ASAHI NO NISHISEI - Rising Sun Goes West (2)

Farewell, My Dear Country

April 12, 2031

In front of the Metropolitan Police Department building, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo

Two high school senior and junior are reunited after their positions were reversed. While Riyoshi is having a hard time understanding the situation after witnessing the strange scene, Hiraide and Jindo have a conversation for the first time in 15 years.

"Ah... yeah, it's been a while, hasn't it, Hiraide-senpai?"

It was Jindo who spoke first. He spoke to Hiraide in the same way he had spoken to him 15 years before.

"Yeah—I mean, of course, you are right... Superintendent Jindo. I didn't expect you to be a career policeman..."

When he called him a senpai, Hiraide unintentionally addressed him in the same manner he did in high school, but he immediately recalled the difference in rank between himself and him and changed his tone.

"Y-yes! I also had no idea that you in MPD's Public Security Bureau, senpai..." Jindo retorted.

As usual, he too kept his tone of honorifics. The police superintendent and sergeant spoke to each other in honorifics, and there was a strange, indescribable air between them.

'This guy used to scare me...'

As he looked at the face of his senior, whom he had not seen in 15 years, Jindo thought back to the reprimands and guidance he had received from Hiraide 15 years ago. The gap between his memories and the way Hiraide was treating him now gave him a strong sense of discomfort.

"Why aren't you using the same way of talking as you used to?"

"Well, due to the relationship between a superintendent and a sergeant, that's not how it works..."

Hiraide answered Jindo's question with some hesitation.

"........."

A delicate situation passed between the two men. Realizing that communication with Hiraide would be difficult if things continued as they were, Jindo showed some signs of thinking and made an offer to him.

"How about this! I'll talk to you as a 'boss' and you talk to me as a 'senior'. Otherwise, I don't feel comfortable...!"

"!?"

Hiraide's eyes widened in surprise at the suggestion of a junior who now stands three ranks above him. However, realizing that this was the best compromise for the current situation in order to maintain their relationship without hindrance, Hiraide made up his mind to accept his offer.

"...I understand. Let's do it that way then... Superintendent Jindo!"

"That's good... Hiraide-senpai!"

After agreeing with each other, Jindo and Hiraide shake hands again. However, there was someone who denied their agreement.

"N-no, you can't do that! That's not right!"

"?"

The one who raised her voice was Riyoshi, who was watching the two from the side. She frowned as she spoke bitterly against Jindo.

"Police officers are rank first, and it doesn't matter how old you are or whether you were a senior or a junior in high school! It's not proper for a career police superintendent to allow his subordinate to speak to him like that! Please be self-aware!"

Riyoshi, who was proud of being a semi-career inspector but had a complex about career officers, could not stand the fact that Hiraide, a non-career officer, is allowed to talk to Jindo, a career officer, in a friendly manner. This is even if it was permitted by Jindo himself.