see their sight, then he called me."

Haruka walked up to the shrine and stared at it. "Chongryon is one of the 2 main organizations for Zainichi (long term Korean residents in Japan) right?"

"Yes. So it's not strange if they showed up at the HQ." Seiya answered.

"Then what does this place got to do with them?"

"Do you guys remember few years ago, where did Narcotic Team B Inspector Usui capture one of the Yamaguchi-gumi clan elder?" Taiki asked.

"Well….it's here." Yaten turned to answer. "I remember at that time my team received an information that a drug transaction worth 30 million yen will take place at somewhere around here. I passed this intel to Narcotic Team B Inspector Usui for further follow up. The next thing I knew, Inspector Usui managed to bust up the dealing but the drug were never found. Because of this, Inspector Usui went from hero to zero where he had been put under suspension for internal investigation for almost 1 month. But luckily, in the end TMPD dropped all the charges and he was reinstated back to his old office. Inspector Usui claimed that they found the suspect acting suspiciously at the back of the shrine. Worried that the suspect might destroy all the evidence, Inspector Usui decided to reveal his identity and capture the suspect at the same place where we are standing now."

"It's Yamaguchi-gumi clan again."

"Ok….Let's say they do have a secret hiding place here. How are we going to locate it? This place is huge. It could be under the shrine. Somewhere in the garden. Camouflaged under all these trees. The most important is we are not sure those 4 militants are here."

Haruka took a 360 degrees turn on the same spot, teal hawk eyes sweeping through the entire garden. Indeed there were too many places to hide under this garden surrounded by uncountable planted trees. She didn't has the time nor manpower to wait forever. If the militants were indeed lying low at here, she has to trick them out from their haven.

"Taiki, does your car has siren?" Haruka asked.

"Yes. I got 1."

"Turn it on."

"You have idea?"

"Worth to take the risk."

"Ok." Yaten went back to his car to turn on the siren. The rest of them waited for him to come back.

"What's our next step?" Yaten asked when he saw Taiki jogged back to rejoin them.

"You guys have gun with you?"

The Kou brothers nodded.

"Now, fire 2 shots."

"You want to scare them out of their hiding place?"

"Yes. Better than waiting."

"What if they decided to wait and see?"

"We'll just hope luck is on our side."

"Agree." Seiya withdrew his gun and fired 2 shots at the air. The deafening sound managed to scare the birds to scatter aimlessly but there was no sign of human movement. They waited.

15 minutes passed. Nothing.

"Once more." Haruka instructed. Seiya tried again. Again they waited. Nothing.

"What's next?" Taiki asked.

The 4 of them stared at each other without a proper answer.

But not for long. They heard some sound. They couldn't identify the origin of the sound but it was not important. The next thing they knew gun shot was heard and the shots were aiming at them. They quickly took cover under the shrine. The top corner and the side of the shrine cracked, hit by the flying bullets. Yaten took the risk to take a peek from his hiding place and saw 4 men dragging another tied up man ran deep into the garden.

"Come. They are running away." Yaten shouted and sprinted to the same directions. The others followed not far from behind.

"Careful with the Prince." Haruka shouted and the chasing game begun.

The kidnapers weaved through the through the trees, occasionally firing some shots at the pursuers. The Kous brothers restraint themselves for replying the gun shot as they were worried for the Prince's safety. But the opportunity presented itself when the group decided to split into two. Haruka and Seiya kept on track with the group with the hostage while the rest were handled by Taiki and Yaten.

The hostage was slowing the kidnappers down. The kidnappers took a big tree as cover and started to fire at Haruka and Seiya, whom, already shielded themselves behind of 2 separate trees. As Haruka risked for a peek, a militant with the hostage recommenced the run while the other stayed and covered for them.

'Can't let them out of sight.'

Haruka left her hiding place and took off for another chase, running behind rows of trees as cover, with the flying bullets suddenly aimed at her. Occasionally she would duck when the bullet hit the nearby trees, causing the tree bark to break into smaller debris but it didn't slow her down.

