episode_0017

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“The Director is dead?”

Handcuffs were slapped onto Crow’s wrists. He had handcuffed countless villains, but this was the first time he himself had been subdued.

“That’s absurd. He’s not the type to die like that.”

He was thrown into an interrogation room for questioning. But even then, he still had clear evidence to prove his innocence.

“We know he’s not the type to die like that, which is why we think it was an ambush. A bullet went straight through the back of his head, piercing his brain, and causing instant death. Unless he was extremely careless, he wouldn’t have died like that, right?”

There was indeed something suspicious about this, from Crow’s perspective.

He had no alibi,

No one within the organization was as skilled in combat as him,

And it was true that he had infiltrated the association’s building.

“…You think I shot him?”

“It’s highly likely.”

It was a reasonable assumption. There were some strong agents within the association, but aside from Crow, no one could match the Director in a fight.

“If it was an ambush, then it’s possible someone other than me could have killed the Director.”

“But there aren’t many people who could enter the Director’s office without him noticing. You know that, don’t you?”

Agent J, whom Crow had worked with for a long time, sat across from him.

Their relationship wasn’t particularly good, but they had worked towards the same goal, so they could certainly be called colleagues.

“I admit I’m capable, but I have no reason or motive to kill the Director.”

“We know that, and that’s why we’re being cautious. We want to believe in you, too.”

“Fine. Let’s not waste words and trust the scientific evidence. They’re obviously analyzing what the Director was shot with, right?”

“Of course.”

However,

Her attitude was strangely distant.

As if she was intentionally keeping her distance…

“It’s ammunition supplied by the association to you.”

“What?”

The distance between them was filled by a few photos. They showed fragments of the bullet that had been in the Director’s head.

Looking closely at the shape of the bloodstained bullet, it was undoubtedly made by the association. It was clear and undeniable evidence, even Crow couldn’t refute it.

But each gun has a unique rifling structure, and Crow soon brought up the rifling marks left on the outside of the bullet.

“…Compare it directly. If it came from my gun, those rifling marks will be there. Analyze it and compare it directly.”

“We’ve already done that. It matched exactly with one of the two guns you had when you surrendered, the one you were holding against your left thigh.”

“What…?”

Something was off. It couldn’t match.

He hadn’t used his gun today.

“Wait a minute. What gun is it? Bring the photos here…!”

Crow usually carried two Glock 26 pistols.

They were supplied by the association, and since weapons often got damaged in combat, the association provided new ones about twice a month, recording the dates and quantities.

There were a few extra Glock 26s stored in Crow’s temporary residence and some hideouts for backup, but of course, no one could have stolen them to use in a crime like this.

Crow wasn’t that stupid. He didn’t keep them in a place where anyone could just take them.

“It’s the Glock 26 you always carry.”

Which meant,

Someone from the association had switched the guns.

He had been disarmed while being brought here, so someone must have intervened and replaced Crow’s gun.

The gun in the photo Agent J showed Crow looked strangely unfamiliar.

It definitely wasn’t the gun he had prepared for today’s operation.

“…Impossible. The serial number itself will be different. Compare that, too.”

“Do you remember which gun you took? Do you remember the serial number?”

“I might not remember, but there should be records. When I left today, it was definitely the one with the serial number starting with ‘TE’…”

But as soon as he thought that far, Crow’s mouth tightened shut.

If he said everything here,

He might lose the chance to prove his innocence.

He wasn’t suspecting Agent J,

But the documents she presented already showed signs of tampering by traitors within the association.

“…Wait. Before that, call Justice and Lily. I have something to tell them.”

“Sorry, but we’re in the middle of an investigation. You’re a prime suspect. It’ll be better for you if you’re honest, Crow.”

Something was definitely off here.

It wasn’t just a simple conspiracy or a distraction.

It felt like…

Like a trap that had been set a long time ago.

If they wanted to bury him within the association,

They could easily destroy or fabricate evidence.

…And already, signs of evidence tampering and fabrication were clearly visible on Crow’s table.

“Call Justice and Lily.”

“…You don’t seem to understand the situation. If you leave like this, you…”

That’s why Crow never changed his attitude.

Because he understood the situation.

“Call Justice and Lily.”

