Chapter 142: Spy and Public Security
"Natsukawa-san already has a child. My sister mentioned that Anya is already over six years old. So Natsukawa-san was married quite some time ago?"
To be honest, Yuri was genuinely curious, because Natsukawa had only been in Japan for a few months, and the information Kazami had gathered only covered recent events.
As for what Natsukawa did before coming to Japan, and who Anya's mother was, he knew nothing.
Although he was a Public Security Bureau officer, his authority was limited to domestic matters. He could only confirm that Natsukawa had flown to Japan from New York—he couldn't investigate Natsukawa's specific situation in the United States.
Obviously, Japanese intelligence operatives in America wouldn't investigate Natsukawa over such a trivial personal matter. It wouldn't serve national interests.
Natsukawa took a deep breath, grief welling up inside him. His eyes reddened, and his superb acting skills kicked into high gear.
He glanced at Anya with a somewhat lost expression, his pent-up emotions seemingly about to overflow.
"Yes, we got married seven years ago. It was a sunny morning in a European church."
"Excuse me, but where is your wife now?"
Under the table, Yor stepped hard on Yuri's foot. What kind of question was that?! Was he conducting a background check? Besides, she already knew about Anya's mother's situation—wasn't this just rubbing salt in their wounds?
"It's alright." Natsukawa waved his hand and began to explain.
"Anya's mother and I were childhood sweethearts. We got married in Europe seven years ago. After Anya's mother became pregnant, we moved to the United States.
Actually, Anya's mother's health wasn't good to begin with, and her condition deteriorated rapidly due to the pregnancy.
In the end, she tragically passed away during childbirth due to excessive blood loss. Although Anya survived, she lost her mother."
Natsukawa stroked Anya's hair, his sorrow appearing genuine.
Tears immediately streamed down Anya's face, just like at Café Poirot. Her pale pink eyes glistened, and her pitiful appearance evoked deep sympathy.
The father and daughter were both skilled actors. Anya had been trained in emotional performance—she could cry on command, tears flowing instantly.
"Alright, Yuri, you're being extremely rude!" Yor glared at her brother. After all his time at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he was still so tactless!
Yuri still had more questions, but seeing his sister's fierce gaze, he immediately shut his mouth.
He'd let it go for now. He'd also lost his parents and knew the pain of losing a mother—he didn't want to hurt this little girl any further.
Moving on, the four sat around the square dining table, each dish making Yuri's mouth water.
Although he didn't like Natsukawa, he had to admit—his cooking was truly exceptional. Especially the hot pot, bubbling and steaming, looking incredibly appetizing.
"Can you handle spicy food?"
"Yes." Yuri nodded, puzzled by the question.
"Looks like you're similar to Yor. Yor really loves my hot pot. The red broth is spicy—not tomato—you should enjoy it. And the white one is a rich chicken broth base."
What does that mean? Does it mean my sister often comes here for dinner, or that he already knows my sister completely and is preparing for marriage?
At this moment, Yuri chose to remain silent, changing the subject and preparing to launch his counterattack.
"By the way, Natsukawa-san, what's your occupation? You know my sister—she's a self-defense instructor at the Metropolitan Police Department. I hope she finds someone of equal social standing or with a successful career."
He remembered that in the information Kazami had provided a few days ago, Natsukawa was listed as unemployed.
Although he seemed to come from a decent background, this could very well be inherited from his parents, or it could just be a façade.
He was a police officer and had seen too many cases like this: good-for-nothing rich kids sponging off their parents, smooth-talking con artists who knew how to present themselves well, and romance scammers who deceived young women. There were far too many of these types in Japan.
And furthermore!
How could his sister have a boyfriend?! She had him—that was enough! This guy named Natsukawa, he felt at first glance, was one of those three types of people.
No—he could be all three combined!!!
Because Natsukawa's position as a Special Investigator for the National Tax Agency included the word "Special," he was essentially a covert officer. His identity was encrypted by the NTA, and since he'd just started, he'd only revealed his tax investigator identity to Kaitou Kid. The Public Security Bureau had no information about him.
Yuri only knew that Natsukawa occasionally helped the police solve cases—he hadn't discovered he had a legitimate occupation.
"Here's my identification. Actually, I'm a Special Investigator for the National Tax Agency. I should meet the requirement of being a suitable match, right?"
Natsukawa smiled and placed his credentials on the table.
Yuri was immediately shocked. Damn it, Kazami! I'm never using him for intelligence again—he'll get me killed sooner or later! He didn't even investigate Natsukawa's actual identity!
