Convenience Store Manager: Ran entered at the Start

-----

-----

The next day—

"Azusa."

"I'm heading out for a bit. I'll leave the convenience store to you."

The morning rush had just passed.

Akira was already taking off his green convenience store uniform.

But today, he wasn't going out to relax. He was heading to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police

Department to assist with the investigation of yesterday's robbery.

"Alright… Got it."

As Enomoto Azusa responded, Akira was already stepping out the store's entrance.

At the same time—

The familiar chime of the automatic door rang out: Ding-dong—Welcome!

"A newspaper, please."

This was a world untouched by 5G technology.

There were only two main ways to get news: watching the daily television broadcasts or reading The

Tokyo Daily.

"Damn!"

The moment Akira opened The Tokyo Daily, he was bombarded with crime reports.

A quick glance—

Murders, thefts, robberies... Crime-related stories took up at least 80% of the newspaper's pages.

The remaining 20% was dedicated to a popular idol, Yoko Okino, and her upcoming concert.

And then—

A headline about a jewelry store robbery caught his attention.

The accompanying image showed a masked man aiming a Glock at a terrified store clerk.

Just from the blurred silhouette and the gun in his hand, Akira instantly recognized the robber

—it was Yamamoto Ichiro, the guy who had taken the Glock from him a few days ago.

"That bastard…"

His instincts were spot on.

Yamamoto Ichiro had really made a name for himself after getting his hands on that gun.

His named was mentioned in "Page three of The Tokyo Daily."

Hmm…

At least that Glock 17 was put to good use.

Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.

The place was spotless and well-organized.

There wasn't a single unnecessary item in sight, giving it the look of a high-end corporate office.

Every detective in view was impeccably dressed in formal attire.

It was a stark contrast to the sloppy, instant-noodle-eating cops he had seen in movies.

"Excuse me."

"I'm looking for Detective Sato from the Violent Crimes Division."

Akira walked straight up to the service desk in the police department's lobby and explained

his reason for being there.

Seeing the confused look on the female officer's face, he quickly added, "My name is Akira,

manager of CLOVER Convenience Store. My store was robbed by two men yesterday, and I'm here

to assist Detective Sato with the investigation."

"Oh… so it's you."

The officer suddenly understood.

Judging by her reaction, it was clear she had already heard about the robbery.

"Please wait a moment."

She picked up the phone and dialed an internal number.

A few seconds later, the call connected—

"Detective Sato?"

"Mr. Akira from CLOVER Convenience Store is here to assist with the case."

"Alright… Got it."

After hanging up, the female officer turned back to Akira. "Detective Sato will be down

shortly."

A few minutes later—

Miwako Sato hurried out from inside the police department.

"Mr. Akira."

"Thank you for voluntarily cooperating with us."

"Please, follow me."

There was a hint of gratitude in her tone.

Many victims of such crimes were often hesitant to cooperate, fearing retaliation from the criminals.

It wasn't uncommon for them to be reluctant or even outright resistant.

"It's the least I can do."

Just before following her—

Akira reached into his pocket and pulled out a freshly made business card, handing it to the

female officer at the service desk.

"Beautiful lady."

"If you ever have the chance, stop by our CLOVER Convenience Store."

"I guarantee you won't be disappointed!"

For a moment, the young officer was caught completely off guard, clearly not expecting Akira

to pull something like this.

However—

As she looked up at his handsome face, a smile naturally appeared on hers.

"Hey—"

"You've got some nerve."

"Flirting… in the police department?!"

Miwako Sato had never encountered someone like Akira before.

People who came to the police station usually fell into one of two categories: those filing a report

and those confessing to a crime.

But handing out business cards? Now that was a first.

"Here, you can have one too, Detective Sato."

Akira casually handed her a business card as well.

If there was one thing Yamamoto had taught him, it was this: cast a wide net and reel in as many

fish as possible.

After all, his first-ever weapons deal had come about just like this!

"Come on, let's go."

Despite teasing him about flirting, Miwako Sato instinctively accepted the business card without

hesitation.

...