Realizing the shooter got distracted, Seiya rushed forward towards the attacker. Out from the corner of his eyes, the shooter saw a shadow was approaching so he turned and aimed at Seiya instead. Seiya jumped to his left and scrambled for another cover.

Meanwhile, Haruka saw the sudden ceased of fire as opening for her to tackle another militant down who was only few feet in front of her by now. Both of them dropped to the ground with Haruka hugging the legs of the militant. The militant turned around with gun aimed at Haruka and fire 2 shots. Haruka managed to dodge with few quick turns to the left. The militant got back on both feet, grabbed the shivering Prince by his shoulder and forced him for another run.

The first militant finally hold his fire. Seiya was nowhere in sight. The militant looked to the left. Then to right. Then spun around. Seiya was gone. Just when the militant thought Seiya must had taken a bullet somewhere in between and lying around injured and unconscious, the hand holding the gun was hit by bullet, followed by the left leg. The gun dropped to the floor and the militant dropped down on both knees, teeth gritted in pain. Seiya jumped down from a nearby tree, moved forward to kick the gun out of the militant's reach and aimed his gun on the militant's head.

The car honked furiously and swerved to the right when suddenly 2 men rushing out from Nihon Suijin Genten Hyoko's garden. The driver swore loudly and prepared to climb out from his car to reprimand the 2 men but changed his mind at the last minute when he saw 1 of the men was holding a gun with his right hand. The driver swore again but for another reason and quickly accelerated, leaving the madman and the dangerous scene.

Haruka heard sound of running motorcar. She quickened her pace. She might lose them if the militant chose to hijack a car. Once she got out from the huge garden, she saw the kidnapper was pushing the Prince to get acrossed the road. Next to the 2 ways motorcar lane, was the river that flowed around the Imperial Palace.

"No, no, no, no, no." Haruka watched in horror as she realized the militant's next course of action. By now the militant was standing at the edge of the road facing the river, hand firmly gripping on the Prince's arm. "Why don't you just seize a car?" Haruka's mind was in a mess. Water was not her element. Even though she could swim but she always felt more confident on land than in water. Her own mermaid did giver her few private swimming lesson but it failed to sharpen her suck swimming skill. Eventually the mermaid decided to give up on her when they always ended up doing something else in their lessons.


Taiki and Yaten couldn't approach near as the militants kept attacking them from upfront. Both Superintendents moving in zig zag, busy ducking for the incoming bullet and looking for huge trees as cover but still, they tried their best to keep both criminals in sight. All 4 of them failed to notice they were fast exiting Nihon Suijin Genten Hyoko's garden. By the time the 2 criminals discovered they were no more surrounded by trees, they were standing in the middle of the road.

The Kou brothers heard a light explosion sound then followed by tyre screeching sound. Rushing out from the mini forest, the brothers saw 1 of the militants lying on the ground, few feet from a halted car, body covered with blood. The other militant was crouching next to the body. But as soon as the he saw the brothers, he took few long strides towards the car, knockout the glass window, unlocked the driver's seat door, and dragged the plump lady driver out from the car to be his new hostage. The lady shrieked.

"Deo isang oji mala. Geuleohji anh-eumyeon, naneun geunyeoui meolileul pogpahanda!" With the hand gun pointing the plump woman's temple, the North Korean shouted some foreign words at the Kou brothers which they could presume were Korean language. Though they didn't understand a single word, but judging from the current situation, the criminals usually said the same thing like 'Don't move', 'don't come any nearer' or 'I will kill the girl'.

"They are troublesome." Yaten grumbled.

"Any plan?"

"We need a translator. He doesn't understand us. We don't understand him. It would only agitate him even more."

Suddenly the militant fired a shot at the air. "Dwi mulleoseosibsio! Naneun dwilo mulleonassda!"

