Chapter Thirteen: The Police Station

The Mihana Town Police Station was quite large—truly befitting a major precinct (imaginary illustration included). At this moment, Kuro Shiraishi was already in the chief’s office, meeting the outgoing chief, Ebiwara Toru, to begin the handover.

“Hahaha, Chief Shiraishi, just as the rumors said, you’re really towering in stature...” Ebiwara greeted Kuro warmly, clearly in high spirits. After all...

Anyone would be in a good mood with retirement just two months away!

“I’ve reviewed your record, Chief Shiraishi. Although you haven’t actually held a management position before, there’s no need to worry. Running a precinct—especially one here in the capital—isn’t tougher than passing the detective exam. If anything feels unfamiliar these next two months, feel free to ask me anything.”

The handover between Ebiwara and Shiraishi wasn’t a quick affair—it would last a full two months.

Firstly, because although Shiraishi was promoted exceptionally, he still had to pass the formal police rank exams. The police department had already signed him up for the October “Inspector Exam” and, upon passing, he’d be automatically registered for the “Chief Inspector Exam” the following month. Only after these two months would Shiraishi officially become a Chief Inspector.

Secondly, Ebiwara himself was turning sixty in two months and planned to retire in December.

Normally, Shiraishi could have taken leave or remained in his current position without immediate relocation, but the urgency of his appointment was evidently so Ebiwara could personally mentor him.

As Ebiwara mentioned, Shiraishi had previously only served as a section chief of the Third Division, Fourth Section—leading just seven detectives—more of a team leader among frontline officers than an actual manager.

Now, after jumping two ranks, though he hadn’t been assigned directly to the Metropolitan Police Department or transferred to a management role there, he was suddenly responsible for a large station with over five hundred personnel—a vastly different scale from his prior duties.

“Well then, I’m counting on you, Chief Ebiwara. I’m sure there’s a lot I don’t understand yet,” Shiraishi said earnestly.

Seeing this, Ebiwara visibly relaxed. He had worried that Shiraishi might resent being assigned to a precinct and perhaps even quit.

Indeed, precincts within the capital rarely handle major cases—serious crimes would immediately summon the First Investigations Division.

But if the chief were to quit, public safety in the jurisdiction would inevitably deteriorate.

Ebiwara proceeded to explain the chief’s regular responsibilities and the precinct’s basic structure to Shiraishi—not just in words but by personally touring him around the station building.

Across all prefectures in Japan, police headquarters are established, with the capital’s police headquarters known as the Metropolitan Police Department. Mihana Police Station in the capital’s minato ward falls under the Metropolitan Police Department but is further overseen by the Eleventh Regional Headquarters.

Within the Metropolitan Police Department are departments such as the Administrative Division, Security Division, Criminal Investigation Division, Organized Crime Division, Traffic Safety Division, Community Safety Division, and General Affairs Division—numerous specialized units.

Most of these have corresponding sections within the precinct: Administrative Section, Security Section, Criminal Section, Organized Crime Section, Traffic Section, and so forth.

Generally, the roles are similar but scaled down by one level. There are differences too: for example, the Public Security Section does not exist within precincts, and while the Metropolitan Police’s Juvenile Section falls under the Community Safety Division, the precinct’s Juvenile Section operates independently of its Community Safety Section.

Additionally, as a grassroots precinct, Mihana maintains a large force of patrol officers stationed across various kobans (substations). These are the foundational units ensuring public order within the jurisdiction.

With over five hundred personnel, Mihana Police Station oversees seventeen kobans, with roughly 110 patrol officers on duty daily, rotating with station officers. Each koban is typically led by a patrol chief or sergeant, accompanied by several patrol officers of similar rank. They work in shifts of two to three, routinely patrolling, answering calls, and providing basic assistance such as directions and inquiries to residents.

Shiraishi hadn’t yet seen these patrol officers.

Ebiwara had, however, arranged a large morning assembly for the next day to introduce the new chief to the entire precinct.

Among the internal divisions, the most serious—and the one Shiraishi was most concerned about—was naturally the Criminal Section. Even as a large precinct, the Criminal Section’s size paled in comparison to the First Investigations Division.

Typically, heinous crimes like homicides within the capital are handled directly by the First Investigations Division; precinct detectives serve in a supportive capacity. Recently, the Criminal Section had been particularly busy because their new section chief came from the First Investigations Division and was eager to independently investigate homicide cases within the precinct.

The greatest disparity among departments was the Riot Police Unit—armed officers.

The capital boasts over three thousand riot police, almost all directly under the Metropolitan Police Department’s control, since situations requiring the Riot Police are beyond a precinct’s capability.

In the past year, more than half of the Riot Police’s assignments were lent out to the Second Investigations Division’s Intelligent Crime Investigation Unit, protecting various artworks, trailing the elusive Kid, and at times even being subjected to tranquilizer darts.

Though Mihana is a large precinct, it has only a couple dozen riot police on hand for emergencies. Smaller precincts lack their own riot police entirely.

Ebiwara led Shiraishi through each department, introducing him to the heads, who all quickly recognized the towering new chief—once seen, Shiraishi’s imposing stature was unforgettable.

Entering the office, Shiraishi had to duck and stoop slightly, almost as if squeezing through the doorway.

Ebiwara had suggested holding a meeting to introduce Shiraishi to everyone, but the new chief declined, saying he didn’t yet know the overall situation and preferred to visit each workplace personally.

“In the coming days, we’ll hold morning assemblies to meet all precinct officers. Oh, and the two deputy chiefs should have returned by now,” Ebiwara added, leading Shiraishi back to the office.

Shiraishi intended to sit on a nearby sofa but was promptly pulled to the chief’s desk chair and firmly seated. Ebiwara strained to raise his old arm just to pat Shiraishi on the shoulder.

“The heavy responsibility of the chief now rests on your shoulders... no running away!” Ebiwara declared.

The swivel chair creaked under the sudden weight.

“Ahem, I’ll have the Administrative Section order a sturdier chair soon,” Ebiwara said awkwardly.

As Shiraishi settled into the chair, an unexpected notification popped up:

[Detected host assuming management position. Initiating training rewards! Host can now view subordinates’ capability ratings and potential. Accuracy depends on host’s mental acuity, insight, and related skills. Properly assigning tasks will develop subordinates’ abilities. When overall ratings increase or promotions occur, additional points will be awarded.]

Shiraishi was pleasantly surprised by this unexpected bonus.

Just then, the two deputy chiefs returned—not because they had just started work. Deputy Chief Murasaki had been leading riot police training, while Deputy Chief Aikawa spent the morning at the Metropolitan Police Department handling administrative and financial matters.