Watanabe Shunichi yelled, and everyone's attention shifted.

Fushimi Roku grabbed the spatula, leaned back, and poked his head out from the kitchen, just in time to see Watanabe Shun opening the door.

"Excuse me..."

The woman outside seemed to have heard Watanabe Shun's shout, unsure of the situation, she stood outside the door, bowing slightly, her face carrying some awkwardness.

"Oh! Sawa-san, it's you!" Watanabe Shun recognized the guest.

Fushimi Roku, a long-time miner, still hadn't familiarized himself with all his colleagues at the Nakagawara Police Station. It's not that his memory is bad, but he's never paid attention; everyone to him is just background.

"Who is it?" He put down the spatula, took off his apron, and carried the freshly cooked oden to get a front-row seat.

Hmm, looks in her thirties or forties, about the same age as Kazama Tatsuya, but clearly better maintained than Kazama Tatsuya, at least her hair hasn't turned white, and her figure is still intact.

"She's the same batch as the boss, previously worked in the same building, but Sawa-san was in Criminal Section 1 while I and the boss were in Section 2... Sawa-san, come in, please!"

Watanabe Shun led the guest in while introducing her, as everyone on the couch sized her up, like they were looking at a giant panda.

She looked average, not a big beauty, her only distinguishing feature being a high nose bridge, wearing rimless glasses, looking very professional.

Moreover, her body proportions were excellent, with wrists that reached her hips, standing around the same height as Watanabe Shun, maybe a bit taller without accounting for Watanabe Shun's quiff hairstyle.

"Uh, hello everyone, I'm Kudou Sawa, pleased to meet you..." She felt a bit uneasy, sensing that this gathering was different from what she imagined.

"Don't be so formal," Kazama Tatsuya offered her a seat, saying, "Have a seat, this isn't a social affair, just a private gathering."

Then Kazama Tatsuya introduced each person: "This is Tamako whom I've mentioned to you, that's the director of the Nakagawara Police Station, and the chef is..."

"Ah, I've heard of you!" Kudou Sawa covered her mouth in surprise, "Are you Fushimi-kun from the Nakagawara Police Station?"

Minamoto Tamako turned her head sharply, looking at Fushimi Roku, wondering when this guy became so famous.

Dammit, she hadn't even become the famous detective and police chief yet!

Fushimi Roku was equally surprised, thinking perhaps he had solved so many cases that he'd gained some fame in the Police Department?

Thinking about it, the younger folks at the station had revered him quite a bit, and among the lower rank patrol police, his name carried some weight...

"How did you hear about it?" Watanabe Shun asked whatever came to mind.

Kudou Sawa was taken aback, then her face showed even more embarrassment, unsure of what to say for a moment.

Moriyama Yasurou answered for her: "Because Fushimi-kun is the Police Department's number one absentee, everyone knows now."

"..."

Everyone's expressions varied; Minamoto Tamako's first reaction was deep empathy, Fushimi was indeed very lazy; Kazama Tatsuya looked scornful, he had always considered Fushimi Roku as the shame of the Police Department; only Watanabe Shun looked envious, saying, "Hey, that sounds great, any tips?"

"What's so great!" Kazama Tatsuya slapped Watanabe Shun's head from behind.

Watanabe Shun rubbed his head, unbothered, planning to ask for advice from Fushimi-kun later. For now, the most important thing was the matter of the boss and Sawa-san.

He showed a slightly ingratiating grin, "Hehe, Sawa-san, long time no see, did you miss the boss…"

Kazama Tatsuya kicked him off the couch again.

Kudou Sawa was clearly used to it, knowing what kind of person Watanabe Shun was, she didn't mind, and took the initiative to chat with Kazama Tatsuya about recent happenings.

Kazama Tatsuya briefly mentioned recent events, skipping over the Cat Island incident and the post-trauma stress issues.

Everyone listened quietly, falling into silence.

"Why... is everyone so quiet?" Kudou Sawa started to feel like sitting on pins and needles.

It was understandable for others who she didn't know and maybe weren't chatty, but how could even Watanabe Shun be so silent?

"Boss, about that…"

Watanabe Shun wanted to bring up Cat Island, thinking it was the most important experience. Kazama Tatsuya avoiding the topic made him feel the boss hadn't let go of it.

He mentioned his daughter's arm cutting incident but not Cat Island; it seemed to weigh heavily on him.

"What's the matter?" Kazama Tatsuya glared, signaling him not to talk nonsense.

"We've known Sawa-san for so many years, I think nothing's off-limits to discuss, besides..."

Watanabe Shun was interrupted by Moriyama Yasurou before he could finish: "Enough, stop talking nonsense."

Kudou Sawa felt very puzzled; looking around, she sensed an unseen barrier between her and everyone.

"What's going on?" She couldn't help but ask, "What's the matter, actually?"

Watanabe Shun was known for speaking whatever he thought, just as Fushimi Roku often used to ask him for news.

Now that Sawa-san was asking, he'd definitely answer, even if Kazama Tatsuya glared at him murderously.

"It's just that there was a kidnapping incident a while back; we were all taken to a very isolated island..."

Watanabe Shun exaggeratedly narrated.

Moriyama Yasurou used his eyes to question Fushimi Roku why he wasn't stopping this guy from babbling. Fushimi Roku focused on flipping barbecue, pretending not to hear anything.

There was no longer any need for secrecy; once Minamoto Tamako returned, she had spilled the beans.

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