『Outside Observation - Metropolitan Police Department Class A Case: Schrödinger's Rebellion』 ◆～Commissioner Ichinose Arc～ 【2】

◆ The Secret Organization Libra (Eyes of the Scales) Lurking in the Metropolitan Police Department ～Commissioner Ichinose Arc～ 【2】

A cold, sharp blade was pressed precisely against the throat of Ichinose, the person in charge within the Metropolitan Police Department of the secretly established Class A Case Countermeasures Office, which houses the A-Counter unit for Awakened or Abnormality (supernatural/mutant) cases.
The sensation of cold metal pressing into skin...
A distance where even a few more millimeters of movement would draw blood. Yet, Commissioner Ichinose did not lift his gaze from the documents. Only the silence of the office and the sound of a pen running across paper could be heard.

The blinds, usually kept down to guard against snipers, were different on this day. Afternoon light streamed in from the open window, illuminating the files on the desk.

Class A Case Countermeasures Office—commonly known as "A-Counter".
A department that does not exist publicly. Yet, within the state, it functions with certainty.
Exhaling softly, he removed his glasses and questioned his uninvited guest.

“What did you come here for? I am reporting everything one by one.”

A calm, low, and monotonous voice. However, the room was definitely tense with Ichinose's killing intent.
The man behind him laughed.

“Just a little something. I was bored, so I thought I’d tease you. You still can’t take a joke, can you?”

He spun the knife in his hand dexterously as if it were a toy, letting out a vulgar laugh.
Earrings peeked out from the gaps in his gold-dyed hair. A tattoo was visible on the wrist peeking out from the sleeve of his black jacket.
But what Ichinose found most unpleasant was that light tone, devoid of even a shred of respect.

“State your business.”
“Orders from above. A certain case will occur soon. It involves A-Counter.”

Ichinose slowly lifted his gaze.

“Is that a prediction?”
“No, it’s an observation.”

A change appeared in the man's expression.
The light tone from moments ago vanished from his face.

“Three locations, same time. Weak but abnormal readings. One disappearance. High probability of an ability user.”

As if reacting to those words, the terminal on the desk lit up quietly.

『Breaking News Notification』
Ichinose lowered his gaze.

――Distortion detected in surveillance footage at three locations in the city.
――Instantaneous disappearance of streetlights.
――Loss of data on recording media for several seconds.

“The main event happens tonight.”

The man relayed the details in rapid succession.

“And the order is to deploy Haise. Raise the stage by one.”

Ichinose fell silent at those words.

“Psychometry isn't just contact-based. It becomes possible to detect wide-area residual thoughts. The traces this time are scattered. Normal output won't be able to track them.”

Ichinose operated the terminal with practiced hands.
What was displayed was Haise's ability progression.

――Emotional Fluctuation Value――
――Load Tolerance――

“What is the basis?”
“Observation logs. The stable range has expanded due to contact with Saeki. The critical point of mental load has receded.”

(Saeki's existence...)

Ichinose narrowed his eyes for just a moment.
The man continued further.

“The conditions are better than Case-A17. It shouldn't collapse this time.”
“Any guarantees?”
“None.”

The man answered immediately.

“But the probability is high.”

Ichinose stood up, walked to the window, and closed his eyes as if pondering something.

“What is the alternative if Haise breaks?”
“Three plans. One is already secured.”
“I see. Then it can continue.”

The man looked at Ichinose with an expression of disbelief.

(I had heard he was a perfectionist, but...)

“You’re thorough.”
“It’s a matter of efficiency.”

A new cell call came into the terminal.

『Simultaneous multiple incidents occurring. One missing person. History of ability registration. Traces scattered across three locations. It appears intentional――』

Ichinose made an immediate decision. Spending any more time on this matter was inefficient.

“Put A-Counter on standby. Deploy Haise.”
『Output?』
“Contact at normal range. Permission to expand depending on the situation.”

The man walked to the same window as Ichinose and looked down at the city below.
Red lights were scattering in all directions amidst the clamorous noise.

“Conditional spontaneity... huh.”
“I leave it to the individual's choice.”
“Even though you set the environment.”

Ichinose did not deny it. The "State" does not issue direct orders. But it creates the necessary situations... that is the State. While they themselves always hide in the shadows――.

“Control after ability expansion?”
“Libra will assist.”
“No, it would be better to keep it under state management as it is.”

The man sneered at Ichinose's reply. An organization with a higher degree of freedom is more resourceful than a country with restrictions. If Ichinose, who prioritizes efficiency above all else, had to choose, he would have chosen the organization (Libra).

“Do you think you can manage it?”

A quiet, first-time confrontation.
The State and the observation organization are not enemies. They are partners in mutual utilization for each other's benefit.

“Crime deterrence is our top priority. This is the one thing I cannot concede.”

Ichinose said to the man indifferently.

“I will use what can be used.”
“We share the same philosophy.”

Having confirmed Ichinose's intentions, the man turned back at the door.

“The peak of the occurrence is in two hours. I will continue the observation as is.”

Leaving those words behind, the man disappeared quietly along with the sound of the door.
In the silence that followed for a while, Ichinose opened Haise's file. Ability progression graph. Mental load index. He lined them up and compared them with the "A17" waveform.

(The numerical evaluation is...)

“The tolerance exceeds it.”

There was no emotion there. Only judgment. He picked up a pen and signed the conditional approval for raising the stage.
If Haise breaks, there are three alternatives.
The State will never stop its functions.
Individuals are replaceable. One just needs to find a test subject to take their place.
After that, either extract the broken individual's abilities at the genetic level, or raise another in the same environment...

That is the usual principle.

The light from the room lamp accentuated the photograph on the desk.
The face of an expressionless young man wearing a brand-new activity uniform. Eyes that somehow held traces of his parents.

(The strength of his core resembles his father's...)

Ichinose quietly turned the photo face down, pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose, and closed his eyes.

“Personal feelings are unnecessary.”

He closed the documents into the file.

(This is fine... The balance will be maintained. For now, at least...)

The signal for the beginning rang out in a room of a high-rise building.
Along with the cell call, the data from the three locations began to line up on the monitor.

――Emotional fluctuation prediction
――Load increase curve

“Has it begun――”

At the same time, his cell phone rang. It was from the man earlier.

『As planned.』
“Any deviations?”
『Within the permissible range. I will continue the observation as is.』

Haise's face and the observation monitor were displayed on the screen.

“Whether he steps in or not is up to him――. I'm counting on you, Haise.”

The situation around them became increasingly hectic. Flames raged here and there, accompanied by the sound of explosions.
While continuing their observation, they kept interference to a minimum and tested Haise's abilities――at the cost of civilian sacrifices...

“Now, what will you do, Psychometrist?”

Next update: Friday at 21:00 (may vary by a few minutes):

『There is no such thing as a correct choice... Only what was lost remained in those hands.』

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※ This is an entry for the #CreativeAward2026