Since Kitsutachibana Aoto took office, he has been solely responsible for 11 cases over a total period of six months.
Among these 11 cases, there were major cases like murder and theft, as well as some easier ones, but no matter what kind of case it was, it made no difference to Kitsutachibana Aoto—he couldn’t solve a single one of them…
It would have been fine if he just couldn’t solve the cases, but the worst part was that he caused a lot of embarrassing incidents…
For example—
When investigating a murder case, he mixed up the victims’ genders and causes of death…
When investigating a theft case, he accidentally damaged items at the scene, leaving the crime scene completely disfigured…
Even when investigating relatively simple cases like “boss suspected of abusing employees,” he could still create a pile of problems.
No matter what the case, in the end, others had to clean up Kitsutachibana Aoto’s mess.
The Tojo Group, which was in competition with the Arima Group, seeing that the Arima Group had gained such a “high-quality man,” naturally wouldn’t miss the chance to kick them while they were down.
Thus, the Doshins of the Tojo Group gave Kitsutachibana Aoto a derogatory nickname: the foolish “Detarame-to.”
This nickname initially spread only within the Tojo Group.
But gradually, with the Tojo Group’s deliberate efforts, the nickname spread wider and wider.
By now, this nickname has basically spread throughout the entire North Precinct.
Almost everyone in the North Precinct knew that the Regular Town Patrol’s Arima Group had a big fool with the nickname “Detarame-to.”
Because Kitsutachibana Aoto was truly too incompetent, causing Usui to repeatedly suffer criticism due to the absurdities Kitsutachibana Aoto caused, even Usui didn’t think highly of Kitsutachibana Aoto, which is why when Usui was just speaking to Aoto, a hint of annoyance was constantly flickering in his eyes.
But fortunately—no matter how others mocked Kitsutachibana Aoto, the people of the Arima Group always remained united.
Whether it was Arima, Inotani, or Ushiyama, none of them ever looked at their junior with prejudice; instead, they continuously offered him help, teaching Kitsutachibana Aoto how to handle paperwork, how to deal with various cases, and trying to help Kitsutachibana Aoto shed the derogatory label of “Detarame-to.”
After Aoto respectfully said, “This subordinate understands…,” Usui gave a few more instructions to everyone in the room regarding “Ii Tairo’s assessment.”
It was only after a short while, with a hint of fatigue appearing between his brows, that he waved his hand at everyone.
“Alright, I’ve said everything that needs to be said.”
“Dismissed!
Everyone go back to your own business!”
“I wish you all good luck!”
“In one and a half months, I hope to see that none of the ‘San Kai’ of my North Precinct have been humiliatingly stripped of their official positions!”
As he uttered this sentence, Usui specifically glanced at Aoto again…
And just as everyone in the room was getting up in twos and threes, preparing to leave, Arima suddenly tilted his head slightly to the side and whispered to Aoto, Zhu, and Niu behind him:
“After the meeting, everyone, please come back to my office first.”
…
North Precinct, Arima’s office—
“…Tachibana-kun.
Although the Constable’s words just now were a bit harsh, he was also thinking of you…”
After the Arima Group returned to Arima’s office at his request, Arima immediately sat down behind the desk and began to awkwardly offer comfort to Aoto.
He must have thought that the words the Constable had just said to Aoto in front of everyone might severely hurt Aoto’s self-esteem, so he racked his brain to come up with words to comfort Aoto.
But in reality, after being reprimanded by Usui in such a way, Aoto didn’t feel his self-esteem was damaged or anything.
He just felt… extremely depressed!
—How many more burdens do I have to carry?!
After being targeted by the Anti-Foreign Faction, having his money bag targeted by the Yakuzas, and being reprimanded by his relatives and friends for concealing the Anti-Foreign Faction’s attack, a new burden called “Detarame-to” was now placed on Aoto’s back…
Since his transmigration, in this period of less than three full days, Aoto has either been bearing burdens or on his way to bearing burdens…
One wave had not yet subsided, and another rose.
