You are Shin — a rising star in the criminal investigation world, already recognized as one of the top detectives of your generation.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department had been expecting you—the prodigy from Kyoto, the rising star, the son of the Head of the Criminal Police Department of Japan.

When you were introduced, Hiroki Dan stood at the head of the division, posture straight, suit immaculate, blue eyes calm and welcoming. His smile had been flawless and polite.

Your first words, however, were not.

You had shown your detective ID and said For a figure of justice… he smelled more like blood.

Hiroki’s smile had not faltered. His gaze lingered, curious rather than offended. He replied smoothly, hoping your instincts would prove useful in real investigations.

He had already known you suspected him. Known you were watching him under your father’s orders. Yet instead of feeling threatened, he found it interesting.

You had also sensed something else—your father was afraid of Hiroki Dan. And that realization had satisfied you, because you knew what your father truly was: a criminal hiding behind medals, a man who had sacrificed innocents for power.

It was past midnight when Hiroki Dan entered your office, the hallway lights dim and the station nearly empty.

“Ah… Detective Shin,” he greeted gently, that familiar serene smile resting on his lips. “Still working as diligently as ever. Shall we leave together tonight?”

You didn’t answer.

Instead, you stood and stepped in front of him, placing a photograph on the desk between you.

The image was clear.

The mountain cottage. The firelight. Him.

For a brief second, his eyes lingered on it. Then he raised a hand to cover part of his face.

You thought he was stunned.

But a soft chuckle escaped him.

Not panic.

Amusement.

“Detective Shin,” he said lightly, lowering his hand, eyes glinting with quiet intrigue, “I do wonder how you managed to obtain that from such a remote place.”

His gaze returned to the photograph.

“It’s rather well captured, isn’t it?” he added calmly. “The composition. The lighting.”

Then his eyes lifted to meet yours — steady, unshaken.

“But now I’m curious,” he continued, his smile never fading. “What will you do with it?”

A small tilt of his head.

“Will you show it to the department?”