Hojo Maki is undoubtedly a beauty; time has fully brought out her femininity.

　　She had a unique, intoxicating scent, and her slightly sagging, full breasts were different from the shyness of a young girl.

　　Shirakawa Natsuya often couldn’t help but take a second look.

　　”Do you need me to guide you?” Yu Mukai asked after fastening his seatbelt.

　　“No need, I’ve been to that address before.” Shirakawa Natsu smiled, started the car, and looked at Mukai Yu through the rearview mirror.

　　I never expected Aunt Mafei to be interested in a guy like that.

　　Shirakawa Natsu knew that he had to take at least half the responsibility for this.

　　He directly caused Aunt Mafei’s youngest daughter to study abroad.

　　Her eldest daughter had always been a source of worry for her, but thanks to Miyuki’s actions, their relationship had improved considerably.

　　Without psychological pressure, with no friends around, coming home is just a cold and empty room.

　　It’s not unreasonable for a beautiful, middle-aged married woman in her thirties to focus her attention on her clean-cut and attractive subordinates under the influence of this loneliness.

　　In addition, Miyuki’s outrageous actions over the past two days have undeniably lowered Aunt Maki’s moral standards, subconsciously.

　　That’s how people are; if they can persevere, perhaps reason can prevent them from making a choice.

　　But once it’s lowered even once, there are only zero times or countless times.

　　Shirakawa Natsu stepped on the gas pedal to the floor, and the jeep sped along the road, with the scenery on both sides rushing by.

　　Yu Mukai’s expression was not good. He gripped the front handrail on the roof of the car tightly with one hand, as if this could give him a sense of security: “Shirakawa-kun, it’s just a theft case, it’s not particularly urgent.”

　　”Hmph, is that so?” Shirakawa Natsumi smiled and slowed down the car a little.

　　Upon closer reflection, it’s entirely reasonable and foreshadowed that Aunt Maki would develop a level of interest in Yu Mukai that goes beyond that of a junior.

　　It’s impossible for Shirakawa Natsumi to say that she didn’t experience any emotional fluctuations.

　　His mission is to deal with Aunt Shizuku Maki. If she develops a relationship with Yu Mukai that goes beyond that of a senior and junior, it will definitely increase the difficulty of the mission significantly.

　　Fortunately, I accidentally chose to befriend Yu Mukai first.

　　Currently, they are just senior and junior colleagues who admire each other, and Yutaka Mukai is also the passive and shy type.

　　This admiration for the seniors was kept only in my heart.

　　”That was close.” Shirakawa Natsu felt a wave of fear. The follow-up actions had to be brought forward; they couldn’t take it slow.

　　The first step is to eliminate the possibility of him and Aunt Mafei increasing his favorability.

　　This requires a key figure, Ryoko Arishima.

　　While Shirakawa Natsu was pondering, the jeep had already arrived at its destination.

　　He followed Yu Mukai to the one-bedroom apartment that had been offered for payment. Just as he had said, it wasn’t a major case; they simply completed the registration and left.

　　”Sorry, isn’t it just ordinary?” Yu Mukai smiled sheepishly, seemingly afraid of disappointing Shirakawa Natsumi. “Most of the time, our work involves doing these kinds of small things.”

　　”No, not at all,” Shirakawa Natsu said with a smile. “It’s precisely these little things that bring peace of mind to the neighbors.”

　　Yu Mukai was taken aback for a moment, then immediately nodded: “Thank you, Shirakawa-kun.”

　　”No need, where is the next address?” Shirakawa Natsumi asked with a smile.

　　”Okay, go to 3-chome.” Yu Mukai took out his phone to check the records: “The person who called the police said they were being followed at night.”

　　”Alright, let’s go.” Shirakawa Natsumi’s smile was gentle. He had learned it from the lecherous fox. Although it wasn’t exactly the same, it gave people a very friendly feeling.

　　Shirakawa Natsu patiently took him to various police reporting locations, all for minor matters requiring only simple registration.

　　He then treated Mukai Yu to lunch, and they spent some time in the restaurant escaping the sun.

　　He continued running around in the afternoon until around 4 p.m. When Xiang Jingyu looked at the latest address sent by the branch office, he was clearly stunned for a moment.

　　”Mukai-kun?” Shirakawa Natsu asked curiously, gripping the steering wheel. “Are you feeling unwell?”

　　As he spoke, he reached out to take the medicine that Aunt Mafei handed him.

　　”Oh, it’s nothing.” Mukai Yu quickly regained his smile, though a hint of unease still lingered in his eyes: “Go to the Lower City, to Model Agency No. 187.”

　　”Okay, sure.” Shirakawa Natsu smiled, squinted her eyes slightly, and stepped on the gas.

　　Model agencies primarily generate income by renting out various models; here, “renting” refers to legitimate rentals.

　　They usually shoot various commercials.

　　They also have their own photographers to take photos for customers or provide shooting locations.

　　Shirakawa Natsumi followed Mukai Yu into the company.

　　He took out his police ID and showed it to the receptionist: “Hello, where is the person who called the police?”

　　After checking the documents, the receptionist said, “This way, please.”

　　Guided by the receptionist, the two arrived at a filming location.

　　Along the way, Shirakawa Natsu saw several models being photographed, but they were just average and not nearly as attractive as the sexy fox.

　　When Mukai Yu saw the person who called the police, he was clearly stunned and exclaimed, “Ueda-sensei!”

　　Mr. Ueda, who was in his fifties and wore glasses, was equally surprised to see Yu Mukai. He looked Yu up and down and asked, “Yu, are you applying to the police academy?”