The Kou brothers raised their both hands, signaled for peace, and looked at each other dumbly, feeling helpless with the situation.

"What's next?" Taiki whispered.

Next, was unexpected and unpredicted. The plum lady shouted. Then she elbowed on the militant's rib as hard as she could. The militant groaned in pain. She grabbed the hand holding the gun from behind, overthrew the militant causing the militant to land flatly on the back, twisted the wrist rather forcefully, prompting the militant loosen his grip on the gun but at the same time flipping the body around, and at last used her knee to knead on the militant's back, making the militant shouted in pain.

"Don't challenge a woman with aikido 1st kyu! Argh!" The woman then let out a spirited shout.

The Kou brothers were dumbfounded. Luck, really was on their side.


In this world, maybe there was only 1 position for Lady of Luck. So when the lady of Luck was busy on duty on the other side, it meant there was doom on Haruka's side. Her jaw almost hit the ground when another militant, with firm grip on the Prince's back, forced the Prince to jump into the river with him. Haruka rushed to the edge of the road to see the criminal guiding the Prince trying to swim across the river to the vast land of the Imperial Palace.

Haruka took a very deep breath and cursed wildly. With one determine look at the criminal, she took off her quite smelly blazer by now, and she too, jumped into the river.

The militant couldn't go fast with the struggling Prince. Haruka easily caught with the criminal. She repeatedly got hold of the criminal's leg, but each time the criminal kicked her away. When the criminal realized he couldn't shrugged of the persistent General Superintendent, he turned around and aimed his gun at Haruka. Haruka immediately submerged into the water and the militant lost sight of his pursuer. Haruka secretly swam passed the militant, to the Prince's side, trying to lose the knot that tied the Prince's hand together on the back. But water is really not Haruka's element. Very soon she was out of breath and emerged from the water before she managed to untie the Prince. Unluckily for Haruka, once she got out from the water, the militant was right in front of her. The militant punched on her right eye then used his head to knock on Haruka's head. The world suddenly spun in front of Haruka. At this moment, a realization suddenly dawned on the militant. The Prince would only slow down his escape. If he couldn't get out from here, no point in taking the Prince with him. The militant had make up his mind. He's going to terminate the hostage and the buzzy fly's life. He slowly raised his gun and aimed at the Prince's head. Not long, 2 gunshots resounded through the Nihon Suijin Genten Hyoko and Imperial Palace.

When she opened her eyes, she was welcomed by a ray of white light that stung her eyes greatly. She slowly adjusted her eyes to the stinging light and notice the source of the light came from fluorescent light bulb. Then there was the white ceiling.


"Here definitely doesn't look like heaven." Haruka murmured weakly to herself.

"No. You can't go there without my permission." And angelic voice replied softly from Haruka's left. She felt a hand was caressing her own.

Haruka turned head slowly to the source of the voice and saw Michiru's worried face. Haruka smiled. "Yet I see an angel."

"If you still manage to sweet talk, it means you are fine."

"Only to you."

"It still couldn't change the fact you have to sleep on the couch once you leave this hospital bed."

"Michiru?" Haruka pouted.

"You didn't come back for dinner. You didn't come back unharmed. You make me worry sick, Tenoh Haruka."

From worried face, now it changed to an angry one.

"I'm sorry." Haruka took Michiru's hand to her lips and kissed it lightly. "Forgive me?"

Michiru rose from her seat to hug Haruka. "Ok, but it's still couch for you." Michiru whispered to Haruka's ear.

Haruka groaned. For the obvious reason and for the pain on her chest causing by the hug.

Michiru instantly retracted herself. "Are you ok?"

The answer was replied with a weak nod. There was knocks on the door and the doctor came in.

"You are finally awake." The doctor smiled at both of them.

Michiru returned the smile while Haruka was still frowning because of the pain.

"How are you feeling now?" The doctor asked and at the same time he unhooked a clipboard that was hanging at the end of Haruka's bed and studied it.

'Dizzy and weak and pain."

