Not a detective

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I hope we can get through today peacefully.

Asakawa Riku kept having random thoughts and felt a little uneasy. He felt that he was a bit out of place here as an oddball. Fortunately, Kirisame Aoi led the way and they walked into the building together.

"He was with me."

"What is your identity?"

"My Superman".

Amidst a nonsensical conversation, Kirisame Aoi simply used her facial recognition to pass.

It seems that her title of "executive officer" carries a lot of weight.

Asakawa Rikuya had no obstacles.

During the process, I went through a standard, rather useless security check, took the elevator all the way to the top, and walked down a long corridor—

Finally, at the very end of the line, in an office, I saw the sign that read "Minister's Office".

"You meet such an important person right away?"

"You're the big shot here, they're so nervous..."

Wu Yu Kui seemed to be suppressing a laugh as she casually pushed open the door.

A familiar-looking middle-aged man stood inside the door. He seemed to have heard the footsteps and was prepared, having been waiting all along. He said helplessly:

"You should have knocked, Aoi."

That person was indeed the "Yorozuya" from back then.

The Autumn of Yagi: Chapter Six - Minister Morita

The man was unremarkable in appearance, with an ordinary, common face that wouldn't stand out even in a crowd.

She doesn't even have any distinctive features; her eyebrows, eyes, and other facial features are all standard face shapes. She's neither fat nor thin, making one wonder if she deliberately had plastic surgery to achieve this.

A middle-aged person is roughly around forty years old, but it's still impossible to accurately estimate their age.

If it weren't for the deep impression Asakawa Riku had of him, he might have forgotten what he looked like long ago.

He first met "Yorozuya" two years ago. At that time, he and his senior, Chizuko, were working on solving the "Seven Mysteries" of the school. They accidentally caused some trouble and contacted this guy through Chizuko's connections. It was said that he could cleverly cover up the traces left by supernatural factors in reality, and it later proved that he did a very good job.

Later, after experiencing the "Summer of the Crimson Ray" and "Winter of the Gods" incidents, Asakawa Riku slowly realized that this guy's identity was definitely not that simple.

Ordinary intelligence agents could not easily cover up such a major incident; there must be the influence of the Ministry of Supervision behind it, or perhaps it is some kind of front man put forward by the Ministry of Supervision.

...But what he didn't expect was that the "Yorozuya" had a higher status than he imagined; it was actually the department head here?

I glanced at him. "Yorozuya" was dressed in an ordinary casual shirt and jeans, just like his generic face, an outfit that showed absolutely no distinguishing features.

He wasn't wearing the Ministry of Supervision's signature black trench coat, nor was he dressed like an ordinary office worker in a white T-shirt, suit, and tie.

He blends in with the crowd yet remains an outsider—that's just how unusual he is.

The Extraordinary World Inspection Department is the main department in charge of the extraordinary world and powers in Japan, protecting the general public and preventing information leaks, and the Tokyo branch is the most important agency.

It's similar to the difference between the Metropolitan Police Department and a regular prefectural office or branch office. So, the "minister" here is at least equivalent to the level of the "Inspector General of the Police Department" in Japan, or even higher. Based on my experience dealing with the police, the two are not subordinate to each other; they should be different and independent departments, and the Ministry of Inspection may even have a higher status.

This is truly a big shot.

But this important figure was quite approachable; upon seeing Asakawa Riku, he grinned and walked over cheerfully.

"This is my apprentice's boyfriend... He's a very handsome man. I've heard so much about him. It's an honor that you can come here to guide our work."

"……apprentice?"

Asakawa Riku paused for a moment and looked at Kirisame Aoi.

Kirisame Aoi blushed slightly. Seeing that the topic had been skipped, she continued to explain, "Although my swordsmanship is a family secret, my family was worried that I would be bullied if I came to Tokyo to work alone, so they made me become an apprentice. He is a good friend of my grandfather, and he is indeed quite skilled. I have learned a lot from him about how to deal with monsters and superpowered people."

Looks like they got in through connections.

However, given Kirisame Aoi's abilities, she should be able to get into the Inspection Department even without this connection.

