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 62

Section Chief Saginuma

(I wonder if Maho is doing okay. I’m worried…)

During his lunch break, Shinichi sat at his desk in the police station and thought of Maho. Lately, he found his thoughts constantly drifting to her.

Even though he would go home to Maho, the feeling of love was something scary, he thought to himself with a wry smile.

In other words, he was head over heels in love.

(I finally won Maho’s affection after eight years, so it’s natural for my feelings to be intense.)

Especially today, as Maho was returning to full-time work, he was even more concerned. Still, he believed that smart Maho, who could handle anything flawlessly, would do well in the Inspection Office, even without his worries.

As he was lost in thought, someone tapped him on the shoulder from behind. Turning around, he saw a young female detective.

It was Assistant Inspector Saginuma Kotone, Section Chief of the Theft Division. At just 29 years old, she was a detective who had made significant strides in her career and was tall and beautiful like a model.

With her straightforward and capable demeanor, she looked great in her short hair and pantsuit. Her facial features were as perfect as an actress’s, but she had a friendly and charming atmosphere about her.

Being single, she didn’t wear a wedding ring.

She was popular among both male and female police officers. To Shinichi, as the Section Chief of the neighboring division, she was someone he often collaborated with on official business.

She winked with one eye and chuckled.

“Harabashi-kun, do you have a moment?”

“Yes, no problem.”

As Shinichi started to stand up, Section Chief Saginuma laughed and gestured for him to stay seated.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. It’s nothing serious, so just stay as you are. Oh, and don’t say, ‘If it’s nothing serious, don’t take up my time.’ I know you’re not that kind of person.”

She always spoke quickly, Shinichi thought.

“Of course, I’m always happy to listen to Section Chief Saginuma.”

Shinichi chuckled, and Section Chief Saginuma dramatically spread her hands.

“That’s great to hear! I wanted to ask you about the recent rescue of Inspector Akinaga. You played a significant role, didn’t you?”

Hearing Maho’s name, Shinichi’s internal alarms went off. What did the Section Chief want to ask?

“I wouldn’t say I played a significant role, but if it can serve as a reference for something…”

“Well, it’s a reference, I guess. To be honest, you’re popular, aren’t you?”

“I really don’t think so…”

“Come on, there are plenty of girls in the station who are interested in you. And I wanted to know about your relationship with Inspector Akinaga. I heard you were childhood friends.”

He hadn’t managed to keep his childhood friendship with Maho a secret. After all, he had told Kana without asking her to keep it confidential.

Of course, he didn’t think Kana had spread it around, but since he had been hospitalized in a police-related hospital, maybe the information leaked from there.

After all, it was a major incident when a police officer was kidnapped, and his colleague was stabbed. It might have been revealed during the investigation that they were childhood friends, leading to the rumors.

In any case, he needed to answer cautiously.

He didn’t intend to openly say that he was living with Maho just yet.

“Yes, we’re childhood friends.”

“Ah, I thought so. Sorry for prying into your private life. I was just curious because there’s been a lot of talk. It piqued my interest too.”

Section Chief Saginuma chuckled. While it’s true that everyone loves gossip, Shinichi thought that she didn’t ask out of mere curiosity.

No, she might have been curious, but that wasn’t the entire reason.

In essence, this was a roundabout warning.

Hiding the fact that he was close to a female career bureaucrat could be seen as a negative by some officers.

Since there were rumors, Section Chief Saginuma was suggesting he should take some action.

Once it’s out, there’s no point in hiding it. The more he hides, the more he invites strange speculations, leading to rumors.

Then it’s better for Shinichi to declare their childhood friendship proactively. Maho herself didn’t seem to care much about it and had clearly stated their relationship in front of Kana, so there was no need to tiptoe around her feelings.

“Thank you for telling me about the rumors.”

Section Chief Saginuma seemed pleased with Shinichi’s response.

“You’re smart, as I expected. You could even become the first non-career Head of the Criminal Investigation Department at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department!”

She said teasingly. Shinichi shrugged his shoulders.

“That’s an exaggeration. But Section Chief Saginuma, you’re the one who’s really getting ahead.”

Section Chief Saginuma was undeniably a brilliant detective, strong in rank promotion exams.

In terms of investigative abilities, character, intellect, appearance, and martial arts… she was impeccable in every aspect.

If you ask who the female police officers at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department aspire to be like, Maho’s name often comes up among the career officers, but Saginuma Kotone is even more popular.

Section Chief Saginuma smirked.

“Well, I do intend to rise to the top. ‘If you want to do the right thing, you should aim to be at the top,’ they say.”

“Hahaha, everyone loves ‘Bayside Shakedown,’ right?”

“That being said, there’s one thing you and I both lack if we want to get to the top.”

What could she be talking about? Shinichi tilted his head, not immediately understanding.

Then it hit him, and he clapped his hands. Section Chief Saginuma chuckled.

“That’s right. Marriage, marriage. In this organization, if you’re not married, you practically have no rights, right? If you’re not married, they say you have personal issues. There are no unmarried executives, right?”

“Oh, that’s true…”

“I don’t have a boyfriend right now. Don’t you have a good partner? Oh, asking about this might be considered harassment nowadays. It’s a difficult world.”

Shinichi pondered for a moment. Was this another probe related to Maho?

“Please don’t talk like an old man, Section Chief Saginuma, even though you’re only in your twenties. And for your information, I do have a girlfriend.”

“Eh, really!? I had no idea. I thought maybe you’d be a good catch for me~!”

Section Chief Saginuma said “too bad” and laughed cheerfully.

author’s note

A new twist is coming…! If you’re curious about what happens next

Translator’s Note :

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