The doctor replaced the clipboard to its original place and focused on Haruka again. "It's normal. You just underwent an operation. Do you remember what had happened?"

Haruka jogged her memory. She remembered there was a gun. Pointing at the Prince. Without thinking twice she dashed forward. Didn't remember how she did it on the water but there was a loud noise after that. Then there was blackness. "I think so."

"Good. We had successfully retrieve the bullet out from your body. It didn't hit any of your vital organs. You feel dizzy and weak because of the anesthesia gas. It will passed soon. Don't worry. I can prepare some pain relievers for you but if it's bearable, I suggest you to skip it. Too much medicine could be bad for your health. So, any questions?"

"When she could be discharged?" Michiru asked.

"Well, if the injury shows no sign of inflammation, after 2 days, she could be discharged."

"Thank you doctor."

"Ok, rest more, I'll see you again later."

Michiru bowed at the doctor as the doctor exiting the room but she quickly became anxious when Takumi, along with 2 men, barged in unannounced. Takumi locked eyes with Haruka and theformer sneered at latter current state.

"Good thing you are awake. And it's all thanks to Seiya's last shot." Takumi snickered.

"What do you want?"

"This is the warrant for your arrest." Takumi passed the paper on his hand to Michiru with his gaze still locked on Haruka. Michiru instantly check the authenticity of the warrant. At the bottom of the warrant was Judge Taki Motomi's signature. Haruka diverted a questioning glance at Michiru only for Michiru to reply with a deep frown and a small nod.

"How did you get this warrant?"

"We had question the kidnappers that were in brought in by the Kous. One was badly injured currently still in ICU. However, the remaining three are deemed by the doctor as fit enough for interrogation. All three of them had admitted, they worked under Superintendent General's instruction. Well, we have a lot of Superintendents, but fortunately, we only have 1 Superintendent General. It's not hard to guess who is it, right?"

Michiru was left speechless.

"If there's no more question, I hereby announce, Tenoh Haruka, you are under arrest for kidnapping the Prince of Thailand. You have the rights to remain silence, but anything that you say will be used against you in court of law." Takumi took a sideway glance at his minion. "Cuff her up."

A minion withdrew a handcuff from his back and approached Haruka. However he was interrupted by sudden appearance of Mamoru. Mamoru suddenly became the center of the attention but he ignored it as he was too busy taking huge gulp of air.

"Cuff her up." Takumi impatiently repeated his order.

Before the minion could move again, Mamoru raised his right to stop him. "Stop. Stop. The Prime Minister is coming."

Takumi immediately felt uneasy. The Prime Miniter came in. Not alone. He was with Seiya, Seiya was holding a tablet for the Prime Minister while explaining the context to him. Everyone in the room except for Seiya and the patient bowed at PM.

"The forensic are sweeping the scene. Preliminary fingerprint result shown positive match from the wooden box and the lock." Seiya kept on with the explanation.

Hearing this, the PM suddenly raised his head and fixed his gaze on Takumi. Takumi could sense something's not right. Then very slowly, the PM shifted his attention to Haruka. He smiled. "How are you Tenoh-san?"

"Good, Prime Minister."

"Glad to hear that. I just visited the Prince. He kept on telling me how you save his life. How you blocked the shot for him. He said he owe you his life. You have contributed greatly to the country, Tenoh-san."

Seiya and Mamoru smiled widely at the compliment. Takumi's face darkened. Michiru, well, Michiru was staring dagger at Haruka. It annoyed her greatly to know Haruka actually risk her life to save the Prince. What was she thinking? Did she spare a moment to think for her? For both of them?

Haruka, noticing the killing glance from Michiru and purposely avoided it, thanking the PM for the compliment and stating it was her responsibilities to protect everyone in Japan, be it a local Japanese, or some foreigners.

Takumi, displeased with the sudden change of environment in this hospital room, stepped forward to inform the PM the purpose of his visit.

