Rain quietly and persistently tapped against the window, like the fingers of an impatient guest. Drops slid down the glass in thin silver trails, reflecting the dim light of the street lamp outside. Akiyama lay on his old, sagging bed in a small apartment, snoring lightly. The room was immersed in half-darkness. In the next room, his older sister Hana slept peacefully, as always waiting for him even when her brother returned deep at night after a hard shift.
Suddenly, the phone on the nightstand vibrated. Loud, insistent ringing tore through the silence of the night.
Akiyama jerked awake, opened his eyes, and lay there for a few seconds trying to understand what was happening.
Fuck…, he cursed hoarsely, rubbing his face with his palm. "What time is it even…
The phone kept ringing. Akiyama reluctantly reached out, grabbed it, and brought it to his ear.
Hello…, his voice was sleepy, irritated, and tired.
Akiyama, it's me, the chief, a tense, rapid voice came from the phone. Sorry for waking you up in the middle of the night, but we have an emergency.
Akiyama sat up on the bed, instantly waking up.
What happened?
Here's the situation… basically, robbers attacked the 'Marui' supermarket not far from the municipal building. It's serious. They set the store on fire. There's already a huge blaze, people are panicking and running everywhere. Get there immediately. I already sent two cars, but I need you on the scene as fast as possible."
Akiyama exhaled and ran a hand across his face.
What do you mean attacked? How many are there? Any casualties?"
Still don't know exactly. Preliminary reports say three or four. They were armed. One security guard is already wounded. Hurry up, Akiyama. I'm counting on you."
Got it. I'm leaving now.
He ended the call, stood up, and quickly started getting dressed. He put on his police uniform, fastened his belt, loaded his service pistol, and slipped a spare magazine into his pocket. Before leaving, he quietly peeked into his sister's room. Hana was sleeping peacefully, hugging her pillow. Akiyama carefully closed the door and left the apartment.
The night was cold and wet. The rain had grown heavier. Akiyama started the patrol car and sped through the empty illuminated streets. Ten minutes later, he was already at the scene.
The supermarket was engulfed in flames. Fire greedily devoured the storefronts, thick black smoke pouring into the night sky. People screamed in panic, running in every direction. Some were crying, others shouting for help. Someone was filming everything on their phone.
Akiyama abruptly stopped the car, stepped out, and pulled out his pistol.
Police. Everyone get back, he shouted loudly, but his voice was nearly drowned out by the chaos.
He slowly approached the shattered window, weapon ready, and cautiously stepped inside.
Hands up. Everyone on the floor. Asses down. Whoever's inside, come out one by one with your hands raised," he shouted, carefully scanning the wrecked sales floor.
Shelves were overturned, goods scattered underfoot, and the air reeked of smoke and burning. Akiyama moved forward when suddenly a loud metallic click came from outside.
He spun around sharply.
A guy in a black mask stood by the broken window, aiming a grenade launcher at him.
"Fuuh…," was all Akiyama managed to exhale.
He instantly threw himself to the side. The rocket flew past him and exploded somewhere deep inside the store. A powerful shockwave hurled him to the floor, shelves collapsing around him. Shards of glass and flames burst in every direction.
Akiyama struggled to his feet. His clothes were torn. The bandits were already trying to escape. He ran after them.
"Stop. Police." he shouted.
Gunshots rang out. One bullet hit his arm, two more struck his stomach. The pain was burning and sharp. Akiyama dropped to one knee but still fired back. One of the bandits collapsed onto the wet asphalt with a bullet through his head.
The others managed to jump into a car and disappear into the rainy night.
Akiyama sat down against the supermarket wall, pressing a hand to his stomach. Blood flowed through his fingers in warm streams. The world began to blur before his eyes. He lost consciousness to the sound of approaching sirens and people screaming...
The sun slowly rose, softly illuminating a small room in a suburban hospital. Silence filled the room; only the quiet beeping of monitors and the drip of an IV could be heard.
Akiyama opened his eyes. The pain in his stomach and arm was dull but constant. The ward door opened. The chief walked in carrying a small bouquet of flowers and a bag of apples.
So, how are you, Akiyama? he asked, trying to smile. "You already look better than yesterday. The doctors say you got lucky, the bullets didn't hit any vital organs."
Akiyama turned his head toward the window and quietly replied:
I'm alright…
The chief placed the flowers and the bag on the table and sat down beside the bed. They stayed silent for a while.
You know… you did well, the chief finally said. One bandit is dead, and we caught the others while the trail was still hot. But… there's something else."
Akiyama looked at him.
What now?"
You'll have to pay a fine," the chief sighed. The department received an official complaint. The mother of the guy you shot filed a claim. Moral damages. At least thirty thousand yen. Maybe more."
Akiyama stayed silent for a long time, staring at the ceiling.
I don't owe anything.
I was just doing my job, he finally said in a dull voice. They set the store on fire. They shot at me. What was I supposed to do?"
I know, the chief nodded. You did everything right. But the law is the law. To her, you're the killer of her son. Even if he was a criminal.
The chief stood up and let out a heavy sigh.
Think carefully before you do anything. Get some rest for now. I'm not blaming you for this, Akiyama. You acted according to procedure. It's just that sometimes even the right actions have their price.
Akiyama looked at him with a tired gaze.
I understand.
The chief nodded, patted him on the shoulder, and slowly walked toward the door.
Get well soon. Call if anything happens.
He quietly closed the door behind him.
A bright butterfly flew past the hospital window, hanging for a second in a ray of sunlight before disappearing into the morning sky.