Laid-Back Life in Tokyo: I Really Didn't Want to Work Hard
Chapter 51 Hiroki’s Hidden Facade

Chapter 51: Chapter 51 Hiroki’s Hidden Facade

Ishibashi Kesuke’s gaze kept darting between the two, it was best not to get involved in such matters.

"Chief of Police Hanamaru, I’ll take my leave now."

"Wait!"

Hanamaru Hiroki stared directly at Uesugi Sakura with piercing eyes,

"I need to head to the headquarters for something. Ishibashi, take this kid to the Kendo Dojo on the sixth floor for some training. Teach him some of the basics of Kendo, don’t hold back, this kid’s quite tough."

"Ah?" Ishibashi Kesuke was a bit stunned, then nodded, "Okay, Chief of Police Hanamaru."

"We’ll properly settle the matter from this morning with you later!"

Hanamaru Hiroki pointed at Uesugi Sakura standing in front, then got up and strode out briskly, decisively and efficiently.

"..."

Uesugi Sakura was still thinking about how to smooth over the incident from the morning when he didn’t expect Hanamaru Hiroki to leave directly.

He began to take stock of the office after Hanamaru Hiroki had left.

In front was a large brown desk, with a computer tilted on top.

The black swivel chair behind it was where Hanamaru Hiroki had just sat, with a large blue police insignia flag on the right side.

On the left was a metal filing cabinet with transparent glass, through which blue folders could be seen.

Behind the desk was a huge floor-to-ceiling window made from tough bulletproof glass, allowing the night sky to be seen and making the entire office very spacious and bright.

The view here was excellent, looking through the bulletproof glass straight down to the bustling streets of Tokyo.

Very large, but also very streamlined.

This office was evidently for someone of status within the police station.

Curiously, Uesugi Sakura asked Ishibashi Kesuke:

"Officer Ishibashi, what rank is Uncle Hiroki in the Shinjuku Police Station to have such an office?"

"Chief of the police station,"

Ishibashi Kesuke blurted out, looking puzzled at Uesugi Sakura, "Aren’t you the fiancé decided by Chief of Police Hanamaru? How do you not know this?"

"Haha... fiancé, that’s still too early."

"Come on, the fact that you’re here means Chief of Police Hanamaru already has an eye on you,"

Ishibashi Kesuke gave Uesugi Sakura a pitying look, "Once Chief of Police Hanamaru has his eye on someone, there’s no escaping, no matter if you want it or not."

"Uncle Hiroki... is he very impressive?"

Uesugi Sakura noticed his expression and realized he referred to Hanamaru Hiroki as "Police Chief," rather than just "Police Chief."

The Police Chief rank is two levels higher than a Police Chief, the difference between a colonel and a major.

"Impressive, of course, impressive!"

Ishibashi Kesuke’s expression immediately became serious, quietly leaning in toward Uesugi Sakura, "He’s the youngest Chief in the police world, a legendary officer. Generally, someone in his position is at least over 50 years old and must be a career group person."

"He became a Level Eight Chief at this age, and his current rank is only second to the top one and two at the Police Headquarters (national police headquarters). How many achievements he has, I’m sure you can imagine without me saying."

Ishibashi Kesuke’s voice grew quieter.

"Just so you know, Chief of Police Hanamaru is from the Investigation First Division at Police Headquarters. Besides being the Chief, he’s also a counselor in the Criminal Division. It’s just that he generally doesn’t go there anymore, only helping out with crime strategies."

"Chief, and a counselor!?"

Uesugi Sakura was amazed; he originally thought Hanamaru Hiroki was at most a department head in the Shinjuku Police Station.

But unexpectedly, he was directly a counselor in the Criminal Division at the Police Headquarters and the Chief at the Shinjuku Police Station (one of 19 large-scale stations).

Directly a member of the police’s most central strata, closest to the top of the pyramid in the police force.

A high officer, and a young high officer at that.

Besides, Hanamaru Hiroki is only 37 this year, not even reaching middle age.

His salary must not be low either.

No wonder Hanamaru Hanabi always had so much pocket money, much more than him.

As for the Investigation First Division, he knew some matters, given it’s the star department among the police.

The Investigation First Division is under the Criminal Division of the Police Headquarters, specifically responsible for major criminal homicide cases, with fast promotions and high salaries.

But correspondingly, the criminals they face are much more dangerous.

"Why does Uncle Hiroki hold two positions? Both Chief and Counselor?"

"It’s said that the Criminal Division didn’t want to let him go, so they let him hold a title there, helping out with investigations and such when he has time."

"... quite a prestige."

"Did you not know these things?" Ishibashi Kesuke asked.

Uesugi Sakura shook his head, "Didn’t know, Uncle Hiroki never lets us know about his work, I always thought he was just a Chief, completely different at home."

"Just a Chief..." Ishibashi Kesuke couldn’t help but sweat, "You say it like Chiefs are common."

"Pardon me for asking, Officer Ishibashi, what rank are you?"

"It’s fine," Ishibashi Kesuke laughed, "I just graduated from the Police Academy, starting as an Assistant Police Chief, think of it as Fourth Level in the force, Chief is Sixth Level, Police Chief is Eighth Level."

Starting as a Fourth Level officer?

Starting from the result of what others strive for a lifetime?

Uesugi Sakura looked at him with surprise, "National Class One A-level Civil Servant Exam?"

"You know about that too." Ishibashi Kesuke seemed quite proud.

Uesugi Sakura immediately saw him in a different light, that exam is a leapfrogging civil service exam, allowing immediate class crossing.

Those who pass this exam are called –

"Career Group (CAREER)."

Also known as the elite group, among more than 200,000 police officers nationwide, only about 500 have passed this exam.

A real high achiever, harder than getting into the University of Tokyo.

The starting point is the end for others, where it takes others decades to reach, he reached right after graduating from university.

It can’t help but make people envious, and also respect his capabilities.

"Very impressive."

"Haha, it’s nothing, compared to Chief of Police Hanamaru’s legendary career, I’m just an ordinary junior officer just starting,"

Ishibashi Kesuke laughed and patted his shoulder, "Let’s go, talk while we walk, first to the Kendo Dojo upstairs, we train there when there’s nothing to do."

...

Following Ishibashi Kesuke to the spacious Kendo Dojo on the sixth floor, Uesugi Sakura saw two people dressed in Kendo clothes facing off against one another.

Point of the sword to the point of the sword,

They cautiously probed each other, occasionally making a series of small movements, revealing flaws to entice the other’s attack.

Uesugi Sakura watched their movements intently, waiting.

After they exchanged feints and probes for a full fifteen seconds...

Suddenly, one shouted, "Do!"

In a swift maneuver, he shook off his opponent’s bamboo sword, striking diagonally at his opponent’s waist with lightning speed.

And at the same moment, the other’s bamboo sword swiftly landed atop his head, but it was a fraction of a second slower.

Bang! Bang!

Almost simultaneously, both bamboo swords hit directly, making sounds.

Their speed was so fast it created afterimages, making it hard for Uesugi Sakura to follow what happened.

[Kendo Lv5 (4/10)]

"Ippon! Ishibashi wins!"

Ishibashi Kesuke called out with a smile to the two in the middle of the dojo, then walked over, with Uesugi Sakura following suit.

The two in the dojo also noticed Ishibashi Kesuke at the other end, removing the protective gear from their heads.

"It should be Sanbon! Kitada has already lost two rounds."

Ishibashi Kiyosaku revealed a forehead full of sweat, his tanned skin highlighting his robust physique.