"Regarding this case, I want you to put everything on hold. It's because I want Kou-san here to take over the case from you as he has some new leads on this case. I hope you can provide your full cooperation to Kou-san."

Takumi was shocked. "But Prime Minister….."

"My decision is final. Kou-san, you will take over from here. And Tenoh-san….rest well, take your time to recuperate…. because Japan needs more protector like you."

Haruka chuckled sheepishly.

Once the PM had left the room, Seiya walked rather arrogantly towards Takumi with cheeky smile on his face. "So….Takumi-san. You hear what the PM just said right? Give me your full cooperation, so….may I invite you to go back to TMPD headquarters with me to explain few boxes of cash money that we found in a house that is registered under your ex-wife's cousin's daughter's ex-husband's name but with lots of your fingerprints imprinted on it?"

"Wow….." The complication in the house ownership amazed Michiru.

"And Takumi-san. I have taken a second statement from the kidnappers. They said they were acting under Superintendent General's instruction, but, all of them never met the real Superintendent General before. They communicated with each other through mobile phone and the man behind the phone addressed himself as Superintendent General. But the most important is, your ex-wife's brother, Hiroyuki Goro, the adviser for a shell company Kenzai Co., has decided to rat you out for a lighter punishment regarding your cooperation with Yamaguchi-clan in the kidnapping of the prince of Thailand. So, I can safely tell you, now we know who is the mastermind behind this kidnaping."

Takumi, stayed rooted on the same spot, but with head hung low as he knew his game was up.


"I am very indebted to Tenoh Haruka, Superintendent General of Tokyo, for risking her life to save mine. The police of Tokyo handled the case diligently, though I had been imprisoned for few days, but they manage to locate and save me and capture all the kidnapers as well. I want to said well done to all the Tokyo polices." The prince of Thailand looked at Haruka and shook hand with her.

Cameras were flashing non stop at this friendly gesture, as Tenoh Haruka make the country proud by saving country's pride at the critical moment. The Prince with the PM, Haruka and the Kou brothers then posed for the journalists in the press conference that was being held at the lobby of TMPD main HQ. The Prince then escorted to a marked car, prepared to be sent to Haneda airport, to board his privet plane back to Thailand. The PM also left the press conference, leaving Haruka to conduct the last questions and answers session about the kidnaping case.

The journalists stretched up their right hand, hoping to get selected by Haruka to forward their questions.

"Tenoh-san, besides the Deputy Superintendent General, is there other officer involved in the recent kidnapping? How does it affect the police department's image and public's confidence on police officers?"

"Though we have caught the mastermind of this kidnapping, the case is still open. We are investigating every possible leads, hoping to catch all the person involved, if there's any, regardless who is he or she. All of our officers take our responsibilities seriously. We won't spare any law breakers even the Prime Minister himself."

"Tenoh-san, is Nobutada Ito, the chairman of Hardbank Corp one of suspects in this kidnapping? Is it true that he planned all this and make you a scapegoat because of love revenge? Are you romantically involved with Asst Attoney General, Kaioh Michiru? Nobutada-san has admitted to his own participant in this kidnapping is due to love triangle in between Nobutada-san, Tenoh-san and Kaioh-san. Is it true?"

"I know the media received a recorded conversation in between Nobutada-san and Kaioh-san in the form of voice recorder from anonymous source. All I could say is, we have invited Nobutada-san in to assist in our investigation and we haven't press any charges against him. The investigation against him is still on going so it's not convenient for me to divulge more information to the media. I'm here only to answer all the questions regarding the case. I will not answer any questions related to my personal life. That's all for today, the press conference ends now." Haruka walked away from the press conference leaving the journalists shouting more questions and few securities linked their arms together to form a manmade barricade to prevent the journalists from chasing up.

As Haruka marched to the lobby receptionist counter, she heard footsteps from behind, hastily trying to catch up with her.

"Tenoh-san."

"Yes?" Haruka kept on his pace ignoring the woman next to her.