He looked up at Natsukawa for several seconds, then turned to see that Yor also looked extremely surprised.
Strange.
This type of investigator position had only become prominent after the new director of the National Tax Agency took office. They were essentially covert operatives in the field of tax investigation.
Yuri didn't know much about them, but people in such positions were definitely not simple.
His sister was so innocent, lovely, gentle, virtuous, and kind—how could she be with such a cunning and calculating person?
Don't ask why he thought that way—because that's exactly how he operated at work.
He never showed his true emotions on the surface, his movements were measured and composed, and he always maintained a smile, unaffected by external circumstances.
Natsukawa's performance made Yuri deeply uneasy.
Too perfect!
And perfection was often the biggest red flag! Who in the world could remain so composed in front of his sister?
This was his sister! Her charm was undeniable!
As a severe sister-complex, Yuri was hostile toward any man who came close to Yor.
In his eyes, all men who got near his sister were bad people—except for him!
"Yor mentioned that Yuri works at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and you've been there for two years now?"
Natsukawa felt he should be a bit more proactive. Yuri was clearly interrogating him like a criminal, and even though he was Yor's brother, it still made him very uncomfortable.
"Yes." Yuri nodded, trying to maintain his professional expression.
"Is the work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanding? I heard you often travel abroad—some are even stationed overseas permanently."
"Yes, I frequently need to travel internationally. I just returned from the United States recently after handling some matters, and overall it went smoothly. My job isn't actually that difficult—I mainly help ambassadors take meeting notes.
I just got back from the US, and my sister told me she has a boyfriend, so I rushed over to meet Natsukawa-san. My sister spoke very highly of you!"
Yuri's voice became noticeably heavier when emphasizing "very highly."
This visitor is clearly hostile!
Anya lowered her head and focused on eating. The adult world was so complicated—she'd better just enjoy her food.
Bond did the same, his head lowered, practically burying his entire face in his dog bowl. Human thinking is too complex. As long as I have food, that's enough.
"The US? Come to think of it, I do miss it. I've only been here from New York for a few months, and I really miss my friends and the food there~"
Natsukawa looked up and placed a choice morsel on Yor's plate. "Speaking of the US, I have a bottle of wine a friend gave me. Yuri, you should try it."
He turned and retrieved the wine from the side table, uncorked it, swirled it gently, and poured it into a decanter.
"Speaking of which, Yor and I have known each other for so long, but we've never had a proper drink together. Since Yuri's here today, let's all enjoy ourselves!"
Yuri opened his mouth, wanting to object, but then gave up.
His alcohol tolerance had improved considerably over the past two years—he should be fine, right?
He wondered how much Natsukawa could drink. If he could get Natsukawa drunk, he might reveal his true colors. He couldn't miss this opportunity.
Yuri, completely oblivious to his own limitations, smiled innocently. "Alright! For my sister's sake today, Natsukawa-san, you'd better be prepared to drink several glasses!"
"Of course!" Natsukawa turned and pulled out another bottle of sake, setting it firmly on the table.
"I'll drink sake, you drink wine—let's drink until we drop tonight!"
Yuri: ...
Anya's eyes lit up.
Sake!
This was the sake she'd been searching for! Although it wasn't the same brand Hattori Heiji had given her, sake should be pretty much the same, right?
Thinking this, Anya reached out her small hand, wanting to touch the bottle.
Natsukawa chuckled and moved the bottle to the other side of the table.
"I heard sake has a very high alcohol content. This bottle must be at least a full liter. Let's just stick with red wine." Yor looked at Natsukawa with concern. "Don't you dislike drinking? I remember when you drank with Uncle Mouri, you always only took small sips."
"The occasion is different—I'm happy today!"
Yor was still somewhat worried, but her heart filled with warmth. Those words showed just how important she was to Natsukawa.
Yuri, feeling rather sour from this display of affection, picked up several bites of food and stuffed them into his mouth.
Mmm, so delicious!
"Then you two drink sake, and I'll take the red wine." Yor thought this was a good compromise—two people sharing a liter was better than Natsukawa drinking it all himself.
Yuri felt slightly annoyed. His sister wasn't even married yet, and she was already taking an outsider's side!
He could handle red wine fine, but sake was a completely different beast.
However, he was stuck now. He couldn't back down, especially not in front of his sister's boyfriend—he couldn't afford to appear weak!
(End of Chapter)
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