Structural Detective Episode 0

Episode 0: The Envelope, the Coordinates, and the Birth of "Falcon"

[Scene: A dive bar. Washida, Deputy Director of Public Security, speaks while tilting his glass.]

Washida: "Takahama, there is only one person who can save us from this predicament. I have finally managed to get a lead on someone close to that person. I cannot act as an intermediary. However, it seems Yoshida knows the key person. Try to make contact with them successfully."

Takahama: "...I still don't really see the big picture, but it sounds heavy. Are we the ones who have to take on such a heavy mission? We're just newspaper reporters!"

Yamane: "Once we received word from the informant Komachi, there was no turning back, Takahama."

Takahama: "Washida, for now, I had Nishino act as a carrier pigeon for the documents, but don't tell me that thing has started moving?"

Washida: "Who knows. But if we don't act fast, this country will reach a point of no return. You know I can't move openly."

[Silence. The ice in the glass clinks.]

Takahama: "The coordinates have shifted, have they?"
"Can't be helped. Then, Mongoose, shall we take back Japan?"

Yamane: "Yes, understood, Scorpion."

Washida: "The Structural Detective is back in business."

[The two leave the bar quietly. In the night city, cracks in the structure begin to spread.]



[Scene: Past 6:00 PM. 3rd floor of a multi-tenant building in Ichigaya. Yoshida's office.]

Sayaka Nishino runs up the stairs in one breath, envelope in hand.

(Sayaka Nishino is a new employee in the political department of the Daily Newspaper. She has been assigned to the same department as Takahama and Yamane for half a year. Although she is still a novice as a reporter, she is an energetic female employee whose sense of smell and mobility are second to none.)

The spiral staircase creaked, and the paint was peeling off in places.
The fluorescent light in the hallway was flickering.

(Knock knock) Nishino knocked on the door.

Yoshida: "It's open. Come in~"

Nishino: "Yoshida-san, it's been a while. So, um, this... Takahama-san said to give it to you directly. The contents... well, I don't know what's inside, but..."

Yoshida (accepts it silently, checking the weight and texture of the paper with her fingertips): "I have received it. Thank you."


Yoshida: "By the way, Nishino-san. What have those two been up to lately?"

Nishino: "...That is, well, you know..."

Yoshida: "Ah, it's fine, it's fine. I pretty much figured it out the moment you hesitated. They're as reckless as ever, aren't they? Neglecting their actual jobs."

Nishino: "That's about the size of it. They push all the actual work of the political department onto me, and those two just act like 'Structural Detectives' and indulge in delusions. You should tell them, Yoshida-san, 'Stop watching TV all day and do your jobs!'"

Yoshida (chuckles): "Haha, I see. But you... you think they're delusions, don't you?"

Nishino: "Eh? Aren't they delusions?"

Yoshida: "...Well, never mind."

Nishino: "Ehh, what is that supposed to mean? Please tell me~"

Yoshida (checks her watch and stands up): "Well then. I have to meet someone after this, so it's about time. Thank you, Nishino-san."

Nishino: "Ehh. Understood. Then, excuse me."

(The moment she bows, Yoshida's desk catches her eye.)
"Alaska LNG Contract Trends Report"
Nishino (inner voice): ...Alaska LNG? Let's see, let's see... Ahhh, I have no idea. I'm still so under-educated... ...Well, whatever~
[She goes down the stairs. The coldness of the steel frame of the stairs is brought out by the night breeze. The lights of the downtown area sway through the glass door.]