"Here is your schedule for today. 12.30pm lunch with Toda-san, from Ministry of Defence. 2.30 pm, an interview with Metropolis Magazine. 4.30pm a meeting with…"

"Cancel all the appointments for today."

"Huh?" Miyaki Aiko, personal assistant for TMPD Superintendent General, feeling perplexed with the latest instruction, unconsciously halted and looked at the still moving Haruka.

Haruka, noticed her PA was not on her side anymore, turned around to see her PA staring back at her rather confusedly. "Cancel all the appointments for today for today I just want to spend my time with my girlfriend, ok?" With that being said Haruka continue to stride towards a certain aqua-haired woman that was sitting on the couch at the lobby waiting area, lazily flipping through an unknown magazine.

"Girlfriend?" Still feeling puzzled, the PA saw Haruka walked towards a woman, not an ordinary woman, she was Japan's Asst Attorney General, and the Asst Attorney Generals' smiled widened as she welcomed the Superintendent General with a peck on the lips. Then with arm linked together, both woman headed to the elevator, to bring them down to the basement to collect their car.

"So….it's not a rumor after all….." The PA murmured to herself.


Michiru slapped the hand away for the third time. She straightened the tie again impatiently only for the other hand trying to mess with it again. "I swear Tenoh Haruka, if you touch your tie again you are going to sleep on the couch tonight." Michiru was getting mad with Haruka for trying to loosen up her tie everything after Michiru had knotted it nicely.

"It's suffocating Michiru." Haruka was near losing her temper too as tie wasn't really her thing.

"You are going to meet the NPSC committees to decide your fate so you have to dress in formal. If you dislike tie so much, why don't you wear a dress instead of suit?"

"I don't understand. That Ito guy's political career is over. Why they still want to table the voting motion?"

"I don't know. Now behave, don't touch the tie anymore and go in. They are waiting for you." Michiru gave a good luck kiss to Haruka then pushed her into the room where the 6 NPSC committees and the PM were awaiting her. Michiru sighed tiredly then took a seat at the nearby bench, and patiently waiting for Haruka.

Approximately 45 minutes, Haruka came out through the same door in foul mood. She loosen her tie harshly and took in huge gulp of fresh air.

Michiru had a bad feeling about this. She walked up to Haruka and gently touched her arm. "How was it?" She asked cautiously.

Haruka shook her head. "Bad."

Michiru kept silent. She thought the Haruka would retain her position as Superintendent General since the head of the alliance had to give up on his political ambition. There was no more alliance and the committees should be able to stay neutral this time. But now, it occurred to her, it was just her own wistful thinking.

Japan's PM exited from the door and for a moment he was startled to see Michiru at there. He glanced at Haruka then to Michiru, then a sudden realization dawned on him and he smiled at Michiru. Michiru bowed at the PM. She felt a gentle pat at her arm by the PM and from the corner of her eyes she saw the PM walked away. Then the remaining of the committees appeared from the room one by one and smiled gently at her and walked away too. The last person to come out from the room was Taichi Hajime, Japan Attorney General, Michiru' superior.

"Good morning, Hajime-san." A bow from Michiru.

"Good morning, Michiru-san." Hajime replied with a bow too then he chuckled. "Seems like even your presence couldn't calm Tenoh-san down. She kept on fidgeting on her tie. I was surprised because she usually acted so nonchalant."

"Oh, she's not a fan of tie."

"Oh, and I thought she was nervous with the meeting."

Out from the corner of her eyes Michiru saw Haruka was sitting on the bench and checking on her phone. She wanted to have a private conversation with the Attorney general.

"Hajime-san, may I have some words with you in private?"

Hajime looked baffled but agreed nonetheless. They walked further down corridor, away from public earshot.

"I apologize for being so persistent but there's 1 thing I really don't understand. Ito's political career is in ruin. Then why do the NPSC committees still go against Haruka?"

