With that, Higashimatsuyama Yone pulled the newly handcuffed guy up from the ground.
"This guy was stealing. I can't waste too much time; I need to take him back first. Next time I have time..."
Higashimatsuyama Yone picked up a handbag from the ground, explaining to Kobayashi Itsuki, planning to say she would thank him properly when they had time later.
However, a quick glance from the corner of her eye suddenly revealed a dark shadow rushing toward them.
"Watch out!"
Higashimatsuyama Yone said, quickly pulling Kobayashi Itsuki closer to her side.
Before Kobayashi Itsuki could react to what was happening, he heard a "whoosh" sound of something cutting through the air near his ear.
Along with that sound, a long, whip-like object flashed past Kobayashi Itsuki's face.
It almost grazed his nose, and he could clearly feel the sharp sensation caused by it tearing through the air.
Having just dodged the attack, Kobayashi Itsuki finally saw that the attacker was a stylish urban woman dressed sexily, wearing high heels, and still sporting sunglasses in the dim environment.
The object that had just whizzed past Kobayashi Itsuki was a ribbon held in her hand.
The seemingly light ribbon, wielded by this delicate urban woman, was danced with fierce power, constantly creating whistling sounds as it ripped through the air.
Like a venomous snake flicking its tongue, it came toward the two of them in the narrow alley.
"There's an accomplice?"
Higashimatsuyama Yone was clearly surprised as well; she stood in front of Kobayashi Itsuki, her expression solemn.
She then reached out and pressed the walkie-talkie hanging on her chest, intending to call for backup.
At the same time, she shoved the handbag into Kobayashi Itsuki's hand, then reached for her back waist.
Looking at the handbag in his hand and then at Higashimatsuyama Yone's movements, Kobayashi Itsuki thought of her notoriously poor marksmanship (the "human outline tracing" technique) and didn't hold much hope.
Furthermore, as the urban woman approached, Kobayashi Itsuki looked at her professional appearance, and memories from his previous life began to resurface.
Why does this person look so much like a subordinate of the Tamayomi clan leader?
If he remembered correctly, one of the leader's subordinates used a ribbon as a weapon.
'I can't be this unlucky, can I?'
Kobayashi Itsuki thought silently to himself while looking around to observe potential retreat routes.
Although the opponent couldn't be said to possess supernatural powers, they were clearly well-trained.
If they got surrounded, things would be bad.
At the very least, he didn't believe Higashimatsuyama Yone's "human outline tracing" marksmanship would be of much help.
'Wait a minute, doesn't the Tamayomi clan usually run a club? Why are they stealing and daring to oppose the police now? The main plot shouldn't have started yet, right?'
Just as he was thinking, the urban woman opposite them immediately whipped her ribbon, knocking the walkie-talkie off Higashimatsuyama Yone's body, cutting off her attempt to call for backup.
"Kobayashi-san, if anything happens later, I'll cover you. Don't worry about me, just go find a patrol officer."
Higashimatsuyama Yone looked nervous. As a patrol officer who hadn't been on the job for long, this was the first time she had encountered a situation like this.
Her hand gripping the pistol was sweaty.
After instructing Kobayashi Itsuki, Higashimatsuyama Yone suddenly drew her pistol, her expression stern.
"Put down your weapon..."
Seeing the pistol in Higashimatsuyama Yone's hand, the opponent's steps clearly paused; she was obviously quite wary.
Kobayashi Itsuki took advantage of this moment to look through the handbag he held, wanting to see if there was anything inside that the opponent valued so highly.
But when he opened the bag, there was only a yellowish receipt covered in English, along with some loose change.
"There's nothing here..."
Kobayashi Itsuki muttered, not quite understanding what the Tamayomi clan was trying to do.
Fortunately, the situation was somewhat controlled; the opponent dared not rush forward while being held at gunpoint.
The sexily dressed urban woman looked at Higashimatsuyama Yone's stern expression and slowly retreated, clearly unwilling.
"Stop right there..."
Higashimatsuyama Yone was about to shout at her to stop, but the opponent flashed away and swiftly disappeared into the alley.
Seeing the opponent disappear, Higashimatsuyama Yone breathed a sigh of relief.
Although she was the one holding the gun, the pressure had been immense.
Picking up the walkie-talkie from the ground, Higashimatsuyama Yone turned to look at Kobayashi Itsuki.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I just didn't expect it to be this exciting."
Kobayashi Itsuki shrugged and said with a smile.
He was just an innocent bystander; nothing much concerned him just now, so there was naturally no great danger, aside from the initial whipping ribbon.
"It's alright, I'll protect you..."
Higashimatsuyama Yone said seriously.
"Although that's the case, I'd prefer that sentence to come from me."
"Oh really? Then I'll give you the chance."
A deep male voice sounded from behind the two of them.
Kobayashi Itsuki instinctively turned his head and saw a muscular man in a sleeveless vest with short purple crew-cut hair jump over the wall and land, intending to slap the pistol out of Higashimatsuyama Yone's hand.
"Watch out!"
What goes around comes around. Facing the sudden attack, Kobayashi Itsuki pulled Higashimatsuyama Yone into his arms, dodging the opponent's massive, sandbag-sized fist.
But no sooner had they dodged with their front feet than a ribbon shot out from the darkness behind them.
It wrapped toward Higashimatsuyama Yone's pistol.
"Bang!"
A gunshot suddenly erupted in the dark alley.
The muzzle flash briefly illuminated the alley environment and the astonished faces of the few people present.
Especially Higashimatsuyama Yone, who was holding the gun — the shot had gone wildly off target.
In the haste, Kobayashi Itsuki subconsciously kicked the guy who had been cuffed earlier out to block the ribbon, then shouted at Higashimatsuyama Yone.
"Keep shooting!"
If he remembered correctly, the muscular man in the vest in front of him was the Tamayomi clan leader's bodyguard.
His strength was considerable.
In this theatrical version, he was one of the best experts besides Hecson.
When it came to comparing fighting skills, Higashimatsuyama Yone, the rookie Policewoman, could hardly be called his match, let alone the fact that the opponents had a numerical advantage.
The best method right now was to shoot.
In such a narrow space, no matter how bad her marksmanship was, there weren't many places to hide.
Although the previous shot missed, it still startled the opponents.
"That was, that was an accidental discharge..."
Higashimatsuyama Yone said subconsciously, flustered.
Showing fear at this moment would only cause trouble for themselves.
Sure enough.
Hearing Higashimatsuyama Yone's words and seeing the burly strongman charging over, Kobayashi Itsuki immediately grabbed Higashimatsuyama Yone and turned to run.
Rookies are just this much trouble.