Asakawa Riku didn't think too much about it and shook hands with the "Yorozuya" who walked over with a smile:

"Asakawa Riku".

“We don’t need that nickname for formal occasions. My name is Morita Hayato.” The Yorozuya finally revealed his name: “Call me Morita, or you can call me Captain.”

The two clasped hands lightly and then let go, without lingering or any undercurrent of exertion or competition.

The two even tacitly avoided mentioning anything related to "Nue" or "No-Face Man"—not at all.

"Just don't call me father-in-law, he's not here..."

"Master!"

Kirisame Aoi, unable to contain herself any longer, roared, "Stop messing around!"

She was so angry she almost actually grabbed a knife and attacked; it's true what they say, one thing can subdue another.

Asakawa Riku felt the atmosphere was a bit awkward, and so did he. He didn't know how to respond, so he could only look around.

The minister's office wasn't luxuriously decorated; it was just an ordinary office. But his eyes suddenly sharpened.

Looking out the window:

"Do we need so many people watching us when we're talking about things? Are they worried about me and trying to warn me, or what does it mean?"

He sensed that after they came in, a large number of people suddenly appeared outside the door, lined up neatly, as if waiting for something.

Those were probably staff members of the Inspection Department or combat operators. They probably thought they were hiding well, but they couldn't escape Asakawa Riku's senses.

Asakawa Riku looked displeased, while Minister Morita simply smiled.

"They're just here to watch the gossip and join the fun. Even if they all come at me, it won't be of any help. I'll make them leave now."

He then walked to the door, but neither opened it nor said anything. He simply knocked on the wooden board twice, and then the people outside quickly left.

Now it quieted down.

“That would be perfect.” Asakawa Riku said seriously, “I’m here to talk business.”

He wanted to resolve the Asukai Shi matter within a small scope as much as possible, without involving unrelated people.

Not only does it involve privacy, but it could also harm innocent people.

Afterwards, Minister Morita invited him to sit on the sofa and personally brewed tea and brought it over. He then sat at the other end of the sofa, demonstrating impeccable hospitality.

However, Kirisame Aoi didn't sit down either, and actually stood to the side and behind Asakawa Riku. It was really hard to tell which side she was on.

"So, what brings you here today, Asakawa-kun? Is it to once again ask the Inspection Department to cover up the truth about certain matters?"

Minister Morita's words sounded less like he was speaking on behalf of the Inspection Department and more like a businessman from a "Yorozuya" (a business specializing in odd jobs) soliciting business: "To be honest, the services we provided in the past were all free, which already showed our sincerity. This time, we're going to charge you no matter what, so please don't be offended."

"On the contrary, this time it's not about covering something up, but about digging something out. Simply put, I want you to help me find someone."

Asakawa Riku took a sip of tea; the flavor was fragrant and mellow, quite good.

"But before that, I'd like to ask a question, which might be a bit sensitive, and I'm not sure if I should ask it."

"Oh? Asakawa-kun, we're already friends, so please don't be shy. Just tell me what's on your mind, and I'll answer all your questions."

"Since you put it that way, then I'll be frank."

Asakawa Riku didn't hesitate at all; no matter what the other party said, he would ask.

This is also the question he has always been curious about: "Minister Morita, is your job at the 'Yorozuya' (Odd Jobs Shop) a private job where you use your public office to line your own pocket?"

...The atmosphere suddenly became quiet.

Even Kiri Aoi behind her kept a straight face and held back her laughter.

Meanwhile, Minister Morita's expression was even more interesting, a mixture of surprise, doubt, and anger, a rather interesting hodgepodge.

After a long while, he slowly managed to utter a sentence:

"It is indeed quite sensitive."

The Autumn of Yagi: Chapter Seven - Last Winter

Then, Minister Morita stood up and voluntarily turned off the video recording equipment and audio recording devices in the room.

After he sat down again, he put on that businesslike smile once more, showing that he was indeed quite well-mannered.

"However, I can also answer you. This is indeed a part-time job for me. In order to better serve the public after get off work and fulfill the duty of the Inspection Department to cover up the truth of the supernatural world, the Yorozuya is also part of my professional pursuit. Although I receive a symbolic reward, it is only used for normal expenses. If you have any questions, you can report me to the government."