Hajime looked bewildered. "What do you mean Michiru-san?"

"The voting. I thought previously it was because of the alliance with Ito. But since it's impossible for Ito to pursue for a political career anymore so…why the committee still vote against Haruka?"

Hajime looked confused. "Did…. Tenoh-san tell you she has been stripped off of the title?"

"Well…..she didn't say it directly but she said it was bad."

Hajime chuckled. "Well, I don't understand why she told you it was bad. Unless she doesn't want to be the Superintendent General anymore. But I can tell you, the result was 6-0 in favour of Tenoh-san to retain the position of Superintendent General."

Michiru was dumbfounded. "But…..but…"

"Why don't you ask her yourself?"

Michiru looked embarrassed. "Well..yes….I will. Thank you Hajime-san." Michiru bowed again to Hajime to excuse herself and took long, fast strides towards Haruka.

Michiru snatched the phone from Haruka's hand and dumped it into her handbag. Haruka looked up at Michiru's darkened face, feeling dumbfounded with the rude action from Michiru.

"Tell me Tenoh Haruka, how was the voting."

"Well….it was good. The committees are on my side. I'm still the Superintendent General. Why?"

"Then why you told me it was BAD just now?" Michiru hissed.

"I told you the tie was suffocating me. My brain ran out of oxygen. I couldn't think properly and when the committees questioned me I…..I couldn't give them the appropriate answers." Haruka answered innocently. She was clueless to the reason behind Michiru's anger.

Michiru squinted at Haruka. "You are going to sleep on the couch tonight Tenoh."

Haruka's eyes widened in surprise. She stood up to protest again the 'punishment'. "What…wait….what have I done. I thought we are going to celebrate my victory tonight. On. The. Bed." Haruka said out her mind loud and clear.

Hajime who was passing by the bickering couple, chuckled deeply. The couple stared at him. "They said, behind every powerful 'man', there is a more powerful woman. Guess it's the truth." Hajime laughed heartily and strode away.

"Couch tonight, Tenoh." Michiru marched away leaving a whining Haruka behind.

"Michi….."

Michiru quickened her pace to catch up with Hajime. "Hajime-san…."

Hajime took a sideway glance at Michiru. "Anything else Michiru-san?"

Michiru nodded lightly. "Actually….the recorder that was mentioned by the journalists…was it sent by you. I remember I left it on your table and it never occur to me to get it back."

Hajime smiled. "Does it matter?"

"Well, you told me politician is one of the most selfish person in the world. You act as Ito's ally because Ito supposed to have a very bright political career and you wish to protect your interest. So…I don't understand….."

"Michiru-san. You know the reason why Takumi-san missed out on the TMPD top position to Tenoh-san few years ago?"

"I thought it was because he was being linked to a certain yakuza group."

"That is one of the reasons. To become TMPD Superintendent General, besides a voting in favor from 6 NPSC committees, he or she needs an approval from Prime Minister too. In politics, if a politician is not your ally, as long as he or she is not anyone's ally, it means this person is your friend. Takumi-san lost out on the position because he took sides, which means, he could be on the PM's sides or anybody's side. But Tenoh-san is different. She is too arrogant to take sides. She trusts no one but herself which also means, she is not a friend, but she's not an enemy too. Do you understand now?"

"Yes."

"To be frank with you, the recorded conversation also makes me realize 1 thing. If you have the chance to control your own fate, why choose to be at someone's mercy? Today he might needs but how bout tomorrow?"

Michiru nodded in agreement. "I learn a lot from you today, Hajime-san. Thank you."

Both of them moved towards the exit together followed by a dejected Haruka from behind with huge pout on her face.


A/N: Sorry for cutting short the action scene. I realized I had written more than 18k words before that plus I don't have much imagination for action scene that's why I cut it short. I know Hamilton is leading the F1 scoreboard now but when I wrote 'that' scene. the leader was Vettel. Next chapter will focus more on Michiru.

"I think...we should take a break from each other."