Chapter Ten: Gossip and Appointments

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In the director’s office of Tōtei University Hospital, the agent at the main gate—also the head of the medical referral agency where she works—Uncle Akira was currently pressing the cunning Director Hirama for payment...

“This time, thanks to your hospital, Officer Shiraishi’s severe injuries were perfectly healed, and your hospital’s reputation must have soared, right? Here’s the bill... As usual, once you accept this, no matter who asks, the surgery was done solely by your hospital!” Uncle Akira said as he handed over a bill for 100 million yen.

They often made such deals: Uncle Akira wanted money, the main gate demanded challenging surgeries, and the hospital gained prestige with special cases—after all, the main gate was just a “temp worker.” Whatever she did didn’t bring fame to the hospital; it often brought embarrassment. So the credit had to be given to others.

“Pfft... ahem, you’re blackmailing us, aren’t you? How many zeros is that? And what reputation? The police department now even suspects that we exaggerated the injuries from the start!” Director Hirama replied irritably.

Hirama was puzzled too—Shiraishi’s recovery was incredibly fast. No matter how skilled the main gate was, it wasn’t as if he was some walking dead or just flesh and bones.

“No, Director Hirama, as a hospital, you needn’t worry too much about the police or Ministry of Justice. Officer Shiraishi is a hero to the public. Your hospital’s ability to heal him has brought great fame among the people and to Tōtei Hospital!” Uncle Akira negotiated smoothly.

“Director Kamihara, this isn’t my decision. I won’t sign off on this. If you want to publicize Officer Shiraishi’s recovery, you do it yourselves! Of course, I’ll pay the usual overtime fees.” Hirama pushed the bill aside, refusing to be swayed.

On one hand, because Shiraishi’s injuries were external wounds—what use was the fame for that? It wasn’t cancer! Who among ordinary people or VIPs would suffer such injuries? From a surgical standpoint, such acclaim was meaningless.

On the other hand, the notion of a “public hero” was laughable. Without promotion, people would forget him in a few days, and no one would choose a hospital based on such “good reputation.”

More importantly, Shiraishi’s identity was still awkward. For nearly half a month, ever since his condition improved, all publicity about him had been toned down. Hirama, the old fox, understood—this was a sign from above that they intended to shelve him.

In short, Hirama didn’t think this was a “merit” worth the hospital’s boasting.

At that moment...

Knock, knock, knock—

Suddenly, a knock sounded on the door.

The secretary opened it and quickly informed Hirama, “Director, it’s Miss Suzuki.”

“Oh... please come in quickly,” Hirama said hastily.

The visitor was none other than the eldest daughter of the Suzuki Group—the heiress Ayako Suzuki.

“Miss Suzuki, this is...” Hirama was puzzled. The Suzuki Group had indeed scheduled a meeting, but he didn’t know the reason. He quickly stood up.

After all, the Suzuki Group was one of the top financial conglomerates in the country, and Ayako was the eldest daughter of its leaders. The new laboratory Hirama wanted to establish depended heavily on investment from the Suzuki Group.

No matter the reason Ayako had come to see him, Hirama was determined to accommodate her.

“Director Hirama, I have come to express my deepest gratitude to your hospital for saving Kuro—excuse me—Officer Shiraishi! I am truly very thankful!” Ayako bowed deeply, her face full of gratitude.

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“Eh? Ah, I mean... it’s our duty as Tōtei University Hospital...” Hirama began.

“Ahem, Miss Ayako, actually concerning Officer Shiraishi’s surgery...” Uncle Akira interrupted as he retracted the bill.

“Hm?” Ayako looked puzzled and asked, “Who are you?”

“Ah, ah, ah... he’s just... never mind!” Hirama said hurriedly as he tried to take back the bill. Seeing Uncle Akira unwilling to let go, Hirama discreetly made a gesture signaling “200 million.”

Two hundred million? Hmm...

Only then did Uncle Akira quietly release the bill and, with gentlemanly manner, said, “Nothing much. I just meant... Officer Shiraishi’s surgery was extremely difficult, and only Tōtei University Hospital has such a level... Well then, I’ll take my leave!”

After leaving, Uncle Akira was both happy and contemplative: Officer Shiraishi is connected to Ayako Suzuki? If I had known earlier... I would have asked for more!

...

Meanwhile, at the gate, Ayako Suzuki asked for Shiraishi Kuro, only to be told by the surprised main gate, “He’s already been discharged.”

“This is the director’s distinguished guest; show some manners...” Dr. Kaji, who had accompanied Ayako, scolded the main gate for being rude.

“Oh? It’s fine... thank you, in that case, nothing else,” Ayako said, clearly disappointed.

Her disappointment wasn’t about not meeting Shiraishi, but rather that she hadn’t even been informed about his discharge.

After Ayako left, the main gate gossiped eagerly with Kaji, “Hey, that’s a rich lady, right? Looks like she has some history with Shiraishi Kuro?”

“Quiet! Don’t be so nosy... But I heard Miss Suzuki had tried several times to visit Officer Shiraishi, but he kept avoiding her...” Kaji whispered gossipingly.

...

At the same time, nominally, Director Hakuba was to commend Shiraishi Kuro. After leaving the hospital, Shiraishi donned a new uniform and went to the Metropolitan Police Department building.

“Officer Shiraishi!”

“Thank you for your hard work...”

“Inspector Shiraishi... no, Police Superintendent Shiraishi!”

...

Upon entering the building, many people greeted Shiraishi—his physique was unforgettable at a glance!

Of course, there were also many who pretended not to see him, bowing their heads or turning away.

Overall, those who greeted Shiraishi were mostly frontline officers, inspectors and below. Those who avoided him were office clerks.

Everyone could see clearly that Police Superintendent Shiraishi’s path would not be smooth.

Though his promotion seemed fast now, he would likely be distanced from the police core in the future, even resented by big shots.

Nonetheless, for the majority of frontline officers classified as “non-professional,” even becoming a Police Superintendent was a distant dream.

Even for the “quasi-professional” group, reaching this rank was difficult; only the “professional” group could take it lightly.

Shiraishi ignored the differing attitudes and smiled politely at officers who greeted him, then proceeded to the director’s office.

Knock, knock, knock—

After knocking, there was no response from inside.

“Hm?” Shiraishi was puzzled—wasn’t this the scheduled time? Why wasn’t Director Hakuba there?

Since he heard no breathing inside, Shiraishi opened the door to take a look—it was a relief that the director wasn’t dead.

The room was indeed empty.

Frowning, Shiraishi entered and then noticed a transfer order placed on the director’s desk, facing outward—clearly for him to see.

It was indeed the transfer order for Police Superintendent Shiraishi!

Appointing him as...

Chief of the Mihana Town Police Station, Eleventh Department Headquarters, Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department!

————

Note: The hospital characters are inspired by the Japanese drama “Doctor-X,” serving only as a reference. Knowing that “Izumi Odagiri” is a surgeon who “never fails” is sufficient.