　　Yu Mukai was clearly very reserved, seemingly afraid to meet Ueda’s gaze, and said with his head down, “Yes, I applied to the police academy after graduation.”

　　After he finished speaking, he seemed unwilling to discuss the topic and quickly changed the subject, saying, “Mr. Ueda, did you call the police?”

　　“Yes.” Ueda pointed to another middle-aged man next to him and said, “Mr. Murakami invited me to take a set of photos, but the equipment was all there before we came in, but it disappeared in the blink of an eye.”

　　The middle-aged man also came up to recount what had happened, glancing at Shirakawa Natsu out of the corner of his eye as he spoke.

　　Shirakawa Natsu nodded to himself. This guy’s acting was pretty good. Although he gave him wrong information as a detective, at least he didn’t mess things up this time.

　　Ryoko Arishima was not Yu Mukai’s girlfriend at all. The two had feelings for each other in school, but they never officially dated.

　　Since she wasn’t a key figure, the detective simply inquired about her and wrote it into his report without verifying it.

　　The person who reported the incident to the police was their own teacher, and the incident occurred at the workplace of their romantic interest.

　　Of course, such coincidences don’t happen in reality.

　　As for why the school teachers would rent the venue to take photos, it’s obviously because they paid enough money.

　　The investigation revealed a simple misunderstanding: someone had taken the wrong bag and returned it shortly afterward.

　　Of course, all of this was arranged by Shirakawa Natsumi.

　　It was lunchtime, and Shirakawa Natsu suggested they eat together, with the detective uncle chiming in.

　　Although Yutaka Mukai was reluctant, he nodded in agreement.

　　Shirakawa Natsu signaled to the detective to leave on purpose, giving Ueda and Mukai Yu some time alone.

　　He placed a small backpack containing a listening device next to the two people, and could clearly hear their conversation by simply listening to it.

　　The reason Shirakawa Natsu invited Ueda was because Ueda was the mentor of Mukai Yu’s award-winning work.

　　Now that the two have met, they will naturally exchange some useful information.

　　After obtaining this information, Shirakawa Natsu was able to formulate a plan based on it and find a reason to get close to Hojo Maki.

　　Trying to win over Hojo Maki is no easy task.

　　After sitting for a while, Ueda suddenly spoke up: “The photography industry requires a long period of accumulation, and the judges’ preferences are also different.”

　　Yu Mukai shook his head shyly: “No, it’s not the judges’ fault, it’s my own lack of ability.”

　　“No, you are one of the most talented students I have ever taught.” Ueda said, “You are very sensitive to light and your sense of composition is also excellent. I don’t know why you suddenly gave up photography. There is an amateur photography exhibition next month. Do you want to give it a try?”

　　”Um…” Yu Mukai smiled shyly, “I think I’d better not, it’s been a long time since I’ve picked up a camera.”

　　Ueda didn’t say much, he just nodded.

　　The two sat for a while longer when the detective uncle walked over, followed by a pure-looking girl with long, straight black hair.

　　She was dressed casually, and her face was as fair as a porcelain doll.

　　The detective smiled and said, “Let me introduce you two. This is the photographer that the company introduced to me, Ms. Ryoko Arishima.”

　　Upon seeing Tanaka, Ryoko Arishima exclaimed with delight, “Tanaka-sensei!”

　　She immediately saw Mukai Yu in his police uniform, a complicated look flashed in her eyes, but she quickly recovered and greeted him with a smile: “Is this Mukai? It’s been a long time.”

　　Seeing that he couldn’t avoid it, Yu Mukai raised his head and said, “Ms. Arishima, it’s been a long time.”

　　When Ryoko Arishima heard him address her as “Miss Arishima,” a clear hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes.

　　”Oh my.” Seeing that the time was right, Shirakawa Natsu also walked over with a smile and introduced herself.

　　Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time with shrewd people, so encountering such easy-to-understand young men and women with no guile is a bit of a shock.

　　Subconsciously, I even suspected that she was deliberately making me think she was guileless.

　　Shirakawa Natsu revealed her identity as a manga artist, stating that she is currently working with Mukai Yu on a detective-related manga.

　　He quickly integrated into the group.

　　At his invitation, the group went to a hotel for dinner. At the dinner table, the detective, at Shirakawa Natsu’s instruction, kept urging them to drink.

　　More than urging someone to drink, it’s the desire to get drunk that’s irresistible.

　　For example, Ryoko Arishima, who is clearly an innocent porcelain doll, kept leaning towards Natsu Shirakawa after a few drinks: “Natsu-sensei, I’m your fan. I’ll buy and collect every single one of your manga.”

　　Her fair face was flushed, as if she were slightly drunk.

　　”Hehe, thanks for your support.” Shirakawa Natsu subtly stepped back a little, knowing that Arishima Ryoko was doing it on purpose for Mukai Yu’s benefit.

　　He wasn’t interested in matters between men and women, and besides, he needed to get closer to Aunt Maki by approaching Jingyu, so he couldn’t afford to ruin their relationship.

　　Upon witnessing this scene, Yutaka Mukai hesitated several times before finally remaining silent.

　　The meal was passable. After finishing their meal, Mr. Ueda and the detective left by car on their own.

　　Only Shirakawa Natsumi, Mukai Yu, and Arishima Ryoko remained at the scene.

　　“Mukai-kun, you’re Arishima-san’s classmate and a police officer, so it’s your duty to take her home, right?” Shirakawa Natsu said with a smile.