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I dreamed of that day, and surprisingly, the memory lingers in my body and mind.

The memory of that one day that brought me to this place.

“…Ugh.”

I try to grasp the vivid end of the dream, but soon, pain washes over me, erasing my languor.

As I return to reality, all that remains is the pain.

Pain that never becomes familiar,

Pain that feels new every day…

“You’re awake?”

As soon as I regain consciousness, Creep jumps onto my bed, interrupting my thoughts. Like an excited cat, she rubs her cheeks and chest against me, murmuring.

“I’ve been waiting so patiently for you…”

How many hours have I been unconscious this time? How many times have I lost consciousness since I came here? If this continues, my body will surely reach its limit.

“I’m the only one for you, right? Ta-da! Cold lunch is worse than dog food, so I’ve prepared a special meal today.”

Still,

The first thing that twitches as I regain consciousness is my sense of smell.

“Just a little longer. It’s almost ready.”

A very familiar,

Yet very impressive scent…

“This is real nourishment in prison. You’ve never tried it, have you?”

The smell of ramen made in lukewarm water.

I had smelled it a few days ago, but up close, the exhilarating aroma makes my entire nervous system feel awakened.

Gulp-

Unconsciously, I swallow. I won’t fall for such a low-grade temptation, but the smell is just too good.

“Did you know that ramen actually has a well-balanced nutritional profile?”

As Creep hums, stirring the undercooked noodles, the red broth sloshes around.

I don’t understand how such a simple dish can be so captivating, even to me.

“But last time, you only fished out the noodles and ate them like porridge. It’s okay to do that once or twice, but it’s disappointing to keep doing it. Today, I went the extra mile for you!”

Yes, so it’s fine.

This isn’t me being pathetic. I have no choice but to eat what Creep gives me. So, there’s no need to refuse when she puts it in my mouth.

“Ta-da! It’s ready.”

The salty and spicy broth already tantalizes my imagination. Unknowingly, my mouth waters.

My body, demanding more energy for recovery, urges me to devour the food in front of me.

“But before that~”

However, Creep, in a cruel twist, doesn’t hand it over right away but instead offers her cheek.

“Give me a kiss. Okay?”

She puffs up her cheeks,

Smiling brightly right in front of my face.

“Hmm?”

If she just gave it to me,

If she had done that,

I could have eaten it.

“…”

Knowing her intention to crush my pride with such an act,

I find myself unable to eat again, starving into hunger.

Yes, that’s possible.

But why do I feel resentment and disappointment inside?

That’s food from a villain, and I’m just eating what she gives me, resisting to the end.

Yet, a mere cup of ramen upsets my insides.

“Ahahaha! Darling, you look like you’re about to cry. Huh?”

On top of that, Creep laughs, holding her stomach. Her laughter is so clear it hurts my ears.

“Then I’ll have to eat both by myself~”

But,

A louder sound reaches my ears.

Bang! Bang!

“…Damn it. What’s that?”

Creep, as if she had always been cold and angry, immediately loses her smile and becomes menacing.

I wonder how a person can undergo such emotional changes.

“Never mind, darling. Ignore it. I’ll eat both and tell you how it tastes…”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

As I try to ignore the sound, it happens three times,

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

And on the fourth, Creep, holding blunt plastic chopsticks, heads towards the door.

She doesn’t give a warning.

She opens the door with the intention of immediately stabbing the chopsticks into someone’s eye socket.

“…Oh, Secretary.”

But as soon as she realizes it’s one of Skadi’s people, she momentarily puts down the chopsticks.

“What’s the matter? Even the boss is here? We were just about to eat… Did the ramen smell bother you? Did it escape the room and bother you?”

She speaks with feigned innocence,

But Lynn, who follows Skadi, doesn’t back down and demands,

“Skadi says she has something to discuss with Crow. Have your lunch later and open the door for a moment.”

“Oh, this is a problem. My darling doesn’t want to go out.”

Their conversation continues for a moment,

Then silence, and the atmosphere turns hostile.

“…Hey, it’s just a joke~ Feel free to talk.”

But,

For some reason, Creep backs down first.

Her expression is terrible,

But I know how significant it is for her to make even a single concession.

I can’t tell what relationship Creep and Skadi have,

…But there seems to be an unspoken rule between them.