As expected of someone in this position, his smooth, bureaucratic mannerisms are flawless.

Asakawa Riku also knew that even if his actions were indeed corrupt and embezzlement, reporting it to the government would be of no use.

Because Minister Morita's position was not obtained through political power, but through his own pure strength, he naturally obtained it through the Non-World Inspection Department.

In other words, he is irreplaceable in a certain sense, and even if the government were to lay him off and replace him, it would be impossible to find a new person who could take his place.

Moreover, it will release a dangerous element who harbors resentment.

Rather than that, it would be better to let him earn some extra money so he could hire a powerful superhuman, which would be a sure-fire deal for the government.

Therefore, the "Yorozuya" should also be the result of the higher-ups turning a blind eye and allowing it to continue, having long since reached some kind of unspoken understanding.

To be in this position... you still need to rely on your own strength.

Asakawa Rikushin felt something; if he didn't have power, how could he sit here so steadily, bargaining with the Ministry of Supervision?

During that brief handshake, although no force was exerted, Asakawa Riku sensed danger and something unusual in that instant, in the blink of an eye.

The other party did not launch an attack, nor did he show any hostility. It was just that Asakawa Riku's combat experience and instinct told him that the person in front of him was dangerous.

To be able to be Kirisame Aoi's master... this guy's strength must be extraordinary.

"..."

Asakawa Riku's expression shifted between anger and uncertainty in response to Minister Morita's reply. He remained silent for a long time, and to outsiders, this silence might have been a sign of pressure.

After taking a sip of tea, Minister Morita sighed and said:

"Asakawa-kun, I know you mean to ask about the situation of the 'Church of the Supreme God' incident last year, and question why the Inspection Department didn't contribute its efforts?"

His insight was indeed very strong.

Asakawa Riku nodded in agreement: "Yes."

The incident last winter, in which Higashino Kosuke, chairman of the Higashino Group, used the power of faith in the "Church of the Supreme God" to incarnate as a god and manipulate 700,000 believers to incite riots in Tokyo, was probably the most heinous and impactful terrorist act in the world since the beginning of the new century. The entire city of Tokyo suffered extensive destruction, countless deaths and injuries, and was once in a state of depression.

Although the Ministry of Supervision made great efforts to cover up the truth and eliminate the impact afterward, it was in this way that social stability was maintained and no secondary disaster of religious revival occurred.

But to be honest, this is ultimately hindsight.

What Asakawa Riku really wanted to ask was undoubtedly—

What were you doing back then? Shouldn't this be your job?

Are you, as the minister, just making money off these side jobs all the time? And then you cower like a coward when faced with real trouble?

Asakawa Riku's anger was not without reason.

He was kind-hearted and advocated justice, hoping to protect and save innocent people as much as possible, while he looked down on officials who held positions without doing their jobs.

The inaction of the inspection department indirectly led to the lack of restraint on Kosuke Shinonome's behavior, which in turn led to the outbreak of that incident.

If they had eradicated that church earlier, even after the Tokyo Incident began, by actively suppressing the riots and controlling the situation, the losses wouldn't have been so severe.

Asakawa Riku didn't believe that this organization with superpowers couldn't do this. He even called them, but there was no response afterward.

This made him especially angry.

Even setting aside those grand principles, to put it simply, at that time, he was the only one in all of Tokyo who was working tirelessly to defeat Shinonome Kosuke.

If it weren't for Chizuko-senpai's arrival and the help of Yuki and Hoshino, I don't know what would have happened that night.

Even the subsequent city repairs, charitable relief, and other follow-up work were all filled by the conglomerate led by Shinonome Suetsuki; she was the one who truly contributed a lot.

What exactly is the Ministry of Supervision doing?

From that time on, Riku Asakawa harbored resentment towards the "Yorozuya" and even considered adding him to the list.

Even now, if Minister Morita cannot provide a reasonable explanation, even if he is Kirisame Aoi's mentor, he must be made to pay the price.

Even if I came here with a request, even if I can't find Asukai Shi, I must still uphold my beliefs at this moment.

Asakawa Riku stared at him coldly.