The research documents bore obvious burn marks. Parts of the paper had turned a dull yellow, and some words were stained with black ash, clear signs they had been through a fire, or at least were closely related to one.
Having already reviewed most of the APTX4869 files, Ritsu recognized the contents instantly. That was precisely why he was so surprised.
Why would someone outside the organization possess incomplete pages of APTX4869?
Could it be… that Chikazawa Heisuke had once been part of the research division, only to be expelled for some reason?
Impossible.
Ritsu quickly dismissed that idea. He knew all members of the research division were bound by strict confidentiality agreements. Not only did they have no freedom and were forced to live long-term inside the research facilities… once they lost their usefulness, the organization would discard them.
And that "discarding" didn't mean being safely released, it meant being eliminated like trash.
After all, there are no secrets that never leak. Only the dead can keep them forever.
"Looks like Chikazawa has quite a few secrets."
Kyoto Pharmaceuticals had only started this research project at the beginning of the year, just half a year ago. There was no way they could have achieved much. Most of the crucial data remained within the organization. Trying to recreate APTX4869 from just a few sheets of paper would take at least twenty years.
After memorizing the contents, Ritsu carefully put the documents back instead of destroying them. If he destroyed them, there'd be no way to trace who else was trying to develop APTX4869. Besides, the organization only knew this was related to longevity research. If he didn't say anything, they wouldn't know.
Returning to the server room, he saw the progress bar had reached 100%. Instead of leaving immediately, he checked through the main system. After confirming there was no information related to APTX4869, he concluded that Kyoto Pharmaceuticals was likely unaware of the truth.
The real issue lay with the secret investor behind the project.
Finding out who that investor was wouldn't be easy. They were probably using aliases and fake identities.
Looks like he'd have to play the long game.
Adjusting his earpiece and slipping the USB drive into his pocket, Ritsu said, "Rye, still nothing unusual on your end?"
"Where were you just now? Your signal was completely cut off."
Signal interference? Could Chikazawa's room have had a jammer? But he hadn't noticed anything like that during his search.
"I was just—"
"That's not important. There are several security personnel in the lobby acting suspiciously. Your cover may be blown. Get up here now."
"Got it."
Ritsu quickly headed toward the elevator. Fortunately, no one else was using it, allowing him to reach the first floor without delay.
But luck didn't stay on his side.
As the elevator doors slowly slid open, the person standing outside holding a stack of folders was none other than Chikazawa, the lead researcher of the secret project.
Most of the researchers involved weren't allowed to leave the basement. Those who could, he recognized. And this young, handsome man in a lab coat… was definitely not one of them.
"Y-You… who are you?"
Damn.
The young man beside him, also in a lab coat, immediately shouted, "The one who hacked the main system is here!"
Akai, who had been covering the operation, reacted even faster. The moment the shout rang out, he pulled a flashbang from his pocket and hurled it toward the elevator.
Wearing protective goggles, he rushed forward and grabbed Ritsu, whose eyes were forced shut from the blinding light.
"Move!"
Unable to open his eyes, Ritsu handed him a smoke grenade. "Throw this. Once we're outside, head for an alley and change clothes."
"Got it."
Akai tossed the smoke grenade behind them toward the entrance. The two quickly retreated, escaping into a nearby alley. There, they removed their lab coats and stashed their glasses away. After confirming no one was following them, Ritsu, his vision restored, pulled out his phone and called Gin.
"Gin, it's me."
"Mission already completed? Efficient as always, Macallan."
Ritsu deliberately moved a bit farther away from Akai before taking out the USB drive and reporting in a low voice, "I've copied everything from the main system. I checked the contents, there's nothing useful related to longevity research."
"Did you clean up properly?"
"Yeah. After copying the data, the virus I planted activated immediately. They should be too busy dealing with their wiped system to come after us."
"If it's all useless, then hand the remaining files on the USB to Takai, the head of Laboratory No. 2."
"Understood. Rye and I will return to Tokyo now."
"Mm."
The call ended. Ritsu walked back toward Akai. After all, Akai didn't have clearance to know the true purpose of this mission so reporting had to be done out of earshot.
In this organization, the only person he could fully trust was Rei. Aside from him, even people as close as the Miyano sisters required caution.
As for Akai, despite being related by blood, until he could confirm whether or not he would betray him, Ritsu couldn't reveal anything. That was part of being an undercover operative.
"Let's go. We'll head to the station."
"…Looks like we've got a problem."
"?"
Following Akai's gaze, Ritsu noticed several police cars parked by the roadside. A plainclothes detective in a gray suit with a pink tie was walking toward them.
Looks like today just wasn't their day. Something must have happened nearby, judging by the scene, probably a homicide.
"Hello, I'm Inspector Ayanokoji Fumimaro from the Kyoto Prefectural Police First Division. May I ask if you've seen any suspicious individuals coming out of that apartment building?"
His sharply upturned eyes and peculiar eyebrow shape gave him the sly look of a fox.
'Suspicious? Officer, you're the most suspicious one here.'
"Sorry, officer, we're just tourists visiting Kyoto. We didn't notice anyone suspicious coming out of the building," Ritsu replied politely, then glanced at Akai. "Did you see anything?"
Shuichi Akai shook his head. "Unfortunately, I didn't."
Ayanokoji smiled. "Understood. Sorry to bother you."
As he turned around, Ritsu suddenly noticed a fluffy creature clinging to his back.
"Officer, on your shoulder—"
"Oh, you mean this chipmunk?" Ayanokoji gently stroked its head with his finger. "This is my best friend. Take care."
"…"
Best friend?
Ritsu and Akai exchanged glances, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes. A person whose best friend was a chipmunk… that was a bit… pitiful?
And bringing a pet to a crime scene? Was this inspector some kind of insider hire? He didn't exactly seem reliable.
"Let's go. If we stay any longer, we'll start looking like suspects."
"Yeah."
----
I update 5 chaps per day on p2reon and currently has 4 translation you can read. @Siamus404. The first 50 chapters will be free. Consider giving your support.
Bonus chapter every @20 PS