Chapter 58
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: The Faltering Super Sleuth (2)
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Waxed and stylishly spiked brown hair.
Sharp jawline and piercing eyes.
The habit of constantly brushing back his hair with a silver comb and scrutinizing himself in the mirror.
"I'm just too handsome for my own good, seriously."
And the cocky tone, brimming with unwavering confidence in everything he did.
These were the hallmarks of Shiratori Makoto's appearance, one of the protagonists in Alice in the Multicolored Garden.
His name was Shiratori Makoto.
Born the son of a Metropolitan Police executive, he'd been immersed in detective stories and spy thrillers since childhood. By the original story's timeline, he'd already risen as a high school special investigator, his brilliance in deduction, analysis, and keen observation—evident from a young age—earning him fame across countless cases.
He'd enrolled at the protagonist's school during the original timeline as part of an undercover op to uncover leads on the massive organization known as the Prophets.
And now, the elementary school-aged Shiratori Makoto...
"Makoto, there's no need to be so tense. Understand? I know you're a brilliant and talented boy, but it tears my heart out that we have no choice but to send you on such a dangerous mission."
"Don't worry, Father. I'll see this undercover mission through safely, staking the honor of the Shiratori name."
Was being mobilized for an undercover mission to uncover leads on the Prophets.
Shiratori Makoto was smart, sure—but he was still just an elementary schooler.
So when word got out that he would go undercover, the investigation team erupted in backlash. It was especially fierce from those with kids around his age.
"Dragging an elementary schooler into an investigation? Isn't that way too dangerous? Better to send one of our own investigators disguised as a teacher..."
"Exactly. If this Iwamoto Serika girl is really tangled up with some secret organization—and if she's a ruthless killer pulling off their dirty missions—your son will get dragged right into the crossfire."
But the Metropolitan Police executive officially heading the investigation shot back with flashing eyes, brushing off the team's pleas.
"Serika's school is a pricey private academy. Disguise someone as a teacher, and you'll draw suspicion. The investigation's difficulty shoots through the roof. You all confident you can prep private-school-level lesson plans and run surveillance?"
Everyone blinked and looked away at the executive's question. Serika's school was top-tier. Even at the elementary level, flawlessly handling their curriculum while tailing her was no small feat.
Not to mention, getting individual parental consent was impossible, and the school would balk at hosting undercover cops. If it leaked later, the fallout for them would be massive.
"But what if my son, Shiratori Makoto-kun, transfers in temporarily? No lesson prep needed—he's a certified genius, so the classes won't faze him. And if he befriends Serika personally, it could open doors for our team to search Iwamoto Industry's home directly."
It was a risky gambit, no doubt. But starting with Iwamoto Industry and its circle, nothing beat it. The executive scanned the room sternly and pressed on.
"Any other ideas? As parents of a classmate, chatting up Iwamoto Yoshio directly becomes a breeze. I don't see a better angle than this."
The boss himself had pitched it. And no sharper ideas surfaced. The op's complexity was insane from the jump—the target was an underworld heavyweight. One slip, and they'd scrub every trace and ghost.
Just one shot at this.
Everyone had families. The chief floated the plan first—who'd counter in a spot like this?
Failure wouldn't just tank the case; lives hung in the balance. Courage didn't come cheap. They sneaked glances around, until the two who'd griped loudest about using a kid locked eyes.
They shook their heads like, you say something—then stalled in perfect bro-sync, elder-younger-you-first looping endlessly. The executive clocked the mute standoff but cleared his throat and wrapped it up.
"Alright, no objections, then. Our team's op includes my son, 'Shiratori Makoto.' Obviously, nothing good comes from this leaking publicly. Keep it airtight."
Vacation was short. Prep had to wrap before classes resumed. Pulling strings, they smoothed his enrollment naturally. Team picked one "mom" and one "dad."
They rented a mansion near Minato Ward as HQ—the bill footed by the executive's wallet.
"This place ain't cheap, right? Even for the case?"
"Heard HQ'll reimburse if we nail results. Pray the Special Division Chief's nest egg holds."
"Our chief's way too gung-ho about this stuff."
The "dad" investigator shrugged from the "mom" role.
"Undercover means doing it right. Shabby digs at a rich-kid school? Instant red flags."
"Dad" looked abashed. To break the ice, he eyed the front door.
"I'll check if Makoto's here. Due any second. Forgot—we just set the code."
Door swung open mid-sentence. Numeric lock popping itself drew a blink from "Dad."
There stood Makoto, head wagging dramatically in some quirky pose.
"Phew—for a genius like me, cracking a numeric lock's child's play. Outdated junk. Four digits? In a world crawling with ability users, old key locks actually beef up security more."
Makoto snapped his fingers—spark.
Makoto's power: electrical current manipulation.
Inject current into circuits to hijack machines, or fry foes with killer sparks. Sky-high utility and lethality—he was even slated to register at a Prophets-run facility soon.
"Mom" and "Dad" both went wide-eyed. Awkward first meets calling strangers parents? This kid was next-level eccentric. Hands jammed in pockets, Makoto drawled:
"Right? Mom? Dad?"
That faux-perceptive squint and smirk sparked a forehead-flick urge in "Dad." Boss's kid, though—plus, bond-building time. He reined it in.
"Yeah. In you go before prying eyes, son."
"Mom" had been tweaking the system nonstop. Living room: pristine cover. Master bedroom: instant-report gear. Study: evidence and files sorted.
"Whoa..."
Makoto's smug grin cracked on entry—eyes lit up like a kid hitting Disneyland, peeking at gadgets and study, fidgeting on his toes. "Dad" chuckled.
"First time boots-on-ground at a real investigation site?"
Makoto froze solid, then hair-flip, smirk up.
"Hmph—you know who I am? Son of the Metropolitan Police Special Division Chief. Shiratori family pride. Shiratori Makoto. I've prowled HQs like my backyard. Totally unfazed."
"Oh? Was gonna show you around."
Makoto's brow twitched. Rigid pause, eyes flickering—then "Dad" turning to go snapped him.
"...Well, if Dad insists on the tour..."
"Dad" grinned wide. Closer than expected, fast. From the other room, "Mom" smiled post-tests.
Living room chatter drifted:
"Whoa, what? You're a Bangya Bangya Man fan too? Digging this? Kids are all over it lately."
"Nah, not a fan. Bought it to bone up on trends. Research, y'know."