The Anti-Foreign Faction, the Yakuzas… these two big troubles hadn’t even been resolved yet, and a new one popped up.
The assessment organized by Ii Tairo in one and a half months… the urgency and seriousness of this new trouble were not much lower than the Anti-Foreign Faction targeting his head.
A penny can stump a hero—this is an eternal truth.
If he were to be kicked out of the San Kai of the North Precinct, it would mean that Aoto’s family’s only source of income would be cut off.
It was very difficult for samurai to find work; many positions were unwilling to hire samurai.
In fact, a considerable number of jobs strictly prohibited samurai from participating.
If you wanted to go to a construction site to move bricks or wood, the foreman might not even bother with you.
The class divide meant that in the eyes of most commoners, samurai were a bunch of troublesome lords, and they would rather leave hands idle than hire samurai.
If Aoto were truly kicked out of the North Precinct, then at that time, let alone repaying the Shimizu Clan’s money, daily living expenses would become a huge problem.
Before the Anti-Foreign Faction came for his head or the Shimizu Clan came to harass them, he and Kyubei would probably starve to death at home…
One thorny problem after another came knocking… making Aoto want to escape reality…
“…Arima, don’t worry.” After Arima’s words of comfort fell, Aoto, standing shoulder to shoulder with Inotani and Ushiyama, slightly suppressed the depression in his heart and forced a smile at Arima, “I’m not so fragile as to be greatly affected and disheartened by such a small matter.”
Seeing Aoto say this, a look of relief appeared on Arima’s face.
After saying a few more comforting words to Aoto, Arima gradually stopped his comforting words and, straightening his face, said seriously:
“You all heard clearly what the Constable said in the meeting just now, didn’t you?”
“I won’t say any more official or polite words to you.”
“In short—for the next one and a half months, everyone, work hard.”
Arima’s gaze swept over the faces of Aoto, Inotani, and Ushiyama, examining each one carefully.
“There’s still enough time, plenty of time to prepare.”
“As long as we work together and help each other, then passing Ii Tairo’s assessment together won’t be a particularly difficult thing.”
At this point, Arima specifically focused more of his gaze on Aoto.
Aoto, Inotani, Ushiyama: “Yes!”
“Tachibana-kun.” Arima then turned his gaze back to Aoto, “Regarding you being targeted by the Anti-Foreign Faction, I will report this matter to the Constable later and discuss with him how to handle it.”
“For a period of time from now on, you must remember to avoid walking alone at night and going to places with few people.”
“And then…”
Arima paused.
“…Don’t do such a foolish thing as ‘concealing without reporting’ again.”
“At a time when the Anti-Foreign Faction is becoming increasingly rampant, it is correct to report relevant information about the Anti-Foreign Faction that attacked you as soon as possible, having encountered their attacks twice.”
Arima’s slightly furrowed brow relaxed a little.
“If anything happens to you, we wouldn’t have the face to meet Takashi after a hundred years.”
Aoto: “Yes…”
Arima waved his hand: “Inotani, Ushiyama, you two stay.
Tachibana-kun, you go ahead and perform your patrol duty for today.”
Seeing that Arima only asked him to leave, while letting Inotani and Ushiyama stay, Aoto was stunned.
“…Yes.” After thoughtfully looking at Inotani and Ushiyama standing on his left and right, Aoto bowed slightly to his superior in front of him and then quickly left Arima’s office.
After Aoto stepped out of the room and confirmed that he had completely left, Arima immediately raised his owl-like gaze and fixed it on Inotani and Ushiyama.
“I don’t need to tell you, you two should know why I asked you to stay, right?”
“…About Tachibana’s assessment, and the Anti-Foreign Faction’s attack on Tachibana, right?” Ushiyama said lightly.
Arima nodded: “What the Constable just said… was completely correct.”
********
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