In crossover anime, who isn't a childhood friend?

"Not at all, Sergeant Michida, you flatter me. It was just a coincidence that I ran into you and offered a little bit of help along the way." Hattori rested his head on his hand and laughed heartily.

"What are your thoughts on this case, you famous detective from Kansai? Feel free to share."

Sergeant Michida didn't seem to shy away from discussing the case in front of people other than the victim's family and friends. Perhaps he had received some instructions before coming, or perhaps he was genuinely interested in this well-known young detective and wanted to hear a different perspective.

Hattori nodded, his expression turning serious: "My friend and I have some ideas, but before that, we need to ask Sergeant Michida to tell me about the victim's specific situation."

Sergeant Michida glanced at Hattori, then at the silent Minamoto Chiya beside him, and nodded: "Alright. Hisama."

"Yes." Inspector Kuma, who was standing next to him, immediately opened the case file he was carrying and began to narrate.

He first briefly recounted the clues at the scene that the police had confirmed were largely consistent with those found by Minamoto no Chiya and Hattori Heiji, before getting to the point and revealing specific information about the individuals involved in the case—

The victim, Yuki Matsui, is 27 years old and works as a freelance writer. She is from Nagano Prefecture and is an orphan who grew up in a welfare home. She married her current husband, Kento Matsui, about two years ago.

However, in March of this year, she went to the hospital for a check-up due to persistent discomfort and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which was already in its late stage. Doctors estimated that she might only have three to five months left to live.

According to her husband, 29-year-old Kento Matsui, who is currently unemployed, their trip to Miyako City was to fulfill his wife's wish to "see more different parts of the country in her final days."

He tearfully expressed that he never expected his wife to suffer such misfortune and was heartbroken.

The other person who accompanied the victim was Shinju Ayumi, 25 years old, who was a senior or junior to the victim during their school days.

According to her, the two had been close since their student days and had kept in touch after graduation. When Ayumi Makoto had difficulty finding a job after graduation and was in financial straits for a period of time, even having nowhere to go, Matsui Yuki reached out to help her by letting her stay in her home and providing her with long-term support and assistance. The two had a deep relationship, like sisters.

"However," Inspector Kuma paused, his tone carrying a subtle undertone, "there's something rather intriguing about Aruan Shinju and Matsui Kento. We just got a lead during our initial interviews with the other guests at the hotel."

He turned to the next page of the notebook: "A young couple who checked into the hotel said that after seeing the photos of Matsui Yuki, Matsui Kento, and Ariyasu Shinju that we provided, they saw Matsui Kento and Ariyasu Shinju alone in the hotel's backyard late the night before last, though they couldn't remember the exact time, but it was definitely after midnight. They were behaving quite intimately."

The couple said they were looking out the window at the night view because they couldn't sleep when they accidentally saw this scene. The two seemed to be talking quietly very close to each other, and then they made a kissing motion. Out of curiosity, they watched for a while longer to make sure they weren't mistaken; they were certain it was the two people in the photo.

Hearing this, Rikka, who had been eavesdropping nearby, looked very angry. Her little fists were clenched tightly. Because there were police officers around, she could only mutter indignantly, "How could he do this! He's already married and still cheats on his wife. That's awful!"

This sentence immediately elicited different reactions from the other girls present.

Shi Yu let out a soft sigh, her gaze towards Yuan Qianye at that moment appearing particularly subtle.

Yukino slowly lowered her head, picked up her teacup and drank water, even though she had already drunk all the water in her teacup earlier.

As for Eriri, she knew perfectly well that she hadn't done anything and that Rikka wasn't targeting her, but for some reason, she still felt incredibly guilty.

Saeko remained calm and composed, as if she hadn't heard Rikka's words.

Chiya also noticed the subtle change in the atmosphere inside the room and felt that Rikka was truly her good little sister. She had already planned to ask Toka to create a stricter study plan for her starting next semester when she returned this time.

The care from my brother is like family; there's no need to be so polite.

Just then, a young investigator wearing a detective's jacket rushed to the suite door and respectfully reported to Sergeant Michida inside: "Sergeant Michida!"

Sergeant Michida turned around: "What is it?"

