Chapter 45: Kidnapping? Prank?

October 10th, Monday.

Early in the morning, the Suzuki family received news that Sonoko Suzuki had been kidnapped!

Along with the kidnapping note, there was a mobile phone, but it had not rung even once.

In the villa in Mihana Town, there were only four people at the time—Ayako Suzuki, Shiro Suzuki, his wife Tomoko, and a servant. They usually did not live there; the villa was purchased simply for Sonoko’s convenience to attend school nearby. Apart from Sonoko, only one servant normally stayed there.

After receiving the kidnapping letter, Shiro and Ayako were very anxious, while Tomoko outwardly remained calm.

“I told you it wasn’t safe for Sonoko to go to school without a bodyguard... Ah... and the school hasn’t answered their phone either...”

“Shut up!”

Tomoko cut Shiro off sharply.

Although they had not immediately decided to report to the police, Ayako contacted Shiraishi.

Since the incident happened right in Mihana Town and Shiraishi was someone they knew, “contacting someone familiar” was far more discreet than calling the police. Shiraishi wouldn’t make a big scene, making it harder for the kidnappers to notice.

Soon after...

Ding dong—

Upon hearing the doorbell, Ayako immediately looked toward the video intercom and was stunned to see...

“Sonoko?” Ayako was momentarily taken aback.

It wasn’t Shiraishi or any of the kidnappers’ men who had come—it was the “kidnapped” Sonoko herself.

“Huh? Big sister, why are you here?” Sonoko asked in puzzlement, wondering why her sister was at the villa.

When she opened the door, Sonoko saw not only her sister but also...

“Dad, Mom, you’re here too? Are we... going out?” Sonoko asked confusedly.

If they were going out, wasn’t it a bit late to leave today?

“Sonoko... where have you been?” Shiro asked anxiously.

“Huh? I went out with Ran yesterday, didn’t I tell you, Mom?” Sonoko answered matter-of-factly.

Shiro and Ayako exchanged looks toward Tomoko.

Tomoko:...

Though she had seemed calm earlier, she had actually been quite flustered.

“So... no school today?” Ayako quickly asked.

“Today’s a holiday for Sports Day! What’s wrong with you all?” Sonoko was completely bewildered.

Because today, October 10th, was Ran’s mother Eri’s birthday, Ran had earlier invited Sonoko to help decorate, hoping to create an opportunity for their father to reconcile with his wife.

Ayako and Tomoko looked at Shiro—no wonder the school didn’t answer the phone!

Shiro:...

“Hahaha, it’s nothing serious,” Shiro laughed awkwardly.

“Looks like it was just a prank...” Ayako finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Sonoko tilted her head, still not understanding what had happened, but said, “Alright, I’ll go change my clothes first.”

She had stayed over at Ran’s house last night without changing her underwear, and her phone was dead.

Seeing Sonoko head upstairs, Ayako relaxed but then suddenly looked embarrassed: “Oh no... Kuro!”

Tomoko’s eyes narrowed, and she let out a snort.

Shiro quickly tried to smooth things over: “Alright, alright, it’s fine as long as nothing happened. Let’s not waste Shiraishi’s trip—let’s all go out for a meal together... Yeah, and we can get Shiraishi’s advice on Sonoko’s safety, better to be prepared!”

“Tch, what does he know...” Tomoko looked displeased but didn’t oppose.

Just then...

Ah—

A piercing scream came from upstairs!

“Sonoko!”

Ayako and her parents rushed upstairs, with the chubby Shiro almost tumbling as he hurried along.

Then...

Click, bang—

The sound of a door slamming!

When the three reached the upper floor, they found Shiraishi standing outside Sonoko’s bedroom with an innocent expression.

Shiraishi:...

Ayako, Shiro, Tomoko:...

The atmosphere was awkward.

“Kuro... what are you doing...” Ayako asked awkwardly.

“If there is a kidnapping, kidnappers usually monitor the residence. To avoid being detected, I... By the way, who did you say was kidnapped just now?” Shiraishi was equally baffled.

Shiraishi had scouted around nearby but saw no kidnappers. To be safe, he decided to sneak in discreetly.

Given Shiraishi’s build, even if disguised as a delivery man or salesman, he would be too conspicuous.

So, Shiraishi climbed the wall and entered the second floor by hand. But...

The person they said was kidnapped? Although he hadn’t looked closely before, Sonoko had grown quite a bit, yet Shiraishi clearly recognized her as the same girl!

...

The group returned to the living room downstairs. After some explanation, Shiraishi realized it had all been a false alarm.

“We’re really sorry for making you come all this way for nothing, Shiraishi. Let’s go grab a meal together afterward!” Shiro said kindly.

But Tomoko gloomily remarked, “We were probably just overthinking it. How could a kidnapping happen in the territory of such a prestigious police hero? Heh heh heh...”

“That’s right, it’s our duty. Since nothing happened, I won’t bother you further!” Shiraishi responded without any irritation.

Just as Ayako was caught in this dilemma...

Ding dong—

The doorbell rang again.

Seizing the interruption, Ayako quickly went to answer the video intercom.

“Hello, is this the Suzuki residence? We’re here to deliver a wardrobe by appointment,” two men dressed as delivery workers said furtively.

“A wardrobe?” Ayako was taken aback.

Why would Sonoko order a wardrobe?

Before she could react, the men discreetly showed their police badges to the camera and whispered, “Ms. Suzuki, we’re from the Mihana Police Station. We know something happened in your family; please open the door quickly.”

The three Suzuki members looked at Shiraishi.

Shiraishi, however, looked confused and walked over—he had not contacted the police station before!

But the officers were definitely not impostors. Approaching the video intercom, Shiraishi immediately recognized the officer speaking.

“Kuroki? Yes, he’s from our department,” Shiraishi said, signaling Ayako to open the door.

“Huh?” Hearing the chief’s voice, Kuroki was surprised.

Kuroki Kenji was a detective from the Haze Valley squad who had been ordered to reflect on his conduct but was reinstated just today.

Tomoko’s face tightened when she saw Ayako open the door as Shiraishi had silently instructed. She seemed about to say something but was quickly stopped by Shiro’s conciliatory smile.

After opening the door, the two young men in delivery uniforms entered. One of them immediately saluted Shiraishi, saying, “Chief! So you know about Miss Sonoko’s kidnapping case?”

The other young officer was stunned, finally realizing this “little giant” was one of the three newly transferred police officers today—the only rookie without much experience, Kanazaki Ryuichi.

At that moment, Sonoko, now dressed in fresh clothes, came downstairs. She still looked a bit embarrassed and flushed, but upon hearing the officer’s words...

“Kidnapped? Me?” Sonoko pointed at herself in confusion.

“Ah, sorry, officers, it was just a prank,” Ayako quickly explained.

Shiraishi furrowed his brow and said, “Wait, how do you two know about a kidnapping? Has someone reported it?”

Shiraishi already sensed that something was amiss; this was likely more than just a simple prank...