The night, as smooth as silk stockings, had quietly climbed onto the windowpanes.
The main perpetrator and accomplice of the art museum murder case were both escorted away by the police.
"Suzuki, how did you think about the last case?"
Inspector Megure rubbed his hands, seemingly expectant.
"It's been only a few days, give me some time to think about it."
Even Liu Bei went to visit Zhuge Liang three times before he came out of the woods. This was only the second invitation. No need to rush.
Suzuki Byakuya had the system by his side, so he naturally had this confidence.
As long as he could continue to solve cases uninterruptedly, the police department would eventually give him a bigger reward.
"Alright, I'll see you out."
Inspector Megure didn't ask him to record a statement. That kind of thing was better left to the Mouri family.
"Ah, look, they're coming out, they're coming out!"
As soon as the two of them left the art museum, a barrage of flashbulbs like long guns and cannons snapped incessantly.
Byakuya felt the glare, raising his hand to shield the light.
What was going on?
Taking a closer look, he saw many reporters from television stations and newspapers standing at the bottom of the steps of the art museum.
The leader was none other than Mizunashi Rena, the leading lady of NTV.
The interview task wasn't originally assigned to her.
Because she was just having dinner nearby, upon receiving the notification, she hurriedly called her cameraman and rushed over.
She had to stand out from the crowd and get the first-hand information.
Inspector Megure was at the scene, so the only ones who could leak information were the police officers assisting with the investigation.
Actually, within the Japanese police force, there were many complaints about the title of "Savior of the Japanese Police" given to Conan Edogawa.
During the last burglary case, they seized the opportunity to contact the newspapers, trying to elevate one and belittle the other.
They exaggerated Suzuki Byakuya's ability and downplayed Conan Edogawa's.
With a bit of effort, they hoped to bring him into the police department.
Of course, it would be a feather in the cap of the police if one of their own cracked the case.
Plus, Conan Edogawa had been missing recently, vanished from the world as if he had evaporated.
Promoting Suzuki Byakuya was the consensus among many police officers.
Mizunashi Rena stood at the front of the crowd, clearly the most eye-catching figure in the center.
Her face was quite sharp, like Shiho Miyano, giving off a mixed-blood beauty vibe.
Staring at the tall, handsome man, Mizunashi Rena's eyes lit up.
He wasn't wearing a police uniform, yet he was so close to the officers.
As expected, this must be Suzuki Byakuya, whose photo couldn't be taken during the last burglary case.
Mizunashi Rena knew very well what the audience watching the television wanted to see, and she confidently stepped forward:
"Hello, Mr. Suzuki, can I bother you for a few minutes for an interview?"
It didn't matter if she didn't know his name.
As long as he responded positively, it would be tantamount to admitting his identity!
Suzuki Byakuya wasn't used to the flashbulbs, and his brows furrowed.
Inspector Megure also called over a police officer to protect him as he left.
Mizunashi Rena, having only had half her meal before rushing over, was unwilling to let her target slip away so easily:
"Mr. Suzuki, was it you who solved the murder case at the art museum?"
"In a way, yes."
"Previously, there were rumors from the police that you were the detective consultant recently hired by the police department. Is this news true?"
Suzuki Byakuya retracted his neck, a look of surprise on his face.
Seeing that the situation was getting out of control, Inspector Megure pulled him away while facing the camera:
"That's right. Mr. Suzuki is our specially appointed detective consultant."
After that, under the protection of Officer Takagi Wataru, he covered up the man's escape.
Once they reached a safe area, Byakuya propped himself up on his knees, taking a few deep breaths:
"Wow, playing a preemptive strike on me?"
Inspector Megure's smile was awkward, and he laughed dryly:
"Sorry, Suzuki, I had my reasons for doing this."
Byakuya pretended to be angry, but in his heart, he wasn't worried at all.
He just wanted to solve cases with the police, earning more points in the process.
However, the positions of a soldier and a general were definitely very different.
"Alright, what reasons? Tell me."
"Suzuki, I'm doing this for your own good. With the publicity from the media, I can help you get a higher position in the police department. Don't worry, I won't let you down!"
Seeing that the other party seemed to be thinking, Inspector Megure felt hopeful:
"Keep a low profile these next few days, don't come out to debunk anything. I'll contact you as soon as I get a reply from here."
Suzuki Byakuya nodded, "reluctantly" accepting:
"Since you're being so sincere, fine."
…
Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night.
After receiving the information, various television stations immediately started producing programs.
Both the deceased, Mr. Shinjū, who could afford to buy an art museum, and the suddenly-emerging detective consultant, Suzuki Byakuya, had enough hot topics to make television stations fight tooth and nail to gain attention.
The relevant newspapers would be a little slower, generally printing the next day.
Whether spontaneously or under instruction, they made a big fuss about tonight's murder case.
"Medieval Ghost Roams at Midnight, Art Museum Becomes Rich Man's Graveyard!"
"Shocking! Japan's Most Handsome Detective Consultant Appears!"
"Japan's Future Light of the Police, Suzuki Byakuya!"
"Wicked Curator Murders Boss, Super Handsome Officer Uncovers the Truth!"
All sorts of flashy clickbait headlines, using top-notch clickbait techniques.
Suzuki Byakuya's name became widely known overnight!
"According to Inspector Megure Jūzō from the Criminal Investigation Division's First Investigative Section, Suzuki Byakuya is the detective consultant recently hired by the police department…"
Watching the program on TV, Vodka was furious:
"Boss, I told you this guy was a traitor! We should have taken him out long ago!"
Gin sat on the couch, turning his head to take a glance:
"Have you ever seen a mole who publicly reveals their police identity?"
A mole would distance themselves from any connection to the police, unless their identity was exposed. They would avoid it at all costs.
"Ah, that…"
Vodka was speechless for a moment, and forced an explanation:
"Anyway, he's got something going on with the police. Boss, we can't let this guy stay around!"
Gin shook his head slightly, a different plan forming in his mind.
The scene on screen showed the female host asking if he was a detective consultant, and Suzuki Byakuya showing a look of surprise.
This meant that he didn't currently have that position. It was most likely a preemptive strike by the police.
If the police were able to recruit this kind of detective talent, it would be a great asset to them.
At this moment, a bold idea came to Gin's mind.
Since police officers and spies all over the country were trying to infiltrate the organization.
Why not do the opposite, and plant a flag within the police force?
You can infiltrate me, so why can't I infiltrate you?
The more Gin thought about it, the more he felt the plan was feasible.
However, Suzuki Byakuya had no contact with the organization, let alone any loyalty.
It would be best to test him soon, and if he passed, recruit him as quickly as possible.
Tomorrow, I'll head back to the factory.
…
Suzuki Byakuya, 23 years old, lived in a luxury apartment near the Mifa City Hall.
Single, he was a security captain at a pharmaceutical factory, with a side hustle as a detective.
He rarely smoked, and he only drank lightly.
He was a bit tired after returning home tonight, and didn't watch TV. He went to bed at 11 pm, making sure to get 8 hours of sleep.
Before bed, he drank a cup of warm milk, then lay in bed and played on his phone for 20 minutes.
After turning it off, he immediately fell asleep and slept soundly until dawn, never letting fatigue or stress linger into the next day.