The detective held an item carefully sealed in a transparent evidence bag in each hand: "We successfully extracted multiple clear fingerprints from the lamp base scattered on the ground at the scene, as well as from the broken teacup fragments. After preliminary comparison, they match the fingerprints of Arisu Shinju!"

He then held up another evidence bag containing an ordinary fruit knife stained with dark brown dirt: "In addition, we expanded our search area and found this suspected murder weapon in the bushes outside the wall behind the hotel. The bloodstains on the handle and blade have been preliminarily tested and found to match Ms. Matsui Yuki's blood type."

Upon hearing this, Sergeant Michida immediately stood up, his face showing an expression of "I knew it," and his eyes became sharp and full of confidence.

He glanced at Hattori Heiji and Minamoto Chiya, his tone carrying the certainty that the case was solved: "Looks like there won't be a chance for you, the renowned detective, to show off your skills this time. The culprit... Hmph, he's probably watched too many detective anime. He really thinks we police are easy fools. The obviously staged burglary, the escape through the window, the fingerprints left at the scene, the murder weapon carelessly discarded nearby... everything points to one answer more than you can imagine. It's ridiculous. Kuzuma, let's go!"

"Yes!"

The officers left together.

However, despite the fact that the police had obtained a sufficient chain of evidence, Gen Chiya and Hattori Heisei still frowned.

The two exchanged a glance, nodded to each other, and then Hattori got up and chased after them.

"Huh? What's going on?" Rikka tugged at her older brother's arm. "Um, Chiyo, can you explain this? I didn't quite understand."

Shiyu, who was lounging on the sofa, said lazily, "It's very simple, Xiaoliuhua. After committing the crime, the victim's best friend deliberately staged a scene where the burglar jumped out of the window to escape, in order to exonerate herself and try to steer the investigation towards a non-existent outsider robber."

However, her methods were clumsy; she not only left her fingerprints at the scene but also disposed of the murder weapon rather carelessly, simply throwing it into nearby bushes. Therefore, the police now believe the evidence is conclusive and can make an arrest.

After she finished explaining, her face was filled with disgust and disbelief: "How could there be such a bad person! The victim was already seriously ill and didn't have much time left, right? And the police officer just said that they were good friends who had known each other for so many years! How could they do such a thing!"

Yukino said coldly, "If they were really good friends, they wouldn't do that kind of thing with her husband behind her back. People's hearts are complicated. Of course, that husband is also a scumbag."

After she finished speaking, she noticed that the scene was very quiet. Suddenly realizing something, she quickly looked in Saeko's direction and stammered that her words were only directed at the parties involved in this case and had no hidden meaning.

Instead, Saeko, completely unconcerned, comforted her instead.

The crowd discussed in hushed tones, lamenting the dark side of human nature exposed by the case and its heartbreaking ending.

However, after a while, they finally realized that Gen Chiya had been silent since the beginning, with the same expression as when Hattori left, as if he was thinking about something.

Rikka slowly leaned closer and massaged his shoulders: "Hey, Chiya, what's wrong? The case's already solved, what are you still thinking about?"

Yuan Qianye shifted her body, focusing her attention on her trapezius muscles: "I'm thinking that this murder case might not be as simple as that police officer said."

Rikka was taken aback: "Huh?"

Shi Yu then asked, "Is there any other hidden story in the case?"

"Yes, there is a guess. Now we just need Heiji to confirm it. The focus is on the deceased, not on the obvious traces left at the scene. Those are less clues left by the murderer due to carelessness, and more like illusions that the murderer deliberately made us notice."

"?"

His words completely stunned everyone present.

Yukino and Utaha reacted a little faster. Hearing his hint, a hint of understanding flashed in their thoughtful eyes, as if they had vaguely grasped something, but they couldn't see it clearly because of a thin veil.

At this moment, Hattori, who had been out for a while, ran back into the room. His eyes met those of Minamoto Chiyo, and he seemed to understand everything: "I have already asked Inspector Kuma to help investigate."

"The results of it?"

"As we suspected, the victim, who lacked a sense of security due to her upbringing in an orphanage, would have paid a considerable amount of insurance premiums for herself each year. According to the insurance policy, if she were to die from illness or accident, her family would receive a total compensation of over 100 million yen."

