The principal cleared his throat, a wide smile on his face.
"Mr. Sol Mirek, in recognition of your extraordinary contributions to the school and society, the board has decided to award you the title of Special Honorary Student of Tokyo Den High School."
Sol glanced at the mountain of gifts piled on his desk, lips twitching. "This…"
"And this," the principal added, pulling a gold-embossed card from his pocket, "is a gold card for the restaurant near the school, with a 30% discount."
The classroom erupted in astonishment. Baki leaned against the window, shoulders shaking as he tried to suppress his laughter.
Fujita stepped forward, his expression serious, bowing slightly to Sol.
"Sol Mirek, thank you for your contributions. While you've excelled in… special fields, your academic performance still needs attention."
"Mr. Fujita!" the principal interrupted, clearly unimpressed with the lecture. "This is an awards ceremony!"
Ding-a-ling! Ding-a-ling!
Sol's phone buzzed. He pulled it out, seeing a call from Retsu Kaioh.
"Hello?"
"Sol, Kato Kiyosumi was severely injured by Dorian and is currently undergoing emergency treatment at the hospital," Retsu Kaioh's voice came through, tight with restrained anger.
Sol's brow furrowed. He knew of Kato—master of Katsumi Orochi.
"How is he?"
"His life was saved, but he suffered multiple fractures, and his right wrist is shattered. The doctor says he may never fully recover. Dorian is provoking us. If you can, come to Shinshinkai now."
"Understood. I'll be there." Sol hung up and slipped his phone back into his pocket.
The classroom's atmosphere shifted instantly. Everyone stared at Sol. The principal coughed awkwardly.
"Well… if Mr. Mirek has an urgent matter…"
"Sorry, I have to go. Principal, you can coordinate with him." Sol handed the business card Kondo had given him to the principal.
"He'll help with my leave request and take care of the gifts. I'm leaving now." With that, Sol slung his backpack over his shoulder and strode out, leaving the classroom buzzing.
The principal examined the card: Tokyo Police Department, Investigation Section, Chief of Investigation Division One: Yamamoto Kondo. His hand trembled slightly. Gold-embossed letters glimmered in the sunlight. He looked up, only to see Sol already gone.
Fujita leaned over, eyes widening. "Chief of Investigation Division One? He… he can directly contact high-ranking officials?"
The principal dialed the number. Kondo's deep voice answered.
"Hello?"
"Ch-Chief Kondo, this is the principal of Tokyo Den High School," the principal said, his voice deferential.
"Ah, Mr. Principal. Sol Mirek has already briefed you, hasn't he?"
"Yes… he said he needs assistance with leave procedures and the gifts."
Kondo paused briefly, then said briskly, "I'll be there shortly. About twenty minutes." His tone radiated enthusiasm; to him, Sol taking leave equaled a death row inmate captured, and he was the one facilitating it.
After hanging up, the principal, Fujita, and the homeroom teacher exchanged astonished glances. The classroom buzzed with whispers.
"Principal… is it really appropriate for the Chief of Investigation Division One to handle Sol's leave personally?" the homeroom teacher asked.
The principal inhaled deeply. "No one is to imitate Sol Mirek asking a chief to submit a leave request. Understand?"
"Yes!" the students chorused, a mix of admiration and envy in their eyes.
Fifteen minutes later, a black official car roared onto the campus. Kondo, flanked by two officers, moved swiftly toward the teaching building.
"That's a Tokyo Police Department car!"
"Isn't that the person who appears at major crime scenes on TV?"
"What are they doing at our school?"
Kondo took the stairs two at a time, entering the principal's office with purpose.
"Mr. Principal, I'm here to process Sol Mirek's leave request. What forms are needed?"
The principal handed over the prepared leave form. Kondo signed it without hesitation, then retrieved a document stamped with the Tokyo Police Department seal.
"This is a special requisition order. Sol Mirek is to assist us in handling critical cases during this period. We ask for the school's full cooperation."
The principal's hands shook as he took the document. He hadn't anticipated that Tokyo Den High would produce a student of such caliber.
"Of course we will cooperate. If necessary, we will arrange individual tutoring for all of Sol Mirek's courses."
Kondo nodded in satisfaction, then addressed the class.
"Students, Sol Mirek is on a special mission. Keep it strictly confidential. Anyone following or harassing him should call my private number immediately."
He handed out business cards to the students, who treasured them, placing them safely in their schoolbags.
"We'll have my team handle Sol's gifts now." Kondo motioned to the pile on the desk. His officers immediately began moving them.
The principal quietly pulled Fujita aside.
"From now on, Sol's attendance will be treated as a special case."
Fujita nodded. "Understood. If needed, I'll create a separate teaching plan for him."
Meanwhile, the students whispered excitedly.
"Did you see that?! The Chief of Investigation Division One personally handled Sol Mirek's leave!"
"I can't believe it. This is unreal."
"I heard Sol was personally invited by the Japanese government to deal with the five Death Row Inmates who came to Tokyo. He really is the ultimate weapon."
Even the most skeptical students couldn't hide their awe. Today, they weren't just in a classroom—they were in the presence of someone extraordinary.
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