My Boss, A Clear And Perfect Beauty Who's An Elite Police Bureaucrat, Turns Out To Be My Sweet And Doting Childhood Friend Who Loves Me Dearly At Home. - Chapter 52

The Future of the Two

Several days later, Shinichi was discharged from the hospital. His reputation within the police force seemed to have improved, as he had risked his life to save a female police officer who had been kidnapped.

As a result, he had also succeeded in securing the criminal.

This would likely work in his favor for promotion to Assistant Inspector. For non-career police officers (so-called “non-career”), the youngest age for promotion to Assistant Inspector is 28.

In fact, that was what Shinichi had been aiming for.

If realized, Shinichi could be assigned to the First Investigative Division at headquarters or move to a career track in public safety, opening various paths for him. Reaching the peak of non-career police officers as a Superintendent or even as a Director-General was not an impossible dream.

Those around him also expected this of him.

Kana would say, “My senior can definitely do it!” with sparkling eyes, and the section chief would tease him, saying, “You’ll be the future head of the First Investigative Division, won’t you?”

Recently, Shinichi had become particularly interested in advancement, following his reunion with Maho. He thought he needed to become more prominent to support Maho and to be a match for her.

However… Maho’s position had become quite precarious.

It seems Maho was kidnapped while conducting on-site verification at a bank where a cash transport vehicle had been robbed.

The reason for the kidnapping was that a part of the group of criminals had returned to the scene, and Maho was taken hostage during the encounter.

The fact that there weren’t many detectives around Maho while so many others were busy also contributed to the cause.

Though a victim, the incident was seen as a blunder on her part. In an organization that generally follows a demerit system, the superintendent of the Metropolitan Police Department’s First Investigative Division being kidnapped during an investigation would likely be a significant handicap in the future.

Maho was scheduled to be transferred from her position as superintendent of the First Investigative Division to the National Police Agency Commissioner’s Secretariat, a standby post without specific duties, which highly indicates that she might be off the career track.

Worried about Maho’s feelings, Shinichi couldn’t help but be concerned.

It was in such a state that Shinichi visited Maho’s apartment. It was past noon on a Saturday.

He had informed Maho in advance.

When he pressed the intercom, Maho came out immediately.

“Hi there. Shinichi, thank you for coming.”

Maho said that, showing a bright smile. She was in casual home clothes, stylishly draped with a cardigan, looking very charming.

While exuding her usual cool aura, she also had a feminine and cute air about her. Additionally, despite it being winter, she was wearing shorts, her white legs dazzling to the eye.

As Shinichi admired Maho, she smiled a bit shyly.

“That casual outfit really suits you.”

Before being asked, Shinichi spoke. Maho blushed, looking a bit embarrassed.

“Thank you. If we live together, you could see me in my home clothes every day. What do you think?”

“That’s tempting.”

Shinichi said jokingly, and Maho chuckled.

Yes.

Shinichi had come to talk about room-sharing with Maho.

He should start with the conclusion.

As Shinichi opened his mouth to speak, Maho placed her index finger on his lips.

The touch of Maho’s thin, white finger made Shinichi’s heart skip a beat.

Then, Maho quickly removed her finger.

“First, come on in. I’ll make dinner for you.”

“Maho’s home cooking?”

“Are you happy?”

“Of course.”

Shinichi smiled, and Maho nodded happily in response.

The two walked down the hallway. As the homeowner, Maho naturally led the way, her feminine figure right in front of him.

Shinichi couldn’t help but notice her slender white legs and rounded hips, which made him feel guilty.

If he lived alone with Maho, he might end up being conscious of Maho as a woman every day.

(I’m probably the only one thinking such embarrassing thoughts…)

Shinichi worried about what would happen if Maho knew what he was thinking.

At that moment, Maho suddenly stopped and stared intently at her right index finger.

“Maho? What’s wrong?”

“No… um, this finger just covered Shinichi’s lips, right?”

“? Yeah, it did.”

Without saying anything, Maho brought her index finger to her lips and licked it.

The seductive gesture startled Shinichi.

Then, Maho turned to Shinichi with a coy smile.

“I felt like I could taste Shinichi.”

“So, that’s how it is…”

“Indirect kiss, right?”

A normal indirect kiss might be from sharing a drink, but licking the finger that covered someone’s lips felt like a more sensitive act.

“Maybe, but Maho, you’re unexpectedly…”

“A pervert, perhaps?”

“No, I’m not one to talk…”

Shinichi muttered and then realized he had made a mistake. This was as good as confessing he had been thinking about sexual things.

As expected, Maho made a slightly pleased face.

“Hey, what were you thinking about?”

Maho asked, hands clasped behind her back, looking up at Shinichi with puppy eyes.