The room fell silent instantly.

The insurance payout... exceeded 100 million yen...

“The situation is clear now.” Yuan Qianye stood up.

"Ah, that's right. Let's go and make those two obediently confess to crimes they didn't commit."

Huh? What? What's clear now?

Wait, what are you guys talking about?! I didn't understand a single word!

Rikka wanted to get to the bottom of it, but the two had already walked out of the room side by side.

Rikka didn't care anymore; her intense curiosity compelled her to immediately follow them out.

Seeing this, the other girls also got up and followed suit.

…………

Volume 2: Chapter 136: She's the culprit, but not the murderer (7k)

Inside the hotel, in An Shinju's room.

Sergeant Michida stood in the center of the room with a serious expression.

Before him stood An Zhenzhu, whose face was ashen white.

"...The above evidence chain is quite clear, including the fingerprints found at the crime scene, the bloodstains on the murder weapon, and the jewelry and wallet belonging to the deceased Ms. Matsui Yuki found in your suitcase."

Sergeant Michida stared intently at Shinju Ariyama: "Do you have anything else to explain?"

In front of the deceased's only relative, Kento Matsui, Sergeant Michida presented the evidence that the police had found during the search to Shinji Arisu.

The situation is now quite clear: An Shinju killed Matsui Yuki, took the victim's belongings and jewelry, and fabricated evidence of a non-existent burglary at the scene in an attempt to mislead the police investigation and thus escape punishment.

"Waaaaah..."

An Zhenzhu's mental fortitude was clearly lacking; his legs went weak and he collapsed to the ground, muttering incoherent, resentful murmurs.

"It's all her fault...it's all that woman's fault...she deserves it...what right does she have...sob sob..."

She appeared to be in a state of utter despair, knowing that all hope was lost and she could not escape punishment, and thus began to give up on herself.

It was as if they wanted to vent all the jealousy, dissatisfaction, and resentment they had been holding in their hearts towards the deceased at once.

Matsui Kento, standing to the side, stared wide-eyed at his former lover's sobs and accusations, looking at her in disbelief.

His finger trembled as he pointed at her, his lips quivering but unable to utter a complete sound. He subconsciously took two small steps back, as if he were seeing this woman for the first time.

His face was filled with a complex mix of emotions, including shock and heartache.

Yes, on the surface, it does seem quite affectionate.

Judging from his behavior, it's hard to believe that he was having an affair with his deceased wife, and with her best friend no less.

That's utterly hypocritical.

Sergeant Michida, who was impartial in enforcing the law and had seen all kinds of criminals, was not particularly moved by the situation before him.

He now only wants to close the case as soon as possible, bring the murderer to justice, and restore normal order to the hotel and the tourist town.

It is currently peak tourist season, and the negative impact of a murder case needs to be eliminated as soon as possible.

He raised his wrist to check the time and announced clearly: "July 27th, Saturday, 1:52 PM, suspect Ayumi Shinju is confirmed to be arrested."

"Let's talk at the police station." Inspector Kuma, standing to the side, took out handcuffs and deftly cuffed them onto Ayane Shinju's slightly trembling left wrist.

Just as he was about to cuff the other side as well—

"Inspector Michida, the culprit is not Arisu Shinju!" Hattori Heiji shouted as he arrived.

Ok?

The police officers at the scene all turned to look at the source of the sound.

Hattori Heiji was standing at the door, slightly out of breath, clearly having run all the way there.

Without the slightest hesitation, he stared sharply at Sergeant Michida.

At this moment, Chiya Minamoto, who was traveling with them, added: "To be more precise, it is true that the perpetrator was Shinju Ayumu, but it was not her who killed Ms. Yuki Matsui."

what? !

His seemingly contradictory and grammatically incorrect sentence not only confused the police officers present, who showed expressions of bewilderment and astonishment, but also left the girls who followed him even more puzzled, completely unable to understand what he was trying to express.

She didn't kill him, but she committed a crime? The obvious staged burglary, escape through the window, fingerprints left at the scene, the murder weapon carelessly discarded nearby… everything points to one obvious answer: it's ridiculous. "Kujima, let's go!"

"Yes!"

The officers left together.